Saṁyutta Nikāya,
V: Mahā-Vagga
56. Sacca Saṁyutta
III. Koṭigāma Vagga

Part V: The Great Chapter
56: Kindred Sayings about the Truths

III. Koṭigāma

Sutta 21

Paṭhama Vijjā Suttaṁ

Knowledge (a)

 

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THUS have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying among the Vajjians at Koṭigāma.¹

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks saying:

"Monks."

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

The Exalted One said:

"Monks, it is through not understanding,
not penetrating
four Ariyan truths
that we have run on,
wandered on,
this long long road,
both you and I.

 

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What are the four?

Through not understanding,
not penetrating
the Ariyan truth of Ill
we have run on,
wandered on,
this long long road,
both you and I.

■

Through not understanding,
not penetrating
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill
we have run on,
wandered on,
this long long road,
both you and I.

■

Through not understanding,
not penetrating
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill
we have run on,
wandered on,
this long long road,
both you and I.

■

Through not understanding,
not penetrating
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill
we have run on,
wandered on,
this long long road,
both you and I.

 

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But now, monks,
the Ariyan truth of Ill
is understood,
is penetrated.

But now, monks,
the Ariyan truth of the arising of Ill
is understood,
is penetrated.

But now, monks,
the Ariyan truth of the ceasing of Ill
is understood,
is penetrated.

But now, monks,
the Ariyan truth of the practice that leads to the ceasing of Ill
is understood,
is penetrated.

Uprooted is the craving [366] to exist,
destroyed is the channel² to becoming,
there is no more coming to be."

Thus spoke the Exalted One.

Then as Teacher he added this:

"Who have not really seen the fourfold Ariyan truth
A long long road must wander on through many births.

Clean gone is that which leads to birth when these are seen;
Torn up the root of Ill. There is no more becoming.³

 

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¹ Not found elsewhere except at Dīgha, ii, 90 and JA, ii, 232, 'a village of the Vajjians, on the Ganges.'

² Bhava-netti (lit. 'conduit').

³ Cf. D. ii, 91; Vin. i, 231.