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MN 113PTS MN 3.376 min read

A True Person

Sappurisasutta

The Buddha explains that a truly good person does not disparage others or feel superior because of their attainment.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 113Middle Discourses 113

0.2SappurisasuttaA True Person

1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.1.3Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,1.4“bhikkhavo”ti.“Mendicants!”

1.5“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.“Venerable sir,” they replied.1.6Bhagavā etadavoca:The Buddha said this:

2.1“sappurisadhammañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi asappurisadhammañca.“Mendicants, I will teach you the qualities of a true person and the qualities of an untrue person.2.2Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

2.3“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.“Yes, sir,” they replied.2.4Bhagavā etadavoca:The Buddha said this:

3.1PTS 3.38“Katamo ca, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo?“And what is a quality of an untrue person?3.2Idha, bhikkhave, asappuriso uccākulā pabbajito hoti.Take an untrue person who has gone forth from an eminent family.3.3So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:3.4‘ahaṁ khomhi uccākulā pabbajito, ime panaññe bhikkhū na uccākulā pabbajitā’ti.‘I have gone forth from an eminent family, unlike these other mendicants.’3.5So tāya uccākulīnatāya attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.3.6Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This is a quality of an untrue person.3.7Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:3.8‘na kho uccākulīnatāya lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.‘It’s not because of one’s eminent family that thoughts of greed, hate, or delusion come to an end.3.9No cepi uccākulā pabbajito hoti;Even if someone has not gone forth from an eminent family,3.10so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.if they practice in line with the teaching, practice properly, and live in line with the teaching, they are worthy of honor and praise for that.’3.11So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya uccākulīnatāya nevattānukkaṁseti na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping the practice to themselves, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their eminent family.13.12Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This is a quality of a true person.

4-6.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso mahākulā pabbajito hoti …pe…Furthermore, take an untrue person who has gone forth from a great family …4-6.2mahābhogakulā pabbajito hoti …pe…from a wealthy family …4-6.3uḷārabhogakulā pabbajito hoti.from an exceptionally wealthy family.4-6.4So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:4-6.5‘ahaṁ khomhi uḷārabhogakulā pabbajito, ime panaññe bhikkhū na uḷārabhogakulā pabbajitā’ti.‘I have gone forth from an exceptionally wealthy family, unlike these other mendicants.’4-6.6So tāya uḷārabhogatāya attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.4-6.7Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of an untrue person.4-6.8Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:4-6.9‘na kho uḷārabhogatāya lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.‘It’s not because of one’s exceptionally wealthy family that thoughts of greed, hate, or delusion come to an end.4-6.10No cepi uḷārabhogakulā pabbajito hoti;Even if someone has not gone forth from an exceptionally wealthy family,4-6.11so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.if they practice in line with the teaching, practice properly, and live in line with the teaching, they are worthy of honor and praise for that.’4-6.12So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya uḷārabhogatāya nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping the practice to themselves, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their exceptionally wealthy family.4-6.13Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of a true person.

7.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso ñāto hoti yasassī.Furthermore, take an untrue person who is well-known and famous.7.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:7.3‘ahaṁ khomhi ñāto yasassī, ime panaññe bhikkhū appaññātā appesakkhā’ti.‘I’m well-known and famous. These other mendicants are obscure and insignificant.’7.4So tena ñattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.7.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of an untrue person.7.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:7.7‘na kho ñattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.‘It’s not because of one’s fame that thoughts of greed, hate, or delusion come to an end.7.8No cepi ñāto hoti yasassī;Even if someone is not well-known and famous,7.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.if they practice in line with the teaching, practice properly, and live in line with the teaching, they are worthy of honor and praise for that.’7.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena ñattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping the practice to themselves, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their fame.7.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of a true person.

8.1PTS 3.39Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso lābhī hoti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.Furthermore, take an untrue person who receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.8.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:8.3‘ahaṁ khomhi lābhī cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ, ime panaññe bhikkhū na lābhino cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānan’ti.‘I receive robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, unlike these other mendicants.’8.4So tena lābhena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.8.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of an untrue person.8.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:8.7‘na kho lābhena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.‘It’s not because of one’s material things that thoughts of greed, hate, or delusion come to an end.8.8No cepi lābhī hoti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ;Even if someone doesn’t receive robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick,8.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.if they practice in line with the teaching, practice properly, and live in line with the teaching, they are worthy of honor and praise for that.’8.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena lābhena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping the practice to themselves, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their material things.8.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of a true person.

9.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso bahussuto hoti.Furthermore, take an untrue person who is very learned …9.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:9.3‘ahaṁ khomhi bahussuto, ime panaññe bhikkhū na bahussutā’ti.9.4So tena bāhusaccena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.9.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.9.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:9.7‘na kho bāhusaccena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.9.8No cepi bahussuto hoti;9.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.9.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena bāhusaccena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.9.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.10.1PTS 3.40Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso vinayadharo hoti.who is an expert in the monastic law …10.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:10.3‘ahaṁ khomhi vinayadharo, ime panaññe bhikkhū na vinayadharā’ti.10.4So tena vinayadharattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.10.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.10.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:10.7‘na kho vinayadharattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.10.8No cepi vinayadharo hoti;10.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.10.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena vinayadharattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.10.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.11.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso dhammakathiko hoti.who is a Dhamma teacher …11.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:11.3‘ahaṁ khomhi dhammakathiko, ime panaññe bhikkhū na dhammakathikā’ti.11.4So tena dhammakathikattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.11.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.11.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:11.7‘na kho dhammakathikattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.11.8No cepi dhammakathiko hoti;11.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.11.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena dhammakathikattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.11.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.12.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso āraññiko hoti.who dwells in the wilderness …12.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:12.3‘ahaṁ khomhi āraññiko ime panaññe bhikkhū na āraññikā’ti.12.4So tena āraññikattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.12.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.12.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:12.7‘na kho āraññikattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.12.8No cepi āraññiko hoti;12.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.12.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena āraññikattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.12.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.13.1PTS 3.41Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso paṁsukūliko hoti.who is a rag robe wearer …13.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:13.3‘ahaṁ khomhi paṁsukūliko, ime panaññe bhikkhū na paṁsukūlikā’ti.13.4So tena paṁsukūlikattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.13.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.13.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:13.7‘na kho paṁsukūlikattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.13.8No cepi paṁsukūliko hoti;13.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.13.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena paṁsukūlikattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.13.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.14.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso piṇḍapātiko hoti.who eats only almsfood …14.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:14.3‘ahaṁ khomhi piṇḍapātiko, ime panaññe bhikkhū na piṇḍapātikā’ti.14.4So tena piṇḍapātikattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.14.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.14.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:14.7‘na kho piṇḍapātikattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.14.8No cepi piṇḍapātiko hoti;14.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.14.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena piṇḍapātikattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.14.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.15.1PTS 3.42Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso rukkhamūliko hoti.who stays at the root of a tree …15.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:15.3‘ahaṁ khomhi rukkhamūliko, ime panaññe bhikkhū na rukkhamūlikā’ti.15.4So tena rukkhamūlikattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.15.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.15.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:15.7‘na kho rukkhamūlikattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.15.8No cepi rukkhamūliko hoti;15.9so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.15.10So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena rukkhamūlikattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.15.11Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.16-20.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso sosāniko hoti …pe…who stays in a charnel ground …16-20.2abbhokāsiko hoti …who stays in the open air …16-20.3nesajjiko hoti …pe…who never lies down …16-20.4yathāsanthatiko hoti …pe…who sleeps wherever they lay their mat …16-20.5ekāsaniko hoti.who eats in one sitting per day.16-20.6So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:16-20.7‘ahaṁ khomhi ekāsaniko, ime panaññe bhikkhū na ekāsanikā’ti.‘I eat in one sitting per day, unlike these other mendicants.’16-20.8So tena ekāsanikattena attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.16-20.9Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of an untrue person.16-20.10Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:16-20.11‘na kho ekāsanikattena lobhadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, dosadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, mohadhammā vā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.‘It’s not because of eating in one sitting per day that thoughts of greed, hate, or delusion come to an end.16-20.12No cepi ekāsaniko hoti;Even if someone eats in more than one sitting per day,16-20.13so ca hoti dhammānudhammappaṭipanno sāmīcippaṭipanno anudhammacārī, so tattha pujjo, so tattha pāsaṁso’ti.if they practice in line with the teaching, practice properly, and live in line with the teaching, they are worthy of honor and praise for that.’16-20.14So paṭipadaṁyeva antaraṁ karitvā tena ekāsanikattena nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping the practice to themselves, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their eating in one sitting per day.16-20.15Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of a true person.

21.1PTS 3.43Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.Furthermore, take an untrue person who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.21.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:21.3‘ahaṁ khomhi paṭhamajjhānasamāpattiyā lābhī, ime panaññe bhikkhū paṭhamajjhānasamāpattiyā na lābhino’ti.‘I have attained the first absorption, unlike these other mendicants.’21.4So tāya paṭhamajjhānasamāpattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.21.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of an untrue person.21.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:21.7‘paṭhamajjhānasamāpattiyāpi kho atammayatā vuttā bhagavatā.‘The Buddha has spoken of not being determined even by the attainment of the first absorption.221.8Yena yena hi maññanti tato taṁ hoti aññathā’ti.For however they imagine it, it turns out to be something else.’321.9So atammayataññeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya paṭhamajjhānasamāpattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping to themselves the fact that they are not determined by that, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their attainment of the first absorption.21.10Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of a true person.

22-24.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ …pe…Furthermore, take an untrue person who, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, enters and remains in the second absorption …22-24.2tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ …third absorption …22-24.3catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.fourth absorption.22-24.4So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:22-24.5‘ahaṁ khomhi catutthajjhānasamāpattiyā lābhī, ime panaññe bhikkhū catutthajjhānasamāpattiyā na lābhino’ti.‘I have attained the fourth absorption, unlike these other mendicants.’22-24.6So tāya catutthajjhānasamāpattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.22-24.7Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of an untrue person.22-24.8Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:22-24.9‘catutthajjhānasamāpattiyāpi kho atammayatā vuttā bhagavatā.‘The Buddha has spoken of not being determined even by the attainment of the fourth absorption.22-24.10Yena yena hi maññanti tato taṁ hoti aññathā’ti.For however they imagine it, it turns out to be something else.’22-24.11So atammayataññeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya catutthajjhānasamāpattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping to themselves the fact that they are not determined by that, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their attainment of the fourth absorption.22-24.12Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of a true person.

25.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.Furthermore, take an untrue person who, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space …25.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:25.3‘ahaṁ khomhi ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpattiyā lābhī, ime panaññe bhikkhū ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpattiyā na lābhino’ti.25.4So tāya ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.25.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.25.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:25.7‘ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpattiyāpi kho atammayatā vuttā bhagavatā.25.8Yena yena hi maññanti tato taṁ hoti aññathā’ti.25.9So atammayataññeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya ākāsānañcāyatanasamāpattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.25.10Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.26.1PTS 3.44Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘anantaṁ viññāṇan’ti viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.the dimension of infinite consciousness …26.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:26.3‘ahaṁ khomhi viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpattiyā lābhī, ime panaññe bhikkhū viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpattiyā na lābhino’ti.26.4So tāya viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.26.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.26.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:26.7‘viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpattiyāpi kho atammayatā vuttā bhagavatā.26.8Yena yena hi maññanti tato taṁ hoti aññathā’ti.26.9So atammayataññeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya viññāṇañcāyatanasamāpattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.26.10Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.27.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘natthi kiñcī’ti ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.the dimension of nothingness …27.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:27.3‘ahaṁ khomhi ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpattiyā lābhī, ime panaññe bhikkhū ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpattiyā na lābhino’ti.27.4So tāya ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.27.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.27.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:27.7‘ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpattiyāpi kho atammayatā vuttā bhagavatā.27.8Yena yena hi maññanti tato taṁ hoti aññathā’ti.27.9So atammayataññeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya ākiñcaññāyatanasamāpattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.27.10Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.28.1Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, asappuriso sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.28.2So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:28.3‘ahaṁ khomhi nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasamāpattiyā lābhī, ime panaññe bhikkhū nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasamāpattiyā na lābhino’ti.‘I have attained the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, unlike these other mendicants.’28.4So tāya nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasamāpattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And they glorify themselves and put others down on account of that.28.5Ayampi, bhikkhave, asappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of an untrue person.28.6Sappuriso ca kho, bhikkhave, iti paṭisañcikkhati:A true person reflects:28.7‘nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasamāpattiyāpi kho atammayatā vuttā bhagavatā.‘The Buddha has spoken of not being determined even by the attainment of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.28.8Yena yena hi maññanti tato taṁ hoti aññathā’ti.For however they imagine it, it turns out to be something else.’28.9So atammayataññeva antaraṁ karitvā tāya nevasaññānāsaññāyatanasamāpattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.Keeping to themselves the fact that they are not determined by that, they don’t glorify themselves and put others down on account of their attainment of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.28.10Ayampi, bhikkhave, sappurisadhammo.This too is a quality of a true person.

29.1PTS 3.45Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, sappuriso sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati. Paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti.Furthermore, take a true person who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end.29.2Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na kiñci maññati, na kuhiñci maññati, na kenaci maññatī”ti.This is a mendicant who does not conceive with anything, does not conceive regarding anything, does not conceive through anything.”

29.3Idamavoca bhagavā.That is what the Buddha said.29.4Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

29.5Sappurisasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. By rejecting social measures of worth and focusing on inner purity, they are the opposite of the meditator at MN 108:26.4, who hides defilements within.

    ↩ mn113:3.11
  2. For atammayatā see MN 47:13.4 and my note there. Here it means that one’s spiritual goal is not limited to this attainment.

    ↩ mn113:21.7
  3. This saying also appears at Snp 3.8:15.1 and Snp 3.12:52.1, where it is not connected with absorption practice.

    ↩ mn113:21.8