4.
The Eastern Porch Discourse
514.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī at the Eastern Porch.
There the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Sāriputta -
"Do you believe, Sāriputta -
the faith faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal, etc.
the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal?"
"I do not go by faith in the Blessed One in this matter, venerable sir - the faith faculty, etc. the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal. For those, venerable sir, to whom this would be unknown, unseen, not understood, not realised, not touched by wisdom, they would go by faith in others in this matter - the faith faculty, etc. the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal. But for those, venerable sir, to whom this is known, seen, understood, realised, touched by wisdom, they are without uncertainty, without doubt in this matter - the faith faculty, etc. the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal. And for me, venerable sir, this is known, seen, understood, realised, touched by wisdom. I am without uncertainty, without doubt in this matter - the faith faculty, etc. the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal."
"Good, good, Sāriputta! For those, Sāriputta, to whom this would be unknown, unseen, not understood, not realised, not touched by wisdom, they would go by faith in others in this matter - the faith faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal, etc. the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal. But for those, Sāriputta, to whom this is known, seen, understood, realised, touched by wisdom, they are without uncertainty, without doubt in this matter - the faith faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal, etc. the wisdom faculty, when developed and cultivated, is grounded upon the Deathless, heading for the Deathless, with the Deathless as its final goal." The fourth.