Aṇguttara Nikāya


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Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
XVII. Āghāta Vaggo

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter XVII: Malice

Sutta 165

Pañha-Pucchā Suttaṃ

On Asking Questions

Translated by E. M. Hare

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[141]

[1][than] Thus have I heard:[ed1]

Once the venerable Sāriputta addressed the monks, saying:

'Reverend sirs.'

'Reverend sir,' they replied;
and Sāriputta said:

'All who question another
are in five states (of mind)
or one of them.

What five?

One being foolish and blind
questions another;[1]

one filled with evil desires and covetousness
questions another;

one contemptuously
questions another;

one seeking knowledge
questions another;

or one questions another uncertainly,[2] thinking:

If questioned by me
he explain rightly,
it is well;
but if questioned by me
he explain not rightly,
I will explain to him.

Reverend sirs, all who question another are in these five states or in one of them.

 

§

 

Reverend sirs, when I question another, verily I am thus minded:

If questioned by me
he explain rightly,
it is well;
but if questioned by me
he explain not rightly,
I will explain to him.'

 


[1] Cf. above, § 93.

[2] Pakuppanto, from √kup, to he agitated; cf. M. i, 187, of the elements; F. Dial. trsl., wroth. Cf. 1 Corinthians ix, 26, but just in the opposite way: 'I therefore so run, not as uncertainly.'

 


[ed1] I suggest the Nidana for this sutta is AN 5.161 + AN 5.162 + AN 5.163 + AN 5.164. I further suggest that this pattern should be considered wherever a Nidana is missing and the sutta begins "Then ..." or "There, then..."


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