Majjhima Nikāya 139

The Middle-Length Suttas Collection 139

Araṇavibhaṅgasutta

The Analysis of Non-Conflict

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhus, “Bhikkhus!”

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

“araṇavibhaṅgaṁ vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I shall teach you the analysis of non-conflict. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Yes, sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

“Na kāmasukhamanuyuñjeyya hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na ca attakilamathānuyogamanuyuñjeyya dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ. Ete kho, bhikkhave, ubho ante anupagamma majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā, cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati. Ussādanañca jaññā, apasādanañca jaññā; ussādanañca ñatvā apasādanañca ñatvā nevussādeyya, na apasādeyya, dhammameva deseyya. Sukhavinicchayaṁ jaññā; sukhavinicchayaṁ ñatvā ajjhattaṁ sukhamanuyuñjeyya. Rahovādaṁ na bhāseyya, sammukhā na khīṇaṁ¹ bhaṇe. Ataramānova bhāseyya, no taramāno. Janapadaniruttiṁ nābhiniveseyya, samaññaṁ nātidhāveyyāti—ayamuddeso araṇavibhaṅgassa.

“Don’t indulge in sensual pleasures, which are low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. And don’t indulge in self-mortification, which is painful, ignoble, and pointless. Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One woke up by understanding the middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and Nibbana. Know what it means to flatter and to rebuke. Knowing these, avoid them, and just teach Dhamma. Know how to assess different kinds of pleasure. Knowing this, pursue inner bliss. Don’t talk behind people’s backs, and don’t speak sharply in their presence. Don’t speak hurriedly. Don’t insist on local terminology and don’t override normal usage. This is the recitation passage for the analysis of non-conflict.

‘Na kāmasukhamanuyuñjeyya hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na ca attakilamathānuyogamanuyuñjeyya dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitan’ti—iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ; Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Yo kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogo hīno gammo pothujjaniko anariyo anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Yo kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogaṁ ananuyogo hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Yo attakilamathānuyogo dukkho anariyo anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Yo attakilamathānuyogaṁ ananuyogo dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. ‘Na kāmasukhamanuyuñjeyya hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, na ca attakilamathānuyogaṁ anuyuñjeyya dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitan’ti—iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

‘Don’t indulge in sensual pleasures, which are low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. And don’t indulge in self-mortification, which is painful, ignoble, and pointless.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? Pleasure linked to sensuality is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. Indulging in such happiness is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. Breaking off such indulgence is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. Indulging in self-mortification is painful, ignoble, and pointless. It is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. Breaking off such indulgence is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. ‘Don’t indulge in sensual pleasures, which are low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. And don’t indulge in self-mortification, which is painful, ignoble, and pointless.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.

‘Ete kho ubho ante anupagamma majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā, cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattatī’ti—iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, seyyathidaṁ—sammādiṭṭhi, sammāsaṅkappo, sammāvācā, sammākammanto, sammāājīvo, sammāvāyāmo, sammāsati, sammāsamādhi. ‘Ete kho ubho ante anupagamma majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā, cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattatī’ti—iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

‘Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One woke up by understanding the middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and Nibbana.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. ‘Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One woke up by understanding the middle way of practice, which gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and Nibbana.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.

‘Ussādanañca jaññā, apasādanañca jaññā; ussādanañca ñatvā apasādanañca ñatvā nevussādeyya, na apasādeyya, dhammameva deseyyā’ti—iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?

‘Know what it means to flatter and to rebuke. Knowing these, avoid them, and just teach Dhamma.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, ussādanā ca hoti apasādanā ca, no ca dhammadesanā? ‘Ye kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogaṁ anuyuttā hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te sadukkhā saupaghātā saupāyāsā sapariḷāhā micchāpaṭipannā’ti—iti vadaṁ² ittheke apasādeti.

And how is there flattering and rebuking without teaching Dhamma? In speaking like this, some are rebuked: ‘Pleasure linked to sensuality is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. All those who indulge in such happiness are beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the wrong way.’

‘Ye kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogaṁ ananuyuttā hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te adukkhā anupaghātā anupāyāsā apariḷāhā sammāpaṭipannā’ti—iti vadaṁ ittheke ussādeti.

In speaking like this, some are flattered: ‘Pleasure linked to sensuality is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. All those who have broken off such indulgence are free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the right way.’

‘Ye attakilamathānuyogaṁ anuyuttā dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te sadukkhā saupaghātā saupāyāsā sapariḷāhā micchāpaṭipannā’ti—iti vadaṁ ittheke apasādeti.

In speaking like this, some are rebuked: ‘Indulging in self-mortification is painful, ignoble, and pointless. All those who indulge in it are beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the wrong way.’

‘Ye attakilamathānuyogaṁ ananuyuttā dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te adukkhā anupaghātā anupāyāsā apariḷāhā sammāpaṭipannā’ti—iti vadaṁ ittheke ussādeti.

In speaking like this, some are flattered: ‘Indulging in self-mortification is painful, ignoble, and pointless. All those who have broken off such indulgence are free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the right way.’

‘Yesaṁ kesañci bhavasaṁyojanaṁ appahīnaṁ, sabbe te sadukkhā saupaghātā saupāyāsā sapariḷāhā micchāpaṭipannā’ti—iti vadaṁ ittheke apasādeti.

In speaking like this, some are rebuked: ‘All those who have not given up the fetters of rebirth are beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the wrong way.’

‘Yesaṁ kesañci bhavasaṁyojanaṁ pahīnaṁ, sabbe te adukkhā anupaghātā anupāyāsā apariḷāhā sammāpaṭipannā’ti—iti vadaṁ ittheke ussādeti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, ussādanā ca hoti apasādanā ca, no ca dhammadesanā.

In speaking like this, some are flattered: ‘All those who have given up the fetters of rebirth are free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the right way.’ That’s how there is flattering and rebuking without teaching Dhamma.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, nevussādanā hoti na apasādanā, dhammadesanā ca? ‘Ye kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogaṁ anuyuttā hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te sadukkhā saupaghātā saupāyāsā sapariḷāhā micchāpaṭipannā’ti—na evamāha. ‘Anuyogo ca kho sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā’ti—iti vadaṁ dhammameva deseti.

And how is there neither flattering nor rebuking, and just teaching Dhamma? You don’t say: ‘Pleasure linked to sensuality is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. All those who indulge in such happiness are beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the wrong way.’ Rather, by saying this you just teach Dhamma: ‘The indulgence is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way.’

‘Ye kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogaṁ ananuyuttā hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te adukkhā anupaghātā anupāyāsā apariḷāhā sammāpaṭipannā’ti—na evamāha. ‘Ananuyogo ca kho adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā’ti—iti vadaṁ dhammameva deseti.

You don’t say: ‘Pleasure linked to sensuality is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. All those who have broken off such indulgence are free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the right way.’ Rather, by saying this you just teach Dhamma: ‘Breaking off the indulgence is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way.’

‘Ye attakilamathānuyogaṁ anuyuttā dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te sadukkhā saupaghātā saupāyāsā sapariḷāhā micchāpaṭipannā’ti—na evamāha. ‘Anuyogo ca kho sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā’ti—iti vadaṁ dhammameva deseti.

You don’t say: ‘Indulging in self-mortification is painful, ignoble, and pointless. All those who indulge in it are beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the wrong way.’ Rather, by saying this you just teach Dhamma: ‘The indulgence is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way.’

‘Ye attakilamathānuyogaṁ ananuyuttā dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, sabbe te adukkhā anupaghātā anupāyāsā apariḷāhā sammāpaṭipannā’ti—na evamāha. ‘Ananuyogo ca kho adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā’ti—iti vadaṁ dhammameva deseti.

You don’t say: ‘Indulging in self-mortification is painful, ignoble, and pointless. All those who have broken off such indulgence are free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the right way.’ Rather, by saying this you just teach Dhamma: ‘Breaking off the indulgence is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way.’

‘Yesaṁ kesañci bhavasaṁyojanaṁ appahīnaṁ, sabbe te sadukkhā saupaghātā saupāyāsā sapariḷāhā micchāpaṭipannā’ti—na evamāha. ‘Bhavasaṁyojane ca kho appahīne bhavopi appahīno hotī’ti—iti vadaṁ dhammameva deseti.

You don’t say: ‘All those who have not given up the fetters of rebirth are beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the wrong way.’ Rather, by saying this you just teach Dhamma: ‘When the fetter of rebirth is not given up, rebirth is also not given up.’

‘Yesaṁ kesañci bhavasaṁyojanaṁ pahīnaṁ, sabbe te adukkhā anupaghātā anupāyāsā apariḷāhā sammāpaṭipannā’ti—na evamāha. ‘Bhavasaṁyojane ca kho pahīne bhavopi pahīno hotī’ti—iti vadaṁ dhammameva deseti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, nevussādanā hoti na apasādanā, dhammadesanā ca. ‘Ussādanañca jaññā, apasādanañca jaññā; ussādanañca ñatvā apasādanañca ñatvā nevussādeyya, na apasādeyya, dhammameva deseyyā’ti—iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

You don’t say: ‘All those who have given up the fetters of rebirth are free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and they are practicing the right way.’ Rather, by saying this you just teach Dhamma: ‘When the fetter of rebirth is given up, rebirth is also given up.’ That’s how there is neither flattering nor rebuking, and just teaching Dhamma. ‘Know what it means to flatter and to rebuke. Knowing these, avoid them, and just teach Dhamma.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.

‘Sukhavinicchayaṁ jaññā; sukhavinicchayaṁ ñatvā ajjhattaṁ sukhamanuyuñjeyyā’ti—iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Pañcime, bhikkhave, kāmaguṇā. Katame pañca? Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā, sotaviññeyyā saddā … ghānaviññeyyā gandhā … jivhāviññeyyā rasā … kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā—ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca kāmaguṇā. Yaṁ kho, bhikkhave, ime pañca kāmaguṇe paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ idaṁ vuccati kāmasukhaṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ puthujjanasukhaṁ anariyasukhaṁ. ‘Na āsevitabbaṁ, na bhāvetabbaṁ, na bahulīkātabbaṁ, bhāyitabbaṁ etassa sukhassā’ti—vadāmi. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Idaṁ vuccati nekkhammasukhaṁ pavivekasukhaṁ upasamasukhaṁ sambodhisukhaṁ. ‘Āsevitabbaṁ, bhāvetabbaṁ, bahulīkātabbaṁ, na bhāyitabbaṁ etassa sukhassā’ti—vadāmi. ‘Sukhavinicchayaṁ jaññā; sukhavinicchayaṁ ñatvā ajjhattaṁ sukhamanuyuñjeyyā’ti—iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

‘Know how to assess different kinds of pleasure. Knowing this, pursue inner bliss.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation. What five? Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Sounds known by the ear … Smells known by the nose … Tastes known by the tongue … Touches known by the body that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. These are the five kinds of sensual stimulation. The pleasure and happiness that arise from these five kinds of sensual stimulation is called sensual pleasure—a filthy, common, ignoble pleasure. Such pleasure should not be cultivated or developed, but should be feared, I say. Now, take a bhikkhu who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first jhāna, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected. As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, they enter and remain in the second jhāna … third jhāna … fourth jhāna. This is called the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening. Such pleasure should be cultivated and developed, and should not be feared, I say. ‘Know how to assess different kinds of pleasure. Knowing this, pursue inner bliss.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.

‘Rahovādaṁ na bhāseyya, sammukhā na khīṇaṁ bhaṇe’ti—iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Tatra, bhikkhave, yaṁ jaññā rahovādaṁ abhūtaṁ atacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ sasakkaṁ³ taṁ rahovādaṁ na bhāseyya. Yampi jaññā rahovādaṁ bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ tassapi sikkheyya avacanāya. Yañca kho jaññā rahovādaṁ bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ atthasaṁhitaṁ tatra kālaññū assa tassa rahovādassa vacanāya. Tatra, bhikkhave, yaṁ jaññā sammukhā khīṇavādaṁ abhūtaṁ atacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ sasakkaṁ taṁ sammukhā khīṇavādaṁ na bhāseyya. Yampi jaññā sammukhā khīṇavādaṁ bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ tassapi sikkheyya avacanāya. Yañca kho jaññā sammukhā khīṇavādaṁ bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ atthasaṁhitaṁ tatra kālaññū assa tassa sammukhā khīṇavādassa vacanāya. ‘Rahovādaṁ na bhāseyya, sammukhā na khīṇaṁ bhaṇe’ti—iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

‘Don’t talk behind people’s backs, and don’t speak sharply in their presence.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? When you know that what you say behind someone’s back is untrue, false, and pointless, then if at all possible you should not speak. When you know that what you say behind someone’s back is true and correct, but pointless, then you should train yourself not to speak. When you know that what you say behind someone’s back is true, correct, and beneficial, then you should know the right time to speak. When you know that your sharp words in someone’s presence are untrue, false, and pointless, then if at all possible you should not speak. When you know that your sharp words in someone’s presence are true and correct, but pointless, then you should train yourself not to speak. When you know that your sharp words in someone’s presence are true, correct, and beneficial, then you should know the right time to speak. ‘Don’t talk behind people’s backs, and don’t speak sharply in their presence.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.

‘Ataramānova bhāseyya no taramāno’ti—iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Tatra, bhikkhave, taramānassa bhāsato kāyopi kilamati, cittampi upahaññati, saropi upahaññati, kaṇṭhopi āturīyati, avisaṭṭhampi hoti aviññeyyaṁ taramānassa bhāsitaṁ. Tatra, bhikkhave, ataramānassa bhāsato kāyopi na kilamati, cittampi na upahaññati, saropi na upahaññati, kaṇṭhopi na āturīyati, visaṭṭhampi hoti viññeyyaṁ ataramānassa bhāsitaṁ. ‘Ataramānova bhāseyya, no taramāno’ti—iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

‘Don’t speak hurriedly.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? When speaking hurriedly, your body gets tired, your mind gets stressed, your voice gets stressed, your throat gets sore, and your words become unclear and hard to understand. When not speaking hurriedly, your body doesn’t get tired, your mind doesn’t get stressed, your voice doesn’t get stressed, your throat doesn’t get sore, and your words are clear and easy to understand. ‘Don’t speak hurriedly.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.

‘Janapadaniruttiṁ nābhiniveseyya, samaññaṁ nātidhāveyyā’ti—iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Kathañca, bhikkhave, janapadaniruttiyā ca abhiniveso hoti samaññāya ca atisāro? Idha, bhikkhave, tadevekaccesu janapadesu ‘pātī’ti sañjānanti, ‘pattan’ti sañjānanti, ‘vittan’ti sañjānanti, ‘sarāvan’ti sañjānanti ‘dhāropan’ti⁴ sañjānanti, ‘poṇan’ti sañjānanti, ‘pisīlavan’ti sañjānanti. Iti yathā yathā naṁ tesu tesu janapadesu sañjānanti tathā tathā thāmasā parāmāsā⁵ abhinivissa voharati: ‘idameva saccaṁ, moghamaññan’ti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, janapadaniruttiyā ca abhiniveso hoti samaññāya ca atisāro.

‘Don’t insist on local terminology and don’t override normal usage.’ That’s what I said, but why did I say it? And how do you insist on local terminology and override normal usage? It’s when in different localities the same thing is known as a ‘plate’, a ‘bowl’, a ‘cup’, a ‘dish’, a ‘basin’, a ‘tureen’, or a ‘porringer’. And however it is known in those various localities, you speak accordingly, obstinately sticking to that and insisting: ‘This is the only truth, other ideas are silly.’ That’s how you insist on local terminology and override normal usage.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, janapadaniruttiyā ca anabhiniveso hoti samaññāya ca anatisāro? Idha, bhikkhave, tadevekaccesu janapadesu ‘pātī’ti sañjānanti, ‘pattan’ti sañjānanti, ‘vittan’ti sañjānanti, ‘sarāvan’ti sañjānanti, ‘dhāropan’ti sañjānanti, ‘poṇan’ti sañjānanti, ‘pisīlavan’ti sañjānanti. Iti yathā yathā naṁ tesu tesu janapadesu sañjānanti ‘idaṁ kira me āyasmanto sandhāya voharantī’ti tathā tathā voharati aparāmasaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, janapadaniruttiyā ca anabhiniveso hoti, samaññāya ca anatisāro. ‘Janapadaniruttiṁ nābhiniveseyya samaññaṁ nātidhāveyyā’ti—iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

And how do you not insist on local terminology and not override normal usage? It’s when in different localities the same thing is known as a ‘plate’, a ‘bowl’, a ‘cup’, a ‘dish’, a ‘basin’, a ‘tureen’, or a ‘porringer’. And however it is known in those various localities, you speak accordingly, thinking: ‘It seems that the venerables are referring to this.’ That’s how you don’t insist on local terminology and don’t override normal usage. ‘Don’t insist on local terminology and don’t override normal usage.’ That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yo kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogo hīno gammo pothujjaniko anariyo anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yo kāmapaṭisandhisukhino somanassānuyogaṁ ananuyogo hīnaṁ gammaṁ pothujjanikaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Now, bhikkhus, pleasure linked to sensuality is low, crude, ordinary, ignoble, and pointless. Indulging in such happiness is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Breaking off such indulgence is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yo attakilamathānuyogo dukkho anariyo anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yo attakilamathānuyogaṁ ananuyogo dukkhaṁ anariyaṁ anatthasaṁhitaṁ, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Indulging in self-mortification is painful, ignoble, and pointless. It is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Breaking off such indulgence is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yāyaṁ majjhimā paṭipadā tathāgatena abhisambuddhā, cakkhukaraṇī ñāṇakaraṇī upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattati, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

The middle way of practice by which the Realized One was awakened gives vision and knowledge, and leads to peace, direct knowledge, awakening, and Nibbana. It is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yāyaṁ ussādanā ca apasādanā ca no ca dhammadesanā, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yāyaṁ nevussādanā ca na apasādanā ca dhammadesanā ca, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Flattering and rebuking without teaching Dhamma is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Neither flattering nor rebuking, and just teaching Dhamma is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yamidaṁ kāmasukhaṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ pothujjanasukhaṁ anariyasukhaṁ, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yamidaṁ nekkhammasukhaṁ pavivekasukhaṁ upasamasukhaṁ sambodhisukhaṁ, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Sensual pleasure—a filthy, common, ignoble pleasure—is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. The pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ rahovādo abhūto ataccho anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ rahovādo bhūto taccho anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ rahovādo bhūto taccho atthasaṁhito, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Saying untrue, false, and pointless things behind someone’s back is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Saying true and correct, but pointless things behind someone’s back is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Saying true, correct, and beneficial things behind someone’s back is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ sammukhā khīṇavādo abhūto ataccho anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ sammukhā khīṇavādo bhūto taccho anatthasaṁhito, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ sammukhā khīṇavādo bhūto taccho atthasaṁhito, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Saying untrue, false, and pointless things in someone’s presence is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Saying true and correct, but pointless things in someone’s presence is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Saying true, correct, and beneficial things in someone’s presence is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yamidaṁ taramānassa bhāsitaṁ, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yamidaṁ ataramānassa bhāsitaṁ, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Speaking hurriedly is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Speaking unhurriedly is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ janapadaniruttiyā ca abhiniveso samaññāya ca atisāro, sadukkho eso dhammo saupaghāto saupāyāso sapariḷāho; micchāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo saraṇo. Tatra, bhikkhave, yvāyaṁ janapadaniruttiyā ca anabhiniveso samaññāya ca anatisāro, adukkho eso dhammo anupaghāto anupāyāso apariḷāho; sammāpaṭipadā. Tasmā eso dhammo araṇo.

Insisting on local terminology and overriding normal usage is a principle beset by pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the wrong way. That’s why this is a principle beset by conflict. Not insisting on local terminology and not overriding normal usage is a principle free of pain, harm, stress, and fever, and it is the right way. That’s why this is a principle free of conflict.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘saraṇañca dhammaṁ jānissāma, araṇañca dhammaṁ jānissāma; saraṇañca dhammaṁ ñatvā araṇañca dhammaṁ ñatvā araṇapaṭipadaṁ paṭipajjissāmā’ti evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

So you should train like this: ‘We shall know the principles beset by conflict and the principles free of conflict. Knowing this, we will practice the way free of conflict.’

Subhūti ca pana, bhikkhave, kulaputto araṇapaṭipadaṁ paṭipanno”ti.

And, bhikkhus, Subhūti, the gentleman, practices the way of non-conflict.”

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the bhikkhus approved what the Buddha said.

Araṇavibhaṅgasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.