Samannaphala sutta

1. Samaññaphala Sutta

2. The Samaññaphala Sutta is the second discourse. The title means, "The Fruit of Contemplative Life Discourse.“ The Discourse is a story about how King Ajatasattu , questions the benefit of living a contemplative life. After consulting six ascetic teachers, the Buddha is the only one who motivates the King with his answer. The King hence, becomes the Buddha’s follower.

3. Philosophy Behind The Sutta the Buddha's own description of the lifestyle, mental, psychic and spiritual benefits ("fruit") of the Buddhist contemplative life the most detailed accounts in the Sutta Pitaka of the Buddhist community's code of ethical behaviour the Buddhist standpoint the essence of the teachings of several leading spiritual guides in the Buddha's time the narrative illustrates Buddhist notions of merit and karma in juxtaposition to those associated with other contemporaneous teachers

4. Views Of The Six Ascetic Teachers on the Sutta samaṇa View Pūraṇa Kassapa Amoralism : denies any reward or punishment for either good or bad deeds. Makkhali Gosāla Fatalism: we are powerless; suffering is pre-destined. Ajita Kesakambalī Materialism: with death, all is annihilated. Pakudha Kaccāyan Eternalism : Matter, pleasure, pain and the soul are eternal and do not interact. Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta Restraint: be endowed with, cleansed by and suffused with the avoidance of all evil. Sañjaya Belaṭṭhaputta Agnosticism: "I don't think so. I don't think in that way or otherwise. I don't think not or not not .

5. The Buddhist fruit of the contemplative life Solitude's delight Virtue's pleasure Simplicity's contentment Mental calm Jhanic bliss Insight knowledge Supernatural powers Mind reading Three knowledges Release from sansara