Reading guide
A noble disciple's understanding, restated exactly
"When a noble disciple truly understands these five grasping aggregates' origin, disappearance, gratification, drawback, and escape, they're called a noble disciple who is a stream-enterer" — the identical five-point formula and identical conclusion as SN 22.109, transplanted without alteration.
The same standard formula
"Not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening" — one of the Canon's most widely repeated formulas, unchanged here despite the shift in saṃyutta and addressee.
Why this reuse matters for Rādha specifically
Addressing this formula personally to Rādha — rather than generally, as at SN 22.109 — implicitly frames it as something directly relevant to Rādha's own situation and progress, not merely an abstract description of a category of person.
Setting up its own companion
SN 23.8, this discourse's own direct companion, will similarly restate SN 22.110's arahant formula — completing the same stream-enterer-to-arahant progression Antavagga's own SN 22.109-110 traced, now personally addressed to Rādha.
Key terms
The text
§1At Sāvatthī. When Venerable Rādha was seated to one side, the Buddha said to him: “Rādha, there are these five grasping aggregates. What five? The grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.
§2When a noble disciple truly understands these five grasping aggregates’ origin, disappearance, gratification, drawback, and escape, they’re called a noble disciple who is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”
Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.