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an.4.179 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Unbinding

Then Ven. Ananda went to Ven. Sariputta and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to Ven. Sariputta, “Friend Sariputta, what is the cause, what is the reason, why some beings do not become totally unbound in the present life?”

“There’s the case, friend Ananda, where beings do not discern, as it actually is present, that ‘This perception has a share in decline’; ‘This perception has a share in stability’; ‘This perception has a share in distinction’; ‘This perception has a share in penetration.’ This is the cause, this is the reason, why some beings do not become totally unbound in the present life.”

“And what, friend Sariputta, is the cause, what is the reason, why some beings do become totally unbound in the present life?”

“There’s the case, friend Ananda, where beings discern, as it actually is present, that ‘This perception has a share in decline’; ‘This perception has a share in stability’; ‘This perception has a share in distinction’; ‘This perception has a share in penetration.’ This is the cause, this is the reason, why some beings become totally unbound in the present life.”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera

Extinguishment

Then Venerable Ānanda went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and exchanged greetings with him.
When the greetings and polite conversation were over, Ānanda sat down to one side, and said to Sāriputta:
“What is the cause, Reverend Sāriputta, what is the reason why some sentient beings aren’t fully extinguished in the present life?”
“Reverend Ānanda, it’s because some sentient beings don’t really understand which perceptions make things worse, which keep things steady, which lead to distinction, and which lead to penetration.
That’s the cause, that’s the reason why some sentient beings aren’t fully extinguished in the present life.”
“What is the cause, Reverend Sāriputta, what is the reason why some sentient beings are fully extinguished in the present life?”
“Reverend Ānanda, it’s because some sentient beings truly understand which perceptions make things worse, which keep things steady, which lead to distinction, and which lead to penetration.
That’s the cause, that’s the reason why some sentient beings are fully extinguished in the present life.”