SN55.24 — The First Sutta on the Deceased Saraṇāni
Originating in Kapilavatthu.
At that time, the lay disciple Saraṇāni had passed away. He was declared by the Blessed One to be a stream-enterer, incapable of falling into states of woe, destined for enlightenment.
Thereupon, many of the Sakyans gathered and lamented, criticized, and expressed disappointment, saying, Amazing, indeed, truly marvelous! Who now will not be a stream-enterer? For Saraṇāni passed away, and he was declared by the Blessed One to be a stream-enterer, incapable of falling into states of woe, destined for enlightenment. Saraṇāni had weaknesses in his training and indulged in intoxicants.
Then, the Sakyan named Mahānāma approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting there, Mahānāma addressed the Blessed One: Here, venerable sir, the lay follower Saraṇāni has passed away. He was declared by the Blessed One to be a stream-enterer, incapable of falling into states of woe, destined for enlightenment.
Yet, venerable sir, many of the Sakyans gathered and lamented, criticized, and expressed disappointment, saying, Amazing, indeed, truly marvelous! Who now will not be a stream-enterer? For Saraṇāni passed away, and he was declared by the Blessed One to be a stream-enterer, incapable of falling into states of woe, destined for enlightenment. Saraṇāni had weaknesses in his training and indulged in intoxicants.
Mahānāma, how could someone who has, for a long time, gone for refuge to the Tathāgata, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, fall into a state of woe? Indeed, Mahānāma, if one were to speak rightly of Saraṇāni as one who has, for a long time, gone for refuge to the Tathāgata, the Dhamma, and the Sangha, then they would be speaking rightly of him.
Saraṇāni, Mahānāma, was a lay follower who, for a long time, went for refuge to the Tathāgata, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. How could he fall into a state of woe?
Here, Mahānāma, there is a person endowed with unwavering confidence in the Tathāgata: Such is the Blessed One... the teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.
Endowed in the Dhamma...
Endowed in the Sangha...
Endowed with joyous wisdom, swift wisdom, and liberation, who realizes, through direct knowing, the destruction of the taints, attains liberation of mind, and liberation by wisdom, directly in this very life.
This person, Mahānāma, is free from hell, free from the animal realm, free from the realm of ghosts, and free from the plane of misery and the bad destinations.
Here, Mahānāma, a certain person possesses unwavering confidence in the Tathāgata, thinking, He is the Blessed One, ... the Teacher of gods and humans, the Awakened, the Blessed. [He possesses similar confidence] in the Dhamma ... and in the Sangha ...
He possesses joyful wisdom, quick wisdom, but is not endowed with liberation. He is reborn spontaneously (as a deva) and there attains final Nirvana, not liable to return to this world, through the destruction of the five lower fetters.
This person, Mahānāma, is free from hell, free from the animal realm, free from the realm of ghosts, and free from the plane of misery and the bad destinations.
Here, Mahānāma, a certain person possesses unwavering confidence in the Tathāgata, thinking, He is the Blessed One, ... the Teacher of gods and humans, the Awakened, the Blessed. [He possesses similar confidence] in the Dhamma ... and in the Sangha ...
He does not possess joyful wisdom nor quick wisdom, and is not endowed with liberation. Through the destruction of three fetters, and with the attenuation of greed, hatred, and delusion, he becomes a once-returner, who returns only once to this world and then makes an end of suffering.
This person, Mahānāma, is free from hell, free from the animal realm, free from the realm of ghosts, and free from the plane of misery and the bad destinations.
Here, Mahānāma, a certain person possesses unwavering confidence in the Tathāgata, thinking, He is the Blessed One, ... the Teacher of gods and humans, the Awakened, the Blessed; [He possesses similar confidence] in the Dhamma ... and in the Sangha ...
He does not possess joyful wisdom nor quick wisdom, and is not endowed with liberation. Through the destruction of three fetters, he becomes a stream-enterer, not liable to cease until final awakening is certain.
This person, Mahānāma, is free from hell, free from the animal realm, free from the realm of ghosts, and free from the plane of misery and the bad destinations.
Here, Mahānāma, a certain person does not have unwavering confidence in the Tathāgata ... nor in the Dhamma ... nor in the Sangha ... He does not possess joyful wisdom nor quick wisdom, nor is he endowed with liberation. Moreover, he possesses the faculties of faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. The teachings taught by the Tathāgata are agreeable to him upon reflection with wisdom.
Even this person, Mahānāma, does not go to hell, does not go to the animal realm, does not go to the realm of ghosts, and does not fall into the plane of misery, the bad destinations.
Here, Mahānāma, a certain individual is not endowed with unwavering confidence in the Tathāgata, nor in the Dhamma, nor in the Sangha, nor does he possess wisdom leading to laughter, swift wisdom, nor is he endowed with liberation. However, he possesses the faculties of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. He has mere faith and affection for the Tathāgata.
Even such a person, Mahānāma, does not go to hell, the animal realm, the realm of ghosts, or the unfortunate destinations. If these people were to know the well-spoken from the poorly spoken, Mahānāma, and if I were to expound to these great individuals, how much more so could I explain the refuge to such a capable one. Indeed, Mahānāma, at the time of death, the refuge is accomplished by practice.