[1724] Bhikkhus, whatever bhikkhu understands as it really is (yathābhūta), "This is suffering (dukkha)" … understands as it really is, "This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering" — even if an ascetic or a brahmin desiring debate, seeking debate, should come from the eastern quarter, thinking, "I shall refute his doctrine," it is impossible that such a one could legitimately make him shake, make him quake, or make him tremble. Even if from the western quarter … even if from the northern quarter … even if from the southern quarter an ascetic or a brahmin desiring debate, seeking debate, should come, thinking, "I shall refute his doctrine," it is impossible that such a one could legitimately make him shake, make him quake, or make him tremble.
Suppose, bhikkhus, there were a stone pillar sixteen cubits long, of which eight cubits were sunk below into the foundation and eight cubits stood above the foundation. Even if a fierce storm of wind and rain should come from the eastern quarter, it could not make it shake, make it quake, or make it tremble; even if from the western quarter … even if from the northern quarter … even if from the southern quarter a fierce storm of wind and rain should come, it could not make it shake, make it quake, or make it tremble. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, of the depth of the foundation and because the stone pillar is well planted.
Even so, bhikkhus, whatever bhikkhu understands as it really is, "This is suffering" … understands as it really is, "This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering" — even if an ascetic or a brahmin desiring debate, seeking debate, should come from the eastern quarter, thinking, "I shall refute his doctrine," it is impossible that such a one could legitimately make him shake, make him quake, or make him tremble. Even if from the western quarter … even if from the northern quarter … even if from the southern quarter an ascetic or a brahmin desiring debate, seeking debate, should come, thinking, "I shall refute his doctrine," it is impossible that such a one could legitimately make him shake, make him quake, or make him tremble. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the four noble truths (ariyasacca) have been well seen. Which four? The noble truth of suffering … the noble truth of the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering. Therefore, bhikkhus, an effort should be made [to understand], "This is suffering" … an effort should be made [to understand], "This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering."
The Sīsapāpaṇṇa Vagga, the fourth.
Its summary (uddāna):
The sīsapā [leaves], the acacia, the stick,
the turban, and with the hundred spears,
living beings, the two similes of the sun,
the Indra's pillar, and the debater.
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The Papāta Vagga, the fifth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.