snp.5.15 Suttanipata

The Young Man Posāla’s Questions

“To the one who points out the past,” said venerable Posāla,
“the unmoved one, who has cut off doubt,
who is perfect in everything, I have come in need with a question:

“For the one in whom perception of form has ended,
who, on the inside and outside is seeing ‘there is nothing whatsoever’,
I ask about his knowledge, Sakyan, how is such a one led further?”

“All the stations of consciousness, Posāla,” said the Gracious One,
“the Realised One knows,
he knows where that one stands, what he is intent on, what he is going towards.

“Having known the origin of nothingness, and that enjoyment is called a fetter,
knowing deeply that it is so, and then having insight into this:
this is real knowedge for him, for the brahmin who is accomplished.”

The Young Man Posāla’s Questions are Finished

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Posāla’s Question

Posāla
To One illuming the past,
the undisturbed who’s cut off doubt,
Gone across the dharmas all,
with this question have I come:

In whom are no perceptions of form,
abandoned it in bodies all,
who sees within, without “there’s nought”,
of such a one, what knowledge known
how will such a one be led?

Buddha
The Tathāgata knows thoroughly
all supports of consciousness:
knows this one as stuck,
that one freed, or bound for the beyond.

Having known the existence of no-thingness
together with its bond of indulgence,
then investigating this and seeing that,
just this is the knowledge of a brahmin perfected.

- Translator: Laurence Khantipalo Mills

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The Question of Posāla

“To the one who reveals the past,”
said Venerable Posāla,
“who is imperturbable, with doubts cut off,
and who has gone beyond all things,
I have come seeking with a question.
Consider one who perceives the disappearance of form,
who has entirely given up the body,
and who sees nothing at all
internally and externally.
I ask the Sakyan about knowledge for them;
how should one like that be guided?”
“The Realized One directly knows,”
said the Buddha,
“all the planes of consciousness.
And he knows this one who remains,
committed to that as their final goal.
Understanding that desire for rebirth
in the dimension of nothingness is a fetter,
and directly knowing what this really means,
one then sees that matter clearly.
That is the knowledge of reality for them,
the brahmin who has lived the life.”