Saṃyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
48. Indriya Saṃyutta
5. Jarā Vagga
Sutta 45
Paṭhama Pubb'Ārama Suttaṃ
East Park (1)
Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds
The important term to understand here is 'pañña', 'wisdom'. Wisdom is the ability to manipulate learned experiences to deal with situations in the present.
Once upon a time Bhagava, Sāvatthī-town revisiting
Eastern Park,
the mansion of Migara's Mother.
There, to the Beggars gathered round, he said:
"Beggars!"
And the beggars responding:
"Broke Tooth!"
Bhagava said:
"Now then beggars,
is there a force,
developed,
made a big thing,
whereby a beggar could destroy the corrupting influences
and declare final knowledge:
'Left behind is rebirth,
lived is the godly life,
done is duty's doing,
no further is there being thus'n-or-such'n.'?"
■
"For us Bhante,
things are best resorted to
rooted in the Lucky Man,
channeled through Bhagava.
It would be good, Bhante,
if further explanation of this point
were given by the Lucky Man.
That which is said by the Lucky Man
will be held in memory by the beggars."
"Then give ear, beggars.
Pay good attention!
I will speak!"
Then, the beggars saying "Even so, Bhante!" in response,
the Lucky Man said this to them:
"With one force, beggars,
developed,
made a big thing,
a beggar could destroy the corrupting influences
and declare final knowledge:
'Left behind is rebirth,
lived is the godly life,
done is duty's doing,
no further is there being thus'n-or-such'n.'
With what one force?
The force of wisdom.
In the wise student of the Aristocrats, beggars,
the establishment of faith follows naturally,
the establishment of energy follows naturally,
the establishment of mind follows naturally,
the establishment of serenity follows naturally.
With this one force, beggars,
developed,
made a big thing,
a beggar could destroy the corrupting influences
and declare final knowledge:
'Left behind is rebirth,
lived is the godly life,
done is duty's doing,
no further is there being thus'n-or-such'n.'"
