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an.7.83 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

To Upali The Teacher's instruction

Then Ven. Upali went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One: “It would be good, lord, if the Blessed One would teach me the Dhamma in brief such that, having heard the Dhamma from the Blessed One, I might dwell alone, secluded, heedful, ardent, & resolute.”

“Upali, the qualities of which you may know, ‘These qualities do not lead to utter disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, nor to Unbinding’: You may categorically hold, ‘This is not the Dhamma, this is not the Vinaya, this is not the Teacher’s instruction.’

“As for the qualities of which you may know, ‘These qualities lead to utter disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding’: You may categorically hold, ‘This is the Dhamma, this is the Vinaya, this is the Teacher’s instruction.’”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera


The Teacher’s Instructions

Then Venerable Upāli went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”
“Upāli, you might know that
certain things don’t lead solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.
You should definitely bear in mind that such things are
not the teaching, not the training, and not the Teacher’s instructions.
You might know that
certain things do lead solely to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.
You should definitely bear in mind that such things are
the teaching, the training, and the Teacher’s instructions.”