At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, at the monastery of the wanderers in the peacocks’ feeding ground. Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati moranivāpe paribbājakārāme. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “Mendicants!” “bhikkhavo”ti.

“Venerable sir,” they replied. “Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. The Buddha said this: Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Mendicants, a mendicant who has three qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. “Tīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ. What three? Katamehi tīhi? The entire spectrum of an adept’s ethics, immersion, and wisdom. Asekhena sīlakkhandhena, asekhena samādhikkhandhena, asekhena paññākkhandhena—A mendicant with these three qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. imehi, kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ.

A mendicant who has another three qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. Aparehipi, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ. What three? Katamehi tīhi? A demonstration of psychic power, a demonstration of revealing, and a demonstration of instruction. Iddhipāṭihāriyena, ādesanāpāṭihāriyena, anusāsanīpāṭihāriyena—A mendicant with these three qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti, accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ.

A mendicant who has another three qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. Aparehipi, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ. What three? Katamehi tīhi? Right view, right knowledge, and right freedom. Sammādiṭṭhiyā, sammāñāṇena, sammāvimuttiyā—A mendicant with these three qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ.

A mendicant who has two qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ. What two? Katamehi dvīhi? Knowledge and conduct. Vijjāya, caraṇena—A mendicant with these two qualities has reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal. They are best among gods and humans. imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu accantaniṭṭho hoti accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosāno seṭṭho devamanussānaṁ. The divinity Sanaṅkumāra also spoke this verse: Brahmunā pesā, bhikkhave, sanaṅkumārena gāthā bhāsitā:

‘The aristocrat is best among people ‘Khattiyo seṭṭho janetasmiṁ, who take clan as the standard. ye gottapaṭisārino; But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct Vijjācaraṇasampanno, is first among gods and humans.’ so seṭṭho devamānuse’ti.

Now, that verse spoken by the divinity Sanaṅkumāra is well spoken, not poorly spoken. It’s beneficial, not pointless, and I agree with it. Sā kho panesā, bhikkhave, sanaṅkumārena gāthā bhāsitā subhāsitā, no dubbhāsitā; atthasaṁhitā, no anatthasaṁhitā; anumatā mayā. I also say: Ahampi, bhikkhave, evaṁ vadāmi:

‘The aristocrat is best among people ‘Khattiyo seṭṭho janetasmiṁ, who take clan as the standard. ye gottapaṭisārino; But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct Vijjācaraṇasampanno, is first among gods and humans.’” so seṭṭho devamānuse’”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Nissayavaggo paṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Kimatthiyā cetanā tayo, upanisā byasanena ca; Dve saññā manasikāro, saddho moranivāpakanti.