If, maintaining that theirs is the “ultimate” view, a personage makes it out to be highest in the world; then they declare all others are “lesser”; that’s why they’re not beyond 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.
Those who are skilled 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 state 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.
Eight on the Ultimate
Snp 4.5 · Paramaṭṭhakasutta
Connections
Collection & context
- Sutta NipātaThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
Books
- The Buddha before Buddhism: Wisdom from the Early TeachingsGil Fronsdal (translator and commentator) · Translation & commentary
- Handful of Leaves: an Anthology from the Sutta PiṭakaEarly Buddhist discourses; Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (translator and compiler) · Included in anthology
About this edition
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.