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Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
56. Sacca Saɱyutta
4. Siɱsapā Vagga

Sutta 40

Vādina Suttaɱ

Seeking an Argument

Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Copyright Bhikkhu Bodhi 2000, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, 2000)
This selection from The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Saɱyutta Nikāya by Bhikkhu Bodhi is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://www.wisdompubs.org/book/connected-discourses-buddha.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.wisdompubs.org/terms-use.

 


 

[1][pts] "Bhikkhus, if any bhikkhu understands as it really is: 'This is suffering' ... 'This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering,' and then an ascetic or brahmin comes along — whether from the east, the west, the north, or the south — seeking an argument, searching for an argument, thinking: 'I will refute his thesis,' it is impossible that he could make that bhikkhu shake, quake, or tremble.

"Suppose, bhikkhus, there was a stone column sixteen yards long: an eight yards' portion of it would be sunk in the ground, an eight yards' portion above ground.

Even if a forceful blast of wind comes along — whether from the east, the west, the north, or the south — the column would not shake, quake, or tremble.

For what reason?

Because it has a deep base and is securely planted.

"So too, bhikkhus, if any bhikkhu understands as it really is 'This is suffering' ... 'This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering,' and then an ascetic or a brahmin comes along ... it is impossible that he could make that bhikkhu shake, quake, or tremble.

For what reason?

Because he has clearly seen the Four Noble Truths.

What four?

The noble truth of suffering ...

the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering.

"Therefore, bhikkhus, an exertion should be made to understand:

'This is suffering.'...

An exertion should be made to understand:

'This is the way leading to the cessation of suffering.'"


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