23. The Tathagata

AN 4:23 The Tathagata

Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi

Monks, the world is fully understood by the Tathagata; the Tathagata is released from the world.

The origin of the world is fully understood by the Tathagata; the origin of the world is abandoned by the Tathagata.

The cessation of the world is fully understood by the Tathagata; the cessation of the world has been realised by the Tathagata.

The path to the cessation of the world is fully understood by the Tathagata; the path to the cessation of the world has been developed by the Tathagata.

Monks, in the world with its devas, Mara and Brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, devas and humans, whatever is seen, heard, sensed and cognized, attained, searched into, pondered over by the mind—all that is fully understood by the Tathagata. That is why he is called the Tathagata.

Moreover, monks, whatever the Tathagata speaks, utters, and proclaims from the day of his perfect enlightenment up to the day when he utterly passes away into the Nibbana-element without residue left —all that is just so and not otherwise. Therefore he is called the Tathagata.

Monks, as the Tathagata speaks, so he acts; as he acts, so he speaks. Therefore he is called the Tathagata.

Monks, in the whole world with its devas, Mara and Brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, devas and humans, the Tathagata is the conqueror, unconquered, one who sees-at-will, the wielder of power. Therefore he is called the Tathagata. By comprehending all the world, All in the world just as it is, From all the world he is released; In all the world he clings to nothing.

He is the all-victorious sage, The liberator from all bonds, By him the highest peace was won: Nibbana that is free of fear.

A taintless Enlightened One, Free from all woe, with doubt destroyed, Has made an end to all kamma, Set free in the destruction of life’s props.

Exalted One, he is the Buddha, The lion without compare; For the divine and human worlds He has set rolling the Supreme Wheel.

Therefore devas and human beings Who go for refuge to the Buddha, Meet him full of reverence, The mighty one free from self-doubt.

“Tamed, of the tamed he is the best; Calmed, of the calm he is the first; Freed, of the free he is supreme; Crossed over, the best of those who cross.”

So saying, they pay him reverence, The mighty one free from self-doubt; In all the worlds of devas and humans There is none who ever equals you!