Aṅguttara Nikāya
IV. Catukka Nipāta
I. Bhaṇḍagāma Vagga
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
IV. The Book of the Fours
I. Bhaṇḍagāma
Sutta 6
Appasasuta Suttaɱ
One of Little Learning
Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
© 2012 Bhikkhu Bodhi
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[1][pts]"Bhikkhus, there are these four kinds of persons found existing in the world.
What four?
One of little learning who is not intent on what he has learnt; one of little learning who is intent on what he has learnt; one of much learning who is not intent on what he has learnt; and one of much learning who is intent on what he has learnt.
(1) "And how is a person one of little learning who is not intent on what he has learnt?
[7] Here, someone has learnt little — that is, of the discourses, mixed prose and verse, expositions, verses, inspired utterances, quotations, birth stories, amazing accounts, and questions-and-answers — but he does not understand the meaning of what he has learnt; he does not understand the Dhamma; and he does not practice in accordance with the Dhamma.
In such a way, a person is one of little learning who is not intent on what he has learnt.
(2) "And how is a person one of little learning who is intent on what he has learnt?
Here, someone has learnt little — that is, of the discourses ... questions-and-answers — but having understood the meaning of what he has learnt, and having understood the Dhamma, he practices in accordance with the Dhamma.
In such a way, a person is one of little learning who is intent on what he has learnt.
(3) "And how is a person one of much learning who is not intent on what he has learnt?
Here, someone has learnt much — that is, of the discourses ... questions-and-answers — but he does not understand the meaning of what he has learnt; he does not understand the Dhamma; and he does not practice in accordance with the Dhamma.
In such a way, a person is one of much learning who is not intent on what he has learnt.
(4) "And how is a person one of much learning who is intent on what he has learnt?
Here, someone has learnt much — that is, of the discourses ... questions-and-answers — and having understood the meaning of what he has learnt, and having understood the Dhamma, he practices in accordance with the Dhamma.
In such a way, a person is one of much learning who is intent on what he has learnt.
"These, bhikkhus, are the four kinds of persons found existing in the world."
If one has little learning
and is not settled in the virtues,
they criticize him on both counts,
virtuous behavior and learning.
If one has little learning
but is well settled in the virtues,
they praise him for his virtuous behavior;
his learning has succeeded.
If one is highly learned
but is not settled in the virtues,
they criticize him for his lack of virtue;
his learning has not succeeded.
[8]If one is highly learned
and is settled in the virtues,
they praise him on both counts,
virtuous behavior and learning.
When a disciple of the Buddha is highly learned,
an expert on the Dhamma, endowed with wisdom,
like a coin of refined mountain gold,
who is fit to blame him?
Even the devas praise such a one;
by Brahmā too he is praised.
