Aṇguttara Nikāya
4. Catukka Nipāta
V. Rohitassa Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
V. Rohitassa
Sutta 49
Vipallāsa Suttaṃ
Perversions[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four perversions of perception,
four perversions of thought,
four perversions of view.
What four?
To hold that in the impermanent
there is permanence
is a perversion of perception,
thought
and view.
To hold that in the not-Ill
there is Ill
is a perversion of perception,
thought [61] and view.
To hold that in the not-self[2]
there is self
is a perversion of perception,
thought
and view.
To hold that in the foul
there is the fair
is a perversion of perception,
thought
and view.
These are the four perversions
of perception,
thought
and view.
Monks, there are these four non-perversions
of perception,
thought
and view.
What four?
To hold that in the impermanent
is impermanence
is a non-perversion of perception,
thought
and view.
To hold that in Ill
is Ill
is a non-perversion of perception,
thought
and view.
To hold that in the not-self
is not-self
is a non-perversion of perception,
thought
and view.
To hold that in the foul
is the foul
is a non-perversion of perception,
thought
and view.
They who in change perceive the permanent
And happiness in Ill,[3] and see the self
In what is not-self, in the foul the fair, -
Such wander on the path of view perverse.
Creatures of mind distraught, of mind unsound.
Bond-slaves to Mara,[4] not free from the bond.
To the round of birth and death do beings go.
But when the wakened ones, makers of light,
I' the world arise, they show this dhamma forth.
Which goeth to Ill's calming. Hearing them
Men become wise, get back their sense[5] and see
Th' impermanent as being such, and Ill
As being Ill, and what is not-self see
As not-self, and behold the foul as foul,
Thus by right view transcending every Ill.'
[1] Vipallāsā.
[2] Viz., in body or mind. Cf. Vinaya Texts, i, 100.
[3] Note the discrepancy.
[4] Text should read -yuttā.
[5] Text and Sinh. text paccalatthu. Comy. paccaladdha = saka-cittaṃ paṭilabhitvā.
