Saṃyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
38. Jambukhādaka Saṃyutta
Roseapple-Eater's Questions
Sutta 9
Avijjā Suttaṃ
Blindness
Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds
Once upon a time, Old Man Sāriputta,
was living amungst the Magadhese,
in Nālagā town.
There then Roseapple-Eater, the wanderer,
went to where Old Man Sāriputta was located,
where he drew near and
having drawn near Old Man Sāriputta,
having given salutation,
took a seat to one side.
Having taken a seat to one side then,
Roseapple-Eater, the wanderer, said this
to Old Man Sāriputta:
"'Blindness, blindness'
they say, friend Sāriputta.
What then, friend,
is this blindness?"
"It is not knowing about pain,
not knowing about the origin of pain,
not knowing about the ending of pain,
not knowing about the walk-to-walk
to the ending of pain.
This, friend,
is what is called blindness."
"Is there, friend, a Way,
is there a path
to thoroughly let go of
this blindness?"
"There is, friend, a Way,
there is a path
to thoroughly let go of
this blindness.'
"What, friend, is that Way,
what is that path
to thoroughly let go of
this blindness?"
"This, friend:
The Aristocratic Multi-dimensional Way,[1]
that is:
Consummate view,
consummate principles,
consummate talk,
consummate works,
consummate lifestyle,
consummate self-control,
consummate mind,
consummate serenity.
"This is, friend, that Way,
that path
to thoroughly let go of
this blindness.'
"A lucky Way, friend,
a lucky path,
to thoroughly let go of
this blindness and
moreover, friend Sāriputta,
there is enough there
to bring about non-carelessness."
[1] For details, see Footnote 1 of SN 4.38.01.
