1.1Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.1.2Atha kho āyasmā ānando pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena migasālāya upāsikāya nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.Then Venerable Ānanda robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the laywoman Migasālā, where he sat down on the seat spread out.1.3Atha kho migasālā upāsikā yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho migasālā upāsikā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca:Then the laywoman Migasālā went up to Ānanda, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

2.1PTS 5.138“Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyaṁ.“Honorable Ānanda, how on earth are we supposed to understand the teaching taught by the Buddha, when the chaste and the unchaste are both reborn in exactly the same place in the next life?2.2Pitā me, bhante, purāṇo brahmacārī hoti ārācārī virato methunā gāmadhammā.My father Purāṇa was chaste, set apart, refraining from the vulgar act of sex.2.3So kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato: ‘sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapanno’ti.When he passed away the Buddha declared that, since he was a once-returner, he was reborn in the host of joyful gods.2.4Pitāmaho me, bhante, isidatto abrahmacārī ahosi sadārasantuṭṭho.But my uncle Isidatta was not chaste; he lived content with his wife.2.5Sopi kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato: ‘sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapanno’ti.When he passed away the Buddha declared that, since he too was a once-returner, he was reborn in the host of joyful gods.

3.1Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyan”ti?How on earth are we supposed to understand the teaching taught by the Buddha, when the chaste and the unchaste are both reborn in exactly the same place in the next life?”

3.2“Evaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhagini, bhagavatā byākatan”ti.“You’re right, sister, but that’s how the Buddha declared it.”

4.1Atha kho āyasmā ānando migasālāya upāsikāya nivesane piṇḍapātaṁ gahetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi.Then Ānanda, after receiving almsfood at Migasālā’s home, rose from his seat and left.4.2Atha kho āyasmā ānando pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then after the meal, on his return from almsround, Ānanda went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

5.1“Idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena migasālāya upāsikāya nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdiṁ.5.2Atha kho, bhante, migasālā upāsikā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho, bhante, migasālā upāsikā maṁ etadavoca:

6.1PTS 5.139‘Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyaṁ.6.2Pitā me, bhante, purāṇo brahmacārī ahosi ārācārī virato methunā gāmadhammā.6.3So kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapannoti.6.4Pitāmaho me, bhante, isidatto abrahmacārī ahosi sadārasantuṭṭho.6.5Sopi kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato—sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapannoti.

7.1Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyan’ti?7.2Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, migasālaṁ upāsikaṁ etadavocaṁ:7.3‘evaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhagini, bhagavatā byākatan’”ti.

8.1“Kā cānanda, migasālā upāsikā bālā abyattā ammakā ammakapaññā, ke ca purisapuggalaparopariye ñāṇe?“Ānanda, who is this laywoman Migasālā, a foolish incompetent aunty, with an aunty’s wit? And who is it that knows how to assess individual persons?

9.1Dasayime, ānanda, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.These ten individuals are found in the world.9.2Katame dasa?What ten?9.3Idhānanda, ekacco puggalo dussīlo hoti.Take a certain individual who is unethical.9.4Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, yatthassa taṁ dussilyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that unethical conduct ceases without remainder.9.5Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati.And they’ve not listened or learned or penetrated theoretically or found even temporary freedom.9.6So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a lower place, not a higher.9.7hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

10.1PTS 5.140Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo dussīlo hoti.Take a certain individual who is unethical.10.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ dussilyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that unethical conduct ceases without remainder.10.3Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati.And they’ve listened and learned and penetrated theoretically and found at least temporary freedom.10.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a higher place, not a lower.10.5visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

11.1Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti:Judgmental people compare them, saying:11.2‘imassapi teva dhammā, aparassapi teva dhammā. Kasmā nesaṁ eko hīno eko paṇīto’ti?‘This one has just the same qualities as the other, so why is one worse and one better?’11.3Tañhi tesaṁ, ānanda, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya.This will be for their lasting harm and suffering.

12.1Tatrānanda, yvāyaṁ puggalo dussīlo hoti.In this case, the individual who is unethical,12.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ dussilyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.but truly understands the freedom of heart …12.3Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati.and has listened and learned and penetrated theoretically and found at least temporary freedom12.4Ayaṁ, ānanda, puggalo amunā purimena puggalena abhikkantataro ca paṇītataro ca.is better and finer than the other individual.12.5Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?12.6Imaṁ hānanda, puggalaṁ dhammasoto nibbahati.Because the stream of the teaching carries them along.12.7Tadantaraṁ ko jāneyya, aññatra tathāgatena.But who knows the difference between them except a Realized One?12.8Tasmātihānanda, mā puggalesu pamāṇikā ahuvattha,So, Ānanda, don’t be judgmental about individuals.12.9mā puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhittha.Don’t pass judgment on individuals.12.10Khaññati hānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhanto.Those who pass judgment on individuals harm themselves.12.11Ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on people.

13.1PTS 5.141Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo sīlavā hoti.Take a certain individual who is ethical.13.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa taṁ sīlaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.But they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that ethical conduct ceases without remainder.13.3Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati.And they’ve not listened or learned or penetrated theoretically or found even temporary freedom.13.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a lower place, not a higher.13.5hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

14.1Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo sīlavā hoti.Take a certain individual who is ethical.14.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ sīlaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.And they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that ethical conduct ceases without remainder.14.3Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati.And they’ve listened and learned and penetrated theoretically and found at least temporary freedom.14.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a higher place, not a lower.14.5visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

15.1Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti …pe…Judgmental people compare them …15.2ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on individuals.

16.1Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo tibbarāgo hoti.Take a certain individual who is very lustful.16.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa so rāgo apariseso nirujjhati.And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that lust ceases without remainder.16.3Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati.And they’ve not listened or learned or penetrated theoretically or found even temporary freedom.16.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a lower place, not a higher.16.5hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

17.1PTS 5.142Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo tibbarāgo hoti.Take a certain individual who is very lustful.17.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa so rāgo apariseso nirujjhati.But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that lust ceases without remainder.17.3Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati.And they’ve listened and learned and penetrated theoretically and found at least temporary freedom.17.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a higher place, not a lower.17.5visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

18.1Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti …pe…Judgmental people compare them …18.2ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on individuals.

19.1Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo kodhano hoti.Take a certain individual who is irritable.19.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa so kodho apariseso nirujjhati.And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that anger ceases without remainder.19.3Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati.And they’ve not listened or learned or penetrated theoretically or found even temporary freedom.19.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a lower place, not a higher.19.5hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

20.1Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo kodhano hoti.Take a certain individual who is irritable.20.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa so kodho apariseso nirujjhati.But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that anger ceases without remainder.20.3Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati.And they’ve listened and learned and penetrated theoretically and found at least temporary freedom.20.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a higher place, not a lower.20.5visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

21.1Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti …pe…Judgmental people compare them …21.2ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on individuals.

22.1Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo uddhato hoti.Take a certain individual who is restless.22.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa taṁ uddhaccaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that restlessness ceases without remainder.22.3Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati.And they’ve not listened or learned or penetrated theoretically or found even temporary freedom.22.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a lower place, not a higher.22.5hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

23.1PTS 5.143Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo uddhato hoti.Take a certain individual who is restless.23.2Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ uddhaccaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that restlessness ceases without remainder.23.3Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati.And they’ve listened and learned and penetrated theoretically and found at least temporary freedom.23.4So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya;When their body breaks up, after death, they depart for a higher place, not a lower.23.5visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

24.1Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti:Judgmental people compare them, saying:24.2‘imassapi teva dhammā, aparassapi teva dhammā. Kasmā nesaṁ eko hīno eko paṇīto’ti?‘This one has just the same qualities as the other, so why is one worse and one better?’24.3Tañhi tesaṁ, ānanda, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya.This will be for their lasting harm and suffering.

25.1Tatrānanda, yvāyaṁ puggalo uddhato hoti tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ uddhaccaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati,In this case, the individual who is restless, but truly understands the freedom of heart …25.2tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati.and has listened and learned and penetrated theoretically and found at least temporary freedom25.3Ayaṁ, ānanda, puggalo amunā purimena puggalena abhikkantataro ca paṇītataro ca.is better and finer than the other individual.25.4Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?25.5Imaṁ hānanda, puggalaṁ dhammasoto nibbahati.Because the stream of the teaching carries them along.25.6Tadantaraṁ ko jāneyya aññatra tathāgatena.But who knows the difference between them except a Realized One?25.7Tasmātihānanda, mā puggalesu pamāṇikā ahuvattha;So, Ānanda, don’t be judgmental about individuals.25.8mā puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhittha.Don’t pass judgment on individuals.25.9Khaññati hānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhanto.Those who pass judgment on individuals harm themselves.25.10Ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on individuals.

26.1Kā cānanda, migasālā upāsikā bālā abyattā ammakā ammakapaññā, ke ca purisapuggalaparopariye ñāṇe.Who is this laywoman Migasālā, a foolish incompetent aunty, with an aunty’s wit? And who is it that knows how to assess individual persons?26.2Ime kho, ānanda, dasa puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.These ten individuals are found in the world.

27.1PTS 5.144Yathārūpena, ānanda, sīlena purāṇo samannāgato ahosi tathārūpena sīlena isidatto samannāgato abhavissa, nayidha purāṇo isidattassa gatimpi aññassa.If Isidatta had achieved Purāṇa’s level of ethical conduct, Purāṇa could not have even known Isidatta’s destination.27.2Yathārūpāya cānanda, paññāya isidatto samannāgato ahosi tathārūpāya paññāya purāṇo samannāgato abhavissa, nayidha isidatto purāṇassa gatimpi aññassa.And if Purāṇa had achieved Isidatta’s level of wisdom, Isidatta could not have even known Purāṇa’s destination.27.3Iti kho, ānanda, ime puggalā ubho ekaṅgahīnā”ti.So both individuals were lacking in one respect.”

27.4Pañcamaṁ.