Acquisitions, respect, and popularity are an obstacle even for an arahant (SN 17.30)

The Buddha explains how even for an arahant, acquisitions, respect, and popularity are an obstacle to the attainment of pleasant abidings in this very life.

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At Sāvatthi.

“Bhikkhus, even that bhikkhu who is an arahant, whose mental defilements have ended (who is awakened through the complete exhaustion of the mental effluents, taints [khīṇāsava])—I say that for him, acquisitions (gain, money, profit, possessions [lābhā]), respect (honor, accolade, reverence [sakkāra]), and popularity (fame, praise [siloka]) are an obstacle (danger [antarāya]).”

When this was said, the venerable Ānanda said to the Blessed One: “Why, venerable sir, are acquisitions, respect, and popularity an obstacle even for a bhikkhu whose mental defilements have ended?”

“I do not say, Ānanda, that acquisitions, respect, and popularity are an obstacle to his unshakeable (unassailable, indisputable [akuppa]) liberation of mind (emancipated by mind/heart, samādhi obtained from fruition [cetovimutti]). But I say they are an obstacle to the attainment of those pleasant abidings in this very life, which are reached by one who is diligent (doing one‘s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamatta]), with continuous effort (ardent, zealous, with energy, with application [ātāpī]), and determined (resolute, applying oneself [pahitatta]).

Thus, Ānanda, acquisitions, respect, and popularity are vicious, bitter, and severe; they obstruct the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.

Therefore, Ānanda, you should train yourselves thus: ’We will abandon the arisen acquisitions, respect and popularity, and we will not let the arisen acquisitions, respect, and popularity to continue occupying (obsessing, controlling [pariyādāya]) our minds.’ Thus, Ānanda, you should train yourselves.

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For an arahant, i.e. a fully awakened person, having attained unshakeable liberation of mind, there mind is permanently freed from the five hindrances of 1) sensual desire, 2) doubt, 3) ill-will, 4) restlessness and worry, and 5) doubt.

However, an arahant's ability to abide in a peaceful dwelling in this very life, i.e. a jhāna or a formless attainment, where the mind is well-composed and collected is affected due to the arising of acquisitions, respect, and popularity. How much more corrosive for a trainee whose mind is still with hindrances, fettered, and who has not attained the unshakeable liberation of mind.

Related Teachings:

• Reviewing one's failings and successes from time to time (AN 8.7) - The Buddha advises the bhikkhus to review their own failings and the failings of others, and to overcome acquisitions, loss, fame, disrepute, honor, dishonor, evil wishes, and evil friendship.
• Nine things an Arahant is incapable of doing (AN 9.7) - The Buddha explains to Sutavā, the wanderer, that an arahant is incapable of transgressing in nine ways.
• With a mind consumed by acquisitions, respect, and popularity (SN 17.13 - 17.20) - The Buddha uses different similes to explain how acquisitions, respect, and popularity are harsh, bitter, and severe, obstructing the attainment of the unsurpassed safety from bondage.