AN 4 The Book of the Fours – Catukkanipāta > AN 4.241 Ascetics

Numbered Discourses 4.241 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.241

24. Deeds – 24. Kammavagga

AN 4.241 Ascetics – Samaṇasutta

1.1

“‘Only here is there a first ascetic, here a second ascetic, here a third ascetic, and here a fourth ascetic.

“‘Idheva, bhikkhave, paṭhamo samaṇo, idha dutiyo samaṇo, idha tatiyo samaṇo, idha catuttho samaṇo;

1.2

Other sects are empty of ascetics.’

suññā parappavādā samaṇehi aññehī’ti—

1.3

This, bhikkhū, is how you should rightly roar your lion’s roar.

evametaṁ, bhikkhave, sammā sīhanādaṁ nadatha.

2.1

And who is the first ascetic?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, paṭhamo samaṇo?

2.2

It’s a bhikkhu who—with the ending of three fetters—is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno hoti avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo.

2.3

This is the first ascetic.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo samaṇo.

3.1

And who is the second ascetic?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, dutiyo samaṇo?

3.2

It’s a bhikkhu who—with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion—is a once-returner. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī hoti, sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karoti.

3.3

This is the second ascetic.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo samaṇo.

4.1

And who is the third ascetic?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, tatiyo samaṇo?

4.2

It’s a bhikkhu who—with the ending of the five lower fetters—is reborn spontaneously. They’re extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko hoti tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā.

4.3

This is the third ascetic.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo samaṇo.

5.1

And who is the fourth ascetic?

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, catuttho samaṇo?

5.2

It’s a bhikkhu who realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati.

5.3

This is the fourth ascetic.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho samaṇo.

6.1

‘Only here is there a first ascetic, here a second ascetic, here a third ascetic, and here a fourth ascetic.

‘Idheva, bhikkhave, paṭhamo samaṇo, idha dutiyo samaṇo, idha tatiyo samaṇo, idha catuttho samaṇo;

6.2

Other sects are empty of ascetics.’

suññā parappavādā samaṇebhi aññehī’ti—

6.3

This, bhikkhū, is how you should rightly roar your lion’s roar.”

evametaṁ, bhikkhave, sammā sīhanādaṁ nadathā”ti.

6.4

Dasamaṁ.