Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
IX: M-acala Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter IX: Unshaken
Sutta 88
Samaṇa-m-acala-putta Suttaṃ
Kinds of Recluses[1] (b)
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
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[1] Thus have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, these four persons are found existing in the world.
What four?
The unshaken recluse,
the blue-lotus recluse,
the white-lotus recluse,
and the recluse who is exquisite among recluses.
And how, monks, is a person an unshaken recluse?
Herein a monk, by the wearing out of three fetters is a stream-winner,
of a nature not to go to the downfall,
one assured,
bound for enlightenment.
Thus, monks, is a person an unshaken recluse.
And how, monks, is a person a blue-lotus recluse?
[99] Herein a monk, by utterly wearing out three fetters
and by weakening lust, anger and delusion,
is a once-returner.
Coming back just once more to this world
he makes an end of Ill.
Thus, monks, is a person a blue-lotus recluse.
And how, monks, is a person a white-lotus recluse?
Herein a monk, by utterly wearing out the five fetters
which cause rebirth here,
is apparitionally born,
destined there to pass utterly away,
of a nature not to return from that world.
Thus, monks, is a person a white-lotus recluse.
And how, monks, is a person a recluse exquisite among recluses?
Herein a monk by the destruction of the āsavas,
has reached the heart's release,
the release by wisdom
that is free from the āsavas,
and having realized it
abides therein.
Thus is a person a recluse exquisite among recluses.
These, monks, are the four persons found existing in the world.'
[1] These next three suttas seem added afterwards to support the usual definitions of those on the Four Paths. Cf. § 7 n.
