Tikanipāta

Itivuttaka 90

So It Was Said 90

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Pañcamavagga

Chapter Five

Aggappasādasutta

The Best Kinds of Confidence

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Tayome, bhikkhave, aggappasādā.

“Mendicants, these three kinds of confidence are the best.

Katame tayo?

What three?

Yāvatā, bhikkhave, sattā apadā vā dvipadā vā catuppadā vā bahuppadā vā rūpino vā arūpino vā saññino vā asaññino vā nevasaññināsaññino vā, tathāgato tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho.

Mendicants, the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, is said to be the best of all sentient beings—be they footless, with two feet, four feet, or many feet; with form or formless; with perception or without perception or with neither perception nor non-perception.

Ye, bhikkhave, buddhe pasannā, agge te pasannā.

Those who have confidence in the Buddha have confidence in the best.

Agge kho pana pasannānaṁ aggo vipāko hoti.

Having confidence in the best, the result is the best.

Yāvatā, bhikkhave, dhammā saṅkhatā vā asaṅkhatā vā, virāgo tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati, yadidaṁ madanimmadano pipāsavinayo ālayasamugghāto vaṭṭupacchedo taṇhakkhayo virāgo nirodho nibbānaṁ.

Fading away is said to be the best of all things whether conditioned or unconditioned. That is, the quelling of vanity, the removing of thirst, the abolishing of clinging, the breaking of the round, the ending of craving, fading away, cessation, extinguishment.

Ye, bhikkhave, virāge dhamme pasannā, agge te pasannā.

Those who have confidence in the teaching of fading away have confidence in the best.

Agge kho pana pasannānaṁ aggo vipāko hoti.

Having confidence in the best, the result is the best.

Yāvatā, bhikkhave, saṅghā vā gaṇā vā, tathāgatasāvakasaṅgho tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati, yadidaṁ cattāri purisayugāni aṭṭha purisapuggalā esa bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

The Saṅgha of the Realized One’s disciples is said to be the best of all communities and groups. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individual persons. This is the Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples that is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.

Ye, bhikkhave, saṅghe pasannā, agge te pasannā.

Those who have confidence in the Saṅgha have confidence in the best.

Agge kho pana pasannānaṁ aggo vipāko hoti.

Having confidence in the best, the result is the best.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo aggappasādā”ti.

These are the three best kinds of confidence.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

The Buddha spoke this matter.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

On this it is said:

“Aggato ve pasannānaṁ,

“For those who, knowing the best teaching,

aggaṁ dhammaṁ vijānataṁ;

base their confidence on the best—

Agge buddhe pasannānaṁ,

confident in the best Awakened One,

dakkhiṇeyye anuttare.

supremely worthy of a religious donation;

Agge dhamme pasannānaṁ,

confident in the best teaching,

virāgūpasame sukhe;

the bliss of fading and stilling;

Agge saṅghe pasannānaṁ,

confident in the best Saṅgha,

puññakkhette anuttare.

the supreme field of merit—

Aggasmiṁ dānaṁ dadataṁ,

giving gifts to the best,

aggaṁ puññaṁ pavaḍḍhati;

the best of merit grows:

Aggaṁ āyu ca vaṇṇo ca,

the best lifespan, beauty,

yaso kitti sukhaṁ balaṁ.

fame, reputation, happiness, and strength.

Aggassa dātā medhāvī,

An intelligent person gives to the best,

aggadhammasamāhito;

settled on the best teaching.

Devabhūto manusso vā,

When they become a god or human,

aggappatto pamodatī”ti.

they rejoice at reaching the best.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Paṭhamaṁ.