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sn.45.5 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

For What Purpose?

At Savatthī. Then a number of bhikkhus approached the Blessed One…. Sitting to one side, those bhikkhus said to the Blessed One:

“Here, venerable sir, wanderers of other sects ask us: ‘For what purpose, friends, is the holy life lived under the ascetic Gotama?’ When we are asked thus, venerable sir, we answer those wanderers thus: ‘It is, friends, for the full understanding of suffering that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.’ We hope, venerable sir, that when we answer thus we state what has been said by the Blessed One and do not misrepresent him with what is contrary to fact; that we explain in accordance with the Dhamma, and that no reasonable consequence of our assertion gives ground for criticism.”

“Surely, bhikkhus, when you answer thus you state what has been said by me and do not misrepresent me with what is contrary to fact; you explain in accordance with the Dhamma, and no reasonable consequence of your assertion gives ground for criticism. For, bhikkhus, it is for the full understanding of suffering that the holy life is lived under me.

“If, bhikkhus, wanderers of other sects ask you: ‘But, friends, is there a path, is there a way for the full understanding of this suffering? ’—being asked thus, you should answer them thus: ‘There is a path, friends, there is a way for the full understanding of this suffering.’

“And what, bhikkhus, is that path, what is that way for the full understanding of this suffering? It is this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view … right concentration. This is the path, this is the way for the full understanding of this suffering.

“Being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects in such a way.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

What’s the Purpose

At Sāvatthī.
Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha … and said to him:
“Sir, sometimes wanderers who follow other paths ask us:
‘Reverends, what’s the purpose of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?’
We answer them like this:
‘The purpose of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to completely understand suffering.’
Answering this way, we trust that we repeat what the Buddha has said, and don’t misrepresent him with an untruth. We trust our explanation is in line with the teaching, and that there are no legitimate grounds for rebuke or criticism.”
“Indeed, in answering this way you repeat what I’ve said, and don’t misrepresent me with an untruth. Your explanation is in line with the teaching, and there are no legitimate grounds for rebuke or criticism.
For the purpose of leading the spiritual life under me is to completely understand suffering.
If wanderers who follow other paths were to ask you:
‘Is there a path and a practice for completely understanding that suffering?’ You should answer them like this:
‘There is.’
And what is that path?
It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
This is the path and the practice for completely understanding suffering.
When questioned by wanderers who follow other paths, that’s how you should answer them.”