2.
The Discourse on the Ājīvaka
73.
On one occasion the Venerable Ānanda was dwelling at Kosambī in Ghosita's park.
Then a certain householder, a disciple of the Ājīvakas, approached the Venerable Ānanda;
having approached, he paid respect to the Venerable Ānanda and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, that householder, a disciple of the Ājīvakas, said this to the Venerable Ānanda -
"For whom, venerable sir Ānanda, is the Teaching well preached? Who are practising well in the world? Who are the well-accomplished ones in the world?" "Well then, householder, I will ask you a question about this very matter. As it pleases you, so you should answer it. What do you think, householder, those who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of lust, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of hate, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of delusion, is their Teaching well preached or not? Or how is it here?" "Those, venerable sir, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of lust, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of hate, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of delusion, their Teaching is well preached. Thus it is for me here."
"What do you think, householder, those who are practising for the abandoning of lust, practising for the abandoning of hate, practising for the abandoning of delusion, are they practising well in the world or not? Or how is it here?" "Those, venerable sir, who are practising for the abandoning of lust, practising for the abandoning of hate, practising for the abandoning of delusion, they are practising well in the world. Thus it is for me here."
"What do you think, householder, those for whom lust has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, for whom hate has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, for whom delusion has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, are they the well-accomplished ones in the world or not? Or how is it here?" "Those, venerable sir, for whom lust has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, for whom hate has been abandoned, etc. for whom delusion has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, they are the well-accomplished ones in the world. Thus it is for me here."
"Thus indeed, householder, this has been answered by you - 'Those, venerable sir, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of lust, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of hate, who expound the Teaching for the abandoning of delusion, their Teaching is well preached.' This has been answered by you - 'Those, venerable sir, who are practising for the abandoning of lust, practising for the abandoning of hate, practising for the abandoning of delusion, they are practising well in the world.' This has been answered by you - 'Those, venerable sir, for whom lust has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, for whom hate has been abandoned, etc. for whom delusion has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, they are the well-accomplished ones in the world.'"
"Wonderful, venerable sir, marvellous, venerable sir! There is indeed no extolling of one's own teaching, nor disparaging of others' teachings. Just the proclamation of the Teaching in its proper sphere, the meaning has been stated, and oneself has not been brought forward. You, venerable sir Ānanda, expound the Teaching for the abandoning of lust, of hate, etc. for the abandoning of delusion you expound the Teaching. Your Teaching, venerable sir Ānanda, is well preached. You, venerable sir Ānanda, are practising for the abandoning of lust, of hate, etc. practising for the abandoning of delusion. You, venerable sir, are practising well in the world. For you, venerable sir Ānanda, lust has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future, for you hate has been abandoned, etc. for you delusion has been abandoned, its root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future. You are the well-accomplished ones in the world.
"Excellent, venerable sir, excellent, venerable sir! Just as, venerable sir, one might set upright what had been overturned, or reveal what had been concealed, or point out the path to one who was lost, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness - 'so that those with good eyesight might see forms'; so too, the Teaching has been made clear by the noble Ānanda in many ways. I, venerable sir Ānanda, go for refuge to that Blessed One, to the Teaching, and to the Community of monks. May the noble Ānanda remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life." The second.