Saṁyutta Nikāya:
III. Khandhā Vagga:
22: Khandhāsaṁyutta

III.2. Suttas 113-125

Avijjā (or Bhikkhu) Suttaṁ

Sutta 113

Ignorance (or The Brother)

 

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Thus have I heard:

The Exalted One was once staying near Sāvatthī
at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

Then a certain brother came to the Exalted One
and saluting him
sat down at one side.

So seated
that brother thus addressed the Exalted One:

"'Ignorance, ignorance,' tis said, lord.

Pray, lord, what is ignorance,
and how far is one ignorant?"

"Herein, brother, the untaught many-folk know not body,
know not the arising of body,
know not the ceasing of body,
know not the way going to the ceasing of body.

■

They know not feeling,
know not the arising of feeling,
know not the ceasing of feeling,
know not the way going to the ceasing of feeling.

■

They know not perception,
know not the arising of perception,
know not the ceasing of perception,
know not the way going to the ceasing of perception.

■

They know not the activities,
know not the arising of the activities,
know not the ceasing of the activities,
know not the way going to the ceasing of the activities.

■

They know not consciousness,
know not the arising of consciousness,
know not the ceasing of consciousness,
know not the way going to the ceasing of consciousness.

This, brother, is called ignorance,
and thus far is one ignorant."