The Mahānidāna Sūtra: The Ninth Discourse of the Dīrgha Āgama

(9) Original text: Ānanda, when the bhikkhus in this Dharma correctly perceive reality as it is, they attain liberation through the untainted mind. Ānanda, such a bhikkhu should be called one liberated by wisdom. Thus, a bhikkhu whose mind is thus liberated knows the existence of self, knows the non-existence of self, knows both the existence and non-existence of self, and knows neither the existence nor non-existence of self. Why is that? Ānanda, it is only when stated thus that it is right speech; it is only when stated thus that it accords with the Dharma; it is only when stated thus that it is the ultimate; it is only when stated thus that it is the exposition of the true Dharma; it is only when stated thus that it is wise observation; it is only when stated thus that it is for the sake of sentient beings. Having fully known thus, a bhikkhu liberated by the untainted mind neither knows nor perceives such knowledge and perception.

Explanation: Ānanda, when the bhikkhus correctly perceive reality as it is in these Dharmas, they attain liberation through the untainted mind. Ānanda, a bhikkhu with correct perception should be called an Arahant liberated by wisdom. Such a bhikkhu, with a liberated and untainted mind, knows the doctrine of self-existence, knows the doctrine of non-self-existence, knows both the doctrines of self-existence and non-self-existence, and knows the doctrine of neither self-existence nor non-self-existence. Why is that? Ānanda, because only such statements constitute right speech; only such statements correspond to the Dharma; only such statements are the most ultimate; only such statements expound the true Dharma; only such statements represent wise observation; only such statements are for liberating sentient beings. Having fully known the doctrines of self-existence and non-self-existence as they truly are, a bhikkhu whose mind is liberated and free from the taints neither knows nor perceives such knowledge and perception.

Original text: The Buddha said to Ānanda: "The boundaries of those who conceive 'self' have long been fixed. Those who conceive 'self' may say that a partial form is the self, or that the whole form is the self, or that a partial non-form is the self, or that the whole non-form is the self. Ānanda, those who say a partial form is the self resolutely regard a partial form as the self, considering what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect. Those who say the whole form is the self resolutely regard the whole form as the self, considering what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect. Those who say a partial non-form is the self resolutely regard a partial non-form as the self, considering what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect. Those who say the whole non-form is the self resolutely regard the whole non-form as the self, considering what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect."

Explanation: The Buddha said to Ānanda: The boundaries conceived by those who hold the view of 'self' have long been fixed. Those who hold the view of 'self' may say that a partial aggregate of form is the self, or that the whole aggregate of form is the self, or that a partial non-form aggregate is the self, or that the whole non-form aggregate is the self. Ānanda, those who say a partial aggregate of form is the self resolutely and stubbornly regard a partial aggregate of form as the self, considering what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect.

Those who say the whole aggregate of form is the self resolutely and stubbornly regard the whole aggregate of form as the self, considering what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect. Those who say a partial non-form aggregate is the self resolutely and stubbornly regard a partial non-form aggregate as correct, considering what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect. Those who say the whole non-form aggregate is the self resolutely and stubbornly regard what they perceive as correct, and what they do not perceive as incorrect.