Anubuddha Sutta
Understanding

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

 

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying among the Vajjians at Bhanda Village. There he addressed the monks, “Monks!”

“Yes, lord,” the monks responded.

The Blessed One said: “It’s because of not understanding and not penetrating four things that we have wandered and transmigrated on such a long, long time, you and I. Which four?

“It’s because of not understanding and not penetrating noble virtue that we have wandered and transmigrated on such a long, long time, you and I.

“It’s because of not understanding and not penetrating noble concentration that we have wandered and transmigrated on such a long, long time, you and I.

“It’s because of not understanding and not penetrating noble discernment that we have wandered and transmigrated on such a long, long time, you and I.

“It’s because of not understanding and not penetrating noble release that we have wandered and transmigrated on such a long, long time, you and I.

“But when noble virtue is understood and penetrated, when noble concentration… noble discernment… noble release is understood and penetrated, then craving for becoming is destroyed, the guide to becoming (craving and attachment) is ended, there is now no further becoming.”

That is what the Blessed One said. When the One Well-gone had said that, he — the Teacher — said further:

Unexcelled virtue, concentration,
discernment, and release:
have been understood by Gotama of glorious stature.
Having known them directly,
he taught the Dhamma to the monks —
the Awakened One
the Teacher who has put an end to suffering and stress,
the One with vision
totally unbound.