27.1 （一）

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "This is what we always teach, namely the Four Noble Truths. We contemplate these teachings with countless skillful means, analyze their meanings, and extensively explain them to others. What are the four? Namely, the truth of suffering. We contemplate this teaching with countless skillful means, analyze its meaning, and extensively explain it to others. We explain the truths of the origin, cessation, and path with countless skillful means, contemplate these teachings, analyze their meanings, and extensively explain them to others.

You bhikṣus should be close to the bhikṣu Śāriputra, serve and make offerings to him. The reason is that the bhikṣu Śāriputra explains these Four Noble Truths with countless skillful means and extensively explains them to others. When the bhikṣu Śāriputra analyzes their meanings and extensively explains them to the four groups of followers and sentient beings, countless sentient beings will have their defilements exhausted and attain the purity of the Dharma eye.

"You bhikṣus should be close to the bhikṣus Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana, serve and make offerings to them. The reason is that the bhikṣu Śāriputra is the parent of sentient beings, who gives birth and nurtures them to maturity. The bhikṣu Maudgalyāyana is the reason. The reason is that the bhikṣu Śāriputra explains the essential teachings to people, accomplishing the Four Noble Truths; the bhikṣu Maudgalyāyana explains the essential teachings to people, accomplishing the ultimate meaning and accomplishing the practice of the unconditioned. You should be close to the bhikṣus Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana." Having spoken thus, the World-Honored One returned to the quiet room.

Not long after the World-Honored One left, at that time Śāriputra addressed the bhikṣus, saying: "Those who can attain the Dharma of the Four Noble Truths quickly attain great benefits. What are the four? Namely, the truth of suffering, which is extensively explained with countless skillful means. What is the truth of suffering? Namely, the suffering of birth, the suffering of old age, the suffering of sickness, the suffering of death, the suffering of sorrow, grief, and distress, the suffering of being with what is disliked, the suffering of separation from what is loved, the suffering of not obtaining what one seeks. In brief, the suffering of the five aggregates of clinging. This is called the truth of suffering. What is the truth of the origin of suffering? Namely, the fetters of craving. What is the truth of cessation? Namely, the truth of cessation is the complete and utter extinction of the fetters of craving and desire. This is called the truth of cessation. What is the truth of the path? Namely, the eightfold noble path, namely, right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. This is called the truth of the path. Those sentient beings quickly attain great benefits, being able to hear this Dharma of the Four Noble Truths."

At that time, when the Venerable Śāriputra was expounding this Dharma, immeasurable and innumerable sentient beings, upon hearing this Dharma, their defilements were completely extinguished and they attained the purity of the Dharma eye.

"We have also quickly attained great benefits. The World-Honored One has taught us the Dharma and established us in the ground of merit."

"Therefore, the fourfold assembly should seek the means and practice these four truths. Thus, bhikṣus, you should train in this way."

At that time, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha said and joyfully received and practiced it.