25. Discourse on Being Learned (SA25)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Then a certain monk approached the Buddha, paid homage to the Buddha and withdrew to stand at one side. He said to the Buddha: “As the Blessed One has spoken about being learned—how does one become learned?”

The Buddha said to the monk: “It is well, it is well. You are now asking me the meaning of being learned. Is it like this?” The monk said to the Buddha: “Indeed, Blessed One.”

The Buddha said to the monk: “Listen and pay careful attention to what I will tell you. Monk, you should know that hearing whereby disenchantment with bodily form arises, whereby one is free from desire for it, whereby there is cessation and a state of peace, this is reckoned as being learned. In the same way hearing whereby disenchantment with feeling … perception … formations … consciousness arises, whereby one is free from desire for it, whereby there is cessation and a state of peace, this is reckoned as being learned. Monk, this is reckoned what the Tathāgata declares to be learned.”

Then that monk, hearing what the Buddha had said, was thrilled with delight, paid homage and left.

Translated by Bhikkhu Anālayo. Originally published in ‘On the Five Aggregates (1)—A Translation of Saṁyukta-āgama Discourses 1 to 32’. Dharma Drum Journal of Buddhist Studies, vol. 11, pp. 1–61 (2012). New Taipei City: Dharma Drum Buddhist College.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.