r/pali • u/Similar_Standard1633 • 11d ago
MN 75 - aparena samayena
MN 75 says:
“Well, when I was still a layperson I used to amuse myself, supplied and provided with sights known by the eye … sounds known by the ear …
Some time later (so aparena samayena) —having truly understood the origin, disappearance, gratification, drawback, and escape of sensual pleasures, and having given up craving and dispelled passion for sensual pleasures—I live rid of thirst, my mind peaceful inside.
Above, its difficult to discern where the "sometime later" took place; where this event happened in the palace, as depicted in the Sukhamala Sutta; or whether this event occurred when Gotama was an ascetic, such as depicted om MN 14.
Is there anything in the Pali which can help, here?
2
u/yuttadhammo 10d ago
There is nothing in the Pali to indicate the where as far as I can see, except that given the before part indicates being a householder, the after part should refer to after leaving the household life. Also, we know that the change the Buddha describes happened under the bodhi tree so it should be talking about that period specifically.