Sutta 1: The Four Noble Truths

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

Zēng Yī Āhán Jīng Juǎn Dì Shíqī (增壹阿含經卷第十七 [zeng yi a han jing juan di shi qi])

Translated by Tripiṭaka Master Qútán Sēngqiétípó (瞿曇僧伽提婆 [qu tan seng jia ti po]) of Jìbīn (罽賓 [ji bin]) in the Eastern Jìn (東晉 [dong jin]) Dynasty

Sì Dì Pǐn (四諦品 [si di pin]) Chapter 25

zēng yī ā hán jīng juǎn dì shí qī

dōng jìn jì bīn sān cáng qú tán sēng jiā tí pó yì

sì dì pǐn dì èr shí wǔ

zeng yi a han jing juan di shi qi

dong jin ji bin san cang qu tan seng jia ti po yi

si di pin di er shi wu

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631a07] Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) was in the Jīshù Gěigūdú Yuán (祇樹給孤獨園 [qi shu gei gu du yuan]) in Shèwèi Guó (舍衛國 [she wei guo]).

[0631a07] wén rú shì:

yī shí, fú zài shě wèi guó qí shù gěi gū dú yuán.

[0631a07] wen ru shi:

yi shi, fu zai she wei guo qi shu gei gu du yuan.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631a08] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) told the Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]), "You should cultivate the Dharma (法 [fa]) of the Sì Dì (四諦 [si di] - Four Noble Truths). What are the four? Firstly, the Kǔ Dì (苦諦 [ku di] - Noble Truth of Suffering), whose meaning is inexhaustible, whose meaning is unendable, and whose explanation is endless. Secondly, the Kǔ Xí Dì (苦習諦 [ku xi di] - Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering), whose meaning is inexhaustible, whose meaning is unendable, and whose explanation is endless. Thirdly, the Kǔ Jìn Dì (苦盡諦 [ku jin di] - Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering), whose meaning is inexhaustible, whose meaning is unendable, and whose explanation is endless. Fourthly, the Kǔ Chū Yào Dì (苦出要諦 [ku chu yao di] - Noble Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering), whose meaning is inexhaustible, whose meaning is unendable, and whose explanation is endless.

[0631a08] ěr shí, shì zūn gào zhū bǐ qiū: “dāng xiū xíng sì dì zhī fǎ. yún hé wèi sì? suǒ wèi chū kǔ dì, yì bù kě jǐn, yì bù kě qióng, shuō fǎ wú jǐn. dì èr zhě kǔ xí dì, yì bù kě jǐn, yì bù kě qióng, shuō fǎ wú jǐn. dì sān zhě kǔ jǐn dì, yì bù kě jǐn, yì bù kě qióng, shuō fǎ wú jǐn. dì sì zhě kǔ chū yào dì, yì bù kě jǐn, yì bù kě qióng, shuō fǎ wú jǐn.

[0631a08] er shi, shi zun gao zhu bi qiu: "dang xiu xing si di zhi fa. yun he wei si? suo wei chu ku di, yi bu ke jin, yi bu ke qiong, shuo fa wu jin. di er zhe ku xi di, yi bu ke jin, yi bu ke qiong, shuo fa wu jin. di san zhe ku jin di, yi bu ke jin, yi bu ke qiong, shuo fa wu jin. di si zhe ku chu yao di, yi bu ke jin, yi bu ke qiong, shuo fa wu jin.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631a13] "What is called the Kǔ Dì (苦諦 [ku di] - Noble Truth of Suffering)? The Kǔ Dì (苦諦 [ku di]) is suffering from birth (生苦 [sheng ku]), suffering from old age (老苦 [lao ku]), suffering from sickness (病苦 [bing ku]), suffering from death (死苦 [si ku]), suffering from sorrow, lamentation, and distress (憂悲惱苦 [you bei nao ku]), suffering from meeting what one dislikes (怨憎會苦 [yuan zeng hui ku]), suffering from separation from what one loves (恩愛別離苦 [en ai bie li ku]), suffering from not getting what one desires (所欲不得苦 [suo yu bu de ku]). In short, the five aggregates of clinging (五盛陰苦 [wu sheng yin ku]) are suffering. This is called the Kǔ Dì (苦諦 [ku di]).

[0631a13] “bǐ yún hé míng wèi kǔ dì? suǒ wèi kǔ dì zhě, shēng kǔ,, lǎo kǔ,, bìng kǔ,, sǐ kǔ,, yōu bēi nǎo kǔ,, yuàn zēng huì kǔ,, ēn ài bié lí kǔ,, suǒ yù bù dé kǔ, qǔ yào yán zhī, wǔ shèng yīn kǔ, shì wèi míng wèi kǔ dì.

[0631a13] "bi yun he ming wei ku di? suo wei ku di zhe, sheng ku,, lao ku,, bing ku,, si ku,, you bei nao ku,, yuan zeng hui ku,, en ai bie li ku,, suo yu bu de ku, qu yao yan zhi, wu sheng yin ku, shi wei ming wei ku di.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631a17] "What is called the Kǔ Xí Dì (苦習諦 [ku xi di] - Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering)? The Xí Dì (習諦 [xi di]) is craving (愛 [ai]) associated with desire (欲 [yu]), where the mind (心 [xin]) is constantly stained and attached. This is called the Kǔ Xí Dì (苦習諦 [ku xi di]).

[0631a17] “bǐ yún hé míng wèi kǔ xí dì? suǒ wèi xí dì zhě, ài yǔ yù xiāng yīng, xīn héng rǎn zhe, shì wèi míng wèi kǔ xí dì.

[0631a17] "bi yun he ming wei ku xi di? suo wei xi di zhe, ai yu yu xiang ying, xin heng ran zhe, shi wei ming wei ku xi di.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631a19] "What is called the Kǔ Jìn Dì (苦盡諦 [ku jin di] - Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering)? The Jìn Dì (盡諦 [jin di]) is the complete and utter eradication of desire-craving (欲愛 [yu ai]), no longer creating (更造 [geng zao]). This is called the Kǔ Jìn Dì (苦盡諦 [ku jin di]).

[0631a19] “bǐ yún hé míng wèi kǔ jǐn dì? suǒ wèi jǐn dì zhě, yù ài yǒng jǐn wú yú, bù fù gèng zào, shì wèi míng wèi kǔ jǐn dì.

[0631a19] "bi yun he ming wei ku jin di? suo wei jin di zhe, yu ai yong jin wu yu, bu fu geng zao, shi wei ming wei ku jin di.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631a21] "What is called the Kǔ Chū Yào Dì (苦出要諦 [ku chu yao di] - Noble Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering)? The Kǔ Chū Yào Dì (苦出要諦 [ku chu yao di]) is the Noble Eightfold Path (賢聖八品道 [xian sheng ba pin dao]), namely: right view (正見 [zheng jian]), right intention (正治 [zheng zhi]), right speech (正語 [zheng yu]), right action (正行 [zheng xing]), right livelihood (正命 [zheng ming]), right effort (正方便 [zheng fang bian]), right mindfulness (正念 [zheng nian]), and right concentration (正三昧 [zheng san mei]). This is called the Kǔ Chū Yào Dì (苦出要諦 [ku chu yao di]).

[0631a21] “bǐ yún hé míng wèi kǔ chū yào dì? suǒ wèi kǔ chū yào dì zhě, wèi xián shèng bā pǐn dào, suǒ wèi zhèng jiàn,, zhèng zhì,, zhèng yǔ,, zhèng xíng,, zhèng mìng,, zhèng fāng biàn,, zhèng niàn,, zhèng sān mèi, shì wèi míng wèi kǔ chū yào dì.

[0631a21] "bi yun he ming wei ku chu yao di? suo wei ku chu yao di zhe, wei xian sheng ba pin dao, suo wei zheng jian,, zheng zhi,, zheng yu,, zheng xing,, zheng ming,, zheng fang bian,, zheng nian,, zheng san mei, shi wei ming wei ku chu yao di.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631a24] "Thus, Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! There are these Sì Dì (四諦 [si di] - Four Noble Truths), which are truly real and not false, spoken by the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]). Therefore, they are called Dì (諦 [di] - Truths). Among all sentient beings (眾生 [zhong sheng]), two-legged, three-legged, four-legged, those in the realm of desire (欲者 [yu zhe]), those in the realm of form (色者 [se zhe]), those in the realm of formlessness (無色者 [wu se zhe]), those with thought (有想 [you xiang]), and those without thought (無想 [wu xiang]), the Tathāgata (如來 [ru lai]) is the most supreme. He has accomplished these Sì Dì (四諦 [si di]), hence they are called the Sì Dì (四諦 [si di]). This is it, Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! There are these Sì Dì (四諦 [si di]). If they are not awakened to or understood, one remains in shēngsǐ (生死 [sheng si] - transmigration) for a long time, endlessly rotating through the Wǔ Dào (五道 [wu dao] - five realms). I have now attained these Sì Dì (四諦 [si di]), crossed from this shore to the other shore, accomplished this meaning, cut off the root of shēngsǐ (生死 [sheng si]), and will no longer experience existence (受有 [shou you]), knowing it as it truly is."

[0631a24] “rú shì, bǐ qiū! yǒu cǐ sì dì, shí yǒu bù xū, shì zūn zhī suǒ shuō, gù míng wèi dì. zhū yǒu zhòng shēng, èr zú,, sān zú,, sì zú, yù zhě,, sè zhě,, wú sè zhě, yǒu xiǎng,, wú xiǎng zhě, rú lái zuì shàng. rán chéng cǐ sì dì, gù míng wèi sì dì. shì wèi, bǐ qiū! yǒu cǐ sì dì. rán bù jué zhī, zhǎng chù shēng sǐ, lún zhuǎn wǔ dào. wǒ jīn yǐ dé cǐ sì dì, cóng cǐ àn zhì bǐ àn, chéng jiù cǐ yì, duàn shēng sǐ gēn běn, gèng bù fù shòu yǒu, rú shí zhī zhī.”

[0631a24] "ru shi, bi qiu! you ci si di, shi you bu xu, shi zun zhi suo shuo, gu ming wei di. zhu you zhong sheng, er zu,, san zu,, si zu, yu zhe,, se zhe,, wu se zhe, you xiang,, wu xiang zhe, ru lai zui shang. ran cheng ci si di, gu ming wei si di. shi wei, bi qiu! you ci si di. ran bu jue zhi, zhang chu sheng si, lun zhuan wu dao. wo jin yi de ci si di, cong ci an zhi bi an, cheng jiu ci yi, duan sheng si gen ben, geng bu fu shou you, ru shi zhi zhi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631b02] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) then spoke this verse:

"Now there are these Sì Dì Fǎ (四諦法 [si di fa] - Four Noble Truths),
If not truly known,
One revolves in shēngsǐ (生死 [sheng si]),
Never attaining liberation (解脫 [jie tuo]).
Now there are these Sì Dì (四諦 [si di]),
Already awakened to, already understood,
Already cut off the root of shēngsǐ (生死 [sheng si]),
No longer experiencing existence (受有 [shou you]).

[0631b02] ěr shí, shì zūn biàn shuō cǐ jì:

“jīn yǒu sì dì fǎ,　　rú shí ér bù zhī,
　lún zhuǎn shēng sǐ zhōng,　　zhōng bù yǒu jiě tuō.
　rú jīn yǒu sì dì,　　yǐ jué yǐ xiǎo le,
　yǐ duàn shēng sǐ gēn,　　gèng yì bù shòu yǒu.

[0631b02] er shi, shi zun bian shuo ci ji:

"jin you si di fa, ru shi er bu zhi,
lun zhuan sheng si zhong, zhong bu you jie tuo.
ru jin you si di, yi jue yi xiao le,
yi duan sheng si gen, geng yi bu shou you.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631b07] "If the Sì Bù Zhī Zhòng (四部之眾 [si bu zhi zhong] - fourfold assembly) does not obtain these Truths (諦 [di]), does not awaken to them, does not know them, then they will follow the Wǔ Dào (五道 [wu dao] - five realms). Therefore, Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! You should make an effort to accomplish these Sì Dì (四諦 [si di]). Thus, Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu])! You should learn in this way."

[0631b07] “ruò yǒu sì bù zhī zhòng, bù dé cǐ dì, bù jué bù zhī, biàn suí wǔ dào. shì gù, zhū bǐ qiū! dāng zuò fāng biàn, chéng cǐ sì dì. rú shì, zhū bǐ qiū! dāng zuò shì xué.”

[0631b07] "ruo you si bu zhi zhong, bu de ci di, bu jue bu zhi, bian sui wu dao. shi gu, zhu bi qiu! dang zuo fang bian, cheng ci si di. ru shi, zhu bi qiu! dang zuo shi xue."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0631b09] At that time, the Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]) heard what the Buddha (佛 [fu]) had said, rejoiced, and practiced it.

[0631b09] ěr shí, zhū bǐ qiū wén fú suǒ shuō, huān xǐ fèng xíng.

[0631b09] er shi, zhu bi qiu wen fu suo shuo, huan xi feng xing.