Kaḷāra the Aristocrat · SN 12.31–12.35

SN 12.31 · What Has Come to Be

SN 12.31 · Bhūtasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

Then the Buddha said to Venerable Sāriputta, “Sāriputta, this was said in ‘The Way to the Far Shore’, in ‘The Questions of Ajita’:

Tatra kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi: “vuttamidaṁ, sāriputta, pārāyane ajitapañhe:

‘There are those who have appraised the teaching,and many kinds of trainees here.Now you, being alert, are askedto tell me their behavior, good fellow.’

‘Ye ca saṅkhātadhammāse,ye ca sekkhā puthū idha;Tesaṁ me nipako iriyaṁ,puṭṭho pabrūhi mārisā’ti.

How should we see the detailed meaning of this brief statement?”

Imassa nu kho, sāriputta, saṅkhittena bhāsitassa kathaṁ vitthārena attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?

When he said this, Sāriputta kept silent.

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto tuṇhī ahosi.

For a second time …

Dutiyampi kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi …pe… dutiyampi kho āyasmā sāriputto tuṇhī ahosi.

For a third time …

Tatiyampi kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi: “vuttamidaṁ, sāriputta, pārāyane ajitapañhe:

Sāriputta kept silent.

Imassa nu kho, sāriputta, saṅkhittena bhāsitassa kathaṁ vitthārena attho daṭṭhabbo”ti? Tatiyampi kho āyasmā sāriputto tuṇhī ahosi.

“Sāriputta, do you see that this has come to be?”

“Bhūtamidanti, sāriputta, passasī”ti?

“Sir, one truly sees with right wisdom that this has come to be. Seeing this, one is practicing for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding what has come to be. One truly sees with right wisdom that it came to be with that as fuel. Seeing this, one is practicing for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding the fuel for its origination. One truly sees with right wisdom that when that fuel ceases, what has come to be is liable to cease. Seeing this, one is practicing for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding what is liable to cease. In this way one is a trainee.

“Bhūtamidanti, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Bhūtamidanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā bhūtassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Tadāhārasambhavanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tadāhārasambhavanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āhārasambhavassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Tadāhāranirodhā yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ nirodhadhammanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tadāhāranirodhā yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ nirodhadhammanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā nirodhadhammassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Evaṁ kho, bhante, sekkho hoti.

And how, sir, has one appraised the teaching? Sir, one truly sees with right wisdom that this has come to be. Seeing this, one is freed by not grasping through disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding what has come to be. One truly sees with right wisdom that it came to be with that as fuel. Seeing this, one is freed by not grasping through disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding the fuel for its origination. One truly sees with right wisdom that when that fuel ceases, what has come to be is liable to cease. Seeing this, one is freed by not grasping through disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding what is liable to cease. In this way one has appraised the teaching.

Kathañca, bhante, saṅkhātadhammo hoti? Bhūtamidanti, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Bhūtamidanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā bhūtassa nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimutto hoti. Tadāhārasambhavanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tadāhārasambhavanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āhārasambhavassa nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimutto hoti. Tadāhāranirodhā yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ nirodhadhammanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tadāhāranirodhā yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ nirodhadhammanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā nirodhadhammassa nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimutto hoti. Evaṁ kho, bhante, saṅkhātadhammo hoti.

Sir, regarding what was said in ‘The Way to the Far Shore’, in ‘The Questions of Ajita’:

Iti kho, bhante, yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ pārāyane ajitapañhe:

‘There are those who have appraised the teaching,and many kinds of trainees here.Now you, being alert, are askedto tell me their behavior, good fellow.’

‘Ye ca saṅkhātadhammāse,ye ca sekkhā puthū idha;Tesaṁ me nipako iriyaṁ,puṭṭho pabrūhi mārisā’ti.

This is how I understand the detailed meaning of what was said in brief.”

Imassa khvāhaṁ, bhante, saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmī”ti.

“Good, good, Sāriputta! (The Buddha repeated all of Sāriputta’s explanation, concluding:)

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta, bhūtamidanti, sāriputta, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Bhūtamidanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā bhūtassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Tadāhārasambhavanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tadāhārasambhavanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āhārasambhavassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Tadāhāranirodhā yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ nirodhadhammanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Tadāhāranirodhā yaṁ bhūtaṁ taṁ nirodhadhammanti yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā nirodhadhammassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Evaṁ kho, sāriputta, sekkho hoti.

This is how to see the detailed meaning of what was said in brief.”

Imassa kho, sāriputta, saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena attho daṭṭhabbo”ti.

SN 12.32 · With Kaḷāra the Aristocrat

SN 12.32 · Kaḷārasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

Then the mendicant Kaḷāra the Aristocrat went up to Venerable Sāriputta and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to him, “Reverend Sāriputta, the mendicant Phagguna of the Top-Knot has resigned the training and returned to a lesser life.”

Atha kho kaḷārakhattiyo bhikkhu yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā sāriputtena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho kaḷārakhattiyo bhikkhu āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca: “moḷiyaphagguno, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvatto”ti.

“That venerable mustn’t have gained any solace in this teaching and training.”

“Na hi nūna so āyasmā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye assāsamalatthā”ti.

“Well then, has Venerable Sāriputta found solace in this teaching and training?”

“Tena hāyasmā sāriputto imasmiṁ dhammavinaye assāsaṁ patto”ti?

“Reverend, I have no uncertainty.”

“Na khvāhaṁ, āvuso, kaṅkhāmī”ti.

“But what of the future?”

“Āyatiṁ, panāvuso”ti?

“I have no doubt.”

“Na khvāhaṁ, āvuso, vicikicchāmī”ti.

Then Kaḷāra the Aristocrat went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, Venerable Sāriputta has declared enlightenment: ‘I understand: “Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.”’”

Atha kho kaḷārakhattiyo bhikkhu uṭṭhāyāsanā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho kaḷārakhattiyo bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “āyasmatā, bhante, sāriputtena aññā byākatā: ‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmī”ti.

So the Buddha addressed one of the monks, “Please, monk, in my name tell Sāriputta that the Teacher summons him.”

Atha kho bhagavā aññataraṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mama vacanena sāriputtaṁ āmantehi: ‘satthā taṁ, āvuso sāriputta, āmantetī’”ti.

“Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to Sāriputta and said to him, “Reverend Sāriputta, the Teacher summons you.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho so bhikkhu bhagavato paṭissutvā yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca: “satthā taṁ, āvuso sāriputta, āmantetī”ti.

“Yes, reverend,” replied Sāriputta. He went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him, “Sāriputta, is it really true that you have declared enlightenment: ‘I understand: “Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place”’?”

“Evaṁ, āvuso”ti kho āyasmā sāriputto tassa bhikkhuno paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ bhagavā etadavoca: “saccaṁ kira tayā, sāriputta, aññā byākatā: ‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmī”ti?

“Sir, I did not state the matter in these words and phrases.”

“Na kho, bhante, etehi padehi etehi byañjanehi attho vutto”ti.

“Sāriputta, no matter how a gentleman declares enlightenment, what he has declared should be regarded as such.”

“Yena kenacipi, sāriputta, pariyāyena kulaputto aññaṁ byākaroti, atha kho byākataṁ byākatato daṭṭhabban”ti.

“Sir, did I not also say that I did not state the matter in these words and phrases?”

“Nanu ahampi, bhante, evaṁ vadāmi: ‘na kho, bhante, etehi padehi etehi byañjanehi attho vutto’”ti.

“Sāriputta, suppose they were to ask you: ‘But Reverend Sāriputta, how have you known and seen so that you’ve declared enlightenment: “I understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’”’ How would you answer?”

“Sace taṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘kathaṁ jānatā pana tayā, āvuso sāriputta, kathaṁ passatā aññā byākatā— khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāmī’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭho tvaṁ, sāriputta, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

“Sir, if they were to ask me this, I would answer: ‘Reverends, when the source of rebirth ended, I knew “it is ended”. Knowing it is ended, I understand: “Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.”’ That’s how I’d answer such a question.”

“Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘kathaṁ jānatā pana tayā, āvuso sāriputta, kathaṁ passatā aññā byākatā— khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāmī’ti; evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘yaṁnidānā, āvuso, jāti, tassa nidānassa khayā khīṇasmiṁ khīṇāmhīti viditaṁ. Khīṇāmhīti viditvā— khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāmī’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

“But Sāriputta, suppose they were to ask you: ‘But what is the source, origin, birthplace, and inception of rebirth?’ How would you answer?”

“Sace pana taṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘jāti panāvuso sāriputta, kiṁnidānā kiṁsamudayā kiṁjātikā kiṁpabhavā’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭho taṁ, sāriputta, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

“Sir, if they were to ask me this, I would answer: ‘Continued existence is the source, origin, birthplace, and inception of rebirth.’ That’s how I’d answer such a question.”

“Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘jāti panāvuso sāriputta, kiṁnidānā kiṁsamudayā kiṁjātikā kiṁpabhavā’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘jāti kho, āvuso, bhavanidānā bhavasamudayā bhavajātikā bhavappabhavā’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

“But Sāriputta, suppose they were to ask you: ‘What is the source of continued existence?’ How would you answer?”

“Sace pana taṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘bhavo panāvuso sāriputta, kiṁnidāno kiṁsamudayo kiṁjātiko kiṁpabhavo’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭho tvaṁ, sāriputta, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

“Sir, if they were to ask me this, I’d answer: ‘Grasping is the source of continued existence.’ That’s how I’d answer such a question.”

“Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘bhavo panāvuso sāriputta, kiṁnidāno kiṁsamudayo kiṁjātiko kiṁpabhavo’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘bhavo kho, āvuso, upādānanidāno upādānasamudayo upādānajātiko upādānappabhavo’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

“But Sāriputta, suppose they were to ask you: ‘What is the source of grasping?’ … But Sāriputta, suppose they were to ask you: ‘What is the source of craving?’ How would you answer?”

“Sace pana taṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘upādānaṁ panāvuso …pe… sace pana taṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ— taṇhā panāvuso sāriputta, kiṁnidānā kiṁsamudayā kiṁjātikā kiṁpabhavā’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭho tvaṁ, sāriputta, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

“Sir, if they were to ask me this, I’d answer: ‘Feeling is the source of craving.’ That’s how I’d answer such a question.”

“Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘taṇhā panāvuso sāriputta, kiṁnidānā kiṁsamudayā kiṁjātikā kiṁpabhavā’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘taṇhā kho, āvuso, vedanānidānā vedanāsamudayā vedanājātikā vedanāpabhavā’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

“But Sāriputta, suppose they were to ask you: ‘But how have you known and seen so that the relishing of feelings is no longer present?’ How would you answer?”

“Sace pana taṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘kathaṁ jānato pana te, āvuso sāriputta, kathaṁ passato yā vedanāsu nandī sā na upaṭṭhāsī’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭho tvaṁ, sāriputta, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

“Sir, if they were to ask me this, I’d answer: ‘Reverends, there are three feelings. What three? Pleasant, painful, and neutral feeling. These three feelings are impermanent, and what’s impermanent is suffering. When I understood this, the relishing of feelings was no longer present.’ That’s how I’d answer such a question.”

“Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘kathaṁ jānato pana te, āvuso sāriputta, kathaṁ passato yā vedanāsu nandī sā na upaṭṭhāsī’ti evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘tisso kho imā, āvuso, vedanā. Katamā tisso? Sukhā vedanā, dukkhā vedanā, adukkhamasukhā vedanā. Imā kho, āvuso, tisso vedanā aniccā. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhanti viditaṁ, yā vedanāsu nandī sā na upaṭṭhāsī’ti. Evaṁ, puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

“Good, good, Sāriputta! The same point may also be briefly explained in this way: ‘Suffering includes whatever is felt.’

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. Ayampi kho, sāriputta, pariyāyo, etasseva atthassa saṅkhittena veyyākaraṇāya: ‘yaṁ kiñci vedayitaṁ taṁ dukkhasmin’”ti.

But Sāriputta, suppose they were to ask you: ‘But Reverend, how have you been liberated that you declare enlightenment: “I understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’”?’ How would you answer?”

“Sace pana taṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘kathaṁ vimokkhā pana tayā, āvuso sāriputta, aññā byākatā— khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāmī’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭho tvaṁ, sāriputta, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

“Sir, if they were to ask me this, I’d answer: ‘Because of an inner release with the ending of all grasping, I live mindfully so that defilements don’t defile me and I don’t look down on myself.’ That’s how I’d answer such a question.”

“Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘kathaṁ vimokkhā pana tayā, āvuso sāriputta, aññā byākatā— khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāmī’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘ajjhattaṁ vimokkhā khvāhaṁ, āvuso, sabbupādānakkhayā tathā sato viharāmi yathā sataṁ viharantaṁ āsavā nānussavanti, attānañca nāvajānāmī’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

“Good, good, Sāriputta! The same point may also be briefly explained in this way: ‘I have no uncertainty regarding the defilements spoken of by the ascetic. I have no doubt that I’ve given them up.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. Ayampi kho sāriputta, pariyāyo etasseva atthassa saṅkhittena veyyākaraṇāya— ye āsavā samaṇena vuttā tesvāhaṁ na kaṅkhāmi, te me pahīnāti na vicikicchāmī”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. When he had spoken, the Holy One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling.

Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvā sugato uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ pāvisi.

Then, not long after the Buddha left, Venerable Sāriputta said to the mendicants, “Reverends, the Buddha asked me the first question without letting me know beforehand, so I hesitated. But when the Buddha agreed with my answer, I thought: ‘If the Buddha were to question me all day on this matter in different words and ways, I could answer all day with different words and ways. If he were to question me all night, all day and night, for two days and nights, for three, four, five, six, or seven days and nights, I could answer in different words and ways for seven days and nights.’”

Tatra kho āyasmā sāriputto acirapakkantassa bhagavato bhikkhū āmantesi: “pubbe appaṭisaṁviditaṁ maṁ, āvuso, bhagavā paṭhamaṁ pañhaṁ apucchi, tassa me ahosi dandhāyitattaṁ. Yato ca kho me, āvuso, bhagavā paṭhamaṁ pañhaṁ anumodi, tassa mayhaṁ, āvuso, etadahosi— divasañcepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, divasampāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi. Rattiñcepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, rattimpāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi. Rattindivaṁ cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, rattindivampāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi. Dve rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya …pe… dve rattindivānipāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ …pe… tīṇi rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya …pe… tīṇi rattindivānipāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ …pe… cattāri rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya …pe… cattāri rattindivānipāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ …pe… pañca rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya …pe… pañca rattindivānipāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ …pe… cha rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya …pe… cha rattindivānipāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ …pe… satta rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, satta rattindivānipāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehī”ti.

Then Kaḷāra the Aristocrat went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, Venerable Sāriputta has roared his lion’s roar!” (And he told the Buddha all that Sāriputta had said.)

Atha kho kaḷārakhattiyo bhikkhu uṭṭhāyāsanā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho kaḷārakhattiyo bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “āyasmatā, bhante, sāriputtena sīhanādo nadito— pubbe appaṭisaṁviditaṁ maṁ, āvuso, bhagavā paṭhamaṁ pañhaṁ apucchi, tassa me ahosi dandhāyitattaṁ. Yato ca kho me, āvuso, bhagavā paṭhamaṁ pañhaṁ anumodi, tassa mayhaṁ, āvuso, etadahosi— divasañcepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, divasampāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi; rattiñcepi …pe… rattindivañcepi maṁ bhagavā …pe… dve rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā …pe… tīṇi … cattāri … pañca … cha … satta rattindivāni cepi maṁ bhagavā etamatthaṁ puccheyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, satta rattindivānipāhaṁ bhagavato etamatthaṁ byākareyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehī”ti.

“Mendicant, Sāriputta has clearly penetrated the principle of the teachings, so that he could answer any questions I might ask him in different words and ways up to the seventh day and night.”

“Sā hi, bhikkhu, sāriputtassa dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā divasaṁ cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, divasampi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi. Rattiṁ cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, rattimpi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya …pe… rattindivaṁ cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ, rattindivampi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya … dve rattindivāni cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ, dve rattindivānipi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya … tīṇi rattindivāni cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ, tīṇi rattindivānipi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya … cattāri rattindivāni cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ, cattāri rattindivānipi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya … pañca rattindivāni cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ, pañca rattindivānipi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya … cha rattindivāni cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ, cha rattindivānipi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya … satta rattindivāni cepāhaṁ sāriputtaṁ etamatthaṁ puccheyyaṁ aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehi, satta rattindivānipi me sāriputto etamatthaṁ byākareyya aññamaññehi padehi aññamaññehi pariyāyehī”ti.

SN 12.33 · Grounds for Knowledge

SN 12.33 · Ñāṇavatthusutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ …

“Mendicants, I will teach forty-four grounds for knowledge. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Catucattārīsaṁ vo, bhikkhave, ñāṇavatthūni desessāmi, taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

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

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

“And what are the forty-four grounds for knowledge? Knowledge of old age and death, knowledge of the origin of old age and death, knowledge of the cessation of old age and death, and knowledge of the practice that leads to the cessation of old age and death. Knowledge of rebirth … Knowledge of continued existence … Knowledge of grasping … Knowledge of craving … Knowledge of feeling … Knowledge of contact … Knowledge of the six sense fields … Knowledge of name and form … Knowledge of consciousness … Knowledge of choices, knowledge of the origin of choices, knowledge of the cessation of choices, and knowledge of the practice that leads to the cessation of choices. These are called the forty-four grounds for knowledge.

“Katamāni, bhikkhave, catucattārīsaṁ ñāṇavatthūni? Jarāmaraṇe ñāṇaṁ, jarāmaraṇasamudaye ñāṇaṁ, jarāmaraṇanirodhe ñāṇaṁ, jarāmaraṇanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ; jātiyā ñāṇaṁ, jātisamudaye ñāṇaṁ, jātinirodhe ñāṇaṁ, jātinirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ; bhave ñāṇaṁ, bhavasamudaye ñāṇaṁ, bhavanirodhe ñāṇaṁ, bhavanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ; upādāne ñāṇaṁ, upādānasamudaye ñāṇaṁ, upādānanirodhe ñāṇaṁ, upādānanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ; taṇhāya ñāṇaṁ, taṇhāsamudaye ñāṇaṁ, taṇhānirodhe ñāṇaṁ, taṇhānirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ; vedanāya ñāṇaṁ, vedanāsamudaye ñāṇaṁ, vedanānirodhe ñāṇaṁ, vedanānirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ; phasse ñāṇaṁ …pe… saḷāyatane ñāṇaṁ … nāmarūpe ñāṇaṁ … viññāṇe ñāṇaṁ … saṅkhāresu ñāṇaṁ, saṅkhārasamudaye ñāṇaṁ, saṅkhāranirodhe ñāṇaṁ, saṅkhāranirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ. Imāni vuccanti, bhikkhave, catucattārīsaṁ ñāṇavatthūni.

And what is old age and death? The old age, decrepitude, broken teeth, grey hair, wrinkly skin, diminished vitality, and failing faculties of the various sentient beings in the various orders of sentient beings. This is called old age. The passing away, passing on, disintegration, demise, mortality, death, decease, breaking up of the aggregates, and laying to rest of the corpse of the various sentient beings in the various orders of sentient beings. This is called death. Such is old age, and such is death. This is called old age and death.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, jarāmaraṇaṁ? Yā tesaṁ tesaṁ sattānaṁ tamhi tamhi sattanikāye jarā jīraṇatā khaṇḍiccaṁ pāliccaṁ valittacatā āyuno saṁhāni indriyānaṁ paripāko, ayaṁ vuccati jarā. Yā tesaṁ tesaṁ sattānaṁ tamhā tamhā sattanikāyā cuti cavanatā bhedo antaradhānaṁ maccu maraṇaṁ kālakiriyā khandhānaṁ bhedo kaḷevarassa nikkhepo. Idaṁ vuccati maraṇaṁ. Iti ayañca jarā, idañca maraṇaṁ; idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, jarāmaraṇaṁ.

Rebirth is the origin of old age and death. When rebirth ceases, old age and death cease. The practice that leads to the cessation of old age and death is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

Jātisamudayā jarāmaraṇasamudayo; jātinirodhā jarāmaraṇanirodho; ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo jarāmaraṇanirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

A noble disciple understands old age and death, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation. This is their knowledge of the teaching. With this teaching that is seen, understood, immediately attained, and fathomed, they apply the method to the past and future.

Yato kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako evaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ pajānāti, evaṁ jarāmaraṇasamudayaṁ pajānāti, evaṁ jarāmaraṇanirodhaṁ pajānāti, evaṁ jarāmaraṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti, idamassa dhamme ñāṇaṁ. So iminā dhammena diṭṭhena viditena akālikena pattena pariyogāḷhena atītānāgate nayaṁ neti.

Whatever ascetics and brahmins in the past directly knew old age and death, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation, all of them directly knew these things in exactly the same way that I do now.

Ye kho keci atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā jarāmaraṇaṁ abbhaññaṁsu, jarāmaraṇasamudayaṁ abbhaññaṁsu, jarāmaraṇanirodhaṁ abbhaññaṁsu, jarāmaraṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abbhaññaṁsu, sabbete evameva abbhaññaṁsu, seyyathāpāhaṁ etarahi.

Whatever ascetics and brahmins in the future will directly know old age and death, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation, all of them will directly know these things in exactly the same way that I do now. This is their inferential knowledge.

Yepi hi keci anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā jarāmaraṇaṁ abhijānissanti, jarāmaraṇasamudayaṁ abhijānissanti, jarāmaraṇanirodhaṁ abhijānissanti, jarāmaraṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhijānissanti, sabbete evameva abhijānissanti, seyyathāpāhaṁ etarahīti. Idamassa anvaye ñāṇaṁ.

A noble disciple has purified and cleansed these two knowledges— knowledge of the teaching and inferential knowledge. When a noble disciple has done this, they’re one who is called ‘one accomplished in view’, ‘one accomplished in vision’, ‘one who has come to the true teaching’, ‘one who sees this true teaching’, ‘one endowed with a trainee’s insight’, ‘one endowed with a trainee’s knowledge’, ‘one who has entered the stream of the teaching’, ‘a noble one with penetrative wisdom’, and also ‘one who stands pressing against the door to freedom from death’.

Yato kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa imāni dve ñāṇāni parisuddhāni honti pariyodātāni— dhamme ñāṇañca anvaye ñāṇañca. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako diṭṭhisampanno itipi, dassanasampanno itipi, āgato imaṁ saddhammaṁ itipi, passati imaṁ saddhammaṁ itipi, sekkhena ñāṇena samannāgato itipi, sekkhāya vijjāya samannāgato itipi, dhammasotaṁ samāpanno itipi, ariyo nibbedhikapañño itipi, amatadvāraṁ āhacca tiṭṭhati itipīti.

And what is rebirth? … And what is continued existence? … And what is grasping? … And what is craving? … And what is feeling? … And what is contact? … And what are the six sense fields? … And what are name and form? … And what is consciousness? … And what are choices? There are three kinds of choices. Choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called choices.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, jāti … katamo ca, bhikkhave, bhavo … katamañca, bhikkhave, upādānaṁ … katamā ca, bhikkhave, taṇhā … katamā ca, bhikkhave, vedanā … katamo ca, bhikkhave, phasso … katamañca, bhikkhave, saḷāyatanaṁ … katamañca, bhikkhave, nāmarūpaṁ … katamañca, bhikkhave, viññāṇaṁ … katame ca, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā? Tayome, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā— kāyasaṅkhāro, vacīsaṅkhāro, cittasaṅkhāroti. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā.

Ignorance is the origin of choices. When ignorance ceases, choices cease. The practice that leads to the cessation of choices is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

Avijjāsamudayā saṅkhārasamudayo; avijjānirodhā saṅkhāranirodho; ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo saṅkhāranirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

A noble disciple understands choices, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation. This is their knowledge of the teaching. With this teaching that is seen, understood, immediately attained, and fathomed, they apply the method to the past and future.

Yato kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako evaṁ saṅkhāre pajānāti, evaṁ saṅkhārasamudayaṁ pajānāti, evaṁ saṅkhāranirodhaṁ pajānāti, evaṁ saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti, idamassa dhamme ñāṇaṁ. So iminā dhammena diṭṭhena viditena akālikena pattena pariyogāḷhena atītānāgate nayaṁ neti.

Whatever ascetics and brahmins in the past directly knew choices, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation, all of them directly knew these things in exactly the same way that I do now.

Ye kho keci atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā saṅkhāre abbhaññaṁsu, saṅkhārasamudayaṁ abbhaññaṁsu, saṅkhāranirodhaṁ abbhaññaṁsu, saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abbhaññaṁsu, sabbete evameva abbhaññaṁsu, seyyathāpāhaṁ etarahi.

Whatever ascetics and brahmins in the future will directly know choices, their origin, their cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation, all of them will directly know these things in exactly the same way that I do now. This is their inferential knowledge.

Ye hipi keci anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā saṅkhāre abhijānissanti, saṅkhārasamudayaṁ abhijānissanti, saṅkhāranirodhaṁ abhijānissanti, saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhijānissanti, sabbete evameva abhijānissanti, seyyathāpāhaṁ etarahi. Idamassa anvaye ñāṇaṁ.

A noble disciple has purified and cleansed these two knowledges— knowledge of the teaching and inferential knowledge. When a noble disciple has done this, they’re one who is called ‘one accomplished in view’, ‘one accomplished in vision’, ‘one who has come to the true teaching’, ‘one who sees this true teaching’, ‘one endowed with a trainee’s insight’, ‘one endowed with a trainee’s knowledge’, ‘one who has entered the stream of the teaching’, ‘a noble one with penetrative wisdom’, and also ‘one who stands pressing against the door to freedom from death’.”

Yato kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa imāni dve ñāṇāni parisuddhāni honti pariyodātāni— dhamme ñāṇañca anvaye ñāṇañca. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako diṭṭhisampanno itipi, dassanasampanno itipi, āgato imaṁ saddhammaṁ itipi, passati imaṁ saddhammaṁ itipi, sekkhena ñāṇena samannāgato itipi, sekkhāya vijjāya samannāgato itipi, dhammasotaṁ samāpanno itipi, ariyo nibbedhikapañño itipi, amatadvāraṁ āhacca tiṭṭhati itipī”ti.

SN 12.34 · Grounds for Knowledge (2nd)

SN 12.34 · Dutiyañāṇavatthusutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

“Mendicants, I will teach seventy-seven grounds for knowledge. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Sattasattari vo, bhikkhave, ñāṇavatthūni desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

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

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

“And what are the seventy-seven grounds for knowledge? The knowledge that rebirth is a requirement for old age and death, and the knowledge that when rebirth doesn’t exist, there is no old age and death. Also regarding the past: the knowledge that rebirth is a requirement for old age and death, and the knowledge that when rebirth doesn’t exist, there is no old age and death. Also regarding the future: the knowledge that rebirth is a requirement for old age and death, and the knowledge that when rebirth doesn’t exist, there is no old age and death. And also their knowledge that even this knowledge of the stability of natural principles is liable to end, vanish, fade away, and cease.

“Katamāni, bhikkhave, sattasattari ñāṇavatthūni? Jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇanti ñāṇaṁ; asati jātiyā natthi jarāmaraṇanti ñāṇaṁ; atītampi addhānaṁ jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇanti ñāṇaṁ, asati jātiyā natthi jarāmaraṇanti ñāṇaṁ; anāgatampi addhānaṁ jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇanti ñāṇaṁ, asati jātiyā natthi jarāmaraṇanti ñāṇaṁ; yampissa taṁ dhammaṭṭhitiñāṇaṁ tampi khayadhammaṁ vayadhammaṁ virāgadhammaṁ nirodhadhammanti ñāṇaṁ.

The knowledge that continued existence is a requirement for rebirth … The knowledge that ignorance is a requirement for choices, and the knowledge that when ignorance doesn’t exist, there are no choices. Also regarding the past: the knowledge that ignorance is a requirement for choices, and the knowledge that when ignorance doesn’t exist, there are no choices. Also regarding the future: the knowledge that ignorance is a requirement for choices, and the knowledge that when ignorance doesn’t exist, there are no choices. And also their knowledge that even this knowledge of the stability of natural principles is liable to end, vanish, fade away, and cease. These are called the seventy-seven grounds for knowledge.”

Bhavapaccayā jātīti ñāṇaṁ …pe… upādānapaccayā bhavoti ñāṇaṁ … taṇhāpaccayā upādānanti ñāṇaṁ … vedanāpaccayā taṇhāti ñāṇaṁ … phassapaccayā vedanāti ñāṇaṁ … saḷāyatanapaccayā phassoti ñāṇaṁ … nāmarūpapaccayā saḷāyatananti ñāṇaṁ … viññāṇapaccayā nāmarūpanti ñāṇaṁ … saṅkhārapaccayā viññāṇanti ñāṇaṁ; avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārāti ñāṇaṁ, asati avijjāya natthi saṅkhārāti ñāṇaṁ; atītampi addhānaṁ avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārāti ñāṇaṁ, asati avijjāya natthi saṅkhārāti ñāṇaṁ; anāgatampi addhānaṁ avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārāti ñāṇaṁ, asati avijjāya natthi saṅkhārāti ñāṇaṁ; yampissa taṁ dhammaṭṭhitiñāṇaṁ tampi khayadhammaṁ vayadhammaṁ virāgadhammaṁ nirodhadhammanti ñāṇaṁ. Imāni vuccanti, bhikkhave, sattasattari ñāṇavatthūnī”ti.

SN 12.35 · Ignorance is a Requirement

SN 12.35 · Avijjāpaccayasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

“Ignorance is a requirement for choices.

“Avijjāpaccayā, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā;

Choices are a requirement for consciousness. … That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.”

saṅkhārapaccayā viññāṇaṁ …pe… evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hotī”ti.

When this was said, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha, “What are old age and death, sir, and who do they belong to?”

Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “‘katamaṁ nu kho, bhante, jarāmaraṇaṁ, kassa ca panidaṁ jarāmaraṇan’ti?

“That’s not a cogent question,” said the Buddha. “You might say, ‘What are old age and death, and who do they belong to?’ Or you might say, ‘Old age and death are one thing, who they belong to is another.’ But both of these mean the same thing, only the phrasing differs. Mendicant, if you have the view that the soul and the body are one and the same, there is no living of the spiritual life. If you have the view that the soul is one thing, the body another, there is no living of the spiritual life. Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One teaches by the middle way: ‘Rebirth is a requirement for old age and death.’”

‘No kallo pañho’ti bhagavā avoca, ‘katamaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ, kassa ca panidaṁ jarāmaraṇan’ti iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ‘aññaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ aññassa ca panidaṁ jarāmaraṇan’ti, iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ubhayametaṁ ekatthaṁ byañjanameva nānaṁ. Taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti. Aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti. Ete te, bhikkhu, ubho ante anupagamma majjhena tathāgato dhammaṁ deseti: ‘jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇan’”ti.

“What is rebirth, sir, and who does it belong to?”

“Katamā nu kho, bhante, jāti, kassa ca panāyaṁ jātī”ti?

“That’s not a cogent question,” said the Buddha. “You might say, ‘What is rebirth, and who does it belong to?’ Or you might say, ‘Rebirth is one thing, who it belongs to is another.’ But both of these mean the same thing, only the phrasing differs. Mendicant, if you have the view that the soul and the body are one and the same, there is no living of the spiritual life. If you have the view that the soul is one thing, the body another, there is no living of the spiritual life. Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One teaches by the middle way: ‘Continued existence is a requirement for rebirth.’”

“No kallo pañho”ti bhagavā avoca, “‘katamā jāti, kassa ca panāyaṁ jātī’ti iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ‘aññā jāti aññassa ca panāyaṁ jātī’ti iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ubhayametaṁ ekatthaṁ byañjanameva nānaṁ. Taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti. Aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti. Ete te, bhikkhu, ubho ante anupagamma majjhena tathāgato dhammaṁ deseti: ‘bhavapaccayā jātī’”ti.

“What is continued existence, sir, and who is it for?”

“Katamo nu kho, bhante, bhavo, kassa ca panāyaṁ bhavo”ti?

“That’s not a cogent question,” said the Buddha. “You might say, ‘What is continued existence, and who does it belong to?’ Or you might say, ‘Continued existence is one thing, who it belongs to is another.’ But both of these mean the same thing, only the phrasing differs. Mendicant, if you have the view that the soul and the body are one and the same, there is no living of the spiritual life. If you have the view that the soul is one thing, the body another, there is no living of the spiritual life. Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One teaches by the middle way: ‘Grasping is a requirement for continued existence.’ … ‘Craving is a requirement for grasping.’ … ‘Feeling is a requirement for craving.’ … ‘Contact is a requirement for feeling.’ … ‘The six sense fields are requirements for contact.’ … ‘Name and form are requirements for the six sense fields.’ … ‘Consciousness is a requirement for name and form.’ … ‘Choices are a requirement for consciousness.’”

“No kallo pañho”ti bhagavā avoca, “‘katamo bhavo, kassa ca panāyaṁ bhavo’ti iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ‘añño bhavo aññassa ca panāyaṁ bhavo’ti iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ubhayametaṁ ekatthaṁ byañjanameva nānaṁ. Taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti; aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti. Ete te, bhikkhu, ubho ante anupagamma majjhena tathāgato dhammaṁ deseti: ‘upādānapaccayā bhavo’ti …pe… ‘taṇhāpaccayā upādānanti … vedanāpaccayā taṇhāti … phassapaccayā vedanāti … saḷāyatanapaccayā phassoti … nāmarūpapaccayā saḷāyatananti … viññāṇapaccayā nāmarūpanti … saṅkhārapaccayā viññāṇan’”ti.

“What are choices, sir, and who do they belong to?”

“Katame nu kho, bhante, saṅkhārā, kassa ca panime saṅkhārā”ti?

“That’s not a cogent question,” said the Buddha. “You might say, ‘What are choices, and who do they belong to?’ Or you might say, ‘Choices are one thing, who they belong to is another.’ But both of these mean the same thing, only the phrasing differs. Mendicant, if you have the view that the soul and the body are one and the same, there is no living of the spiritual life. If you have the view that the soul is one thing, the body another, there is no living of the spiritual life. Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One teaches by the middle way: ‘Ignorance is a requirement for choices.’

“No kallo pañho”ti bhagavā avoca, “‘katame saṅkhārā kassa ca panime saṅkhārā’ti iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ‘aññe saṅkhārā aññassa ca panime saṅkhārā’ti iti vā, bhikkhu, yo vadeyya, ubhayametaṁ ekatthaṁ byañjanameva nānaṁ. Taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti; aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīranti vā, bhikkhu, diṭṭhiyā sati brahmacariyavāso na hoti. Ete te, bhikkhu, ubho ante anupagamma majjhena tathāgato dhammaṁ deseti: ‘avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārā’”ti.

When ignorance fades away and ceases with no residue left behind, then any twists, ducks, and dodges are given up: ‘What are old age and death, and who do they belong to?’ or ‘old age and death are one thing, who they belong to is another’, or ‘the soul and the body are one and the same’, or ‘the soul is one thing, the body another.’ These are all cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

“Avijjāya tveva, bhikkhu, asesavirāganirodhā yānissa tāni visūkāyikāni visevitāni vipphanditāni kānici kānici. ‘Katamaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ, kassa ca panidaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ’ iti vā, ‘aññaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ, aññassa ca panidaṁ jarāmaraṇaṁ’ iti vā, ‘taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīraṁ’ iti vā, ‘aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīraṁ’ iti vā. Sabbānissa tāni pahīnāni bhavanti ucchinnamūlāni tālāvatthukatāni anabhāvaṅkatāni āyatiṁ anuppādadhammāni.

When ignorance fades away and ceases no residue left behind, then any twists, ducks, and dodges are given up: ‘What is rebirth, and who does it belong to?’ or ‘rebirth is one thing, who it belongs to is another’, or ‘the soul and the body are one and the same’, or ‘the soul is one thing, the body another.’ These are all cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.

Avijjāya tveva, bhikkhu, asesavirāganirodhā yānissa tāni visūkāyikāni visevitāni vipphanditāni kānici kānici. ‘Katamā jāti, kassa ca panāyaṁ jāti’ iti vā, ‘aññā jāti, aññassa ca panāyaṁ jāti’ iti vā, ‘taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīraṁ’ iti vā, ‘aññaṁ jīvaṁ aññaṁ sarīraṁ’ iti vā. Sabbānissa tāni pahīnāni bhavanti ucchinnamūlāni tālāvatthukatāni anabhāvaṅkatāni āyatiṁ anuppādadhammāni.

When ignorance fades away and ceases no residue left behind, then any twists, ducks, and dodges are given up: ‘What is continued existence …’ ‘What is grasping …’ ‘What is craving …’ ‘What is feeling …’ ‘What is contact …’ ‘What are the six sense fields …’ ‘What are name and form …’ ‘What is consciousness …’

Avijjāya tveva, bhikkhu, asesavirāganirodhā yānissa tāni visūkāyikāni visevitāni vipphanditāni kānici kānici. Katamo bhavo …pe… katamaṁ upādānaṁ … katamā taṇhā … katamā vedanā … katamo phasso … katamaṁ saḷāyatanaṁ … katamaṁ nāmarūpaṁ … katamaṁ viññāṇaṁ …pe….

When ignorance fades away and ceases no residue left behind, then any twists, ducks, and dodges are given up: ‘What are choices, and who do they belong to?’ or ‘choices are one thing, who they belong to is another’, or ‘the soul and the body are one and the same’, or ‘the soul is one thing, the body another.’ These are all cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.”

Avijjāya tveva, bhikkhu, asesavirāganirodhā yānissa tāni visūkāyikāni visevitāni vipphanditāni kānici kānici. ‘Katame saṅkhārā, kassa ca panime saṅkhārā’ iti vā, ‘aññe saṅkhārā, aññassa ca panime saṅkhārā’ iti vā, ‘taṁ jīvaṁ taṁ sarīraṁ’ iti vā, ‘aññaṁ jīvaṁ, aññaṁ sarīraṁ’ iti vā. Sabbānissa tāni pahīnāni bhavanti ucchinnamūlāni tālāvatthukatāni anabhāvaṅkatāni āyatiṁ anuppādadhammānī”ti.