Venerable Mahàkoññhita III

1. At one time venerable Mahàkoññhita and venerable Sàriputta lived in the deer park in Isipatana in Benares.

2. Then venerable Mahàkoññhita got up from his seclusion in the evening approached venerable Sàriputta, exchanged friendly greetings and sat on a side.

3. Sitting, venerable Mahàkoññhita said to venerable Sàriputta: ßFriend Sàriputta, it is said ignorance, what is ignorance and of what is someone ignorant?û

4. ßHere, friend, the not learned ordinary man does not know matter, its arising, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation, as it really is.

5-7. ßHe does not know feelings, perceptions, and intentions, the arising, cessation, and the path leading to the cessation of feelings, perceptions, and intentions as they really are.

8. ßHe does not know consciousness, its arising, cessation, and the path leading to the cessation of consciousness as it really is.

9. ßFriend, to this is called ignorance and he is ignorant of these things.û

10. When this was said venerable Sariputta said: ßFriend, Kotthita, it is said `Knowledge.' What is knowledge and of what does someone know?û

11. ßHere, friend, the learned noble disciple knows the arising, fading, satisfaction, danger, and the escape from matter as it really is.

12-14. ßHe knows the arising, fading, satisfaction, danger, and the escape from feelings, perceptions, and intentions as they really are.

15. ßHe knows the arising, fading, satisfaction, danger and escape from consciousness as it really is.

16. ßFriend, to this is called knowledge and he knows, these things.