Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
VIII: Apaṇṇaka Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter VIII: The Sure
Sutta 77
Acinteyya Suttaṃ
Unthinkable
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"Monks, there are these four unthinkables,
not to be thought of,
thinking of which
one would be distraught
and come to grief.[1]
What are the four?
Of Buddhas, monks,
the range is unthinkable,
not to be thought of
thinking of which
one would be distraught
and come to grief.
Of one who is musing, monks,
the range is unthinkable,
not to be thought of
thinking of which
one would be distraught
and come to grief.
The fruit of action, monks,
the range is unthinkable,
not to be thought of
thinking of which
one would be distraught
and come to grief.
World-speculation,[2] monks,
the range is unthinkable,
not to be thought of
thinking of which
one would be distraught
and come to grief.
These, monks, are the four unthinkables,
not to be thought of
thinking of which
one would be distraught
and come to grief.
[1] Cf. Expos. i, 31, 'The bhikkhu who is ill-trained in Abhidhamma makes his mind run to excess in metaphysical abstractions and thinks of the unthinkable.'
[2] Loka-cintā. Cf. K.S. v, 377. Comy. on both passages, 'Such as: Who made the moon and sun? Who made the earth, ocean, beings, mountains, mangoes, coconuts, etc.?'
