1.
There are Munis in the world,'--so said the venerable Nanda,--'so
people say. How is this (understood) by thee? Do they call him a Muni
who is possessed of knowledge or him who is possessed of life?'
2.
Buddha: 'Not because of (any philosophical) view, nor of
tradition, nor of knowledge, O Nanda, do the expert call (any one) a
Muni; (but) such as wander free from woe, free from desire, after having
secluded themselves, those I call Munis.'
3.
'All these Sama/n/as and Brâhma/n/as,'--so said the venerable
Nanda,--'say that purity comes from (philosophical) views, and from
tradition, and from virtue and (holy) works, and in many (other) ways.
Did they, in the way in which they lived in the world, cross over birth
and old age, O venerable man? I ask thee, O Bhagavat, tell me this.'
4.
'All these Sama/n/as and Brâhma/n/as, O Nanda,'--so said
Bhagavat,--'say that purity comes from (philosophical) views, and from
tradition, and from virtue and (holy) works, and in many (other) ways;
still they did not, in the way in which they lived in the world, cross
over birth and old age, so I say.'
5.
'All these Sama/n/as and Brâhma/n/as,'--so said the venerable
Nanda,--'say that purity comes from (philosophical) views, and from
tradition, and from virtue and (holy) works, and in many (other) ways;
if thou, O Muni, sayest that such have not crossed the stream, who then
in the world of gods and men crossed over birth and old age, O venerable
man? I ask thee, O Bhagavat, tell me this.'
6.
'I do not say that all Sama/n/as and Brâhma/n/as, O Nanda,'--so
said Bhagavat,--'are shrouded by birth and old age; those who, after
leaving in this world what has been seen or heard or thought, and all
virtue and (holy) works, after leaving everything of various kinds,
after penetrating desire, are free from passion, such indeed I call men
that have crossed the stream.'
7.
Nanda: 'I delight in these words of the great Isi; well expounded
(by thee), O Gotama, is freedom from upadhi (i.e. Nibbâna); those who,
after leaving in this world what has been seen or heard or thought, and
all virtue and (holy) works, after leaving everything of various kinds,
after penetrating desire, are free from passion, such I call men that
have crossed the stream.'