Textual Evidence for “Practice and Natural Liberation” in the “Ansaryattra Sutra”
– An Examination of the Core Structure of the Agama Sutras –
1. Introduction
The Agama Sutras are the oldest group of scriptures, conveying the Buddha’s early teachings. Their central theme is “liberation from the complete absence of effusion,” summarized in the question of under what conditions it can be attained. This paper examines a passage from the “Agama Sutra” (Ansaryattra Sutra) –
“When a monk practices and attains liberation through aspiration, he will attain liberation without desire. Therefore, he will attain liberation naturally through the complete absence of effusion. Why? Because of practice.”
This paper positions this passage as “textual evidence,” interprets it literally and doctrinalally, and further examines its contemporary significance by clarifying its connection to metaphors.
2. Original Text and Literal Translation
Original Text (Excerpt)
When a monk practices and attains liberation through aspiration, he will attain liberation without desire. Therefore, he will attain liberation naturally through the complete absence of effusion.
Why? Because of practice. Where do we practice? It is called practicing the state of mindfulness, the state of right effort, the state of willingness, the roots of energy, and the path to enlightenment.
Literal Translation
If a monk practices, adapts, and attains enlightenment,
even without the desire to “become liberated,”
his earthly desires will naturally disappear and his mind will attain liberation.
Why? Because it is through practice.
So what do we practice?
It is the four states of mindfulness, the four states of right effort, the four states of willingness, the five roots, the five roots of energy, the seven roots of enlightenment, and the eightfold path.
3. Doctrinal Interpretation
3.1 Distinction between Desire and Practice
The sutra clearly demonstrates that the fruit of “desire for liberation” alone cannot be attained. Here, the emphasis is on the necessity of cause and effect, in which practice itself is the cause and, as a result, gives rise to liberation.
3.2 The System of the Thirty-Seven Stages of the Path
The subjects of training are listed as the “Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Four Right Attendance, Four Willingness-Oriented Feet, Five Roots, Five Powers, Seven Awakening Points, and Eightfold Path.” These practices, later collectively known as the “Thirty-Seven Stages of the Path,” are presented as a comprehensive framework for the Buddha’s teachings.
3.3 The Principle of Natural Law
The expression “naturally exhausted” indicates that if training is properly undertaken, liberation will inevitably arrive, beyond intention or artificiality. This “natural law” position has had a major influence on later Mahayana Buddhist thought.
4. Reinforcement by Metaphors
This sutra is followed by three metaphors.
The Parable of the Chicken: If a mother hen properly incubates her eggs, the chicks will hatch naturally.
The Parable of the Axe Handle: The axe handle wears down without you even noticing.
The Analogy of the Boat’s Rope
The ropes that tie a boat down gradually break as they are exposed to wind and rain.
All of this points to one thing: “With continued practice, results will inevitably appear, even without our awareness.”
5. Position in the Agama Sutras as a Whole
This passage encapsulates the core of the doctrine consistently taught in the Agama Sutras: “Liberation through Practice.”
In other words, it is no exaggeration to say that it lies at the heart of the entire Agama Sutra.
6. Contemporary Significance
Even in modern society, people yearn for enlightenment and liberation, but this desire alone does not guarantee liberation. What is important is the accumulation of daily practice (practice).
Through repeated training in meditation, ethical practice, and correct awareness, liberation is realized not as a “goal” but as a “natural fruit.” This perspective has universal relevance, even in modern psychotherapy and habit formation theory.
7. Conclusion
The central text of the Angāsāraṇa-sūtra clearly demonstrates the teaching of causal necessity: “Through practice, liberation will naturally be attained.”
This teaching is the essence of the Agama sutras, and the system of practice encompassing the Thirty-Seven Chapters of the Path is the core of the Buddha’s path.
