Dighanikaya 22.373_42

22.373_42

Tattha kiñcāpi ‘‘sattānaṃ visuddhiyā’’ti vutte sokasamatikkamādīni atthato siddhāneva honti, ṭhapetvā pana sāsanayuttikovide aññesaṃ na pākaṭāni, na ca bhagavā paṭhamaṃ sāsanayuttikovidaṃ janaṃ katvā pacchā dhammaṃ deseti. Tena teneva pana suttena taṃ taṃ atthaṃ ñāpeti. Tasmā idha yaṃ yaṃ atthaṃ ekāyanamaggo sādheti, taṃ taṃ pākaṭaṃ katvā dassento ‘‘sokaparidevānaṃ samatikkamāyā’’tiādimāha. Yasmā vā yā sattānaṃ visuddhi ekāyanamaggena saṃvattati, sā sokaparidevānaṃ samatikkamena hoti. Sokaparidevānaṃ samatikkamo dukkhadomanassānaṃ atthaṅgamena, dukkhadomanassānaṃ atthaṅgamo ñāyassādhigamena, ñāyassādhigamo nibbānassa sacchikiriyāya. Tasmā imampi kamaṃ dassento ‘‘sattānaṃ visuddhiyā’’ti vatvā ‘‘sokaparidevānaṃ samatikkamāyā’’tiādimāha.

In this context, although when "for the purification of beings" is said, the overcoming of sorrow and so forth are certainly accomplished in meaning, yet, except for those skilled in the methods of the Dispensation, they are not obvious to others; and the Blessed One does not first make people skilled in the methods of the Dispensation and only afterwards teach the Dhamma. Rather, he makes each respective meaning known by each respective discourse. Therefore, making clear and demonstrating each respective purpose that the direct path accomplishes, he said: "for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation," and so forth. Or, because whatever purification of beings is brought about by the direct path occurs through the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation; the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation occurs through the cessation of suffering and grief; the cessation of suffering and grief occurs through the attainment of the true method; the attainment of the true method occurs for the realization of Nibbāna. Therefore, demonstrating this sequence as well, having said "for the purification of beings," he said "for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation," and so forth.