Reading guide
A deliberate repetition, confirming a pattern
Every element of SN 46.14's own narrative recurs here essentially unchanged — only the disciple's own name and location differ (Mahāmoggallāna on Vulture's Peak, rather than Mahākassapa in the Pipphali Cave) — confirmed by direct comparison to be a deliberate structural repetition, establishing this as a recognized template rather than a singular historical incident.
Two chief disciples, named in sequence
Mahākassapa and Mahāmoggallāna were both senior members of the Buddha's own inner circle — Mahāmoggallāna renowned particularly for psychic power — and their sequential appearance in this vagga's own healing narratives underscores that even the most accomplished disciples faced grave illness, and found the same recourse in the seven awakening factors.
Key terms
The text
§1 — the visitAt one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time Venerable Mahāmoggallāna was staying on the Vulture’s Peak mountain, and he was sick, suffering, gravely ill. Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat, went to Venerable Moggallāna, sat down on the seat spread out, and said to him:
§2 — the health inquiry“I hope you’re keeping well, Moggallāna; I hope you’re all right. And I hope the pain is fading, not growing, that its fading is evident, not its growing.” “Sir, I’m not keeping well, I’m not getting by. The pain is terrible and growing, not fading; its growing is evident, not its fading.”
§3 — the recitation and confirmation“Moggallāna, I’ve rightly explained these seven awakening factors. When developed and cultivated, they lead to direct knowledge, to awakening, and to extinguishment. What seven? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. These are the seven awakening factors that I’ve rightly explained. When developed and cultivated, they lead to direct knowledge, to awakening, and to extinguishment.” “Indeed, Blessed One, these are awakening factors! Indeed, Holy One, these are awakening factors!”
§4 — the recoveryThat is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna approved what the Buddha said. And that’s how he recovered from that illness.
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