AN 3.76 - Paṭhama Bhava Sutta (On Becoming – Part 1)
Translated by Bhikkhu Candana
Source: https://www.mindreleased.com/s/Book-3_Anguttara-Nikya-A-New-Translation.pdf#page=177
License: Candana — free distribution, unaltered contents
Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana, 2020, 2026. Free distribution only; do not alter the contents. The original book, including its complete permission notice, accompanies this text.
Candana source labels: 76. Site text ID: AN 3.76.

76. Paṭhama Bhava Sutta (On Becoming – Part 1) At one time, the Venerable Ānanda approached The Blessed One, and after paying homage to The Teacher, he sat down to one side and said to The Blessed One:

“Bhante, ‘becoming, becoming…’ it is said.

“But, Blessed Lord, in what way is there a ‘becoming’ that can be fully and thoroughly understood?”

And The Blessed One replied by instructing:

a. “Ānanda, when there is no maturation of kamma manifesting into the sensual realm, then would there be any kind of becoming or rebirth for a being into the sensual realms, that may be discerned at all?”

“No, Bhante.”

“Just so, Ānanda, when beings are shrouded by ignorance and bound by craving, action (kamma) becomes the soil, consciousness becomes the seed, and the craving becomes the moisture for the consciousness to gestate and develop into a lower state of being. Thus, renewed becoming is produced for a being in the future.

b. “Ānanda, when there is no maturation of kamma manifesting into the form realm, then would there be an experience of becoming or rebirth for a being into the form realms, that may be discerned?”

“No, Venerable Sir.”

“Just so, Ānanda, when beings are shrouded by ignorance and bound by craving, action (kamma) becomes the soil, consciousness becomes the seed, and the craving becomes the moisture for the consciousness to gestate and develop into a middle state of being. Thus, renewed becoming is produced for a being in the future.

c. “Ānanda, when there is no maturation of kamma manifesting into the formless realm, then would there be an experience of any becoming or rebirth for a being into the formless realms, that may be discerned?”

“No, Venerable Sir.”

“Just so Ānanda, when beings are shrouded by ignorance and bound by craving, action (kamma) becomes the soil, consciousness becomes the seed, and the craving becomes the moisture for the consciousness to gestate and develop into a superior state of being. Thus, renewed becoming is produced for a being in the future.

“This, therefore, Ānanda, is how future becoming is produced for beings.”
