SN38.1 — Nibbānapañhā Sutta

One time, the Venerable Sāriputta was dwelling in the village of Nālaka in the Magadha region. Then, the wanderer Jambukhādaka approached the Venerable Sāriputta. Having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta. After exchanging friendly and courteous talk, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the wanderer Jambukhādaka said to the Venerable Sāriputta, Friend Sāriputta, it is said, Nibbāna, Nibbāna. What, friend, is Nibbāna?

Friend, the destruction of lust, the destruction of hatred, the destruction of delusion: this is called Nibbāna.

Is there, friend, a path, is there a practice for the realization of this Nibbāna?

There is, friend, a path, there is a practice for the realization of this Nibbāna.

What, friend, is the path, what is the practice for the realization of this Nibbāna?

Friend, it is this very Noble Eightfold Path for the realization of this Nibbāna, namely: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This, friend, is the path, this is the practice for the realization of this Nibbāna.

Friend, the path is good, the practice is good for the realization of this Nibbāna. And, friend Sāriputta, it is fitting to be heedful.

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