Corrupted

[Aloka]

This is Sutta Nipata 4.3 - translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Thanissaro


. Corrupted

There are some who dispute
corrupted at heart,
and those who dispute
their hearts set on truth,
but a sage doesn't enter
a dispute that's arisen,
which is why he is
nowhere constrained.

Now, how would one
led on by desire,
entrenched in his likes,
forming his own conclusions,
overcome his own views?
He'd dispute in line
with the way that he knows.

Whoever boasts to others, unasked,
of his practices, precepts,
is, say the skilled,
ignoble by nature --
he who speaks of himself
of his own accord.

But a monk at peace,
fully unbound in himself,
who doesn't boast of his precepts
-- "That's how I am" --
he, say the skilled,
is noble by nature --
he with no vanity
with regard to the world.

One whose doctrines aren't clean --
fabricated, formed, given preference
when he sees it to his own advantage --
relies on a peace
dependent
on what can be shaken.

Because entrenchments in views
aren't easily overcome
when considering what's grasped
among doctrines,
that's why
a person embraces or rejects a doctrine --
in light of these very
entrenchments.

Now, one who is cleansed
has no preconceived view
about states of becoming
or not-
anywhere in the world.
Having abandoned conceit and illusion,
by what means would he go?
He isn't involved.

For one who's involved
gets into disputes
over doctrines,
but how -- in connection with what --
would you argue
with one uninvolved?
He has nothing
embraced or rejected,
has sloughed off every view
right here -- every one.


http://obo.genaud.net/dhamma-vinaya/...3.than.ati.htm



Any comments?

[philg]

On one level, it's a very nice Sutta saying that if you have made enough progress, then you have moved beyond doctrinal arguments, which are only a raft, after all. Once you've crossed the river, you have no need of the raft any more. On another level it could be seen as saying that if you have reached a certain level then you have no right to say anything. You can't be that advanced if you still have an opinion on doctrinal issues. Keep quiet or we'll call you out.

[justusryans]

Very good philg, I thought that was a well thought out post. Just about what I was going to say but much better.