While the Buddha is in retreat, the divinity Subrahmā speaks in verse at his door on the folly of Kokālika, who judged the immeasurable chief disciples by mere measuring.

SN 6.7 About Kokālika

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā divāvihāragato hoti paṭisallīno. Atha kho subrahmā ca paccekabrahmā suddhāvāso ca paccekabrahmā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā paccekaṁ dvārabāhaṁ nissāya aṭṭhaṁsu.

Atha kho subrahmā paccekabrahmā kokālikaṁ bhikkhuṁ ārabbha bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Appameyyaṁ paminanto,
Kodha vidvā vikappaye;
Appameyyaṁ pamāyinaṁ,
Nivutaṁ taṁ maññe puthujjanan”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā divāvihāragato hoti paṭisallīno.

Now at that time the Buddha had gone into retreat for the day’s meditation.

Atha kho subrahmā ca paccekabrahmā suddhāvāso ca paccekabrahmā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā paccekaṁ dvārabāhaṁ nissāya aṭṭhaṁsu.

Then the independent divinities Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa went to the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post.

Atha kho subrahmā paccekabrahmā kokālikaṁ bhikkhuṁ ārabbha bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Then Subrahmā spoke this verse about the mendicant Kokālika in the Buddha’s presence:

“Appameyyaṁ paminanto,

“Who having known would judge

Kodha vidvā vikappaye;

the immeasurable by measuring them?

Appameyyaṁ pamāyinaṁ,

I think anyone who’d do such a thing

Nivutaṁ taṁ maññe puthujjanan”ti.

is an ordinary person, shrouded.”

Topics & Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Last updated on July 27, 2026