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Sutta Nipata

# Snp 5.4 Puṇṇakamāṇavapucchā Sutta (Venerable Puṇṇaka’s Questions) Snp. 5.4

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- Sutta Nipāta: A new translation, by Bhikkhu Candana (Book Five). (Duration: 1:18:44)

## Text

    [page 1]
    Snp 5.4
    Sutta Nipāta
    Pārāyana Vagga

    Puṇṇakamāṇavapucchā Sutta
    “Venerable Puṇṇaka’s Questions”

    Translated by Bhikkhu Candana

    Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2023

    1043. “‘O! Unshakeable Teacher, who clearly sees the root of all things, there is a question I’ve
    come to ask,” said the Venerable Puṇṇaka, as he continued:
    ‘Why have the sages, human beings, warrior kings and brahmins in the world, been making
    sacrifices to the gods all this time, and continue to do so? I kindly ask on this matter, may The
    Blessed One please tell me the answer to this.’

    1044. “And The Blessed One replied:
    ‘All those sages, human beings, warrior kings and brahmins in the world have been making
    sacrifices to the gods, and continue to do so, for the simple reason that they all must face
    sickness and old age, but they hope to somehow gain rebirth into a better state, Puṇṇaka.’

    1045. “‘Bhante, has anyone among those sages, human beings, warrior kings and brahmins in
    the world,’ continued the Venerable Puṇṇaka, ‘while being so meticulous and dedicated in the
    rituals of making those offerings and sacrifices to the gods, been able to break free, by crossing
    over and completely overcoming the cycles of rebirth and death? I kindly ask The Blessed One to
    please give me the answer to this.’

    1046. “And The Blessed One continued in His reply:

    ‘Whether by wishing, beseeching, begging, extolling, or praising, they have all been offering and
    making sacrifices for the simple reason of gaining more opportunities to enjoy sensual pleasures.
    Thus, I declare that despite all the offerings and sacrifices they make, because they are driven by
    passion, none of those people has been able to break free, or cross over and completely
    overcome the cycles of rebirth and death.’

    1047. “And the Venerable Puṇṇaka asked further:
    ‘In that case, Bhante, seeing that none among those people was able to overcome the cycles of
    rebirth and death by the making of offerings and sacrifices to the gods, then, who are the ones,
    Blessed Lord, who did in fact break free, by crossing over, and thus completely overcoming the
    cycles of rebirth and death? Please, may The Blessed One tell me the answer to this.’

    [page 2]
    1048. “And The Blessed One said:

    ‘Seeing the world’s vicissitudes, tranquil beyond its highs and lows, he stands unperturbed by its
    troubles, unperplexed, desireless. And with no hidden embers of passions or hopes left in him, it
    is he, whom I declare, the one who remains untouched. For he indeed has broken free, and fully
    crossed over birth and death.’”

    Sādhu

    Sādhu

    Sādhu

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