6.
The Second Discourse on Remembering
1086.
"Do you remember, monks, the four noble truths taught by me?"
When this was said, a certain monk said this to the Blessed One -
"I, venerable sir, remember the four noble truths taught by the Blessed One."
"In what way, then, monk, do you remember the four noble truths taught by me?" "I, venerable sir, remember suffering as the first noble truth taught by the Blessed One. Whoever indeed, venerable sir, whether ascetic or brahmin, should speak thus - 'This is not suffering as the first noble truth which was taught by the ascetic Gotama. Having rejected this suffering as the first noble truth, I will declare another suffering as the first noble truth' - this is impossible. The origin of suffering, venerable sir, by the Blessed One, etc. I, venerable sir, remember the practice leading to the cessation of suffering as the fourth noble truth taught by the Blessed One. Whoever indeed, venerable sir, whether ascetic or brahmin, should speak thus - 'This is not the practice leading to the cessation of suffering as the fourth noble truth which was taught by the ascetic Gotama. Having rejected this practice leading to the cessation of suffering as the fourth noble truth, I will declare another practice leading to the cessation of suffering as the fourth noble truth' - this is impossible. Thus, venerable sir, I remember the four noble truths taught by the Blessed One."
"Good, good, monk! Good indeed, monk, you remember the four noble truths taught by me. Suffering, monk, was taught by me as the first noble truth, so you should remember it. Whoever indeed, monk, whether ascetic or brahmin, should speak thus - 'This is not suffering as the first noble truth which was taught by the ascetic Gotama. Having rejected this suffering as the first noble truth, I will declare another suffering as the first noble truth' - this is impossible. The origin of suffering, monk, etc. The cessation of suffering, monk, etc. the practice leading to the cessation of suffering, monk, was taught by me as the fourth noble truth, so you should remember it. Whoever indeed, monk, whether ascetic or brahmin, should speak thus - 'This is not the practice leading to the cessation of suffering as the fourth noble truth which was taught by the ascetic Gotama. Having rejected this practice leading to the cessation of suffering as the fourth noble truth, I will declare another practice leading to the cessation of suffering as the fourth noble truth' - this is impossible. Thus, monk, you should remember the four noble truths taught by me.
"Therefore, monk, 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 sixth.