---
title: "Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 58 of 70
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/58/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya, section 58. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/58/"
---

# Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

The thirty-four long discourses of the Buddha: the Divine Net of views, the fruits of the ascetic life, the Great Discourse on Mindfulness, and the last days and passing of the Buddha.

> 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.

## 58. DN 29 · An Impressive Discourse · part 1

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/58/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/58/#p-N

[¶0] DN 29 · An Impressive Discourse

> Pali: DN 29 · Pāsādikasutta

[¶1] So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans in a stilt longhouse in a mango grove belonging to those Sakyans named Vedhaññā.

> Pali: Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati vedhaññā nāma sakyā, tesaṁ ambavane pāsāde.

[¶2] Now at that time the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan had recently passed away at Pāvā. With his passing the Jain ascetics split, dividing into two factions, fighting, quarreling, and disputing, continually wounding each other with barbed words:

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto pāvāyaṁ adhunākālaṅkato hoti. Tassa kālaṅkiriyāya bhinnā nigaṇṭhā dvedhikajātā bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharanti:

[¶3] “You don’t understand this teaching and training. I understand this teaching and training. What, you understand this teaching and training? You’re practicing wrong. I’m practicing right. I stay on topic, you don’t. You said last what you should have said first. You said first what you should have said last. What you’ve thought so much about has been disproved. Your doctrine is refuted. Go on, save your doctrine! You’re trapped; get yourself out of this—if you can!”

> Pali: “na tvaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānāsi, ahaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānāmi, kiṁ tvaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānissasi? Micchāpaṭipanno tvamasi, ahamasmi sammāpaṭipanno. Sahitaṁ me, asahitaṁ te. Purevacanīyaṁ pacchā avaca, pacchāvacanīyaṁ pure avaca. Adhiciṇṇaṁ te viparāvattaṁ, āropito te vādo, niggahito tvamasi, cara vādappamokkhāya, nibbeṭhehi vā sace pahosī”ti.

[¶4] You’d think there was nothing but slaughter going on among the Jain ascetics. And the Jain Ñātika’s white-clothed lay disciples were disillusioned, dismayed, and disappointed in the Jain ascetics. They were equally disappointed with a teaching and training so poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha, with broken monument and without a refuge.

> Pali: Vadhoyeva kho maññe nigaṇṭhesu nāṭaputtiyesu vattati. Yepi nigaṇṭhassa nāṭaputtassa sāvakā gihī odātavasanā, tepi nigaṇṭhesu nāṭaputtiyesu nibbinnarūpā virattarūpā paṭivānarūpā, yathā taṁ durakkhāte dhammavinaye duppavedite aniyyānike anupasamasaṁvattanike asammāsambuddhappavedite bhinnathūpe appaṭisaraṇe.

[¶5] And then, after completing the rainy season residence near Pāvā, the novice Cunda went to see Venerable Ānanda at Sāma village. He bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

> Pali: Atha kho cundo samaṇuddeso pāvāyaṁ vassaṁvuṭṭho yena sāmagāmo, yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho cundo samaṇuddeso āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca: “nigaṇṭho, bhante, nāṭaputto pāvāyaṁ adhunākālaṅkato. Tassa kālaṅkiriyāya bhinnā nigaṇṭhā dvedhikajātā …pe… bhinnathūpe appaṭisaraṇe”ti.

[¶6] Ānanda said to him, “Reverend Cunda, we should see the Buddha about this matter. Come, let’s go to the Buddha and tell him about this.”

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā ānando cundaṁ samaṇuddesaṁ etadavoca: “atthi kho idaṁ, āvuso cunda, kathāpābhataṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya. Āyāmāvuso cunda, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamissāma; upasaṅkamitvā etamatthaṁ bhagavato ārocessāmā”ti.

[¶7] “Yes, sir,” replied Cunda.

> Pali: “Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho cundo samaṇuddeso āyasmato ānandassa paccassosi.

[¶8] Then Ānanda and Cunda went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ca ānando cundo ca samaṇuddeso yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “ayaṁ, bhante, cundo samaṇuddeso evamāha, ‘nigaṇṭho, bhante, nāṭaputto pāvāyaṁ adhunākālaṅkato, tassa kālaṅkiriyāya bhinnā nigaṇṭhā …pe… bhinnathūpe appaṭisaraṇe’”ti.

[¶9] 1. The Teaching of the Unawakened

> Pali: 1. Asammāsambuddhappaveditadhammavinaya

[¶10] “That’s what happens, Cunda, when a teaching and training is poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha.

> Pali: “Evaṁ hetaṁ, cunda, hoti durakkhāte dhammavinaye duppavedite aniyyānike anupasamasaṁvattanike asammāsambuddhappavedite.

[¶11] Take the case where a teacher is not awakened, and the teaching is poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha. A disciple in that teaching does not practice in line with the teaching, does not practice following that procedure, does not live in line with the teaching. They proceed having turned away from that teaching. You should say this to them, ‘You’re fortunate, reverend, you’re so very fortunate! For your teacher is not awakened, and their teaching is poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha. But you don’t practice in line with that teaching, you don’t practice following that procedure, you don’t live in line with the teaching. You proceed having turned away from that teaching.’ In such a case the teacher and the teaching are to blame, but the disciple deserves praise. Suppose someone was to say to such a disciple, ‘Come on, venerable, practice as taught and pointed out by your teacher.’ The one who encourages, the one who they encourage, and the one who practices accordingly all brim with much wickedness. Why is that? It’s because that teaching and training is poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha.

> Pali: Idha, cunda, satthā ca hoti asammāsambuddho, dhammo ca durakkhāto duppavedito aniyyāniko anupasamasaṁvattaniko asammāsambuddhappavedito, sāvako ca tasmiṁ dhamme na dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharati na sāmīcippaṭipanno na anudhammacārī, vokkamma ca tamhā dhammā vattati. So evamassa vacanīyo: ‘tassa te, āvuso, lābhā, tassa te suladdhaṁ, satthā ca te asammāsambuddho, dhammo ca durakkhāto duppavedito aniyyāniko anupasamasaṁvattaniko asammāsambuddhappavedito. Tvañca tasmiṁ dhamme na dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharasi, na sāmīcippaṭipanno, na anudhammacārī, vokkamma ca tamhā dhammā vattasī’ti. Iti kho, cunda, satthāpi tattha gārayho, dhammopi tattha gārayho, sāvako ca tattha evaṁ pāsaṁso. Yo kho, cunda, evarūpaṁ sāvakaṁ evaṁ vadeyya: ‘etāyasmā tathā paṭipajjatu, yathā te satthārā dhammo desito paññatto’ti. Yo ca samādapeti, yañca samādapeti, yo ca samādapito tathattāya paṭipajjati. Sabbe te bahuṁ apuññaṁ pasavanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evaṁ hetaṁ, cunda, hoti durakkhāte dhammavinaye duppavedite aniyyānike anupasamasaṁvattanike asammāsambuddhappavedite.

[¶12] Take the case where a teacher is not awakened, and the teaching is poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha. A disciple in that teaching practices in line with the teaching, practices following that procedure, lives in line with the teaching. They proceed having undertaken that teaching. You should say this to them, ‘It’s your loss, reverend, it’s your misfortune! For your teacher is not awakened, and their teaching is poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha. And you practice in line with that teaching, you practice following that procedure, you live in line with the teaching. You proceed having undertaken that teaching.’ In such a case the teacher, the teaching, and the disciple are all to blame. Suppose someone was to say to such a disciple, ‘Clearly the venerable is practicing systematically and will succeed in that system.’ The one who praises, the one who they praise, and the one who, being praised, rouses up even more energy all brim with much wickedness. Why is that? It’s because that teaching and training is poorly explained and poorly propounded, not emancipating, not leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is not a fully awakened Buddha.

> Pali: Idha pana, cunda, satthā ca hoti asammāsambuddho, dhammo ca durakkhāto duppavedito aniyyāniko anupasamasaṁvattaniko asammāsambuddhappavedito, sāvako ca tasmiṁ dhamme dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharati sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, samādāya taṁ dhammaṁ vattati. So evamassa vacanīyo: ‘tassa te, āvuso, alābhā, tassa te dulladdhaṁ, satthā ca te asammāsambuddho, dhammo ca durakkhāto duppavedito aniyyāniko anupasamasaṁvattaniko asammāsambuddhappavedito. Tvañca tasmiṁ dhamme dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharasi sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, samādāya taṁ dhammaṁ vattasī’ti. Iti kho, cunda, satthāpi tattha gārayho, dhammopi tattha gārayho, sāvakopi tattha evaṁ gārayho. Yo kho, cunda, evarūpaṁ sāvakaṁ evaṁ vadeyya: ‘addhāyasmā ñāyappaṭipanno ñāyamārādhessatī’ti. Yo ca pasaṁsati, yañca pasaṁsati, yo ca pasaṁsito bhiyyoso mattāya vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Sabbe te bahuṁ apuññaṁ pasavanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evañhetaṁ, cunda, hoti durakkhāte dhammavinaye duppavedite aniyyānike anupasamasaṁvattanike asammāsambuddhappavedite.

[¶13] 2. The Teaching of the Awakened

> Pali: 2. Sammāsambuddhappaveditadhammavinaya

[¶14] Take the case where a teacher is awakened, and the teaching is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is a fully awakened Buddha. A disciple in that teaching does not practice in line with the teaching, does not practice following that procedure, does not live in line with the teaching. They proceed having turned away from that teaching. You should say this to them, ‘It’s your loss, reverend, it’s your misfortune! For your teacher is awakened, and their teaching is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is a fully awakened Buddha. But you don’t practice in line with that teaching, you don’t practice following that procedure, you don’t live in line with the teaching. You proceed having turned away from that teaching.’ In such a case the teacher and the teaching deserve praise, but the disciple is to blame. Suppose someone was to say to such a disciple, ‘Come on, venerable, practice as taught and pointed out by your teacher.’ The one who encourages, the one who they encourage, and the one who practices accordingly all brim with much merit. Why is that? It’s because that teaching and training is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is a fully awakened Buddha.

> Pali: Idha pana, cunda, satthā ca hoti sammāsambuddho, dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito, sāvako ca tasmiṁ dhamme na dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharati, na sāmīcippaṭipanno, na anudhammacārī, vokkamma ca tamhā dhammā vattati. So evamassa vacanīyo: ‘tassa te, āvuso, alābhā, tassa te dulladdhaṁ, satthā ca te sammāsambuddho, dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito. Tvañca tasmiṁ dhamme na dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharasi, na sāmīcippaṭipanno, na anudhammacārī, vokkamma ca tamhā dhammā vattasī’ti. Iti kho, cunda, satthāpi tattha pāsaṁso, dhammopi tattha pāsaṁso, sāvako ca tattha evaṁ gārayho. Yo kho, cunda, evarūpaṁ sāvakaṁ evaṁ vadeyya: ‘etāyasmā tathā paṭipajjatu yathā te satthārā dhammo desito paññatto’ti. Yo ca samādapeti, yañca samādapeti, yo ca samādapito tathattāya paṭipajjati. Sabbe te bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evañhetaṁ, cunda, hoti svākkhāte dhammavinaye suppavedite niyyānike upasamasaṁvattanike sammāsambuddhappavedite.

[¶15] Take the case where a teacher is awakened, and the teaching is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is a fully awakened Buddha. A disciple in that teaching practices in line with the teaching, practices following that procedure, lives in line with the teaching. They proceed having undertaken that teaching. You should say this to them, ‘You’re fortunate, reverend, you’re so very fortunate! For your teacher is awakened, and their teaching is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is a fully awakened Buddha. And you practice in line with that teaching, you practice following that procedure, you live in line with the teaching. You proceed having undertaken that teaching.’ In such a case the teacher, the teaching, and the disciple all deserve praise. Suppose someone was to say to such a disciple, ‘Clearly the venerable is practicing systematically and will succeed in that system.’ The one who praises, the one who they praise, and the one who, being praised, rouses up even more energy all brim with much merit. Why is that? It’s because that teaching and training is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is a fully awakened Buddha.

> Pali: Idha pana, cunda, satthā ca hoti sammāsambuddho, dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito, sāvako ca tasmiṁ dhamme dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharati sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, samādāya taṁ dhammaṁ vattati. So evamassa vacanīyo: ‘tassa te, āvuso, lābhā, tassa te suladdhaṁ, satthā ca te sammāsambuddho, dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito. Tvañca tasmiṁ dhamme dhammānudhammappaṭipanno viharasi sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, samādāya taṁ dhammaṁ vattasī’ti. Iti kho, cunda, satthāpi tattha pāsaṁso, dhammopi tattha pāsaṁso, sāvakopi tattha evaṁ pāsaṁso. Yo kho, cunda, evarūpaṁ sāvakaṁ evaṁ vadeyya: ‘addhāyasmā ñāyappaṭipanno ñāyamārādhessatī’ti. Yo ca pasaṁsati, yañca pasaṁsati, yo ca pasaṁsito bhiyyoso mattāya vīriyaṁ ārabhati. Sabbe te bahuṁ puññaṁ pasavanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evañhetaṁ, cunda, hoti svākkhāte dhammavinaye suppavedite niyyānike upasamasaṁvattanike sammāsambuddhappavedite.

[¶16] 3. When Disciples Have Regrets

> Pali: 3. Sāvakānutappasatthu

[¶17] Take the case where a teacher arises in the world who is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is fully awakened. But the disciples have not been educated in the meaning of that good teaching. And the spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure has not been disclosed and divulged to them; its sayings have not all been collected; and it has not been fully revealed with its demonstrable basis among gods and humans. And then their teacher passes away. When such a teacher has passed away the disciples are tormented by regrets. Why is that? They think: ‘Our teacher was perfected, a fully awakened Buddha. His teaching was well explained, but we were not educated in its meaning. And the spiritual practice was not fully disclosed and divulged to us; its sayings have not all been collected; and it has not been fully revealed with its demonstrable basis among gods and humans. And then our teacher passed away.’ When such a teacher has passed away the disciples are tormented by regrets.

> Pali: Idha pana, cunda, satthā ca loke udapādi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho, dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito, aviññāpitatthā cassa honti sāvakā saddhamme, na ca tesaṁ kevalaṁ paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ āvikataṁ hoti uttānīkataṁ sabbasaṅgāhapadakataṁ sappāṭihīrakataṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ. Atha nesaṁ satthuno antaradhānaṁ hoti. Evarūpo kho, cunda, satthā sāvakānaṁ kālaṅkato anutappo hoti. Taṁ kissa hetu? ‘Satthā ca no loke udapādi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho, dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito, aviññāpitatthā camha saddhamme, na ca no kevalaṁ paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ āvikataṁ hoti uttānīkataṁ sabbasaṅgāhapadakataṁ sappāṭihīrakataṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ. Atha no satthuno antaradhānaṁ hotī’ti. Evarūpo kho, cunda, satthā sāvakānaṁ kālaṅkato anutappo hoti.

[¶18] 4. When Disciples Have No Regrets

> Pali: 4. Sāvakānanutappasatthu

[¶19] Take the case where a teacher arises in the world who is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is fully awakened. The disciples have been educated in the meaning of that good teaching. And the spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure has been disclosed and divulged to them; its sayings have all been collected; and it has been fully revealed with its demonstrable basis among gods and humans. And then their teacher passes away. When such a teacher has passed away the disciples are free of regrets. Why is that? They think: ‘Our teacher was perfected, a fully awakened Buddha. His teaching was well explained, we were educated in its meaning, and the spiritual practice was fully revealed to us. And then our teacher passed away.’ When such a teacher has passed away the disciples are free of regrets.

> Pali: Idha pana, cunda, satthā ca loke udapādi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho. Dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito. Viññāpitatthā cassa honti sāvakā saddhamme, kevalañca tesaṁ paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ āvikataṁ hoti uttānīkataṁ sabbasaṅgāhapadakataṁ sappāṭihīrakataṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ. Atha nesaṁ satthuno antaradhānaṁ hoti. Evarūpo kho, cunda, satthā sāvakānaṁ kālaṅkato ananutappo hoti. Taṁ kissa hetu? ‘Satthā ca no loke udapādi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho. Dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito. Viññāpitatthā camha saddhamme, kevalañca no paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ āvikataṁ hoti uttānīkataṁ sabbasaṅgāhapadakataṁ sappāṭihīrakataṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ. Atha no satthuno antaradhānaṁ hotī’ti. Evarūpo kho, cunda, satthā sāvakānaṁ kālaṅkato ananutappo hoti.

[¶20] 5. On the Incomplete Spiritual Path, Etc.

> Pali: 5. Brahmacariyaaparipūrādikathā

[¶21] Now suppose, Cunda, that a spiritual path possesses those factors. But the teacher is not senior, long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, and reached the final stage of life. Then that spiritual path is incomplete in that respect.

> Pali: Etehi cepi, cunda, aṅgehi samannāgataṁ brahmacariyaṁ hoti, no ca kho satthā hoti thero rattaññū cirapabbajito addhagato vayoanuppatto. Evaṁ taṁ brahmacariyaṁ aparipūraṁ hoti tenaṅgena.

[¶22] But when a spiritual path possesses those factors and the teacher is senior, then that spiritual path is complete in that respect.

> Pali: Yato ca kho, cunda, etehi ceva aṅgehi samannāgataṁ brahmacariyaṁ hoti, satthā ca hoti thero rattaññū cirapabbajito addhagato vayoanuppatto. Evaṁ taṁ brahmacariyaṁ paripūraṁ hoti tenaṅgena.

[¶23] Now suppose that a spiritual path possesses those factors and the teacher is senior. But there are no senior monk disciples who are competent, educated, self-assured, have attained sanctuary from the yoke, who can rightly explain the true teaching, and who can legitimately and completely refute the doctrines of others that come up, and teach with a demonstrable basis. Then that spiritual path is incomplete in that respect.

> Pali: Etehi cepi, cunda, aṅgehi samannāgataṁ brahmacariyaṁ hoti, satthā ca hoti thero rattaññū cirapabbajito addhagato vayoanuppatto, no ca khvassa therā bhikkhū sāvakā honti viyattā vinītā visāradā pattayogakkhemā. Alaṁ samakkhātuṁ saddhammassa, alaṁ uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammehi suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desetuṁ. Evaṁ taṁ brahmacariyaṁ aparipūraṁ hoti tenaṅgena.

[¶24] But when a spiritual path possesses those factors and the teacher is senior and there are competent senior monks, then that spiritual path is complete in that respect.

> Pali: Yato ca kho, cunda, etehi ceva aṅgehi samannāgataṁ brahmacariyaṁ hoti, satthā ca hoti thero rattaññū cirapabbajito addhagato vayoanuppatto, therā cassa bhikkhū sāvakā honti viyattā vinītā visāradā pattayogakkhemā. Alaṁ samakkhātuṁ saddhammassa, alaṁ uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammehi suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desetuṁ. Evaṁ taṁ brahmacariyaṁ paripūraṁ hoti tenaṅgena.

[¶25] Now suppose that a spiritual path possesses those factors and the teacher is senior and there are competent senior monks. But there are no competent middle monks, junior monks, senior nuns, middle nuns, junior nuns, chaste white-clothed laymen, white-clothed laymen enjoying sensual pleasures, chaste white-clothed laywomen, white-clothed laywomen enjoying sensual pleasures. … There are white-clothed laywomen enjoying sensual pleasures, but the spiritual path is not successful and prosperous, extensive, popular, widespread, and fully revealed among gods and humans … the spiritual path is successful and prosperous, extensive, popular, widespread, and fully revealed among gods and humans, but it has not reached the peak of material things and fame. Then that spiritual path is incomplete in that respect.

> Pali: Etehi cepi, cunda, aṅgehi samannāgataṁ brahmacariyaṁ hoti, satthā ca hoti thero rattaññū cirapabbajito addhagato vayoanuppatto, therā cassa bhikkhū sāvakā honti viyattā vinītā visāradā pattayogakkhemā. Alaṁ samakkhātuṁ saddhammassa, alaṁ uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammehi suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desetuṁ. No ca khvassa majjhimā bhikkhū sāvakā honti …pe… majjhimā cassa bhikkhū sāvakā honti, no ca khvassa navā bhikkhū sāvakā honti …pe… navā cassa bhikkhū sāvakā honti, no ca khvassa therā bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti …pe… therā cassa bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti, no ca khvassa majjhimā bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti …pe… majjhimā cassa bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti, no ca khvassa navā bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti …pe… navā cassa bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti, no ca khvassa upāsakā sāvakā honti gihī odātavasanā brahmacārino …pe… upāsakā cassa sāvakā honti gihī odātavasanā brahmacārino, no ca khvassa upāsakā sāvakā honti gihī odātavasanā kāmabhogino …pe… upāsakā cassa sāvakā honti gihī odātavasanā kāmabhogino, no ca khvassa upāsikā sāvikā honti gihiniyo odātavasanā brahmacāriniyo …pe… upāsikā cassa sāvikā honti gihiniyo odātavasanā brahmacāriniyo, no ca khvassa upāsikā sāvikā honti gihiniyo odātavasanā kāmabhoginiyo …pe… upāsikā cassa sāvikā honti gihiniyo odātavasanā kāmabhoginiyo, no ca khvassa brahmacariyaṁ hoti iddhañceva phītañca vitthārikaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ …pe… brahmacariyañcassa hoti iddhañceva phītañca vitthārikaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ, no ca kho lābhaggayasaggappattaṁ. Evaṁ taṁ brahmacariyaṁ aparipūraṁ hoti tenaṅgena.

[¶26] But when a spiritual path possesses those factors and the teacher is senior and there are competent senior monks, middle monks, junior monks, senior nuns, middle nuns, junior nuns, chaste laymen, laymen enjoying sensual pleasures, chaste laywomen, laywomen enjoying sensual pleasures, and the spiritual path is successful and prosperous, extensive, popular, widespread, and fully revealed among gods and humans, and it has reached the peak of material things and fame, then that spiritual path is complete in that respect.

> Pali: Yato ca kho, cunda, etehi ceva aṅgehi samannāgataṁ brahmacariyaṁ hoti, satthā ca hoti thero rattaññū cirapabbajito addhagato vayoanuppatto, therā cassa bhikkhū sāvakā honti viyattā vinītā visāradā pattayogakkhemā. Alaṁ samakkhātuṁ saddhammassa, alaṁ uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammehi suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desetuṁ. Majjhimā cassa bhikkhū sāvakā honti … navā cassa bhikkhū sāvakā honti … therā cassa bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti … majjhimā cassa bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti … navā cassa bhikkhuniyo sāvikā honti … upāsakā cassa sāvakā honti … gihī odātavasanā brahmacārino. Upāsakā cassa sāvakā honti gihī odātavasanā kāmabhogino … upāsikā cassa sāvikā honti gihiniyo odātavasanā brahmacāriniyo … upāsikā cassa sāvikā honti gihiniyo odātavasanā kāmabhoginiyo … brahmacariyañcassa hoti iddhañceva phītañca vitthārikaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ, lābhaggappattañca yasaggappattañca. Evaṁ taṁ brahmacariyaṁ paripūraṁ hoti tenaṅgena.

[¶27] I, Cunda, am a teacher who has arisen in the world today, perfected and fully awakened. The teaching is well explained and well propounded, emancipating, leading to peace, proclaimed by someone who is fully awakened. My disciples have been educated in the meaning of that good teaching. And the spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure has been disclosed and divulged to them with all its collected sayings, with its demonstrable basis, fully revealed among gods and humans. I am a teacher today who is senior, long standing, long gone forth, advanced in years, and have reached the final stage of life.

> Pali: Ahaṁ kho pana, cunda, etarahi satthā loke uppanno arahaṁ sammāsambuddho. Dhammo ca svākkhāto suppavedito niyyāniko upasamasaṁvattaniko sammāsambuddhappavedito. Viññāpitatthā ca me sāvakā saddhamme, kevalañca tesaṁ paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ āvikataṁ uttānīkataṁ sabbasaṅgāhapadakataṁ sappāṭihīrakataṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ. Ahaṁ kho pana, cunda, etarahi satthā thero rattaññū cirapabbajito addhagato vayoanuppatto.

[¶28] I have today disciples who are competent senior monks, middle monks, junior monks, senior nuns, middle nuns, junior nuns, chaste laymen, laymen enjoying sensual pleasures, chaste laywomen, and laywomen enjoying sensual pleasures. Today my spiritual path is successful and prosperous, extensive, popular, widespread, and fully revealed among gods and humans.

> Pali: Santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi therā bhikkhū sāvakā honti viyattā vinītā visāradā pattayogakkhemā. Alaṁ samakkhātuṁ saddhammassa, alaṁ uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammehi suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desetuṁ. Santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi majjhimā bhikkhū sāvakā … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi navā bhikkhū sāvakā … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi therā bhikkhuniyo sāvikā … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi majjhimā bhikkhuniyo sāvikā … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi navā bhikkhuniyo sāvikā … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi upāsakā sāvakā gihī odātavasanā brahmacārino … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi upāsakā sāvakā gihī odātavasanā kāmabhogino … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi upāsikā sāvikā gihiniyo odātavasanā brahmacāriniyo … santi kho pana me, cunda, etarahi upāsikā sāvikā gihiniyo odātavasanā kāmabhoginiyo … etarahi kho pana me, cunda, brahmacariyaṁ iddhañceva phītañca vitthārikaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ.

[¶29] Of all the teachers in the world today, Cunda, I don’t see even a single one who has reached the peak of material things and fame like me. Of all the spiritual communities and groups in the world today, Cunda, I don’t see even a single one who has reached the pinnacle of material things and fame like the mendicant Saṅgha. And if there’s any spiritual path of which it may be rightly said that it’s endowed with all good qualities, complete in all good qualities, neither too little nor too much, well explained, whole, complete, and fully revealed, it’s of this spiritual path that this should be said.

> Pali: Yāvatā kho, cunda, etarahi satthāro loke uppannā, nāhaṁ, cunda, aññaṁ ekasatthārampi samanupassāmi evaṁlābhaggayasaggappattaṁ yatharivāhaṁ. Yāvatā kho pana, cunda, etarahi saṅgho vā gaṇo vā loke uppanno; nāhaṁ, cunda, aññaṁ ekasaṅghampi samanupassāmi evaṁlābhaggayasaggappattaṁ yatharivāyaṁ, cunda, bhikkhusaṅgho. Yaṁ kho taṁ, cunda, sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘sabbākārasampannaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ anūnamanadhikaṁ svākkhātaṁ kevalaṁ paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ suppakāsitan’ti. Idameva taṁ sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘sabbākārasampannaṁ …pe… suppakāsitan’ti.

[¶30] Uddaka son of Rāma used to say: ‘Seeing, one does not see.’ But seeing what does one not see? You can see the blade of a well-sharpened razor, but not the edge. Thus it is said: ‘Seeing, one does not see.’ But that saying of Uddaka’s is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless, as it’s only about a razor. If there’s anything of which it may be rightly said: ‘Seeing, one does not see,’ it’s of this that it should be said. Seeing what does one not see? One sees this: a spiritual path endowed with all good qualities, complete in all good qualities, neither too little nor too much, well explained, whole, complete, and fully revealed. One does not see this: anything that, were it to be removed, would make it purer. One does not see this: anything that, were it to be added, would make it more complete. Thus it is rightly said: ‘Seeing, one does not see.’

> Pali: Udako sudaṁ, cunda, rāmaputto evaṁ vācaṁ bhāsati: ‘passaṁ na passatī’ti. Kiñca passaṁ na passatīti? Khurassa sādhunisitassa talamassa passati, dhārañca khvassa na passati. Idaṁ vuccati: ‘passaṁ na passatī’ti. Yaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, udakena rāmaputtena bhāsitaṁ hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ khurameva sandhāya. Yañca taṁ, cunda, sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘passaṁ na passatī’ti, idameva taṁ sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘passaṁ na passatī’ti. Kiñca passaṁ na passatīti? Evaṁ sabbākārasampannaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ anūnamanadhikaṁ svākkhātaṁ kevalaṁ paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ suppakāsitanti, iti hetaṁ passati. Idamettha apakaḍḍheyya, evaṁ taṁ parisuddhataraṁ assāti, iti hetaṁ na passati. Idamettha upakaḍḍheyya, evaṁ taṁ paripūraṁ assāti, iti hetaṁ na passati. Idaṁ vuccati, cunda: ‘passaṁ na passatī’ti. Yaṁ kho taṁ, cunda, sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘sabbākārasampannaṁ …pe… brahmacariyaṁ suppakāsitan’ti. Idameva taṁ sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘sabbākārasampannaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ anūnamanadhikaṁ svākkhātaṁ kevalaṁ paripūraṁ brahmacariyaṁ suppakāsitan’ti.

[¶31] 6. Teachings Should be Recited in Concert

> Pali: 6. Saṅgāyitabbadhamma

[¶32] So, Cunda, you should all come together and recite in concert, without disputing, those things I have taught you from my direct knowledge, comparing meaning with meaning and phrasing with phrasing, so that this spiritual path may last for a long time. That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. And what are those things I have taught from my direct knowledge? They are 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. These are the things I have taught from my own direct knowledge.

> Pali: Tasmātiha, cunda, ye vo mayā dhammā abhiññā desitā, tattha sabbeheva saṅgamma samāgamma atthena atthaṁ byañjanena byañjanaṁ saṅgāyitabbaṁ na vivaditabbaṁ, yathayidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ addhaniyaṁ assa ciraṭṭhitikaṁ, tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ. Katame ca te, cunda, dhammā mayā abhiññā desitā, yattha sabbeheva saṅgamma samāgamma atthena atthaṁ byañjanena byañjanaṁ saṅgāyitabbaṁ na vivaditabbaṁ, yathayidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ addhaniyaṁ assa ciraṭṭhitikaṁ, tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ? Seyyathidaṁ—cattāro satipaṭṭhānā, cattāro sammappadhānā, cattāro iddhipādā, pañcindriyāni, pañca balāni, satta bojjhaṅgā, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo. Ime kho te, cunda, dhammā mayā abhiññā desitā. Yattha sabbeheva saṅgamma samāgamma atthena atthaṁ byañjanena byañjanaṁ saṅgāyitabbaṁ na vivaditabbaṁ, yathayidaṁ brahmacariyaṁ addhaniyaṁ assa ciraṭṭhitikaṁ, tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ.

[¶33] 7. Reaching Agreement

> Pali: 7. Saññāpetabbavidhi

[¶34] Suppose one of those spiritual companions who is training in harmony and mutual appreciation, without disputing, were to recite the teaching in the Saṅgha. Now, you might think, ‘This venerable misconstrues the meaning and mistakes the phrasing.’ You should neither approve nor reject them, but say, ‘Reverend, if this is the meaning, the phrasing may either be this or that: which is more fitting? And if this is the phrasing, the meaning may be either this or that: which is more fitting?’ Suppose they reply, ‘This phrasing fits the meaning better than that. And this meaning fits the phrasing better than that.’ Without flattering or rebuking them, you should carefully persuade them by examining that meaning and that phrasing.

> Pali: Tesañca vo, cunda, samaggānaṁ sammodamānānaṁ avivadamānānaṁ sikkhataṁ aññataro sabrahmacārī saṅghe dhammaṁ bhāseyya. Tatra ce tumhākaṁ evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā atthañceva micchā gaṇhāti, byañjanāni ca micchā ropetī’ti. Tassa neva abhinanditabbaṁ na paṭikkositabbaṁ, anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā so evamassa vacanīyo: ‘imassa nu kho, āvuso, atthassa imāni vā byañjanāni etāni vā byañjanāni katamāni opāyikatarāni, imesañca byañjanānaṁ ayaṁ vā attho eso vā attho katamo opāyikataro’ti? So ce evaṁ vadeyya: ‘imassa kho, āvuso, atthassa imāneva byañjanāni opāyikatarāni, yā ceva etāni; imesañca byañjanānaṁ ayameva attho opāyikataro, yā ceva eso’ti. So neva ussādetabbo na apasādetabbo, anussādetvā anapasādetvā sveva sādhukaṁ saññāpetabbo tassa ca atthassa tesañca byañjanānaṁ nisantiyā.

[¶35] Suppose another spiritual companion were to recite the teaching in the Saṅgha. Now, you might think, ‘This venerable misconstrues the meaning but gets the phrasing right.’ You should neither approve nor reject them, but say, ‘Reverend, if this is the phrasing, the meaning may be either this or that: which is more fitting?’ Suppose they reply, ‘This meaning fits the phrasing better than that.’ Without flattering or rebuking, you should carefully persuade them by examining that meaning.

> Pali: Aparopi ce, cunda, sabrahmacārī saṅghe dhammaṁ bhāseyya. Tatra ce tumhākaṁ evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā atthañhi kho micchā gaṇhāti byañjanāni sammā ropetī’ti. Tassa neva abhinanditabbaṁ na paṭikkositabbaṁ, anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā so evamassa vacanīyo: ‘imesaṁ nu kho, āvuso, byañjanānaṁ ayaṁ vā attho eso vā attho katamo opāyikataro’ti? So ce evaṁ vadeyya: ‘imesaṁ kho, āvuso, byañjanānaṁ ayameva attho opāyikataro, yā ceva eso’ti. So neva ussādetabbo na apasādetabbo, anussādetvā anapasādetvā sveva sādhukaṁ saññāpetabbo tasseva atthassa nisantiyā.

[¶36] Suppose another spiritual companion were to recite the teaching in the Saṅgha. Now, you might think, ‘This venerable construes the meaning correctly but mistakes the phrasing.’ You should neither approve nor reject them, but say, ‘Reverend, if this is the meaning, the phrasing may be either this or that: which is more fitting?’ Suppose they reply, ‘This phrasing fits the meaning better than that.’ Without flattering or rebuking, you should carefully persuade them by examining that phrasing.

> Pali: Aparopi ce, cunda, sabrahmacārī saṅghe dhammaṁ bhāseyya. Tatra ce tumhākaṁ evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā atthañhi kho sammā gaṇhāti byañjanāni micchā ropetī’ti. Tassa neva abhinanditabbaṁ na paṭikkositabbaṁ; anabhinanditvā appaṭikkositvā so evamassa vacanīyo: ‘imassa nu kho, āvuso, atthassa imāni vā byañjanāni etāni vā byañjanāni katamāni opāyikatarānī’ti? So ce evaṁ vadeyya: ‘imassa kho, āvuso, atthassa imāneva byañjanāni opayikatarāni, yā ceva etānī’ti. So neva ussādetabbo na apasādetabbo; anussādetvā anapasādetvā sveva sādhukaṁ saññāpetabbo tesaññeva byañjanānaṁ nisantiyā.