Whoever should take to himself certain views,
thinking them best, supreme in the world,
and hence he proclaims all others as low—
by this he does not become free from disputes.In whatever is seen by him, heard, and cognized,
vows and rites done—he sees profit in these;
and so from his grasping at that very view
all others he sees as worthless, as low.Intelligent people declare it a bond,
if relying on one he sees others as low;
therefore should a bhikkhu rely not on rites,
on vows, on the seen, the heard, and cognized.And so in this world let him fashion no views
relying on knowledge, rites and vows done,
nor let him conceive that he’s on a par,
nor think himself low, nor higher than them.Abandoning own views, not grasping (at more)
and even in knowledge not seeking support,
’mong those who dispute he never takes sides,
to the various views he does not recourse.Having no bias for either extreme—
for being, or not, here, the next world,
for a bhikkhu like this there’s no settling down,
’mong dharmas seized and decided (by them).Concerning the seen, the heard and cognized,
not the least notion is fashioned by him,
that one who’s perfected grasps at no view,
by whom in the world could he be described?Neither they’re fashioned nor honoured at all—
those doctrines, they’re never accepted by him:
Perfected, not guided by rites or by vows,
One Thus, not returning, beyond has he gone.
snp.4.5 Suttanipata
The Eight on the Ultimate
- Translator: Laurence Khantipalo Mills
Eight on the Ultimate
If, maintaining that theirs is the “ultimate” view,a person makes it out to be highest in the world;
then they declare all others are “lesser”;
that’s why they’re not over disputes.
If they see an advantage for themselves
in what’s seen, heard, or thought; or in precepts or vows,
in that case, having adopted that one alone,
they see all others as inferior.
Experts say that, too, is a knot,
relying on which people see others as lesser.
That’s why a mendicant ought not rely
on what’s seen, heard, or thought, or on precepts and vows.
Nor would they form a view about the world
through a notion or through precepts and vows.
They would never represent themselves as “equal”,
nor conceive themselves “worse” or “better”.
What was picked up has been set down and is not grasped again;
they form no dependency even on notions.
They follow no side among the factions,
and believe in no view at all.
One here who has no wish for either end—
for any form of existence in this life or the next—
has adopted no dogma at all
after judging among the teachings.
For them not even the tiniest idea is formulated here
regarding what is seen, heard, or thought.
That brahmin does not grasp any view—
how could anyone in this world judge them?
They don’t make things up or promote them,
and don’t subscribe to any of the doctrines.
The brahmin has no need to be led by precept or vow;
gone to the far shore, one such does not return.