Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
XVI: Indriya Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
XVI: Controlling Powers
Sutta 158
Falling Away
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
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[1][than] Then the venerable Sāriputta addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks,'
'Yes, sir,' replied those monks to the venerable Sāriputta.
The venerable Sāriputta said this:
'Whosoever, your reverences,
be it monk or nun,
has observed in himself four qualities,
needs must come to this conclusion:[1]
I am falling away in good qualities.
This was called "falling away" by the Exalted One.
What are the four?
Abundance of lust,
abundance of hatred,
abundance of delusion.
Moreover, into profound matters,
into conclusions right or wrong,
the eye of wisdom in him does not penetrate.[2]
Whosoever, your reverences,
be it monk or nun,
has observed in himself these four qualities
must needs come to this conclusion
I am falling away in good qualities.
§
But, your reverences, whosoever,
be it monk or nun,
has observed in himself four qualities,
needs must come to this conclusion:
I am not falling away in good qualities.
This was called "Not failing away" by the Exalted One.
What are the four?
Gradual decrease in lust,
hatred
and delusion.
Moreover, into profound matters,
into conclusions right or wrong,
the eye of wisdom in him does penetrate.
Whosoever, your reverences, has observed these four qualities
must needs come to this conclusion:
I am not falling away in good qualities.
[1] Niṭṭhaṃ gantabbaṃ. Cf. G.S. i, 253.
[2] Na kamati = na vahati, pavattati, SA. on S. iv, 283 = na carati, pavisati, SnA. on Sn. 177; here it =nāvagāhati, nappavattati, paṭivedhati.
