31. Discerning the Noble Truths （三一）分别圣谛经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the country of Śrāvastī, staying at the Jeta Grove Anāthapiṇḍada-ārāma.

At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the bhikṣus, saying, "This is the correct practice of teaching the Dharma, namely, the four noble truths, which are extensively included, extensively observed, distinguished, revealed, opened up, established, shown, and directed towards. The past Tathāgatas, Arhats, and Perfectly Enlightened Ones also had this correct practice of teaching the Dharma, namely, the four noble truths, which are extensively included, extensively observed, distinguished, revealed, opened up, established, shown, and directed towards. The future Tathāgatas, Arhats, and Perfectly Enlightened Ones will also have this correct practice of teaching the Dharma, namely, the four noble truths, which are extensively included, extensively observed, distinguished, revealed, opened up, established, shown, and directed towards. I, the present Tathāgata, Arhat, and Perfectly Enlightened One, also have this correct practice of teaching the Dharma, namely, the four noble truths, which are extensively included, extensively observed, distinguished, revealed, opened up, established, shown, and directed towards.

"Śāriputra Bhikṣu is wise, quick-witted, sharp-witted, intelligent, broad-minded, deep-minded, able to transcend, penetratingly wise, eloquent. Śāriputra Bhikṣu has accomplished true wisdom. Why is that? It is because I have briefly explained these four noble truths, and Śāriputra Bhikṣu is then able to extensively teach, extensively observe, distinguish, reveal, open up, establish, show, and direct others towards them. When Śāriputra Bhikṣu extensively teaches and shows these four noble truths, distinguishing, revealing, opening up, establishing, showing, and directing others towards them, he enables countless people to attain insight. Śāriputra Bhikṣu is able to lead with right view. Maudgalyāyana Bhikṣu is able to establish them in the supreme true reality, namely, the ultimate exhaustion of defilements. Śāriputra Bhikṣu gives birth to all virtuous practices, like a birth mother, while Maudgalyāyana Bhikṣu nurtures all virtuous practices, like a nursing mother. Therefore, all virtuous practitioners should serve, make offerings, respect, and pay homage to Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana Bhikṣus. Why is that? Because Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana Bhikṣus seek the meaning and benefit for all virtuous practitioners, seeking peace and happiness." At that time, the World-Honored One, having spoken thus, immediately rose from his seat and entered the room to sit in meditation.

Then Venerable Śāriputra addressed the bhikṣus, saying, "Virtuous ones! The World-Honored One has appeared in the world for us, namely, to extensively teach and show these four noble truths to others, distinguishing, revealing, opening up, establishing, showing, and directing towards them. What are the four? They are the noble truth of suffering, the noble truth of the origin of suffering, the noble truth of the cessation of suffering, and the noble truth of the path to the cessation of suffering. Virtuous ones! What is the noble truth of suffering? It means the suffering of birth, the suffering of old age, the suffering of sickness, the suffering of death, the suffering of being with what is disliked, the suffering of separation from what is loved, the suffering of not obtaining what one seeks, and the suffering of the five aggregates. Virtuous ones! When it is said that birth is suffering, what is meant by that? Virtuous ones! Birth means that sentient beings of various kinds are born, emerge, come into existence, and arise with the five aggregates, and obtain the life faculty. This is called birth. Virtuous ones! The suffering of birth means that when sentient beings are born, they experience bodily suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily and mental distress, pervasive distress, awareness, and pervasive awareness. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that birth is said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! When it is said that old age is suffering, what is meant by that? Virtuous ones! Old age means that sentient beings of various kinds become aged, with gray hair, falling teeth, declining vigor, bent bodies, limping gait, heavy bodies, labored breathing, walking with a cane, sagging skin, wrinkles like hemp seeds, decaying faculties, and ugly complexion. This is called old age. Virtuous ones! The suffering of old age means that when sentient beings are old, they experience bodily suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily and mental distress, pervasive distress, awareness, and pervasive awareness. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that old age is said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! When it is said that sickness is suffering, what is meant by that? Virtuous ones! Sickness means headaches, eye pain, ear pain, nose pain, face pain, lip pain, tooth pain, tongue pain, palate pain, throat pain, wind, panting, coughing, vomiting, hiccups, epilepsy, goiters, diarrhea, red gall, fever, emaciation, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, and other various illnesses that arise from contact with pleasure and are not separate from the mind, established in the body. This is called sickness. Virtuous ones! The suffering of sickness means that when sentient beings are sick, they experience bodily suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily and mental distress, pervasive distress, awareness, and pervasive awareness. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that sickness is said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! When it is said that death is suffering, what is meant by that? Virtuous ones! Death means that sentient beings of various kinds die, are impermanent, die, perish, are scattered, their lifespan ends, they are destroyed, their life force is blocked. This is called death. Virtuous ones! The suffering of death means that when sentient beings die, they experience bodily suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental heat, pervasive heat, awareness, and pervasive awareness. They experience bodily and mental distress, pervasive distress, awareness, and pervasive awareness. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that death is said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! When it is said that meeting with what is disliked is suffering, what is meant by that? Virtuous ones! Meeting with what is disliked means that sentient beings actually have the six internal sense bases, which are not loved. The sense bases of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, when they meet together, are included, combined, and associated, and are collectively called suffering. The same is true for the external sense bases, contact, feeling, perception, intention, and craving. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings actually have the six elements, which are not loved. The elements of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness, when they meet together, are included, combined, and associated, and are collectively called suffering. This is called meeting with what is disliked. Virtuous ones! The suffering of meeting with what is disliked means that when sentient beings meet with what is disliked, they experience bodily suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that meeting with what is disliked is said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! When it is said that separation from what is loved is suffering, what is meant by that? Virtuous ones! The suffering of separation from what is loved means that sentient beings actually have the six internal sense bases, which are loved. The sense bases of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, when they are separated, cannot be united, are separated, not united, not included, not practiced, and not combined, and are collectively called suffering. The same is true for the external sense bases, contact, feeling, perception, intention, and craving. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings actually have the six elements, which are loved. The elements of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness, when they are separated, cannot be united, are separated, not united, not included, not practiced, and not combined, and are collectively called suffering. This is called separation from what is loved. Virtuous ones! The suffering of separation from what is loved means that when sentient beings are separated from what is loved, they experience bodily suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness; they experience bodily and mental suffering, pervasive suffering, awareness, and pervasive awareness. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that separation from what is loved is said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! When it is said that not obtaining what one seeks is suffering, what is meant by that? Virtuous ones! It means that sentient beings are born with the nature of birth, and cannot be separated from the nature of birth. They wish to be born without being born, but this cannot be obtained by desire. They are born with the nature of aging, death, sorrow, and distress, and cannot be separated from the nature of sorrow and distress. They wish to be born without sorrow and distress, but this also cannot be obtained by desire. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings are actually born with suffering, which cannot be enjoyed or loved. They think, 'If my birth is suffering, which cannot be enjoyed or loved, I wish to change it to be lovable.' But this also cannot be obtained by desire. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings are actually born with pleasure, which is lovable. They think, 'If my birth is pleasure, which is lovable, I wish to make it permanent, eternal, and unchanging.' But this also cannot be obtained by desire. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings are actually born with thoughts, which cannot be enjoyed or loved. They think, 'If my birth is thoughts, which cannot be enjoyed or loved, I wish to change it to be lovable.' But this also cannot be obtained by desire. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings are actually born with thoughts, which are lovable. They think, 'If my birth is thoughts, which are lovable, I wish to make them permanent, eternal, and unchanging.' But this also cannot be obtained by desire. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that not obtaining what one seeks is said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! When it is said that the five aggregates of clinging are suffering, what is meant by that? It means the aggregate of form, the aggregates of feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness. Virtuous ones! It is for this reason that the five aggregates of clinging are said to be suffering.

Virtuous ones! The past time is the noble truth of suffering, the future and present time is the noble truth of suffering, the true truth is not false, not apart from suchness, also not inverted, the true truth is truly real, in accordance with this truth, it is possessed by the noble ones, known by the noble ones, seen by the noble ones, understood by the noble ones, attained by the noble ones, and fully awakened to by the noble ones. Therefore, it is said to be the noble truth of suffering.

Virtuous ones! What is the noble truth of the origin of suffering as craving? It means that sentient beings truly have craving for the six internal sense bases, the sense bases of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. If there is craving, attachment, defilement, and clinging in them, this is called the origin. Virtuous ones! The noble disciple of the learned knows that I know this teaching in this way, sees it in this way, understands it in this way, views it in this way, and awakens to it in this way. This is called the noble truth of the origin of suffering as craving. How does one know it? If there is craving for wife, children, servants, attendants, relatives, fields, houses, shops, and wealth, and if there is craving, attachment, defilement, and clinging in the work done for them, this is called the origin. They know this craving as the noble truth of the origin of suffering. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings truly have craving for the six elements, the elements of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness. If there is craving, attachment, defilement, and clinging in them, this is called the origin. Virtuous ones! The noble disciple of the learned knows that I know this teaching in this way, sees it in this way, understands it in this way, views it in this way, and awakens to it in this way. This is called the noble truth of the origin of suffering as craving. How does one know it? If there is craving for wife, children, servants, attendants, relatives, fields, houses, shops, and wealth, and if there is craving, attachment, defilement, and clinging in the work done for them, this is called the origin. They know this craving as the noble truth of the origin of suffering. Virtuous ones! The past time is the noble truth of the origin of suffering as craving, the future and present time is the noble truth of the origin of suffering as craving, the true truth is not false, not apart from suchness, also not inverted, the true truth is truly real, in accordance with this truth, it is possessed by the noble ones, known by the noble ones, seen by the noble ones, understood by the noble ones, attained by the noble ones, and fully awakened to by the noble ones. Therefore, it is said to be the noble truth of the origin of suffering as craving.

Virtuous ones! What is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering as the cessation of craving? It means that sentient beings truly have craving for the six internal sense bases, the sense bases of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. If they are liberated from them, not defiled, not attached, cut off, abandoned, exhausted, without desire, ceased, pacified, and extinguished, this is called the cessation of suffering. Virtuous ones! The noble disciple of the learned knows that I know this teaching in this way, sees it in this way, understands it in this way, views it in this way, and awakens to it in this way. This is called the noble truth of the cessation of suffering as the cessation of craving. How does one know it? If there is no craving for wife, children, servants, attendants, relatives, fields, houses, shops, and wealth, and if one is not engaged in work for them, and if one is liberated from them, not defiled, not attached, cut off, abandoned, exhausted, without desire, ceased, pacified, and extinguished, this is called the cessation of suffering. They know this cessation of craving as the noble truth of the cessation of suffering. Virtuous ones! Sentient beings truly have craving for the six elements, the elements of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness. If they are liberated from them, not defiled, not attached, cut off, abandoned, exhausted, without desire, ceased, pacified, and extinguished, this is called the cessation of suffering. Virtuous ones! The noble disciple of the learned knows that I know this teaching in this way, sees it in this way, understands it in this way, views it in this way, and awakens to it in this way. This is called the noble truth of the cessation of suffering as the cessation of craving. How does one know it? If there is no craving for wife, children, servants, attendants, relatives, fields, houses, shops, and wealth, and if one is not engaged in work for them, and if one is liberated from them, not defiled, not attached, cut off, abandoned, exhausted, without desire, ceased, pacified, and extinguished, this is called the cessation of suffering. They know this cessation of craving as the noble truth of the cessation of suffering. Virtuous ones! The past time is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering as the cessation of craving, the future and present time is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering as the cessation of craving, the true truth is not false, not apart from suchness, also not inverted, the true truth is truly real, in accordance with this truth, it is possessed by the noble ones, known by the noble ones, seen by the noble ones, understood by the noble ones, attained by the noble ones, and fully awakened to by the noble

Virtuous ones! What is the noble truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering? It means right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Virtuous ones! What is right view? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, the discernment, thorough discernment, subsequent discernment, discernment of phenomena, seeing, thorough seeing, contemplation, and clear comprehension, this is called right view.

Virtuous ones! What is right intention? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, the mental investigation, thorough investigation, and following investigation, the recollection of what is to be remembered, and the hope of what is to be hoped for, this is called right intention.

Virtuous ones! What is right speech? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, the abandonment, elimination, non-practice, non-performance, non-association, and non-encounter of the four kinds of good verbal action, and the avoidance, elimination, non-practice, non-performance, non-association, and non-encounter of all other verbal evil actions, this is called right speech.

Virtuous ones! What is right action? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, the abandonment, elimination, non-practice, non-performance, non-association, and non-encounter of the three kinds of good bodily action, and the avoidance, elimination, non-practice, non-performance, non-association, and non-encounter of all other bodily evil actions, this is called right action.

Virtuous ones! What is right livelihood? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, the non-pursuit of wrong livelihood, the non-pursuit of livelihood with excessive desire and dissatisfaction, the non-pursuit of livelihood by various arts and spells, but the pursuit of livelihood with the Dharma, not with the non-Dharma, the pursuit of livelihood with the Dharma, not with the non-Dharma, in regard to robes, food, bedding, and seats, this is called right livelihood.

Virtuous ones! What is right effort? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, the effort, expedient means, single-minded diligence, striving, and determination, without slackening, not retreating, and properly subduing the mind, this is called right effort.

Virtuous ones! What is right mindfulness? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, if the mind is mindful, turns away from unmindfulness, is mindful everywhere, remembers, remembers again, is mindful, and does not forget what should be remembered, this is called right mindfulness.

Virtuous ones! What is right concentration? It means when a noble disciple recollects suffering as suffering, origin as origin, cessation as cessation, and path as path, or contemplates past deeds, or learns to recollect all conditioned phenomena, or sees the danger in all conditioned phenomena, or sees the cessation of nirvana, or contemplates the mind liberated from attachment with a good mind, in that, if the mind abides, abides in concentration, abides in accordance, is not distracted, not scattered, collected, restrained, and rightly concentrated, this is called right concentration.

Virtuous ones! The past time is the noble truth of the path to the cessation of suffering, the future and present time is the noble truth of the path to the cessation of suffering. It is true, not false, not apart from suchness, not inverted, truly real, in accordance with suchness, possessed by the noble ones, known by the noble ones, seen by the noble ones, realized by the noble ones, attained by the noble ones, fully awakened to by the noble ones. Therefore, it is said to be the noble truth of the path to the cessation of suffering.

Then there is a verse:

The Buddha clearly understands all dharmas, seeing immeasurable good qualities. The
truths of suffering, origin, cessation, and path are well revealed and distinguished.

Thus spoke Venerable Sariputra. The bhikṣus, having heard Venerable Sariputra's words, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.

The eleventh chapter on the analysis of the noble truths is completed.