The spiritual life is not lived for the purpose of deceiving people, nor for the purpose of winning favor with people, nor for the sake of acquisitions, respect, and popularity, nor for the thought ‘Let people know me thus.’ But rather, this spiritual life is lived for the purpose of direct knowledge and full understanding.

ITI 36  Dutiya jananakuhana sutta - Deceiving (Second)

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:

“Nayidaṁ, bhikkhave, brahmacariyaṁ vussati janakuhanatthaṁ, na janalapanatthaṁ, na lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsatthaṁ, na ‘iti maṁ jano jānātū’ti. Atha kho idaṁ, bhikkhave, brahmacariyaṁ vussati abhiññatthañceva pariññatthañcā”ti.

“This spiritual life is not lived for the purpose of deceiving people, |bhikkhus,::::| nor for the purpose of winning favor with people, nor for the sake of |acquisitions::gain, money, profit, possessions [lābhā]|, |respect::honor, accolade, reverence [sakkāra]|, and |popularity::fame, praise [siloka]|, nor with the thought ‘Let people know me thus.’ But rather, this spiritual life is lived |for the purpose of direct knowledge::for the sake of higher understanding [abhiññattha]| and |for the purpose of complete comprehension::for the sake of full understanding [pariññattha]|.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Abhiññatthaṁ pariññatthaṁ,
brahmacariyaṁ anītihaṁ;
Adesayi so bhagavā,
nibbānogadhagāminaṁ.

“For the purpose of direct knowledge, for the purpose of complete comprehension,
the Blessed One taught the spiritual life
that is not |based on tradition::according to legend, hearsay, mere talk; lit. thus indeed [itiha]|,
leading to and grounded upon |Nibbāna::complete cooling, letting go of everything, deathless, freedom from calamity, the non-disintegrating; lit. blowing away [nibbāna]|.

Esa maggo mahattehi,
anuyāto mahesibhi;
Ye ye taṁ paṭipajjanti,
yathā buddhena desitaṁ;
Dukkhassantaṁ karissanti,
satthusāsanakārino”ti.

This is the path followed by the illustrious ones,
traveled by the great sages;
those who practice it
as taught by the Buddha
will make an end of suffering,
fulfilling the teacher’s instruction.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Complete comprehension

Complete comprehension

The thorough understanding of phenomena as they truly are—fully knowing their arising, passing, and the unsatisfactoriness inherent in them while they persist.

Also known as: full understanding, knowing full well, seeing things as they are
Pāli: pariññāya, sammadaññā, sampajañña, saṅkhāya
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Direct knowledge

Direct knowledge

A deep, firsthand realization or knowing that arises from personal experience, not from study or conceptual understanding; it is an immediate, unmediated apprehension of truth.

Also known as: experiential understanding, direct experience
Pāli: abhiñña
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Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy

A counterfeit display of virtue or attainment—concealing faults and projecting qualities one lacks—often to secure material support, status, or admiration; it thrives on craving for recognition and collapses with honesty, modesty, and accountability.

Also known as: pretense, insincerity, deceitfulness, putting on a false front, fraudulent
Pāli: māyāvī
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Spiritual life

Spiritual life

A life of celibacy, contemplation, and ethical discipline lived for the sake of liberation; oriented toward inner development rather than sensual pleasures

Also known as: abstinence, celibacy, chastity, holy life, sexual restraint
Pāli: brahmacariya
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Last updated on May 19, 2026