SN 42.12

Rāsiyasutta

Atha kho rāsiyo gāmaṇi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rāsiyo gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante, ‘samaṇo gotamo sabbaṁ tapaṁ garahati, sabbaṁ tapassiṁ lūkhajīviṁ ekaṁsena upavadati upakkosatī’ti. Ye te, bhante, evamāhaṁsu: ‘samaṇo gotamo sabbaṁ tapaṁ garahati, sabbaṁ tapassiṁ lūkhajīviṁ ekaṁsena upavadati upakkosatī’ti, kacci te, bhante, bhagavato vuttavādino, na ca bhagavantaṁ abhūtena abbhācikkhanti, dhammassa cānudhammaṁ byākaronti, na ca koci sahadhammiko vādānuvādo gārayhaṁ ṭhānaṁ āgacchatī”ti? “Ye te, gāmaṇi, evamāhaṁsu: ‘samaṇo gotamo sabbaṁ tapaṁ garahati, sabbaṁ tapassiṁ lūkhajīviṁ ekaṁsena upavadati upakkosatī’ti, na me te vuttavādino, abbhācikkhanti ca pana maṁ te asatā tucchā abhūtena.

With Rāsiya

Then Rāsiya the chief went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: “Sir, I have heard this: ‘The ascetic Gotama criticizes all forms of mortification. He categorically condemns and denounces those fervent mortifiers who live rough.’ I trust those who say this repeat what the Buddha has said, and do not misrepresent him with an untruth? Is their explanation in line with the teaching? Are there any legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism?” “Chief, those who say this do not repeat what I have said. They misrepresent me with what is false, hollow, and untrue.

Dveme, gāmaṇi, antā pabbajitena na sevitabbā— yo cāyaṁ kāmesu kāmasukhallikānuyogo hīno gammo pothujjaniko anariyo anatthasaṁhito, yo cāyaṁ attakilamathānuyogo dukkho anariyo anatthasaṁhito. Ete te, gāmaṇi, ubho ante anupagamma majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā—cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati. Katamā ca sā, gāmaṇi, majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā—cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ— sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi. Ayaṁ kho sā, gāmaṇi, majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā—cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati.

These two extremes should not be cultivated by one gone forth. Indulgence in sensual pleasures, which is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. And indulgence in self-mortification, which is painful, ignoble, and pointless. Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One understood the middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and extinguishment. And what is that middle way of practice? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This, chief, is the middle way of practice that was understood by the Realized One, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and extinguishment.

Tayo kho me, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogino santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame tayo? Idha, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī adhammena bhoge pariyesati, sāhasena adhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasena na attānaṁ sukheti na pīṇeti na saṁvibhajati na puññāni karoti. Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasena. Adhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati na puññāni karoti. Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasena. Adhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti.

There are these three pleasure seekers in the world. What three? Take a pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using illegitimate, coercive means, and who doesn’t make themselves happy and pleased, or share it and make merit. Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. They make themselves happy and pleased, but don’t share it and make merit. Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. They make themselves happy and pleased, and they share it and make merit.

Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenapi asāhasenapi. Dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasenapi asāhasenapi na attānaṁ sukheti, na pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenapi asāhasenapi. Dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasenapi asāhasenapi attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesati, sāhasenapi asāhasenapi. Dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasenapi asāhasenapi attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti.

Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using means both legitimate and illegitimate, and coercive and non-coercive. They don’t make themselves happy and pleased, or share it and make merit. Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using means both legitimate and illegitimate, and coercive and non-coercive. They don’t make themselves happy and pleased, or share it and make merit. Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using means both legitimate and illegitimate, and coercive and non-coercive. They make themselves happy and pleased, and they share it and make merit.

Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena. Dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena na attānaṁ sukheti, na pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena. Dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena. Dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti. Te ca bhoge gadhito mucchito ajjhopanno anādīnavadassāvī anissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati. Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena. Dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti. Te ca bhoge agadhito amucchito anajjhopanno ādīnavadassāvī nissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati.

Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. They don’t make themselves happy and pleased, or share it and make merit. Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. They make themselves happy and pleased, but don’t share it and make merit. Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. They make themselves happy and pleased, and they share it and make merit. They enjoy that wealth tied, infatuated, attached, blind to the drawbacks, and not understanding the escape. Next, a pleasure seeker seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. They make themselves happy and pleased, and they share it and make merit. And they enjoy that wealth untied, uninfatuated, unattached, seeing the drawbacks, and understanding the escape.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasena, adhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasena na attānaṁ sukheti, na pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho. Katamehi tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho? Adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena gārayho. Na attānaṁ sukheti na pīṇetīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karotīti, iminā tatiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī imehi tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using illegitimate, coercive means, and who doesn’t make themselves happy and pleased, or share it and make merit. They may be criticized on three grounds. What three? They seek wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. This is the first ground for criticism. They don’t make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for criticism. They don’t share it and make merit. This is the third ground for criticism. This pleasure seeker may be criticized on these three grounds.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasena, adhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho, ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho? Adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena gārayho. Na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karotīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Katamena ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso? Attānaṁ sukheti pīṇetīti, iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho, iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using illegitimate, coercive means, and who makes themselves happy and pleased, but doesn’t share it and make merit. This pleasure seeker may be criticized on two grounds, and praised on one. What are the two grounds for criticism? They seek wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. This is the first ground for criticism. They don’t share it and make merit. This is the second ground for criticism. What is the one ground for praise? They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the one ground for praise. This pleasure seeker may be criticized on these two grounds, and praised on this one.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasena, adhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī ekena ṭhānena gārayho, dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso. Katamena ekena ṭhānena gārayho? Adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenāti, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso? Attānaṁ sukheti pīṇetīti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Saṁvibhajati puññāni karotīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho, imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using illegitimate, coercive means, and who makes themselves happy and pleased, and shares it and makes merit. This pleasure seeker may be criticized on one ground, and praised on two. What is the one ground for criticism? They seek wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. This is the one ground for criticism. What are the two grounds for praise? They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the first ground for praise. They share it and make merit. This is the second ground for praise. This pleasure seeker may be criticized on this one ground, and praised on these two.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenapi asāhasenapi, dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasenapi asāhasenapi na attānaṁ sukheti, na pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso, tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho. Katamena ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso? Dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasenāti, iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamehi tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho? Adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena gārayho. Na attānaṁ sukheti, na pīṇetīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karotīti, iminā tatiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso, imehi tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using means both legitimate and illegitimate, and coercive and non-coercive, and who doesn’t make themselves happy and pleased, or share it and make merit. They may be praised on one ground, and criticized on three. What is the one ground for praise? They seek wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. This is the one ground for praise. What are the three grounds for criticism? They seek wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. This is the first ground for criticism. They don’t make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for criticism. They don’t share it and make merit. This is the third ground for criticism. This pleasure seeker may be praised on this one ground, and criticized on these three.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenapi asāhasenapi, dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasenapi asāhasenapi attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso? Dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Attānaṁ sukheti pīṇetīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho? Adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena gārayho. Na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karotīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using means both legitimate and illegitimate, and coercive and non-coercive, and makes themselves happy and pleased, but doesn’t share it and make merit. They may be praised on two grounds, and criticized on two. What are the two grounds for praise? They seek wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. This is the first ground for praise. They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for praise. What are the two grounds for criticism? They seek wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. This is the first ground for criticism. They don’t share it and make merit. This is the second ground for criticism. This pleasure seeker may be praised on these two grounds, and criticized on these two.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenapi asāhasenapi, dhammādhammena bhoge pariyesitvā sāhasenapi asāhasenapi attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī tīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Katamehi tīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso? Dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Attānaṁ sukheti pīṇetīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Saṁvibhajati puññāni karotīti, iminā tatiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamena ekena ṭhānena gārayho? Adhammena bhoge pariyesati sāhasenāti, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī imehi tīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using means both legitimate and illegitimate, and coercive and non-coercive, and who makes themselves happy and pleased, and shares it and makes merit. They may be praised on three grounds, and criticized on one. What are the three grounds for praise? They seek wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. This is the first ground for praise. They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for praise. They share it and make merit. This is the third ground for praise. What is the one ground for criticism? They seek wealth using illegitimate, coercive means. This is the one ground for criticism. This pleasure seeker may be praised on these three grounds, and criticized on this one.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena, dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena, na attānaṁ sukheti, na pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso, dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho. Katamena ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso? Dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasenāti, iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho? Na attānaṁ sukheti, na pīṇetīti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena gārayho. Na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karotīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso, imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means, but who doesn’t make themselves happy and pleased, or share it and make merit. They may be praised on one ground, and criticized on two. What is the one ground for praise? They seek wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. This is the one ground for praise. What are the two grounds for criticism? They don’t make themselves happy and pleased. This is the first ground for criticism. They don’t share it and make merit. This is the second ground for criticism. This pleasure seeker may be praised on this one ground, and criticized on these two.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena, dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti, na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karoti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso? Dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Attānaṁ sukheti pīṇetīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamena ekena ṭhānena gārayho? Na saṁvibhajati, na puññāni karotīti, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means, and who makes themselves happy and pleased, but doesn’t share it and make merit. This pleasure seeker may be praised on two grounds, and criticized on one. What are the two grounds for praise? They seek wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. This is the first ground for praise. They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for praise. What is the one ground for criticism? They don’t share it and make merit. This is the one ground for criticism. This pleasure seeker may be praised on these two grounds, and criticized on this one.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena, dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti, te ca bhoge gadhito mucchito ajjhopanno anādīnavadassāvī anissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī tīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Katamehi tīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso? Dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Attānaṁ sukheti pīṇetīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Saṁvibhajati puññāni karotīti, iminā tatiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamena ekena ṭhānena gārayho? Te ca bhoge gadhito mucchito ajjhopanno anādīnavadassāvī anissaraṇapañño paribhuñjatīti, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī imehi tīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means, and who makes themselves happy and pleased, and shares it and makes merit. But they enjoy that wealth tied, infatuated, attached, blind to the drawbacks, and not understanding the escape. They may be praised on three grounds and criticized on one. What are the three grounds for praise? They seek wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. This is the first ground for praise. They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for praise. They share it and make merit. This is the third ground for praise. What is the one ground for criticism? They enjoy that wealth tied, infatuated, attached, blind to the drawbacks, and not understanding the escape. This is the one ground for criticism. This pleasure seeker may be praised on these three grounds, and criticized on this one.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ kāmabhogī dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasena, dhammena bhoge pariyesitvā asāhasena attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti saṁvibhajati puññāni karoti. Te ca bhoge agadhito amucchito anajjhopanno ādīnavadassāvī nissaraṇapañño paribhuñjati. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī catūhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso. Katamehi catūhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso? Dhammena bhoge pariyesati asāhasenāti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Attānaṁ sukheti pīṇetīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Saṁvibhajati puññāni karotīti, iminā tatiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Te ca bhoge agadhito amucchito anajjhopanno ādīnavadassāvī nissaraṇapañño paribhuñjatīti, iminā catutthena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, kāmabhogī imehi catūhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso.

Now, consider the pleasure seeker who seeks wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means, and who makes themselves happy and pleased, and shares it and makes merit. And they enjoy that wealth untied, uninfatuated, unattached, seeing the drawbacks, and understanding the escape. This pleasure seeker may be praised on four grounds. What are the four grounds for praise? They seek wealth using legitimate, non-coercive means. This is the first ground for praise. They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for praise. They share it and make merit. This is the third ground for praise. They enjoy that wealth untied, uninfatuated, unattached, seeing the drawbacks, and understanding the escape. This is the fourth ground for praise. This pleasure seeker may be praised on these four grounds.

Tayome, gāmaṇi, tapassino lūkhajīvino santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame tayo? Idha, gāmaṇi, ekacco tapassī lūkhajīvī saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti: ‘appeva nāma kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigaccheyyaṁ, appeva nāma uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikareyyan’ti. So attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpeti, kusalañca dhammaṁ nādhigacchati, uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ na sacchikaroti.

These three fervent mortifiers who live rough are found in the world. What three? Take a fervent mortifier who has gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness, thinking: ‘Hopefully I will achieve a skillful quality! Hopefully I will realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones!’ They mortify and torment themselves. But they don’t achieve any skillful quality, or realize any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.

Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco tapassī lūkhajīvī saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti: ‘appeva nāma kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigaccheyyaṁ, appeva nāma uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikareyyan’ti. So attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpeti, kusalañhi kho dhammaṁ adhigacchati, uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ na sacchikaroti.

Take another fervent mortifier who has gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness, thinking: ‘Hopefully I will achieve a skillful quality! Hopefully I will realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones!’ They mortify and torment themselves. And they achieve a skillful quality, but don’t realize any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.

Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekacco tapassī lūkhajīvī saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti: ‘appeva nāma kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigaccheyyaṁ, appeva nāma uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikareyyan’ti. So attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpeti, kusalañca dhammaṁ adhigacchati, uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikaroti.

Take another fervent mortifier who has gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness, thinking: ‘Hopefully I will achieve a skillful quality! Hopefully I will realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones!’ They mortify and torment themselves. And they achieve a skillful quality, and they realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ tapassī lūkhajīvī attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpeti, kusalañca dhammaṁ nādhigacchati, uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ na sacchikaroti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, tapassī lūkhajīvī tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho. Katamehi tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho? Attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpetīti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena gārayho. Kusalañca dhammaṁ nādhigacchatīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ na sacchikarotīti, iminā tatiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, tapassī lūkhajīvī, imehi tīhi ṭhānehi gārayho.

In this case, the first fervent mortifier may be criticized on three grounds. What three? They mortify and torment themselves. This is the first ground for criticism. They don’t achieve a skillful quality. This is the second ground for criticism. They don’t realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. This is the third ground for criticism. This fervent mortifier may be criticized on these three grounds.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ tapassī lūkhajīvī attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpeti, kusalañhi kho dhammaṁ adhigacchati, uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ na sacchikaroti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, tapassī lūkhajīvī dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho, ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho? Attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpetīti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena gārayho. Uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ na sacchikarotīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena gārayho. Katamena ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso? Kusalañhi kho dhammaṁ adhigacchatīti, iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, tapassī lūkhajīvī imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi gārayho, iminā ekena ṭhānena pāsaṁso.

In this case, the second fervent mortifier may be criticized on two grounds, and praised on one. What are the two grounds for criticism? They mortify and torment themselves. This is the first ground for criticism. They don’t realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. This is the second ground for criticism. What is the one ground for praise? They achieve a skillful quality. This is the one ground for praise. This fervent mortifier may be criticized on these two grounds, and praised on one.

Tatra, gāmaṇi, yvāyaṁ tapassī lūkhajīvī attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpeti, kusalañca dhammaṁ adhigacchati, uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikaroti. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, tapassī lūkhajīvī ekena ṭhānena gārayho, dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso. Katamena ekena ṭhānena gārayho? Attānaṁ ātāpeti paritāpetīti, iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho. Katamehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso? Kusalañca dhammaṁ adhigacchatīti, iminā paṭhamena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Uttari ca manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikarotīti, iminā dutiyena ṭhānena pāsaṁso. Ayaṁ, gāmaṇi, tapassī lūkhajīvī iminā ekena ṭhānena gārayho, imehi dvīhi ṭhānehi pāsaṁso.

In this case, the third fervent mortifier may be criticized on one ground, and praised on two. What is the one ground for criticism? They mortify and torment themselves. This is the one ground for criticism. What are the two grounds for praise? They achieve a skillful quality. This is the first ground for praise. They realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. This is the second ground for praise. This fervent mortifier may be criticized on this one ground, and praised on two.

Tisso imā, gāmaṇi, sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Katamā tisso? Yaṁ ratto rāgādhikaraṇaṁ attabyābādhāyapi ceteti, parabyābādhāyapi ceteti, ubhayabyābādhāyapi ceteti. Rāge pahīne nevattabyābādhāya ceteti, na parabyābādhāya ceteti, na ubhayabyābādhāya ceteti. Sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Yaṁ duṭṭho dosādhikaraṇaṁ attabyābādhāyapi ceteti, parabyābādhāyapi ceteti, ubhayabyābādhāyapi ceteti. Dose pahīne nevattabyābādhāya ceteti, na parabyābādhāya ceteti, na ubhayabyābādhāya ceteti. Sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Yaṁ mūḷho mohādhikaraṇaṁ attabyābādhāyapi ceteti, parabyābādhāyapi ceteti, ubhayabyābādhāyapi ceteti. Mohe pahīne nevattabyābādhāya ceteti, na parabyābādhāya ceteti, na ubhayabyābādhāya ceteti. Sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Imā kho, gāmaṇi, tisso sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhī”ti.

There are these three kinds of wearing away that are apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know them for themselves. What three? A greedy person, because of greed, intends to hurt themselves, hurt others, and hurt both. When they’ve given up greed they don’t have such intentions. This wearing away is apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. A hateful person, because of hate, intends to hurt themselves, hurt others, and hurt both. When they’ve given up hate they don’t have such intentions. This wearing away is apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. A deluded person, because of delusion, intends to hurt themselves, hurt others, and hurt both. When they’ve given up delusion they don’t have such intentions. This wearing away is apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. These are the three kinds of wearing away that are apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know them for themselves.”

Evaṁ vutte, rāsiyo gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bhante …pe… upāsakaṁ maṁ bhagavā dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

When he said this, Rāsiya the chief said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”