Having Known (SA383)

Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in Vārāṇasī, at the Deer Park of Ṛṣipatana.

At that time, the Bhagavān said to the bhikṣus, “There are four noble truths. What are these four? That is to say, [1] the Noble Truth of Suffering, [2] the Noble Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering, [3] the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering, and [4] the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering.

“For a bhikṣu, [1] if the Noble Truth of Suffering has been known, it has been understood. [2] If the Noble Truth of the Accumulation of Suffering has been known, it has been severed. [3] If the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering has been known, it has been realized. [4] If the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering has been known, then it has been cultivated.

“For a bhikṣu it is also such as this for severing affection and desire, turning away from various bonds. As for pride, ignorance, etc., they are ultimately with suffering.”

After the Buddha had spoken this sūtra, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha had said, and joyfully practiced in accordance.

Translated from Sanskrit to Chinese by Guṇabhadra.

Translated from Chinese to English by J. Pierquet.

Published in 2016 by Lapis Lazuli Texts, where this and other translations are available in a variety of formats.

Lapis Lazuli Texts was started as an original effort aiming to translate a selection of important texts from the Chinese Buddhist canon into English. These translations are being made for the express purpose of universal free distribution, and may be integrated into any collection of texts with little difficulty. Additionally, these translations are made available in a wide variety of cross-platform formats.

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