10.
The Discourse on Those Seeking Debate
1110.
"Whoever indeed, monks, a monk understands as it really is: 'This is suffering' etc.
'This is the practice leading to the cessation of suffering' - if from the eastern direction an ascetic or a brahmin were to come, seeking debate, desiring debate -
'I will refute him in debate' - that indeed he will shake him or make him tremble or make him quake with reason -
this is impossible.
If from the western direction, etc.
if from the northern direction... etc.
if from the southern direction an ascetic or a brahmin were to come, seeking debate, desiring debate -
'I will refute him in debate' - that indeed he will shake him or make him tremble or make him quake with reason -
this is impossible.
"Just as, monks, a stone pillar of sixteen cubits. Of that, eight cubits would be below having entered the foundation, eight cubits above the foundation. If a severe wind and rain were to come from the eastern direction, it would not tremble, would not shake, would not quake; if from the western direction, etc. if from the northern direction... etc. if a severe wind and rain were to come from the southern direction, it would not tremble, would not shake, would not quake. What is the reason for this? Because of the depth, monks, of the foundation, because of the stone pillar being well planted. So too, monks, whoever a monk understands as it really is: 'This is suffering' etc. 'This is the practice leading to the cessation of suffering' - he understands as it really is; if from the eastern direction an ascetic or a brahmin were to come, seeking debate, desiring debate - 'I will refute him in debate' - that indeed he will shake him or make him tremble or make him quake with reason - this is impossible. If from the western direction, etc. if from the northern direction... etc. if from the southern direction an ascetic or a brahmin were to come, seeking debate, desiring debate - 'I will refute him in debate' - that indeed he will shake him or make him tremble or make him quake with reason - this is impossible. What is the reason for this? Because of well seeing, monks, the four noble truths. Which four? The noble truth of suffering, etc. the noble truth of the practice leading to the cessation of suffering.
"Therefore, monks, exertion is to be done regarding 'This is suffering', etc. exertion is to be done regarding 'This is the practice leading to the cessation of suffering.'" The tenth.