26. Discourse on Teaching the Dharma Well (SA26)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. At that time a certain monk approached the Buddha, paid homage with his head at the Buddha’s feet and withdrew to stand at one side. He said to the Buddha: “As the Blessed One has spoken about being a Dharma teacher—how is one reckoned a Dharma teacher?”

The Buddha said to the monk: “It is well, it is well. You now wish to know the meaning of what the Tathāgata has spoken about as a Dharma teacher. 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.” The Buddha said to the monk: “If by teaching about bodily form disenchantment arises, one is free from desire for bodily form and there is cessation and a state of peace, this is reckoned as being a Dharma teacher. If by teaching about feeling … perception … formations … consciousness disenchantment arises, one is free from desire for consciousness and there is cessation and a state of peace, this is reckoned as being a Dharma teacher. This is reckoned what the Tathāgata declares to be a Dharma teacher.”

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.