Pañha-Vyākaraṇa suttaṃ

Questions

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
For free distribution only.

[1][pts] "There are these four ways of answering questions.

Which four?

There are questions that should be answered categorically [straightforwardly yes, no, this, that].

There are questions that should be answered with an analytical answer [defining or redefining the terms].

There are questions that should be answered with a counter-question.

There are questions that should be put aside.

These are the four ways of answering questions."

First the categorical statement,
then the analytical statement,
third, the type to be counter-questioned,
and fourth, the one to be set aside.
Any monk who knows which is which,
    in line with the Dhamma,
is said to be skilled
in the four types of questions:
    hard to overcome, hard to beat,
    profound, hard to defeat.
He knows what's worthwhile
    and what's not,
proficient in (recognizing) both,
he
    rejects the worthless,
    grasps the worthwhile.
He's called
    one who has broken through
    to what's worthwhile,
   enlightened,
    wise.

Of Related Interest:

DN 9;
MN 2;
MN 58;
MN 72;
SN 12:35;
SN 12:46;
SN 22:82;
SN 22:85–86;
SN 44:10;
AN 3:74;
AN 4:77;
AN 5:165;
AN 7:51;
AN 10:93—96

Aṇguttara Nikāya 4. Catukka Nipāta V. Rohitassa Vagga

Sutta 42

Pañha-Vyākaraṇa suttaṃ

Questions

Aṇguttara Nikāya
4. Catukka Nipāta
V. Rohitassa Vagga