DN 28 Inspiring Confidence

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

28

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā nāḷandāyaṁ viharati pāvārikambavane.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Nāḷandā in Pāvārika’s mango grove.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

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

“evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati, na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan”ti.

“Sir, 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:

“That’s a grand and bold statement, Sāriputta. You’ve roared a definitive, categorical lion’s roar, saying:

‘evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati;

‘I have such confidence in the Buddha that

na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan’ti.

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.’

Kiṁ te, sāriputta, ye te ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā:

What about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who lived in the past? Have you encompassed their minds to know that

‘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?

those Buddhas had such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“No, sir.”

“Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ye te bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā:

“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

‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipī’”ti?

those Buddhas will have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“No, sir.”

“Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ahaṁ etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho cetasā ceto paricca vidito:

“And what about me, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha at present? Have you encompassed my mind to know that

‘evaṁsīlo bhagavā itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto bhagavā itipī’”ti?

I have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“No, sir.”

“Ettha ca hi te, sāriputta, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ natthi.

“In that case, Sāriputta, given that you don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, or present,

Atha kiṁ carahi te ayaṁ, sāriputta, uḷārā āsabhī vācā bhāsitā, ekaṁso gahito, sīhanādo nadito:

what then are you doing, making such a grand and bold statement, roaring such a definitive, categorical lion’s roar?”

‘evaṁpasanno ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati, na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan’”ti?

“Na kho me, bhante, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ atthi.

“Sir, though I don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, and present,

Api ca me dhammanvayo vidito.

still I understand this by inference from the teaching.

Seyyathāpi, bhante, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ ekadvāraṁ.

Suppose there were a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and a single gate.

Tatrassa dovāriko paṇḍito byatto medhāvī aññātānaṁ nivāretā, ñātānaṁ pavesetā.

And it has a gatekeeper who is astute, competent, and clever. He keeps strangers out and lets known people in.

So tassa nagarassa samantā anupariyāyapathaṁ anukkamamāno na passeyya pākārasandhiṁ vā pākāravivaraṁ vā antamaso biḷāranikkhamanamattampi.

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.

Tassa evamassa:

They’d think,

‘ye kho keci oḷārikā pāṇā imaṁ nagaraṁ pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā, sabbe te imināva dvārena pavisanti vā nikkhamanti vā’ti.

‘Whatever sizable creatures enter or leave the citadel, all of them do so via this gate.’

Evameva kho me, bhante, dhammanvayo vidito.

In the same way, I understand this by inference from the teaching:

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.

‘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 mindfulness meditation. They correctly develop the seven awakening factors. And they awaken to the supreme perfect awakening.’

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.

Idhāhaṁ, bhante, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁ dhammassavanāya.

Sir, once I approached the Buddha to listen to the teaching.

Tassa me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ.

He explained Dhamma with its higher and higher stages, with its better and better stages, with its dark and bright sides.

Yathā yathā me, bhante, bhagavā dhammaṁ desesi uttaruttaraṁ paṇītapaṇītaṁ kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgaṁ tathā tathāhaṁ tasmiṁ dhamme abhiññā idhekaccaṁ dhammaṁ dhammesu niṭṭhamagamaṁ; satthari pasīdiṁ:

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:

‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

1.1. Kusaladhammadesanā

1.1. Teaching Skillful Qualities

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti kusalesu dhammesu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches skillful qualities is unsurpassable.

Tatrime kusalā dhammā seyyathidaṁ—

This consists of such skillful qualities as

cattāro satipaṭṭhānā, cattāro sammappadhānā, cattāro iddhipādā, pañcindriyāni, pañca balāni, satta bojjhaṅgā, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo.

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.

Idha, bhante, bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati.

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.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, kusalesu dhammesu.

This is unsurpassable 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.

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.

1.2. Āyatanapaṇṇattidesanā

1.2. Describing the Sense Fields

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti āyatanapaṇṇattīsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of the sense fields is unsurpassable.

Chayimāni, bhante, ajjhattikabāhirāni āyatanāni.

There are these six interior and exterior sense fields.

Cakkhuñceva rūpā ca, sotañceva saddā ca, ghānañceva gandhā ca, jivhā ceva rasā ca, kāyo ceva phoṭṭhabbā ca, mano ceva dhammā ca.

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.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, āyatanapaṇṇattīsu.

This is unsurpassable 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.

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.

1.3. Gabbhāvakkantidesanā

1.3. The Conception of the Embryo

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti gabbhāvakkantīsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the conception of the embryo is unsurpassable.

Catasso imā, bhante, gabbhāvakkantiyo.

There are these four kinds of conception.

Idha, bhante, ekacco asampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; asampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ paṭhamā gabbhāvakkanti.

Firstly, someone is unaware when conceived in their mother’s womb, unaware as they remain there, and unaware as they emerge. This is the first kind of conception.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; asampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ dutiyā gabbhāvakkanti.

Furthermore, someone is aware when conceived in their mother’s womb, but unaware as they remain there, and unaware as they emerge. This is the second kind of conception.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; sampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ tatiyā gabbhāvakkanti.

Furthermore, someone is aware when conceived in their mother’s womb, aware as they remain there, but unaware as they emerge. This is the third kind of conception.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; sampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; sampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ catutthā gabbhāvakkanti.

Furthermore, someone is aware when conceived in their mother’s womb, aware as they remain there, and aware as they emerge. This is the fourth kind of conception.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, gabbhāvakkantīsu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the conception of the embryo.

1.4. Ādesanavidhādesanā

1.4. Ways of Revealing

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti ādesanavidhāsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different ways of revealing is unsurpassable.

Catasso imā, bhante, ādesanavidhā.

There are these four ways of revealing.

Idha, bhante, ekacco nimittena ādisati:

Firstly, someone reveals by means of a sign,

‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti.

‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise.

Ayaṁ paṭhamā ādesanavidhā.

This is the first way of revealing.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco na heva kho nimittena ādisati. Api ca kho manussānaṁ vā amanussānaṁ vā devatānaṁ vā saddaṁ sutvā ādisati:

Furthermore, someone reveals after hearing it from humans or non-humans or deities,

‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti.

‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise.

Ayaṁ dutiyā ādesanavidhā.

This is the second 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:

Furthermore, someone reveals by hearing the sound of thought spreading as someone thinks and considers,

‘evampi te mano, itthampi te mano, itipi te cittan’ti.

‘This is what you’re thinking, such is your thought, and thus is your state of mind.’

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise.

Ayaṁ tatiyā ādesanavidhā.

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, nāpi vitakkayato vicārayato vitakkavipphārasaddaṁ sutvā ādisati. Api ca kho avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhiṁ samāpannassa cetasā ceto paricca pajānāti:

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,

‘yathā imassa bhoto manosaṅkhārā paṇihitā. Tathā imassa cittassa anantarā imaṁ nāma vitakkaṁ vitakkessatī’ti.

‘Judging by the way this worthy’s intentions are directed, immediately after this mind state, they’ll think this thought.’

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā.

And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise.

Ayaṁ catutthā ādesanavidhā.

This is the fourth way of revealing.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, ādesanavidhāsu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the ways of revealing.

1.5. Dassanasamāpattidesanā

1.5. Attainments of Vision

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti dassanasamāpattīsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the attainments of vision is unsurpassable.

Catasso imā, bhante, dassanasamāpattiyo.

There are these four attainments 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:

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.

‘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.

‘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.’

Ayaṁ paṭhamā dassanasamāpatti.

This is the first 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:

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body.

‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti.

‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’

Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati.

Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood.

Ayaṁ dutiyā dassanasamāpatti.

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:

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body.

‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti.

‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’

Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati.

Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood.

Purisassa ca viññāṇasotaṁ pajānāti, ubhayato abbocchinnaṁ idha loke patiṭṭhitañca paraloke patiṭṭhitañca.

And they understand of a person that their stream of consciousness is consistent on both sides: established in both this world and the next.

Ayaṁ tatiyā dassanasamāpatti.

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:

Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body.

‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti.

‘In this body there is head hair … urine.’

Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati.

Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood.

Purisassa ca viññāṇasotaṁ pajānāti, ubhayato abbocchinnaṁ idha loke appatiṭṭhitañca paraloke appatiṭṭhitañca.

They understand of a person that their stream of consciousness is consistent on both sides: not established in either this world or the next.

Ayaṁ catutthā dassanasamāpatti.

This is the fourth attainment of vision.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, dassanasamāpattīsu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to attainments of vision.

1.6. Puggalapaṇṇattidesanā

1.6. Description of Individuals

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti puggalapaṇṇattīsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of individuals is unsurpassable.

Sattime, bhante, puggalā.

There are these seven individuals.

Ubhatobhāgavimutto paññāvimutto kāyasakkhi diṭṭhippatto saddhāvimutto dhammānusārī saddhānusārī.

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.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, puggalapaṇṇattīsu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the description of individuals.

1.7. Padhānadesanā

1.7. Kinds of Striving

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti padhānesu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the kinds of striving is unsurpassable.

Sattime, bhante, sambojjhaṅgā satisambojjhaṅgo dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgo vīriyasambojjhaṅgo pītisambojjhaṅgo passaddhisambojjhaṅgo samādhisambojjhaṅgo upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo.

There are these seven awakening factors: the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, padhānesu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the kinds of striving.

1.8. Paṭipadādesanā

1.8. Ways of Practice

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti paṭipadāsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the ways of practice is unsurpassable.

Catasso imā, bhante, paṭipadā dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

Painful practice with slow insight,

dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā,

painful practice with swift insight,

sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

pleasant practice with slow insight, and

sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññāti.

pleasant practice with swift insight.

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

The painful practice with swift insight is said to be inferior because it’s painful.

Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā sukhā dandhābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā dandhattā hīnā akkhāyati.

The pleasant practice with slow insight is said to be inferior because it’s slow.

Tatra, bhante, yāyaṁ paṭipadā sukhā khippābhiññā, ayaṁ pana, bhante, paṭipadā ubhayeneva paṇītā akkhāyati sukhattā ca khippattā ca.

But the pleasant practice with swift insight is said to be superior both ways: because it’s pleasant and because it’s swift.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, paṭipadāsu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the ways of practice.

1.9. Bhassasamācārādidesanā

1.9. Behavior in Speech

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti bhassasamācāre.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches behavior in speech is unsurpassable.

Idha, bhante, ekacco na ceva musāvādupasañhitaṁ vācaṁ bhāsati na ca vebhūtiyaṁ na ca pesuṇiyaṁ na ca sārambhajaṁ jayāpekkho;

It’s when someone doesn’t use speech that’s connected with lying, or divisive, or backbiting, or aggressively trying to win.

mantā mantā ca vācaṁ bhāsati nidhānavatiṁ kālena.

They speak only wise counsel, valuable and timely.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, bhassasamācāre.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to behavior in speech.

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti purisasīlasamācāre.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches a person’s ethical behavior is unsurpassable.

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.

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.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, purisasīlasamācāre.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to a person’s ethical behavior.

1.10. Anusāsanavidhādesanā

1.10. Responsiveness to Instruction

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti anusāsanavidhāsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different degrees of responsiveness to instruction is unsurpassable.

Catasso imā, bhante, anusāsanavidhā—

There are these four degrees of responsiveness to instruction.

jānāti, bhante, bhagavā aparaṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno bhavissati avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti.

‘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.’

Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā:

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī bhavissati, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti.

‘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.’

Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā:

The Buddha knows by investigating inside to another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko bhavissati tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti.

‘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.’

Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā:

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissatī’ti.

‘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.’

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, anusāsanavidhāsu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the different degrees of responsiveness to instruction.

1.11. Parapuggalavimuttiñāṇadesanā

1.11. The Knowledge and Freedom of Others

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti parapuggalavimuttiñāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge and freedom of other individuals is unsurpassable.

Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā:

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno bhavissati avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti.

‘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.’

Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā:

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī bhavissati, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti.

‘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.’

Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā:

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko bhavissati tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti.

‘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.’

Jānāti, bhante, bhagavā paraṁ puggalaṁ paccattaṁ yonisomanasikārā:

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual:

‘ayaṁ puggalo āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissatī’ti.

‘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.’

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, parapuggalavimuttiñāṇe.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge and freedom of other individuals.

1.12. Sassatavādadesanā

1.12. Eternalism

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

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches eternalist doctrines is unsurpassable.

Tayome, bhante, sassatavādā.

There are these three eternalist doctrines.

Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.

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,

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.

with features and details.

So evamāha:

They say,

‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi—saṁvaṭṭi vā loko vivaṭṭi vāti.

‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted.

Anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi—saṁvaṭṭissati vā loko vivaṭṭissati vāti.

I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract.

Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito. Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti.

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.’

Ayaṁ paṭhamo sassatavādo.

This is the first eternalist doctrine.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.

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,

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.

with features and details.

So evamāha:

They say,

‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭi vā loko vivaṭṭi vāti.

‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted.

Anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭissati vā loko vivaṭṭissati vāti.

I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract.

Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito.

The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar.

Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti.

They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’

Ayaṁ dutiyo sassatavādo.

This is the second eternalist doctrine.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.

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,

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.

with features and details.

So evamāha:

They say,

‘atītampāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭipi loko vivaṭṭipīti;

‘I know that in the past the cosmos expanded or contracted.

anāgataṁpāhaṁ addhānaṁ jānāmi saṁvaṭṭissatipi loko vivaṭṭissatipīti.

I don’t know whether in the future the cosmos will expand or contract.

Sassato attā ca loko ca vañjho kūṭaṭṭho esikaṭṭhāyiṭṭhito.

The self and the cosmos are eternal, barren, steady as a mountain peak, standing firm like a pillar.

Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti.

They remain the same for all eternity, while these sentient beings wander and transmigrate and pass away and rearise.’

Ayaṁ tatiyo sassatavādo,

This is the third eternalist doctrine.

etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, sassatavādesu.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to eternalist doctrines.

1.13. Pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇadesanā

1.13. Recollecting Past Lives

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge of recollecting past lives is unsurpassable.

Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.

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.

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,

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:

‘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.

‘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.

Santi, bhante, devā, yesaṁ na sakkā gaṇanāya vā saṅkhānena vā āyu saṅkhātuṁ.

Sir, there are gods whose lifespan cannot be reckoned or calculated.

Api ca yasmiṁ yasmiṁ attabhāve abhinivuṭṭhapubbo hoti yadi vā rūpīsu yadi vā arūpīsu yadi vā saññīsu yadi vā asaññīsu yadi vā nevasaññīnāsaññīsu.

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—

Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.

they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇe.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge of recollecting past lives.

1.14. Cutūpapātañāṇadesanā

1.14. Death and Rebirth

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇe.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge of the death and rebirth of sentient beings is unsurpassable.

Idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne

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—

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.

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 breaks up, after death, they’re 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 breaks up, after death, they’re 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 pass on according to their deeds.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇe.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge of death and rebirth.

1.15. Iddhividhadesanā

1.15. Psychic Powers

Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti iddhividhāsu.

And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches psychic power is unsurpassable.

Dvemā, bhante, iddhividhāyo—

There are these two kinds of psychic power.

atthi, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati.

There are psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble.

Atthi, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā ‘ariyā’ti vuccati.

And there are psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble.

Katamā ca, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati?

What are the psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble?

idha, bhante, ekacco samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā ātappamanvāya …pe… tathārūpaṁ cetosamādhiṁ phusati, yathāsamāhite citte anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhoti—

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:

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.

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.

Ayaṁ, bhante, iddhi sāsavā saupadhikā, ‘no ariyā’ti vuccati.

These are the psychic powers that are accompanied by defilements and attachments, and are said to be ignoble.

Katamā pana, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā, ‘ariyā’ti vuccati?

But what are the psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble?

Idha, bhante, bhikkhu sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle appaṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, appaṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati.

It’s when, if a mendicant wishes: ‘May I meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive,’ that’s what they do.

Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘appaṭikūle paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati.

If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in 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 unrepulsive in the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do.

Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūle ca appaṭikūle ca paṭikūlasaññī vihareyyan’ti, paṭikūlasaññī tattha viharati.

If they wish: ‘May I meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive and the repulsive,’ that’s what they do.

Sace ākaṅkhati: ‘paṭikūlañca appaṭikūlañca tadubhayaṁ abhinivajjetvā upekkhako vihareyyaṁ sato sampajāno’ti, upekkhako tattha viharati sato sampajāno.

If they wish: ‘May I meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, shunning both the repulsive and the unrepulsive,’ that’s what they do.

Ayaṁ, bhante, iddhi anāsavā anupadhikā ‘ariyā’ti vuccati.

These are the psychic powers that are free of defilements and attachments, and are said to be noble.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, iddhividhāsu.

This is unsurpassable 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 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.

1.16. Aññathāsatthuguṇadassana

1.16. The Four Absorptions

Yaṁ taṁ, bhante, saddhena kulaputtena pattabbaṁ āraddhavīriyena thāmavatā purisathāmena purisavīriyena purisaparakkamena purisadhorayhena, anuppattaṁ taṁ bhagavatā.

The Buddha has achieved what should be achieved by a faithful gentleman by being energetic and strong, by human strength, energy, vigor, and exertion.

Na ca, bhante, bhagavā kāmesu kāmasukhallikānuyogamanuyutto hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na ca attakilamathānuyogamanuyutto dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ.

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.

Catunnañca bhagavā jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.

He gets the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when he wants, without trouble or difficulty.

1.17. Anuyogadānappakāra

1.17. On Being Questioned

Sace maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya:

Sir, if they were to ask me,

‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññatarā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ.

‘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 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.

Sace pana maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya:

But if they were to ask me,

‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘evan’ti vadeyyaṁ.

‘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 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: ‘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:

But if they were to ask me,

‘kiṁ panāyasmā sāriputto ekaccaṁ abbhanujānāti, ekaccaṁ na abbhanujānātī’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ:

‘But why does Venerable Sāriputta grant this in respect of some but not others?’ I would answer them like this,

‘sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ, sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ:

‘Reverends, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha:

“ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā mayā samasamā sambodhiyan”ti.

“The perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the past were equal in awakening to myself.”

Sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ, sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ:

And I have heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha:

“bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā mayā samasamā sambodhiyan”ti.

“The perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the future will be equal in awakening to myself.”

Sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ:

And I have also heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha:

“aṭṭhānametaṁ anavakāso yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī”’ti.

“It’s impossible for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.”’

Kaccāhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ puṭṭho evaṁ byākaramāno vuttavādī ceva bhagavato homi, na ca bhagavantaṁ abhūtena abbhācikkhāmi, dhammassa cānudhammaṁ byākaromi, na ca koci sahadhammiko vādānuvādo gārayhaṁ ṭhānaṁ āgacchatī”ti?

Answering this way, I trust that I repeated what the Buddha has said, and didn’t misrepresent him with an untruth. I trust my explanation was in line with the teaching, and that there are no legitimate grounds for rebuttal or criticism.”

“Taggha tvaṁ, sāriputta, evaṁ puṭṭho evaṁ byākaramāno vuttavādī ceva me hosi, na ca maṁ abhūtena abbhācikkhasi, dhammassa cānudhammaṁ byākarosi, na ca koci sahadhammiko vādānuvādo gārayhaṁ ṭhānaṁ āgacchatī”ti.

“Indeed, Sāriputta, in answering this way you repeat what I’ve said, and don’t misrepresent me with an untruth. Your explanation is in line with the teaching, and there are no legitimate grounds for rebuttal or criticism.”

2. Acchariyaabbhuta

2. Incredible and Amazing

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā udāyī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he had spoken, Venerable Udāyī said to the Buddha,

“acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante, tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā.

“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! The Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement!

Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissati.

For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself.

Ekamekañcepi ito, bhante, dhammaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā attani samanupasseyyuṁ, te tāvatakeneva paṭākaṁ parihareyyuṁ.

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.

Acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante, tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā.

It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! The Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement!

Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo. Atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissatī”ti.

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.

“See, Udāyī, how the Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement.

Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissati’.

For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself.

Ekamekañcepi ito, udāyi, dhammaṁ aññatitthiyā paribbājakā attani samanupasseyyuṁ, te tāvatakeneva paṭākaṁ parihareyyuṁ.

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.

Passa kho tvaṁ, udāyi, ‘tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā.

See, Udāyī, how the Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement.

Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissatī’”ti.

For even though the Realized One has such power and might, he will not make a display of himself.”

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi:

Then the Buddha said to Venerable Sāriputta,

“Tasmātiha tvaṁ, sāriputta, imaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ abhikkhaṇaṁ bhāseyyāsi bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānaṁ.

“So Sāriputta, you should frequently speak this exposition of the teaching to the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen.

Yesampi hi, sāriputta, moghapurisānaṁ bhavissati tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, tesamimaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ sutvā tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, sā pahīyissatī”ti.

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.”

Iti hidaṁ āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato sammukhā sampasādaṁ pavedesi.

That’s how Venerable Sāriputta declared his confidence in the Buddha’s presence.

Tasmā imassa veyyākaraṇassa sampasādanīyantveva adhivacananti.

And that’s why the name of this discussion is “Inspiring Confidence”.

Sampasādanīyasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ pañcamaṁ.