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Sn 1.5 
 
 
Sutta Nipāta 
Uraga Vagga 
 
Cunda Sutta 
“To Cunda” 
 
Translated by Candana Bhikkhu 
 
Copyright © Candana Bhikkhu 2023 
 
 
83. Cunda, the goldsmith, asked The Blessed One, 
 
“May I ask the boundlessly wise King of the Dhamma, the Lord Buddha, the Most Excellent 
Charioteer who is firmly grounded with both feet, the One without any craving in His heart, the 
following question: 
 
“How many types of recluses are to be found in the world?” 
 
And The Blessed One replied, 
 
84. “Cunda, there are to be found only these four types of recluses in the world, without a fifth. 
Now that you have asked me about them, I will go ahead and reveal them to you.  
These four are: the Winner of the Path; the teacher who points out the Path; the one who Lives 
the Path; and the one who defiles the Path.” 
 
85. “And who is the one, Blessed Lord, whom the Buddhas describe as ‘the Winner of the Path?’ 
asked Cunda, the goldsmith.  
“And how does one become an unequaled teacher, who points out the Path; and the one who 
Lives the Path. Also, please, explain to me the one who defiles the Path.” 
 
86. “The one who has crossed the ocean of doubts, having pulled out the arrow of sorrow, rid 
himself of all kinds of wanting, only lives for Nibbāna. He now serves as the guide for the world, 
along with its Devas. It is such a person whom the Buddhas call: ‘Winner of the Path.’ 
 
87. “The One who knows the highest as being the highest, is the One who explains and 
elaborates on the Dhamma. He, being the unshakable remover of doubts, is the second Bhikkhu, 
the teacher, who points out the Path. 
 
88. “Living with restraint according to the well-taught Dhamma, going about life fully alert and 
developing himself with blameless conduct, it is he, who is the third Bhikkhu among the four: 
‘the One Living the Path.’”

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89. “Disguising himself as being virtuous, the insolent and recklessly shameful corrupter of 
families, living with deceit like a highway robber, the hypocrite, and the useless chaff, is himself 
the ‘one who defiles the Path.’ 
 
90. “Now, on hearing this explanation, a householder, who is truly a Noble Disciple, understands 
its meaning, and as a result, sees recluses for who and what they truly are, without being fooled 
by appearances.  
“In this manner, householders will not lose the faith in their hearts, knowing full-well who to 
place their faith in. For, how could the evil be equated with the uncorrupted, or the pure with the 
impure?” 
 
Sādhu  
Sādhu 
 Sādhu
