AN 3.106 - Samaṇa Brahmana Sutta (Recluses & Brahmins)
Translated by Bhikkhu Candana
Source: https://www.mindreleased.com/s/Book-3_Anguttara-Nikya-A-New-Translation.pdf#page=229
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Candana source labels: 105. Site text ID: AN 3.106.

105. Samaṇa Brahmana Sutta (Recluses & Brahmins) Bhikkhus, those who are considered to be “recluses and brahmins,” yet neither know nor understand, as it really is, the satisfaction as the satisfaction, the danger as the danger, and the escape as the escape, are not really individuals whom I would call recluses and brahmins, at all; hence, they are not to be considered as those who are truly living the Holy Life.

It is because these individuals will not come to the life of recluseship, or be able to somehow live the true religious life, in this very birth; hence they will remain unable to realize, for themselves

with direct knowledge, the true Goal of the Holy Life, nor come to abide in the genuine state of nobility.

However, Bhikkhus, those other recluses and brahmins who do know and understand, as it really is, the satisfaction as the satisfaction, the danger as the danger, and the escape as the escape, I consider to be true recluses and brahmins who are truly living the Holy Life; hence they can certainly be recognized as recluses and brahmins.

It is because these individuals can come to the life of recluseship, and are truly living the religious life, while still alive, in this very birth; hence they will come to realize, for themselves and with direct knowledge, the true Goal of the Holy Life, while abiding in true nobility.
