---
title: "Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 59 of 70
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/59/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya, section 59. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/59/"
---

# 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.

## 59. DN 29 · An Impressive Discourse · part 2

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/59/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/59/#p-N

[¶0] Suppose another spiritual companion were to recite the teaching in the Saṅgha. Now, you might think, ‘This venerable construes the meaning correctly and gets the phrasing right.’ Saying ‘Good!’ you should express approval and appreciation of that mendicant’s statement, and then say to them, ‘We are fortunate, reverend, so very fortunate to see a venerable such as yourself, so well-versed in the meaning and the phrasing, as one of our spiritual companions!’

> Pali: Aparopi ce, cunda, sabrahmacārī saṅghe dhammaṁ bhāseyya. Tatra ce tumhākaṁ evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho āyasmā atthañceva sammā gaṇhāti byañjanāni ca sammā ropetī’ti. Tassa ‘sādhū’ti bhāsitaṁ abhinanditabbaṁ anumoditabbaṁ; tassa ‘sādhū’ti bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā so evamassa vacanīyo: ‘lābhā no, āvuso, suladdhaṁ no, āvuso, ye mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ tādisaṁ sabrahmacāriṁ passāma evaṁ atthupetaṁ byañjanupetan’ti.

[¶1] 8. The Reasons for Allowing Requisites

> Pali: 8. Paccayānuññātakāraṇa

[¶2] Cunda, I do not teach you solely for restraining defilements that affect this life. Nor do I teach solely for protecting against defilements that affect lives to come. I teach both for restraining defilements that affect this life and protecting against defilements that affect lives to come.

> Pali: Na vo ahaṁ, cunda, diṭṭhadhammikānaṁyeva āsavānaṁ saṁvarāya dhammaṁ desemi. Na panāhaṁ, cunda, samparāyikānaṁyeva āsavānaṁ paṭighātāya dhammaṁ desemi. Diṭṭhadhammikānaṁ cevāhaṁ, cunda, āsavānaṁ saṁvarāya dhammaṁ desemi; samparāyikānañca āsavānaṁ paṭighātāya.

[¶3] And that’s why I have allowed robes for you that suffice only for the sake of warding off cold and heat; for warding off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and reptiles; and for covering up the private parts. I have allowed almsfood for you that suffices only to sustain this body, avoid harm, and support spiritual practice; so that you will put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and will keep on living blamelessly and at ease. I have allowed lodgings for you that suffice only for the sake of warding off cold and heat; for warding off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and reptiles; to shelter from harsh weather and to enjoy retreat. I have allowed medicines and supplies for the sick for you that suffice only for the sake of warding off the pains of illness and to promote good health.

> Pali: Tasmātiha, cunda, yaṁ vo mayā cīvaraṁ anuññātaṁ, alaṁ vo taṁ yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva hirikopīnapaṭicchādanatthaṁ. Yo vo mayā piṇḍapāto anuññāto, alaṁ vo so yāvadeva imassa kāyassa ṭhitiyā yāpanāya vihiṁsūparatiyā brahmacariyānuggahāya, iti purāṇañca vedanaṁ paṭihaṅkhāmi, navañca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi, yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsuvihāro ca. Yaṁ vo mayā senāsanaṁ anuññātaṁ, alaṁ vo taṁ yāvadeva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya, ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya, yāvadeva utuparissayavinodanapaṭisallānārāmatthaṁ. Yo vo mayā gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāro anuññāto, alaṁ vo so yāvadeva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya abyāpajjaparamatāya.

[¶4] 9. Indulgence in Pleasure

> Pali: 9. Sukhallikānuyoga

[¶5] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘The ascetics who follow the Sakyan live indulging in pleasure.’ You should say to them, ‘What is that indulgence in pleasure? For there are many different kinds of indulgence in pleasure.’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘sukhallikānuyogamanuyuttā samaṇā sakyaputtiyā viharantī’ti. Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘katamo so, āvuso, sukhallikānuyogo? Sukhallikānuyogā hi bahū anekavihitā nānappakārakā’ti.

[¶6] These four kinds of indulgence in pleasure, Cunda, are low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. They don’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. What four?

> Pali: Cattārome, cunda, sukhallikānuyogā hīnā gammā pothujjanikā anariyā anatthasaṁhitā na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro?

[¶7] It’s when some fool makes themselves happy and pleased by killing living creatures. This is the first kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Idha, cunda, ekacco bālo pāṇe vadhitvā vadhitvā attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti. Ayaṁ paṭhamo sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶8] Furthermore, someone makes themselves happy and pleased by theft. This is the second kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, cunda, idhekacco adinnaṁ ādiyitvā ādiyitvā attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti. Ayaṁ dutiyo sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶9] Furthermore, someone makes themselves happy and pleased by lying. This is the third kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, cunda, idhekacco musā bhaṇitvā bhaṇitvā attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti. Ayaṁ tatiyo sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶10] Furthermore, someone amuses themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. This is the fourth kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, cunda, idhekacco pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreti. Ayaṁ catuttho sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶11] These are the four kinds of indulgence in pleasure that are low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. They don’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.

> Pali: Ime kho, cunda, cattāro sukhallikānuyogā hīnā gammā pothujjanikā anariyā anatthasaṁhitā na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattanti.

[¶12] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘The ascetics who follow the Sakyan live indulging in pleasure in these four ways.’ They should be told, ‘Not so!’ It isn’t right to say that about you; it misrepresents you with an untruth.

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘ime cattāro sukhallikānuyoge anuyuttā samaṇā sakyaputtiyā viharantī’ti. Te vo ‘mā hevaṁ’ tissu vacanīyā. Na te vo sammā vadamānā vadeyyuṁ, abbhācikkheyyuṁ asatā abhūtena.

[¶13] Cunda, these four kinds of indulgence in pleasure lead solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. What four?

> Pali: Cattārome, cunda, sukhallikānuyogā ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro?

[¶14] It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected. This is the first kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Idha, cunda, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ayaṁ paṭhamo sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶15] Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a mendicant enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected. This is the second kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, cunda, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ayaṁ dutiyo sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶16] Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a mendicant enters and remains in the third absorption. They meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’ This is the third kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, cunda, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ayaṁ tatiyo sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶17] Furthermore, with the giving up of pleasure and pain and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, a mendicant enters and remains in the fourth absorption. It is without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness. This is the fourth kind of indulgence in pleasure.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, cunda, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Ayaṁ catuttho sukhallikānuyogo.

[¶18] These are the four kinds of indulgence in pleasure which lead solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.

> Pali: Ime kho, cunda, cattāro sukhallikānuyogā ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattanti.

[¶19] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘The ascetics who follow the Sakyan live indulging in pleasure in these four ways.’ They should be told, ‘Exactly so!’ It’s right to say that about you; it doesn’t misrepresent you with an untruth.

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘ime cattāro sukhallikānuyoge anuyuttā samaṇā sakyaputtiyā viharantī’ti. Te vo ‘evaṁ’ tissu vacanīyā. Sammā te vo vadamānā vadeyyuṁ, na te vo abbhācikkheyyuṁ asatā abhūtena.

[¶20] 10. The Benefits of Indulgence in Pleasure

> Pali: 10. Sukhallikānuyogānisaṁsa

[¶21] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘How many fruits and benefits may be expected by those who live indulging in pleasure in these four ways?’ You should say to them, ‘Four benefits may be expected by those who live indulging in pleasure in these four ways. What four?

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘ime panāvuso, cattāro sukhallikānuyoge anuyuttānaṁ viharataṁ kati phalāni katānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘ime kho, āvuso, cattāro sukhallikānuyoge anuyuttānaṁ viharataṁ cattāri phalāni cattāro ānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā. Katame cattāro?

[¶22] Firstly, with the ending of three fetters a mendicant becomes a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening. This is the first fruit and benefit.

> Pali: Idhāvuso, bhikkhu tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno hoti avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo. Idaṁ paṭhamaṁ phalaṁ, paṭhamo ānisaṁso.

[¶23] Furthermore, a mendicant—with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion—becomes a once-returner. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. This is the second fruit and benefit.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī hoti, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karoti. Idaṁ dutiyaṁ phalaṁ, dutiyo ānisaṁso.

[¶24] Furthermore, with the ending of the five lower fetters, a mendicant is reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world. This is the third fruit and benefit.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko hoti, tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā. Idaṁ tatiyaṁ phalaṁ, tatiyo ānisaṁso.

[¶25] Furthermore, a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, and lives having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. This is the fourth fruit and benefit.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Idaṁ catutthaṁ phalaṁ catuttho ānisaṁso.

[¶26] These four benefits may be expected by those who live indulging in pleasure in these four ways.’

> Pali: Ime kho, āvuso, cattāro sukhallikānuyoge anuyuttānaṁ viharataṁ imāni cattāri phalāni, cattāro ānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā’ti.

[¶27] 11. Things Impossible for the Perfected

> Pali: 11. Khīṇāsavaabhabbaṭhāna

[¶28] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘The ascetics who follow the Sakyan are fickle.’ You should say to them, ‘Reverends, these things have been taught and pointed out for his disciples by the Blessed One, who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, not to be transgressed so long as life lasts. Suppose there was an Indra’s pillar or an iron pillar with deep foundations, firmly embedded, imperturbable and unshakable. In the same way, these things have been taught and pointed out for his disciples by the Blessed One, who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, not to be transgressed so long as life lasts.

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘aṭṭhitadhammā samaṇā sakyaputtiyā viharantī’ti. Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘atthi kho, āvuso, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sāvakānaṁ dhammā desitā paññattā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyā. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, indakhīlo vā ayokhīlo vā gambhīranemo sunikhāto acalo asampavedhī; evameva kho, āvuso, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sāvakānaṁ dhammā desitā paññattā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyā.

[¶29] A mendicant who is perfected—with defilements ended, who has completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and is rightly freed through enlightenment—can’t transgress in nine respects. A mendicant with defilements ended can’t deliberately take the life of a living creature, take something with the intention to steal, have sex, tell a deliberate lie, or store up goods for their own enjoyment like they used to as a layperson. And they can’t make decisions prejudiced by favoritism, hostility, stupidity, or cowardice. A mendicant who is perfected can’t transgress in these nine respects.’

> Pali: Yo so, āvuso, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo vusitavā katakaraṇīyo ohitabhāro anuppattasadattho parikkhīṇabhavasaṁyojano sammadaññāvimutto, abhabbo so nava ṭhānāni ajjhācarituṁ. Abhabbo, āvuso, khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyituṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu methunaṁ dhammaṁ paṭisevituṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sampajānamusā bhāsituṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu sannidhikārakaṁ kāme paribhuñjituṁ, seyyathāpi pubbe āgārikabhūto; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu chandāgatiṁ gantuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu dosāgatiṁ gantuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu mohāgatiṁ gantuṁ; abhabbo khīṇāsavo bhikkhu bhayāgatiṁ gantuṁ. Yo so, āvuso, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo vusitavā katakaraṇīyo ohitabhāro anuppattasadattho parikkhīṇabhavasaṁyojano sammadaññāvimutto, abhabbo so imāni nava ṭhānāni ajjhācaritun’ti.

[¶30] 12. Questions and Answers

> Pali: 12. Pañhābyākaraṇa

[¶31] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘The ascetic Gotama demonstrates boundless knowledge and vision of the past, but not of the future. What’s up with that?’ Those wanderers, like incompetent fools, seem to imagine that one kind of knowledge and vision can be demonstrated by means of another kind of knowledge and vision.

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘atītaṁ kho addhānaṁ ārabbha samaṇo gotamo atīrakaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ paññapeti, no ca kho anāgataṁ addhānaṁ ārabbha atīrakaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ paññapeti, tayidaṁ kiṁsu tayidaṁ kathaṁsū’ti? Te ca aññatitthiyā paribbājakā aññavihitakena ñāṇadassanena aññavihitakaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ paññapetabbaṁ maññanti yathariva bālā abyattā.

[¶32] Regarding the past, the Realized One has knowledge stemming from memory. He recollects as far as he wants.

> Pali: Atītaṁ kho, cunda, addhānaṁ ārabbha tathāgatassa satānusāriñāṇaṁ hoti; so yāvatakaṁ ākaṅkhati tāvatakaṁ anussarati.

[¶33] Regarding the future, the Realized One has the knowledge born of awakening: ‘This is my last rebirth; now there’ll be no more future lives.’

> Pali: Anāgatañca kho addhānaṁ ārabbha tathāgatassa bodhijaṁ ñāṇaṁ uppajjati: ‘ayamantimā jāti, natthi dāni punabbhavo’ti.

[¶34] If a question about the past is untrue, false, and pointless, the Realized One does not reply. If a question about the past is true and correct, but pointless, he does not reply. If a question about the past is true, correct, and beneficial, he knows the right time to reply. And the Realized One replies to questions about the future or the present in the same way.

> Pali: Atītañcepi, cunda, hoti abhūtaṁ atacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na taṁ tathāgato byākaroti. Atītañcepi, cunda, hoti bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, tampi tathāgato na byākaroti. Atītañcepi, cunda, hoti bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ atthasaṁhitaṁ, tatra kālaññū tathāgato hoti tassa pañhassa veyyākaraṇāya. Anāgatañcepi, cunda, hoti abhūtaṁ atacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na taṁ tathāgato byākaroti …pe… tassa pañhassa veyyākaraṇāya. Paccuppannañcepi, cunda, hoti abhūtaṁ atacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na taṁ tathāgato byākaroti. Paccuppannañcepi, cunda, hoti bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, tampi tathāgato na byākaroti. Paccuppannañcepi, cunda, hoti bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ atthasaṁhitaṁ, tatra kālaññū tathāgato hoti tassa pañhassa veyyākaraṇāya.

[¶35] And so the Realized One has speech that’s well-timed, true, meaningful, in line with the teaching and training. That’s why he’s called the ‘Realized One’.

> Pali: Iti kho, cunda, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu dhammesu tathāgato kālavādī bhūtavādī atthavādī dhammavādī vinayavādī, tasmā ‘tathāgato’ti vuccati.

[¶36] In this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans—whatever is seen, heard, thought, known, attained, sought, and explored by the mind, all that has been understood by the Realized One. That’s why he’s called the ‘Realized One’.

> Pali: Yañca kho, cunda, sadevakassa lokassa samārakassa sabrahmakassa sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya diṭṭhaṁ sutaṁ mutaṁ viññātaṁ pattaṁ pariyesitaṁ anuvicaritaṁ manasā, sabbaṁ tathāgatena abhisambuddhaṁ, tasmā ‘tathāgato’ti vuccati.

[¶37] From the night when the Realized One awakens to the supreme perfect awakening until the night he becomes fully extinguished—in the element of extinguishment with no residue—everything he speaks, says, and expresses is real, not otherwise. That’s why he’s called the ‘Realized One’.

> Pali: Yañca, cunda, rattiṁ tathāgato anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhati, yañca rattiṁ anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyati, yaṁ etasmiṁ antare bhāsati lapati niddisati. Sabbaṁ taṁ tatheva hoti no aññathā, tasmā ‘tathāgato’ti vuccati.

[¶38] The Realized One does as he says, and says as he does. Since this is so, that’s why he’s called the ‘Realized One’. In this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—the Realized One is the vanquisher, the unvanquished, the universal seer, the wielder of power.

> Pali: Yathāvādī, cunda, tathāgato tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī. Iti yathāvādī tathākārī, yathākārī tathāvādī, tasmā ‘tathāgato’ti vuccati. Sadevake loke, cunda, samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya tathāgato abhibhū anabhibhūto aññadatthudaso vasavattī, tasmā ‘tathāgato’ti vuccati.

[¶39] 13. The Undeclared Points

> Pali: 13. Abyākataṭṭhāna

[¶40] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘Is this your view: “A realized one still exists after death. This is the only truth, anything else is futile”?’ You should say to them, ‘Reverend, this has not been declared by the Buddha.’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘abyākataṁ kho etaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā: “hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan”’ti.

[¶41] The wanderers might say, ‘Then is this your view: “A realized one no longer exists after death. This is the only truth, anything else is futile”?’ You should say to them, ‘This too has not been declared by the Buddha.’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘kiṁ panāvuso, na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘etampi kho, āvuso, bhagavatā abyākataṁ: “na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan”’ti.

[¶42] The wanderers might say, ‘Then is this your view: “A realized one both still exists and no longer exists after death. This is the only truth, anything else is futile”?’ You should say to them, ‘This too has not been declared by the Buddha.’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘kiṁ panāvuso, hoti ca na ca hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘abyākataṁ kho etaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā: “hoti ca na ca hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan”’ti.

[¶43] The wanderers might say, ‘Then is this your view: “A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death. This is the only truth, anything else is futile”?’ You should say to them, ‘This too has not been declared by the Buddha.’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘kiṁ panāvuso, neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘etampi kho, āvuso, bhagavatā abyākataṁ: “neva hoti na na hoti tathāgato paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan”’ti.

[¶44] The wanderers might say, ‘But why has this not been declared by the ascetic Gotama?’ You should say to them, ‘Because it’s not beneficial or relevant to the fundamentals of the spiritual life. It doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. That’s why it hasn’t been declared by the Buddha.’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘kasmā panetaṁ, āvuso, samaṇena gotamena abyākatan’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘na hetaṁ, āvuso, atthasaṁhitaṁ na dhammasaṁhitaṁ na ādibrahmacariyakaṁ na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, tasmā taṁ bhagavatā abyākatan’ti.

[¶45] 14. The Declared Points

> Pali: 14. Byākataṭṭhāna

[¶46] It’s possible that wanderers of other religions might say, ‘But what has been declared by the ascetic Gotama?’ You should say to them, ‘What has been declared by the Buddha is this: “This is suffering”—“This is the origin of suffering”—“This is the cessation of suffering”—“This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.”’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘kiṁ panāvuso, samaṇena gotamena byākatan’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘idaṁ dukkhanti kho, āvuso, bhagavatā byākataṁ, ayaṁ dukkhasamudayoti kho, āvuso, bhagavatā byākataṁ, ayaṁ dukkhanirodhoti kho, āvuso, bhagavatā byākataṁ, ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadāti kho, āvuso, bhagavatā byākatan’ti.

[¶47] The wanderers might say, ‘But why has this been declared by the ascetic Gotama?’ You should say to them, ‘Because it’s beneficial and relevant to the fundamentals of the spiritual life. It leads to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. That’s why it has been declared by the Buddha.’

> Pali: Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, cunda, vijjati, yaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘kasmā panetaṁ, āvuso, samaṇena gotamena byākatan’ti? Evaṁvādino, cunda, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evamassu vacanīyā: ‘etañhi, āvuso, atthasaṁhitaṁ, etaṁ dhammasaṁhitaṁ, etaṁ ādibrahmacariyakaṁ ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati. Tasmā taṁ bhagavatā byākatan’ti.

[¶48] 15. Views of the First Beginning

> Pali: 15. Pubbantasahagatadiṭṭhinissaya

[¶49] Cunda, I have explained to you as they should be explained the views that some rely on regarding the first beginning. Shall I explain them to you in the wrong way? I have explained to you as they should be explained the views that some rely on regarding the final end. Shall I explain them to you in the wrong way?

> Pali: Yepi te, cunda, pubbantasahagatā diṭṭhinissayā, tepi vo mayā byākatā, yathā te byākātabbā. Yathā ca te na byākātabbā, kiṁ vo ahaṁ te tathā byākarissāmi? Yepi te, cunda, aparantasahagatā diṭṭhinissayā, tepi vo mayā byākatā, yathā te byākātabbā. Yathā ca te na byākātabbā, kiṁ vo ahaṁ te tathā byākarissāmi?

[¶50] What are the views that some rely on regarding the first beginning? There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view: ‘The self and the cosmos are eternal. This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’ There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view: ‘The self and the cosmos are not eternal, or both eternal and not eternal, or neither eternal nor not eternal. The self and the cosmos are made by oneself, or made by another, or made by both oneself and another, or they have arisen anomalously, not made by oneself or another. Pleasure and pain are eternal, or not eternal, or both eternal and not eternal, or neither eternal nor not eternal. Pleasure and pain are made by oneself, or made by another, or made by both oneself and another, or they have arisen anomalously, not made by oneself or another. This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’

> Pali: Katame ca te, cunda, pubbantasahagatā diṭṭhinissayā, ye vo mayā byākatā, yathā te byākātabbā. Yathā ca te na byākātabbā, kiṁ vo ahaṁ te tathā byākarissāmi? Santi kho, cunda, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘sassato attā ca loko ca, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Santi pana, cunda, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘asassato attā ca loko ca …pe… sassato ca asassato ca attā ca loko ca … neva sassato nāsassato attā ca loko ca … sayaṅkato attā ca loko ca … paraṅkato attā ca loko ca … sayaṅkato ca paraṅkato ca attā ca loko ca … asayaṅkāro aparaṅkāro adhiccasamuppanno attā ca loko ca, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. ‘Sassataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … asassataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … sassatañca asassatañca sukhadukkhaṁ … nevasassataṁ nāsassataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … sayaṅkataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … paraṅkataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca sukhadukkhaṁ … asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti.

[¶51] Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins whose view is that the self and the cosmos are eternal, and say, ‘Reverends, is this what you say, “The self and the cosmos are eternal”?’ But when they say, ‘Yes! This is the only truth, anything else is futile,’ I don’t grant that. Why is that? Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic. I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior. Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.

> Pali: Tatra, cunda, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘sassato attā ca loko ca, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Tyāhaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadāmi: ‘atthi nu kho idaṁ, āvuso, vuccati: “sassato attā ca loko cā”’ti? Yañca kho te evamāhaṁsu: ‘idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Taṁ tesaṁ nānujānāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Aññathāsaññinopi hettha, cunda, santeke sattā. Imāyapi kho ahaṁ, cunda, paññattiyā neva attanā samasamaṁ samanupassāmi kuto bhiyyo. Atha kho ahameva tattha bhiyyo yadidaṁ adhipaññatti.

[¶52] Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins who assert all the other views as described above. And in each case, I don’t grant that. Why is that? Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic. I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior. Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.

> Pali: Tatra, cunda, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘asassato attā ca loko ca … sassato ca asassato ca attā ca loko ca … nevasassato nāsassato attā ca loko ca … sayaṅkato attā ca loko ca … paraṅkato attā ca loko ca … sayaṅkato ca paraṅkato ca attā ca loko ca … asayaṅkāro aparaṅkāro adhiccasamuppanno attā ca loko ca … sassataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … asassataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … sassatañca asassatañca sukhadukkhaṁ … nevasassataṁ nāsassataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … sayaṅkataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … paraṅkataṁ sukhadukkhaṁ … sayaṅkatañca paraṅkatañca sukhadukkhaṁ … asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ sukhadukkhaṁ, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Tyāhaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadāmi: ‘atthi nu kho idaṁ, āvuso, vuccati: “asayaṅkāraṁ aparaṅkāraṁ adhiccasamuppannaṁ sukhadukkhan”’ti? Yañca kho te evamāhaṁsu: ‘idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Taṁ tesaṁ nānujānāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Aññathāsaññinopi hettha, cunda, santeke sattā. Imāyapi kho ahaṁ, cunda, paññattiyā neva attanā samasamaṁ samanupassāmi kuto bhiyyo. Atha kho ahameva tattha bhiyyo yadidaṁ adhipaññatti.

[¶53] These are the views that some rely on regarding the first beginning.

> Pali: Ime kho te, cunda, pubbantasahagatā diṭṭhinissayā, ye vo mayā byākatā, yathā te byākātabbā. Yathā ca te na byākātabbā, kiṁ vo ahaṁ te tathā byākarissāmi?

[¶54] 16. Views of the Final End

> Pali: 16. Aparantasahagatadiṭṭhinissaya

[¶55] What are the views that some rely on regarding the final end? There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view: ‘The self is healthy after death, and formed … or formless … or both formed and formless … or neither formed nor formless … or percipient … or non-percipient … or neither percipient nor non-percipient … or the self is annihilated and destroyed when the body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death. This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’

> Pali: Katame ca te, cunda, aparantasahagatā diṭṭhinissayā, ye vo mayā byākatā, yathā te byākātabbā. Yathā ca te na byākātabbā, kiṁ vo ahaṁ te tathā byākarissāmi? Santi, cunda, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘rūpī attā hoti arogo paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Santi pana, cunda, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘arūpī attā hoti … rūpī ca arūpī ca attā hoti … nevarūpī nārūpī attā hoti … saññī attā hoti … asaññī attā hoti … nevasaññīnāsaññī attā hoti … attā ucchijjati vinassati na hoti paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti.

[¶56] Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins whose view is that, ‘The self is formed and healthy after death,’ and say, ‘Reverends, is this what you say, “The self is formed and healthy after death”?’ But when they say, ‘Yes! This is the only truth, anything else is futile,’ I don’t grant that. Why is that? Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic. I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior. Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.

> Pali: Tatra, cunda, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘rūpī attā hoti arogo paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Tyāhaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadāmi: ‘atthi nu kho idaṁ, āvuso, vuccati: “rūpī attā hoti arogo paraṁ maraṇā”’ti? Yañca kho te evamāhaṁsu: ‘idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Taṁ tesaṁ nānujānāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Aññathāsaññinopi hettha, cunda, santeke sattā. Imāyapi kho ahaṁ, cunda, paññattiyā neva attanā samasamaṁ samanupassāmi kuto bhiyyo. Atha kho ahameva tattha bhiyyo yadidaṁ adhipaññatti.

[¶57] Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins who assert all the other views as described above. And in each case, I don’t grant that. Why is that? Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic. I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior. Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.

> Pali: Tatra, cunda, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino: ‘arūpī attā hoti … rūpī ca arūpī ca attā hoti … nevarūpīnārūpī attā hoti … saññī attā hoti … asaññī attā hoti … nevasaññīnāsaññī attā hoti … attā ucchijjati vinassati na hoti paraṁ maraṇā, idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Tyāhaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadāmi: ‘atthi nu kho idaṁ, āvuso, vuccati: “attā ucchijjati vinassati na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”’ti? Yañca kho te, cunda, evamāhaṁsu: ‘idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti. Taṁ tesaṁ nānujānāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Aññathāsaññinopi hettha, cunda, santeke sattā. Imāyapi kho ahaṁ, cunda, paññattiyā neva attanā samasamaṁ samanupassāmi, kuto bhiyyo. Atha kho ahameva tattha bhiyyo yadidaṁ adhipaññatti.

[¶58] These are the views that some rely on regarding the final end, which I have explained to you as they should be explained. Shall I explain them to you in the wrong way?

> Pali: Ime kho te, cunda, aparantasahagatā diṭṭhinissayā, ye vo mayā byākatā, yathā te byākātabbā. Yathā ca te na byākātabbā, kiṁ vo ahaṁ te tathā byākarissāmi?

[¶59] I have taught and pointed out the four kinds of mindfulness meditation for giving up and going beyond all these views of the first beginning and the final end. What four? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. These are the four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I have taught for giving up and going beyond all these views of the first beginning and the final end.”

> Pali: Imesañca, cunda, pubbantasahagatānaṁ diṭṭhinissayānaṁ imesañca aparantasahagatānaṁ diṭṭhinissayānaṁ pahānāya samatikkamāya evaṁ mayā cattāro satipaṭṭhānā desitā paññattā. Katame cattāro? Idha, cunda, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Vedanāsu vedanānupassī …pe… citte cittānupassī …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Imesañca, cunda, pubbantasahagatānaṁ diṭṭhinissayānaṁ imesañca aparantasahagatānaṁ diṭṭhinissayānaṁ pahānāya samatikkamāya. Evaṁ mayā ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā desitā paññattā”ti.

[¶60] Now at that time Venerable Upavāṇa was standing behind the Buddha fanning him. He said to the Buddha, “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! This exposition of the teaching is impressive, sir, it is very impressive. Sir, what is the name of this exposition of the teaching?”

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā upavāṇo bhagavato piṭṭhito ṭhito hoti bhagavantaṁ bījayamāno. Atha kho āyasmā upavāṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante. Pāsādiko vatāyaṁ, bhante, dhammapariyāyo; supāsādiko vatāyaṁ, bhante, dhammapariyāyo, ko nāmāyaṁ, bhante, dhammapariyāyo”ti?

[¶61] “Well then, Upavāṇa, you may remember this exposition of the teaching as ‘The Impressive Discourse’.”

> Pali: “Tasmātiha tvaṁ, upavāṇa, imaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ ‘pāsādiko’ tveva naṁ dhārehī”ti.

[¶62] That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Upavāṇa approved what the Buddha said.

> Pali: Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā upavāṇo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

[¶63] > Pali: Pāsādikasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.