Inspiring Confidence

So I have heard. At one time the BuddhaBuddhaEl nombre dado a quien redescubre por sí mismo el sendero liberador del Dhamma, tras un largo período de haber sido olvidado por el mundo. Según la tradición, una larga línea de Buddhas se extiende hasta el pasado distante. El Buddha más reciente nació como Siddhattha Gotama en la India alrededor del año 500 a.e.c. Un joven bien educado y acomodado, renunció a su familia y su herencia principesca en la flor de la vida para buscar la verdadera libertad y el fin del sufrimiento (dukkha). Después de siete años de austeridades en el bosque, redescubrió el «camino medio» y alcanzó su meta, convirtiéndose en el Buddha.Ver en el glosario was staying near Nāḷandā in Pāvārika’s mango grove.*This discourse is expanded from the events of DN 16:1.16.1. Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

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

So I have heard. Evaṁ me sutaṁ—At one time the BuddhaBuddhaEl nombre dado a quien redescubre por sí mismo el sendero liberador del Dhamma, tras un largo período de haber sido olvidado por el mundo. Según la tradición, una larga línea de Buddhas se extiende hasta el pasado distante. El Buddha más reciente nació como Siddhattha Gotama en la India alrededor del año 500 a.e.c. Un joven bien educado y acomodado, renunció a su familia y su herencia principesca en la flor de la vida para buscar la verdadera libertad y el fin del sufrimiento (dukkha). Después de siete años de austeridades en el bosque, redescubrió el «camino medio» y alcanzó su meta, convirtiéndose en el Buddha.Ver en el glosario was staying near Nāḷandā in Pāvārika’s mango grove.*This discourse is expanded from the events of DN 16:1.16.1.ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā nāḷandāyaṁ viharati pāvārikambavane. Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

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

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

“That’s a grand and bold statement, Sāriputta. You’ve roared a definitive, categorical lion’s roar, saying: “Uḷārā kho te ayaṁ, sāriputta, āsabhī vācā bhāsitā, ekaṁso gahito, sīhanādo nadito: ‘I have such confidence in the Buddha that ‘evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati; I believe there’s no other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening.’ na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan’ti.

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

Kiṁ te, sāriputta, ye te ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā:*Kiṁ te → kiṁ nu kho te (sya-all), kinnu (pts1ed) ‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁdhammā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁpaññā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁvihārī te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’”ti?

What about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who lived in the past? Have you encompassed their minds to know that Kiṁ te, sāriputta, ye te ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā:*Kiṁ te → kiṁ nu kho te (sya-all), kinnu (pts1ed)those Buddhas had such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?” ‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁdhammā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁpaññā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁvihārī te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’”ti?

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

“Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ye te bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā:*pana te → kiṁ pana (pts1ed) ‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipī’”ti?

“And what about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who will live in the future? Have you encompassed their minds to know that “Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ye te bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā:*pana te → kiṁ pana (pts1ed)those Buddhas will have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?” ‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipī’”ti?

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

“Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ahaṁ etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho cetasā ceto paricca vidito:*pana te → kiṁ pana (pts1ed) ‘evaṁsīlo bhagavā itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto bhagavā itipī’”ti?

“And what about me, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha at present? Have you encompassed my mind to know that “Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ahaṁ etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho cetasā ceto paricca vidito:*pana te → kiṁ pana (pts1ed)I have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?” ‘evaṁsīlo bhagavā itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto bhagavā itipī’”ti?

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

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

“In that case, Sāriputta, given that you don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, or present, “Ettha ca hi te, sāriputta, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ natthi. what then are you doing, making such a grand and bold statement, roaring such a definitive, categorical lion’s roar?” Atha kiṁ carahi te ayaṁ, sāriputta, uḷārā āsabhī vācā bhāsitā, ekaṁso gahito, sīhanādo nadito: ‘evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati, na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan’”ti?

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

“Na kho me, bhante, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ atthi.*Na kho me → na kho panetaṁ (sya-all, mr) Api ca me dhammanvayo vidito.*Api ca me → kho me bhante (bj, pts1ed, mr) Seyyathāpi, bhante, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ ekadvāraṁ.*daḷhuddhāpaṁ → daḷhuddāpaṁ (bj, pts1ed, mr); daḷhaddhālaṁ (sya-all) Tatrassa dovāriko paṇḍito byatto medhāvī aññātānaṁ nivāretā, ñātānaṁ pavesetā. So tassa nagarassa samantā anupariyāyapathaṁ anukkamamāno na passeyya pākārasandhiṁ vā pākāravivaraṁ vā antamaso biḷāranikkhamanamattampi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ye kho keci oḷārikā pāṇā imaṁ nagaraṁ pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā, sabbe te imināva dvārena pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā’ti.

“Sir, though I don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, and present, “Na kho me, bhante, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ atthi.*Na kho me → na kho panetaṁ (sya-all, mr)still I understand this by inference from the teaching. Api ca me dhammanvayo vidito.*Api ca me → kho me bhante (bj, pts1ed, mr)Suppose there were a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and a single gate. Seyyathāpi, bhante, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ ekadvāraṁ.*daḷhuddhāpaṁ → daḷhuddāpaṁ (bj, pts1ed, mr); daḷhaddhālaṁ (sya-all)And it has a gatekeeper who is astute, competent, and clever. He keeps strangers out and lets known people in. Tatrassa dovāriko paṇḍito byatto medhāvī aññātānaṁ nivāretā, ñātānaṁ pavesetā. As he walks around the patrol path, he doesn’t see a hole or cleft in the wall, not even one big enough for a cat to slip out. So tassa nagarassa samantā anupariyāyapathaṁ anukkamamāno na passeyya pākārasandhiṁ vā pākāravivaraṁ vā antamaso biḷāranikkhamanamattampi. They’d think, Tassa evamassa: ‘Whatever sizable creatures enter or leave the citadel, all of them do so via this gate.’ ‘ye kho keci oḷārikā pāṇā imaṁ nagaraṁ pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā, sabbe te imināva dvārena pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā’ti.

In the same way, I understand this by inference from the teaching: ‘All the perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas—whether past, future, or present—give up the five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom. Their mind is firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulnesssatiAtención plena, memoria, poderes de referencia y retención. En algunos contextos, la palabra sati cuando se usa sola cubre también la alerta (sampajañña).Ver en el glosario meditation. They correctly develop the seven awakening factors. And they awaken to the supreme perfect awakening.’

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

In the same way, I understand this by inference from the teaching: Evameva kho me, bhante, dhammanvayo vidito. ‘All the perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas—whether past, future, or present—give up the five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom. Their mind is firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulnesssatiAtención plena, memoria, poderes de referencia y retención. En algunos contextos, la palabra sati cuando se usa sola cubre también la alerta (sampajañña).Ver en el glosario meditation. They correctly develop the seven awakening factors. And they awaken to the supreme perfect awakening.’ Ye te, bhante, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacittā, satta sambojjhaṅge yathābhūtaṁ bhāvetvā anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhiṁsu. Yepi te, bhante, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacittā, satta sambojjhaṅge yathābhūtaṁ bhāvetvā anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhissanti. Bhagavāpi, bhante, etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacitto satta sambojjhaṅge yathābhūtaṁ bhāvetvā anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddho.

Sir, once I approached the Buddha to listen to the teaching.*Here the additional material begins. While they are all said to be teachings of the Buddha, some sections cannot be traced in the Pali Canon as it stands today. Perhaps Sāriputta was demonstrating his talent for creative rephrasing and synthesis. He explained DhammaDhamma1. Fenómeno; cualquier cosa que ocurre y es cognoscible. 2. Fenómeno mental, «pensamiento». 3. Principio, especialmente los principios de causalidad. 4. Doctrina, enseñanza. También, principios de comportamiento que los seres humanos deben seguir para armonizar con el orden natural correcto de las cosas; cualidades mentales que deben desarrollar para realizar la cualidad inherente de la mente en sí misma. Por extensión, «Dhamma» (usualmente en mayúscula) se usa también para denotar cualquier doctrina que enseña tales cosas. Así, el Dhamma del Buddha denota tanto sus enseñanzas como las realidades descritas por esa enseñanza. (Sánscrito: dharma)Ver en el glosario with its higher and higher stages, with its better and better stages, with its dark and bright sides. When I directly knew a certain principle of those teachings, in accordance with how I was taught, I came to a conclusion about the teachings. I had confidence in the Teacher:*Perhaps a reference to his enlightenment experience in MN 74. | This passage plays on the different senses of dhamma as linguistic “teaching” and observable “principle”. ‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The SaṅghaSaṅghaEste término denota tanto: la «comunidad monástica» (comunidades de monjes y monjas budistas) en quienes los seguidores laicos toman refugio; como aquellos seguidores del Buddha, laicos u ordenados, que han alcanzado al menos la entrada en la corriente (ver sotāpanna), el primero de los senderos transcendentes (ver magga) que culmina en nibbāna. Recientemente en EE.UU., el término «sangha» se ha transformado para significar el sentido más amplio de «comunidad de seguidores en el sendero budista», aunque este uso no tiene base en el canon pali. El término parisā se usa en este sentido más amplio en los textos tempranos.Ver en el glosario is practicing well.’

Idhāhaṁ, bhante, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁ dhammassavanāya. Tassa me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ. Yathā yathā me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ desesi uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ tathā tathāhaṁ tasmiṁ dhamme abhiññāabhiññāPoderes intuitivos que surgen de la práctica de la concentración: la capacidad de mostrar poderes psíquicos, clarividencia, clariaudiencia, la capacidad de conocer los pensamientos de otros, el recuerdo de vidas pasadas, y el conocimiento que destruye los contaminantes (ver āsava).Ver en el glosario idhekaccaṁ dhammaṁ dhammesu niṭṭhamagamaṁ; satthari pasīdiṁ: ‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhātosvākkhātoBien expuesto, explicado o proclamado. Como cualidad del Dhamma, indica que la enseñanza ha sido correctamente expuesta por el Buddha. Svākkhāto es la forma nominativa masculina singular de svākkhāta y concuerda con dhammo.Ver en el glosario bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

Sir, once I approached the Buddha to listen to the teaching.*Here the additional material begins. While they are all said to be teachings of the Buddha, some sections cannot be traced in the Pali Canon as it stands today. Perhaps Sāriputta was demonstrating his talent for creative rephrasing and synthesis.Idhāhaṁ, bhante, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁ dhammassavanāya. He explained DhammaDhamma1. Fenómeno; cualquier cosa que ocurre y es cognoscible. 2. Fenómeno mental, «pensamiento». 3. Principio, especialmente los principios de causalidad. 4. Doctrina, enseñanza. También, principios de comportamiento que los seres humanos deben seguir para armonizar con el orden natural correcto de las cosas; cualidades mentales que deben desarrollar para realizar la cualidad inherente de la mente en sí misma. Por extensión, «Dhamma» (usualmente en mayúscula) se usa también para denotar cualquier doctrina que enseña tales cosas. Así, el Dhamma del Buddha denota tanto sus enseñanzas como las realidades descritas por esa enseñanza. (Sánscrito: dharma)Ver en el glosario with its higher and higher stages, with its better and better stages, with its dark and bright sides. Tassa me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ. When I directly knew a certain principle of those teachings, in accordance with how I was taught, I came to a conclusion about the teachings. I had confidence in the Teacher:*Perhaps a reference to his enlightenment experience in MN 74. | This passage plays on the different senses of dhamma as linguistic “teaching” and observable “principle”.Yathā yathā me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ desesi uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ tathā tathāhaṁ tasmiṁ dhamme abhiññāabhiññāPoderes intuitivos que surgen de la práctica de la concentración: la capacidad de mostrar poderes psíquicos, clarividencia, clariaudiencia, la capacidad de conocer los pensamientos de otros, el recuerdo de vidas pasadas, y el conocimiento que destruye los contaminantes (ver āsava).Ver en el glosario idhekaccaṁ dhammaṁ dhammesu niṭṭhamagamaṁ; satthari pasīdiṁ: ‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The SaṅghaSaṅghaEste término denota tanto: la «comunidad monástica» (comunidades de monjes y monjas budistas) en quienes los seguidores laicos toman refugio; como aquellos seguidores del Buddha, laicos u ordenados, que han alcanzado al menos la entrada en la corriente (ver sotāpanna), el primero de los senderos transcendentes (ver magga) que culmina en nibbāna. Recientemente en EE.UU., el término «sangha» se ha transformado para significar el sentido más amplio de «comunidad de seguidores en el sendero budista», aunque este uso no tiene base en el canon pali. El término parisā se usa en este sentido más amplio en los textos tempranos.Ver en el glosario is practicing well.’ ‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhātosvākkhātoBien expuesto, explicado o proclamado. Como cualidad del Dhamma, indica que la enseñanza ha sido correctamente expuesta por el Buddha. Svākkhāto es la forma nominativa masculina singular de svākkhāta y concuerda con dhammo.Ver en el glosario bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches skillful qualities is unsurpassable. This consists of such skillful qualities as the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, the four right efforts, the four bases of psychic power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven awakening factors, and the noble eightfold path.*Also at DN 16:3.50.5, etc. By these a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements. This is unsurpassable when it comes to skillful qualities. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to skillful qualities.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti kusalesu dhammesu. Tatrime kusalā dhammā seyyathidaṁ— cattāro satipaṭṭhānā, cattāro sammappadhānā, cattāro iddhipādā, pañcindriyāni, pañca balāni, satta bojjhaṅgā, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo. Idha, bhante, bhikkhubhikkhuUn hombre que ha renunciado a la vida de hogar para vivir una vida de virtud elevada (ver sīla) de acuerdo con el Vinaya en general, y las reglas del Pātimokkha en particular. La raíz de la palabra significa «mendicante», es decir, uno que vive de limosnas. Como el masculino se usa como género por defecto en pali, el término bhikkhu a menudo incluye también a las monjas, por lo que «mendicante» puede usarse como traducción de género neutro. Ver saṅgha, parisā, upasampadā.Ver en el glosario āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, kusalesu dhammesu. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa, yadidaṁ kusalesu dhammesu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches skillful qualities is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti kusalesu dhammesu. This consists of such skillful qualities as Tatrime kusalā dhammā seyyathidaṁ—the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, the four right efforts, the four bases of psychic power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven awakening factors, and the noble eightfold path.*Also at DN 16:3.50.5, etc.cattāro satipaṭṭhānā, cattāro sammappadhānā, cattāro iddhipādā, pañcindriyāni, pañca balāni, satta bojjhaṅgā, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo. By these a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements. Idha, bhante, bhikkhubhikkhuUn hombre que ha renunciado a la vida de hogar para vivir una vida de virtud elevada (ver sīla) de acuerdo con el Vinaya en general, y las reglas del Pātimokkha en particular. La raíz de la palabra significa «mendicante», es decir, uno que vive de limosnas. Como el masculino se usa como género por defecto en pali, el término bhikkhu a menudo incluye también a las monjas, por lo que «mendicante» puede usarse como traducción de género neutro. Ver saṅgha, parisā, upasampadā.Ver en el glosario āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. This is unsurpassable when it comes to skillful qualities. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, kusalesu dhammesu. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to skillful qualities. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa, yadidaṁ kusalesu dhammesu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of the sense fields is unsurpassable. There are these six interior and exterior sense fields.*The primary source is the SN 35, the Linked Discourses on the Six Sense Fields. The eye and sights, the ear and sounds, the nose and smells, the tongue and tastes, the body and touches, and the mind and ideas. This is unsurpassable when it comes to describing the sense fields. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to describing the sense fields.

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of the sense fields is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti āyatanapaṇṇattīsu. There are these six interior and exterior sense fields.*The primary source is the SN 35, the Linked Discourses on the Six Sense Fields.Chayimāni, bhante, ajjhattikabāhirāni āyatanāni. The eye and sights, the ear and sounds, the nose and smells, the tongue and tastes, the body and touches, and the mind and ideas. Cakkhuñceva rūpā ca, sotañceva saddā ca, ghānañceva gandhā ca, jivhā ceva rasā ca, kāyo ceva phoṭṭhabbā ca, mano ceva dhammā ca.*rūpā → rūpāni (bj, mr)This is unsurpassable when it comes to describing the sense fields. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, āyatanapaṇṇattīsu. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to describing the sense fields. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa yadidaṁ āyatanapaṇṇattīsu.

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

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the conception of the embryo is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti gabbhāvakkantīsu. There are these four kinds of conception. Catasso imā, bhante, gabbhāvakkantiyo.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different ways of revealing is unsurpassable. There are these four ways of revealing.*Called “demonstrations of revealing” (ādesanāpāṭihāriya) at AN 3.60:9.1.

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different ways of revealing is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti ādesanavidhāsu. There are these four ways of revealing.*Called “demonstrations of revealing” (ādesanāpāṭihāriya) at AN 3.60:9.1.Catasso imā, bhante, ādesanavidhā.

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

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

Firstly, someone reveals by means of a sign, Idha, bhante, ekacco nimittena ādisati: ‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’ ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti. And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. This is the first way of revealing. Ayaṁ paṭhamā ādesanavidhā.

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

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

Furthermore, someone reveals after hearing it from humans or non-humans or deities, Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati. Api ca kho manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati: ‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’ ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti. And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. This is the second way of revealing. Ayaṁ dutiyā ādesanavidhā.

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

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

Furthermore, someone reveals by hearing the sound of thought spreading as someone thinks and considers, Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, nāpi manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati. Api ca kho vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati: ‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’ ‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti. And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. This is the third way of revealing. Ayaṁ tatiyā ādesanavidhā.

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

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, nāpi manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati, nāpi vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati. Api ca kho avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhiṁ samāpannassa cetasā ceto paricca pajānāti:*avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhiṁ → vitakkavicārasamādhisamāpannassa (bj); vitakkavicārasamādhiṁ (sya-all, mr) ‘yathā imassa bhoto manosaṅkhārā paṇihitā. Tathā imassa cittassa anantarā imaṁ nāmanāmaOriginalmente se refería a la función psicológica central de conceptualizar y nombrar cosas. Gradualmente evolucionó para abarcar todos los fenómenos mentales. En los suttas a veces se define como vedanā (sensación), saññā (percepción), cetanā (intención, volición), phassa (contacto sensorial), y manasikāra (atención, advertencia). Comparar con rūpa. En el Abhidhamma, nāma pasó a referirse a los componentes mentales de los cinco khandhas.Ver en el glosario vitakkaṁ vitakkessatī’ti. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. Ayaṁ catutthā ādesanavidhā.

Furthermore, someone comprehends the mind of one who has attained the immersion that’s free of placing the mind and keeping it connected. They understand, Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati, nāpi manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati, nāpi vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati. Api ca kho avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhiṁ samāpannassa cetasā ceto paricca pajānāti:*avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhiṁ → vitakkavicārasamādhisamāpannassa (bj); vitakkavicārasamādhiṁ (sya-all, mr)‘Judging by the way this worthy’s intentions are directed, immediately after this mind state, they’ll think this thought.’ ‘yathā imassa bhoto manosaṅkhārā paṇihitā. Tathā imassa cittassa anantarā imaṁ nāmanāmaOriginalmente se refería a la función psicológica central de conceptualizar y nombrar cosas. Gradualmente evolucionó para abarcar todos los fenómenos mentales. En los suttas a veces se define como vedanā (sensación), saññā (percepción), cetanā (intención, volición), phassa (contacto sensorial), y manasikāra (atención, advertencia). Comparar con rūpa. En el Abhidhamma, nāma pasó a referirse a los componentes mentales de los cinco khandhas.Ver en el glosario vitakkaṁ vitakkessatī’ti. And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. This is the fourth way of revealing. Ayaṁ catutthā ādesanavidhā.

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

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the attainments of vision is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti dassanasamāpattīsu. There are these four attainments of vision. Catasso imā, bhante, dassanasamāpattiyo.

Firstly, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they examine their own body up from the soles of the feet and down from the tips of the hairs, wrapped in skin and full of many kinds of filth.*Meditation is described in this way only in MN 136:9.1 and DN 1:1.31.1 where, as here, it is pursued by an “ascetic or brahmin”, who in those cases is not Buddhist. Here, however, it sounds like Sāriputta is talking about a Buddhist practice. The asubha contemplation of the parts of the body is described in several places in the canon (eg. DN 22:5.1), but never exactly like this. ‘In this body there is head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine.’ This is the first attainment of vision.

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

Firstly, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they examine their own body up from the soles of the feet and down from the tips of the hairs, wrapped in skin and full of many kinds of filth.*Meditation is described in this way only in MN 136:9.1 and DN 1:1.31.1 where, as here, it is pursued by an “ascetic or brahmin”, who in those cases is not Buddhist. Here, however, it sounds like Sāriputta is talking about a Buddhist practice. The asubha contemplation of the parts of the body is described in several places in the canon (eg. DN 22:5.1), but never exactly like this.Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya padhānamanvāya anuyogamanvāya appamādamanvāya sammāmanasikāramanvāya tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘In this body there is head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces, bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine.’ ‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā nakhā dantā taco maṁsaṁ nhāru aṭṭhi aṭṭhimiñjaṁ vakkaṁ hadayaṁ yakanaṁ kilomakaṁ pihakaṁ papphāsaṁ antaṁ antaguṇaṁ udariyaṁ karīsaṁ pittaṁ semhaṁ pubbo lohitaṁ sedo medo assu vasā kheḷo siṅghānikā lasikā muttan’ti. This is the first attainment of vision. Ayaṁ paṭhamā dassanasamāpatti.

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body. ‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’ Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood.*The remaining practices are unique to this passage. This is perhaps related to the contemplation of death, as it seems to imply looking at another person’s body rather than one’s own. This is the second attainment of vision.

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

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body. Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’ ‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti. Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood.*The remaining practices are unique to this passage. This is perhaps related to the contemplation of death, as it seems to imply looking at another person’s body rather than one’s own.Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati. This is the second attainment of vision. Ayaṁ dutiyā dassanasamāpatti.

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body. ‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’ Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood. And they understand of a person that their stream of consciousness is consistent on both sides: established in both this world and the next.*This is a unique description of the process of rebirth. Consciousness is a “stream” in that it flows and moves, ever-changing, and is not a static self-same entity. To be “established” (patiṭṭhita) is to be attached because of craving. | The phrase “consistent on both sides” (ubhayato abbocchinnaṁ) is unique. Ubhayato is used of “both ends” of a pole Ja 533:37.4. I think the sense is that one’s consciousness is consistent with regards to this world and the next. If one is attached to this world, one will be attached to the next, and vice versa in the next section. This is the third attainment of vision.

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

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body. Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’ ‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti. Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood. Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati. And they understand of a person that their stream of consciousness is consistent on both sides: established in both this world and the next.*This is a unique description of the process of rebirth. Consciousness is a “stream” in that it flows and moves, ever-changing, and is not a static self-same entity. To be “established” (patiṭṭhita) is to be attached because of craving. | The phrase “consistent on both sides” (ubhayato abbocchinnaṁ) is unique. Ubhayato is used of “both ends” of a pole Ja 533:37.4. I think the sense is that one’s consciousness is consistent with regards to this world and the next. If one is attached to this world, one will be attached to the next, and vice versa in the next section.Purisassa ca viññāṇasotaṁ pajānāti, ubhayato abbocchinnaṁ idha loke patiṭṭhitañca paraloke patiṭṭhitañca. This is the third attainment of vision. Ayaṁ tatiyā dassanasamāpatti.

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

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

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body. Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte imameva kāyaṁ uddhaṁ pādatalā adho kesamatthakā tacapariyantaṁ pūraṁ nānappakārassa asucino paccavekkhati: ‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’ ‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti. Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood. Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati. They understand of a person that their stream of consciousness is consistent on both sides: not established in either this world or the next. Purisassa ca viññāṇasotaṁ pajānāti, ubhayato abbocchinnaṁ idha loke appatiṭṭhitañca paraloke appatiṭṭhitañca. This is the fourth attainment of vision. Ayaṁ catutthā dassanasamāpatti.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of individuals is unsurpassable. There are these seven individuals. One freed both ways, one freed by wisdom, a direct witness, one attained to view, one freed by faith, a follower of teachings, a follower by faith.*As at AN 7.14:1.3. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the description of individuals.

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of individuals is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti puggalapaṇṇattīsu. There are these seven individuals. Sattime, bhante, puggalā. One freed both ways, one freed by wisdom, a direct witness, one attained to view, one freed by faith, a follower of teachings, a follower by faith.*As at AN 7.14:1.3.Ubhatobhāgavimutto paññāvimutto kāyasakkhi diṭṭhippatto saddhāvimutto dhammānusārī saddhānusārī. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the description of individuals. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, puggalapaṇṇattīsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the kinds of striving is unsurpassable. There are these seven awakening factors: the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity.*Normally we would expect the four kinds of right striving here. This is the only place the seven awakening factors are described in this way. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the kinds of striving.

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the kinds of striving is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti padhānesu. There are these seven awakening factors: the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity.*Normally we would expect the four kinds of right striving here. This is the only place the seven awakening factors are described in this way.Sattime, bhante, sambojjhaṅgā satisambojjhaṅgo dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgo vīriyasambojjhaṅgo pītisambojjhaṅgo passaddhisambojjhaṅgo samādhisambojjhaṅgo upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the kinds of striving. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, padhānesu.

Painful practice with slow insight, painful practice with swift insight, pleasant practice with slow insight, and pleasant practice with swift insight.

Catasso imā, bhante, paṭipadāpaṭipadāEl medio de alcanzar una meta o destino. El «camino medio» (majjhima-paṭipadā) enseñado por el Buddha; el sendero de práctica descrito en la cuarta noble verdad (dukkhanirodhagāminī-paṭīpadā).Ver en el glosario dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā, dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā, sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā, sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññāti.

Painful practice with slow insight, Catasso imā, bhante, paṭipadāpaṭipadāEl medio de alcanzar una meta o destino. El «camino medio» (majjhima-paṭipadā) enseñado por el Buddha; el sendero de práctica descrito en la cuarta noble verdad (dukkhanirodhagāminī-paṭīpadā).Ver en el glosario dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā, painful practice with swift insight, dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā, pleasant practice with slow insight, and sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā, pleasant practice with swift insight. sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññāti.

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

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

Of these, the painful practice with slow insight is said to be inferior both ways: because it’s painful and because it’s slow. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā dukkhā dandhābhiññā, ayaṁ, bhante, paṭipadā ubhayeneva hīnā akkhāyati dukkhattā ca dandhattā ca. The painful practice with swift insight is said to be inferior because it’s painful. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā dukkhā khippābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā dukkhattā hīnā akkhāyati. The pleasant practice with slow insight is said to be inferior because it’s slow. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā sukhā dandhābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā dandhattā hīnā akkhāyati. But the pleasant practice with swift insight is said to be superior both ways: because it’s pleasant and because it’s swift. Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā sukhā khippābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā ubhayeneva paṇītā akkhāyati sukhattā ca khippattā ca.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches behavior in speech is unsurpassable. It’s when someone doesn’t use speech that’s connected with lying, or divisive, or backbiting, or aggressively trying to win.*These descriptions are unique. | Vebhūtiya is also at (DN 30:2.21.2, where the context shows it is a synonym for pesuṇiya. See too Snp 1.9:6.4, Snp 3.10:16.1. They speak only wise counsel, valuable and timely. This is unsurpassable when it comes to behavior in speech.

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches behavior in speech is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti bhassasamācāre. It’s when someone doesn’t use speech that’s connected with lying, or divisive, or backbiting, or aggressively trying to win.*These descriptions are unique. | Vebhūtiya is also at (DN 30:2.21.2, where the context shows it is a synonym for pesuṇiya. See too Snp 1.9:6.4, Snp 3.10:16.1.Idha, bhante, ekacco na ceva musāvādupasañhitaṁ vācaṁ bhāsati na ca vebhūtiyaṁ na ca pesuṇiyaṁ na ca sārambhajaṁ jayāpekkho; They speak only wise counsel, valuable and timely. mantā mantā ca vācaṁ bhāsati nidhānavatiṁ kālena. This is unsurpassable when it comes to behavior in speech. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, bhassasamācāre.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches a person’s ethical behavior is unsurpassable.*The Mahāsaṅgīti omits a heading for this section. It’s when someone is honest and faithful. They don’t use deceit, flattery, hinting, or belittling, and they don’t use material things to chase after other material things. They guard the sense doors and eat in moderation. They’re fair, dedicated to wakefulness, tireless, energetic, and meditative. They have good memory, eloquence, range, retention, and thoughtfulness. They’re not greedy for sensual pleasures. They are mindful and alert.*The sequence from “memory” (satimā) to “retention” (dhitimā) is related to the good qualities of Ānanda (AN 1.220:1.1), and pertain to textual fluency. Satimā here is “memory”, not “mindfulness”, which is sato at the end. This is unsurpassable when it comes to a person’s ethical behavior.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti purisasīlasamācāre. Idha, bhante, ekacco sacco cassa saddho ca, na ca kuhako, na ca lapako, na ca nemittiko, na ca nippesiko, na ca lābhena lābhaṁ nijigīsanako, indriyesu guttadvāro, bhojane mattaññū, samakārī, jāgariyānuyogamanuyutto, atandito, āraddhavīriyo, jhāyī, satimā, kalyāṇapaṭibhāno, gatimā, dhitimā, matimā, na ca kāmesu giddho, sato ca nipako ca.*nijigīsanako → nijihiṁsanako (bj); nijigiṁsanako (sya-all); nijigiṁsitā (pts1ed) Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, purisasīlasamācāre.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches a person’s ethical behavior is unsurpassable.*The Mahāsaṅgīti omits a heading for this section.Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti purisasīlasamācāre. It’s when someone is honest and faithful. They don’t use deceit, flattery, hinting, or belittling, and they don’t use material things to chase after other material things. They guard the sense doors and eat in moderation. They’re fair, dedicated to wakefulness, tireless, energetic, and meditative. They have good memory, eloquence, range, retention, and thoughtfulness. They’re not greedy for sensual pleasures. They are mindful and alert.*The sequence from “memory” (satimā) to “retention” (dhitimā) is related to the good qualities of Ānanda (AN 1.220:1.1), and pertain to textual fluency. Satimā here is “memory”, not “mindfulness”, which is sato at the end.Idha, bhante, ekacco sacco cassa saddho ca, na ca kuhako, na ca lapako, na ca nemittiko, na ca nippesiko, na ca lābhena lābhaṁ nijigīsanako, indriyesu guttadvāro, bhojane mattaññū, samakārī, jāgariyānuyogamanuyutto, atandito, āraddhavīriyo, jhāyī, satimā, kalyāṇapaṭibhāno, gatimā, dhitimā, matimā, na ca kāmesu giddho, sato ca nipako ca.*nijigīsanako → nijihiṁsanako (bj); nijigiṁsanako (sya-all); nijigiṁsitā (pts1ed)This is unsurpassable when it comes to a person’s ethical behavior. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, purisasīlasamācāre.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different degrees of responsiveness to instruction is unsurpassable. There are these four degrees of responsiveness to instruction.*We don’t find this exact passage elsewhere, but it is similar to AN 10.46. When the Buddha speaks of future consequences it is conditional. He is not a fortune-teller, but he understands the results of the practice.

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different degrees of responsiveness to instruction is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti anusāsanavidhāsu. There are these four degrees of responsiveness to instruction.*We don’t find this exact passage elsewhere, but it is similar to AN 10.46. When the Buddha speaks of future consequences it is conditional. He is not a fortune-teller, but he understands the results of the practice.Catasso imā, bhante, anusāsanavidhā—

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:*Paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā occurs at SN 46.8:2.1 and MN 50:3.1, where it means “investigate inside oneself”. Here it is applied to another. ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of three fetters, become a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, become a once-returner. They will come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside to another individual: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of the five lower fetters, be reborn spontaneously. They will be extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life, and live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.’

jānāti, bhante, bhagavā aparaṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno bhavissati avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmīsakadāgāmīUna persona que ha abandonado las tres primeras cadenas que atan la mente al ciclo de renacimientos (ver saṁyojana), ha debilitado las cadenas de pasión sensual y aversión, y que tras la muerte está destinado a renacer en este mundo solo una vez más.Ver en el glosario bhavissati, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko bhavissati tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissatī’ti.

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:*Paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā occurs at SN 46.8:2.1 and MN 50:3.1, where it means “investigate inside oneself”. Here it is applied to another.jānāti, bhante, bhagavā aparaṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of three fetters, become a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno bhavissati avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, become a once-returner. They will come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmīsakadāgāmīUna persona que ha abandonado las tres primeras cadenas que atan la mente al ciclo de renacimientos (ver saṁyojana), ha debilitado las cadenas de pasión sensual y aversión, y que tras la muerte está destinado a renacer en este mundo solo una vez más.Ver en el glosario bhavissati, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. The Buddha knows by investigating inside to another individual: Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will, with the ending of the five lower fetters, be reborn spontaneously. They will be extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko bhavissati tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘By practicing as instructed this individual will realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life, and live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissatī’ti.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge and freedom of other individuals is unsurpassable.*Another unique passage, similar to MN 68:12.4. The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘With the ending of three fetters this individual will become a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘With the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, this individual will become a once-returner. They will come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘With the ending of the five lower fetters, this individual will be reborn spontaneously. They will be extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.’ The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘This individual will realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life, and live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.’ This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge and freedom of other individuals.

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge and freedom of other individuals is unsurpassable.*Another unique passage, similar to MN 68:12.4.Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti parapuggalavimuttiñāṇe. The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘With the ending of three fetters this individual will become a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno bhavissati avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘With the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, this individual will become a once-returner. They will come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī bhavissati, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘With the ending of the five lower fetters, this individual will be reborn spontaneously. They will be extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko bhavissati tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā: ‘This individual will realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life, and live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.’ ‘ayaṁ puggalo āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissatī’ti. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge and freedom of other individuals. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, parapuggalavimuttiñāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches eternalist doctrines is unsurpassable. There are these three eternalist doctrines.*Compare the four kinds of eternalism at DN 1:3.1.1. The theories based on rationality are omitted.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti sassatavādesu. Tayome, bhante, sassatavādā.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches eternalist doctrines is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti sassatavādesu. There are these three eternalist doctrines.*Compare the four kinds of eternalism at DN 1:3.1.1. The theories based on rationality are omitted.Tayome, bhante, sassatavādā.

Firstly, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect many hundreds of thousands of past lives, with features and details. They say, ‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted. I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract.*According to the PTS edition, the Sinhala-script manuscripts read na jānāmi (“don”t know”) against the Mahāsaṅgīti jānāmi. | The means of knowledge given here is solely based on the recollection of past lives, which agrees with the Brahmajālasutta that these are views based on the past. It seems the sectarian here is admitting the limits of their experiential knowledge, but nonetheless inferring eternalism in both past and future. The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar. They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’ This is the first eternalist doctrine.

Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. Seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo tissopi jātiyo catassopi jātiyo pañcapi jātiyo dasapi jātiyo vīsampi jātiyo tiṁsampi jātiyo cattālīsampi jātiyo paññāsampi jātiyo jātisatampi jātisahassampi jātisatasahassampi anekānipi jātisatāni anekānipi jātisahassāni anekānipi jātisatasahassāni, ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. So evamāha: ‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi—saṁvaṭṭi vā loko vivaṭṭi vāti. Anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi—saṁvaṭṭissati vā loko vivaṭṭissati vāti. Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito. Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti. Ayaṁ paṭhamo sassatavādo.

Firstly, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect many hundreds of thousands of past lives, Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. with features and details. Seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo tissopi jātiyo catassopi jātiyo pañcapi jātiyo dasapi jātiyo vīsampi jātiyo tiṁsampi jātiyo cattālīsampi jātiyo paññāsampi jātiyo jātisatampi jātisahassampi jātisatasahassampi anekānipi jātisatāni anekānipi jātisahassāni anekānipi jātisatasahassāni, ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. They say, So evamāha: ‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted. ‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi—saṁvaṭṭi vā loko vivaṭṭi vāti. I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract.*According to the PTS edition, the Sinhala-script manuscripts read na jānāmi (“don”t know”) against the Mahāsaṅgīti jānāmi. | The means of knowledge given here is solely based on the recollection of past lives, which agrees with the Brahmajālasutta that these are views based on the past. It seems the sectarian here is admitting the limits of their experiential knowledge, but nonetheless inferring eternalism in both past and future.Anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi—saṁvaṭṭissati vā loko vivaṭṭissati vāti. The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar. They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’ Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito. Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti. This is the first eternalist doctrine. Ayaṁ paṭhamo sassatavādo.

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect their past lives for as many as ten eons of the expansion and contraction of the cosmos,*Some manuscripts read “twenty” here. with features and details. They say, ‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted. I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract. The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar. They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’ This is the second eternalist doctrine.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. Seyyathidaṁ—ekampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭaṁ dvepi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni tīṇipi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni cattāripi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni pañcapi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni dasapi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni, ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. So evamāha: ‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭi vā loko vivaṭṭi vāti. Anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭissati vā loko vivaṭṭissati vāti. Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito. Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti. Ayaṁ dutiyo sassatavādo.

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect their past lives for as many as ten eons of the expansion and contraction of the cosmos,*Some manuscripts read “twenty” here.Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. with features and details. Seyyathidaṁ—ekampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭaṁ dvepi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni tīṇipi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni cattāripi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni pañcapi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni dasapi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni, ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. They say, So evamāha: ‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted. ‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭi vā loko vivaṭṭi vāti. I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract. Anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭissati vā loko vivaṭṭissati vāti. The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar. Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito. They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’ Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti. This is the second eternalist doctrine. Ayaṁ dutiyo sassatavādo.

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect their past lives for as many as forty eons of the expansion and contraction of the cosmos, with features and details. They say, ‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted. I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract. The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar. They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’ This is the third eternalist doctrine.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. Seyyathidaṁ—dasapi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni vīsampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni tiṁsampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni cattālīsampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni, ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. So evamāha: ‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭipi loko vivaṭṭipīti; anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭissatipi loko vivaṭṭissatipīti. Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito. Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti. Ayaṁ tatiyo sassatavādo,

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect their past lives for as many as forty eons of the expansion and contraction of the cosmos, Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. with features and details. Seyyathidaṁ—dasapi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni vīsampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni tiṁsampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni cattālīsampi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭāni, ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. They say, So evamāha: ‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted. ‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭipi loko vivaṭṭipīti; I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract. anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭissatipi loko vivaṭṭissatipīti. The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar. Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito. They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’ Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti. This is the third eternalist doctrine. Ayaṁ tatiyo sassatavādo,

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge of recollecting past lives is unsurpassable. It’s when some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect their many kinds of past lives. That is: one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand rebirths; many eons of the world contracting, many eons of the world expanding, many eons of the world contracting and expanding. They remember: ‘There, I was named this, my clan was that, I looked like this, and that was my food. This was how I felt pleasure and pain, and that was how my life ended. When I passed away from that place I was reborn somewhere else. There, too, I was named this, my clan was that, I looked like this, and that was my food. This was how I felt pleasure and pain, and that was how my life ended. When I passed away from that place I was reborn here.’ And so they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details. Sir, there are gods whose lifespan cannot be reckoned or calculated. Still, no matter what incarnation they have previously been reborn in—whether formed or formless or percipient or non-percipient or neither percipient nor non-percipient— they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge of recollecting past lives.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇe. Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. Seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo tissopi jātiyo catassopi jātiyo pañcapi jātiyo dasapi jātiyo vīsampi jātiyo tiṁsampi jātiyo cattālīsampi jātiyo paññāsampi jātiyo jātisatampi jātisahassampi jātisatasahassampi anekepi saṁvaṭṭakappe anekepi vivaṭṭakappe anekepi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭakappe, ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. Santi, bhante, devā, yesaṁ na sakkā gaṇanāya vā saṅkhānena vā āyu saṅkhātuṁ.*devā → sattā (sya-all) Api ca yasmiṁ yasmiṁ attabhāve abhinivuṭṭhapubbo hoti yadi vā rūpīsu yadi vā arūpīsu yadi vā saññīsu yadi vā asaññīsu yadi vā nevasaññīnāsaññīsu. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge of recollecting past lives is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇe. It’s when some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect their many kinds of past lives. Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. That is: one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand rebirths; many eons of the world contracting, many eons of the world expanding, many eons of the world contracting and expanding. They remember: Seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo tissopi jātiyo catassopi jātiyo pañcapi jātiyo dasapi jātiyo vīsampi jātiyo tiṁsampi jātiyo cattālīsampi jātiyo paññāsampi jātiyo jātisatampi jātisahassampi jātisatasahassampi anekepi saṁvaṭṭakappe anekepi vivaṭṭakappe anekepi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭakappe, ‘There, I was named this, my clan was that, I looked like this, and that was my food. This was how I felt pleasure and pain, and that was how my life ended. When I passed away from that place I was reborn somewhere else. There, too, I was named this, my clan was that, I looked like this, and that was my food. This was how I felt pleasure and pain, and that was how my life ended. When I passed away from that place I was reborn here.’ And so they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details. ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. Sir, there are gods whose lifespan cannot be reckoned or calculated. Santi, bhante, devā, yesaṁ na sakkā gaṇanāya vā saṅkhānena vā āyu saṅkhātuṁ.*devā → sattā (sya-all)Still, no matter what incarnation they have previously been reborn in—whether formed or formless or percipient or non-percipient or neither percipient nor non-percipient—Api ca yasmiṁ yasmiṁ attabhāve abhinivuṭṭhapubbo hoti yadi vā rūpīsu yadi vā arūpīsu yadi vā saññīsu yadi vā asaññīsu yadi vā nevasaññīnāsaññīsu. they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge of recollecting past lives. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge of the death and rebirth of sentient beings is unsurpassable. It’s when some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn— inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. They understand how sentient beings pass on according to their deeds: ‘These dear beings did bad things by way of body, speech, and mind. They denounced the noble ones; they had wrong view; and they chose to act out of that wrong view. When their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. These dear beings, however, did good things by way of body, speech, and mind. They never denounced the noble ones; they had right view; and they chose to act out of that right view. When their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’ And so, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. They understand how sentient beings are reborn according to their deeds. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge of death and rebirth.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇe. Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānāti: ‘ime vata bhonto sattā kāyaduccaritena samannāgatā vacīduccaritena samannāgatā manoduccaritena samannāgatā ariyānaṁ upavādakā micchādiṭṭhikā micchādiṭṭhikammasamādānā. Te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapannā. Ime vā pana bhonto sattā kāyasucaritena samannāgatā vacīsucaritena samannāgatā manosucaritena samannāgatā ariyānaṁ anupavādakā sammādiṭṭhikā sammādiṭṭhikammasamādānā. Te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapannā’ti. Iti dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānāti. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge of the death and rebirth of sentient beings is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇe. It’s when some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn— Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. They understand how sentient beings pass on according to their deeds: ‘These dear beings did bad things by way of body, speech, and mind. They denounced the noble ones; they had wrong view; and they chose to act out of that wrong view. When their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. These dear beings, however, did good things by way of body, speech, and mind. They never denounced the noble ones; they had right view; and they chose to act out of that right view. When their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’ And so, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. They understand how sentient beings are reborn according to their deeds. hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānāti: ‘ime vata bhonto sattā kāyaduccaritena samannāgatā vacīduccaritena samannāgatā manoduccaritena samannāgatā ariyānaṁ upavādakā micchādiṭṭhikā micchādiṭṭhikammasamādānā. Te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapannā. Ime vā pana bhonto sattā kāyasucaritena samannāgatā vacīsucaritena samannāgatā manosucaritena samannāgatā ariyānaṁ anupavādakā sammādiṭṭhikā sammādiṭṭhikammasamādānā. Te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapannā’ti. Iti dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānāti. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge of death and rebirth. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches psychic power is unsurpassable. There are these two kinds of psychic power. There are psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble.*“Accompanied by defilements and attachments” (sāsavā saupadhikā) is unique, but compare sāsavā puññabhāgiyā upadhivepakkā at MN 117:6.3 and sāsavaṁ upādāniyaṁ at SN 22.48:2.2. And there are psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble. What are the psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble? It’s when some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; materializing and dematerializing; going unobstructed through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the realm of divinity. These are the psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti iddhividhāsu. Dvemā, bhante, iddhividhāyo— atthi, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati. Atthi, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā ‘ariyā’ti vuccati. Katamā ca, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati? idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti— ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti. Ayaṁ, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches psychic power is unsurpassable. Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti iddhividhāsu. There are these two kinds of psychic power. Dvemā, bhante, iddhividhāyo—There are psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble.*“Accompanied by defilements and attachments” (sāsavā saupadhikā) is unique, but compare sāsavā puññabhāgiyā upadhivepakkā at MN 117:6.3 and sāsavaṁ upādāniyaṁ at SN 22.48:2.2.atthi, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati. And there are psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble. Atthi, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā ‘ariyā’ti vuccati. What are the psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble? Katamā ca, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati? It’s when some ascetic or brahmin—by dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind—experiences an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they wield the many kinds of psychic power: idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—multiplying themselves and becoming one again; materializing and dematerializing; going unobstructed through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful; controlling the body as far as the realm of divinity. ekopi hutvā bahudhā hoti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ tirobhāvaṁ tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamāno gacchati seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karoti seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchati seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamati seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parāmasati parimajjati; yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vatteti. These are the psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble. Ayaṁ, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati.

But what are the psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble? It’s when, if a mendicant wishes: ‘May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive,’ that’s what they do.*Also at MN 152:11–15.3, AN 5.144:2.2, SN 52.1:4.2, SN 46.54:12.5, SN 54.8:7.1. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive and the repulsive,’ that’s what they do. If they wish: ‘May I meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, shunning both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. These are the psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble. This is unsurpassable when it comes to psychic powers. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to psychic powers.

Katamā pana, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā, ‘ariyā’ti vuccati? Idha, bhante, bhikkhu sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle appaṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, appaṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘appaṭikūle paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle ca appaṭikūle ca appaṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, appaṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle ca appaṭikūle ca paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūlañca appaṭikūlañca tadubhayaṁ abhinivajjetvā upekkhako vihareyyaṁ sato sampajāno’ti, upekkhako tattha viharati sato sampajāno. Ayaṁ, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā ‘ariyā’ti vuccati. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, iddhividhāsu. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa yadidaṁ iddhividhāsu.

But what are the psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble? Katamā pana, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā, ‘ariyā’ti vuccati? It’s when, if a mendicant wishes: ‘May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive,’ that’s what they do.*Also at MN 152:11–15.3, AN 5.144:2.2, SN 52.1:4.2, SN 46.54:12.5, SN 54.8:7.1.Idha, bhante, bhikkhu sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle appaṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, appaṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘appaṭikūle paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle ca appaṭikūle ca appaṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, appaṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive and the repulsive,’ that’s what they do. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle ca appaṭikūle ca paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati. If they wish: ‘May I meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, shunning both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do. Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūlañca appaṭikūlañca tadubhayaṁ abhinivajjetvā upekkhako vihareyyaṁ sato sampajāno’ti, upekkhako tattha viharati sato sampajāno. These are the psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble. Ayaṁ, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā ‘ariyā’ti vuccati. This is unsurpassable when it comes to psychic powers. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, iddhividhāsu. The Buddha understands this without exception. There is nothing to be understood beyond this whereby another ascetic or brahmin might be superior in direct knowledge to the Buddha when it comes to psychic powers. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa yadidaṁ iddhividhāsu.

The Buddha has achieved what should be achieved by a faithful gentleman by being energetic and strong, by human strength, energy, vigor, and exertion. The Buddha doesn’t indulge in sensual pleasures, which are low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. And he doesn’t indulge in self-mortification, which is painful, ignoble, and pointless.*From the first sermon at SN 56.11:2.3. He gets the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when he wants, without trouble or difficulty.*Here the jhānas stand in the place of the path as a whole. In DN 29:24.5 the Buddha uses a similar framing.

Yaṁ taṁ, bhante, saddhena kulaputtena pattabbaṁ āraddhavīriyena thāmavatā purisathāmena purisavīriyena purisaparakkamena purisadhorayhena, anuppattaṁ taṁ bhagavatā. Na ca, bhante, bhagavā kāmesu kāmasukhallikānuyogamanuyutto hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na ca attakilamathānuyogamanuyutto dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ. Catunnañca bhagavā jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.

The Buddha has achieved what should be achieved by a faithful gentleman by being energetic and strong, by human strength, energy, vigor, and exertion. Yaṁ taṁ, bhante, saddhena kulaputtena pattabbaṁ āraddhavīriyena thāmavatā purisathāmena purisavīriyena purisaparakkamena purisadhorayhena, anuppattaṁ taṁ bhagavatā. The Buddha doesn’t indulge in sensual pleasures, which are low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. And he doesn’t indulge in self-mortification, which is painful, ignoble, and pointless.*From the first sermon at SN 56.11:2.3.Na ca, bhante, bhagavā kāmesu kāmasukhallikānuyogamanuyutto hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na ca attakilamathānuyogamanuyutto dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ. He gets the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when he wants, without trouble or difficulty.*Here the jhānas stand in the place of the path as a whole. In DN 29:24.5 the Buddha uses a similar framing.Catunnañca bhagavā jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.

Sir, if they were to ask me, ‘Reverend Sāriputta, is there any other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening?’ I would tell them ‘No.’

Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya: ‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññatarā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññatarā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, atthetarahi añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ.

Sir, if they were to ask me, Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya: ‘Reverend Sāriputta, is there any other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening?’ I would tell them ‘No.’ ‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññatarā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññatarā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, atthetarahi añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ.

But if they were to ask me, ‘Reverend Sāriputta, is there any other ascetic or brahmin—whether past or future—whose direct knowledge is equal to the Buddha when it comes to awakening?’ I would tell them ‘Yes.’ But if they were to ask: ‘Reverend Sāriputta, is there any other ascetic or brahmin at present whose direct knowledge is equal to the Buddha when it comes to awakening?’ I would tell them ‘No.’

Sace pana maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya: ‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘evan’ti vadeyyaṁ. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘evan’ti vadeyyaṁ. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, atthetarahi aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ.

But if they were to ask me, Sace pana maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya: ‘Reverend Sāriputta, is there any other ascetic or brahmin—whether past or future—whose direct knowledge is equal to the Buddha when it comes to awakening?’ I would tell them ‘Yes.’ ‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘evan’ti vadeyyaṁ. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘evan’ti vadeyyaṁ. But if they were to ask: ‘Reverend Sāriputta, is there any other ascetic or brahmin at present whose direct knowledge is equal to the Buddha when it comes to awakening?’ I would tell them ‘No.’ ‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, atthetarahi aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ.

But if they were to ask me, ‘But why does Venerable Sāriputta grant this in respect of some but not others?’ I would answer them like this,*Here abhi- in abbhanujānāti conveys the sense “grant in respect of one”. ‘Reverends, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: “The perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the past were equal in awakening to myself.”*Here Sāriputta is quoting the Buddha, yet this phrase is not found in the Pali Canon. And I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: “The perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the future will be equal in awakening to myself.” And I have also heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: “It’s impossible for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.”’*At MN 115:14.1.

Sace pana maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya: ‘kiṁ panāyasmā sāriputto ekaccaṁ abbhanujānāti, ekaccaṁ na abbhanujānātī’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ, sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ: “ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā mayā samasamā sambodhiyan”ti. Sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ, sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ: “bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā mayā samasamā sambodhiyan”ti. Sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ: “aṭṭhānametaṁ anavakāso yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī”’ti.

But if they were to ask me, Sace pana maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya: ‘But why does Venerable Sāriputta grant this in respect of some but not others?’ I would answer them like this,*Here abhi- in abbhanujānāti conveys the sense “grant in respect of one”.‘kiṁ panāyasmā sāriputto ekaccaṁ abbhanujānāti, ekaccaṁ na abbhanujānātī’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘Reverends, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: ‘sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ, sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ: “The perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the past were equal in awakening to myself.”*Here Sāriputta is quoting the Buddha, yet this phrase is not found in the Pali Canon.“ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā mayā samasamā sambodhiyan”ti. And I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: Sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ, sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ: “The perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the future will be equal in awakening to myself.” “bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā mayā samasamā sambodhiyan”ti. And I have also heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha: Sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ: “It’s impossible for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.”’*At MN 115:14.1.“aṭṭhānametaṁ anavakāso yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī”’ti.

When he had spoken, Venerable Udāyī said to the Buddha,*There are several individuals called Udāyī. “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! The Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement! For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself. If the wanderers following other religions were to see even a single one of these qualities in themselves they’d carry around a banner to that effect. It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! The Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement! For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā udāyī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante, tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissati. Ekamekañcepi ito, bhante, dhammaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā attani samanupasseyyuṁ, te tāvatakeneva paṭākaṁ parihareyyuṁ. Acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante, tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo. Atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissatī”ti.

When he had spoken, Venerable Udāyī said to the Buddha,*There are several individuals called Udāyī.Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā udāyī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! The Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement! “acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante, tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissati. If the wanderers following other religions were to see even a single one of these qualities in themselves they’d carry around a banner to that effect. Ekamekañcepi ito, bhante, dhammaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā attani samanupasseyyuṁ, te tāvatakeneva paṭākaṁ parihareyyuṁ. It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! The Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement! Acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante, tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself.” Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo. Atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissatī”ti.

“See, Udāyī, how the Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement. For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself. If the wanderers following other religions were to see even a single one of these qualities in themselves they’d carry around a banner to that effect. See, Udāyī, how the Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement. For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself.”

“Passa kho tvaṁ, udāyi, ‘tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissati’. Ekamekañcepi ito, udāyi, dhammaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā attani samanupasseyyuṁ, te tāvatakeneva paṭākaṁ parihareyyuṁ. Passa kho tvaṁ, udāyi, ‘tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissatī’”ti.

“See, Udāyī, how the Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement. “Passa kho tvaṁ, udāyi, ‘tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissati’. If the wanderers following other religions were to see even a single one of these qualities in themselves they’d carry around a banner to that effect. Ekamekañcepi ito, udāyi, dhammaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā attani samanupasseyyuṁ, te tāvatakeneva paṭākaṁ parihareyyuṁ. See, Udāyī, how the Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement. Passa kho tvaṁ, udāyi, ‘tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself.” Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissatī’”ti.

Then the Buddha said to Venerable Sāriputta, “So Sāriputta, you should frequently speak this exposition of the teaching to the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. Though there will be some futile people who have doubt or uncertainty regarding the Realized One, when they hear this exposition of the teaching they’ll give up that doubt or uncertainty.”

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi: “Tasmātiha tvaṁ, sāriputta, imaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ abhikkhaṇaṁ bhāseyyāsi bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ. Yesampi hi, sāriputta, moghapurisānaṁ bhavissati tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, tesamimaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ sutvā tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, sā pahīyissatī”ti.

Then the Buddha said to Venerable Sāriputta, Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi: “So Sāriputta, you should frequently speak this exposition of the teaching to the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. “Tasmātiha tvaṁ, sāriputta, imaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ abhikkhaṇaṁ bhāseyyāsi bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ. Though there will be some futile people who have doubt or uncertainty regarding the Realized One, when they hear this exposition of the teaching they’ll give up that doubt or uncertainty.” Yesampi hi, sāriputta, moghapurisānaṁ bhavissati tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, tesamimaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ sutvā tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, sā pahīyissatī”ti.

That’s how Venerable Sāriputta declared his confidence in the Buddha’s presence. And that’s why the name of this discussion is “Inspiring Confidence”.

Iti hidaṁ āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato sammukhā sampasādaṁ pavedesi. Tasmā imassa veyyākaraṇassa sampasādanīyantveva adhivacananti.

That’s how Venerable Sāriputta declared his confidence in the Buddha’s presence. Iti hidaṁ āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato sammukhā sampasādaṁ pavedesi. And that’s why the name of this discussion is “Inspiring Confidence”. Tasmā imassa veyyākaraṇassa sampasādanīyantveva adhivacananti.