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← Aṅguttara Nikāya

Under Cover

AN 3.131 · Paṭicchannasutta

A small wildflower thriving in a narrow crack in stone.

“Mendicants, three things are conveyed under cover, not in the open. What three? Ladies are conveyed for marriage with a veil, not unveiled. Hymns of the brahmins are conveyed under cover, not openly. Wrong view is conveyed under cover, not in the open. These three things are conveyed under cover, not in the open.

Three things dazzle in the open, not under cover. What three? The moon dazzles in the open, not under cover. The sun dazzles in the open, not under cover. The teaching and training proclaimed by a Realized One dazzle in the open, not under cover. These three things dazzle in the open, not under cover.”

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.