Aṅguttara-Nikāya
II. Dukanipāta
V. Parisā Vagga

The Book of Twos

Suttas 41-50

[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50]

Groups

Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds

 

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Sutta 41

[41.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The shallow group and
the deep group.

And what, beggars,
is the shallow group?

Here, beggars,
whatever group of beggars is
arrogant,
boastful,
agitated,
talkative,
of unperceptive speech,
forgetful,
lacking in self-awareness,
lacking in self-collectedness,
untrue of heart,
and has wavering forces;
that is what is called a shallow group.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the deep group?

Here, beggars,
whatever group of beggars is
not arrogant,
not boastful,
not agitated,
not talkative,
is of reliable memory,
has self-awareness,
is self-collected,
is true of heart,
and has unwavering forces;
that is what is called a deep group.

These then, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the deep group."

 

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Sutta 42

[42.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The dissentious group and
the united group.

And what, beggars,
is the dissentious group?

Here, beggars,
whatever group of beggars lives
characterized by bandying words about,
characterized by disputes,
bent on contention,
mouthing off
as though striking each other with swords —
that is what is called a dissentious group.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the united group?

Here, beggars,
whatever group of beggars lives
united,
courteous,
without contention,
beings at harmony,
viewing each other
with the eye of affection —
that is what is called a united group.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the united group."

 

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Sutta 43

[43.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The group not at the top and
the topmost group.

And what, beggars,
is the group not at the top?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group
the elder beggars live large,
loose,
distracted,
putrid smelling,
the devotion to seclusion dropped,
without setting forth energy,
not profiting from the benefits,
not attaining the attainable,
not making real what is said to be real, —
those in the generation that comes after
are seen to follow suit.^[1]

They also live large,
loose,
distracted,
putrid smelling,
the devotion to seclusion dropped,
without setting forth energy,
not profiting from the benefits,
not attaining the attainable,
not making real what is said to be real.

That is what is called
the group not at the top.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the topmost group?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group
the elder beggars do not live large,
loose,
distracted,
putrid smelling,
not dropping the devotion to seclusion,
setting forth energy,
profiting from the benefits,
attaining the attainable,
making real what is said to be real, —
those in the generation that comes after
are seen to follow suit.

They also do not live large,
loose,
distracted,
putrid smelling,
not dropping the devotion to seclusion,
setting forth energy,
profiting from the benefits,
attaining the attainable,
making real what is said to be real.

That is what is called
the topmost group.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the topmost group."

 

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Sutta 44

[44.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The group that is not aristocratic, and
the aristocratic group.

And what, beggars,
is the group that is not aristocratic?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
'This is pain'
do not understand as it is
'This is the arising to the self of pain'
do not understand as it is
'This is the ending of pain'
do not understand as it is
'This is the walk to walk
to the end of pain'
do not understand as it is —
this, beggars, is what is called
the group that is not aristocratic.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the group that is aristocratic?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
'This is pain'
understand as it is
'This is the arising to the self of pain'
understand as it is
'This is the ending of pain'
understand as it is
'This is the walk to walk to the end of pain'
understand as it is —
this, beggars, is what is called
the group that is aristocratic.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the aristocratic group."

 

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Sutta 45

[45.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The group that is the dregs, and
the group that is the cream.

And what, beggars,
is the group that is the dregs?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
go after what brings about wishes,
go after what brings about unfreiendliness,
go after what brings about confusion,
go after what brings about fear —
this, beggars, is what is called
the group that is the dregs.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the group that is the cream?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
do not go after what brings about wishes,
do not go after what brings about unfreiendliness,
do not go after what brings about confusion,
do not go after what brings about fear —
this, beggars, is what is called
the group that is the cream.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the group that is the cream."

 

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Sutta 46

[46.1][pts][than] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The group that is trained in the showy,
not in inquiry, and
the group that is trained inquiry,
not in the showy.

And what, beggars,
is the group that is trained in the showy,
not in inquiry?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars,
whatever there are of suttas
spoken by the Tathāgata,
deep,
deep in purpose,
other-worldly,
connected to emptiness, —
these being recited,
do not listen,
do not apply their ears,
do not make present an understanding-heart, and
do not this Dhamma
note,
carefully remember,
think about.

Further, whenever the suttas,
that is, the poetry of poets,
pandering to the heart,
characteristic of the hearts of outsiders,
these being recited, —
they listen,
apply their ears,
make present
an understanding-heart, and
of this sort of thing
note,
carefully remember,
think about.

Yet even of that thing
they learn by heart,
they do not inquire about in mind,
nor have explained, asking:
'What is this?
'What does this mean?'

This, not inquired into and
thus not explained
thus not made clear
is not said to be 'opened up.'

The doubtful details
not opened up by them,
this group is known as
one not trained in inquiry.

This, beggars,
is what is called
the group that is trained in the showy,
not in inquiry.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the group trained in inquiry,
not in the showy?

Here, beggars,
whenever the suttas,
that is, the poetry of poets,
pandering to the heart,
characteristic of the hearts of outsiders,
these being recited, —
do not listen,
do not apply their ears,
do not make present
an understanding-heart, and
they do not,
of this sort of thing,
note,
carefully remember,
think about.

But, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars,
whatever there are of suttas
spoken by the Tathāgata,
deep,
deep in purpose,
other-worldly,
connected to emptiness, —
these being recited,
do listen,
do apply their ears,
do make present an understanding-heart, and
do this Dhamma
note,
carefully remember,
think about.

And of that Dhamma
they learn by heart,
they inquire about in mind,
and have explained, asking:
'What is this?
'What does this mean?'

This, inquired into and
thus explained
thus made clear
is said to be 'opened up.'

The doubtful details
opened up by them,
this group is known as
one trained in inquiry.

This, beggars,
is what is called
the group that is trained in inquiry,
not in the showy.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the group that is trained in inquiry."

 

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Sutta 47

[47.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The group devoted to the carnal,
not the True Dhamma, and
the group devoted to the True Dhamma,
not the carnal.

And what, beggars,
is the group devoted to the carnal,
not the True Dhamma?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
in the presence of white-robed householders
speak of the status of each other,
saying:

'That beggar is freed both ways,
that one is freed through wisdom,
that one is freed bodily,
that one has reached the seen,
that one is freed through faith,
that one walks in Dhamma,
that one walks in Faith,
that one is ethical and is of a beautiful nature,
that one is unethical and is of a bad bad nature,'

And by that gain gains,

And by those gains gained, getting
bound up,
infatuated,
in bondage,
not seeing their misery,
not having the wisdom to escape
thorouly enjoy their use.

This, beggars,
is what is called
the group devoted to the carnal,
not the True Dhamma.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the group devoted to the True Dhamma,
not the carnal?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
in the presence of white-robed householders
do not speak of the status of each other,
saying:

'That beggar is freed both ways,
that one is freed through wisdom,
that one is freed bodily,
that one has reached the seen,
that one is freed through faith,
that one walks in Dhamma,
that one walks in Faith,
that one is ethical and is of a beautiful nature,
that one is unethical and is of a bad bad nature,'

And by that gaining gains,

And by those gains gained, getting
bound up,
infatuated,
in bondage,
not seeing their misery,
not having the wisdom to escape
thorouly enjoying their use.

This, beggars,
is what is called
the group devoted to the True Dhamma,
not the carnal.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the group devoted to the True Dhamma,
not the carnal."

 

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Sutta 48

[48.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The group not on the level, and
the level group.

And what, beggars,
is the group not on the level?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is not-Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is Discipline-done,
illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is not-Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is Disipline-done,
this, beggars, is what is called,
the group not on the level.

The group that is not on the level, beggars,
procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is not-Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is Discipline-done,
illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is not-Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is Disipline-done.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the group on the level?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Discipline-done,
illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Disipline-done,
this, beggars, is what is called,
the group on the level.

The group that is on the level, beggars,
procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Discipline-done,
illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Disipline-done.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the group that is on the level."

 

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Sutta 49

[49.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The not-Dhamma-followers group, and
the Dhamma-followers group.

And what, beggars,
is the not-Dhamma-followers group?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is not-Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is Discipline-done,
illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is not-Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is Disipline-done,
this, beggars, is what is called,
the not-Dhamma-followers group.

The not-Dhamma-followers group, beggars,
procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is not-Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is Discipline-done,
illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is not-Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is Disipline-done.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the Dhamma-followers group?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Discipline-done,
illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Disipline-done,
this, beggars, is what is called,
the Dhamma-followers group.

The Dhamma-followers group, beggars,
procede according to what is Dhamma-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Dhamma-done,
procede according to what is Disipline-done,
do not procede according to what is not-Discipline-done,
illuminate what is Dhamma-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Dhamma-done,
illuminate what is Disipline-done,
do not illuminate what is not-Disipline-done.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the Dhamma-followers group."

 

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Sutta 50

[50.1][pts] "Two, beggars, are groups.

What two?

The not-Dhamma-talking group, and
the Dhamma-talking group.

And what, beggars,
is the not-Dhamma-talking group?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
for the sake of pacifying
those split by contention
either Dhamma followers or
not-Dhamma followers,
these,
for the sake of pacifying
those split by contention
make no effort at making their position
correctly perceived by the other-minded
make no effort at being reconciled
do not understand
and make no effort to understand.

These,
without the power of correct perception
without the power of understanding
without considering yielding
forsaking consideration
they obstinately stick
to the common manner,
saying:

'This alone is the truth
everything else is foolishness.'

This, beggars, is what is called,
the not-Dhamma-talking group.

 

■

 

And what, beggars,
is the Dhamma-talking group?

Here, beggars,
in whatever group the beggars
for the sake of pacifying
those split by contention
either Dhamma followers or
not-Dhamma followers,
these,
for the sake of pacifying
those split by contention
make an effort at making their position
correctly perceived by the other-minded
make an effort at being reconciled
do understand
and make an effort to understand.

These,
with the power of correct perception
with the power of understanding
considering yielding
not forsaking consideration
they do not obstinately stick
to the common manner,
saying:

'This alone is the truth
everything else is foolishness.'

This, beggars,
is what is called,
the Dhamma-talking group.

These, beggars,
are the two groups.

Of these two groups, beggars
this is the one at the top,
that is to say,
the Dhamma-talking group."

 

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^[1] Diṭṭhānugatiṃ āpajjati. Monkey see monkey do.