3.
The Discourse on Going to the End of the World
116.
"I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world.
But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering."
Having said this, the Blessed One rose from his seat and entered the dwelling.
Then, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to those monks -
"Friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling -
'I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world.
But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering.'
Who now could explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail?"
Then those monks had this thought: "This Venerable Ānanda is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by the wise fellow monks in the holy life. The Venerable Ānanda is able to explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. What if we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we should ask the Venerable Ānanda about this matter."
Then those monks approached the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, they exchanged friendly greetings with the Venerable Ānanda. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Venerable Ānanda -
"Friend Ānanda, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world. But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering.' Then, friend, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to us - 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world. But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering. Who now could explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail?' Then, friend, this occurred to us - 'This Venerable Ānanda, friend, is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by the wise fellow monks in the holy life. The Venerable Ānanda is able to explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. What if we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we should ask the Venerable Ānanda about this matter.' Let the Venerable Ānanda explain."
"Just as, friends, a man desiring the substance, seeking the substance, wandering about in search of the substance, of a great tree standing with substance, having passed over the root, having passed over the trunk, might think the substance should be sought in the branches and leaves; thus it is with the venerable ones, when the Teacher is present before you, having passed over that Blessed One, you think this matter should be asked of us. For, friends, the Blessed One is one who knows what is to be known, one who sees what is to be seen - become vision, become knowledge, become the Teaching, become the supreme, the speaker, the proclaimer, the one who leads to the meaning, the giver of the Deathless, the lord of the Teaching, the Truth-finder. And that was the time when you should have asked the Blessed One himself about this matter. As the Blessed One would have answered you, so you should have remembered it."
"Certainly, friend Ānanda, the Blessed One is one who knows what is to be known, one who sees what is to be seen - become vision, become knowledge, become the Teaching, become the supreme, the speaker, the proclaimer, the one who leads to the meaning, the giver of the Deathless, the lord of the Teaching, the Truth-finder. And that was the time when we should have asked the Blessed One himself about this matter. As the Blessed One would have answered us, so we should have remembered it. But the Venerable Ānanda is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by the wise fellow monks in the holy life. The Venerable Ānanda is able to explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. Let the Venerable Ānanda explain, without finding it troublesome."
"Well then, friends, listen, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, friend," those monks assented to the Venerable Ānanda. The Venerable Ānanda said this -
"That which, friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world. But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering' - I, friends, understand in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. That by which, friends, in the world one has perception of the world, one has conceit of the world - this is called 'world' in the Noble One's discipline. And by what, friends, in the world does one have perception of the world, have conceit of the world? By the eye, friends, in the world one has perception of the world, has conceit of the world. By the ear, friends, etc. By the nose, friends, etc. By the tongue, friends, in the world one has perception of the world, has conceit of the world. By the body, friends, etc. By the mind, friends, in the world one has perception of the world, has conceit of the world. That by which, friends, in the world one has perception of the world, one has conceit of the world - this is called 'world' in the Noble One's discipline. That which, friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world. But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering' - I, friends, understand in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail, thus in detail. But if you wish, venerable ones, you may approach the Blessed One himself and ask about this matter. As the Blessed One answers you, so you should remember it."
"Yes, friend," those monks, having replied to the Venerable Ānanda, rose from their seats and approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One -
"Venerable sir, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - 'I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world. But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering.' Then, venerable sir, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this occurred to us - 'Friends, the Blessed One, having recited a synopsis in brief, without explaining the meaning in detail, rose from his seat and entered the dwelling - I do not say, monks, that by travelling one could know, see, or reach the end of the world. But I do not say, monks, that without reaching the end of the world there is making an end of suffering.' Who now could explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail?' Then this occurred to us, venerable sir - 'This Venerable Ānanda is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by the wise fellow monks in the holy life. The Venerable Ānanda is able to explain in detail the meaning of this synopsis recited in brief by the Blessed One, the meaning not explained in detail. What if we were to approach the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we should ask the Venerable Ānanda about this matter.' Then we, venerable sir, approached the Venerable Ānanda; having approached, we asked the Venerable Ānanda about this matter. For us, venerable sir, the Venerable Ānanda explained the meaning with these characteristics, with these terms, with these phrases."
"Monks, Ānanda is wise; monks, Ānanda is of great wisdom! Monks, if you had asked me about this matter, I too would have answered it in exactly the same way as it was answered by Ānanda. This indeed is its meaning, and thus you should remember it." The third.