Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
XVII. Āghāta Vaggo
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter XVII: Malice
Sutta 165
Pañha-Pucchā Suttaɱ
On Asking Questions
Translated by E. M. Hare
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[1][than] Thus have I heard:[ed1]
Once the venerable Sāriputta addressed the monks, saying:
'Reverend sirs.'
'Reverend sir,' they replied;
and Sāriputta said:
'All who question another
are in five states (of mind)
or one of them.
What five?
One being foolish and blind
questions another;[1]
■
one filled with evil desires and covetousness
questions another;
■
one contemptuously
questions another;
■
one seeking knowledge
questions another;
■
or one questions another uncertainly,[2] thinking:
If questioned by me
he explain rightly,
it is well;
but if questioned by me
he explain not rightly,
I will explain to him.
Reverend sirs, all who question another are in these five states or in one of them.
§
Reverend sirs, when I question another, verily I am thus minded:
If questioned by me
he explain rightly,
it is well;
but if questioned by me
he explain not rightly,
I will explain to him.'
[1] Cf. above, § 93.
[2] Pakuppanto, from √kup, to he agitated; cf. M. i, 187, of the elements; F. Dial. trsl., wroth. Cf. 1 Corinthians ix, 26, but just in the opposite way: 'I therefore so run, not as uncertainly.'
[ed1] I suggest the Nidana for this sutta is AN 5.161 + AN 5.162 + AN 5.163 + AN 5.164. I further suggest that this pattern should be considered wherever a Nidana is missing and the sutta begins "Then ..." or "There, then..."
