7.
The Discourse on the Inquirer
487. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "Monks." "Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this - "Monks, by an investigating monk who does not know the mental disposition of another, an inquiry should be made about the Truth-finder to know 'whether he is a One Enlightened by himself or not'." "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, have the Blessed One as their refuge. It would be good indeed, venerable sir, if the meaning of this statement would occur to the Blessed One himself; having heard from the Blessed One, the monks will remember it." "If so, monks, listen, pay close attention, I will speak." "Yes, venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this -
488. "Monks, by an investigating monk who does not know the mental disposition of another, the Truth-finder should be investigated regarding two phenomena - phenomena cognizable by eye and ear: 'Are defiled phenomena cognizable by eye and ear found in the Truth-finder or not?' Investigating him, he thus knows: 'Defiled phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are not found in the Truth-finder.'
Since investigating him he thus knows: 'Defiled phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are not found in the Truth-finder', thereupon he further investigates him: 'Are mixed phenomena cognizable by eye and ear found in the Truth-finder or not?' Investigating him, he thus knows: 'Mixed phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are not found in the Truth-finder.'
Since investigating him he thus knows: 'Mixed phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are not found in the Truth-finder', thereupon he further investigates him: 'Are pure phenomena cognizable by eye and ear found in the Truth-finder or not?' Investigating him, he thus knows: 'Pure phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are found in the Truth-finder.'
Since investigating him he thus knows: 'Pure phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are found in the Truth-finder', thereupon he further investigates him: 'Has this venerable one attained this wholesome mental state for a long time, or has he attained it only recently?' Investigating him, he thus knows: 'This venerable one has attained this wholesome mental state for a long time; this venerable one has not attained it only recently.'
Since investigating him he thus knows: 'This venerable one has attained this wholesome mental state for a long time; this venerable one has not attained it only recently', thereupon he further investigates him: 'Has this venerable monk attained renown and gained fame; are certain dangers found in him here?' Monks, certain dangers are not found in a monk so long as he has not attained renown and gained fame. But when, monks, a monk has attained renown and gained fame, then certain dangers are found in him. Investigating him, he thus knows: 'This venerable monk has attained renown and gained fame; certain dangers are not found in him here.'
Since investigating him he thus knows: 'This venerable monk has attained renown and gained fame; certain dangers are not found in him here', thereupon he further investigates him: 'Is this venerable one restrained without fear, not restrained by fear; does he not indulge in sensual pleasures because of being without lust, because of the elimination of lust?' Investigating him, he thus knows: 'Is this venerable one restrained without fear, not restrained by fear; he does not indulge in sensual pleasures because of being without lust, because of the elimination of lust.' If, monks, others were to ask that monk thus: 'What are the venerable one's reasons, what are the inferences, by which the venerable one speaks thus: "This venerable one is restrained without fear, this venerable one is not restrained by fear; he does not indulge in sensual pleasures because of being without lust, because of the elimination of lust.' Answering rightly, monks, a monk would answer thus: 'Because indeed this venerable one, whether dwelling in the Community or dwelling alone, whether those there are well-conducted or those there are ill-conducted, whether those there instruct groups, whether some here are seen among material gains, whether some here are untainted by material gains, this venerable one does not despise that one on that account. Face to face with the Blessed One I heard this, face to face I received it: "I am restrained without fear, I am not restrained by fear; I do not indulge in sensual pleasures because of being without lust, because of the elimination of lust."'
489. "There, monks, the Truth-finder himself should be further questioned: 'Are defiled phenomena cognizable by eye and ear found in the Truth-finder or not?' Answering, monks, the Truth-finder would answer thus: 'Defiled phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are not found in the Truth-finder.'
'Are mixed phenomena cognizable by eye and ear found in the Truth-finder or not?' Answering, monks, the Truth-finder would answer thus: 'Mixed phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are not found in the Truth-finder.'
'Are pure phenomena cognizable by eye and ear found in the Truth-finder or not?' Answering, monks, the Truth-finder would answer thus: 'Pure phenomena cognizable by eye and ear are found in the Truth-finder; this is my path, this is my pasture, but I am not made of that.'
"A disciple is worthy to approach a Teacher who speaks thus for the hearing of the Teaching. The Teacher teaches him the Teaching, progressively higher and higher, progressively more sublime and more sublime, with the counterpart of dark and bright. In whatever way, monks, the Teacher teaches the Teaching to a monk, progressively higher and higher, progressively more sublime and more sublime, with the counterpart of dark and bright, in that way, having directly known that Teaching, he reaches the conclusion regarding a certain teaching among the teachings, and gains confidence in the Teacher: 'The Blessed One is the One Enlightened by himself, well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Teaching, the Community is practicing well.' If, monks, others were to ask that monk thus: 'What are the venerable one's reasons, what are the inferences, by which the venerable one speaks thus: The Blessed One is the One Enlightened by himself, well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Teaching, the Community is practicing well?' Answering rightly, monks, a monk would answer thus: 'Here I, friends, approached the Blessed One for the hearing of the Teaching. To me the Blessed One teaches the Teaching, progressively higher and higher, progressively more sublime and more sublime, with the counterpart of dark and bright. In whatever way, friends, the Blessed One teaches me the Teaching, progressively higher and higher, progressively more sublime and more sublime, with the counterpart of dark and bright, in that way, having directly known that Teaching, I reached the conclusion regarding a certain teaching among the teachings, and gained confidence in the Teacher: The Blessed One is the One Enlightened by himself, well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Teaching, the Community is practicing well.'
490. "For whoever, monks, by these characteristics, by these terms, by these phrases, has faith in the Truth-finder that is settled, rooted, established, this is called, monks, faith with reason, rooted in vision, firm; unshakeable by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or Brahmā or anyone in the world. Thus, monks, there is investigation of the nature regarding the Truth-finder. And thus the Truth-finder is well investigated according to his nature."
This is what the Blessed One said. Those monks, delighted, rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said.
The Discourse on the Investigator is concluded as seventh.