SN48.53 — Sekhasutta

Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at Kosambi in Ghositas Park.

There the Blessed One addressed the disciples:

Is there a method by which a stream enterer disciple, standing on the stream enterer's ground, might know I am a stream enterer, and a arahant disciple, standing on the arahant's ground, might know I am a arahant?

Our teachings are rooted in the Blessed One, venerable sir…

There is a method by which a stream enterer disciple, standing on the stream enterer's ground, might know I am a stream enterer, and a arahant disciple, standing on the arahant's ground, might know I am a arahant.

And what is the method by which a stream enterer disciple, standing on the stream enterer's ground, knows I am a stream enterer?

Here a stream enterer disciple truly understands this is suffering, truly understands this is the origin of suffering, truly understands this is the cessation of suffering, truly understands this is the path leading to the cessation of suffering: this is the method by which a stream enterer disciple, standing on the stream enterer's ground, knows I am a stream enterer.

Furthermore a stream enterer disciple reflects:

Is there outside here any other ascetic or brahmin who teaches such true, real, and accurate Dhamma as the Blessed One?

He understands:

There is no other ascetic or brahmin outside here who teaches such true, real, and accurate Dhamma as the Blessed One.

This is the method by which a stream enterer disciple, standing on the stream enterer's ground, knows I am a stream enterer.

Again a stream enterer disciple understands the five faculties: the faculty of faith, the faculty of energy, the faculty of mindfulness, the faculty of concentration, the faculty of wisdom.

Their destinations, their ultimate goals, their fruits, and their end. He does not live having touched them with the body; but sees them surpassed with wisdom.

This is the method by which a stream enterer disciple, standing on the stream enterer's ground, knows I am a stream enterer.

And what is the method by which a arahant disciple, standing on the arahant's ground, knows I am a arahant?

Here a arahant disciple understands the five faculties: the faculty of faith, the faculty of energy, the faculty of mindfulness, the faculty of concentration, the faculty of wisdom.

Their destinations, their ultimate goals, their fruits, and their end. He lives having touched them with the body; and sees them surpassed with wisdom.

This is the method by which a arahant disciple, standing on the arahant's ground, knows I am a arahant.

Furthermore a arahant disciple understands the six faculties.

The eye faculty, the ear faculty, the nose faculty, the tongue faculty, the body faculty, the mind faculty:

these six faculties will cease completely and without remainder, and no other six faculties will arise anywhere at all.

This is the method by which a arahant disciple, standing on the arahant's ground, knows I am a arahant.

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