Long Discourses · 56. DN 28 · Inspiring Confidence · part 1

DN 28 · Inspiring Confidence

DN 28 · Sampasādanīyasutta

1. Sāriputta’s Lion’s Roar

1. Sāriputtasīhanāda

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Nāḷandā in Pāvārika’s Mango Grove. Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā nāḷandāyaṁ viharati pāvārikambavane. Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, I have such confidence in the Buddha that I believe there’s no other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening.”

“evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati, na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan”ti.

“That’s a grand and bold statement, Sāriputta. You’ve roared a definitive, categorical lion’s roar, saying: ‘I have such confidence in the Buddha that I believe there’s no other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening.’

“Uḷārā kho te ayaṁ, sāriputta, āsabhī vācā bhāsitā, ekaṁso gahito, sīhanādo nadito: ‘evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati; na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan’ti.

What about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who lived in the past? Have you encompassed their minds to know that those Buddhas had such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”

Kiṁ te, sāriputta, ye te ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā: ‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁdhammā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁpaññā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁvihārī te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“And what about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who will live in the future? Have you encompassed their minds to know that those Buddhas will have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”

“Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ye te bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā: ‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipī’”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“And what about me, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha at present? Have you encompassed my mind to know that I have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”

“Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ahaṁ etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho cetasā ceto paricca vidito: ‘evaṁsīlo bhagavā itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto bhagavā itipī’”ti?

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“In that case, Sāriputta, given that you don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, or present, what then are you doing, making such a grand and bold statement, roaring such a definitive, categorical lion’s roar?”

“Ettha ca hi te, sāriputta, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ natthi. Atha kiṁ carahi te ayaṁ, sāriputta, uḷārā āsabhī vācā bhāsitā, ekaṁso gahito, sīhanādo nadito: ‘evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati, na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan’”ti?

“Sir, though I don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, and present, still I understand this by inference from the teaching. Suppose there was a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and a single gate. And it has a gatekeeper who is astute, competent, and intelligent. He keeps strangers out and lets known people in. As he walks around the patrol path, he doesn’t see a hole or cleft in the wall, not even one big enough for a cat to slip out. He thinks, ‘Whatever sizable creatures enter or leave the citadel, all of them do so via this gate.’

“Na kho me, bhante, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ atthi. Api ca me dhammanvayo vidito. Seyyathāpi, bhante, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ ekadvāraṁ. Tatrassa dovāriko paṇḍito byatto medhāvī aññātānaṁ nivāretā, ñātānaṁ pavesetā. So tassa nagarassa samantā anupariyāyapathaṁ anukkamamāno na passeyya pākārasandhiṁ vā pākāravivaraṁ vā antamaso biḷāranikkhamanamattampi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ye kho keci oḷārikā pāṇā imaṁ nagaraṁ pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā, sabbe te imināva dvārena pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā’ti.

In the same way, I understand this by inference from the teaching: ‘All the perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas—whether past, future, or present—give up the five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom. Their mind is firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. They correctly develop the seven awakening factors. And they awaken to the supreme perfect awakening.’

Evameva kho me, bhante, dhammanvayo vidito. Ye te, bhante, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacittā, satta sambojjhaṅge yathābhūtaṁ bhāvetvā anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhiṁsu. Yepi te, bhante, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacittā, satta sambojjhaṅge yathābhūtaṁ bhāvetvā anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhissanti. Bhagavāpi, bhante, etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacitto satta sambojjhaṅge yathābhūtaṁ bhāvetvā anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddho.

Sir, once I approached the Buddha to listen to the teaching. He explained Dhamma with its higher and higher stages, with its better and better stages, with its dark and bright sides. When I directly knew a certain principle of those teachings, in accordance with how I was taught, I came to a conclusion about the teachings. I had confidence in the Teacher: ‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

Idhāhaṁ, bhante, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁ dhammassavanāya. Tassa me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ. Yathā yathā me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ desesi uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ tathā tathāhaṁ tasmiṁ dhamme abhiññā idhekaccaṁ dhammaṁ dhammesu niṭṭhamagamaṁ; satthari pasīdiṁ: ‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

1.1. Teaching Skillful Qualities

1.1. Kusaladhammadesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches skillful qualities is unsurpassable. This consists of such skillful qualities as the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, the four right efforts, the four bases of psychic power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven awakening factors, and the noble eightfold path. By these a mendicant realizes 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. This is unsurpassable when it comes to skillful qualities. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to skillful qualities.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti kusalesu dhammesu. Tatrime kusalā dhammā seyyathidaṁ— cattāro satipaṭṭhānā, cattāro sammappadhānā, cattāro iddhipādā, pañcindriyāni, pañca balāni, satta bojjhaṅgā, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo. Idha, bhante, bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, kusalesu dhammesu. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa, yadidaṁ kusalesu dhammesu.

1.2. Describing the Sense Fields

1.2. Āyatanapaṇṇattidesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of the sense fields is unsurpassable. There are these six interior and exterior sense fields. The eye and sights, the ear and sounds, the nose and smells, the tongue and tastes, the body and touches, and the mind and ideas. This is unsurpassable when it comes to describing the sense fields. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to describing the sense fields.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti āyatanapaṇṇattīsu. Chayimāni, bhante, ajjhattikabāhirāni āyatanāni. Cakkhuñceva rūpā ca, sotañceva saddā ca, ghānañceva gandhā ca, jivhā ceva rasā ca, kāyo ceva phoṭṭhabbā ca, mano ceva dhammā ca. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, āyatanapaṇṇattīsu. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa yadidaṁ āyatanapaṇṇattīsu.

1.3. The Conception of the Embryo

1.3. Gabbhāvakkantidesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the conception of the embryo is unsurpassable. There are these four kinds of conception.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti gabbhāvakkantīsu. Catasso imā, bhante, gabbhāvakkantiyo.

Firstly, someone is unaware when conceived in their mother’s womb, unaware as they remain there, and unaware as they emerge. This is the first kind of conception.

Idha, bhante, ekacco asampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; asampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ paṭhamā gabbhāvakkanti.

Furthermore, someone is aware when conceived in their mother’s womb, but unaware as they remain there, and unaware as they emerge. This is the second kind of conception.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; asampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ dutiyā gabbhāvakkanti.

Furthermore, someone is aware when conceived in their mother’s womb, aware as they remain there, but unaware as they emerge. This is the third kind of conception.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; sampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ tatiyā gabbhāvakkanti.

Furthermore, someone is aware when conceived in their mother’s womb, aware as they remain there, and aware as they emerge. This is the fourth kind of conception.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; sampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; sampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ catutthā gabbhāvakkanti.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the conception of the embryo.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, gabbhāvakkantīsu.

1.4. Ways of Revealing

1.4. Ādesanavidhādesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different ways of revealing is unsurpassable. There are these four ways of revealing.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti ādesanavidhāsu. Catasso imā, bhante, ādesanavidhā.

Firstly, someone reveals by means of a sign, ‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’ And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. This is the first way of revealing.

Idha, bhante, ekacco nimittena ādisati: ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. Ayaṁ paṭhamā ādesanavidhā.

Furthermore, someone reveals after hearing it from humans or non-humans or deities, ‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’ And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. This is the second way of revealing.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati. Api ca kho manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati: ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. Ayaṁ dutiyā ādesanavidhā.

Furthermore, someone reveals by hearing the sound of thought spreading as someone thinks and considers, ‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’ And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. This is the third way of revealing.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, nāpi manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati. Api ca kho vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati: ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. Ayaṁ tatiyā ādesanavidhā.

Furthermore, someone comprehends the mind of one who has attained the immersion that’s free of placing the mind and keeping it connected. They understand, ‘Judging by the way this worthy’s intentions are directed, immediately after this mind state, they’ll think this thought.’ And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. This is the fourth way of revealing.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, nāpi manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati, nāpi vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati. Api ca kho avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhiṁ samāpannassa cetasā ceto paricca pajānāti: ‘yathā imassa bhoto manosaṅkhārā paṇihitā. Tathā imassa cittassa anantarā imaṁ nāma vitakkaṁ vitakkessatī’ti. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. Ayaṁ catutthā ādesanavidhā.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the ways of revealing.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, ādesanavidhāsu.

1.5. Attainments of Vision

1.5. Dassanasamāpattidesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the attainments of vision is unsurpassable. There are these four attainments of vision.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti dassanasamāpattīsu. Catasso imā, bhante, dassanasamāpattiyo.

Firstly, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they examine their own body up from the soles of the feet and down from the tips of the hairs, wrapped in skin and full of many kinds of filth. ‘In this body there is head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine.’ This is the first attainment of vision.

Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya padhānamanvāya anuyogamanvāya appamādamanvāya sammāmanasikāramanvāya tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā nakhā dantā taco maṁsaṁ nhāru aṭṭhi aṭṭhimiñjaṁ vakkaṁ hadayaṁ yakanaṁ kilomakaṁ pihakaṁ papphāsaṁ antaṁ antaguṇaṁ udariyaṁ karīsaṁ pittaṁ semhaṁ pubbo lohitaṁ sedo medo assu vasā kheḷo siṅghānikā lasikā muttan’ti. Ayaṁ paṭhamā dassanasamāpatti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti. Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati. Ayaṁ dutiyā dassanasamāpatti.

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body. ‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’ Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood. And they understand of a person that their stream of consciousness is consistent on both sides: established in both this world and the next. This is the third attainment of vision.

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body. ‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’ Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood. They understand of a person that their stream of consciousness is consistent on both sides: not established in either this world or the next. This is the fourth attainment of vision.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to attainments of vision.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, dassanasamāpattīsu.

1.6. Description of Individuals

1.6. Puggalapaṇṇattidesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of individuals is unsurpassable. There are these seven individuals. One freed both ways, one freed by wisdom, a direct witness, one attained to view, one freed by faith, a follower of teachings, a follower by faith. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the description of individuals.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti puggalapaṇṇattīsu. Sattime, bhante, puggalā. Ubhatobhāgavimutto paññāvimutto kāyasakkhi diṭṭhippatto saddhāvimutto dhammānusārī saddhānusārī. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, puggalapaṇṇattīsu.

1.7. Kinds of Striving

1.7. Padhānadesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the kinds of striving is unsurpassable. There are these seven awakening factors: the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the kinds of striving.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti padhānesu. Sattime, bhante, sambojjhaṅgā satisambojjhaṅgo dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgo vīriyasambojjhaṅgo pītisambojjhaṅgo passaddhisambojjhaṅgo samādhisambojjhaṅgo upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, padhānesu.

1.8. Ways of Practice

1.8. Paṭipadādesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the ways of practice is unsurpassable.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti paṭipadāsu.

Painful practice with slow insight,

Catasso imā, bhante, paṭipadā dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

painful practice with swift insight,

dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā,

pleasant practice with slow insight, and

sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

pleasant practice with swift insight.

sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññāti.

Of these, the painful practice with slow insight is said to be inferior both ways: because it’s painful and because it’s slow. The painful practice with swift insight is said to be inferior because it’s painful. The pleasant practice with slow insight is said to be inferior because it’s slow. But the pleasant practice with swift insight is said to be superior both ways: because it’s pleasant and because it’s swift.

Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā dukkhā dandhābhiññā, ayaṁ, bhante, paṭipadā ubhayeneva hīnā akkhāyati dukkhattā ca dandhattā ca. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā dukkhā khippābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā dukkhattā hīnā akkhāyati. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā sukhā dandhābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā dandhattā hīnā akkhāyati. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā sukhā khippābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā ubhayeneva paṇītā akkhāyati sukhattā ca khippattā ca.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the ways of practice.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, paṭipadāsu.

1.9. Behavior in Speech

1.9. Bhassasamācārādidesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches behavior in speech is unsurpassable. It’s when someone doesn’t use speech that’s connected with lying, or divisive, or backbiting, or aggressively trying to win. They speak only wise counsel, valuable and timely. This is unsurpassable when it comes to behavior in speech.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti bhassasamācāre. Idha, bhante, ekacco na ceva musāvādupasañhitaṁ vācaṁ bhāsati na ca vebhūtiyaṁ na ca pesuṇiyaṁ na ca sārambhajaṁ jayāpekkho; mantā mantā ca vācaṁ bhāsati nidhānavatiṁ kālena. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, bhassasamācāre.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches a person’s ethical behavior is unsurpassable. It’s when someone is honest and faithful. They don’t use deceit, flattery, hinting, or belittling, and they don’t use material things to chase after other material things. They guard the sense doors and eat in moderation. They’re fair, dedicated to wakefulness, tireless, energetic, and meditative. They have good memory, eloquence, rememberance, retention, and thoughtfulness. They’re not greedy for sensual pleasures. They are mindful and alert. This is unsurpassable when it comes to a person’s ethical behavior.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti purisasīlasamācāre. Idha, bhante, ekacco sacco cassa saddho ca, na ca kuhako, na ca lapako, na ca nemittiko, na ca nippesiko, na ca lābhena lābhaṁ nijigīsanako, indriyesu guttadvāro, bhojane mattaññū, samakārī, jāgariyānuyogamanuyutto, atandito, āraddhavīriyo, jhāyī, satimā, kalyāṇapaṭibhāno, gatimā, dhitimā, matimā, na ca kāmesu giddho, sato ca nipako ca. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, purisasīlasamācāre.

1.10. Responsiveness to Instruction

1.10. Anusāsanavidhādesanā

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different degrees of responsiveness to instruction is unsurpassable. There are these four degrees of responsiveness to instruction.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti anusāsanavidhāsu. Catasso imā, bhante, anusāsanavidhā—

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of three fetters, become a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, become a once-returner. They will come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside to another individual: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of the five lower fetters, be reborn spontaneously. They will be extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will realize 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.’

jānāti, bhante, bhagavā aparaṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno bhavissati avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī bhavissati, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko bhavissati tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissatī’ti.