Thus Have I Seen
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 6:44AM
[chuck] in Anguttara Nikaya, Dharma, Suta Sutta

Bamboo Grove at Venuvana Monastery near Rajgir, India

 

From the Suta Sutta in the Anguttara Nikaya (AN 4.183): 

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying at Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels’ Sanctuary. Then Vassakara the brahman, the minister to the king of Magadha, approached the Blessed One and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One: “I am of the view, of the opinion, that when anyone speaks of what he has seen, [saying,] ‘Thus have I seen’ (see Thus I Have Seen), there is no fault in that...

[The Blessed One responded:]

“When, for one who speaks of what has been seen, unskillful mental qualities increase and skillful mental qualities decrease, then that sort of thing should not be spoken about. But when, for one who speaks of what has been seen, unskillful mental qualities decrease and skillful mental qualities increase, then that sort of thing should be spoken about..."

I'll try to keep these words in mind when posting.  [NOTE: The complete Suta Sutta, as translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, can be found here]. 

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