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This was said by the Blessed One,
said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "These three persons, appearing in the
world, appear for the benefit of many, the happiness of many, in sympathy for
the world -- for the welfare, the benefit, the happiness of beings human &
divine. Which three?
"There is the case where a
Tathagata appears in the world, worthy & rightly self-awakened, consummate
in clear knowing & conduct, well-gone, an expert with regard to the cosmos,
unsurpassed trainer of tamable people, teacher of beings human & divine,
awakened, blessed. He teaches the Dhamma admirable in its beginning, admirable
in its middle, admirable in its end. He proclaims the holy life both in its
particulars & in its essence, entirely perfect, surpassingly pure. This is
the first person who, appearing in the world, appears for the benefit of many,
the happiness of many, in sympathy for the world -- for the welfare, the benefit,
the happiness of beings human & divine.
"Furthermore, there is the
disciple of that Teacher who is a worthy one, his mental fermentations ended,
who has reached fulfillment, done the task, laid down the burden, attained the
true goal, totally destroyed the fetter of becoming, and who is released
through right gnosis. He teaches the Dhamma admirable in its beginning,
admirable in its middle, admirable in its end. He proclaims the holy life both
in its particulars & in its essence, entirely perfect, surpassingly pure.
This is the second person who, appearing in the world, appears for the benefit
of many, the happiness of many, in sympathy for the world -- for the welfare,
the benefit, the happiness of beings human & divine.
"Furthermore, there is the
disciple of that Teacher who is a learner, following the way, erudite, endowed
with [good] practices & principles. He, too, teaches the Dhamma admirable
in its beginning, admirable in its middle, admirable in its end. He proclaims
the holy life both in its particulars & in its essence, entirely perfect,
surpassingly pure. This is the third person who, appearing in the world,
appears for the benefit of many, the happiness of many, in sympathy for the
world -- for the welfare, the benefit, the happiness of beings human &
divine.
"These are the three persons
who, appearing in the world, appear for the benefit of many, the happiness of
many, in sympathy for the world -- for the welfare, the benefit, the happiness
of beings human & divine."
The Teacher,
Great Seer,
is first in the world;
following him, the disciple
composed;
and then the learner,
erudite, following the way,
endowed with good virtue,
practices.
These three, chief
among beings divine & human,
giving light, proclaiming the Dhamma,
throw open the door to the Deathless,
release many from bondage.
Those who follow the path,
well-taught by the Caravan Leader
unsurpassed,
will put an end to stress
right here --
those heeding the message
of the One Well-gone.
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