Rolling Forth the Wheel of Dhamma · SN 56.11–56.20

SN 56.11 · Rolling Forth the Wheel of Dhamma

SN 56.11 · Dhammacakkappavattanasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying near Varanasi in the deer park at Isipatana. There the Buddha addressed the group of five mendicants:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā bārāṇasiyaṁ viharati isipatane migadāye. Tatra kho bhagavā pañcavaggiye bhikkhū āmantesi:

“Mendicants, these two extremes should not be cultivated by one gone forth. What two? Indulgence in sensual pleasures, which is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. And indulgence in self-mortification, which is painful, ignoble, and pointless. Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One understood the middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and extinguishment.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, antā pabbajitena na sevitabbā. Katame dve? Yo cāyaṁ kāmesu kāmasukhallikānuyogo hīno gammo pothujjaniko anariyo anatthasaṁhito, yo cāyaṁ attakilamathānuyogo dukkho anariyo anatthasaṁhito. Ete kho, bhikkhave, ubho ante anupagamma majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.

And what is that middle way of practice? It 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. This is that middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and extinguishment.

Katamā ca sā, bhikkhave, majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā sammākammanto sammāājīvo sammāvāyāmo sammāsati sammāsamādhi. Ayaṁ kho sā, bhikkhave, majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.

Now this is the noble truth of suffering. Rebirth is suffering; old age is suffering; illness is suffering; death is suffering; being coupled with the disliked is suffering; separation from the liked is suffering; not getting what you wish for is suffering. In brief, the five grasping aggregates are suffering.

Idaṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ— jātipi dukkhā, jarāpi dukkhā, byādhipi dukkho, maraṇampi dukkhaṁ, appiyehi sampayogo dukkho, piyehi vippayogo dukkho, yampicchaṁ na labhati tampi dukkhaṁ—saṅkhittena pañcupādānakkhandhā dukkhā.

Now this is the noble truth of the origin of suffering. It’s the craving that leads to future lives, mixed up with relishing and greed, taking pleasure there wherever it alights. That is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for continued existence, and craving for nonexistence.

Idaṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ— yāyaṁ taṇhā ponobbhavikā nandirāgasahagatā tatratatrābhinandinī, seyyathidaṁ— kāmataṇhā, bhavataṇhā, vibhavataṇhā.

Now this is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering. It’s the fading away and cessation of that very same craving no residue left behind; giving it away, letting it go, releasing it, and not clinging to it.

Idaṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ— yo tassāyeva taṇhāya asesavirāganirodho cāgo paṭinissaggo mutti anālayo.

Now this is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering. It 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.

Idaṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ— ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

‘This is the noble truth of suffering.’ Such was the vision, knowledge, wisdom, realization, and light that arose in me regarding teachings not learned before from another. ‘This noble truth of suffering should be completely understood.’ Such was the vision that arose in me … ‘This noble truth of suffering has been completely understood.’ Such was the vision that arose in me …

‘Idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pariññeyyan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pariññātan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.

‘This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering.’ Such was the vision that arose in me … ‘This noble truth of the origin of suffering should be given up.’ Such was the vision that arose in me … ‘This noble truth of the origin of suffering has been given up.’ Such was the vision that arose in me …

‘Idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pahātabban’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pahīnan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.

‘This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering.’ Such was the vision that arose in me … ‘This noble truth of the cessation of suffering should be realized.’ Such was the vision that arose in me … ‘This noble truth of the cessation of suffering has been realized.’ Such was the vision that arose in me …

‘Idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ sacchikātabban’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ sacchikatan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.

‘This is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’ Such was the vision that arose in me … ‘This noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering should be developed.’ Such was the vision that arose in me … ‘This noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering has been developed.’ Such was the vision, knowledge, wisdom, realization, and light that arose in me regarding teachings not learned before from another.

‘Idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ bhāvetabban’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ bhāvitan’ti me, bhikkhave, pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.

As long as my true knowledge and vision about these four noble truths was not fully purified in these three rounds and twelve aspects, I didn’t announce my supreme perfect awakening in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans.

Yāvakīvañca me, bhikkhave, imesu catūsu ariyasaccesu evaṁ tiparivaṭṭaṁ dvādasākāraṁ yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ na suvisuddhaṁ ahosi, neva tāvāhaṁ, bhikkhave, sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya ‘anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddho’ti paccaññāsiṁ.

But when my true knowledge and vision about these four noble truths was fully purified in these three rounds and twelve aspects, I announced my supreme perfect awakening in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans.

Yato ca kho me, bhikkhave, imesu catūsu ariyasaccesu evaṁ tiparivaṭṭaṁ dvādasākāraṁ yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ suvisuddhaṁ ahosi, athāhaṁ, bhikkhave, sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya ‘anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddho’ti paccaññāsiṁ.

Knowledge and vision arose in me: ‘My freedom is unshakable; this is my last rebirth; now there’ll be no more future lives.’”

Ñāṇañca pana me dassanaṁ udapādi: ‘akuppā me vimutti, ayamantimā jāti, natthi dāni punabbhavo’”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the group of five mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā pañcavaggiyā bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

And while this discourse was being spoken, the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in Venerable Koṇḍañña: “Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.”

Imasmiñca pana veyyākaraṇasmiṁ bhaññamāne āyasmato koṇḍaññassa virajaṁ vītamalaṁ dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi: “yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ nirodhadhamman”ti.

And when the Buddha rolled forth the Wheel of Dhamma, the earth gods raised the cry: “Near Varanasi, in the deer park at Isipatana, the Buddha has rolled forth the supreme Wheel of Dhamma. And that wheel cannot be rolled back by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or divinity or by anyone in the world.”

Pavattite ca pana bhagavatā dhammacakke bhummā devā saddamanussāvesuṁ: “etaṁ bhagavatā bārāṇasiyaṁ isipatane migadāye anuttaraṁ dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ appaṭivattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”ti.

Hearing the cry of the earth gods, the gods of the four great kings … the gods of the thirty-three … the gods of Yama … the joyful gods … the gods who love to create … the gods who control what is created by others … the gods of the Divinity’s host raised the cry: “Near Varanasi, in the deer park at Isipatana, the Buddha has rolled forth the supreme Wheel of Dhamma. And that wheel cannot be rolled back by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or divinity or by anyone in the world.”

Bhummānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā cātumahārājikā devā saddamanussāvesuṁ: “etaṁ bhagavatā bārāṇasiyaṁ isipatane migadāye anuttaraṁ dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ, appaṭivattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”ti. Cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā tāvatiṁsā devā …pe… yāmā devā …pe… tusitā devā …pe… nimmānaratī devā …pe… paranimmitavasavattī devā …pe… brahmakāyikā devā saddamanussāvesuṁ: “etaṁ bhagavatā bārāṇasiyaṁ isipatane migadāye anuttaraṁ dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ appaṭivattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā devena vā mārena vā brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”ti.

And so at that moment, that second, that hour, the cry soared up to the realm of divinity. And this ten-thousandfold galaxy shook and rocked and trembled. And an immeasurable, magnificent light appeared in the world, surpassing the glory of the gods.

Itiha tena khaṇena tena layena tena muhuttena yāva brahmalokā saddo abbhuggacchi. Ayañca dasasahassilokadhātu saṅkampi sampakampi sampavedhi, appamāṇo ca uḷāro obhāso loke pāturahosi atikkamma devānaṁ devānubhāvanti.

Then the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment: “Koṇḍañña has really understood! Koṇḍañña has really understood!”

Atha kho bhagavā imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi: “aññāsi vata bho, koṇḍañño, aññāsi vata bho, koṇḍañño”ti.

And that’s how Venerable Koṇḍañña came to be known as “Koṇḍañña Who Understood”.

Iti hidaṁ āyasmato koṇḍaññassa “aññāsikoṇḍañño” tveva nāmaṁ ahosīti.

SN 56.12 · The Realized Ones

SN 56.12 · Tathāgatasutta

“‘This is the noble truth of suffering.’ Such was the vision, knowledge, wisdom, realization, and light that arose in the Realized Ones regarding teachings not learned before from another. ‘This noble truth of suffering should be completely understood.’ … ‘This noble truth of suffering has been completely understood.’ …

“‘Idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pariññeyyan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pariññātan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.

‘This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering.’ … ‘This noble truth of the origin of suffering should be given up.’ … ‘This noble truth of the origin of suffering has been given up.’ …

‘Idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccan’ti bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pahātabban’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pahīnan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.

‘This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering.’ … ‘This noble truth of the cessation of suffering should be realized.’ … ‘This noble truth of the cessation of suffering has been realized.’ …

‘Idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ sacchikātabban’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ sacchikatan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.

‘This is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’ … ‘This noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering should be developed.’ … ‘This noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering has been developed.’ Such was the vision, knowledge, wisdom, realization, and light that arose in the Realized Ones regarding teachings not learned before from another.”

‘Idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ bhāvetabban’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe …pe… udapādi. ‘Taṁ kho panidaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ bhāvitan’ti, bhikkhave, tathāgatānaṁ pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādī”ti.

SN 56.13 · Aggregates

SN 56.13 · Khandhasutta

“Mendicants, there are these four noble truths. What four? The noble truths of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, ariyasaccāni. Katamāni cattāri? Dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ, dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ, dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ.

And what is the noble truth of suffering? You should say: ‘The five grasping aggregates’. That is: form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness. This is called the noble truth of suffering.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ? ‘Pañcupādānakkhandhā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ, seyyathidaṁ— rūpupādānakkhandho …pe… viññāṇupādānakkhandho. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ.

And what is the noble truth of the origin of suffering? It’s the craving that leads to future lives, mixed up with relishing and greed, taking pleasure there wherever it alights. That is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, and craving for nonexistence. This is called the noble truth of the origin of suffering.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ? Yāyaṁ taṇhā ponobbhavikā nandirāgasahagatā tatratatrābhinandinī, seyyathidaṁ— kāmataṇhā, bhavataṇhā, vibhavataṇhā. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ.

And what is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering? It’s the fading away and cessation of that very same craving no residue left behind; giving it away, letting it go, releasing it, and not clinging to it. This is called the noble truth of the cessation of suffering.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ? Yo tassāyeva taṇhāya asesavirāganirodho cāgo paṭinissaggo mutti anālayo— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ.

And what is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering? It 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. This is called the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering. These are the four noble truths.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri ariyasaccāni.

That’s why you should practice meditation to understand: ‘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’.”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

SN 56.14 · Interior Sense Fields

SN 56.14 · Ajjhattikāyatanasutta

“Mendicants, there are these four noble truths. What four? The noble truths of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, ariyasaccāni. Katamāni cattāri? Dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ, dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ, dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ, dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ.

And what is the noble truth of suffering? You should say: ‘The six interior sense fields’. What six? The sense fields of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. This is called the noble truth of suffering.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ? ‘Cha ajjhattikāni āyatanānī’tissa vacanīyaṁ. Katamāni cha? Cakkhāyatanaṁ …pe… manāyatanaṁ— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ.

And what is the noble truth of the origin of suffering? …

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ? Yāyaṁ taṇhā ponobbhavikā nandirāgasahagatā tatratatrābhinandinī, seyyathidaṁ—kāmataṇhā, bhavataṇhā, vibhavataṇhā— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ.

the cessation of suffering? …

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ? Yo tassāyeva taṇhāya asesavirāganirodho cāgo paṭinissaggo mutti anālayo— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ.

the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering? It is simply this noble eightfold path …

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi— idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri ariyasaccāni.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

SN 56.15 · Remembering (1st)

SN 56.15 · Paṭhamadhāraṇasutta

“Mendicants, do you remember the four noble truths that I taught?” When he said this, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha:

“Dhāretha no tumhe, bhikkhave, mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti? Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“I do, sir.”

“ahaṁ kho, bhante, dhāremi bhagavatā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti.

“How so, mendicant?”

“Yathā kathaṁ pana tvaṁ, bhikkhu, dhāresi mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti?

“Sir, I remember that suffering is the first noble truth you’ve taught; the origin of suffering is the second; the cessation of suffering is the third; and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering is the fourth. That’s how I remember the four noble truths as you’ve taught them.”

“Dukkhaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ dhāremi; dukkhasamudayaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā dutiyaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ dhāremi; dukkhanirodhaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā tatiyaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ dhāremi; dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ dhāremi. Evaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, dhāremi bhagavatā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti.

“Good, good, mendicant! It’s good that you remember the four noble truths as I’ve taught them. Suffering is the first noble truth I’ve taught, and that’s how you should remember it. The origin of suffering is the second; the cessation of suffering is the third; and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering is the fourth. That’s how you should remember the four noble truths as I’ve taught them.

“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhu. Sādhu kho tvaṁ, bhikkhu, dhāresi mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānīti. Dukkhaṁ kho, bhikkhu, mayā paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ, tathā naṁ dhārehi; dukkhasamudayaṁ kho, bhikkhu, mayā dutiyaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ, tathā naṁ dhārehi; dukkhanirodhaṁ kho, bhikkhu, mayā tatiyaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ, tathā naṁ dhārehi; dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā kho, bhikkhu, mayā catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ, tathā naṁ dhārehi. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhu, dhārehi mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānīti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhu, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

SN 56.16 · Remembering (2nd)

SN 56.16 · Dutiyadhāraṇasutta

“Mendicants, do you remember the four noble truths that I taught?” When he said this, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha:

“Dhāretha no tumhe, bhikkhave, mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti? Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“I do, sir.”

“ahaṁ kho, bhante, dhāremi bhagavatā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti.

“How so, mendicant?”

“Yathā kathaṁ pana tvaṁ, bhikkhu, dhāresi mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti?

“Sir, I remember that suffering is the first noble truth you’ve taught. For if any ascetic or brahmin should say this: ‘What the ascetic Gotama teaches is not the first noble truth of suffering. I’ll deny this first noble truth of suffering and describe another first noble truth of suffering.’ That is not possible. The origin of suffering … The cessation of suffering … The practice that leads to the cessation of suffering is the fourth noble truth you’ve taught. For if any ascetic or brahmin should say this: ‘What the ascetic Gotama teaches is not the fourth noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering. I’ll deny this fourth noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering and describe another fourth noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’ That is not possible. That’s how I remember the four noble truths as you’ve taught them.”

“Dukkhaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ dhāremi. Yo hi koci, bhante, samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘netaṁ dukkhaṁ paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ yaṁ samaṇena gotamena desitaṁ. Ahametaṁ dukkhaṁ paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paccakkhāya aññaṁ dukkhaṁ paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paññapessāmī’ti— netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Dukkhasamudayaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā …pe… dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ dhāremi. Yo hi koci, bhante, samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘netaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ yaṁ samaṇena gotamena desitaṁ. Ahametaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paccakkhāya aññaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paññapessāmī’ti— netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Evaṁ khvāhaṁ, bhante, dhāremi bhagavatā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānī”ti.

“Good, good, mendicant! It’s good that you remember the four noble truths as I’ve taught them. Suffering is the first noble truth I’ve taught, and that’s how you should remember it. For if any ascetic or brahmin should say this: ‘What the ascetic Gotama teaches is not the first noble truth of suffering. I’ll deny this first noble truth of suffering and describe another first noble truth of suffering.’ That is not possible. The origin of suffering … The cessation of suffering … The practice that leads to the cessation of suffering is the fourth noble truth I’ve taught, and that’s how you should remember it. For if any ascetic or brahmin should say this: ‘What the ascetic Gotama teaches is not the fourth noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering. I’ll deny this fourth noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering and describe another fourth noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’ That is not possible. That’s how you should remember the four noble truths as I’ve taught them.

“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhu. Sādhu kho tvaṁ, bhikkhu, dhāresi mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānīti. Dukkhaṁ kho, bhikkhu, mayā paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ, tathā naṁ dhārehi. Yo hi koci, bhikkhu, samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘netaṁ dukkhaṁ paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ yaṁ samaṇena gotamena desitaṁ. Ahametaṁ dukkhaṁ paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paccakkhāya aññaṁ dukkhaṁ paṭhamaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paññapessāmī’ti— netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Dukkhasamudayaṁ kho, bhikkhu …pe… dukkhanirodhaṁ kho, bhikkhu …pe… dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā kho, bhikkhu, mayā catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ desitaṁ, tathā naṁ dhārehi. Yo hi koci, bhikkhu, samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘netaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ yaṁ samaṇena gotamena desitaṁ. Ahametaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paccakkhāya aññaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ catutthaṁ ariyasaccaṁ paññapessāmī’ti— netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. Evaṁ kho tvaṁ, bhikkhu, dhārehi mayā cattāri ariyasaccāni desitānīti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhu, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

SN 56.17 · Ignorance

SN 56.17 · Avijjāsutta

Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:

Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, they speak of this thing called ‘ignorance’. What is ignorance? And how is an ignoramus defined?”

“‘avijjā, avijjā’ti, bhante, vuccati. Katamā nu kho, bhante, avijjā; kittāvatā ca avijjāgato hotī”ti?

“Not knowing about suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering. This is called ignorance. And this is how an ignoramus is defined.

“Yaṁ kho, bhikkhu, dukkhe aññāṇaṁ, dukkhasamudaye aññāṇaṁ, dukkhanirodhe aññāṇaṁ, dukkhanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya aññāṇaṁ— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhu, avijjā; ettāvatā ca avijjāgato hotīti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhu, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

SN 56.18 · Knowledge

SN 56.18 · Vijjāsutta

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

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

“Sir, they speak of this thing called ‘knowledge’. What is knowledge? And how is a knowing one defined?”

“‘vijjā, vijjā’ti, bhante, vuccati. Katamā nu kho, bhante, vijjā; kittāvatā ca vijjāgato hotī”ti?

“Knowing about suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering. This is called knowledge. And this is how a knowing one is defined.

“Yaṁ kho, bhikkhu, dukkhe ñāṇaṁ, dukkhasamudaye ñāṇaṁ, dukkhanirodhe ñāṇaṁ, dukkhanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ñāṇaṁ— ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhu, vijjā; ettāvatā ca vijjāgato hotīti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhu, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

SN 56.19 · Expressions

SN 56.19 · Saṅkāsanasutta

“Mendicants, I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of suffering.’ For that there are limitless arrangements, phrasings, and illustrations: ‘This is another way of saying that this is the noble truth of suffering.’ I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering.’ … I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering.’ … I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’ For that there are limitless arrangements, phrasings, and illustrations: ‘This is another way of saying that this is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’

“‘Idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, mayā paññattaṁ. Tattha aparimāṇā vaṇṇā aparimāṇā byañjanā aparimāṇā saṅkāsanā: ‘itipidaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti; idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ …pe… idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ …pe… ‘idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, mayā paññattaṁ. Tattha aparimāṇā vaṇṇā aparimāṇā byañjanā aparimāṇā saṅkāsanā: ‘itipidaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

SN 56.20 · Real

SN 56.20 · Tathasutta

“Mendicants, these four things are real, not unreal, not otherwise. What four? ‘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’ … These four things are real, not unreal, not otherwise.

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, tathāni avitathāni anaññathāni. Katamāni cattāri? ‘Idaṁ dukkhan’ti, bhikkhave, tathametaṁ avitathametaṁ anaññathametaṁ; ‘ayaṁ dukkhasamudayo’ti tathametaṁ avitathametaṁ anaññathametaṁ; ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodho’ti tathametaṁ avitathametaṁ anaññathametaṁ; ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti tathametaṁ avitathametaṁ anaññathametaṁ— imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri tathāni avitathāni anaññathāni.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.