3:3 Puggalavaggo

Aṅguttara Nikāya I
3. Tika Nipāta

3. Puggalavaggo

1. Saviṭṭhasuttaṃ –– Venerable Saviṭṭha

21. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi. Then venerable Saviṭṭha and venerable Mahākoṭṭhita approached venerable Sāriputta, exchanged friendly greetings and sat on a side. Then venerable Sāriputta said to venerable Saviṭṭha: Friend, Saviṭṭha, three kinds of persons are evident in the world. What three? The body witness, the one come to righteousness of view and the one released through faith. Of these three persons which person is excellent and more pleasing to you?

Friend, Sāriputta, of these three, such as the body witness, the one come to righteousness of view and the one released through faith, that one released through faith is more pleasing to me as his faculty of faith is much developed.

Then venerable Sāriputta said to venerable Mahākoṭṭhita: Friend, Koṭṭhita, three kinds of persons are evident in the world. What three? The body witness, the one come to righteousness of view and the one released through faith. Of these three persons which person is more pleasing to you?

Friend, Sāriputta, of these three, such as the body witness, the one come to righteousness of view and the one released through faith, the body witness is more pleasing to me as his faculty of concentration is much developed.

Then venerable Mahkoṭṭhita said to venerable Sāriputta: Friend, Sāriputta, three kinds of persons are evident in the world. What three? The body witness, the one come to righteousness of view and the one released through faith. Of these three persons which person is more pleasing to you?

Friend, Mahkoṭṭhita, of these three, such as the body witness, the one come to righteousness of view and the one released through faith, the one come to righteousness of view is more pleasing to me as his faculty of wisdom is much developed.

Then venerable Sāriputta said thus to venerable Saviṭṭha and venerable Mahākoṭṭhita: Friends, we have each declared this according to our individual understandings. Now let us approach the Blessed One and ask, as to which is the excellent and most pleasing.

Venerable Sāriputta, venerable Saviṭṭha and venerable Mahākoṭṭhita approached the Blessed One, worshipped and sat on a side and venerable Sāriputta related all the conversation that took place between himself, venerable Saviṭṭha and venerable Mahākoṭṭhita.

The Blessed One said: Sāriputta, it cannot be stated easily, of these three persons, which one is more pleasing and excellent. It can be stated that when the one released through faith has come to the path of worthiness. The body witness and the one come righteousness of view are either to return to this world or not return.

Sāriputta, it cannot be stated easily, of these three persons, which one is more pleasing and excellent. It can be stated that when the body witness has come to the path of worthiness. the one released through faith and the one come to righteousness of view are either to return to this world once or not return.

Sāriputta, it cannot be stated easily, of these three persons, which one is more pleasing and excellent. It can be stated that when the one come to righteousness of view, has come to the path of worthiness. The body witness and the one released through faith are either to return to this world once or not return.

2. Gilānasuttaṃ –– Sick persons

22. Bhikkhus, these three sick persons are evident in the world. What three? A certain sick person, whether he gains or does not gain suitable food, medicine and a suitable attendant, he does not recover from that illness.

The second sick person, whether he gains or does not gain suitable food, medicine and a suitable attendant, he recovers from that illness.

The third sick person gains not that he does not gain, suitable food, medicine and a suitable attendant and he recovers from that illness.

Bhikkhus, on account of this sick person, who gains not that he does not gain, suitable food, medicine and a suitable attendant and recovers from that illness, I grant the supplication of suitable food, medicine and a suitable attendant for the sick. Bhikkhus, on account of this sick person other sick persons should be attended to. These three sick persons are evident in the world.

Bhikkhus, in the same manner there are three persons in the world comparable to these three sick persons. Which three?

Bhikkhus, a certain person whether he gains sight of the Thus Gone One or does not gain sight of the Thus Gone One, whether he hears the Teaching and Discipline of the Thus Gone One or does not hear it, he does not enter the right path to become proficient in meritorious thoughts.

Bhikkhus, the second person whether he gains sight of the Thus Gone One or does not gain sight of the Thus Gone One, whether he hears the Teaching and Discipline of the Thus Gone One or does not hear it, he enters the right path to become proficient in meritorious thoughts.

Bhikkhus, the third person gains sight of the Thus Gone One, not that he does not gain sight of the Thus Gone One. Hears the Teaching and Discipline of the Thus Gone One, not that he does not hear it, and enters the right path to become proficient in meritorious thoughts.

Bhikkhus, it is on account of this person, who gains sight of the Thus Gone One, not that he does not gain sight of the Thus Gone One, hears the Teaching and Discipline of the Thus Gone One, not that he does not hear it, and enters the right path to become proficient in meritorious thoughts, that I grant the Teaching should be given. Bhikkhus on account of this person, others also should be taught. These three persons are evident in the world.

3. Sankhāarasuttām. –– Cooks trouble

23. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world. What three? The person who cooks up troublesome bodily, verbal and mental dispositions and is born in a troublesome world and there, touched by troublesome feelings, feels only unpleasant, like beings born in hell.

The person who cooks up non-troublesome bodily, verbal and mental dispositions and is born in a non-troublesome world and there, touched by non-troublesome feelings, feels only pleasant, like beings born in heaven.

The person who cooks up troublesome and non-troublesome bodily, verbal and mental dispositions and is born in a troublesome and non-troublesome world and there, touched by troublesome and non-troublesome feelings, feels unpleasant and pleasant, like humans, sometimes heavenly and sometimes hellish.

Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.

4. Bahukārasuttaṃ –– Has done much

24. Bhikkhus, these three persons have done much to a person. Which three? Bhikkhus, the person gone to whom this person takes refuge in the Enlightenment, in the Teaching and the Community of bhikkhus. .

Bhikkhus, the person gone to whom this person knows as it really is, this is unpleasant, this is the arising of unpleasantness, this is the cessation of unpleasantness and this is the path leading to the cessation of unpleasantness.

Again, bhikkhus, the person gone to whom, this person destroys desires, releases the mind and released through wisdom, here and now abides having realized. Bhikkhus, these three persons have done much to this person.

Bhikkhus, it is not possible that these three persons could be thoroughly repaid with gratitude, by this person revering him, attending on him, clasping hands towards him and honouring him with robes, morsel food, dwellings and medicinal requisites.

5. Vajrūpamasuttaṃ –– Comparable to a diamond.

25. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world. What three? The person whose mind is comparable to a sore, the person whose mind is comparable to lightning and the person whose mind is comparable to a diamond.

Bhikkhus, who is the person with a mind comparable to a sore? Bhikkhus, a certain person is angry and has grudges. When a few words are told he becomes angry, swears and retorts angrily showing anger and displeasure, like a festered sore touched by a clod or stone would ooze much pus. Bhikkhus, in like manner a person with a mind comparable to a sore is angry, has grudges and when a few words are told he becomes angry, swears and retorts angrily showing anger and displeasure.

Bhikkhus, who is the person with a mind comparable to lightning? Bhikkhus, a certain person knows, as it really is, this is unpleasant, this is the arising of unpleasantness, this is its cessation and this is the path leading to the cessation of unpleasantness. Just as a man would see forms in pitch darkness when there is lightning. In the same manner a certain person knows as it really is, this is unpleasant, this is the arising of unpleasantness, this is the cessation of unpleasantness and this is the path leading to the cessation of unpleasantness.

Bhikkhus, who is the person with a mind comparable to a diamond? Bhikkhus, a certain person having destroyed desires, the mind released and released through wisdom abides here and now by himself realizing. Bhikkhus, just as there is nothing that a diamond would not cut, a gem or a stone. In the same manner a certain person having destroyed desires, the mind released and released through wisdom, abides here and now by himself realizing. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.

6. Sevitabbasuttaṃ –– Should be associated

26. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world. What three? Bhikkhus, there is a person that should not be associated, there is one that should be associated and there is another that should be honoured and revered and associated.

Bhikkhus, who is the person that should not be associated? Bhikkhus, a certain person is below par in virtues, concentration and wisdom. Such should not be associated unless out of sympathy and compassion.

Bhikkhus, who is the person that should be associated? Bhikkhus, a certain person is par in virtues, concentration and wisdom. Such should be associated. What is the reason? Those par in virtues converse on virtues, those par in concentration converse on concentration and those par in wisdom converse on wisdom. For them it becomes a pleasant abiding, therefore they should be associated.

Bhikkhus, who is the person that should be honoured, revered and associated? Bhikkhus, a certain person is much above in virtues, concentration and wisdom. Such should be honoured, revered and associated. What is the reason? I will complete virtues not yet completed, will be satisfied seeing my completed virtues, then and there. I will complete my wisdom not yet completed and I will wisely see whether it is complete Therefore, bhikkhus, such persons should be honoured, revered and associated. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.

Associating someone low is deterioration,
Associating an equal there’s no deterioration
Therefore bend down to a superior,

It is quick growth.

7. Jigucchitabbasuttaṃ –– Should be loathed

27. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world. Which three? A certain person should be loathed, should not be associated. The second should be looked after not associated and the third should be associated.

Bhikkhus, which person should be loathed and not associated. Here a certain person is unvirtuous, with evil thoughts like rubbish, with secret actions, with only a promise to recluseship, festering inside and filth oozing out. Bhikkhus, this kind of person should be loathed, should not be associated. What is the reason? In some way if this person is not imitated, ill fame spreads, this is an evil friend, an associate of evil. Just as a serpent with excreta on its body would not sting anyone, for he smears excreta. In the same manner an unvirtuous person with evil thoughts similar to rubbish, with secret actions, with only a promise to recluseship, festering inside and filth oozing out should be loathed, should not be associated.

Bhikkhus, what kind of person should be carefully watched, not associated? Bhikkhus, a certain person is angry and has grudges. When a few words are told he becomes angry swears and retorts angrily showing anger and displeasure, like a festered sore touched by a clod or stone would ooze much pus. Or like a heap of rotting food in a monastery when hit with a clod or stone would give a hissing sound. Or like a heap of excreta when hit with a clod or stone would give an evil smell Bhikkhus, in like manner a person with a mind comparable to a sore is angry, has grudges and when a few words are told he becomes angry, swears and retorts angrily showing anger and displeasure. Bhikkhus, this person should be carefully watched, not associated. What is the reason? He may scold me, rebuke me and do me some harm. Therefore this person should be carefully watched, not associated.

Bhikkhus, what kind of person should be closely associated? Here a certain person is virtuous, with good behaviour. Such a person should be associated closely. What is the reason? If for some reason this person is imitated, good fame spreads. He is a good friend, behaves well. Such a person should be associated. These three persons are evident in the world.

. . .

Associating someone low is deterioration,
Associating an equal there’s no deterioration
Therefore bend down to a superior,
It is quick growth.

8. Gūtabhānisutaṃ. –– Foul speech

28. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world. What three? The person who has foul speech, the person who speaks the truth and the person who has pleasant speech.

Bhikkhus, who is the person with foul speech? A certain person gone to a gathering, in the midst of relations, associates or in the presence of an eminent person, when asked to witness, not knowing says, I know and knowing says I do not know. Not seeing, says I saw and seeing says I did not see. Aware it’s a lie, he tells lies for some small gain, for another’s cause or some material gain. This is a man with foul speech.

Bhikkhus, who is the person who speaks the truth? A certain person gone to a gathering, in the midst of relations, associates or in the presence of an eminent person, when asked to witness, not knowing says, I do not know and knowing says I know. Not seeing, says I did not see and seeing says I saw. Aware it’s a lie, he does not tell lies for some small gain, for another’s cause or some material gain. This is the person who speaks the truth.

Bhikkhus, who is the person who has pleasant speech? Here, a certain person giving up rough speech, abstains from it. He speaks words that are polite and pleasing to the ears, words that are entertained by the populace at large. This is the person with pleasant speech. These three persons are evident in the world.

9. Andhasuttaṃ

29. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world. What three? The blind man, the man with one unimpaired eye and the man with unimpaired eyes. Bhikkhus, who is the blind man? Bhikkhus, this person is not clever to acquire wealth that is not acquired and to prosper on wealth already acquired He is blind to it. Further he hasn’t the eye to know merit and demerit, the fault and non fault, the non-exalted and exalted and the counterparts of purity and impurity. This is the blind man Bhikkhus who is the man with one unimpaired eye? Bhikkhus, this person is clever to acquire wealth that is not acquired and to prosper on wealth already acquired He is not blind to it. He hasn’t the eye to know merit and demerit, the fault and non fault, the non-exalted and exalted and the counterparts of purity and impurity. This is the man with one unimpaired eye.

Bhikkhus, who is the man with unimpaired eyes? Bhikkhus, this person is clever to acquire wealth that is not acquired and to prosper on wealth already acquired He is not blind to it. Further he has the eye to know merit and demerit, the fault and non fault, the non-exalted and exalted and the counterparts of purity and impurity. This is the man with unimpaired eyes. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.

Both throws being unlucky, the blind do not have wealth and do not accrue merit,
The man with one unimpaired eye begets wealth righteously or otherwise
By theft, telling lies or cheating, the clever young man accumulates wealth
Partaking sensual pleasures comes to unpleasantness.
The man with one unimpaired eye goes to hell and wails.
The man with both eyes unimpaired is the best,
With wealth rightfully acquired, he rises with the Teaching
He gives with a pure mind and attains the non grieving state
Keep away from the blind and those with one eye unimpaired
Associate the man with unimpaired eyes. Of the three he is the best.

10. Avakujjasuttaṃ –– Turned upside down

30. Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world. What three? One with wisdom, turned upside down, the other with wisdom on his lap and the third with wide wisdom.

Bhikkhus, who is the person with wisdom turned upside down?

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person constantly goes to the presence of the bhikkhus in the monastery. The bhikkhus declare to him the Teaching good at the beginning, in the middle and the end, full of meaning even in the words and letters complete and pure.

Seated in his seat he does not attend to the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk. Getting up from his seat, he does not recall the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk. Like a vessel turned upside down would not hold any water poured to it. Bhikkhus, in the same manner, a certain person constantly goes to the presence of the bhikkhus in the monastery. The bhikkhus declare to him the Teaching good at the beginning, in the middle and the end, full of meaning even in the words and letters complete and pure Seated in his seat he does not attend to the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk. Getting up from his seat, he does not recall the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk Bhikkhus, this is the person with wisdom turned upside down.

Bhikkhus, who is the person with wisdom on the lap?

Seated in his seat he attends to the beginning, the middle and the end of that talk. Getting up from his seat, he does not recall the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk. Like a person’s lap, where various kinds of eatables are amassed, such as sesame, rice, sweet meats and jujube fruit. Getting up from that seat without mindfulness, he throws that food here and there. Bhikkhus, in the same manner, a certain person constantly goes to the presence of the bhikkhus in the monastery. The bhikkhus declare to him the Teaching good at the beginning, in the middle and the end, full of meaning even in the words and letters complete and pure. Seated in his seat he attends to the beginning, the middle and the end of that talk. Getting up from his seat, he does not recall the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk Bhikkhus, this is the person with wisdom on the lap.

Bhikkhus, who is the person with wide wisdom?

Seated in his seat he attends to the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk. Getting up from his seat, he recalls the beginning, the middle or the end of that talk. Like a vessel turned upright would hold any water poured to it, would not miss it. Bhikkhus, in the same manner, a certain person constantly goes to the presence of the bhikkhus in the monastery. The bhikkhus declare to him the Teaching good at the beginning, in the middle and the end, full of meaning even in the words and letters complete and pure. Seated in his seat he attends to the beginning, the middle and the end of that talk. Getting up from his seat, he recalls the beginning, the middle and the end of that talk Bhikkhus, this is the person with wide wisdom.

Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.
The foolish man with wisdom turned upside down,
Constantly goes to the presence of the bhikkhus,
But does not learn the beginning, the middle or the end
Lacking in wisdom, he cannot learn.
The one whose wisdom is on the lap is better
Seated he learns the beginning, the middle and the end,
Getting up from his seat, he becomes confused and forgets
The one with wide wisdom is the best
Constantly going to the bhikkhus he learns from the beginning to the end
He bears the Teaching in his mind unconfused,
Walking in the path of the Teaching, he ends unpleasantness.