Being

1. At one time venerable Sāriputta was living with the Vajjis on the bank of river Ukkavela.

2. Then the wandering ascetic Sāmaṇḍakā approached venerable Sāriputta, exchanged friendly greetings and sat on a side.

3. “Sitting on a side the wandering ascetic Sāmaṇḍakā said to venerable Sāriputta: “Friend Sāriputta, it is said, `being' what is being?”

“Friend, being is threefold, as the behavior of the mind, in sensuality, in material and immaterial states.”

4. “Friend, is there a path and method for accurate comprehension of the threefold being?”

“Friend, there is a path and method for accurate comprehension of the threefold being.”

5. “Friend, what is the path and method for accurate comprehension of the threefold being?”

“Friend, it is this same Noble Eightfold Path, such as right view, right thoughts, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right establishment of mindfulness and right concentration, for accurate comprehension of the threefold being”

6. “Friend, the path and method is excellent for the accurate comprehension of the threefold being, it's suitable that I should be diligent.”