Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
45. Magga Saɱyutta
1. Avijjā Vagga
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
5. The Great Chapter
45. Kindred Sayings on the Way
1. On Ignorance
Sutta 5
Kim Attha? Suttaɱ
To What Purpose?[1]
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Then a number of monks came to visit the Exalted One
saluted him
and sat down at one side.
So seated
those monks said this to the Exalted One:
"Here, lord, the wanderers holding other views
ask us this question:
'What is it, friends,
for which the holy life is lived
under Gotama the recluse?'
Thus questioned, lord,
we thus reply to those wanderers holding other views:
'It is for the full understanding of ill, friends,
that the holy life is lived
under Gotama the recluse.'
Thus questioned, lord,
and thus replying,
do we state the views of the Exalted One,
without misrepresenting the Exalted One
by stating an untruth?
Do we answer in accordance
with his teaching,
so that no one who agrees with his teaching
and follows his views
could incur reproach?"
■
"Truly, monks, thus questioned
and thus replying,
ye do state my views
without misrepresenting me
by stating an untruth.
You do answer in accordance
with my teaching,
so that no one who agrees with my teaching
and follows my views
could incur reproach
in stating that it is for the full understanding of Ill
that the holy life is lived under my rule.[2]
■
But if, monks, the wanderers holding other views
should thus question you:
'But, friends, is there any way,
is there any practice
for the full understanding of this Ill?' -
thus questioned, monks,
thus should ye reply to those wanderers of other views:
'Friends, there is indeed a Way,
there is indeed a practice
for the full understanding of this ill.'
And what, monks, is that Way,
what that practice?
It is this very Ariyan eightfold way;
to wit:
right view,
right aim,
right speech,
right action,
right living,
right effort,
right mindfulness,
right concentration.
This, monks, is the Way,
this is the practice
for the full understanding of this Ill.
Thus questioned, monks,
thus should ye reply
to those wanderers holding other views."
[1] Text kimattha. Title kimatthi. Uddāna kimatthiyo.
[2] As at K.S. iv, 27, 87; Dialog. i, 192; Mil.P., 49,101.
