Saɱyutta Nikāya
5. Mahā-Vagga
47. Sati-Paṭṭhāna Saɱyutta
2. Nālandā Vagga
The Connected Discourses of the Buddha
The Great Book,
47: Connected Discourses on the Establisments of Mindfulness
II. Nālandā
Sutta 11
Mahā-Purisa Suttaɱ
A Great Man
Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Copyright Bhikkhu Bodhi 2000, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, 2000)
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Then the Venerable Sāriputta approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him:
"Venerable sir, it is said, 'a great man, a great man.'
In what way, venerable sir, is one a great man?"
"With a liberated mind, I say, Sāriputta one is a great man.
Without a liberated mind, I say, one is not a great man.
"And how, Sāriputta does one have a liberated mind?
Here, Sāriputta a bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
As he dwells contemplating the body in the body, the mind becomes dispassionate, and by nonclinging it is liberated from the taints.
"He dwells contemplating feelings in feelings ... mind in mind ... phenomena in phenomena, ardent, clearly comprehending, mindful, having removed covetousness and displeasure in regard to the world.
As he dwells contemplating phenomena in phenomena, the mind becomes dispassionate, and by nonclinging it is liberated from the taints.
"It is in such a way, Sāriputta that one has a liberated mind.
With a liberated mind, I say, Sāriputtaone is a great man.
Without a liberated mind, I say, one is not a great man."
