Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c33.229

v2.c33.229

Rathavinīta Sutta.—The twenty-fourth sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya. Sāriputta visits Puṇṇa Mantāṇiputta in Andhavana and asks him why he lives the higher life. To attain absolute Nibbāna, answers Puṇṇa, and, on being questioned further as to the nature of Nibbāna, he explains that Nibbāna is the goal and can only be attained by passing through various successive stages—purity of life, purity of heart, purity of view, purity through dispelling doubts, purity through full insight into paths, right and wrong, into the path to be followed, and the purity which arises from insight. It may be compared to a journey of Pasenadi from Sāvatthi to Sāketa, by means of relays of seven carriages.