Linked Discourses 12.48 5. Householders A Cosmologist (SN12.48)

1.1

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

At Sāvatthī.

1.2

Atha kho lokāyatiko brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā …pe…

Then a brahmin cosmologist went up to the Buddha …

1.3

ekamantaṁ nisinno kho lokāyatiko brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

Seated to one side he said to the Buddha:

2.1

“Kiṁ nu kho, bho gotama, sabbamatthī”ti?

“Worthy Gotama, does all exist?”

2.2

“‘Sabbamatthī’ti kho, brāhmaṇa, jeṭṭhametaṁ lokāyataṁ”.

“‘All exists’: this is the oldest cosmology, brahmin.”

3.1

“Kiṁ pana, bho gotama, sabbaṁ natthī”ti?

“Then does all not exist?”

3.2

“‘Sabbaṁ natthī’ti kho, brāhmaṇa, dutiyametaṁ lokāyataṁ”.

“‘All does not exist’: this is the second cosmology.”

4.1

“Kiṁ nu kho, bho gotama, sabbamekattan”ti?

“Well, is all oneness?”

4.2

“‘Sabbamekattan’ti kho, brāhmaṇa, tatiyametaṁ lokāyataṁ”.

“‘All is oneness’: this is the third cosmology.”

5.1

“Kiṁ pana, bho gotama, sabbaṁ puthuttan”ti?

“Then is all expansiveness?”

5.2

“‘Sabbaṁ puthuttan’ti kho, brāhmaṇa, catutthametaṁ lokāyataṁ.

“‘All is expansiveness’: this is the fourth cosmology.

6.1

Ete te, brāhmaṇa, ubho ante anupagamma majjhena tathāgato dhammaṁ deseti:

Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One teaches by the middle way:

6.2

‘avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārā;

‘Ignorance is a requirement for choices.

6.3

saṅkhārapaccayā viññāṇaṁ …pe…

Choices are a requirement for consciousness. …

6.4

evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hoti.

That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.

6.5

Avijjāya tveva asesavirāganirodhā saṅkhāranirodho;

When ignorance fades away and ceases no residue left behind, choices cease.

6.6

saṅkhāranirodhā viññāṇanirodho …pe…

When choices cease, consciousness ceases. …

6.7

evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa nirodho hotī’”ti.

That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.’”

7.1

Evaṁ vutte, lokāyatiko brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

When he said this, the brahmin cosmologist said to the Buddha,

7.2

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama …pe…

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …

7.3

ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

7.4

Aṭṭhamaṁ.