sn.22.36 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

A Certain Bhikkhu (2)

At Savatthi. Then a certain bhikkhu approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him: “Venerable sir, it would be good if the Blessed One would teach me the Dhamma in brief, so that, having heard the Dhamma from the Blessed One, I might dwell alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute.”

“Bhikkhu, if one has an underlying tendency towards something, then one is measured in accordance with it; if one is measured in accordance with something, then one is reckoned in terms of it. If one does not have an underlying tendency towards something, then one is not measured in accordance with it; if one is not measured in accordance with something, then one is not reckoned in terms of it.”

“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Fortunate One!”

“In what way, bhikkhu, do you understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by me in brief?”

“If, venerable sir, one has an underlying tendency towards form, then one is measured in accordance with it; if one is measured in accordance with it, then one is reckoned in terms of it. If one has an underlying tendency towards feeling … towards perception … towards volitional formations … towards consciousness, then one is measured in accordance with it; if one is measured in accordance with it, then one is reckoned in terms of it.

“If, venerable sir, one does not have an underlying tendency towards form, then one is not measured in accordance with it; if one is not measured in accordance with it, then one is not reckoned in terms of it. If one does not have an underlying tendency towards feeling … towards perception … towards volitional formations … towards consciousness, then one is not measured in accordance with it; if one is not measured in accordance with it, then one is not reckoned in terms of it.

“It is in such a way, venerable sir, that I understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by the Blessed One in brief.”

“Good, good, bhikkhu! It is good that you understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by me in brief. If, bhikkhu, one has an underlying tendency towards form … as above in full … then one is not reckoned in terms of it. It is in such a way that the meaning of what was stated by me in brief should be understood in detail.”

Then that bhikkhu, having delighted and rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words, rose from his seat … And that bhikkhu became one of the arahants.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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A Mendicant (2nd)

At Sāvatthī.
Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him,
“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”
“Mendicant, you’re measured against what you have an underlying tendency for,
and you’re defined by what you’re measured against.
You’re not measured against what you have no underlying tendency for,
and you’re not defined by what you’re not measured against.”
“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!”
“But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement?”
“If you have an underlying tendency for form, you’re measured against that,
and you’re defined by what you’re measured against.
If you have an underlying tendency for feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you’re measured against that,
and you’re defined by what you’re measured against.
If you have no underlying tendency for form, you’re not measured against that,
and you’re not defined by what you’re not measured against.
If you have no underlying tendency for feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you’re not measured against that,
and you’re not defined by what you’re not measured against.
That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.”
“Good, good, mendicant!
It’s good that you understand the detailed meaning of what I’ve said in brief like this.
If you have an underlying tendency for form, you’re measured against that,
and you’re defined by what you’re measured against.
If you have an underlying tendency for feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you’re measured against that,
and you’re defined by what you’re measured against.
If you have no underlying tendency for form, you’re not measured against that,
and you’re not defined by what you’re not measured against.
If you have no underlying tendency for feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you’re not measured against that,
and you’re not defined by what you’re not measured against.
This is how to understand the detailed meaning of what I said in brief.” …
And that mendicant became one of the perfected.