1.1PTS 1.401Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.¹1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena sālā nāma kosalānaṁ brāhmaṇagāmo tadavasari.At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants when he arrived at a village of the Kosalan brahmins named Sālā.²

2.1Assosuṁ kho sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā:The brahmins and householders of Sālā heard:

2.2“samaṇo khalu bho gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ sālaṁ anuppatto.“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—wandering in the land of the Kosalans has arrived at Sālā, together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants.2.3Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:He has this good reputation:2.4‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’2.5So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti.He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others.2.6So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti.He teaches Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.2.7Sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī”ti.It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

3.1Atha kho sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā appekacce bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu; sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce bhagavato santike nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Appekacce tuṇhībhūtā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho sāleyyake brāhmaṇagahapatike bhagavā etadavoca:Then the brahmins and householders of Sālā went up to the Buddha. Before sitting down to one side, some bowed, some exchanged greetings and polite conversation, some held up their cupped palms toward the Buddha, some announced their name and clan, while some kept silent. The Buddha said to them:

4.1“atthi pana vo, gahapatayo, koci manāpo satthā yasmiṁ vo ākāravatī saddhā paṭiladdhā”ti?“So, householders, is there any teacher you’re happy with, in whom you have acquired grounded faith?”³

4.2“Natthi kho no, bhante, koci manāpo satthā yasmiṁ no ākāravatī saddhā paṭiladdhā”ti.“No, sir.”

4.3“Manāpaṁ vo, gahapatayo, satthāraṁ alabhantehi ayaṁ apaṇṇako dhammo samādāya vattitabbo.“Since you haven’t found a teacher you’re happy with, you should undertake and implement this sure bet teaching.⁴4.4Apaṇṇako hi, gahapatayo, dhammo samatto samādinno, so vo bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.For when the sure bet teaching is undertaken, it will be for your lasting welfare and happiness.4.5Katamo ca, gahapatayo, apaṇṇako dhammo?And what is the sure bet teaching?

5.1PTS 1.402Santi, gahapatayo, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:5.2‘natthi dinnaṁ, natthi yiṭṭhaṁ, natthi hutaṁ; natthi sukatadukkaṭānaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ vipāko, natthi ayaṁ loko, natthi paro loko; natthi mātā, natthi pitā; natthi sattā opapātikā; natthi loke samaṇabrāhmaṇā sammaggatā sammā paṭipannā ye imañca lokaṁ parañca lokaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedentī’ti.‘There’s no meaning in giving, sacrifice, or offerings. There’s no fruit or result of good and bad deeds. There’s no afterlife. There’s no such thing as mother and father, or beings that are reborn spontaneously. And there’s no ascetic or brahmin who is rightly comported and rightly practiced, and who describes the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.’⁵

6.1Tesaṁyeva kho, gahapatayo, samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā ujuvipaccanīkavādā.And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.6.2Te evamāhaṁsu:They say:6.3‘atthi dinnaṁ, atthi yiṭṭhaṁ, atthi hutaṁ; atthi sukatadukkaṭānaṁ kammānaṁ phalaṁ vipāko; atthi ayaṁ loko, atthi paro loko; atthi mātā, atthi pitā; atthi sattā opapātikā; atthi loke samaṇabrāhmaṇā sammaggatā sammā paṭipannā ye imañca lokaṁ parañca lokaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedentī’ti.‘There is meaning in giving, sacrifice, and offerings. There are fruits and results of good and bad deeds. There is an afterlife. There are such things as mother and father, and beings that are reborn spontaneously. And there are ascetics and brahmins who are rightly comported and rightly practiced, and who describe the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.’⁶

6.4Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, gahapatayo:What do you think, householders?6.5‘nanume samaṇabrāhmaṇā aññamaññassa ujuvipaccanīkavādā’”ti?Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”

6.6“Evaṁ, bhante”.“Yes, sir.”

7.1“Tatra, gahapatayo, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:“Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that7.2‘natthi dinnaṁ, natthi yiṭṭhaṁ …pe… ye imañca lokaṁ parañca lokaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedentī’tithere’s no meaning in giving, etc.7.3tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—yamidaṁ kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ—ime tayo kusale dhamme abhinivajjetvā yamidaṁ kāyaduccaritaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ—ime tayo akusale dhamme samādāya vattissanti.You can expect that they will shun good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.7.4Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?7.5Na hi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā passanti akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ vodānapakkhaṁ.Because those ascetics and brahmins don’t see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, or that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.

8.1Santaṁyeva pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘natthi paro loko’ tissa diṭṭhi hoti; sāssa hoti micchādiṭṭhi.Moreover, since there actually is another world, their view that there is no other world is wrong view.8.2Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘natthi paro loko’ti saṅkappeti; svāssa hoti micchāsaṅkappo.Since there actually is another world, their thought that there is no other world is wrong purpose.8.3Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘natthi paro loko’ti vācaṁ bhāsati; sāssa hoti micchāvācā.Since there actually is another world, their speech that there is no other world is wrong speech.8.4Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘natthi paro loko’ti āha; ye te arahanto paralokaviduno tesamayaṁ paccanīkaṁ karoti.Since there actually is another world, in saying that there is no other world they contradict those perfected ones who know the other world.8.5Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘natthi paro loko’ti paraṁ saññāpeti; sāssa hoti asaddhammasaññatti.Since there actually is another world, in persuading another that there is no other world they are persuading them to accept an untrue teaching.8.6Tāya ca pana asaddhammasaññattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And on account of that they glorify themselves and put others down.8.7Iti pubbeva kho panassa susīlyaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti, dussīlyaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ—So they give up their former ethical conduct and are established in unethical conduct.8.8ayañca micchādiṭṭhi micchāsaṅkappo micchāvācā ariyānaṁ paccanīkatā asaddhammasaññatti attukkaṁsanā paravambhanā. Evamassime aneke pāpakā akusalā dhammā sambhavanti micchādiṭṭhipaccayā.And that is how these many bad, unskillful qualities come to be with wrong view as condition—wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept untrue teachings, and glorifying oneself and putting others down.

9.1PTS 1.403Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati:A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:9.2‘sace kho natthi paro loko evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā sotthimattānaṁ karissati;‘If there is no other world, when this individual person’s body breaks up they will keep themselves safe.⁷9.3sace kho atthi paro loko, evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjissati.And if there is another world, when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.9.4Kāmaṁ kho pana māhu paro loko, hotu nesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ;But let us grant that those who say that there is no other world are correct.⁸9.5atha ca panāyaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ gārayho—dussīlo purisapuggalo micchādiṭṭhi natthikavādo’ti.Regardless, that individual is still criticized by sensible people in this very life as being an immoral individual of wrong view, a nihilist.’⁹9.6Sace kho attheva paro loko, evaṁ imassa bhoto purisapuggalassa ubhayattha kaliggaho—But if there really is another world, they hold a losing hand on both counts.¹⁰9.7yañca diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ gārayho, yañca kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjissati.For they are criticized by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.9.8Evamassāyaṁ apaṇṇako dhammo dussamatto samādinno, ekaṁsaṁ pharitvā tiṭṭhati, riñcati kusalaṁ ṭhānaṁ.They have wrongly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of one side only, leaving out the skillful premise.¹¹

10.1PTS 1.404Tatra, gahapatayo, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that10.2‘atthi dinnaṁ …pe… ye imañca lokaṁ parañca lokaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedentī’tithere is meaning in giving, etc.10.3tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—yamidaṁ kāyaduccaritaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ—ime tayo akusale dhamme abhinivajjetvā yamidaṁ kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ—ime tayo kusale dhamme samādāya vattissanti.You can expect that they will shun bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.10.4Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?10.5Passanti hi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ vodānapakkhaṁ.Because those ascetics and brahmins see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, and that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.

11.1Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘atthi paro loko’ tissa diṭṭhi hoti; sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi.Moreover, since there actually is another world, their view that there is another world is right view.11.2Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘atthi paro loko’ti saṅkappeti; svāssa hoti sammāsaṅkappo.Since there actually is another world, their thought that there is another world is right purpose.11.3Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘atthi paro loko’ti vācaṁ bhāsati; sāssa hoti sammāvācā.Since there actually is another world, their speech that there is another world is right speech.11.4Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘atthi paro loko’ti āha; ye te arahanto paralokaviduno tesamayaṁ na paccanīkaṁ karoti.Since there actually is another world, in saying that there is another world they don’t contradict those perfected ones who know the other world.11.5Santaṁyeva kho pana paraṁ lokaṁ ‘atthi paro loko’ti paraṁ saññāpeti; sāssa hoti saddhammasaññatti.Since there actually is another world, in persuading another that there is another world they are persuading them to accept a true teaching.11.6Tāya ca pana saddhammasaññattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.And on account of that they don’t glorify themselves or put others down.11.7Iti pubbeva kho panassa dussīlyaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti, susīlyaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ—So they give up their former unethical conduct and are established in ethical conduct.11.8ayañca sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā ariyānaṁ apaccanīkatā saddhammasaññatti anattukkaṁsanā aparavambhanā. Evamassime aneke kusalā dhammā sambhavanti sammādiṭṭhipaccayā.And that is how these many skillful qualities come to be with right view as condition—right view, right purpose, right speech, not contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept true teachings, and not glorifying oneself or putting others down.

12.1Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati:A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:12.2‘sace kho atthi paro loko, evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjissati.‘If there is another world, when this individual’s body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.12.3Kāmaṁ kho pana māhu paro loko, hotu nesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ;But let us grant that those who say that there is no other world are correct.12.4atha ca panāyaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ pāsaṁso—sīlavā purisapuggalo sammādiṭṭhi atthikavādo’ti.Regardless, that individual is still praised by sensible people in this very life as being a moral individual of right view, who affirms a positive teaching.’12.5Sace kho attheva paro loko, evaṁ imassa bhoto purisapuggalassa ubhayattha kaṭaggaho—So if there really is another world, they hold a winning hand on both counts.¹²12.6yañca diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ pāsaṁso, yañca kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjissati.For they are praised by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.12.7Evamassāyaṁ apaṇṇako dhammo susamatto samādinno ubhayaṁsaṁ pharitvā tiṭṭhati, riñcati akusalaṁ ṭhānaṁ.They have rightly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of both sides, leaving out the unskillful premise.

13.1PTS 1.405Santi, gahapatayo, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:13.2‘karoto kārayato, chindato chedāpayato, pacato pācāpayato, socayato socāpayato, kilamato kilamāpayato, phandato phandāpayato, pāṇamatipātayato, adinnaṁ ādiyato, sandhiṁ chindato, nillopaṁ harato, ekāgārikaṁ karoto, paripanthe tiṭṭhato, paradāraṁ gacchato, musā bhaṇato; karoto na karīyati pāpaṁ.‘The one who acts does nothing wrong when they punish, mutilate, torture, aggrieve, oppress, intimidate, or when they encourage others to do the same. They do nothing wrong when they kill, steal, break into houses, plunder wealth, steal from isolated buildings, commit highway robbery, commit adultery, and lie.¹³13.3Khurapariyantena cepi cakkena yo imissā pathaviyā pāṇe ekaṁ maṁsakhalaṁ ekaṁ maṁsapuñjaṁ kareyya, natthi tatonidānaṁ pāpaṁ, natthi pāpassa āgamo.If you were to reduce all the living creatures of this earth to one heap and mass of flesh with a razor-edged chakram, no evil comes of that, and no outcome of evil.13.4Dakkhiṇañcepi gaṅgāya tīraṁ gaccheyya hananto ghātento, chindanto chedāpento, pacanto pācento; natthi tatonidānaṁ pāpaṁ, natthi pāpassa āgamo.If you were to go along the south bank of the Ganges killing, mutilating, and torturing, and encouraging others to do the same, no evil comes of that, and no outcome of evil.13.5Uttarañcepi gaṅgāya tīraṁ gaccheyya dadanto dāpento, yajanto yajāpento; natthi tatonidānaṁ puññaṁ, natthi puññassa āgamo.If you were to go along the north bank of the Ganges giving and sacrificing and encouraging others to do the same, no merit comes of that, and no outcome of merit.13.6Dānena damena saṁyamena saccavajjena natthi puññaṁ, natthi puññassa āgamo’ti.In giving, self-control, restraint, and truthfulness there is no merit or outcome of merit.’

14.1Tesaṁyeva kho, gahapatayo, samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā ujuvipaccanīkavādā te evamāhaṁsu:And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this. They say:14.2‘karoto kārayato, chindato chedāpayato, pacato pācāpayato, socayato socāpayato, kilamato kilamāpayato, phandato phandāpayato, pāṇamatipātayato, adinnaṁ ādiyato, sandhiṁ chindato, nillopaṁ harato, ekāgārikaṁ karoto, paripanthe tiṭṭhato, paradāraṁ gacchato, musā bhaṇato; karoto karīyati pāpaṁ.‘The one who acts does a bad deed when they punish, mutilate, torture, aggrieve, oppress, intimidate, or when they encourage others to do the same. They do a bad deed when they kill, steal, break into houses, plunder wealth, steal from isolated buildings, commit highway robbery, commit adultery, and lie.14.3Khurapariyantena cepi cakkena yo imissā pathaviyā pāṇe ekaṁ maṁsakhalaṁ ekaṁ maṁsapuñjaṁ kareyya, atthi tatonidānaṁ pāpaṁ, atthi pāpassa āgamo.If you were to reduce all the living creatures of this earth to one heap and mass of flesh with a razor-edged chakram, evil comes of that, and an outcome of evil.14.4Dakkhiṇañcepi gaṅgāya tīraṁ gaccheyya hananto ghātento, chindanto chedāpento, pacanto pācento; atthi tatonidānaṁ pāpaṁ, atthi pāpassa āgamo.If you were to go along the south bank of the Ganges killing, mutilating, and torturing, and encouraging others to do the same, evil comes of that, and an outcome of evil.14.5Uttarañcepi gaṅgāya tīraṁ gaccheyya dadanto dāpento, yajanto yajāpento; atthi tatonidānaṁ puññaṁ, atthi puññassa āgamo.If you were to go along the north bank of the Ganges giving and sacrificing and encouraging others to do the same, merit comes of that, and an outcome of merit.14.6Dānena damena saṁyamena saccavajjena atthi puññaṁ, atthi puññassa āgamo’ti.In giving, self-control, restraint, and truthfulness there is merit and outcome of merit.’

14.7Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, gahapatayo,What do you think, householders?14.8nanume samaṇabrāhmaṇā aññamaññassa ujuvipaccanīkavādā”ti?Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”

14.9“Evaṁ, bhante”.“Yes, sir.”

15.1PTS 1.406“Tatra, gahapatayo, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:“Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that15.2‘karoto kārayato, chindato chedāpayato, pacato pācāpayato, socayato socāpayato, kilamato kilamāpayato, phandato phandāpayato, pāṇamatipātayato, adinnaṁ ādiyato, sandhiṁ chindato, nillopaṁ harato, ekāgārikaṁ karoto, paripanthe tiṭṭhato, paradāraṁ gacchato, musā bhaṇato; karoto na karīyati pāpaṁ.the one who acts does nothing wrong when they punish, etc.15.3Khurapariyantena cepi cakkena yo imissā pathaviyā pāṇe ekaṁ maṁsakhalaṁ ekaṁ maṁsapuñjaṁ kareyya, natthi tatonidānaṁ pāpaṁ, natthi pāpassa āgamo.15.4Dakkhiṇañcepi gaṅgāya tīraṁ gaccheyya hananto ghātento …pe… dānena damena saṁyamena saccavajjena natthi puññaṁ, natthi puññassa āgamo’ti15.5tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—yamidaṁ kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ—ime tayo kusale dhamme abhinivajjetvā yamidaṁ kāyaduccaritaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ—ime tayo akusale dhamme samādāya vattissanti.You can expect that they will shun good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.15.6Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?15.7Na hi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā passanti akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ vodānapakkhaṁ.Because those ascetics and brahmins don’t see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, or that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.

16.1Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘natthi kiriyā’ tissa diṭṭhi hoti; sāssa hoti micchādiṭṭhi.Moreover, since action actually does have an effect, their view that action is ineffective is wrong view.16.2Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘natthi kiriyā’ti saṅkappeti; svāssa hoti micchāsaṅkappo.Since action actually does have an effect, their thought that action is ineffective is wrong purpose.16.3Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘natthi kiriyā’ti vācaṁ bhāsati; sāssa hoti micchāvācā.Since action actually does have an effect, their speech that action is ineffective is wrong speech.16.4Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘natthi kiriyā’ti āha, ye te arahanto kiriyavādā tesamayaṁ paccanīkaṁ karoti.Since action actually does have an effect, in saying that action is ineffective they contradict those perfected ones who teach that action is effective.16.5Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘natthi kiriyā’ti paraṁ saññāpeti; sāssa hoti asaddhammasaññatti.Since action actually does have an effect, in persuading another that action is ineffective they are persuading them to accept an untrue teaching.16.6Tāya ca pana asaddhammasaññattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And on account of that they glorify themselves and put others down.16.7Iti pubbeva kho panassa susīlyaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti, dussīlyaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ—So they give up their former ethical conduct and are established in unethical conduct.16.8ayañca micchādiṭṭhi micchāsaṅkappo micchāvācā ariyānaṁ paccanīkatā asaddhammasaññatti attukkaṁsanā paravambhanā. Evamassime aneke pāpakā akusalā dhammā sambhavanti micchādiṭṭhipaccayā.And that is how these many bad, unskillful qualities come to be with wrong view as condition—wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept untrue teachings, and glorifying oneself and putting others down.

17.1Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati:A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:17.2‘sace kho natthi kiriyā, evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā sotthimattānaṁ karissati;‘If there is no effective action, when this individual’s body breaks up they will keep themselves safe.17.3sace kho atthi kiriyā evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjissati.And if there is effective action, when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.17.4Kāmaṁ kho pana māhu kiriyā, hotu nesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ;But let us grant that those who say that there is no effective action are correct.17.5atha ca panāyaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ gārayho—dussīlo purisapuggalo micchādiṭṭhi akiriyavādo’ti.Regardless, that individual is still criticized by sensible people in this very life as being an immoral individual of wrong view, one who denies the efficacy of action.’¹⁴17.6Sace kho attheva kiriyā, evaṁ imassa bhoto purisapuggalassa ubhayattha kaliggaho—But if there really is effective action, they hold a losing hand on both counts.17.7yañca diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ gārayho, yañca kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjissati.For they are criticized by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.17.8Evamassāyaṁ apaṇṇako dhammo dussamatto samādinno, ekaṁsaṁ pharitvā tiṭṭhati, riñcati kusalaṁ ṭhānaṁ.They have wrongly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of one side only, leaving out the skillful premise.

18.1PTS 1.407Tatra, gahapatayo, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that18.2‘karoto kārayato, chindato chedāpayato, pacato pācāpayato, socayato socāpayato, kilamato kilamāpayato, phandato phandāpayato, pāṇamatipātayato, adinnaṁ ādiyato, sandhiṁ chindato, nillopaṁ harato, ekāgārikaṁ karoto, paripanthe tiṭṭhato, paradāraṁ gacchato, musā bhaṇato; karoto karīyati pāpaṁ.the one who acts does a bad deed when they punish, etc.18.3Khurapariyantena cepi cakkena yo imissā pathaviyā pāṇe ekaṁ maṁsakhalaṁ ekaṁ maṁsapuñjaṁ kareyya, atthi tatonidānaṁ pāpaṁ, atthi pāpassa āgamo.18.4Dakkhiṇañcepi gaṅgāya tīraṁ gaccheyya hananto ghātento, chindanto chedāpento, pacanto pācento, atthi tatonidānaṁ pāpaṁ, atthi pāpassa āgamo.18.5Uttarañcepi gaṅgāya tīraṁ gaccheyya dadanto dāpento, yajanto yajāpento, atthi tatonidānaṁ puññaṁ, atthi puññassa āgamo. Dānena damena saṁyamena saccavajjena atthi puññaṁ, atthi puññassa āgamo’ti18.6tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ yamidaṁ kāyaduccaritaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ—ime tayo akusale dhamme abhinivajjetvā yamidaṁ kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ—ime tayo kusale dhamme samādāya vattissanti.You can expect that they will shun bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.18.7Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?18.8Passanti hi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ vodānapakkhaṁ.Because those ascetics and brahmins see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, and that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.

19.1Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘atthi kiriyā’ tissa diṭṭhi hoti; sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi.Moreover, since action actually does have an effect, their view that action is effective is right view.19.2Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘atthi kiriyā’ti saṅkappeti; svāssa hoti sammāsaṅkappo.Since action actually does have an effect, their thought that action is effective is right purpose.19.3Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘atthi kiriyā’ti vācaṁ bhāsati; sāssa hoti sammāvācā.Since action actually does have an effect, their speech that action is effective is right speech.19.4Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘atthi kiriyā’ti āha; ye te arahanto kiriyavādā tesamayaṁ na paccanīkaṁ karoti.Since action actually does have an effect, in saying that action is effective they don’t contradict those perfected ones who teach that action is effective.19.5Santaṁyeva kho pana kiriyaṁ ‘atthi kiriyā’ti paraṁ saññāpeti; sāssa hoti saddhammasaññatti.Since action actually does have an effect, in persuading another that action is effective they are persuading them to accept a true teaching.19.6Tāya ca pana saddhammasaññattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.And on account of that they don’t glorify themselves or put others down.19.7Iti pubbeva kho panassa dussīlyaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti, susīlyaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ—So they give up their former unethical conduct and are established in ethical conduct.19.8ayañca sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā ariyānaṁ apaccanīkatā saddhammasaññatti anattukkaṁsanā aparavambhanā. Evamassime aneke kusalā dhammā sambhavanti sammādiṭṭhipaccayā.And that is how these many skillful qualities come to be with right view as condition—right view, right purpose, right speech, not contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept true teachings, and not glorifying oneself or putting others down.

20.1Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati:A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:20.2‘sace kho atthi kiriyā, evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjissati.‘If there is effective action, when this individual’s body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.20.3Kāmaṁ kho pana māhu kiriyā, hotu nesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ;But let us grant that those who say that there is no effective action are correct.20.4atha ca panāyaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ pāsaṁso—sīlavā purisapuggalo sammādiṭṭhi kiriyavādo’ti.Regardless, that individual is still praised by sensible people in this very life as being a moral individual of right view, who affirms the efficacy of action.’20.5Sace kho attheva kiriyā, evaṁ imassa bhoto purisapuggalassa ubhayattha kaṭaggaho—So if there really is effective action, they hold a winning hand on both counts.20.6yañca diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ pāsaṁso, yañca kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjissati.For they are praised by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.20.7Evamassāyaṁ apaṇṇako dhammo susamatto samādinno, ubhayaṁsaṁ pharitvā tiṭṭhati, riñcati akusalaṁ ṭhānaṁ.They have rightly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of both sides, leaving out the unskillful premise.

21.1PTS 1.408Santi, gahapatayo, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:21.2‘natthi hetu, natthi paccayo sattānaṁ saṅkilesāya;‘There is no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings.¹⁵21.3ahetū appaccayā sattā saṅkilissanti.Sentient beings are corrupted without cause or reason.21.4Natthi hetu, natthi paccayo sattānaṁ visuddhiyā;There’s no cause or reason for the purification of sentient beings.21.5ahetū appaccayā sattā visujjhanti.Sentient beings are purified without cause or reason.21.6Natthi balaṁ, natthi vīriyaṁ, natthi purisathāmo, natthi purisaparakkamo;There is no power, no energy, no human strength or vigor.21.7sabbe sattā sabbe pāṇā sabbe bhūtā sabbe jīvā avasā abalā avīriyā niyatisaṅgatibhāvapariṇatā chasvevābhijātīsu sukhadukkhaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti.All sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy. Molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.’

22.1Tesaṁyeva kho, gahapatayo, samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā ujuvipaccanīkavādā.And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.22.2Te evamāhaṁsu:They say:22.3‘atthi hetu, atthi paccayo sattānaṁ saṅkilesāya;‘There is a cause and reason for the corruption of sentient beings.22.4sahetū sappaccayā sattā saṅkilissanti.Sentient beings are corrupted with cause and reason.22.5Atthi hetu, atthi paccayo sattānaṁ visuddhiyā;There is a cause and reason for the purification of sentient beings.22.6sahetū sappaccayā sattā visujjhanti.Sentient beings are purified with cause and reason.22.7Atthi balaṁ, atthi vīriyaṁ, atthi purisathāmo, atthi purisaparakkamo;There is power, energy, human strength and vigor.22.8na sabbe sattā sabbe pāṇā sabbe bhūtā sabbe jīvā avasā abalā avīriyā niyatisaṅgatibhāvapariṇatā chasvevābhijātīsu sukhadukkhaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti.It is not the case that all sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy, or that, molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.’

22.9Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, gahapatayo,What do you think, householders?22.10nanume samaṇabrāhmaṇā aññamaññassa ujuvipaccanīkavādā”ti?Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”

22.11“Evaṁ, bhante”.“Yes, sir.”

23.1“Tatra, gahapatayo, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:“Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that23.2‘natthi hetu, natthi paccayo sattānaṁ saṅkilesāya;there’s no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings, etc.23.3ahetū appaccayā sattā saṅkilissanti.23.4Natthi hetu, natthi paccayo sattānaṁ visuddhiyā;23.5ahetū appaccayā sattā visujjhanti.23.6Natthi balaṁ, natthi vīriyaṁ, natthi purisathāmo, natthi purisaparakkamo; sabbe sattā sabbe pāṇā sabbe bhūtā sabbe jīvā avasā abalā avīriyā niyatisaṅgatibhāvapariṇatā chasvevābhijātīsu sukhadukkhaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti23.7tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—yamidaṁ kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ—ime tayo kusale dhamme abhinivajjetvā yamidaṁ kāyaduccaritaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ—ime tayo akusale dhamme samādāya vattissanti.You can expect that they will shun good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.23.8Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?23.9Na hi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā passanti akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ vodānapakkhaṁ.Because those ascetics and brahmins don’t see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, or that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.

24.1Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘natthi hetū’ tissa diṭṭhi hoti; sāssa hoti micchādiṭṭhi.Moreover, since there actually is causality, their view that there is no causality is wrong view.24.2Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘natthi hetū’ti saṅkappeti; svāssa hoti micchāsaṅkappo.Since there actually is causality, their thought that there is no causality is wrong purpose.24.3Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘natthi hetū’ti vācaṁ bhāsati; sāssa hoti micchāvācā.Since there actually is causality, their speech that there is no causality is wrong speech.24.4Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘natthi hetū’ti āha; ye te arahanto hetuvādā tesamayaṁ paccanīkaṁ karoti.Since there actually is causality, in saying that there is no causality they contradict those perfected ones who teach that there is causality.24.5Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘natthi hetū’ti paraṁ saññāpeti; sāssa hoti asaddhammasaññatti.Since there actually is causality, in persuading another that there is no causality they are persuading them to accept an untrue teaching.24.6Tāya ca pana asaddhammasaññattiyā attānukkaṁseti, paraṁ vambheti.And on account of that they glorify themselves and put others down.24.7Iti pubbeva kho panassa susīlyaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti, dussīlyaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ—So they give up their former ethical conduct and are established in unethical conduct.24.8ayañca micchādiṭṭhi micchāsaṅkappo micchāvācā ariyānaṁ paccanīkatā asaddhammasaññatti attānukkaṁsanā paravambhanā. Evamassime aneke pāpakā akusalā dhammā sambhavanti micchādiṭṭhipaccayā.And that is how these many bad, unskillful qualities come to be with wrong view as condition—wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept untrue teachings, and glorifying oneself and putting others down.

25.1PTS 1.409Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati:A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:25.2‘sace kho natthi hetu, evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sotthimattānaṁ karissati;‘If there is no causality, when this individual’s body breaks up they will keep themselves safe.25.3sace kho atthi hetu, evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjissati.And if there is causality, when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.25.4Kāmaṁ kho pana māhu hetu, hotu nesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ;But let us grant that those who say that there is no causality are correct.25.5atha ca panāyaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ gārayho—dussīlo purisapuggalo micchādiṭṭhi ahetukavādo’ti.Regardless, that individual is still criticized by sensible people in this very life as being an immoral individual of wrong view, one who denies causality.’¹⁶25.6Sace kho attheva hetu, evaṁ imassa bhoto purisapuggalassa ubhayattha kaliggaho—But if there really is causality, they hold a losing hand on both counts.25.7yañca diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ gārayho, yañca kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjissati.For they are criticized by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.25.8Evamassāyaṁ apaṇṇako dhammo dussamatto samādinno, ekaṁsaṁ pharitvā tiṭṭhati, riñcati kusalaṁ ṭhānaṁ.They have wrongly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of one side only, leaving out the skillful premise.

26.1Tatra, gahapatayo, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that26.2‘atthi hetu, atthi paccayo sattānaṁ saṅkilesāya;there is a cause and reason for the corruption of sentient beings, etc.26.3sahetū sappaccayā sattā saṅkilissanti.26.4Atthi hetu, atthi paccayo sattānaṁ visuddhiyā;26.5sahetū sappaccayā sattā visujjhanti.26.6Atthi balaṁ, atthi vīriyaṁ, atthi purisathāmo, atthi purisaparakkamo; na sabbe sattā sabbe pāṇā sabbe bhūtā sabbe jīvā avasā abalā avīriyā niyatisaṅgatibhāvapariṇatā chasvevābhijātīsu sukhadukkhaṁ paṭisaṁvedentī’ti26.7tesametaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—yamidaṁ kāyaduccaritaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ—ime tayo akusale dhamme abhinivajjetvā yamidaṁ kāyasucaritaṁ, vacīsucaritaṁ, manosucaritaṁ—ime tayo kusale dhamme samādāya vattissanti.You can expect that they will shun bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.26.8Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?26.9Passanti hi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ vodānapakkhaṁ.Because those ascetics and brahmins see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, and that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.

27.1Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘atthi hetū’ tissa diṭṭhi hoti; sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi.Moreover, since there actually is causality, their view that there is causality is right view.27.2Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘atthi hetū’ti saṅkappeti; svāssa hoti sammāsaṅkappo.Since there actually is causality, their thought that there is causality is right purpose.27.3Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘atthi hetū’ti vācaṁ bhāsati; sāssa hoti sammāvācā.Since there actually is causality, their speech that there is causality is right speech.27.4Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘atthi hetū’ti āha, ye te arahanto hetuvādā tesamayaṁ na paccanīkaṁ karoti.Since there actually is causality, in saying that there is causality they don’t contradict those perfected ones who teach that there is causality.27.5Santaṁyeva kho pana hetuṁ ‘atthi hetū’ti paraṁ saññāpeti; sāssa hoti saddhammasaññatti.Since there actually is causality, in persuading another that there is causality they are persuading them to accept a true teaching.27.6Tāya ca pana saddhammasaññattiyā nevattānukkaṁseti, na paraṁ vambheti.And on account of that they don’t glorify themselves or put others down.27.7Iti pubbeva kho panassa dussīlyaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti, susīlyaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ—So they give up their former unethical conduct and are established in ethical conduct.27.8ayañca sammādiṭṭhi sammāsaṅkappo sammāvācā ariyānaṁ apaccanīkatā saddhammasaññatti anattukkaṁsanā aparavambhanā. Evamassime aneke kusalā dhammā sambhavanti sammādiṭṭhipaccayā.And that is how these many skillful qualities come to be with right view as condition—right view, right purpose, right speech, not contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept true teachings, and not glorifying oneself or putting others down.

28.1PTS 1.410Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘sace kho atthi hetu, evamayaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjissati.A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way: ‘If there is causality, when this individual’s body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.28.2Kāmaṁ kho pana māhu hetu, hotu nesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ;But let us grant that those who say that there is no causality are correct.28.3atha ca panāyaṁ bhavaṁ purisapuggalo diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ pāsaṁso—sīlavā purisapuggalo sammādiṭṭhi hetuvādo’ti.Regardless, that individual is still praised by sensible people in this very life as being a moral individual of right view, who affirms causality.’28.4Sace kho atthi hetu, evaṁ imassa bhoto purisapuggalassa ubhayattha kaṭaggaho—So if there really is causality, they hold a winning hand on both counts.28.5yañca diṭṭheva dhamme viññūnaṁ pāsaṁso, yañca kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjissati.For they are praised by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.28.6Evamassāyaṁ apaṇṇako dhammo susamatto samādinno, ubhayaṁsaṁ pharitvā tiṭṭhati, riñcati akusalaṁ ṭhānaṁ.They have rightly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of both sides, leaving out the unskillful premise.

29.1Santi, gahapatayo, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:29.2‘natthi sabbaso āruppā’ti.‘There are no totally formless states of meditation.’¹⁷

30.1Tesaṁyeva kho, gahapatayo, samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā ujuvipaccanīkavādā.And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.30.2Te evamāhaṁsu:They say:30.3‘atthi sabbaso āruppā’ti.‘There are totally formless states of meditation.’

30.4Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, gahapatayo,What do you think, householders?30.5nanume samaṇabrāhmaṇā aññamaññassa ujuvipaccanīkavādā”ti?Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”

30.6“Evaṁ, bhante”.“Yes, sir.”

31.1“Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati—“A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:31.2ye kho te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:‘Some ascetics and brahmins say that31.3‘natthi sabbaso āruppā’ti, idaṁ me adiṭṭhaṁ;there are no totally formless meditations, but I have not seen that.31.4yepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:Some ascetics and brahmins say that31.5‘atthi sabbaso āruppā’ti, idaṁ me aviditaṁ.there are totally formless meditations, but I have not known that.31.6Ahañceva kho pana ajānanto apassanto ekaṁsena ādāya vohareyyaṁ—Without knowing or seeing, it would not be appropriate for me to take one side and declare,31.7idameva saccaṁ, moghamaññanti, na metaṁ assa patirūpaṁ.‘This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’31.8Ye kho te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:If those ascetics and brahmins who say that31.9‘natthi sabbaso āruppā’ti, sace tesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ, ṭhānametaṁ vijjati—there are no totally formless meditations are correct, it is possible31.10ye te devā rūpino manomayā, apaṇṇakaṁ me tatrūpapatti bhavissati.that it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formed and made of mind.31.11Ye pana te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:If those ascetics and brahmins who say that31.12‘atthi sabbaso āruppā’ti, sace tesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ, ṭhānametaṁ vijjati—there are totally formless meditations are correct, it is possible31.13ye te devā arūpino saññāmayā, apaṇṇakaṁ me tatrūpapatti bhavissati.that it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formless and made of perception.31.14Dissanti kho pana rūpādhikaraṇaṁ daṇḍādānasatthādānakalahaviggahavivādatuvaṁtuvaṁpesuññamusāvādā.Now, owing to form, bad things are seen: taking up the rod and the sword, quarrels, arguments, and disputes, accusations, backbiting, and lies.31.15‘Natthi kho panetaṁ sabbaso arūpe’ti.But those things don’t exist where it is totally formless.’31.16So iti paṭisaṅkhāya rūpānaṁyeva nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.Reflecting like this, they simply practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding forms.

32.1PTS 1.411Santi, gahapatayo, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:32.2‘natthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti.‘There is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence.’¹⁸

33.1Tesaṁyeva kho, gahapatayo, samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā ujuvipaccanīkavādā.And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.33.2Te evamāhaṁsu:They say:33.3‘atthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti.‘There is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence.’

33.4Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, gahapatayo,What do you think, householders?33.5nanume samaṇabrāhmaṇā aññamaññassa ujuvipaccanīkavādā”ti?Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”

33.6“Evaṁ, bhante”.“Yes, sir.”

34.1“Tatra, gahapatayo, viññū puriso iti paṭisañcikkhati—“A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:34.2ye kho te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:‘Some ascetics and brahmins say that34.3‘natthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti, idaṁ me adiṭṭhaṁ;there is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence, but I have not seen that.34.4yepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:Some ascetics and brahmins say that34.5‘atthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti, idaṁ me aviditaṁ.there is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence, but I have not known that.34.6Ahañceva kho pana ajānanto apassanto ekaṁsena ādāya vohareyyaṁ—Without knowing or seeing, it would not be appropriate for me to take one side and declare,34.7idameva saccaṁ, moghamaññanti, na metaṁ assa patirūpaṁ.‘This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’34.8Ye kho te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:If those ascetics and brahmins who say that34.9‘natthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti, sace tesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ, ṭhānametaṁ vijjati—there is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence are correct, it is possible34.10ye te devā arūpino saññāmayā apaṇṇakaṁ me tatrūpapatti bhavissati.that it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formless and made of perception.34.11Ye pana te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:If those ascetics and brahmins who say that34.12‘atthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti, sace tesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saccaṁ vacanaṁ, ṭhānametaṁ vijjati—there is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence are correct, it is possible34.13yaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme parinibbāyissāmi.that I will be fully extinguished in this very life.34.14Ye kho te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:The view of those ascetics and brahmins who say that34.15‘natthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti, tesamayaṁ diṭṭhi sārāgāya santike, saṁyogāya santike, abhinandanāya santike, ajjhosānāya santike, upādānāya santike.there is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence is close to greed, yoking, relishing, attachment, and grasping.34.16Ye pana te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā evaṁvādino evaṁdiṭṭhino:The view of those ascetics and brahmins who say that34.17‘atthi sabbaso bhavanirodho’ti, tesamayaṁ diṭṭhi asārāgāya santike, asaṁyogāya santike, anabhinandanāya santike, anajjhosānāya santike, anupādānāya santiketi.there is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence is close to non-greed, non-yoking, non-relishing, non-attachment, and non-grasping.’34.18So iti paṭisaṅkhāya bhavānaṁyeva nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.Reflecting like this, they simply practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding future lives.

35.1PTS 1.412Cattārome, gahapatayo, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.∥Householders, these four individuals are found in the world.35.2Katame cattāro?What four?

1. 35.3Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco puggalo attantapo hoti attaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto.One individual mortifies themselves, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves.
2. 35.4Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco puggalo parantapo hoti paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto.One individual mortifies others, committed to the practice of mortifying others.¹⁹
3. 35.5Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco puggalo attantapo ca hoti attaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto parantapo ca paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto.One individual mortifies themselves and others, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves and others.
4. 35.6Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco puggalo nevattantapo hoti nāttaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto na parantapo na paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto;One individual doesn’t mortify either themselves or others, committed to the practice of not mortifying themselves or others.35.7so anattantapo aparantapo diṭṭheva dhamme nicchāto nibbuto sītībhūto sukhappaṭisaṁvedī brahmabhūtena attanā viharati.They live without wishes in this very life, quenched, cooled, experiencing bliss, with self become divine.

36.1Katamo ca, gahapatayo, puggalo attantapo attaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto?∥And what individual mortifies themselves, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves?36.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco puggalo acelako hoti muttācāro hatthāpalekhano …pe…It’s when a person goes naked, ignoring conventions. …36.3iti evarūpaṁ anekavihitaṁ kāyassa ātāpanaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto viharati.And so they live committed to practicing these various ways of mortifying and tormenting the body.36.4Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapatayo, puggalo attantapo attaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto.This is called an individual who mortifies themselves, being committed to the practice of mortifying themselves.

37.1Katamo ca, gahapatayo, puggalo parantapo paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto?And what individual mortifies others, committed to the practice of mortifying others?37.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco puggalo orabbhiko hoti sūkariko …pe… ye vā panaññepi keci kurūrakammantā.It’s when an individual is a butcher of sheep, pigs, poultry, or deer, a hunter or fisher, a bandit, an executioner, a butcher of cattle, a jailer, or has some other cruel livelihood.37.3Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapatayo, puggalo parantapo paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto.This is called an individual who mortifies others, being committed to the practice of mortifying others.

38.1Katamo ca, gahapatayo, puggalo attantapo ca attaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto parantapo ca paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto?And what individual mortifies themselves and others, being committed to the practice of mortifying themselves and others?38.2Idha, gahapatayo, ekacco puggalo rājā vā hoti khattiyo muddhāvasitto …pe…It’s when an individual is an anointed aristocratic king or a well-to-do brahmin. He has a new ceremonial hall built to the east of the citadel. He shaves off his hair and beard, dresses in a rough antelope hide, and smears his body with ghee and oil. …²⁰38.3tepi daṇḍatajjitā bhayatajjitā assumukhā rudamānā parikammāni karonti.His bondservants, servants, and workers do their jobs under threat of punishment and danger, weeping, with tearful faces.38.4Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapatayo, puggalo attantapo ca attaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto parantapo ca paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto.This is called an individual who mortifies themselves and others, being committed to the practice of mortifying themselves and others.

39.1Katamo ca, gahapatayo, puggalo nevattantapo nāttaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto na parantapo na paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto;∥And what individual doesn’t mortify either themselves or others, committed to the practice of not mortifying themselves or others,39.2so anattantapo aparantapo diṭṭheva dhamme nicchāto nibbuto sītībhūto sukhappaṭisaṁvedī brahmabhūtena attanā viharati?living without wishes in this very life, quenched, cooled, experiencing bliss, with self become divine?

40-54.1Idha, gahapatayo, tathāgato loke uppajjati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho …It’s when a Realized One arises in the world, perfected, a fully awakened Buddha …40-54.2pe…A householder hears that teaching, or a householder’s child, or someone reborn in some good family. …40-54.3so ime pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇeThey give up these five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom.40-54.4vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.Then, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, they enter and remain in the first absorption …40-54.5Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ …pe…second absorption …40-54.6tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ …pe…third absorption …40-54.7catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.fourth absorption.

55.1PTS 1.413So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmeti.When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it toward recollection of past lives. …55.2So anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo …pe… iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.They recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details.

55.3So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmeti.When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it toward knowledge of the death and rebirth of sentient beings.55.4So dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe, sugate duggate …pe… yathākammūpage satte pajānāti.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.

55.5So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte āsavānaṁ khayañāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmeti.When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it toward knowledge of the ending of defilements.55.6So ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti …pe…They truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’.55.7‘ayaṁ āsavanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.They truly understand: ‘These are defilements’ … ‘This is the origin of defilements’ … ‘This is the cessation of defilements’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of defilements’.55.8Tassa evaṁ jānato evaṁ passato kāmāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccati, bhavāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccati, avijjāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccati.Knowing and seeing like this, their mind is freed from the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.55.9Vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ hoti.When they’re freed, they know they’re freed.

55.10‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāti.They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’

56.1Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapatayo, puggalo nevattantapo nāttaparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto na parantapo na paraparitāpanānuyogamanuyutto;This is called an individual who neither mortifies themselves or others, being committed to the practice of not mortifying themselves or others.56.2so anattantapo aparantapo diṭṭheva dhamme nicchāto nibbuto sītībhūto sukhappaṭisaṁvedī brahmabhūtena attanā viharatī”ti.They live without wishes in this very life, quenched, cooled, experiencing bliss, with self become divine.”

57.1Evaṁ vutte, sāleyyakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:When he had spoken, the brahmins and householders of Sālā said to the Buddha,57.2“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent!57.3Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.57.4Ete mayaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.We go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.²¹57.5Upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gate”ti.From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge for life.”

57.6Apaṇṇakasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dasamaṁ.

57.7Gahapativaggo niṭṭhito paṭhamo.

58.0Tassuddānaṁ

58.1Kandaranāgarasekhavato ca,58.2Potaliyo puna jīvakabhacco;58.3Upālidamatho kukkuraabhayo,58.4Bahuvedanīyāpaṇṇakato dasamo.