SUTTA-NIPATA 4.5

Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Khuddaka Nikaya >> Suttanipata>>4.5 PARAMATTHAKASUTTA

Adapted From the Translation by V. Fausboll(1881)

One should not give oneself to philosophical disputations; a Brahmana who does not adopt any system of philosophy, is unchangeable, has reached Nibbana.

1. What one person, abiding by the (philosophical) views, saying, 'This is the most excellent,' considers the highest in the world, everything different from that he says is wretched, therefore he has not overcome dispute. (802)

2. Because he sees in himself a good result, with regard to what has been seen (or) heard, virtue and (holy) works, or what has been thought, therefore, having embraced that, he looks upon everything else as bad. (803)

3. The expert call just that a tie dependent upon which one looks upon anything else as bad. Therefore let a Bhikkhu(Monk) not depend upon what is seen, heard, or thought, or upon virtue and (holy) works. (804)

4. Let him not form any (philosophical) view in this world, either by knowledge or by virtue and (holy) works, let him not represent himself equal (to others), nor think himself either low or distinguished. (805)

5. Having left what has been grasped, not seizing upon anything he does not depend even on knowledge. He does not associate with those that are taken up by different things, he does not return to any (philosophical) view. (806)

6. For whom there is here no desire for both ends, for rebirth either here or in another world, for him there are no resting-places (of the mind) embraced after investigation amongst the doctrines (dhammesu). (807)

7. ln him there is not the least prejudiced idea with regard to what has been seen, heard, or thought; how could any one in this world alter such a Brahmana who does not adopt any view? (808)

8. They do not form (any view), they do not prefer (anything), the Dhammas are not chosen by them, a Brahmana is not dependent upon virtue and (holy) works; having gone to the other shore, such a one does not return. (809)

Paramatthakasutta is ended.

Note : Numbering of verses corresponds to pali tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org