9.
The Discourse on Nibbāna
179.
Then the Venerable Ānanda 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 Venerable Ānanda said this to the Venerable Sāriputta -
"What now, friend Sāriputta, is the cause, what is the condition, whereby some beings here do not attain final nibbāna in this very life?"
"Here, friend Ānanda, beings do not understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions conducive to relinquishment', do not understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions connected with duration', do not understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions leading to distinction', do not understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of penetration'. This, friend Ānanda, is the cause, this is the condition, whereby some beings here do not attain final nibbāna in this very life."
"But what, friend Sāriputta, is the cause, what is the condition, whereby some beings here attain final nibbāna in this very life?" "Here, friend Ānanda, beings understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions conducive to relinquishment', understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions connected with duration', understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions leading to distinction', understand as it really is: 'These are perceptions partaking of penetration'. This, friend Ānanda, is the cause, this is the condition, whereby some beings here attain final nibbāna in this very life." The ninth.