AN3.21 — Puggala Sutta

Thus have I heard. At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. Then, Venerable Samiddha and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika approached Venerable Sāriputta. Having approached, they exchanged greetings with Venerable Sāriputta and, after exchanging courteous and friendly talk, sat down to one side. While seated to one side, Venerable Sāriputta addressed Venerable Samiddha:

There are, friend Samiddha, three types of individuals existing in the world. Which three? The body-witness, the view-attainer, and the faith-liberated. These, friend, are the three types of individuals existing in the world. Of these three individuals, which one do you consider the most admirable and superior?

Friend Sāriputta, there are three types of individuals existing in the world. Which three? The body-witness, the view-attainer, and the faith-liberated. These, friend, are the three types of individuals existing in the world. Of these three individuals, the one who is faith-liberated is the one I consider the most admirable and superior. And why is that? Because, friend, this individual has the faculty of faith developed to a higher degree.

Then Venerable Sāriputta addressed Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika:

There are, friend Koṭṭhika, three types of individuals existing in the world. Which three? The body-witness, the view-attainer, and the faith-liberated. These, friend, are the three types of individuals existing in the world. Of these three individuals, which one do you consider the most admirable and superior?

Friend Sāriputta, there are three types of individuals existing in the world. Which three? The body-witness, the view-attainer, and the faith-liberated. These, friend, are the three types of individuals existing in the world. Of these three individuals, the one who is a body-witness is the one I consider the most admirable and superior. And why is that? Because, friend, this individual has the faculty of concentration developed to a higher degree.

Then Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika addressed Venerable Sāriputta:

There are, friend Koṭṭhika, three types of individuals existing in the world. Which three? The bodily witness, the one attained to view, and the one liberated by faith. These, friend, are the three types of individuals existing in the world. Among these three individuals, the one who is attained to view is the one I consider the most excellent and superior. Why is that? Because, friend, this individual has the faculty of wisdom developed to a higher degree.

Then Venerable Sāriputta addressed Venerable Samiddha and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika, saying, We have all expressed our understanding according to our own insight. Let us, friends, go to the Blessed One and report this matter to him. We will remember it as the Blessed One explains it to us.

Yes, friend, Venerable Samiddha and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika agreed with Venerable Sāriputta. Then Venerable Sāriputta, Venerable Samiddha, and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Venerable Sāriputta reported to the Blessed One the entire conversation he had with Venerable Samiddha and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika.

It is not easy, Sāriputta, to declare unequivocally, This one is the most excellent and superior among these three individuals. There is a possibility, Sāriputta, that the one liberated by faith is on the path to arahantship, the bodily witness may be a once-returner or a non-returner, and the one attained to view may also be a once-returner or a non-returner. It is not easy, Sāriputta, to declare unequivocally, This one is the most excellent and superior among these three individuals. There is a possibility, Sāriputta, that the bodily witness is on the path to arahantship, the one liberated by faith may be a once-returner or a non-returner, and the one attained to view may also be a once-returner or a non-returner. It is not easy, Sāriputta, to declare unequivocally, This one is the most excellent and superior among these three individuals. There is a possibility, Sāriputta, that the one attained to view is on the path to arahantship, the one liberated by faith may be a once-returner or a non-returner, and the bodily witness may also be a once-returner or a non-returner.

It is not easy, Sāriputta, to declare definitively, This one is the most excellent and superior among these three individuals.