29. Discourse on Samiddhi Asking How to Speak as a Dharma Teacher (SA29)

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 by the name of Samiddhi 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 speaking as a Dharma teacher—how is one reckoned to be speaking as a Dharma teacher?”

The Buddha said to the monk: “You now wish to know the meaning of speaking 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. If a monk speaks of disenchantment in regard to bodily form, of being free from desire for it, of its cessation, this is reckoned speaking as a Dharma teacher. In the same way speaking of disenchantment in regard to feeling … perception … formations … consciousness, of being free from desire for it, of its cessation, this is reckoned speaking as 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.