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Bala Suttaṃ (1)

(A.iv.223)

Powers

27. “Monks, there are these eight powers. What eight? Crying is the power of a child, anger is the power of a woman, a weapon is the power of a thief, sovereignty is the power of a monarch, complaining (ujjhatti)¹ is the power of a fool, satisfaction (nijjhatti)² is the power of the wise, reflection (paṭisaṅkhāna) is the power of the learned, patience (khanti)³ is the power of recluses and priests. These, monks, are the eight powers.”

Bala Suttaṃ (2)

(A.iv.223)

Powers

28. The Venerable Sāriputta approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down at one side. As the Venerable Sāriputta was sitting at one side the Blessed One said: “What are the powers of a monk who has destroyed the outflows, endowed with which he knows: ‘My outflows are destroyed’?”

“Venerable sir, endowed with these eight powers, a monk who has destroyed the outflows knows: ‘My outflows have been destroyed.’ What eight? Here, venerable sir, a monk who has destroyed the outflows knows as it really is with perfect wisdom that all formations are impermanent … that sensual pleasures are like a burning charcoal pit … his mind tends, inclines, and slopes to mental seclusion, he delights in renunciation, he has put an end to all things that are a basis for the outflow …  he has developed, well-developed the four foundations of mindfulness (satipaṭṭhānā) … the four bases of success (iddhipādā) … the five controlling faculties (pañcindriyāni) … the seven factors of enlightenment (satta bojjhaṅgā) … the noble eightfold path. Venerable sir, a monk who has destroyed the outflows has developed, well-developed the noble eightfold path (ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo). This too, venerable sir, is a power of a monk who has destroyed the outflows, endowed with which he knows: ‘My outflows are destroyed.’ Venerable sir, endowed with these eight powers, a monk who has destroyed the outflows knows: ‘My outflows have been destroyed.’”

Notes:

1. Although complaining is a weakness, by complaining and showing irritation, blaming others for his or her own failings, etc., the fool fulfils his or her own ends, or avoids responsibility for his or her own mistakes, because good people don’t wish to dispute with a fool.

2. Satisfaction is the opposite of discontent. The wise person accepts situations as they are without complaint. For the wise, the cup is always half full; for the fool, it is always half empty.

3. Patience, forbearance and endurance (adhivāsana).