Majjhima Nikāya 24

The Middle-Length Suttas Collection 24

Rathavinītasutta

Prepared Chariots

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

Atha kho sambahulā jātibhūmakā bhikkhū jātibhūmiyaṁ vassaṁvuṭṭhā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho te bhikkhū bhagavā etadavoca:

Then several bhikkhus who had completed the rainy season residence in their native land went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to them:

“Ko nu kho, bhikkhave, jātibhūmiyaṁ jātibhūmakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ evaṁ sambhāvito: ‘attanā ca appiccho appicchakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca santuṭṭho santuṭṭhikathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca pavivitto pavivekakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca asaṁsaṭṭho asaṁsaggakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca āraddhavīriyo vīriyārambhakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca sīlasampanno sīlasampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca samādhisampanno samādhisampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca paññāsampanno paññāsampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca vimuttisampanno vimuttisampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca vimuttiñāṇadassanasampanno vimuttiñāṇadassanasampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, ovādako viññāpako sandassako samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnan’”ti?

“In your native land, bhikkhus, which of the native bhikkhus is esteemed in this way: ‘Personally having few wishes, they speak to the bhikkhus on having few wishes. Personally having contentment, seclusion, aloofness, energy, ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and the knowledge and vision of freedom, they speak to the bhikkhus on all these things. They’re an adviser and instructor, one who educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires their spiritual companions.’”

“Puṇṇo nāma, bhante, āyasmā mantāṇiputto jātibhūmiyaṁ jātibhūmakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ evaṁ sambhāvito: ‘attanā ca appiccho appicchakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca santuṭṭho …pe… ovādako viññāpako sandassako samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnan’”ti.

“Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī, sir, is esteemed in this way in our native land.”

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato avidūre nisinno hoti. Atha kho āyasmato sāriputtassa etadahosi:

Now at that time Venerable Sāriputta was meditating not far from the Buddha. Then he thought:

“lābhā āyasmato puṇṇassa mantāṇiputtassa, suladdhalābhā āyasmato puṇṇassa mantāṇiputtassa, yassa viññū sabrahmacārī satthu sammukhā anumassa anumassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsanti, tañca satthā abbhanumodati. Appeva nāma mayampi kadāci karahaci āyasmatā puṇṇena mantāṇiputtena saddhiṁ samāgaccheyyāma, appeva nāma siyā kocideva kathāsallāpo”ti.

“Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī is fortunate, so very fortunate, in that his sensible spiritual companions praise him point by point in the presence of the Teacher, and that the Teacher seconds that appreciation. Hopefully, some time or other I’ll get to meet Venerable Puṇṇa, and we can have a discussion.”

Atha kho bhagavā rājagahe yathābhirantaṁ viharitvā yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi. Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi tadavasari. Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Assosi kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto: “bhagavā kira sāvatthiṁ anuppatto; sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme”ti.

When the Buddha had stayed in Rājagaha as long as he pleased, he set out for Sāvatthī. Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Sāvatthī, where he stayed in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Puṇṇa heard that the Buddha had arrived at Sāvatthī.

Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi. Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi jetavanaṁ anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāmo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ bhagavā dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi. Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassito samādapito samuttejito sampahaṁsito bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya.

Then he set his lodgings in order and, taking his bowl and robe, set out for Sāvatthī. Eventually he came to Sāvatthī and Jeta’s Grove. He went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired him with a Dhamma talk. Then, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, Puṇṇa got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right. Then he went to the Dark Forest for the day’s meditation.

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca: “yassa kho tvaṁ, āvuso sāriputta, puṇṇassa nāma bhikkhuno mantāṇiputtassa abhiṇhaṁ kittayamāno ahosi, so bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassito samādapito samuttejito sampahaṁsito bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena andhavanaṁ tena pakkanto divāvihārāyā”ti.

Then a certain bhikkhu went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and said to him, “Friend Sāriputta, the bhikkhu named Puṇṇa, of whom you have often spoken so highly, after being inspired by a talk of the Buddha’s, left for the Dark Forest for the day’s meditation.”

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto taramānarūpo nisīdanaṁ ādāya āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubandhi sīsānulokī. Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto andhavanaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi. Āyasmāpi kho sāriputto andhavanaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

Sāriputta quickly grabbed his sitting cloth and followed behind Puṇṇa, keeping sight of his head. Puṇṇa plunged deep into the Dark Forest and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation. And Sāriputta did likewise.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yenāyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā puṇṇena mantāṇiputtena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ etadavoca:

Then in the late afternoon, Sāriputta came out of retreat, went to Puṇṇa, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to Puṇṇa:

“Bhagavati no, āvuso, brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Friend, is our spiritual life lived under the Buddha?”

“Evamāvuso”ti.

“Yes, friend.”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of ethics?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Then is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of mind?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of view?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ panāvuso, kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Then is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification through overcoming doubt?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of the variety of paths?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ panāvuso, paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Then is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of the practice?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhatthaṁ …pe… kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhatthaṁ …pe… maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ …pe… paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ …pe… kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ āvuso’ti vadesi. Kimatthaṁ carahāvuso, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?

“When asked each of these questions, you answered, ‘Certainly not.’ Then what exactly is the purpose of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha?”

“Anupādāparinibbānatthaṁ kho, āvuso, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti.

“The purpose of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is Nibbana by not grasping.”

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“Friend, is purification of ethics Nibbana by not grasping?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Kiṁ panāvuso, kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Kiṁ panāvuso, paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“Is purification of knowledge and vision Nibbana by not grasping?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“Kiṁ panāvuso, aññatra imehi dhammehi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?

“Then is Nibbana by not grasping something apart from these things?”

“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

“Certainly not.”

“‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti …pe… kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhi … maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhi … paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhi … ‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. ‘Kiṁ panāvuso, aññatra imehi dhammehi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi. Yathākathaṁ panāvuso, imassa bhāsitassa attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?

“When asked each of these questions, you answered, ‘Certainly not.’ How then should we see the meaning of this statement?”

“Sīlavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya. Cittavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya. Diṭṭhivisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya. Kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya. Maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya. Paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya. Ñāṇadassanavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya. Aññatra ce, āvuso, imehi dhammehi anupādāparinibbānaṁ abhavissa, puthujjano parinibbāyeyya. Puthujjano hi, āvuso, aññatra imehi dhammehi.

“If the Buddha had declared purification of ethics to be Nibbana by not grasping, he would have declared that which has grasping to be Nibbana by not grasping. … If the Buddha had declared purification of knowledge and vision to be Nibbana by not grasping, he would have declared that which has grasping to be Nibbana by not grasping. But if Nibbana by not grasping was something apart from these things, an ordinary person would become extinguished. For an ordinary person lacks these things.

Tena hāvuso, upamaṁ te karissāmi; upamāyapidhekacce viññū purisā bhāsitassa atthaṁ ājānanti.

Well then, friend, I shall give you a simile. For by means of a simile some sensible people understand the meaning of what is said.

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, rañño pasenadissa kosalassa sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasantassa sākete kiñcideva accāyikaṁ karaṇīyaṁ uppajjeyya. Tassa antarā ca sāvatthiṁ antarā ca sāketaṁ satta rathavinītāni upaṭṭhapeyyuṁ. Atha kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sāvatthiyā nikkhamitvā antepuradvārā paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya, paṭhamena rathavinītena dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya. Dutiyena rathavinītena tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya. Tatiyena rathavinītena catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya. Catutthena rathavinītena pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya. Pañcamena rathavinītena chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya. Chaṭṭhena rathavinītena sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya. Sattamena rathavinītena sāketaṁ anupāpuṇeyya antepuradvāraṁ. Tamenaṁ antepuradvāragataṁ samānaṁ mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘iminā tvaṁ, mahārāja, rathavinītena sāvatthiyā sāketaṁ anuppatto antepuradvāran’ti? Kathaṁ byākaramāno nu kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sammā byākaramāno byākareyyā”ti?

Suppose that, while staying in Sāvatthī, King Pasenadi of Kosala had some urgent business come up in Sāketa. Now, between Sāvatthī and Sāketa seven prepared chariots were stationed ready for him. Then Pasenadi, having departed Sāvatthī, mounted the first prepared chariot by the gate of the royal compound. The first prepared chariot would bring him to the second, where he’d dismount and mount the second chariot. The second prepared chariot would bring him to the third … The third prepared chariot would bring him to the fourth … The fourth prepared chariot would bring him to the fifth … The fifth prepared chariot would bring him to the sixth … The sixth prepared chariot would bring him to the seventh, where he’d dismount and mount the seventh chariot. The seventh prepared chariot would bring him to the gate of the royal compound of Sāketa. And when he was at the gate, friends and colleagues, relatives and kin would ask him: ‘Great king, did you come to Sāketa from Sāvatthī by this prepared chariot?’ If asked this, how should King Pasenadi rightly reply?”

“Evaṁ byākaramāno kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sammā byākaramāno byākareyya: ‘idha me sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasantassa sākete kiñcideva accāyikaṁ karaṇīyaṁ uppajji. Tassa me antarā ca sāvatthiṁ antarā ca sāketaṁ satta rathavinītāni upaṭṭhapesuṁ. Atha khvāhaṁ sāvatthiyā nikkhamitvā antepuradvārā paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ. Paṭhamena rathavinītena dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ. Dutiyena rathavinītena tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ. Tatiyena rathavinītena catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ. Catutthena rathavinītena pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ. Pañcamena rathavinītena chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ. Chaṭṭhena rathavinītena sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ. Sattamena rathavinītena sāketaṁ anuppatto antepuradvāran’ti. Evaṁ byākaramāno kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sammā byākaramāno byākareyyā”ti.

“The king should reply: ‘Well, while staying in Sāvatthī, I had some urgent business come up in Sāketa. Now, between Sāvatthī and Sāketa seven prepared chariots were stationed ready for me. Then, having departed Sāvatthī, I mounted the first prepared chariot by the gate of the royal compound. The first prepared chariot brought me to the second, where I dismounted and mounted the second chariot. … The sixth prepared chariot brought me to the seventh, where I dismounted and mounted the seventh chariot. The seventh prepared chariot brought me to the gate of the royal compound of Sāketa.’ That’s how King Pasenadi should rightly reply.”

“Evameva kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhi yāvadeva cittavisuddhatthā, cittavisuddhi yāvadeva diṭṭhivisuddhatthā, diṭṭhivisuddhi yāvadeva kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhatthā, kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhi yāvadeva maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhatthā, maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhi yāvadeva paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhatthā, paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhi yāvadeva ñāṇadassanavisuddhatthā, ñāṇadassanavisuddhi yāvadeva anupādāparinibbānatthā. Anupādāparinibbānatthaṁ kho, āvuso, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti.

“In the same way, friend, purification of ethics is only for the sake of purification of mind. Purification of mind is only for the sake of purification of view. Purification of view is only for the sake of purification through overcoming doubt. Purification through overcoming doubt is only for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of the variety of paths. Purification of knowledge and vision of the variety of paths is only for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of the practice. Purification of knowledge and vision of the practice is only for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision. Purification of knowledge and vision is only for the sake of Nibbana by not grasping. The spiritual life is lived under the Buddha for the sake of Nibbana by not grasping.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ etadavoca: “konāmo āyasmā, kathañca panāyasmantaṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti?

When he said this, Sāriputta said to Puṇṇa, “What is the venerable’s name? And how are you known among your spiritual companions?”

“Puṇṇoti kho me, āvuso, nāmaṁ; mantāṇiputtoti ca pana maṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti.

“Friend, my name is Puṇṇa. And I am known as Mantāṇiputta among my spiritual companions.”

“Acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso. Yathā taṁ sutavatā sāvakena sammadeva satthusāsanaṁ ājānantena, evameva āyasmatā puṇṇena mantāṇiputtena gambhīrā gambhīrapañhā anumassa anumassa byākatā. Lābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ, suladdhalābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ, ye āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ labhanti dassanāya, labhanti payirūpāsanāya. Celaṇḍukena¹ cepi sabrahmacārī āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ muddhanā pariharantā labheyyuṁ dassanāya, labheyyuṁ payirūpāsanāya, tesampi lābhā tesampi suladdhaṁ, amhākampi lābhā amhākampi suladdhaṁ, ye mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ labhāma dassanāya, labhāma payirūpāsanāyā”ti.

“It’s incredible, friend, it’s amazing! Venerable Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī has answered each deep question point by point, as a learned disciple who rightly understands the teacher’s instructions. It is fortunate for his spiritual companions, so very fortunate, that they get to see Venerable Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī and pay homage to him. Even if they only got to see him and pay respects to him by carrying him around on their heads on a roll of cloth, it would still be very fortunate for them! And it’s fortunate for me, so very fortunate, that I get to see the venerable and pay homage to him.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca: “ko nāmo āyasmā, kathañca panāyasmantaṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti?

When he said this, Puṇṇa said to Sāriputta, “What is the venerable’s name? And how are you known among your spiritual companions?”

“Upatissoti kho me, āvuso, nāmaṁ; sāriputtoti ca pana maṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti.

“Friend, my name is Upatissa. And I am known as Sāriputta among my spiritual companions.”

“Satthukappena vata kira, bho, sāvakena saddhiṁ mantayamānā na jānimha: ‘āyasmā sāriputto’ti. Sace hi mayaṁ jāneyyāma ‘āyasmā sāriputto’ti, ettakampi no nappaṭibhāseyya. Acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso. Yathā taṁ sutavatā sāvakena sammadeva satthusāsanaṁ ājānantena, evameva āyasmatā sāriputtena gambhīrā gambhīrapañhā anumassa anumassa pucchitā. Lābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ suladdhalābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ, ye āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ labhanti dassanāya, labhanti payirūpāsanāya. Celaṇḍukena cepi sabrahmacārī āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ muddhanā pariharantā labheyyuṁ dassanāya, labheyyuṁ payirūpāsanāya, tesampi lābhā tesampi suladdhaṁ, amhākampi lābhā amhākampi suladdhaṁ, ye mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ labhāma dassanāya, labhāma payirūpāsanāyā”ti.

“Goodness! I had no idea I was consulting with the Venerable Sāriputta, the disciple who is fit to be compared with the Teacher himself! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have said so much. It’s incredible, friend, it’s amazing! Venerable Sāriputta has asked each deep question point by point, as a learned disciple who rightly understands the teacher’s instructions. It is fortunate for his spiritual companions, so very fortunate, that they get to see Venerable Sāriputta and pay homage to him. Even if they only got to see him and pay respects to him by carrying him around on their heads on a roll of cloth, it would still be very fortunate for them! And it’s fortunate for me, so very fortunate, that I get to see the venerable and pay homage to him.”

Itiha te ubhopi mahānāgā aññamaññassa subhāsitaṁ samanumodiṁsūti.

And so these two spiritual giants agreed with each others’ fine words.

Rathavinītasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ catutthaṁ.