Saṁyutta Nikāya:
V. Mahā-Vagga
45. Magga Saṁyutta
IV. Paṭipatti Vagga

The Great Chapter,
Book I (Chapter 45): Kindred Sayings on the Way
Chapter IV: On Conduct

Sutta 37

Paṭhama Brahmañña Suttaṁ

The Highest Life (a)

 

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THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

"I will teach you, monks, both the highest life¹
and the fruits of the highest life.

Do ye listen to it.

And what, monks, is the highest life?

It is just this Ariyan eightfold way,
to wit:

Right view,
right aim,
right speech,
right action,
right living,
right effort,
right mindfulness
right concentration.

This is called
'the highest life.'

And what, monks, are
the fruits of the highest life?

They are the fruit of stream-winning,
the fruit of once returning,
the fruit of not returning
and the fruit of arahantship.

These, monks, are called
'the fruits of the highest life.'"

 

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¹ Brahmaññaṅ