Sippasuttaṃ [Ud 3.9, PTS 32]

9.

The Discourse on Craft

29. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time, when several monks, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, were seated together assembled in the circular pavilion, this discussion arose - "Who now, friends, knows a craft? Who has learnt what craft? Which craft is the highest of crafts?"

There some said thus - "The craft of elephant-training is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of horse-training is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of chariot-driving is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of archery is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of swordsmanship is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of finger-reckoning is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of arithmetic is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of calculation is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of writing is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of poetry is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of worldly knowledge is the highest of crafts." Some said thus - "The craft of political science is the highest of crafts." And this discussion among those monks was not finished.

Then the Blessed One, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, went to the circular pavilion; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat. Having sat down, the Blessed One addressed the monks: "What discussion were you having as you sat together here, monks? And what was the conversation that was interrupted?"

"Here, venerable sir, when we, after the meal, having returned from our alms round, were seated together in the circular pavilion, this discussion arose - 'Who now, friend, knows a craft? Who has learnt what craft? Which craft is the highest of crafts?'

"Therein some said thus - 'The craft of elephant-training is the highest of crafts.' Some said thus - 'The craft of horse-training is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of chariot-driving is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of archery is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of swordsmanship is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of hand-signs is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of arithmetic is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of calculation is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of writing is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of poetry is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of worldly knowledge is the highest of crafts'; some said thus - 'The craft of political science is the highest of crafts.' This, venerable sir, was our discussion that was interrupted when the Blessed One arrived."

"This indeed, monks, is not proper for you, sons of good family who have gone forth from home into homelessness through faith, that you should engage in such talk. When you have gathered together, monks, there are two things to be done - either a talk on the Teaching or noble silence."

Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -