• Middle Discourses 53 Majjhima Nikāya 53

A Trainee Sekhasutta

So I have heard. Evaṁ me sutaṁ—At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery. ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme.

Now at that time a new town hall had recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It had not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any human at all. Tena kho pana samayena kāpilavatthavānaṁ sakyānaṁ navaṁ santhāgāraṁ acirakāritaṁ hoti anajjhāvuį¹­į¹­haṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā kenaci vā manussabhÅ«tena. Then the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: Atha kho kāpilavatthavā sakyā yena bhagavā tenupasaį¹…kamiṁsu; upasaį¹…kamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisÄ«diṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho kāpilavatthavā sakyā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

ā€œSir, a new town hall has recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It has not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any human at all. ā€œidha, bhante, kāpilavatthavānaṁ sakyānaṁ navaṁ santhāgāraṁ acirakāritaṁ anajjhāvuį¹­į¹­haṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā kenaci vā manussabhÅ«tena. May the Buddha be the first to use it, and only then will the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu use it. Taṁ, bhante, bhagavā paį¹­hamaṁ paribhuƱjatu. Bhagavatā paį¹­hamaṁ paribhuttaṁ pacchā kāpilavatthavā sakyā paribhuƱjissanti. That would be for the lasting welfare and happiness of the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu.ā€ Tadassa kāpilavatthavānaṁ sakyānaṁ dÄ«gharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyÄā€ti. The Buddha consented with silence. Adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhÄ«bhāvena.

Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, the Sakyans rose from their seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right. Then they went to the new town hall, where they spread carpets all over, prepared seats, set up a water jar, and placed an oil lamp. Then they went back to the Buddha, Atha kho kāpilavatthavā sakyā bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā uį¹­į¹­hāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena navaṁ santhāgāraṁ tenupasaį¹…kamiṁsu; upasaį¹…kamitvā sabbasanthariṁ santhāgāraṁ santharitvā āsanāni paƱƱapetvā udakamaṇikaṁ upaį¹­į¹­hapetvā telappadÄ«paṁ āropetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaį¹…kamiṁsu; bowed, stood to one side, upasaį¹…kamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aį¹­į¹­haṁsu. and told him of their preparations, saying, Ekamantaṁ į¹­hitā kho kāpilavatthavā sakyā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: ā€œsabbasanthariṁ santhataṁ, bhante, santhāgāraṁ, āsanāni paƱƱattāni, udakamaṇiko upaį¹­į¹­hāpito, telappadÄ«po āropito. ā€œPlease, sir, come at your convenience.ā€ Yassadāni, bhante, bhagavā kālaṁ maƱƱatÄ«ā€ti.

Then the Buddha robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the new town hall together with the Saį¹…gha of mendicants. Having washed his feet he entered the town hall and sat against the central column facing east. Atha kho bhagavā nivāsetvā pattacÄ«varamādāya saddhiṁ bhikkhusaį¹…ghena yena santhāgāraṁ tenupasaį¹…kami; upasaį¹…kamitvā pāde pakkhāletvā santhāgāraṁ pavisitvā majjhimaṁ thambhaṁ nissāya puratthābhimukho nisÄ«di. The Saį¹…gha of mendicants also washed their feet, entered the town hall, and sat against the west wall facing east, with the Buddha right in front of them. Bhikkhusaį¹…ghopi kho pāde pakkhāletvā santhāgāraṁ pavisitvā pacchimaṁ bhittiṁ nissāya puratthābhimukho nisÄ«di, bhagavantaṁyeva purakkhatvā. The Sakyans of Kapilavatthu also washed their feet, entered the town hall, and sat against the east wall facing west, with the Buddha right in front of them. Kāpilavatthavāpi kho sakyā pāde pakkhāletvā santhāgāraṁ pavisitvā puratthimaṁ bhittiṁ nissāya pacchimābhimukhā nisÄ«diṁsu, bhagavantaṁyeva purakkhatvā.

The Buddha spent much of the night educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the Sakyans with a Dhamma talk. Then he addressed Venerable Ānanda, Atha kho bhagavā kāpilavatthave sakye bahudeva rattiṁ dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi: ā€œÄ€nanda, speak about the practicing trainee to the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu as you feel inspired. ā€œpaį¹­ibhātu taṁ, ānanda, kāpilavatthavānaṁ sakyānaṁ sekho pāṭipado. My back is sore, Piį¹­į¹­hi me āgilāyati; I’ll stretch it.ā€ tamahaṁ āyamissāmÄ«ā€ti.

ā€œYes, sir,ā€ Ānanda replied. ā€œEvaṁ, bhanteā€ti kho āyasmā ānando bhagavato paccassosi. And then the Buddha spread out his outer robe folded in four and laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up. Atha kho bhagavā catugguṇaṁ saį¹…ghāṭiṁ paƱƱāpetvā dakkhiṇena passena sÄ«haseyyaṁ kappesi, pāde pādaṁ accādhāya, sato sampajāno, uį¹­į¹­hānasaƱƱaṁ manasi karitvā.

Then Ānanda addressed Mahānāma the Sakyan: Atha kho āyasmā ānando mahānāmaṁ sakkaṁ āmantesi:

ā€œMahānāma, a noble disciple is accomplished in ethics, guards the sense doors, eats in moderation, and is dedicated to wakefulness. They have seven good qualities, and they get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty. ā€œidha, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sÄ«lasampanno hoti, indriyesu guttadvāro hoti, bhojane mattaññū hoti, jāgariyaṁ anuyutto hoti, sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti, catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diį¹­į¹­hadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhÄ« hoti akicchalābhÄ« akasiralābhÄ«.

And how is a noble disciple accomplished in ethics? KathaƱca, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sÄ«lasampanno hoti? It’s when a noble disciple is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken. Idha, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sÄ«lavā hoti, pātimokkhasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati ācāragocarasampanno aṇumattesu vajjesu bhayadassāvÄ«, samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu. That’s how a noble disciple is ethical. Evaṁ kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sÄ«lasampanno hoti.

And how does a noble disciple guard the sense doors? KathaƱca, mahānāma, ariyasāvako indriyesu guttadvāro hoti? When a noble disciple sees a sight with their eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. Idha, mahānāma, ariyasāvako cakkhunā rÅ«paṁ disvā na nimittaggāhÄ« hoti nānubyaƱjanaggāhÄ«. If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint. Yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ cakkhundriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ tassa saṁvarāya paį¹­ipajjati, rakkhati cakkhundriyaṁ, cakkhundriye saṁvaraṁ āpajjati. When they hear a sound with their ears … Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …pe… When they smell an odor with their nose … ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …pe… When they taste a flavor with their tongue … jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …pe… When they feel a touch with their body … kāyena phoį¹­į¹­habbaṁ phusitvā …pe… When they know an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. manasā dhammaṁ viƱƱāya na nimittaggāhÄ« hoti nānubyaƱjanaggāhÄ«. If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint. Yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ manindriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ tassa saṁvarāya paį¹­ipajjati, rakkhati manindriyaṁ, manindriye saṁvaraṁ āpajjati. That’s how a noble disciple guards the sense doors. Evaṁ kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako indriyesu guttadvāro hoti.

And how does a noble disciple eat in moderation? KathaƱca, mahānāma, ariyasāvako bhojane mattaññū hoti? It’s when a noble disciple reflects rationally on the food that they eat: Idha, mahānāma, ariyasāvako paį¹­isaį¹…khā yoniso āhāraṁ āhāreti: ā€˜Not for fun, indulgence, adornment, or decoration, but only to sustain this body, to avoid harm, and to support spiritual practice. In this way, I shall put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and I will have the means to keep going, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.’ ā€˜neva davāya na madāya na maį¹‡įøanāya na vibhÅ«sanāya; yāvadeva imassa kāyassa į¹­hitiyā yāpanāya vihiṁsÅ«paratiyā brahmacariyānuggahāya. Iti purāṇaƱca vedanaṁ paį¹­ihaį¹…khāmi, navaƱca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi, yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsuvihāro cā’ti. That’s how a noble disciple eats in moderation. Evaṁ kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako bhojane mattaññū hoti.

And how is a noble disciple dedicated to wakefulness? KathaƱca, mahānāma, ariyasāvako jāgariyaṁ anuyutto hoti? It’s when a noble disciple practices walking and sitting meditation by day, purifying their mind from obstacles. Idha, mahānāma, ariyasāvako divasaṁ caį¹…kamena nisajjāya āvaraṇīyehi dhammehi cittaṁ parisodheti, In the first watch of the night, they continue to practice walking and sitting meditation. rattiyā paį¹­hamaṁ yāmaṁ caį¹…kamena nisajjāya āvaraṇīyehi dhammehi cittaṁ parisodheti, In the middle watch, they lie down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up. rattiyā majjhimaṁ yāmaṁ dakkhiṇena passena sÄ«haseyyaṁ kappeti, pāde pādaṁ accādhāya, sato sampajāno, uį¹­į¹­hānasaƱƱaṁ manasi karitvā, In the last watch, they get up and continue to practice walking and sitting meditation, purifying their mind from obstacles. rattiyā pacchimaṁ yāmaṁ paccuį¹­į¹­hāya caį¹…kamena nisajjāya āvaraṇīyehi dhammehi cittaṁ parisodheti. That’s how a noble disciple is dedicated to wakefulness. Evaṁ kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako jāgariyaṁ anuyutto hoti.

And how does a noble disciple have seven good qualities? KathaƱca, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti? It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening: Idha, mahānāma, ariyasāvako saddho hoti, saddahati tathāgatassa bodhiṁ: ā€˜That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ ā€˜itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidÅ« anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.

They have a conscience. They’re conscientious about bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and conscientious about having any bad, unskillful qualities. Hirimā hoti, hirÄ«yati kāyaduccaritena vacÄ«duccaritena manoduccaritena, hirÄ«yati pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā.

They exercise prudence. They’re prudent when it comes to bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and prudent when it comes to acquiring any bad, unskillful qualities. OttappÄ« hoti, ottappati kāyaduccaritena vacÄ«duccaritena manoduccaritena, ottappati pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā.

They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, rehearsing them, mentally scrutinizing them, and penetrating them theoretically. Bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyaƱjanā kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti tathārÅ«pāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diį¹­į¹­hiyā suppaį¹­ividdhā.

They live with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They’re strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. ĀraddhavÄ«riyo viharati akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upasampadāya, thāmavā daįø·haparakkamo anikkhittadhuro kusalesu dhammesu.

They’re mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago. Satimā hoti, paramena satinepakkena samannāgato, cirakatampi cirabhāsitampi saritā anussaritā.

They’re wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering. PaƱƱavā hoti, udayatthagāminiyā paƱƱāya samannāgato, ariyāya nibbedhikāya sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā. That’s how a noble disciple has seven good qualities. Evaṁ kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti.

And how does a noble disciple get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty? KathaƱca, mahānāma, ariyasāvako catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diį¹­į¹­hadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhÄ« hoti akicchalābhÄ« akasiralābhÄ«? It’s when a noble disciple, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption … Idha, mahānāma, ariyasāvako vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paį¹­hamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; second absorption … vitakkavicārānaṁ vÅ«pasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; third absorption … pÄ«tiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati; fourth absorption. sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaį¹…gamā …pe… catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. That’s how a noble disciple gets the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty. Evaṁ kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diį¹­į¹­hadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhÄ« hoti akicchalābhÄ« akasiralābhÄ«.

When a noble disciple is accomplished in ethics, guards the sense doors, eats in moderation, and is dedicated to wakefulness; and they have seven good qualities, and they get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty, they are called a noble disciple who is a practicing trainee. Their eggs are unspoiled, and they are capable of breaking out of their shell, becoming awakened, and achieving the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. Yato kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako evaṁ sÄ«lasampanno hoti, evaṁ indriyesu guttadvāro hoti, evaṁ bhojane mattaññū hoti, evaṁ jāgariyaṁ anuyutto hoti, evaṁ sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti, evaṁ catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diį¹­į¹­hadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhÄ« hoti akicchalābhÄ« akasiralābhÄ«, ayaṁ vuccati, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sekho pāṭipado apuccaį¹‡įøatāya samāpanno, bhabbo abhinibbhidāya, bhabbo sambodhāya, bhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya. Suppose there was a chicken with eight or ten or twelve eggs. And she properly sat on them to keep them warm and incubated. Even if that chicken doesn’t wish, Seyyathāpi, mahānāma, kukkuį¹­iyā aį¹‡įøÄni aį¹­į¹­ha vā dasa vā dvādasa vā tānāssu kukkuį¹­iyā sammā adhisayitāni sammā pariseditāni sammā paribhāvitāni, kiƱcāpi tassā kukkuį¹­iyā na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ā€˜If only my chicks could break out of the eggshell with their claws and beak and hatch safely!’ ā€˜aho vatime kukkuį¹­apotakā pādanakhasikhāya vā mukhatuį¹‡įøakena vā aį¹‡įøakosaṁ padāletvā sotthinā abhinibbhijjeyyun’ti, Still they can break out and hatch safely. atha kho bhabbāva te kukkuį¹­apotakā pādanakhasikhāya vā mukhatuį¹‡įøakena vā aį¹‡įøakosaṁ padāletvā sotthinā abhinibbhijjituṁ.

In the same way, when a noble disciple is practicing all these things they are called a noble disciple who is a practicing trainee. Their eggs are unspoiled, and they are capable of breaking out of their shell, becoming awakened, and achieving the supreme sanctuary from the yoke. Evameva kho, mahānāma, yato ariyasāvako evaṁ sÄ«lasampanno hoti, evaṁ indriyesu guttadvāro hoti, evaṁ bhojane mattaññū hoti, evaṁ jāgariyaṁ anuyutto hoti, evaṁ sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti, evaṁ catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diį¹­į¹­hadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhÄ« hoti akicchalābhÄ« akasiralābhÄ«, ayaṁ vuccati, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sekho pāṭipado apuccaį¹‡įøatāya samāpanno, bhabbo abhinibbhidāya, bhabbo sambodhāya, bhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya.

Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple recollects their many kinds of past lives. Sa kho so, mahānāma, ariyasāvako imaṁyeva anuttaraṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ āgamma anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati, That is: one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand rebirths; many eons of the world contracting, many eons of the world expanding, many eons of the world contracting and expanding. … And so they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details. seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo …pe… iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati, This is their first breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell. ayamassa paį¹­hamābhinibbhidā hoti kukkuį¹­acchāpakasseva aį¹‡įøakosamhā.

Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, sees sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. … They understand how sentient beings pass on according to their deeds. Sa kho so, mahānāma, ariyasāvako imaṁyeva anuttaraṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ āgamma dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne hÄ«ne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate …pe… yathākammÅ«page satte pajānāti, This is their second breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell. ayamassa dutiyābhinibbhidā hoti kukkuį¹­acchāpakasseva aį¹‡įøakosamhā.

Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple 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. Sa kho so, mahānāma, ariyasāvako imaṁyeva anuttaraṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ āgamma āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paƱƱāvimuttiṁ diį¹­į¹­heva dhamme sayaṁ abhiƱƱā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati, This is their third breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell. ayamassa tatiyābhinibbhidā hoti kukkuį¹­acchāpakasseva aį¹‡įøakosamhā.

A noble disciple’s conduct includes the following: being accomplished in ethics, Yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sÄ«lasampanno hoti, idampissa hoti caraṇasmiṁ; guarding the sense doors, yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako indriyesu guttadvāro hoti, idampissa hoti caraṇasmiṁ; moderation in eating, yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako bhojane mattaññū hoti, idampissa hoti caraṇasmiṁ; being dedicated to wakefulness, yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako jāgariyaṁ anuyutto hoti, idampissa hoti caraṇasmiṁ; having seven good qualities, yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako sattahi saddhammehi samannāgato hoti, idampissa hoti caraṇasmiṁ; and getting the four absorptions when they want, without trouble or difficulty. yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ ābhicetasikānaṁ diį¹­į¹­hadhammasukhavihārānaṁ nikāmalābhÄ« hoti akicchalābhÄ« akasiralābhÄ«, idampissa hoti caraṇasmiṁ.

A noble disciple’s knowledge includes the following: recollecting their past lives, YaƱca kho, mahānāma, ariyasāvako anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati, seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo …pe… iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati, idampissa hoti vijjāya; clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passati cavamāne upapajjamāne hÄ«ne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate …pe… yathākammÅ«page satte pajānāti, idampissa hoti vijjāya. and realizing the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life due to the ending of defilements. Yampi, mahānāma, ariyasāvako āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paƱƱāvimuttiṁ diį¹­į¹­heva dhamme sayaṁ abhiƱƱā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati, idampissa hoti vijjāya.

This noble disciple is said to be ā€˜accomplished in knowledge’, and also ā€˜accomplished in conduct’, and also ā€˜accomplished in knowledge and conduct’. Ayaṁ vuccati, mahānāma, ariyasāvako vijjāsampanno itipi caraṇasampanno itipi vijjācaraṇasampanno itipi.

And the divinity Sanaį¹…kumāra also spoke this verse: Brahmunāpesā, mahānāma, sanaį¹…kumārena gāthā bhāsitā:

ā€˜The aristocrat is best among people ā€˜Khattiyo seį¹­į¹­ho janetasmiṁ, who take clan as the standard. ye gottapaį¹­isārino; But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct Vijjācaraṇasampanno, is best among gods and humans.’ so seį¹­į¹­ho devamānuse’ti.

And that verse was well sung by the Divinity Sanaį¹…kumāra, not poorly sung; well spoken, not poorly spoken, beneficial, not harmful, and it was approved by the Buddha.ā€ Sā kho panesā, mahānāma, brahmunā sanaį¹…kumārena gāthā sugÄ«tā no duggÄ«tā, subhāsitā no dubbhāsitā, atthasaṁhitā no anatthasaṁhitā, anumatā bhagavatÄā€ti.

Then the Buddha got up and said to Venerable Ānanda, Atha kho bhagavā uį¹­į¹­hahitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi: ā€œGood, good, Ānanda! ā€œsādhu sādhu, ānanda, It’s good that you spoke to the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu about the practicing trainee.ā€ sādhu kho tvaṁ, ānanda, kāpilavatthavānaṁ sakyānaṁ sekhaṁ pāṭipadaṁ abhāsÄ«ā€ti.

This is what Venerable Ānanda said, Idamavocāyasmā ānando. and the teacher approved. SamanuƱƱo satthā ahosi. Satisfied, the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu approved what Venerable Ānanda said. Attamanā kāpilavatthavā sakyā āyasmato ānandassa bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.