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Titthàyatanasuttaü (Aïg. 3.62)
The Discourse on the Belief Systems

Edited & Translated by ânandajoti Bhikkhu

(January 2008/2551)

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Table of Contents (outline)

The Three Belief Systems

Tãõimàni ¹ bhikkhave titthàyatanàni,
There are these three belief systems, monks,

yàni paõóitehi samanuyuÿjiyamànàni samanugàhiyamànàni ² samanubhàsiyamànàni
and though questioned, queried, and discussed by wise men,

param-pi gantvà akiriyàya saõñhahanti.
(because they) ³ have come down from others, they persist in inaction.

Katamàni tãõi?
Which three?

Santi bhikkhave eke samaõabràhmaõà evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
There are some ascetics and bràhmaõas, monks, who are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü ⁴ pubbekatahetåû ti.
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that is due to what was done in the past.û ⁵

Santi bhikkhave eke samaõabràhmaõà evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
There are some ascetics and bràhmaõas, monks, who are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü Issaranimmànahetåû ti.
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that is due to the power of God.û ⁶

Santi bhikkhave eke samaõabràhmaõà evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
There are some ascetics and bràhmaõas, monks, who are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü ahetu-appaccayà û ti.
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that has no cause or condition.û ⁷

Those who Believe in what was Done in the Past

Tatra bhikkhave ye te samaõabràhmaõà evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
Here, monks, (as for) those ascetics and bràhmaõas who are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü pubbekatahetåû ti,
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that is due to what was done in the past,û

tyàhaü upasaïkamitvà evaü vadàmi:
having approached them, I say:

ßSaccaü kira tumhe àyasmanto evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
ßIs it true that you venerables are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü pubbekatahetå?û ti,
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that is due to what was done in the past?û,

te ce ⁸ me evaü puññhà ßàmàû ti pañijànanti, tyàhaü evaü vadàmi:
and if they agree with me when questioned thus, (saying) ßyesû, I say to them: ⁹

ßTena hàyasmanto pàõàtipàtino bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
ßThen, venerables, (people) will be killers of living creatures because of what was done in the past,

adinnàdàyino bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be takers of what is not given because of what was done in the past,

abrahmacàrino bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be unchaste because of what was done in the past,

musàvàdino bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be speakers of what is false because of what was done in the past,

pisuõavàcà bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be utterers of divisive words because of what was done in the past,

pharusavàcà bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be utterers of harsh words because of what was done in the past,

samphappalàpino bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be frivolous talkers because of what was done in the past,

abhijjhàluno bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be avaracious because of what was done in the past,

vyàpannacittà bhavissanti pubbekatahetu,
(people) will be malevolent because of what was done in the past,

micchàdiññhikà bhavissanti pubbekatahetu. ¹⁰
(people) will hold to wrong views because of what was done in the past.

Pubbekataü kho pana bhikkhave sàrato paccàgacchataü
But, monks, for he who holds what was done in the past as the essential thing,

na hoti chando và vàyàmo và: ßidaü và karaõãyaü idaü và akaraõãyanû-ti,
there is no desire nor effort (thinking): ßthis should be done, or this should not be doneû,

iti karaõãyàkaraõãye kho pana saccato thetato anupalabbhiyamàne,
but there being no truth or trust in what should be done or what should not be done,

muññhassatãnaü anàrakkhànaü viharataü,
he lives without mindfulness, ¹¹ without protection, ¹²

na hoti paccattaü sahadhammiko samaõavàdo.
and that individual cannot reasonably be called an ascetic. ¹³

Ayaü kho me bhikkhave tesu samaõabràhmaõesu evaüvàdãsu evaüdiññhãsu,
This, monks, for the ascetics and bràhmaõas who are of these arguments, these views,

pañhamo sahadhammiko niggaho hoti.
is my first reasonable reproach.

Those who Believe in the Power of God

Tatra bhikkhave ye te samaõabràhmaõà evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
Here, monks, (as for) those ascetics and bràhmaõas who are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü Issaranimmànahetåû ti,
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that is due to the power of God,û

tyàhaü upasaïkamitvà evaü vadàmi:
having approached them, I say:

ßSaccaü kira tumhe àyasmanto evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
ßIs it true that you venerables are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü Issaranimmànahetå?û ti,
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that is due to the power of God?û,

te ce me evaü puññhà ßàmàû ti pañijànanti, tyàhaü evaü vadàmi:
and if they agree with me when questioned thus, (saying) ßyesû, I say to them:

ßTena hàyasmanto pàõàtipàtino bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
ßThen, venerables, (people) will be killers of living creatures due to the power of God,

adinnàdàyino bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be takers of what is not given due to the power of God,

abrahmacàrino bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be unchaste due to the power of God,

musàvàdino bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be speakers of what is false due to the power of God,

pisuõavàcà bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be utterers of divisive words due to the power of God,

pharusavàcà bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be utterers of harsh words due to the power of God,

samphappalàpino bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be frivolous talkers due to the power of God,

abhijjhàluno bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be avaracious due to the power of God,

vyàpannacittà bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu,
(people) will be malevolent due to the power of God,

micchàdiññhikà bhavissanti Issaranimmànahetu.
(people) will hold to wrong views due to the power of God.

Issaranimmànaü kho pana bhikkhave sàrato paccàgacchataü
But, monks, for he who holds the power of God as the essential thing,

na hoti chando và vàyàmo và: ßidaü và karaõãyaü idaü và akaraõãyanû-ti,
there is no desire nor effort (thinking): ßthis should be done, or this should not be doneû,

iti karaõãyàkaraõãye kho pana saccato thetato anupalabbhiyamàne,
but there being no truth or trust in what should be done or what should not be done,

muññhassatãnaü anàrakkhànaü viharataü,
he lives without mindfulness, without protection,

na hoti paccattaü sahadhammiko samaõavàdo.
and that individual cannot reasonably be called an ascetic.

Ayaü kho me bhikkhave tesu samaõabràhmaõesu evaüvàdãsu evaüdiññhãsu,
This, monks, for the ascetics and bràhmaõas who are of these arguments, these views,

dutiyo sahadhammiko niggaho hoti.
is my second reasonable reproach.

Those who Believe there is No Cause or Condition

Tatra bhikkhave ye te samaõabràhmaõà evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
Here, monks, (as for) those ascetics and bràhmaõas who are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü ahetu-appaccayàhetåû ti,
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that has no cause or condition,û

tyàhaü upasaïkamitvà evaü vadàmi:
having approached them, I say:

ßSaccaü kira tumhe àyasmanto evaüvàdino evaüdiññhino:
ßIs it true that you venerables are of this argument, this view:

ßYaü kiÿcàyaü purisapuggalo pañisaüvedeti,
ßWhatever an individual experiences,

sukhaü và dukkhaü và adukkhamasukhaü và sabbaü taü ahetu-appaccayàhetå?û ti,
whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant, all of that has no cause or condition?û,

te ce me evaü puññhà ßàmàû ti pañijànanti, tyàhaü evaü vadàmi:
and if they agree with me when questioned thus, (saying) ßyesû, I say to them:

ßTena hàyasmanto pàõàtipàtino bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
ßThen, venerables, (people) will be killers of living creatures with no cause or condition,

adinnàdàyino bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be takers of what is not given with no cause or condition,

abrahmacàrino bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be unchaste with no cause or condition,

musàvàdino bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be speakers of what is false with no cause or condition,

pisuõavàcà bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be utterers of divisive words with no cause or condition,

pharusavàcà bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be utterers of harsh words with no cause or condition,

samphappalàpino bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be frivolous talkers with no cause or condition,

abhijjhàluno bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be avaracious with no cause or condition,

vyàpannacittà bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu,
(people) will be malevolent with no cause or condition,

micchàdiññhikà bhavissanti ahetu-appaccayàhetu.
(people) will hold to wrong views with no cause or condition.

Ahetu-appaccayaü kho pana bhikkhave sàrato paccàgacchataü
But, monks, for he who holds no cause or condition as the essential thing,

na hoti chando và vàyàmo và: ßidaü và karaõãyaü idaü và akaraõãyanû-ti,
there is no desire nor effort (thinking): ßthis should be done, or this should not be doneû,

iti karaõãyàkaraõãye kho pana saccato thetato anupalabbhiyamàne,
but there being no truth or trust in what should be done or what should not be done,

muññhassatãnaü anàrakkhànaü viharataü,
he lives without mindfulness, without protection,

na hoti paccattaü sahadhammiko samaõavàdo.
and that individual cannot reasonably be called an ascetic.

Ayaü kho me bhikkhave tesu samaõabràhmaõesu evaüvàdãsu evaüdiññhãsu,
This, monks, for the ascetics and bràhmaõas who are of these arguments, these views,

tatiyo sahadhammiko niggaho hoti.
is my third reasonable reproach.

Imàni kho bhikkhave tãõi titthàyatanàni,
These are the three belief systems, monks,

yàni paõóitehi samanuyuÿjiyamànàni samanugàhiyamànàni samanubhàsiyamànàni,
and though questioned, queried, and discussed by wise men,

param-pi gantvà akiriyàya saõñhahanti.
(because they) have come down from others, they persist in inaction.

The Buddha's Teaching

Ayaü kho pana bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
But this is the Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho ¹⁴ samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhi.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Katamo ca bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
What is the Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhi?
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas?

ßImà cha dhàtuyoû ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
ßThese are the six elementsû is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhi.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

ßImàni cha phassàyatanànãû ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
ßThese are the six spheres of contactû is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhi.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

ßIme aññhàrasa manopavicàràû ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
ßThese are the eighteen investigations of mindû is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhi.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

ßImàni cattàri Ariyasaccànãû ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
ßThese are the four Noble Truthsû is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhi.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

The Six Elements

ß `Imà cha dhàtuyo' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
ß `These are the six elements' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Iti kho panetaü vuttaü, kiÿ-cetaü pañicca vuttaü?
This is what was said, but in regard to what was it said?

Chayimà bhikkhave dhàtuyo:
There are these six elements, monks:

pañhavãdhàtu, ¹⁵ àpodhàtu, tejodhàtu, vàyodhàtu, àkàsadhàtu, viÿÿàõadhàtu.
the earth element, the water element, the fire element, the wind element, the space element, the consciousness element. ¹⁶

`Imà cha dhàtuyo' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
`These are the six elements' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Iti kho panetaü vuttaü, kiÿ-cetaü pañicca vuttaü?
This is what was said, but in regard to what was it said?

Iti yaü taü ¹⁷ vuttaü, idam-etaü pañicca vuttaü.
This was it said, and this is the reason it was said.

The Six Spheres of Contact

`Imàni cha phassàyatanànã' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
`These are the six spheres of contact' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Iti kho panetaü vuttaü, kiÿ-cetaü pañicca vuttaü?
This is what was said, but in regard to what was it said?

Chayimàni bhikkhave phassàyatanàni:
There are these six spheres of contact, monks:

cakkhuü ¹⁸ phassàyatanaü, sotaü phassàyatanaü, ghànaü phassàyatanaü,
the eye sphere of contact, the ear sphere of contact, the nose sphere of contact,

jivhà phassàyatanaü, kàyo phassàyatanaü, mano phassàyatanaü.
the tongue sphere of contact, the body sphere of contact, the mind sphere of contact.

`Imàni cha phassàyatanànã' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
`These are the six spheres of contact' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Iti yaü taü vuttaü, idam-etaü pañicca vuttaü.
This was it said, and this is the reason it was said.

The Eighteen Investigations of Mind

`Ime aññhàrasa manopavicàrà' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
`These are the eighteen investigations of mind' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas. ¹⁹

Iti kho panetaü vuttaü, kiÿ-cetaü pañicca vuttaü?
This is what was said, but in regard to what was it said?

Cakkhunà råpaü disvà somanassaññhàniyaü råpaü upavicarati,
Having seen a form with the eye he investigates whether it is to be classified as a pleasant form,

domanassaññhàniyaü råpaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a unpleasant form,

upekkhaññhàniyaü råpaü upavicarati.
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a neutral form. ²⁰

Sotena saddaü sutvà somanassaññhàniyaü saddaü upavicarati,
Having heard a sound with the ear he investigates whether it is to be classified as a pleasant sound,

domanassaññhàniyaü saddaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a unpleasant sound,

upekkhaññhàniyaü saddaü upavicarati.
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a neutral sound.

Ghànena gandhaü ghàyitvà somanassaññhàniyaü gandhaü upavicarati,
Having smelt a smell with the nose he investigates whether it is to be classified as a pleasant smell,

domanassaññhàniyaü gandhaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a unpleasant smell,

upekkhaññhàniyaü gandhaü upavicarati.
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a neutral smell.

Jivhàya rasaü sàyitvà somanassaññhàniyaü rasaü upavicarati,
Having tasted a taste with the tongue he investigates whether it is to be classified as a pleasant taste,

domanassaññhàniyaü rasaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a unpleasant taste,

upekkhaññhàniyaü rasaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a neutral taste,

Kàyena phoññhabbaü phusitvà somanassaññhàniyaü phoññhabbaü upavicarati,
Having touched a tangible with the body he investigates whether it is to be classified as a pleasant touch,

domanassaññhàniyaü phoññhabbaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a unpleasant touch,

upekkhaññhàniyaü phoññhabbaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a neutral touch,

Manasà dhammaü viÿÿàya somanassaññhàniyaü dhammaü upavicarati,
Having cognised a mental object with the mind he investigates whether it is to be classified as a pleasant mental object,

domanassaññhàniyaü dhammaü upavicarati,
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a unpleasant mental object,

upekkhaññhàniyaü dhammaü upavicarati.
he investigates whether it is to be classified as a neutral mental object.

`Ime aññhàrasa manopavicàrà' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
`These are the eighteen investigations of mind' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Iti yaü taü vuttaü, idam-etaü pañicca vuttaü.
This was it said, and this is the reason it was said.

The Four Noble Truths

`Imàni cattàri Ariyasaccànã' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
`These are the four Noble Truths' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Iti kho panetaü vuttaü, kiÿ-cetaü pañicca vuttaü?
This is what was said, but in regard to what was it said?

Channaü bhikkhave dhàtånaü upàdàya gabbhassàvakkanti hoti,
Having attachment to the six elements, monks, there is entry into the womb,

okkantiyà sati nàmaråpaü,
with the appearance (in the womb) there is mind and body,

nàmaråpapaccayà saëàyatanaü,
because of mind and body: the six sphere of sense,

saëàyatanapaccayà phasso,
because of the six sphere of sense: contact,

phassapaccayà vedanà,
because of contact: feeling,

vediyamànassa kho panàhaü bhikkhave `idaü dukkhan'-ti paÿÿàpemi, <sup>21</sup>
now to one who has feeling, monks, I declare `this is suffering',

`ayaü dukkhasamudayo' ti paÿÿàpemi,
I declare `this is the arising of suffering',

`ayaü dukkhanirodho' ti paÿÿàpemi,
I declare `this is the cessation of suffering',

`ayaü dukkhanirodhagàminã pañipadà' ti paÿÿàpemi.
I declare `this is the path going to the cessation of suffering'.

Katamaÿ-ca bhikkhave Dukkhaü Ariyasaccaü?
Now what, monks, is the Noble Truth of Suffering?

Idaü vuccati bhikkhave Dukkhaü Ariyasaccaü.
This I say, monks, is the Noble Truth of Suffering.

Katamaÿ-ca bhikkhave Dukkhasamudayaü ²³ Ariyasaccaü?
Now what, monks, is the Noble Truth of the arising of suffering?

Idaü vuccati bhikkhave Dukkhasamudayaü Ariyasaccaü.
This I say, monks, is the Noble Truth of the Arising of Suffering.

Katamaÿ-ca bhikkhave Dukkhanirodhaü ²⁴ ariyasaccaü?
Now what, monks, is the Noble Truth of the cessation of suffering?

Idaü vuccati bhikkhave Dukkhanirodhaü Ariyasaccaü.
This I say, monks, is the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering.

Katamaÿ-ca bhikkhave Dukkhanirodhagàminã Pañipadà Ariyasaccaü?
Now what, monks, is the Noble Truth of the Path Going to the Cessation of Suffering?

Idaü vuccati bhikkhave Dukkhanirodhagàminã Pañipadà Ariyasaccaü.
This I say, monks, is the Noble Truth of Path Going to the Cessation of Suffering.

`Imàni cattàri Ariyasaccànã' ti bhikkhave mayà Dhammo desito
`These are the four Noble Truths' is a Teaching, monks, taught by me

aniggahito asaükiliññho anupavajjo appañikuññho samaõehi bràhmaõehi viÿÿåhã ti.
that is without reproach, undefiled, blameless, and unreviled by wise ascetics and bràhmaõas.

Iti yaü taü vuttaü, idam-etaü pañicca vuttaü.
This was it said, and this is the reason it was said.

[Nitthitaü]
[Finished]