[113] **"Him I call a great man" (taṃ brūmi mahāpuriso):** a great man (mahāpurisa), a foremost man, a supreme man, a distinguished man, a preeminent man, a highest man, an excellent man — thus I call him, I speak of him, I regard him, I declare him, I see him, I designate him.
The Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Blessed One: "'A great man,' venerable sir, it is said. In what way, venerable sir, is one a great man?" "It is because his mind (citta) is liberated, Sāriputta, that I say 'a great man'; I do not say 'a great man' because of a mind that is merely resolved (adhimutta). And how, Sāriputta, is one liberated in mind? Here, Sāriputta, a bhikkhu dwells contemplating the body in the body (kāyānupassanā) internally, ardent (ātāpī), clearly comprehending, and mindful, having removed covetousness and grief regarding the world. As he dwells contemplating the body in the body, his mind becomes dispassionate and is liberated from the taints (āsava) through non-clinging. He dwells contemplating feelings (vedanā) in feelings … the mind in the mind … dhammas in dhammas, ardent, clearly comprehending, and mindful, having removed covetousness and grief regarding the world. As he dwells contemplating dhammas in dhammas, his mind becomes dispassionate and is liberated from the taints through non-clinging. Thus, Sāriputta, a bhikkhu is liberated in mind. It is because his mind is liberated, Sāriputta, that I say 'a great man'; I do not say 'a great man' because of a mind that is merely resolved." Hence: "Him I call a great man."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.