The Undeclared Points · AN 7.54–7.58

AN 7.54 · The Undeclared Points

AN 7.54 · Abyākatasutta

Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why a learned noble disciple has no doubts regarding the undeclared points?”

“ko nu kho, bhante, hetu ko paccayo yena sutavato ariyasāvakassa vicikicchā nuppajjati abyākatavatthūsū”ti?

“Mendicant, it’s due to the cessation of views that a learned noble disciple has no doubts regarding the undeclared points. ‘A realized one still exists after death’: this is a misconception. ‘A realized one no longer exists after death’: this is a misconception. ‘A realized one both still exists and no longer exists after death’: this is a misconception. ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death’: this is a misconception. An unlearned ordinary person doesn’t understand views, their origin, their cessation, or the practice that leads to their cessation. And so their views grow. They’re not freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They’re not freed from suffering, I say.

“Diṭṭhinirodhā kho, bhikkhu, sutavato ariyasāvakassa vicikicchā nuppajjati abyākatavatthūsu. ‘Hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, diṭṭhigatametaṁ; ‘na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, diṭṭhigatametaṁ; ‘hoti ca na ca hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, diṭṭhigatametaṁ; ‘neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, diṭṭhigatametaṁ. Assutavā, bhikkhu, puthujjano diṭṭhiṁ nappajānāti, diṭṭhisamudayaṁ nappajānāti, diṭṭhinirodhaṁ nappajānāti, diṭṭhinirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ nappajānāti. Tassa sā diṭṭhi pavaḍḍhati, so na parimuccati jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi. ‘Na parimuccati dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

A learned noble disciple does understand views, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation. And so their views cease. They’re freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They’re freed from suffering, I say. Knowing and seeing this, a learned noble disciple does not answer: ‘A realized one still exists after death’, ‘A realized one no longer exists after death’, ‘A realized one both still exists and no longer exists after death’, ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’ Knowing and seeing this, a learned noble disciple does not declare the undeclared points. Knowing and seeing this, a learned noble disciple doesn’t shake, tremble, quake, or get nervous regarding the undeclared points.

Sutavā ca kho, bhikkhu, ariyasāvako diṭṭhiṁ pajānāti, diṭṭhisamudayaṁ pajānāti, diṭṭhinirodhaṁ pajānāti, diṭṭhinirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti. Tassa sā diṭṭhi nirujjhati, so parimuccati jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi. ‘Parimuccati dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi. Evaṁ jānaṁ kho, bhikkhu, sutavā ariyasāvako evaṁ passaṁ ‘hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’tipi na byākaroti; ‘na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’tipi na byākaroti; ‘hoti ca na ca hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’tipi na byākaroti; ‘neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’tipi na byākaroti. Evaṁ jānaṁ kho, bhikkhu, sutavā ariyasāvako evaṁ passaṁ evaṁ abyākaraṇadhammo hoti abyākatavatthūsu. Evaṁ jānaṁ kho, bhikkhu, sutavā ariyasāvako evaṁ passaṁ na chambhati, na kampati, na vedhati, na santāsaṁ āpajjati abyākatavatthūsu.

‘A realized one still exists after death’: this is just about craving. … it’s just about perception … it’s a conceiving … it’s a proliferation … it’s just about grasping … ‘A realized one still exists after death’: this is a regret. ‘A realized one no longer exists after death’: this is a regret. ‘A realized one both still exists and no longer exists after death’: this is a regret. ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death’: this is a regret. An unlearned ordinary person doesn’t understand regrets, their origin, their cessation, or the practice that leads to their cessation. And so their regrets grow. They’re not freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They’re not freed from suffering, I say.

‘Hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, taṇhāgatametaṁ …pe… saññāgatametaṁ …pe… maññitametaṁ …pe… papañcitametaṁ …pe… upādānagatametaṁ …pe… ‘hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, vippaṭisāro eso; ‘na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, vippaṭisāro eso; ‘hoti ca na ca hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, vippaṭisāro eso; ‘neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’ti kho, bhikkhu, vippaṭisāro eso. Assutavā, bhikkhu, puthujjano vippaṭisāraṁ nappajānāti, vippaṭisārasamudayaṁ nappajānāti, vippaṭisāranirodhaṁ nappajānāti, vippaṭisāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ nappajānāti. Tassa so vippaṭisāro pavaḍḍhati, so na parimuccati jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi. ‘Na parimuccati dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi.

A learned noble disciple does understand regrets, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation. And so their regrets cease. They’re freed from rebirth, old age, and death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. They’re freed from suffering, I say. Knowing and seeing this, a learned noble disciple does not answer: ‘A realized one still exists after death’ … ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’ Knowing and seeing this, a learned noble disciple does not declare the undeclared points. Knowing and seeing this, a learned noble disciple doesn’t shake, tremble, quake, or get nervous regarding the undeclared points. This is the cause, this is the reason why a learned noble disciple has no doubts regarding the undeclared points.”

Sutavā ca kho, bhikkhu, ariyasāvako vippaṭisāraṁ pajānāti, vippaṭisārasamudayaṁ pajānāti, vippaṭisāranirodhaṁ pajānāti, vippaṭisāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti. Tassa so vippaṭisāro nirujjhati, so parimuccati jātiyā …pe… ‘… dukkhasmā’ti vadāmi. Evaṁ jānaṁ kho, bhikkhu, sutavā ariyasāvako evaṁ passaṁ ‘hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’tipi na byākaroti …pe… ‘neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā’tipi na byākaroti. Evaṁ jānaṁ kho, bhikkhu, sutavā ariyasāvako evaṁ passaṁ evaṁ abyākaraṇadhammo hoti abyākatavatthūsu. Evaṁ jānaṁ kho, bhikkhu, sutavā ariyasāvako evaṁ passaṁ na chambhati, na kampati, na vedhati, na santāsaṁ āpajjati abyākatavatthūsu. Ayaṁ kho, bhikkhu, hetu ayaṁ paccayo yena sutavato ariyasāvakassa vicikicchā nuppajjati abyākatavatthūsū”ti.

AN 7.55 · Places People Are Reborn

AN 7.55 · Purisagatisutta

“Mendicants, I will teach you seven places people are reborn, and complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Satta ca, bhikkhave, purisagatiyo desessāmi anupādā ca parinibbānaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” the mendicants replied. The Buddha said this:

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

“And what are the seven places people are reborn?

“katamā ca, bhikkhave, satta purisagatiyo?

Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. It will not be, and it will not be mine. I am giving up what exists, what has come to be.’ They gain equanimity. They’re not attached to life, or to creating a new life. And they see with right wisdom that there is a peaceful state beyond. But they haven’t completely realized that state. They haven’t totally given up the underlying tendencies of conceit, desire for continued existence, and ignorance. With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next. Suppose you struck an iron pot that had been heated all day. Any spark that flew off would be extinguished. In the same way, a mendicant who practices like this … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā, na bhavissati na me bhavissati, yadatthi yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ pajahāmī’ti upekkhaṁ paṭilabhati. So bhave na rajjati, sambhave na rajjati, atthuttari padaṁ santaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tañca khvassa padaṁ na sabbena sabbaṁ sacchikataṁ hoti, tassa na sabbena sabbaṁ mānānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ bhavarāgānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ avijjānusayo pahīno hoti. So pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, divasaṁsantatte ayokapāle haññamāne papaṭikā nibbattitvā nibbāyeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā, na bhavissati na me bhavissati, yadatthi yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ pajahāmī’ti upekkhaṁ paṭilabhati. So bhave na rajjati, sambhave na rajjati, atthuttari padaṁ santaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tañca khvassa padaṁ na sabbena sabbaṁ sacchikataṁ hoti, tassa na sabbena sabbaṁ mānānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ bhavarāgānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ avijjānusayo pahīno hoti. So pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti.

Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. It will not be, and it will not be mine. I am giving up what exists, what has come to be.’ They gain equanimity. They’re not attached to life, or to creating a new life. And they see with right wisdom that there is a peaceful state beyond. But they haven’t totally realized that state. They haven’t completely given up the underlying tendencies of conceit, desire for continued existence, and ignorance. With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next. Suppose you struck an iron pot that had been heated all day. Any spark that flew off and floated away would be extinguished. In the same way, a mendicant who practices like this … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā, na bhavissati na me bhavissati, yadatthi yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ pajahāmī’ti upekkhaṁ paṭilabhati. So bhave na rajjati, sambhave na rajjati, atthuttari padaṁ santaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tañca khvassa padaṁ na sabbena sabbaṁ sacchikataṁ hoti, tassa na sabbena sabbaṁ mānānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ bhavarāgānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ avijjānusayo pahīno hoti. So pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, divasaṁsantatte ayokapāle haññamāne papaṭikā nibbattitvā uppatitvā nibbāyeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti.

Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next. Suppose you struck an iron pot that had been heated all day. Any spark that flew off and floated away would be extinguished before landing. In the same way, a mendicant who practices like this … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, divasaṁsantatte ayokapāle haññamāne papaṭikā nibbattitvā uppatitvā anupahacca talaṁ nibbāyeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā antarāparinibbāyī hoti.

Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing. Suppose you struck an iron pot that had been heated all day. Any spark that flew off and floated away would be extinguished upon landing. In the same way, a mendicant who practices like this … ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā upahaccaparinibbāyī hoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, divasaṁsantatte ayokapāle haññamāne papaṭikā nibbattitvā uppatitvā upahacca talaṁ nibbāyeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā upahaccaparinibbāyī hoti.

Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort. Suppose you struck an iron pot that had been heated all day. Any spark that flew off and floated away would fall on a little heap of grass or twigs. There it would ignite a fire and produce smoke. But the fire would consume the grass or twigs and become extinguished due to not being fed. In the same way, a mendicant who practices like this … ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā asaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, divasaṁsantatte ayokapāle haññamāne papaṭikā nibbattitvā uppatitvā paritte tiṇapuñje vā kaṭṭhapuñje vā nipateyya. Sā tattha aggimpi janeyya, dhūmampi janeyya, aggimpi janetvā dhūmampi janetvā tameva parittaṁ tiṇapuñjaṁ vā kaṭṭhapuñjaṁ vā pariyādiyitvā anāhārā nibbāyeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā asaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti.

Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort. Suppose you struck an iron pot that had been heated all day. Any spark that flew off and floated away would fall on a large heap of grass or twigs. There it would ignite a fire and produce smoke. But the fire would consume the grass or twigs and become extinguished due to not being fed. In the same way, a mendicant who practices like this … ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sasaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, divasaṁsantatte ayokapāle haññamāne papaṭikā nibbattitvā uppatitvā vipule tiṇapuñje vā kaṭṭhapuñje vā nipateyya. Sā tattha aggimpi janeyya, dhūmampi janeyya, aggimpi janetvā dhūmampi janetvā tameva vipulaṁ tiṇapuñjaṁ vā kaṭṭhapuñjaṁ vā pariyādiyitvā anāhārā nibbāyeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sasaṅkhāraparinibbāyī hoti.

Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. It will not be, and it will not be mine. I am giving up what exists, what has come to be.’ They gain equanimity. They’re not attached to life, or to creating a new life. And they see with right wisdom that there is a peaceful state beyond. But they haven’t totally realized that state. They haven’t completely given up the underlying tendencies of conceit, desire for continued existence, and ignorance. With the ending of the five lower fetters they head upstream, going to the Akaniṭṭha realm. Suppose you struck an iron pot that had been heated all day. Any spark that flew off and floated away would fall on a big heap of grass or twigs. There it would ignite a fire and produce smoke. And after consuming the grass and twigs, the fire would burn up plants and trees until it reached a green field, a roadside, a cliff’s edge, a body of water, or cleared parkland, where it would be extinguished due to not being fed. In the same way, a mendicant who practices like this … ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. …’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they head upstream, going to the Akaniṭṭha realm. These are the seven places people are reborn.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā, na bhavissati na me bhavissati, yadatthi yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ pajahāmī’ti upekkhaṁ paṭilabhati. So bhave na rajjati, sambhave na rajjati, atthuttari padaṁ santaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tañca khvassa padaṁ na sabbena sabbaṁ sacchikataṁ hoti, tassa na sabbena sabbaṁ mānānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ bhavarāgānusayo pahīno hoti, na sabbena sabbaṁ avijjānusayo pahīno hoti. So pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā uddhaṁsoto hoti akaniṭṭhagāmī. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, divasaṁsantatte ayokapāle haññamāne papaṭikā nibbattitvā uppatitvā mahante tiṇapuñje vā kaṭṭhapuñje vā nipateyya. Sā tattha aggimpi janeyya, dhūmampi janeyya, aggimpi janetvā dhūmampi janetvā tameva mahantaṁ tiṇapuñjaṁ vā kaṭṭhapuñjaṁ vā pariyādiyitvā gacchampi daheyya, dāyampi daheyya, gacchampi dahitvā dāyampi dahitvā haritantaṁ vā pathantaṁ vā selantaṁ vā udakantaṁ vā ramaṇīyaṁ vā bhūmibhāgaṁ āgamma anāhārā nibbāyeyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā …pe… so pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā uddhaṁsoto hoti akaniṭṭhagāmī. Imā kho, bhikkhave, satta purisagatiyo.

And what is complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping? Take a mendicant who practices like this: ‘It might not be, and it might not be mine. It will not be, and it will not be mine. I am giving up what exists, what has come to be.’ They gain equanimity. They’re not attached to life, or to creating a new life. And they see with right wisdom that there is a peaceful state beyond. And they have totally realized that state. They’ve completely given up the underlying tendencies of conceit, desire for continued existence, and ignorance. They’ve realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, and live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. This is called complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, anupādāparinibbānaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ paṭipanno hoti: ‘no cassa no ca me siyā, na bhavissati na me bhavissati, yadatthi yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ pajahāmī’ti upekkhaṁ paṭilabhati. So bhave na rajjati, sambhave na rajjati, atthuttari padaṁ santaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tañca khvassa padaṁ sabbena sabbaṁ sacchikataṁ hoti, tassa sabbena sabbaṁ mānānusayo pahīno hoti, sabbena sabbaṁ bhavarāgānusayo pahīno hoti, sabbena sabbaṁ avijjānusayo pahīno hoti. So āsavānaṁ khayā …pe… sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, anupādāparinibbānaṁ.

These are the seven places people are reborn, and complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.”

Imā kho, bhikkhave, satta purisagatiyo anupādā ca parinibbānan”ti.

AN 7.56 · Tissa the Divinity

AN 7.56 · Tissabrahmāsutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate.

Then, late at night, two glorious deities, lighting up the entire Vulture’s Peak, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. One deity said to him, “Sir, these nuns are freed!”

Atha kho dve devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “etā, bhante, bhikkhuniyo vimuttā”ti.

The other deity said to him, “Sir, these nuns are well freed with no residue!”

Aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “etā, bhante, bhikkhuniyo anupādisesā suvimuttā”ti.

This is what those deities said, and the Teacher concurred. Then those deities, knowing that the Teacher concurred, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before vanishing right there.

Idamavocuṁ tā devatā. Samanuñño satthā ahosi. Atha kho tā devatā “samanuñño satthā”ti bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsu.

Then, when the night had passed, the Buddha told the mendicants all that had happened.

Atha kho bhagavā tassā rattiyā accayena bhikkhū āmantesi: “imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ dve devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ gijjhakūṭaṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, ekā devatā maṁ etadavoca: ‘etā, bhante, bhikkhuniyo vimuttā’ti. Aparā devatā maṁ etadavoca: ‘etā, bhante, bhikkhuniyo anupādisesā suvimuttā’ti. Idamavocuṁ, bhikkhave, tā devatā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsū”ti.

Now at that time Venerable Mahāmoggallāna was sitting not far from the Buddha. He thought, “Which gods know whether a person has remainder or not?”

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhagavato avidūre nisinno hoti. Atha kho āyasmato mahāmoggallānassa etadahosi: “katamesānaṁ kho devānaṁ evaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’”ti?

Now, at that time a monk named Tissa had recently passed away and been reborn in a realm of divinity. There they knew that Tissa the Divinity was very mighty and powerful.

Tena kho pana samayena tisso nāma bhikkhu adhunākālaṅkato aññataraṁ brahmalokaṁ upapanno hoti. Tatrāpi naṁ evaṁ jānanti: “tisso brahmā mahiddhiko mahānubhāvo”ti.

And then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the Vulture’s Peak and reappeared in that realm of divinity.

Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evamevaṁ—gijjhakūṭe pabbate antarahito tasmiṁ brahmaloke pāturahosi.

Tissa saw Moggallāna coming off in the distance, and said to him, “Come, my good Moggallāna! Welcome, my good Moggallāna! It’s been a long time since you took the opportunity to come here. Sit, my good Moggallāna, here, a seat is ready.”

Addasā kho tisso brahmā āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvā āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ etadavoca: “ehi kho, mārisa moggallāna; svāgataṁ, mārisa moggallāna. Cirassaṁ kho, mārisa moggallāna, imaṁ pariyāyamakāsi, yadidaṁ idhāgamanāya. Nisīda, mārisa moggallāna, idamāsanaṁ paññattan”ti.

Moggallāna sat down on the seat spread out. Then Tissa bowed to Moggallāna and sat to one side.

Nisīdi kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno paññatte āsane. Tissopi kho brahmā āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

Moggallāna said to him, “Which gods know whether a person has remainder or not?”

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho tissaṁ brahmānaṁ āyasmā mahāmoggallāno etadavoca: “katamesānaṁ kho, tissa, devānaṁ evaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’”ti?

“The gods of the Divinity’s host know this.”

“Brahmakāyikānaṁ kho, mārisa moggallāna, devānaṁ evaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’”ti.

“But do all of them know this?”

“Sabbesaññeva kho, tissa, brahmakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ evaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’”ti?

“No, my good Moggallāna, not all of them.

“Na kho, mārisa moggallāna, sabbesaṁ brahmakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ evaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’ti.

Those gods of the Divinity’s host who are content with the lifespan of the Divinity, with the beauty, happiness, glory, and sovereignty of the Divinity, and who don’t truly understand any escape beyond: they don’t know this. But those gods of the Divinity’s host who are not content with the lifespan of the Divinity, with the beauty, happiness, glory, and sovereignty of the Divinity, and who do truly understand any escape beyond: they do know this.

Ye kho te, mārisa moggallāna, brahmakāyikā devā brahmena āyunā santuṭṭhā brahmena vaṇṇena brahmena sukhena brahmena yasena brahmena ādhipateyyena santuṭṭhā, te uttari nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānanti. Tesaṁ na evaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’ti. Ye ca kho te, mārisa moggallāna, brahmakāyikā devā brahmena āyunā asantuṭṭhā, brahmena vaṇṇena brahmena sukhena brahmena yasena brahmena ādhipateyyena asantuṭṭhā, te ca uttari nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānanti. Tesaṁ evaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’ti.

Take a mendicant who is freed both ways. The gods know of them: ‘This venerable is freed both ways. As long as their body remains they will be seen by gods and humans. But when their body breaks up gods and humans will see them no more.’ This too is how those gods know whether a person has remainder or not.

Idha, mārisa moggallāna, bhikkhu ubhatobhāgavimutto hoti. Tamenaṁ te devā evaṁ jānanti: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā ubhatobhāgavimutto. Yāvassa kāyo ṭhassati tāva naṁ dakkhanti devamanussā. Kāyassa bhedā na naṁ dakkhanti devamanussā’ti. Evampi kho, mārisa moggallāna, tesaṁ devānaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’ti.

Take a mendicant who is freed by wisdom. The gods know of them: ‘This venerable is freed by wisdom. As long as their body remains they will be seen by gods and humans. But when their body breaks up gods and humans will see them no more.’ This too is how those gods know whether a person has remainder or not.

Idha pana, mārisa moggallāna, bhikkhu paññāvimutto hoti. Tamenaṁ te devā evaṁ jānanti: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā paññāvimutto. Yāvassa kāyo ṭhassati tāva naṁ dakkhanti devamanussā. Kāyassa bhedā na naṁ dakkhanti devamanussā’ti. Evampi kho, mārisa moggallāna, tesaṁ devānaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’ti.

Take a mendicant who is a direct witness. The gods know of them: ‘This venerable is a direct witness. Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ This too is how those gods know whether a person has remainder or not.

Idha pana, mārisa moggallāna, bhikkhu kāyasakkhī hoti. Tamenaṁ devā evaṁ jānanti: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā kāyasakkhī. Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyā’ti. Evampi kho, mārisa moggallāna, tesaṁ devānaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’ti.

Take a mendicant who is attained to view. … freed by faith … a follower of teachings. The gods know of them: ‘This venerable is a follower of teachings. Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ This too is how those gods know whether a person has remainder or not.”

Idha pana, mārisa moggallāna, bhikkhu diṭṭhippatto hoti …pe… saddhāvimutto hoti …pe… dhammānusārī hoti. Tamenaṁ te devā evaṁ jānanti: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā dhammānusārī. Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyā’ti. Evampi kho, mārisa moggallāna, tesaṁ devānaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’”ti.

Moggallāna approved and agreed with what Tissa the Divinity said. Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the realm of divinity and reappeared on the Vulture’s Peak. Then Mahāmoggallāna went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno tissassa brahmuno bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evamevaṁ—brahmaloke antarahito gijjhakūṭe pabbate pāturahosi. Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno yāvatako ahosi tissena brahmunā saddhiṁ kathāsallāpo taṁ sabbaṁ bhagavato ārocesi.

“But Moggallāna, Tissa the Divinity didn’t teach the seventh individual, the signless meditator.”

“Na hi pana te, moggallāna, tisso brahmā sattamaṁ animittavihāriṁ puggalaṁ deseti”.

“Now is the time, Blessed One! Now is the time, Holy One! May the Buddha teach the seventh individual, the signless meditator. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”

“Etassa, bhagavā, kālo, etassa, sugata, kālo. Yaṁ bhagavā sattamaṁ animittavihāriṁ puggalaṁ deseyya. Bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti.

“Well then, Moggallāna, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Tena hi, moggallāna, suṇāhi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi; bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” Mahāmoggallāna replied. The Buddha said this:

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhagavato paccassosi. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Moggallāna, take the case of a mendicant who, not focusing on any signs, enters and remains in the signless immersion of the heart. The gods know of them: ‘This venerable, not focusing on any signs, enters and remains in the signless immersion of the heart. Hopefully this venerable will frequent appropriate lodgings, associate with good friends, and control their faculties. Then they might realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life, and live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’ This too is how those gods know whether a person has remainder or not.”

“Idha, moggallāna, bhikkhu sabbanimittānaṁ amanasikārā animittaṁ cetosamādhiṁ upasampajja viharati. Tamenaṁ te devā evaṁ jānanti: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā sabbanimittānaṁ amanasikārā animittaṁ cetosamādhiṁ upasampajja viharati. Appeva nāma ayamāyasmā anulomikāni senāsanāni paṭisevamāno kalyāṇamitte bhajamāno indriyāni samannānayamāno— yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyā’ti. Evaṁ kho, moggallāna, tesaṁ devānaṁ ñāṇaṁ hoti: ‘saupādisese vā saupādisesoti, anupādisese vā anupādiseso’”ti.

AN 7.57 · General Sīha

AN 7.57 · Sīhasenāpatisutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then General Sīha went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vesāliyaṁ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ. Atha kho sīho senāpati yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho sīho senāpati bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, can you point out a fruit of giving that’s apparent in the present life?”

“sakkā nu kho, bhante, sandiṭṭhikaṁ dānaphalaṁ paññāpetun”ti?

“Well then, Sīha, I’ll ask you about this in return, and you can answer as you like. What do you think, Sīha? Consider two people. One is faithless, stingy, miserly, and abusive. One is a faithful donor who loves charity. Which do you think the perfected ones will show sympathy for first?”

“Tena hi, sīha, taññevettha paṭipucchissāmi, yathā te khameyya tathā naṁ byākareyyāsi. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, idha dve purisā— eko puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, eko puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, kaṁ nu kho arahanto paṭhamaṁ anukampantā anukampeyyuṁ: ‘yo vā so puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, yo vā so puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato’”ti?

“Why would the perfected ones first show sympathy for the person who is faithless, stingy, miserly, and abusive? They’d show sympathy first for the faithful donor who loves charity.”

“Yo so, bhante, puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, kintaṁ arahanto paṭhamaṁ anukampantā anukampissanti. Yo ca kho so, bhante, puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato taṁyeva arahanto paṭhamaṁ anukampantā anukampeyyuṁ”.

“Which do you think the perfected ones will first approach?” “They’d first approach the faithful donor who loves charity.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, kaṁ nu kho arahanto paṭhamaṁ upasaṅkamantā upasaṅkameyyuṁ: ‘yo vā so puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, yo vā so puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato’”ti? “Yo so, bhante, puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, kintaṁ arahanto paṭhamaṁ upasaṅkamantā upasaṅkamissanti. Yo ca kho so, bhante, puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato taṁyeva arahanto paṭhamaṁ upasaṅkamantā upasaṅkameyyuṁ”.

“Which do you think the perfected ones will receive alms from first?” “They’d receive alms first from the faithful donor who loves charity.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, kassa nu kho arahanto paṭhamaṁ paṭiggaṇhantā paṭiggaṇheyyuṁ: ‘yo vā so puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, yo vā so puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato’”ti? “Yo so, bhante, puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, kintaṁ tassa arahanto paṭhamaṁ paṭiggaṇhantā paṭiggaṇhissanti. Yo ca kho so, bhante, puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato tasseva arahanto paṭhamaṁ paṭiggaṇhantā paṭiggaṇheyyuṁ”.

“Which do you think the perfected ones will teach the Dhamma to first?” “They’d first teach the Dhamma to the faithful donor who loves charity.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, kassa nu kho arahanto paṭhamaṁ dhammaṁ desentā deseyyuṁ: ‘yo vā so puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, yo vā so puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato’”ti? “Yo so, bhante, puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, kintaṁ tassa arahanto paṭhamaṁ dhammaṁ desentā desessanti. Yo ca kho so, bhante, puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato tasseva arahanto paṭhamaṁ dhammaṁ desentā deseyyuṁ”.

“Which do you think would get a good reputation?” “The faithful donor who loves charity would get a good reputation.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, kassa nu kho kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggaccheyya: ‘yo vā so puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, yo vā so puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato’”ti? “Yo so, bhante, puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, kintaṁ tassa kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggacchissati. Yo ca kho so, bhante, puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato tasseva kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggaccheyya”.

“Which do you think would enter any kind of assembly bold and self-assured, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics?”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, ko nu kho yaṁyadeva parisaṁ upasaṅkameyya, yadi khattiyaparisaṁ yadi brāhmaṇaparisaṁ yadi gahapatiparisaṁ yadi samaṇaparisaṁ visārado upasaṅkameyya amaṅkubhūto: ‘yo vā so puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, yo vā so puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato’”ti?

“How could the person who is faithless, stingy, miserly, and abusive enter any kind of assembly bold and self-assured, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics? The faithful donor who loves charity would enter any kind of assembly bold and self-assured, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics.”

“Yo so, bhante, puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, kiṁ so yaṁyadeva parisaṁ upasaṅkamissati, yadi khattiyaparisaṁ yadi brāhmaṇaparisaṁ yadi gahapatiparisaṁ yadi samaṇaparisaṁ visārado upasaṅkamissati amaṅkubhūto. Yo ca kho so, bhante, puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato so yaṁyadeva parisaṁ upasaṅkameyya, yadi khattiyaparisaṁ yadi brāhmaṇaparisaṁ yadi gahapatiparisaṁ yadi samaṇaparisaṁ visārado upasaṅkameyya amaṅkubhūto”.

“When their body breaks up, after death, which do you think would be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm?”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sīha, ko nu kho kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyya: ‘yo vā so puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, yo vā so puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato’”ti?

“Why would the person who is faithless, stingy, miserly, and abusive be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm? The faithful donor who loves charity would, when their body breaks up, after death, be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

“Yo so, bhante, puriso assaddho maccharī kadariyo paribhāsako, kiṁ so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjissati. Yo ca kho so, bhante, puriso saddho dānapati anuppadānarato so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyya.

When it comes to these fruits of giving that are apparent in the present life, I don’t rely on faith in the Buddha, for I know them too. I’m a giver, a donor, and the perfected ones show sympathy for me first. I’m a giver, and the perfected ones approach me first. I’m a giver, and the perfected ones receive alms from me first. I’m a giver, and the perfected ones teach me Dhamma first. I’m a giver, and I have this good reputation: ‘General Sīha gives, serves, and attends on the Saṅgha.’ I’m a giver, I enter any kind of assembly bold and self-assured, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics. When it comes to these fruits of giving that are apparent in the present life, I don’t rely on faith in the Buddha, for I know them too. But when the Buddha says: ‘When a giver’s body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’ I don’t know this, so I rely on faith in the Buddha.”

Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā sandiṭṭhikāni dānaphalāni akkhātāni, nāhaṁ ettha bhagavato saddhāya gacchāmi. Ahampi etāni jānāmi. Ahaṁ, bhante, dāyako dānapati, maṁ arahanto paṭhamaṁ anukampantā anukampanti. Ahaṁ, bhante, dāyako dānapati, maṁ arahanto paṭhamaṁ upasaṅkamantā upasaṅkamanti. Ahaṁ, bhante, dāyako dānapati, mayhaṁ arahanto paṭhamaṁ paṭiggaṇhantā paṭiggaṇhanti. Ahaṁ, bhante, dāyako dānapati, mayhaṁ arahanto paṭhamaṁ dhammaṁ desentā desenti. Ahaṁ, bhante, dāyako dānapati, mayhaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘sīho senāpati dāyako kārako saṅghupaṭṭhāko’ti. Ahaṁ, bhante, dāyako dānapati yaṁyadeva parisaṁ upasaṅkamāmi, yadi khattiyaparisaṁ …pe… yadi samaṇaparisaṁ visārado upasaṅkamāmi amaṅkubhūto. Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā sandiṭṭhikāni dānaphalāni akkhātāni, nāhaṁ ettha bhagavato saddhāya gacchāmi. Ahampi etāni jānāmi. Yañca kho maṁ, bhante, bhagavā evamāha: ‘dāyako, sīha, dānapati kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatī’ti. Etāhaṁ na jānāmi, ettha ca panāhaṁ, bhagavato saddhāya gacchāmī”ti.

“That’s so true, Sīha! That’s so true! When a giver’s body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.”

“Evametaṁ, sīha, evametaṁ, sīha. Dāyako, sīha, dānapati kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatī”ti.

AN 7.58 · Nothing to Hide

AN 7.58 · Arakkheyyasutta

“Mendicants, there are four areas where the Realized One has nothing to hide, and three ways he is irreproachable. What are the four areas where the Realized One has nothing to hide?

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, tathāgatassa arakkheyyāni, tīhi ca anupavajjo. Katamāni cattāri tathāgatassa arakkheyyāni?

His bodily behavior is pure. So the Realized One has no bodily misconduct to hide, thinking: ‘Don’t let others find this out about me!’

Parisuddhakāyasamācāro, bhikkhave, tathāgato; natthi tathāgatassa kāyaduccaritaṁ yaṁ tathāgato rakkheyya: ‘mā me idaṁ paro aññāsī’ti.

His verbal behavior is pure. So the Realized One has no verbal misconduct to hide, thinking: ‘Don’t let others find this out about me!’

Parisuddhavacīsamācāro, bhikkhave, tathāgato; natthi tathāgatassa vacīduccaritaṁ yaṁ tathāgato rakkheyya: ‘mā me idaṁ paro aññāsī’ti.

His mental behavior is pure. So the Realized One has no mental misconduct to hide, thinking: ‘Don’t let others find this out about me!’

Parisuddhamanosamācāro, bhikkhave, tathāgato; natthi tathāgatassa manoduccaritaṁ yaṁ tathāgato rakkheyya: ‘mā me idaṁ paro aññāsī’ti.

His livelihood is pure. So the Realized One has no wrong livelihood to hide, thinking: ‘Don’t let others find this out about me!’

Parisuddhājīvo, bhikkhave, tathāgato; natthi tathāgatassa micchāājīvo yaṁ tathāgato rakkheyya: ‘mā me idaṁ paro aññāsī’ti.

These are the four areas where the Realized One has nothing to hide.

Imāni cattāri tathāgatassa arakkheyyāni.

What are the three ways the Realized One is irreproachable?

Katamehi tīhi anupavajjo?

The Realized One has explained the teaching well. I see no reason for anyone—whether ascetic, brahmin, god, Māra, or the Divinity, or anyone else in the world—to legitimately scold me, saying: ‘For such reasons you haven’t explained the teaching well.’ Since I see no such reason, I live secure, fearless, and self-assured.

Svākkhātadhammo, bhikkhave, tathāgato. Tatra vata maṁ samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā devo vā māro vā brahmā vā koci vā lokasmiṁ sahadhammena paṭicodessati: ‘itipi tvaṁ na svākkhātadhammo’ti. Nimittametaṁ, bhikkhave, na samanupassāmi. Etamahaṁ, bhikkhave, nimittaṁ asamanupassanto khemappatto abhayappatto vesārajjappatto viharāmi.

I have clearly described the practice that leads to extinguishment for my disciples. Practicing in accordance with this, my disciples realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. I see no reason for anyone—whether ascetic, brahmin, god, Māra, or the Divinity, or anyone else in the world—to legitimately scold me, saying: ‘For such reasons you haven’t clearly described the practice that leads to extinguishment for your disciples.’ Since I see no such reason, I live secure, fearless, and self-assured.

Supaññattā kho pana me, bhikkhave, sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā. Yathāpaṭipannā mama sāvakā āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti. Tatra vata maṁ samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā devo vā māro vā brahmā vā koci vā lokasmiṁ sahadhammena paṭicodessati: ‘itipi te na supaññattā sāvakānaṁ nibbānagāminī paṭipadā. Yathāpaṭipannā tava sāvakā āsavānaṁ khayā …pe… sacchikatvā upasampajja viharantī’ti. Nimittametaṁ, bhikkhave, na samanupassāmi. Etamahaṁ, bhikkhave, nimittaṁ asamanupassanto khemappatto abhayappatto vesārajjappatto viharāmi.

Many hundreds in my assembly of disciples have realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. I see no reason for anyone—whether ascetic, brahmin, god, Māra, or the Divinity, or anyone else in the world—to legitimately scold me, saying: ‘For such reasons you don’t have many hundreds of disciples in your following who have realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, and who live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.’ Since I see no such reason, I live secure, fearless, and self-assured.

Anekasatā kho pana me, bhikkhave, sāvakaparisā āsavānaṁ khayā …pe… sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti. Tatra vata maṁ samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā devo vā māro vā brahmā vā koci vā lokasmiṁ sahadhammena paṭicodessati: ‘itipi te na anekasatā sāvakaparisā āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharantī’ti. Nimittametaṁ, bhikkhave, na samanupassāmi. Etamahaṁ, bhikkhave, nimittaṁ asamanupassanto khemappatto abhayappatto vesārajjappatto viharāmi.

These are the three ways the Realized One is irreproachable.

Imehi tīhi anupavajjo.

These are the four areas where the Realized One has nothing to hide, and the three ways he is irreproachable.”

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri tathāgatassa arakkheyyāni, imehi ca tīhi anupavajjo”ti.