• Linked Discourses 22.85 Saṁyutta Nikāya 22.85
  • 9. Senior Mendicants 9. Theravagga

With Yamaka Yamakasutta

At one time Venerable Sāriputta was staying near SāvatthÄ« in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiį¹‡įøika’s monastery. Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā sāriputto sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiį¹‡įøikassa ārāme.

Now at that time a mendicant called Yamaka had the following harmful misconception: Tena kho pana samayena yamakassa nāma bhikkhuno evarÅ«paṁ pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ uppannaṁ hoti: ā€œAs I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death.ā€ ā€œtathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€ti.

Several mendicants heard about this. Assosuṁ kho sambahulā bhikkhÅ« yamakassa kira nāma bhikkhuno evarÅ«paṁ pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ uppannaṁ hoti: ā€œtathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€ti. They went to Yamaka and exchanged greetings with him. Atha kho te bhikkhÅ« yenāyasmā yamako tenupasaį¹…kamiṁsu; upasaį¹…kamitvā āyasmatā yamakena saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side and said to him, SammodanÄ«yaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vÄ«tisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisÄ«diṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhÅ« āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etadavocuṁ: ā€œIs it really true, Reverend Yamaka, that you have such a harmful misconception: ā€œSaccaṁ kira te, āvuso yamaka, evarÅ«paṁ pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ uppannaṁ: ā€˜As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death’?ā€ ā€˜tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€™ā€ti?

ā€œYes, reverends, that’s how I understand the Buddha’s teaching.ā€ ā€œEvaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi: ā€˜khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€™ā€ti.

ā€œDon’t say that, Yamaka! Don’t misrepresent the Buddha, for misrepresentation of the Buddha is not good. And the Buddha would not say that.ā€ ā€œMā, āvuso yamaka, evaṁ avaca, mā bhagavantaṁ abbhācikkhi. Na hi sādhu bhagavato abbhācikkhanaṁ. Na hi bhagavā evaṁ vadeyya: ā€˜khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€™ā€ti. But even though admonished by those mendicants, Yamaka obstinately stuck to that misconception and insisted on stating it. Evampi kho āyasmā yamako tehi bhikkhÅ«hi vuccamāno tatheva taṁ pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ thāmasā parāmāsā abhinivissa voharati: ā€œtathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€ti.

When those mendicants were unable to dissuade Yamaka from that misconception, they got up from their seats and went to see Venerable Sāriputta. They told him what had happened, and said, Yato kho te bhikkhÅ« nāsakkhiṁsu āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etasmā pāpakā diį¹­į¹­higatā vivecetuṁ, atha kho te bhikkhÅ« uį¹­į¹­hāyāsanā yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaį¹…kamiṁsu; upasaį¹…kamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavocuṁ: ā€œyamakassa nāma, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhuno evarÅ«paṁ pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ uppannaṁ: ā€˜tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’ti. ā€œMay Venerable Sāriputta please go to the mendicant Yamaka out of sympathy.ā€ Sādhāyasmā sāriputto yena yamako bhikkhu tenupasaį¹…kamatu anukampaṁ upādāyÄā€ti. Sāriputta consented with silence. Adhivāsesi kho āyasmā sāriputto tuṇhÄ«bhāvena.

Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Sāriputta came out of retreat, went to Venerable Yamaka and exchanged greetings with him. Seated to one side he said to Yamaka: Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paį¹­isallānā vuį¹­į¹­hito yenāyasmā yamako tenupasaį¹…kami; upasaį¹…kamitvā āyasmatā yamakena saddhiṁ sammodi …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etadavoca:

ā€œIs it really true, Reverend Yamaka, that you have such a harmful misconception: ā€œSaccaṁ kira te, āvuso yamaka, evarÅ«paṁ pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ uppannaṁ: ā€˜As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death’?ā€ ā€˜tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€™ā€ti?

ā€œYes, reverend, that’s how I understand the Buddha’s teaching.ā€ ā€œEvaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€ti.

ā€œWhat do you think, Yamaka? ā€œTaṁ kiṁ maƱƱasi, āvuso yamaka, Is form permanent or impermanent?ā€ rÅ«paṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vÄā€ti?

ā€œImpermanent, reverend.ā€ ā€œAniccaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œIs feeling … ā€œVedanā niccā … perception … saƱƱā … choices … saį¹…khārā … consciousness permanent or impermanent?ā€ viññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vÄā€ti?

ā€œImpermanent, reverend.ā€ ā€œAniccaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œSo you should truly see … ā€œTasmātiha …pe… Seeing this … evaṁ passaṁ …pe… They understand: ā€˜ā€¦ there is nothing further for this place.’ nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāti.

What do you think, Reverend Yamaka? Taṁ kiṁ maƱƱasi, āvuso yamaka, Do you regard the Realized One as form?ā€ rÅ«paṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€ …

ā€œDo you regard the Realized One as feeling … ā€œvedanaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti? ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€ … perception … ā€œsaƱƱaṁ … choices … saį¹…khāre … consciousness?ā€ viññāṇaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œWhat do you think, Reverend Yamaka? ā€œTaṁ kiṁ maƱƱasi, āvuso yamaka, Do you regard the Realized One as in form?ā€ rÅ«pasmiṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œOr do you regard the Realized One as distinct from form?ā€ ā€œAƱƱatra rÅ«pā tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œDo you regard the Realized One as in feeling … ā€œVedanāya … or distinct from feeling … aƱƱatra vedanāya …pe… as in perception … saƱƱāya … or distinct from perception … aƱƱatra saƱƱāya … as in choices … saį¹…khāresu … or distinct from choices … aƱƱatra saį¹…khārehi … as in consciousness?ā€ viññāṇasmiṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œOr do you regard the Realized One as distinct from consciousness?ā€ ā€œAƱƱatra viññāṇā tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œWhat do you think, Yamaka? ā€œTaṁ kiṁ maƱƱasi, āvuso yamaka, Do you regard the Realized One as possessing form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness?ā€ rÅ«paṁ … vedanaṁ … saƱƱaṁ … saį¹…khāre … viññāṇaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œWhat do you think, Yamaka? ā€œTaṁ kiṁ maƱƱasi, āvuso yamaka, Do you regard the Realized One as one who is without form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness?ā€ ayaṁ so arÅ«pÄ« … avedano … asaƱƱī … asaį¹…khāro … aviññāṇo tathāgatoti samanupassasÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œNo, reverend.ā€ ā€œNo hetaṁ, āvusoā€.

ā€œIn that case, Reverend Yamaka, since you don’t actually find the Realized One in this very life, is it cogent to declare: ā€œEttha ca te, āvuso yamaka, diį¹­į¹­heva dhamme saccato thetato tathāgate anupalabbhiyamāne, kallaṁ nu te taṁ veyyākaraṇaṁ: ā€˜As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death.’?ā€ ā€˜tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraį¹‡Äā€™ā€ti?

ā€œReverend Sāriputta, in my ignorance, I used to have that misconception. ā€œAhu kho me taṁ, āvuso sāriputta, pubbe aviddasuno pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ; But now that I’ve heard the teaching from Venerable Sāriputta, I’ve given up that misconception, and I’ve comprehended the teaching.ā€ idaƱca panāyasmato sāriputtassa dhammadesanaṁ sutvā taƱceva pāpakaṁ diį¹­į¹­higataṁ pahÄ«naṁ, dhammo ca me abhisamitoā€ti.

ā€œReverend Yamaka, suppose they were to ask you: ā€œSace taṁ, āvuso yamaka, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ā€˜When their body breaks up, after death, what happens to a perfected one, who has ended the defilements?’ ā€˜yo so, āvuso yamaka, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā kiṁ hotī’ti? How would you answer?ā€ Evaṁ puį¹­į¹­ho tvaṁ, āvuso yamaka, kinti byākareyyāsÄ«ā€ti?

ā€œReverend, if they were to ask this, ā€œSace maṁ, āvuso, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ā€˜yo so, āvuso yamaka, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā kiṁ hotī’ti? I’d answer like this: Evaṁ puį¹­į¹­hohaṁ, āvuso, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ā€˜Reverend, form is impermanent. ā€˜rÅ«paṁ kho, āvuso, aniccaṁ. What’s impermanent is suffering. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; What’s suffering has ceased and disappeared. yaṁ dukkhaṁ taṁ niruddhaṁ tadatthaį¹…gataṁ.

Feeling … Vedanā … perception … saƱƱā … choices … saį¹…khārā … consciousness is impermanent. viññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ. What’s impermanent is suffering. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; What’s suffering has ceased and disappeared.’ yaṁ dukkhaṁ taṁ niruddhaṁ tadatthaį¹…gatan’ti. That’s how I’d answer such a question.ā€ Evaṁ puį¹­į¹­hohaṁ, āvuso, evaṁ byākareyyanā€ti.

ā€œGood, good, Reverend Yamaka! ā€œSādhu sādhu, āvuso yamaka. Well then, I shall give you a simile to make the meaning even clearer. Tena hāvuso yamaka, upamaṁ te karissāmi etasseva atthassa bhiyyoso mattāya ñāṇāya. Suppose there was a householder or householder’s son who was rich, with a lot of money and great wealth, Seyyathāpi, āvuso yamaka, gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā aįøįøho mahaddhano mahābhogo; and a bodyguard for protection. so ca ārakkhasampanno. Then along comes a person who wants to harm, injure, and threaten him, and take his life. Tassa kocideva puriso uppajjeyya anatthakāmo ahitakāmo ayogakkhemakāmo jÄ«vitā voropetukāmo. They’d think: Tassa evamassa: ā€˜This householder or householder’s son is rich, with a lot of money and great wealth, ā€˜ayaṁ kho gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā aįøįøho mahaddhano mahābhogo; and a bodyguard for protection. so ca ārakkhasampanno; It won’t be easy to take his life by force. nāyaṁ sukaro pasayha jÄ«vitā voropetuṁ. Why don’t I get close to him, then take his life?’ YannÅ«nāhaṁ anupakhajja jÄ«vitā voropeyyan’ti. So he goes up to that householder or householder’s son and says: So taṁ gahapatiṁ vā gahapatiputtaṁ vā upasaį¹…kamitvā evaṁ vadeyya: ā€˜Sir, I would serve you.’ ā€˜upaį¹­į¹­haheyyaṁ taṁ, bhante’ti. They would serve that householder or householder’s son. Tamenaṁ so gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā upaį¹­į¹­hāpeyya. They’d get up before him and go to bed after him, and be obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely. So upaį¹­į¹­haheyya pubbuį¹­į¹­hāyÄ« pacchānipātÄ« kiį¹…kārapaį¹­issāvÄ« manāpacārÄ« piyavādÄ«. The householder or householder’s son would consider them as a friend Tassa so gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā mittatopi naṁ saddaheyya; and companion, suhajjatopi naṁ saddaheyya; and come to trust them. tasmiƱca vissāsaṁ āpajjeyya. But when that person realizes that Yadā kho, āvuso, tassa purisassa evamassa: they’ve gained the trust of the householder or householder’s son, then, when they know he’s alone, they’d take his life with a sharp knife. ā€˜saṁvissattho kho myāyaṁ gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā’ti, atha naṁ rahogataṁ viditvā tiṇhena satthena jÄ«vitā voropeyya.

What do you think, Yamaka? Taṁ kiṁ maƱƱasi, āvuso yamaka, When that person went to the householder or householder’s son and offered to yadā hi so puriso amuṁ gahapatiṁ vā gahapatiputtaṁ vā upasaį¹…kamitvā evaṁ āha: serve him, weren’t they a killer then, ā€˜upaį¹­į¹­haheyyaṁ taṁ, bhante’ti, tadāpi so vadhakova. though he didn’t know that VadhakaƱca pana santaṁ na aƱƱāsi: this was his killer? ā€˜vadhako me’ti. And when they got up before him and went to bed after him, being obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely, weren’t they a killer then, Yadāpi so upaį¹­į¹­hahati pubbuį¹­į¹­hāyÄ« pacchānipātÄ« kiį¹…kārapaį¹­issāvÄ« manāpacārÄ« piyavādÄ«, tadāpi so vadhakova. though he didn’t know that VadhakaƱca pana santaṁ na aƱƱāsi: this was his killer? ā€˜vadhako me’ti. And when, knowing he was alone, they took his life with a sharp knife, weren’t they a killer then, Yadāpi naṁ rahogataṁ viditvā tiṇhena satthena jÄ«vitā voropeti, tadāpi so vadhakova. though he didn’t know that VadhakaƱca pana santaṁ na aƱƱāsi: this was his killer?ā€ ā€˜vadhako meā€™ā€ti.

ā€œYes, reverend.ā€ ā€œEvamāvusoā€ti.

ā€œIn the same way, an unlearned ordinary person has not seen the noble ones, and is neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve not seen true persons, and are neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the true persons. ā€œEvameva kho, āvuso, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvÄ« ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinÄ«to, sappurisānaṁ adassāvÄ« sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinÄ«to They regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form. rÅ«paṁ attato samanupassati, rÅ«pavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā rÅ«paṁ, rÅ«pasmiṁ vā attānaṁ. They regard feeling … Vedanaṁ … perception … saƱƱaṁ … choices … saį¹…khāre … They regard consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness. viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā viññāṇaṁ, viññāṇasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.

They don’t truly understand form—which is impermanent—as impermanent. So aniccaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜aniccaṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. They don’t truly understand feeling … Aniccaṁ vedanaṁ ā€˜aniccā vedanā’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. perception … Aniccaṁ saƱƱaṁ ā€˜aniccā saññā’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. choices … Anicce saį¹…khāre ā€˜aniccā saį¹…khārā’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. consciousness—which is impermanent—as impermanent. Aniccaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜aniccaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is suffering—as suffering. Dukkhaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜dukkhaṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. They don’t truly understand feeling … Dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ … perception … dukkhaṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … dukkhe saį¹…khāre … consciousness—which is suffering—as suffering. dukkhaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜dukkhaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is not-self—as not-self. Anattaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜anattā rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. They don’t truly understand feeling … Anattaṁ vedanaṁ … perception … anattaṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … anatte saį¹…khāre … consciousness—which is not-self—as not-self. anattaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜anattaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is conditioned—as conditioned. Saį¹…khataṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜saį¹…khataṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. They don’t truly understand feeling … Saį¹…khataṁ vedanaṁ … perception … saį¹…khataṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … saį¹…khate saį¹…khāre … consciousness—which is conditioned—as conditioned. saį¹…khataṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜saį¹…khataṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is a killer—as a killer. Vadhakaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜vadhakaṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. They don’t truly understand feeling … Vadhakaṁ vedanaṁ ā€˜vadhakā vedanā’ti … perception … vadhakaṁ saƱƱaṁ ā€˜vadhakā saññā’ti … choices … vadhake saį¹…khāre ā€˜vadhakā saį¹…khārā’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti. consciousness—which is a killer—as a killer. Vadhakaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜vadhakaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ nappajānāti.

They’re attracted to form, grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ā€˜my self’. So rÅ«paṁ upeti upādiyati adhiį¹­į¹­hāti ā€˜attā me’ti. They’re attracted to feeling … Vedanaṁ … perception … saƱƱaṁ … choices … saį¹…khāre … consciousness, grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ā€˜my self’. viññāṇaṁ upeti upādiyati adhiį¹­į¹­hāti ā€˜attā me’ti. And when you’ve gotten involved with and grasped these five grasping aggregates, they lead to your lasting harm and suffering. Tassime paƱcupādānakkhandhā upetā upādinnā dÄ«gharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya saṁvattanti.

A learned noble disciple has seen the noble ones, and is skilled and trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve seen true persons, and are skilled and trained in the teaching of the true persons. Sutavā ca kho, āvuso, ariyasāvako ariyānaṁ dassāvÄ« …pe… sappurisadhamme suvinÄ«to They don’t regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form. na rÅ«paṁ attato samanupassati, na rÅ«pavantaṁ attānaṁ; na attani rÅ«paṁ, na rÅ«pasmiṁ attānaṁ. They don’t regard feeling … Na vedanaṁ … perception … na saƱƱaṁ … choices … na saį¹…khāre … consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, na viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, na viññāṇavantaṁ attānaṁ; consciousness in self, or self in consciousness. na attani viññāṇaṁ, na viññāṇasmiṁ attānaṁ.

They truly understand form—which is impermanent—as impermanent. So aniccaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜aniccaṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti. They truly understand feeling … Aniccaṁ vedanaṁ … perception … aniccaṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … anicce saį¹…khāre … consciousness—which is impermanent—as impermanent. aniccaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜aniccaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is suffering—as suffering. Dukkhaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜dukkhaṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti. They truly understand feeling … Dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ … perception … dukkhaṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … dukkhe saį¹…khāre … consciousness—which is suffering—as suffering. dukkhaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜dukkhaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is not-self—as not-self. Anattaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜anattā rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti. They truly understand feeling … Anattaṁ vedanaṁ … perception … anattaṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … anatte saį¹…khāre … consciousness—which is not-self—as not-self. anattaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜anattā viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is conditioned—as conditioned. Saį¹…khataṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜saį¹…khataṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti. They truly understand feeling … Saį¹…khataṁ vedanaṁ … perception … saį¹…khataṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … saį¹…khate saį¹…khāre … consciousness—which is conditioned—as conditioned. saį¹…khataṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜saį¹…khataṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is a killer—as a killer. Vadhakaṁ rÅ«paṁ ā€˜vadhakaṁ rÅ«pan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti. They truly understand feeling … Vadhakaṁ vedanaṁ … perception … vadhakaṁ saƱƱaṁ … choices … vadhake saį¹…khāre ā€˜vadhakā saį¹…khārā’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti. consciousness—which is a killer—as a killer. Vadhakaṁ viññāṇaṁ ā€˜vadhakaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhÅ«taṁ pajānāti.

Not being attracted to form, they don’t grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ā€˜my self’. So rÅ«paṁ na upeti, na upādiyati, nādhiį¹­į¹­hāti: ā€˜attā me’ti. Not being attracted to feeling … Vedanaṁ … perception … saƱƱaṁ … choices … saį¹…khāre … consciousness, they don't grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ā€˜my self’. viññāṇaṁ na upeti, na upādiyati, nādhiį¹­į¹­hāti: ā€˜attā me’ti. And when you’re not attracted to and don’t grasp these five grasping aggregates, they lead to your lasting welfare and happiness.ā€ Tassime paƱcupādānakkhandhā anupetā anupādinnā dÄ«gharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya saṁvattantÄ«ā€ti.

ā€œReverend Sāriputta, this is how it is when you have such venerables as spiritual companions to advise and instruct you out of kindness and sympathy. ā€œEvametaṁ, āvuso sāriputta, hoti yesaṁ āyasmantānaṁ tādisā sabrahmacārino anukampakā atthakāmā ovādakā anusāsakā. And after hearing this teaching by Venerable Sāriputta, my mind is freed from the defilements by not grasping.ā€ IdaƱca pana me āyasmato sāriputtassa dhammadesanaṁ sutvā anupādāya āsavehi cittaṁ vimuttanā€ti.

Tatiyaṁ.