Aṅguttara Nikāya
4. Catukka Nipāta
VII. Pattakamma Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter VII: Deeds of Merit
Sutta 65
Rūpappamāṇa Suttaɱ
Outer Form
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
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[1] THUS have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Monks, these four persons are found existing in the world.[1]
What four?
He who measures according to (outward) form and is satisfied therewith;
he who measures according to (others') words and is satisfied therewith;
he who measures according to austerity and is satisfied therewith;
he who measures according to dhamma[2] and is satisfied therewith.
If they have measured by the form and go by what folk say,
Desire-and-passion-led, they do not know that man.
If the very man he know not, nor things external see,
Hedged in on every side that fool by words is swayed.
If the very man he know not, but things external see,[3]
The outward fruits observing, he too by words is swayed.
But if he know the very man and see externals too,
Clear-sighted without hindrance,[4] by words he is not swayed.'[5]
[1] Cf. Pugg., p. 53; Human Types, 73, where each term is explained.
[2] One's own standard of right and wrong, not the later 'Dhamma.'
[3] Vi-nīvaraṇa-dassāvī - i.e., freed from the five hindrances of sensuality, ill-will, sloth-and-torpor, flurry-and-worry, doubt-and-wavering.
[4] Here Sinh. text wrongly reads na passati.
[5] These gāthas occur, with slight differences, at Thag. 469; Brethr. 230, where they are ascribed to Bhaddiya the Dwarf, the sweet-voiced teacher, and are there more fittingly applied. He says: 'People see my misshapen rūpa, and misjudge me; but on hearing my voice (ghosa) they are entranced. It looks as if our version is derived from those at Thag., for in the former there is no reference to austerity or dhamma.
