8.
The Second Discourse on the Great Question
28.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Kajaṅgalā in the Bamboo Grove.
Then several lay followers of Kajaṅgalā approached the nun of Kajaṅgalā;
having approached, they paid respect to the nun of Kajaṅgalā and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, the lay followers of Kajaṅgalā said this to the nun of Kajaṅgalā -
"This was said, lady, by the Blessed One in the Great Questions - 'One question, one synopsis, one explanation; two questions, two synopses, two explanations; three questions, three synopses, three explanations; four questions, four synopses, four explanations; five questions, five synopses, five explanations; six questions, six synopses, six explanations; seven questions, seven synopses, seven explanations; eight questions, eight synopses, eight explanations; nine questions, nine synopses, nine explanations; ten questions, ten synopses, ten explanations.' How, lady, should the meaning of what was spoken in brief by the Blessed One be understood in detail?"
"But this, friends, was not heard face to face from the Blessed One, not received face to face, nor was it heard face to face from monks who are inspiring, nor received face to face; but rather, as it appears to me here, listen to that, pay close attention, I will speak." "Yes, lady," the lay followers of Kajaṅgalā assented to the nun of Kajaṅgalā. The nun of Kajaṅgalā said this -
"'One question, one synopsis, one explanation' - thus indeed this was said by the Blessed One. Dependent on what was this said? Friends, a monk rightly becoming disenchanted with one thing, rightly becoming dispassionate, rightly being liberated, rightly seeing the limit, having fully realised the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. In which one thing? All beings are sustained by nutriment - in this one thing, friends, a monk rightly becoming disenchanted, rightly becoming dispassionate, rightly being liberated, rightly seeing the limit, having fully realised the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. 'One question, one synopsis, one explanation' - thus what was said by the Blessed One, this was said dependent on that.
"'Two questions, two synopses, two explanations' - thus indeed this was said by the Blessed One. Dependent on what was this said? Friends, a monk rightly becoming disenchanted with two things, rightly becoming dispassionate, rightly being liberated, rightly seeing the limit, having fully realised the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. On which two? In mentality and materiality - etc. In which three? In the three feelings - in these three things, friends, a monk rightly becoming disenchanted, rightly becoming dispassionate, rightly being liberated, rightly seeing the limit, having fully realised the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. 'Three questions, three synopses, three explanations' - thus what was said by the Blessed One, this was said dependent on that.
"'Four questions, four synopses, four explanations' - thus indeed this was said by the Blessed One. Dependent on what was this said? Friends, a monk with mind rightly well developed regarding four things, rightly seeing the limit, having fully realised the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. In which four? In the four establishments of mindfulness - in these four things, friends, a monk with mind rightly well developed, rightly seeing the limit, having fully realised the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. 'Four questions, four synopses, four explanations' - thus what was said by the Blessed One, this was said dependent on that.
"'Five questions, five synopses, five explanations' - thus indeed this was said by the Blessed One. Dependent on what was this said? Friends, in five phenomena a monk whose mind is rightly well-developed, rightly seeing the limit, having thoroughly understood the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. In which five? In the five faculties, etc. In which six? In the six elements leading to escape, etc. In which seven? In the seven factors of enlightenment, etc. In which eight? In the noble eightfold path - in these eight phenomena indeed, friends, a monk whose mind is rightly well-developed, rightly seeing the limit, having thoroughly understood the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. 'Eight questions, eight synopses, eight explanations' - thus what was said by the Blessed One, this was said dependent on that.
"'Nine questions, nine synopses, nine explanations' - thus indeed this was said by the Blessed One. Dependent on what was this said? Friends, in nine phenomena a monk rightly becoming disenchanted, rightly becoming dispassionate, rightly being liberated, rightly seeing the limit, having thoroughly understood the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. Which nine? The nine abodes of beings - in these nine phenomena indeed, friends, a monk rightly becoming disenchanted, rightly becoming dispassionate, rightly being liberated, rightly seeing the limit, having thoroughly understood the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. 'Nine questions, nine synopses, nine explanations' - thus what was said by the Blessed One, this was said dependent on that.
"'Ten questions, ten synopses, ten explanations' - thus indeed this was said by the Blessed One. Dependent on what was this said? Friends, in ten phenomena a monk whose mind is rightly well-developed, rightly seeing the limit, having thoroughly understood the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. Which ten? In the ten wholesome courses of action - in these ten phenomena indeed, friends, a monk whose mind is rightly well-developed, rightly seeing the limit, having thoroughly understood the right meaning, makes an end of suffering in this very life. 'Ten questions, ten synopses, ten explanations' - thus what was said by the Blessed One, this was said dependent on that.
"Thus indeed, friends, that which was said by the Blessed One, spoken in brief in the Great Questions - 'One question, one synopsis, one explanation, etc. ten questions, ten synopses, ten explanations' - I, friends, understand in detail the meaning of what was spoken in brief by the Blessed One thus. But if you wish, friends, you may approach the Blessed One himself and ask about this matter. As the Blessed One answers you, so you should remember it." "Yes, lady," the lay followers of Kajaṅgalā, having delighted in and given thanks for what the nun of Kajaṅgalā had said, rose from their seats, paid respect to the nun of Kajaṅgalā, circumambulated her keeping her on their right, and approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the lay followers of Kajaṅgalā reported to the Blessed One all the friendly conversation they had with the nun of Kajaṅgalā.
"Good, good, householders! The nun Kajaṅgalikā is wise, householders. The nun Kajaṅgalikā is of great wisdom, householders. If you, householders, had approached me and asked about this matter, I too would have answered it in exactly the same way as it was answered by the nun Kajaṅgalikā. That is indeed its meaning. And thus you should remember it." The eighth.