Sappurisasutta

Suttapiṭaka · Majjhimanikāya · Vol. 14 · Section 191

[191] Bhikkhus, there is a further case. An untrue person (asappurisa), quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, enters and dwells in the first jhāna, which is accompanied by applied thought (vitakka) and sustained thought (vicāra), with rapture and bliss born of seclusion. He reflects thus: 'I am a gainer of the attainment of the first jhāna; but these other bhikkhus are not gainers of the attainment of the first jhāna.' On account of that attainment of the first jhāna he exalts himself and disparages others. This too, bhikkhus, is a quality of an untrue person. But a true person (sappurisa), bhikkhus, reflects thus: 'Non-identification (atammayatā) even with regard to the attainment of the first jhāna has been declared by the Blessed One; for in whatever way they conceive it, it turns out to be otherwise.' Making non-identification itself his inner concern, he neither exalts himself nor disparages others on account of that attainment of the first jhāna. This too, bhikkhus, is a quality of a true person.

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.

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