Paṭhamaesanāsutta

Itivuttaka 54

So It Was Said 54

Tikanipāta

The Book of the Threes

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Paṭhamaesanāsutta

Searches (1st)

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

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

“Tisso imā, bhikkhave, esanā.

“Mendicants, there are these three searches.

Katamā tisso?

What three?

Kāmesanā, bhavesanā, brahmacariyesanā—

The search for sensual pleasures, the search for continued existence, and the search for a spiritual path.

imā kho, bhikkhave, tisso esanā”ti.

These are the three searches.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

The Buddha spoke this matter.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

On this it is said:

“Samāhito sampajāno,

“Stilled, aware,

sato buddhassa sāvako;

a mindful disciple of the Buddha

Esanā ca pajānāti,

understands searches,

esanānañca sambhavaṁ.

the cause of searches,

Yattha cetā nirujjhanti,

where they cease,

maggañca khayagāminaṁ;

and the path that leads to their ending.

Esanānaṁ khayā bhikkhu,

With the ending of searches, a mendicant

nicchāto parinibbuto”ti.

is hungerless, quenched.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

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

Pañcamaṁ.