5.

Connected Discourses with Sāmaṇḍaka

1.

The Discourse on Sāmaṇḍaka

330. On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta was dwelling among the Vajjis at Ukkacelā on the bank of the river Ganges. Then the wandering ascetic Sāmaṇḍaka approached the Venerable Sāriputta; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the wandering ascetic Sāmaṇḍaka said this to the Venerable Sāriputta -

"'Nibbāna, Nibbāna', friend Sāriputta, is said. What, friend, is Nibbāna?" "That which, friend, is the elimination of lust, the elimination of hate, the elimination of delusion - this is called Nibbāna." "But is there, friend, a path, is there a practice for the realisation of this Nibbāna?" "There is indeed, friend, a path, there is a practice for the realisation of this Nibbāna."

"But what, friend, is the path, what is the practice for the realisation of this Nibbāna?" "Just this noble eightfold path, friend, is for the realisation of this Nibbāna, as follows - right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This, friend, is the path, this is the practice for the realisation of this Nibbāna." "Excellent, friend, is the path, excellent is the practice for the realisation of this Nibbāna. And it is enough, friend Sāriputta, for diligence." The first.

2.

The Discourse on What Is Difficult to Do

331. "Now what, friend Sāriputta, is difficult to do in this Teaching and discipline?" "Going forth, friend, is difficult to do in this Teaching and discipline." "But for one gone forth, friend, what is difficult to do?" "For one gone forth, friend, contentment is difficult to do." "But for one who is content, friend, what is difficult to do?" "For one who is content, friend, practice in accordance with the Teaching is difficult to do." "But how long, friend, would a monk practising in accordance with the Teaching be a Worthy One?" "Not long, friend." The sixteenth.

The Connected Discourses on Sāmaṇḍaka is complete.