---
title: "Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 19 of 32
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/19/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta, section 19. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/19/"
---

# Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

Teachings grouped in fours: four kinds of persons, four right efforts, four ways of practice.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 19. Intention · AN 4.171–4.180

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/19/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/19/#p-N

[¶0] AN 4.171 · Intention

> Pali: AN 4.171 · Cetanāsutta

[¶1] “Mendicants, as long as there’s a body, the intention that gives rise to bodily action causes pleasure and pain to arise in oneself. As long as there’s a voice, the intention that gives rise to verbal action causes pleasure and pain to arise in oneself. As long as there’s a mind, the intention that gives rise to mental action causes pleasure and pain to arise in oneself. But this is only when dependent on ignorance.

> Pali: “Kāye vā, bhikkhave, sati kāyasañcetanāhetu uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ. Vācāya vā, bhikkhave, sati vacīsañcetanāhetu uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ. Mane vā, bhikkhave, sati manosañcetanāhetu uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ avijjāpaccayāva.

[¶2] By oneself one instigates the choice that gives rise to bodily, verbal, and mental action, conditioned by which that pleasure and pain arise in oneself. Or else others instigate the choice … One instigates the choice after deliberation … Or else one instigates the choice without deliberation …

> Pali: Sāmaṁ vā taṁ, bhikkhave, kāyasaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ. Pare vāssa taṁ, bhikkhave, kāyasaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharonti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ. Sampajāno vā taṁ, bhikkhave, kāyasaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ. Asampajāno vā taṁ, bhikkhave, kāyasaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ.

[¶3] > Pali: Sāmaṁ vā taṁ, bhikkhave, vacīsaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ; pare vāssa taṁ, bhikkhave, vacīsaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharonti; yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ; sampajāno vā taṁ, bhikkhave, vacīsaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ; asampajāno vā taṁ, bhikkhave, vacīsaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ.

[¶4] > Pali: Sāmaṁ vā taṁ, bhikkhave, manosaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ; pare vāssa taṁ, bhikkhave, manosaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharonti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ; sampajāno vā taṁ, bhikkhave, manosaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ; asampajāno vā taṁ, bhikkhave, manosaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkharoti, yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ.

[¶5] Ignorance is included in all these things. But when ignorance fades away and ceases with no residue left behind, that body, that voice, and that mind no longer exist dependent on which that pleasure and pain arise in oneself. That field does not exist, that ground does not exist, that dimension does not exist, that foundation does not exist, dependent on which that pleasure and pain arise in oneself.”

> Pali: Imesu, bhikkhave, dhammesu avijjā anupatitā, avijjāya tveva asesavirāganirodhā so kāyo na hoti yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ, sā vācā na hoti yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ, so mano na hoti yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ, khettaṁ taṁ na hoti …pe… vatthu taṁ na hoti …pe… āyatanaṁ taṁ na hoti …pe… adhikaraṇaṁ taṁ na hoti yaṁpaccayāssa taṁ uppajjati ajjhattaṁ sukhadukkhanti.

[¶6] “Mendicants, there are four kinds of incarnation. What four?

> Pali: Cattārome, bhikkhave, attabhāvapaṭilābhā. Katame cattāro?

[¶7] There is incarnation where one’s own intention is effective, not that of others.

> Pali: Atthi, bhikkhave, attabhāvapaṭilābho, yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe attasañcetanā kamati, no parasañcetanā.

[¶8] There is incarnation where the intention of others is effective, not one’s own.

> Pali: Atthi, bhikkhave, attabhāvapaṭilābho, yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe parasañcetanā kamati, no attasañcetanā.

[¶9] There is incarnation where both one’s own and others’ intentions are effective.

> Pali: Atthi, bhikkhave, attabhāvapaṭilābho, yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe attasañcetanā ca kamati parasañcetanā ca.

[¶10] There is incarnation where neither one’s own nor others’ intentions are effective.

> Pali: Atthi, bhikkhave, attabhāvapaṭilābho, yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe nevattasañcetanā kamati, no parasañcetanā.

[¶11] These are the four kinds of incarnation.”

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro attabhāvapaṭilābhā”ti.

[¶12] When he said this, Venerable Sāriputta said to the Buddha:

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

[¶13] “Sir, this is how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement. Take the case of the incarnation where one’s own intention is effective, not that of others. Those sentient beings pass away from that realm due to their own intention. Take the case of the incarnation where the intention of others is effective, not one’s own. Those sentient beings pass away from that realm due to the intention of others. Take the case of the incarnation where both one’s own and others’ intentions are effective. Those sentient beings pass away from that realm due to both their own and others’ intentions. But sir, in the case of the incarnation where neither one’s own nor others’ intentions are effective, what kind of gods does this refer to?”

> Pali: “imassa kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi: ‘tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ attabhāvapaṭilābho yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe attasañcetanā kamati no parasañcetanā, attasañcetanāhetu tesaṁ sattānaṁ tamhā kāyā cuti hoti. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ attabhāvapaṭilābho yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe parasañcetanā kamati no attasañcetanā, parasañcetanāhetu tesaṁ sattānaṁ tamhā kāyā cuti hoti. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ attabhāvapaṭilābho yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe attasañcetanā ca kamati parasañcetanā ca, attasañcetanā ca parasañcetanā ca hetu tesaṁ sattānaṁ tamhā kāyā cuti hoti. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ attabhāvapaṭilābho yasmiṁ attabhāvapaṭilābhe neva attasañcetanā kamati no parasañcetanā, katame tena devā daṭṭhabbā’”ti?

[¶14] “Sāriputta, it refers to the gods reborn in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.”

> Pali: “Nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpagā, sāriputta, devā tena daṭṭhabbā”ti.

[¶15] “What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why some sentient beings pass away from that realm as returners who come back to this place, while others are non-returners who don’t come back?”

> Pali: “Ko nu kho, bhante, hetu ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā tamhā kāyā cutā āgāmino honti āgantāro itthattaṁ? Ko pana, bhante, hetu ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā tamhā kāyā cutā anāgāmino honti anāgantāro itthattan”ti?

[¶16] “Sāriputta, take an individual who hasn’t given up the lower fetters. In this very life they enter and abide in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. They enjoy it and like it and find it rewarding. If they abide in that, are committed to it, and meditate on it often without losing it, when they die they’re reborn in the company of the gods of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. When they pass away from there, they’re a returner, who comes back to this place.

> Pali: “Idha, sāriputta, ekaccassa puggalassa orambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni appahīnāni honti, so diṭṭheva dhamme nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati. So tadassādeti, taṁ nikāmeti, tena ca vittiṁ āpajjati; tattha ṭhito tadadhimutto tabbahulavihārī aparihīno kālaṁ kurumāno nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. So tato cuto āgāmī hoti āgantā itthattaṁ.

[¶17] Sāriputta, take an individual who has given up the lower fetters. In this very life they enter and abide in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. They enjoy it and like it and find it rewarding. If they abide in that, are committed to it, and meditate on it often without losing it, when they die they’re reborn in the company of the gods of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. When they pass away from there, they’re a non-returner, not coming back to this place.

> Pali: Idha pana, sāriputta, ekaccassa puggalassa orambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni pahīnāni honti, so diṭṭheva dhamme nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati. So tadassādeti, taṁ nikāmeti, tena ca vittiṁ āpajjati; tattha ṭhito tadadhimutto tabbahulavihārī aparihīno kālaṁ kurumāno nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpagānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. So tato cuto anāgāmī hoti anāgantā itthattaṁ.

[¶18] This is the cause, this is the reason why some sentient beings pass away from that realm as returners who come back to this place, while others are non-returners who don’t come back.”

> Pali: Ayaṁ kho, sāriputta, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā tamhā kāyā cutā āgāmino honti āgantāro itthattaṁ. Ayaṁ pana, sāriputta, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā tamhā kāyā cutā anāgāmino honti anāgantāro itthattan”ti.

[¶19] > Pali: Paṭhamaṁ.

[¶20] AN 4.172 · Sāriputta’s Attainment of Textual Analysis

> Pali: AN 4.172 · Vibhattisutta

[¶21] There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants: “Reverends, mendicants!”

> Pali: Tatra kho āyasmā sāriputto bhikkhū āmantesi: “āvuso bhikkhave”ti.

[¶22] “Reverend,” they replied. Sāriputta said this:

> Pali: “Āvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato sāriputtassa paccassosuṁ. Āyasmā sāriputto etadavoca:

[¶23] “Reverends, I realized the textual analysis of the meaning—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained. In many ways I explain, teach, assert, establish, clarify, analyze, and reveal it. Whoever has any doubt or uncertainty, let them ask me, I will answer. Our teacher is present, he who is so very skilled in our teachings.

> Pali: “Addhamāsūpasampannena me, āvuso, atthapaṭisambhidā sacchikatā odhiso byañjanaso. Tamahaṁ anekapariyāyena ācikkhāmi desemi paññāpemi paṭṭhapemi vivarāmi vibhajāmi uttānīkaromi. Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, so maṁ pañhena. Ahaṁ veyyākaraṇena sammukhībhūto no satthā yo no dhammānaṁ sukusalo.

[¶24] I realized the textual analysis of the text—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained. …

> Pali: Addhamāsūpasampannena me, āvuso, dhammapaṭisambhidā sacchikatā odhiso byañjanaso. Tamahaṁ anekapariyāyena ācikkhāmi desemi paññāpemi paṭṭhapemi vivarāmi vibhajāmi uttānīkaromi. Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, so maṁ pañhena. Ahaṁ veyyākaraṇena sammukhībhūto no satthā yo no dhammānaṁ sukusalo.

[¶25] I realized the textual analysis of definition—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained. …

> Pali: Addhamāsūpasampannena me, āvuso, niruttipaṭisambhidā sacchikatā odhiso byañjanaso. Tamahaṁ anekapariyāyena ācikkhāmi desemi paññāpemi paṭṭhapemi vivarāmi vibhajāmi uttānīkaromi. Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, so maṁ pañhena. Ahaṁ veyyākaraṇena sammukhībhūto no satthā yo no dhammānaṁ sukusalo.

[¶26] I realized the textual analysis of eloquence—piece by piece and expression by expression—a fortnight after I ordained. In many ways I explain, teach, assert, establish, clarify, analyze, and reveal it. If anyone has any doubt or uncertainty, let them ask me, I will answer. Our teacher is present, he who is so very skilled in our teachings.”

> Pali: Addhamāsūpasampannena me, āvuso, paṭibhānapaṭisambhidā sacchikatā odhiso byañjanaso. Tamahaṁ anekapariyāyena ācikkhāmi desemi paññāpemi paṭṭhapemi vivarāmi vibhajāmi uttānīkaromi. Yassa kho panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, so maṁ pañhena. Ahaṁ veyyākaraṇena sammukhībhūto no satthā yo no dhammānaṁ sukusalo”ti.

[¶27] > Pali: Dutiyaṁ.

[¶28] AN 4.173 · With Mahākoṭṭhita

> Pali: AN 4.173 · Mahākoṭṭhikasutta

[¶29] Then Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, Mahākoṭṭhita sat down to one side, and said to Sāriputta:

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā mahākoṭṭhiko yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā sāriputtena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā mahākoṭṭhiko āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca:

[¶30] “Reverend, when the six fields of contact have faded away and ceased with no residue left behind, does something else still exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthaññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶31] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶32] “Does something else no longer exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā natthaññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶33] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶34] “Does something else both still exist and no longer exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthi ca natthi ca aññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶35] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶36] “Does something else neither still exist nor no longer exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā nevatthi no natthaññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶37] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶38] “Reverend, when asked whether—when the six fields of contact have faded away and ceased with no residue left behind—something else still exists, you say ‘don’t put it like that’. When asked whether something else no longer exists, you say ‘don’t put it like that’. When asked whether something else both still exists and no longer exists, you say ‘don’t put it like that’. When asked whether something else neither still exists nor no longer exists, you say ‘don’t put it like that’. How then should we see the meaning of this statement?”

> Pali: “‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthi ca natthi ca aññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā nevatthi no natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. Yathā kathaṁ pana, āvuso, imassa bhāsitassa attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?

[¶39] “In saying that, ‘When the six fields of contact have faded away and ceased with no residue left behind, something else still exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. In saying that, ‘something else no longer exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. In saying that, ‘something else both still exists and no longer exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. In saying that, ‘something else neither still exists nor no longer exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. The scope of proliferation extends as far as the scope of the six fields of contact. The scope of the six fields of contact extends as far as the scope of proliferation. When the six fields of contact fade away and cease with no residue left behind, proliferation stops and is stilled.”

> Pali: “‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthi ca natthi ca aññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā nevatthi no natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. Yāvatā, āvuso, channaṁ phassāyatanānaṁ gati tāvatā papañcassa gati; yāvatā papañcassa gati tāvatā channaṁ phassāyatanānaṁ gati. Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā papañcanirodho papañcavūpasamo”ti.

[¶40] > Pali: Tatiyaṁ.

[¶41] AN 4.174 · With Ānanda

> Pali: AN 4.174 · Ānandasutta

[¶42] Then Venerable Ānanda went up to Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, Ānanda sat down to one side, and said to Mahākoṭṭhita:

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ānando yenāyasmā mahākoṭṭhiko tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā mahākoṭṭhikena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando āyasmantaṁ mahākoṭṭhikaṁ etadavoca:

[¶43] “Reverend, when these six fields of contact have faded away and ceased with no residue left behind, does something else exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthaññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶44] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶45] “Does something else no longer exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā natthaññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶46] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶47] “Does something else both still exist and no longer exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthi ca natthi ca aññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶48] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶49] “Does something else neither still exist nor no longer exist?”

> Pali: “Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā nevatthi no natthaññaṁ kiñcī”ti?

[¶50] “Don’t put it like that, reverend.”

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶51] “Reverend, when asked these questions, you say ‘don’t put it like that’. … How then should we see the meaning of this statement?”

> Pali: “‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthi ca natthi ca aññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā nevatthi no natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘mā hevaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. Yathā kathaṁ panāvuso, imassa bhāsitassa attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?

[¶52] “In saying that, ‘when the six fields of contact have faded away and ceased with no residue left behind, something else exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. In saying that, ‘something else no longer exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. In saying that, ‘something else both still exists and no longer exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. In saying that, ‘something else neither still exists nor no longer exists’, you’re proliferating the unproliferated. The scope of proliferation extends as far as the scope of the six fields of contact. The scope of the six fields of contact extends as far as the scope of proliferation. When the six fields of contact fade away and cease with no residue left behind, proliferation stops and is stilled.”

> Pali: “‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā atthi ca natthi ca aññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. ‘Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā nevatthi no natthaññaṁ kiñcī’ti, iti vadaṁ appapañcaṁ papañceti. Yāvatā, āvuso, channaṁ phassāyatanānaṁ gati tāvatā papañcassa gati. Yāvatā papañcassa gati tāvatā channaṁ phassāyatanānaṁ gati. Channaṁ, āvuso, phassāyatanānaṁ asesavirāganirodhā papañcanirodho papañcavūpasamo”ti.

[¶53] > Pali: Catutthaṁ.

[¶54] AN 4.175 · With Upavāṇa

> Pali: AN 4.175 · Upavāṇasutta

[¶55] Then Venerable Upavāṇa went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, Upavāṇa sat down to one side, and said to Sāriputta:

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā upavāṇo yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā sāriputtena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā upavāṇo āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca:

[¶56] “Reverend Sāriputta, do you become a terminator because of knowledge?”

> Pali: “Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, vijjāyantakaro hotī”ti?

[¶57] “That’s not it, reverend.”

> Pali: “No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶58] “Do you become a terminator because of conduct?”

> Pali: “Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, caraṇenantakaro hotī”ti?

[¶59] “That’s not it, reverend.”

> Pali: “No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶60] “Do you become a terminator because of both knowledge and conduct?”

> Pali: “Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, vijjācaraṇenantakaro hotī”ti?

[¶61] “That’s not it, reverend.”

> Pali: “No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶62] “Do you become a terminator for some reason other than knowledge and conduct?”

> Pali: “Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, aññatra vijjācaraṇenantakaro hotī”ti?

[¶63] “That’s not it, reverend.”

> Pali: “No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

[¶64] “Reverend Sāriputta, when asked whether you become a terminator because of knowledge or conduct or knowledge and conduct, or for some other reason, you say ‘that’s not it’. How then do you become a terminator?”

> Pali: “‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, vijjāyantakaro hotī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, caraṇenantakaro hotī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, vijjācaraṇenantakaro hotī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, aññatra vijjācaraṇenantakaro hotī’ti, iti puṭṭho samāno: ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. Yathā kathaṁ panāvuso, antakaro hotī”ti?

[¶65] “Reverend, if you became a terminator because of knowledge, then even someone who still grasps fuel could be a terminator. If you became a terminator because of conduct, then even someone who still grasps fuel could be a terminator. If you became a terminator because of both knowledge and conduct, then even someone who still grasps fuel could be a terminator. If you became a terminator for some reason other than knowledge and conduct, then even an ordinary person could be a terminator. For an ordinary person lacks knowledge and conduct. Reverend, someone lacking good conduct does not know and see things as they are. Someone accomplished in good conduct knows and sees things as they are. Knowing and seeing things as they are, one is a terminator.”

> Pali: “Vijjāya ce, āvuso, antakaro abhavissa, saupādānova samāno antakaro abhavissa. Caraṇena ce, āvuso, antakaro abhavissa, saupādānova samāno antakaro abhavissa. Vijjācaraṇena ce, āvuso, antakaro abhavissa, saupādānova samāno antakaro abhavissa. Aññatra vijjācaraṇena ce, āvuso, antakaro abhavissa, puthujjano antakaro abhavissa. Puthujjano hi, āvuso, aññatra vijjācaraṇena. Caraṇavipanno kho, āvuso, yathābhūtaṁ na jānāti na passati. Caraṇasampanno yathābhūtaṁ jānāti passati. Yathābhūtaṁ jānaṁ passaṁ antakaro hotī”ti.

[¶66] > Pali: Pañcamaṁ.

[¶67] AN 4.176 · Aspiration

> Pali: AN 4.176 · Āyācanasutta

[¶68] “Mendicants, a faithful monk would rightly aspire: ‘May I be like Sāriputta and Moggallāna!’ These are a standard and a measure for my monk disciples, that is, Sāriputta and Moggallāna.

> Pali: “Saddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ sammā āyācamāno āyāceyya: ‘tādiso homi yādisā sāriputtamoggallānā’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ, yadidaṁ sāriputtamoggallānā.

[¶69] A faithful nun would rightly aspire: ‘May I be like the nuns Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā!’ These are a standard and a measure for my nun disciples, that is, the nuns Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā.

> Pali: Saddhā, bhikkhave, bhikkhunī evaṁ sammā āyācamānā āyāceyya: ‘tādisā homi yādisā khemā ca bhikkhunī uppalavaṇṇā cā’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvikānaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ, yadidaṁ khemā ca bhikkhunī uppalavaṇṇā ca.

[¶70] A faithful layman would rightly aspire: ‘May I be like the householder Citta and Hatthaka of Āḷavī!’ These are a standard and a measure for my male lay disciples, that is, the householder Citta and Hatthaka of Āḷavī.

> Pali: Saddho, bhikkhave, upāsako evaṁ sammā āyācamāno āyāceyya: ‘tādiso homi yādiso citto ca gahapati hatthako ca āḷavako’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvakānaṁ upāsakānaṁ, yadidaṁ citto ca gahapati hatthako ca āḷavako.

[¶71] A faithful laywoman would rightly aspire: ‘May I be like the laywomen Khujjuttarā and Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother!’ These are a standard and a measure for my female lay disciples, that is, the laywomen Khujjuttarā and Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother.”

> Pali: Saddhā, bhikkhave, upāsikā evaṁ sammā āyācamānā āyāceyya: ‘tādisā homi yādisā khujjuttarā ca upāsikā veḷukaṇḍakiyā ca nandamātā’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvikānaṁ upāsikānaṁ, yadidaṁ khujjuttarā ca upāsikā veḷukaṇḍakiyā ca nandamātā”ti.

[¶72] > Pali: Chaṭṭhaṁ.

[¶73] AN 4.177 · With Rāhula

> Pali: AN 4.177 · Rāhulasutta

[¶74] Then Venerable Rāhula went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā rāhulo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ rāhulaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

[¶75] “Rāhula, the interior earth element and the exterior earth element are just the earth element. This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the earth element, detaching the mind from the earth element.

> Pali: “Yā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu yā ca bāhirā pathavīdhātu, pathavīdhāturevesā. ‘Taṁ netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā pathavīdhātuyā nibbindati, pathavīdhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.

[¶76] The interior water element and the exterior water element are just the water element. This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the water element, detaching the mind from the water element.

> Pali: Yā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā āpodhātu yā ca bāhirā āpodhātu, āpodhāturevesā. ‘Taṁ netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āpodhātuyā nibbindati, āpodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.

[¶77] The interior fire element and the exterior fire element are just the fire element. This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the fire element, detaching the mind from the fire element.

> Pali: Yā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā tejodhātu yā ca bāhirā tejodhātu, tejodhāturevesā. ‘Taṁ netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā tejodhātuyā nibbindati, tejodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.

[¶78] The interior air element and the exterior air element are just the air element. This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the air element, detaching the mind from the air element.

> Pali: Yā ca, rāhula, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu yā ca bāhirā vāyodhātu, vāyodhāturevesā. ‘Taṁ netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā vāyodhātuyā nibbindati, vāyodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.

[¶79] When a mendicant sees these four elements as neither self nor belonging to self, they’re called a mendicant who has cut off craving, cast off the fetters, and by rightly comprehending conceit has made an end of suffering.”

> Pali: Yato kho, rāhula, bhikkhu imāsu catūsu dhātūsu nevattānaṁ na attaniyaṁ samanupassati, ayaṁ vuccati, rāhula, bhikkhu acchecchi taṇhaṁ, vivattayi saṁyojanaṁ, sammā mānābhisamayā antamakāsi dukkhassā”ti.

[¶80] > Pali: Sattamaṁ.

[¶81] AN 4.178 · Billabong

> Pali: AN 4.178 · Jambālīsutta

[¶82] “Mendicants, these four individuals are found in the world. What four?

> Pali: “Cattārome, bhikkhave, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame cattāro?

[¶83] Take a mendicant who enters and remains in a peaceful release of the heart. They focus on the cessation of substantial reality, but on that their mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided. You wouldn’t expect that mendicant to realize the cessation of substantial reality. Suppose a person were to grab a branch with a glue-smeared hand. Their hand would stick, hold, and bind to it. In the same way, take a mendicant who enters and remains in a peaceful release of the heart. They focus on the cessation of substantial reality, but on that their mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided. You wouldn’t expect that mendicant to realize the cessation of substantial reality.

> Pali: Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoto sakkāyanirodhe cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati nādhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na sakkāyanirodho pāṭikaṅkho. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso lepagatena hatthena sākhaṁ gaṇheyya, tassa so hattho sajjeyyapi gaṇheyyapi bajjheyyapi; evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoto sakkāyanirodhe cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati nādhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na sakkāyanirodho pāṭikaṅkho.

[¶84] Next, take a mendicant who enters and remains in a peaceful release of the heart. They focus on the cessation of substantial reality, and on that their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided. You would expect that mendicant to realize the cessation of substantial reality. Suppose a person were to grab a branch with a clean hand. Their hand wouldn’t stick, hold, or bind to it. In the same way, take a mendicant who enters and remains in a peaceful release of the heart. They focus on the cessation of substantial reality, and on that their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided. You would expect that mendicant to realize the cessation of substantial reality.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoto sakkāyanirodhe cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sakkāyanirodho pāṭikaṅkho. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso suddhena hatthena sākhaṁ gaṇheyya, tassa so hattho neva sajjeyya na gaṇheyya na bajjheyya; evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa sakkāyanirodhaṁ manasi karoto sakkāyanirodhe cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sakkāyanirodho pāṭikaṅkho.

[¶85] Next, take a mendicant who enters and remains in a peaceful release of the heart. They focus on smashing ignorance, but on that their mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided. You wouldn’t expect that mendicant to smash ignorance. Suppose there was a billabong that had been stagnant for many years. And someone was to close off the inlets and open up the drains, and the heavens didn’t provide enough rain. You wouldn’t expect that billabong to break its banks. In the same way, take a mendicant who enters and remains in a certain peaceful release of the heart. They focus on smashing ignorance, but on that their mind does not leap forth, gain confidence, settle down, and become decided. You wouldn’t expect that mendicant to smash ignorance.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoto avijjāppabhede cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati nādhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na avijjāppabhedo pāṭikaṅkho. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, jambālī anekavassagaṇikā. Tassā puriso yāni ceva āyamukhāni tāni pidaheyya, yāni ca apāyamukhāni tāni vivareyya, devo ca na sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya. Evañhi tassā, bhikkhave, jambāliyā na āḷippabhedo pāṭikaṅkho. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoto avijjāppabhede cittaṁ na pakkhandati nappasīdati na santiṭṭhati nādhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na avijjāppabhedo pāṭikaṅkho.

[¶86] Next, take a mendicant who enters and remains in a peaceful release of the heart. They focus on smashing ignorance, and on that their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided. You would expect that mendicant to smash ignorance. Suppose there was a billabong that had been stagnant for many years. And someone was to open up the inlets and close off the drains, and the heavens provided plenty of rain. You would expect that billabong to break its banks. In the same way, take a mendicant who enters and remains in a certain peaceful release of the heart. They focus on smashing ignorance, and on that their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided. You would expect that mendicant to smash ignorance.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoto avijjāppabhede cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno avijjāppabhedo pāṭikaṅkho. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, jambālī anekavassagaṇikā. Tassā puriso yāni ceva āyamukhāni tāni vivareyya, yāni ca apāyamukhāni tāni pidaheyya, devo ca sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya. Evañhi tassā, bhikkhave, jambāliyā āḷippabhedo pāṭikaṅkho. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ santaṁ cetovimuttiṁ upasampajja viharati. So avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoti. Tassa avijjāppabhedaṁ manasi karoto avijjāppabhede cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati. Tassa kho evaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno avijjāppabhedo pāṭikaṅkho.

[¶87] These are the four individuals found in the world.”

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmin”ti.

[¶88] > Pali: Aṭṭhamaṁ.

[¶89] AN 4.179 · Extinguishment

> Pali: AN 4.179 · Nibbānasutta

[¶90] Then Venerable Ānanda went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, Ānanda sat down to one side, and said to Sāriputta:

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ānando yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā sāriputtena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca:

[¶91] “What is the cause, Reverend Sāriputta, what is the reason why some sentient beings are not fully extinguished in this very life?”

> Pali: “ko nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, hetu ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā diṭṭheva dhamme na parinibbāyantī”ti?

[¶92] “Reverend Ānanda, it’s because some sentient beings don’t really understand which perceptions make things worse, which keep things steady, which lead to distinction, and which lead to penetration. That’s the cause, that’s the reason why some sentient beings are not fully extinguished in this very life.”

> Pali: “Idhāvuso ānanda, sattā imā hānabhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānanti, imā ṭhitibhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānanti, imā visesabhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānanti, imā nibbedhabhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānanti. Ayaṁ kho, āvuso ānanda, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā diṭṭheva dhamme na parinibbāyantī”ti.

[¶93] “What is the cause, Reverend Sāriputta, what is the reason why some sentient beings are fully extinguished in this very life?”

> Pali: “Ko panāvuso sāriputta, hetu ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā diṭṭheva dhamme parinibbāyantī”ti?

[¶94] “Reverend Ānanda, it’s because some sentient beings truly understand which perceptions make things worse, which keep things steady, which lead to distinction, and which lead to penetration. That’s the cause, that’s the reason why some sentient beings are fully extinguished in this very life.”

> Pali: “Idhāvuso ānanda, sattā imā hānabhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ pajānanti, imā ṭhitibhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ pajānanti, imā visesabhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ pajānanti, imā nibbedhabhāgiyā saññāti yathābhūtaṁ pajānanti. Ayaṁ kho, āvuso ānanda, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena m’idhekacce sattā diṭṭheva dhamme parinibbāyantī”ti.

[¶95] > Pali: Navamaṁ.

[¶96] AN 4.180 · The Four Great References

> Pali: AN 4.180 · Mahāpadesasutta

[¶97] At one time the Buddha was staying near the Bhoga City, at the Ānanda Shrine.

> Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā bhoganagare viharati ānandacetiye.

[¶98] There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!”

> Pali: Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

[¶99] “Venerable sir,” they replied.

> Pali: “Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

[¶100] The Buddha said this: “Mendicants, I will teach you the four great references. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

> Pali: Bhagavā etadavoca: “cattārome, bhikkhave, mahāpadese desessāmi, taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

[¶101] “Yes, sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

> Pali: “Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

[¶102] “Mendicants, what are the four great references?

> Pali: “Katame, bhikkhave, cattāro mahāpadesā?

[¶103] Take a mendicant who says: ‘Reverend, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they do not fit in the discourse and are not exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is not the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been incorrectly memorized by that mendicant.’ And so you should discard it.

> Pali: Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni vinaye sandassiyamānāni na ceva sutte otaranti na vinaye sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ na ceva tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; imassa ca bhikkhuno duggahitan’ti. Iti hetaṁ, bhikkhave, chaḍḍeyyātha.

[¶104] Take another mendicant who says: ‘Reverend, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been correctly memorized by that mendicant.’ You should remember it. This is the first great reference.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni vinaye sandassiyamānāni sutte ceva otaranti vinaye ca sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; imassa ca bhikkhuno suggahitan’ti. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamaṁ mahāpadesaṁ dhāreyyātha.

[¶105] Take another mendicant who says: ‘In such-and-such monastery lives a Saṅgha with seniors and leaders. I’ve heard and learned this in the presence of that Saṅgha: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they do not fit in the discourse and are not exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is not the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been incorrectly memorized by that Saṅgha.’ And so you should discard it.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘asukasmiṁ nāma āvāse saṅgho viharati sathero sapāmokkho. Tassa me saṅghassa sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni vinaye sandassiyamānāni na ceva sutte otaranti na vinaye sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ na ceva tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; tassa ca saṅghassa duggahitan’ti. Iti hetaṁ, bhikkhave, chaḍḍeyyātha.

[¶106] Take another mendicant who says: ‘In such-and-such monastery lives a Saṅgha with seniors and leaders. I’ve heard and learned this in the presence of that Saṅgha: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been correctly memorized by that Saṅgha.’ You should remember it. This is the second great reference.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘asukasmiṁ nāma āvāse saṅgho viharati sathero sapāmokkho. Tassa me saṅghassa sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni, vinaye sandassiyamānāni sutte ceva otaranti vinaye ca sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; tassa ca saṅghassa suggahitan’ti. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyaṁ mahāpadesaṁ dhāreyyātha.

[¶107] Take another mendicant who says: ‘In such-and-such monastery there are several senior mendicants who are very learned, inheritors of the heritage, who remember the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines. I’ve heard and learned this in the presence of those senior mendicants: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they do not fit in the discourse and are not exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is not the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been incorrectly memorized by those senior mendicants.’ And so you should discard it.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘asukasmiṁ nāma āvāse sambahulā therā bhikkhū viharanti bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā. Tesaṁ me therānaṁ sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni vinaye sandassiyamānāni na ceva sutte otaranti na vinaye sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ na ceva tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; tesañca therānaṁ duggahitan’ti. Iti hetaṁ, bhikkhave, chaḍḍeyyātha.

[¶108] Take another mendicant who says: ‘In such-and-such monastery there are several senior mendicants who are very learned, inheritors of the heritage, who remember the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines. I’ve heard and learned this in the presence of those senior mendicants: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been correctly memorized by those senior mendicants.’ You should remember it. This is the third great reference.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘asukasmiṁ nāma āvāse sambahulā therā bhikkhū viharanti bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā. Tesaṁ me therānaṁ sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni vinaye sandassiyamānāni sutte ceva otaranti vinaye ca sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; tesañca therānaṁ suggahitan’ti. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyaṁ mahāpadesaṁ dhāreyyātha.

[¶109] Take another mendicant who says: ‘In such-and-such monastery there is a single senior mendicant who is very learned, an inheritor of the heritage, who has memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines. I’ve heard and learned this in the presence of that senior mendicant: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they do not fit in the discourse and are not exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is not the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been incorrectly memorized by that senior mendicant.’ And so you should discard it.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘asukasmiṁ nāma āvāse eko thero bhikkhu viharati bahussuto āgatāgamo dhammadharo vinayadharo mātikādharo. Tassa me therassa sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni vinaye sandassiyamānāni na ceva sutte otaranti na vinaye sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ na ceva tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; tassa ca therassa duggahitan’ti. Iti hetaṁ, bhikkhave, chaḍḍeyyātha.

[¶110] Take another mendicant who says: ‘In such-and-such monastery there is a single senior mendicant who is very learned, an inheritor of the heritage, who has memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines. I’ve heard and learned this in the presence of that senior mendicant: this is the teaching, this is the training, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’ You should neither approve nor reject that mendicant’s statement. Instead, having carefully memorized those words and phrases, you should make sure they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training. If they fit in the discourse and are exhibited in the training, you should draw the conclusion: ‘Clearly this is the word of the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. It has been correctly memorized by that senior mendicant.’ You should remember it. This is the fourth great reference.

> Pali: Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ vadeyya: ‘asukasmiṁ nāma āvāse eko thero bhikkhu viharati bahussuto āgatāgamo dhammadharo vinayadharo mātikādharo. Tassa me therassa sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ— ayaṁ dhammo, ayaṁ vinayo, idaṁ satthusāsanan’ti. Tassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhāsitaṁ neva abhinanditabbaṁ nappaṭikkositabbaṁ. Anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā tāni padabyañjanāni sādhukaṁ uggahetvā sutte otāretabbāni, vinaye sandassetabbāni. Tāni ce sutte otāriyamānāni vinaye sandassiyamānāni sutte ceva otaranti vinaye ca sandissanti, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘addhā idaṁ tassa bhagavato vacanaṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa; tassa ca therassa suggahitan’ti. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, catutthaṁ mahāpadesaṁ dhāreyyātha.

[¶111] These are the four great references.”

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro mahāpadesā”ti.

[¶112] > Pali: Dasamaṁ.

[¶113] > Pali: Sañcetaniyavaggo tatiyo.

[¶114] > Pali: Tassuddānaṁ

[¶115] > Pali: Cetanā vibhatti koṭṭhiko,
Ānando upavāṇapañcamaṁ;
Āyācana rāhula jambālī,
Nibbānaṁ mahāpadesenāti.