Cūḷabyūha Sutta | Sn IV-12

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12. Cūḷabyūha Sutta

Discourse on the Small Combination

884-5. (Question): Dwelling in their respective homes of own beliefs, those claiming themselves as skilful in doctrine, hold fast to their doctrines and propagate them,

saying that whoever understands it (i.e. a particular doctrine), knows the truth and whoever scorns it is a mere dullard.

Strongly entrenched in their own views, they quarrel amongst themselves.

Each call the others stupid, unmeritorious. Of these different views, which one is right? For each of them is very sure his is right. (1-2)

886. (Answer): If by not understanding the other person's view, one were to become a fool, then all of those people are fools. All are grossly lacking in learning. They all dwell in their own delusion. (3)

887. Not purified by their own false beliefs, in fact, if they suppose themselves pure, wise, skilful and sensible, then one of them could be called lacking in wisdom, because each is holding to his belief as firmly as the others. (4)

888. Where 2 people are calling each other a fool, I do not endorse either's view,

for each has embraced, his own belief as the truth and therefore sees (regards), all others (not sharing his belief) as fools. (5)

889. (Question): This is the truth, the infallible truth, say some; no, that's all deception, it is a big lie, say others about it; and both sides stick tooth and nail to their own views, and quarrel with each other.

Why could the monks and Brahmins not utter the same thing (as the truth)? (6)

890. (Answer): Truth is only one kind; there is no such thing as a second kind of truth.

Those who know the truth well do not quarrel (as to truths); but those holding different kinds of truth each extols his own doctrine;

that's why the monks and Brahmins could not utter the same thing (as the truth). (7)

891. (Question): Why do the monks and Brahmins, claiming to be skilful, teach various kinds of truth, each in his own fashion, are there various kinds of knowable truths?

Or, are those teachers merely carried away by their own logic? (8)

892. (Answer): In this world, if one sets aside the misconceived notion of permanence, there are not many kinds of truth.

Reasoning on the basis of false view, there arise 2 opposite pronouncements of right and wrong (truth and false). (9)

893. One who sees purity in an impure perception of things, seen or heard or smelled, tasted or felt bodily, or based on the precepts of abstinence, or in perverted rituals, stands firm on his own particular doctrine.

He holds others in derision and says that others, (not sharing his belief) are foolish and incompetent. (10)

894. Just because other people do not subscribe to his views, he regards them as foolish.

Being so self-justified in his own wisdom, this type of person scorns others and insist on his own views. (11)

895. He is so steeped in the 62 kinds of (false) speculative doctrines that he is puffed up with conceit, believing himself a full man.

He feels self-glorified at heart, for he is so much imbued with his own false faith. (12)

896. If one were to fall into contempt by the other's judgment, then the person passing judgment would equally be contemptible.

If (on the other hand) one could adjudge oneself as accomplished and wise, then there would simply be no foolish monks and Brahmins (in the world). (13)

897. Certain people extol their own views, which are quite different from those of others.

They are guilty of deviation from the path of purity; they can never accomplish purity. Yet so impassioned are they in their own view, that they delight in their own false doctrine. (14)

898. Herein only lies purity, they say: but never concede that any other doctrine is pure.

In this way many deluded men, are rigidly fixed on their own view, holding it as their own view, their precious treasure, they extol its merits with full conviction. (15)

899. For one who extols his own doctrine, how could he see any co-believer as foolish?

He who calls others (non-believers) fools and impure ones, amounts to taking up a personally antagonistic stand. (16)

900. In this world a person makes a firm resolve in a certain view; he is apt to claim that his doctrine surpasses all others.

The (wise) man, however, having discarded all views, does not quarrel with anyone in the world. (17)

End of the Twelfth Cūḷabyūha Sutta