Sampasādanīyasutta — Reader

Inspiring Confidence

Sampasādanīyasutta

1. Sāriputta’s Lion’s Roar So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Nāḷandā in Pāvārika’s Mango Grove. Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

1. Sāriputtasīhanāda 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:

“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.” “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

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

na cāhu na ca bhavissati na cetarahi vijjati añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro yadidaṁ sambodhiyan’ti. Kiṁ te, sāriputta, ye te ahesuṁ atītamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā: ‘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?

“No, sir.” “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?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”. “Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ye te bhavissanti anāgatamaddhānaṁ arahanto sammāsambuddhā, sabbe te bhagavanto cetasā ceto paricca viditā: ‘evaṁsīlā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto bhavissanti itipī’”ti?

“No, sir.” “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?” “No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”. “Kiṁ pana te, sāriputta, ahaṁ etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho cetasā ceto paricca vidito: ‘evaṁsīlo bhagavā itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto bhagavā itipī’”ti? “No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“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?

“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 was 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 intelligent. He keeps strangers out and lets known people in.

“Na kho me, bhante, atītānāgatapaccuppannesu arahantesu sammāsambuddhesu cetopariyañāṇaṁ atthi. Api ca me dhammanvayo vidito. Seyyathāpi, bhante, rañño paccantimaṁ nagaraṁ daḷhuddhāpaṁ daḷhapākāratoraṇaṁ ekadvāraṁ. 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. He thinks, ‘Whatever sizable creatures enter or leave the citadel, all of them do so via this gate.’

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.

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 mindfulness 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.

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

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.

He explained Dhamma 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:

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

‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’ 1.1. Teaching Skillful Qualities And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches skillful qualities is unsurpassable. This consists of such skillful qualities as

‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno sāvakasaṅgho’ti. 1.1. Kusaladhammadesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti kusalesu dhammesu. 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. By these a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. This is unsurpassable when it comes to skillful qualities.

cattāro satipaṭṭhānā, cattāro sammappadhānā, cattāro iddhipādā, pañcindriyāni, pañca balāni, satta bojjhaṅgā, ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo. Idha, bhante, bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. 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. 1.2. Describing the Sense Fields And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the description of the sense fields is unsurpassable.

Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa, yadidaṁ kusalesu dhammesu. 1.2. Āyatanapaṇṇattidesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti āyatanapaṇṇattīsu.

There are these six interior and exterior 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.

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. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, āyatanapaṇṇattīsu. Taṁ bhagavā asesamabhijānāti, taṁ bhagavato asesamabhijānato uttari abhiññeyyaṁ natthi, yadabhijānaṁ añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā bhagavatā bhiyyobhiññataro assa yadidaṁ āyatanapaṇṇattīsu.

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

1.3. Gabbhāvakkantidesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti gabbhāvakkantīsu. Catasso imā, bhante, gabbhāvakkantiyo. Idha, bhante, ekacco asampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; asampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ paṭhamā 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. 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; asampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; asampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ dutiyā gabbhāvakkanti. 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, and aware as they emerge. This is the fourth kind of conception. This is unsurpassable when it comes to the conception of the embryo. 1.4. Ways of Revealing And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the different ways of revealing is unsurpassable.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, idhekacco sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkamati; sampajāno mātukucchismiṁ ṭhāti; sampajāno mātukucchimhā nikkhamati. Ayaṁ catutthā gabbhāvakkanti. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, gabbhāvakkantīsu. 1.4. Ādesanavidhādesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti ādesanavidhāsu.

There are these four ways of revealing. 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.

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

This is the first way of revealing. 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.

Ayaṁ paṭhamā ādesanavidhā. 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.

This is the second way of revealing. 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.’

Ayaṁ dutiyā ādesanavidhā. 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.

And even if they reveal this many times, it turns out exactly so, not otherwise. This is the third way of revealing. 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,

So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. Ayaṁ tatiyā ādesanavidhā. 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:

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

‘yathā imassa bhoto manosaṅkhārā paṇihitā. Tathā imassa cittassa anantarā imaṁ nāma vitakkaṁ vitakkessatī’ti. So bahuñcepi ādisati, tatheva taṁ hoti, no aññathā. Ayaṁ catutthā ādesanavidhā. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, ādesanavidhāsu.

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

1.5. Dassanasamāpattidesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti dassanasamāpattīsu. Catasso imā, bhante, dassanasamāpattiyo. 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.’ This is the first attainment of vision. Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body.

‘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. 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.’ Going further, they examine a person’s bones with skin, flesh, and blood. This is the second attainment of vision. Furthermore, some ascetic or brahmin experiences that immersion and examines their own body.

‘atthi imasmiṁ kāye kesā lomā …pe… lasikā muttan’ti. Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati. Ayaṁ dutiyā dassanasamāpatti. 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.’ 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 the third attainment of vision.

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

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.

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. This is unsurpassable when it comes to attainments of vision.

Atikkamma ca purisassa chavimaṁsalohitaṁ aṭṭhiṁ paccavekkhati. Purisassa ca viññāṇasotaṁ pajānāti, ubhayato abbocchinnaṁ idha loke appatiṭṭhitañca paraloke appatiṭṭhitañca. Ayaṁ catutthā dassanasamāpatti. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, dassanasamāpattīsu.

1.6. Description of Individuals 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.

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

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the description of individuals. 1.7. Kinds of Striving 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.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, puggalapaṇṇattīsu. 1.7. Padhānadesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti padhānesu. Sattime, bhante, sambojjhaṅgā satisambojjhaṅgo dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgo vīriyasambojjhaṅgo pītisambojjhaṅgo passaddhisambojjhaṅgo samādhisambojjhaṅgo upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the kinds of striving. 1.8. Ways of Practice And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the ways of practice is unsurpassable. Painful practice with slow insight,

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, padhānesu. 1.8. Paṭipadādesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti paṭipadāsu. Catasso imā, bhante, paṭipadā dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

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

dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā, sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā, sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññāti. 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. 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 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.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the ways of practice. 1.9. Behavior in Speech 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.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, paṭipadāsu. 1.9. Bhassasamācārādidesanā 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;

They speak only wise counsel, valuable and timely. This is unsurpassable when it comes to behavior in speech. And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches a person’s ethical behavior is unsurpassable. 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.

mantā mantā ca vācaṁ bhāsati nidhānavatiṁ kālena. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, bhassasamācāre. 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.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to a person’s ethical behavior. 1.10. Responsiveness to Instruction 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.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, purisasīlasamācāre. 1.10. Anusāsanavidhādesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti anusāsanavidhāsu. Catasso imā, bhante, anusāsanavidhā—

The Buddha knows by investigating inside another individual: ‘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:

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:

‘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.’

‘ayaṁ puggalo yathānusiṭṭhaṁ tathā paṭipajjamāno tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī 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.

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, and live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.’ This is unsurpassable when it comes to the different degrees of responsiveness to instruction.

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. Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, anusāsanavidhāsu.

1.11. The Knowledge and Freedom of Others And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches the knowledge and freedom of other individuals is unsurpassable. 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.’

1.11. Parapuggalavimuttiñāṇadesanā 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.

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:

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:

‘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, and live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.’

‘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.

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge and freedom of other individuals. 1.12. Eternalism And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches eternalist doctrines is unsurpassable. There are these three eternalist doctrines.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, parapuggalavimuttiñāṇe. 1.12. Sassatavādadesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti sassatavādesu. 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.

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.

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.’

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.

This is the first eternalist doctrine. 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, with features and details.

Ayaṁ paṭhamo sassatavādo. 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.

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. 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.

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

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. This is unsurpassable when it comes to eternalist doctrines. 1.13. Recollecting Past Lives

Te ca sattā sandhāvanti saṁsaranti cavanti upapajjanti, atthi tveva sassatisaman’ti. Ayaṁ tatiyo sassatavādo, etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, sassatavādesu. 1.13. Pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇadesanā

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:

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,

‘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. 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.

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

This is unsurpassable when it comes to the knowledge of recollecting past lives. 1.14. Death and Rebirth 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—

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇe. 1.14. Cutūpapātañāṇadesanā 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

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 pass on 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. 1.15. Psychic Powers And moreover, sir, how the Buddha teaches psychic power is unsurpassable. There are these two kinds of psychic power.

Etadānuttariyaṁ, bhante, sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇe. 1.15. Iddhividhadesanā Aparaṁ pana, bhante, etadānuttariyaṁ, yathā bhagavā dhammaṁ deseti iddhividhāsu. Dvemā, bhante, iddhividhāyo—

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

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—

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

1.16. The Four Absorptions 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.

1.16. Aññathāsatthuguṇadassana 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.

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. On Being Questioned 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.’

Catunnañca bhagavā jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diṭṭhadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. 1.17. Anuyogadānappakāra 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.

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.’

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.

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.’ 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,

‘Kiṁ panāvuso sāriputta, atthetarahi aññe samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā bhagavatā samasamā sambodhiyan’ti, evaṁ puṭṭho ahaṁ, bhante, ‘no’ti vadeyyaṁ. Sace pana maṁ, bhante, evaṁ puccheyya: ‘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: “The perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the past were equal in awakening to myself.” 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.”

‘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.

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.”’ 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.”

Sammukhā metaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ: “aṭṭhānametaṁ anavakāso yaṁ ekissā lokadhātuyā dve arahanto sammāsambuddhā apubbaṁ acarimaṁ uppajjeyyuṁ, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī”’ti. 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?

“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. Incredible and Amazing When he had spoken, Venerable Udāyī said to the Buddha, “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! The Realized One has so few wishes, such contentment, such self-effacement!

“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. 2. Acchariyaabbhuta Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā udāyī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “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. 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!

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.

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

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

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.” 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.

Passa kho tvaṁ, udāyi, ‘tathāgatassa appicchatā santuṭṭhitā sallekhatā. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato evaṁmahiddhiko evaṁmahānubhāvo, atha ca pana nevattānaṁ pātukarissatī’”ti. Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi: “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.” 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”.

Yesampi hi, sāriputta, moghapurisānaṁ bhavissati tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, tesamimaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ sutvā tathāgate kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, sā pahīyissatī”ti. Iti hidaṁ āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato sammukhā sampasādaṁ pavedesi. Tasmā imassa veyyākaraṇassa sampasādanīyantveva adhivacananti.