Reading guide
A question three times met with silence
Citta's own question is asked and re-asked three times to the assembled senior mendicants, and three times the senior monk present says nothing at all — a stark, repeated admission of not knowing, rather than a face-saving guess.
The most junior mendicant, the only one who answers
Isidatta identifies himself explicitly as “the most junior mendicant in that Saṅgha” before asking permission to answer — seniority and correct knowledge are shown as two entirely separate things in this discourse.
The eighteen elements, given as a worked example
The answer itself names the eye element, the sights element, and the eye consciousness element, elided in the middle ("…pe…" in the root) before closing with the mind element, the idea element, and the mind consciousness element — the standard eighteen elements (dhātu) taught by naming the first and last of six parallel triads.
Credit given openly, not claimed
The senior monk's own closing words to Isidatta — “it's good that you felt inspired to answer that question, because I didn't” — explicitly encourage him to keep answering future questions the same way, matching this project's own earlier observation (SN 38.1) of the difference between seniority and genuine attainment.
Key terms
The text
§1At one time several senior mendicants were staying near Macchikāsaṇḍa in the Wild Mango Grove. Then Citta the householder went up to them, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to them, “Sirs, would the senior monks please accept tomorrow’s meal from me?” They consented with silence. Knowing that the senior mendicants had consented, Citta got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled them, keeping them on his right, before leaving. Then when the night had passed, the senior mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, went to Citta’s home, and sat down on the seats spread out.
§2Then Citta went up to them, bowed, sat down to one side, and asked the senior venerable, “Honorable Senior, they speak of ‘the diversity of elements’. In what way did the Buddha speak of the diversity of elements?” When he said this, the senior venerable kept silent. For a second time … And for a third time, Citta asked him, “Honorable Senior, they speak of ‘the diversity of elements’. In what way did the Buddha speak of the diversity of elements?” And a second time and a third time the senior venerable kept silent.
§3Now at that time Venerable Isidatta was the most junior mendicant in that Saṅgha. He said to the senior venerable, “Honorable Senior, may I answer Citta’s question?” “Answer it, Reverend Isidatta.” “Householder, is this your question: ‘They speak of “the diversity of elements”. In what way did the Buddha speak of the diversity of elements?’” “Yes, sir.” “This is the diversity of elements spoken of by the Buddha. The eye element, the sights element, the eye consciousness element … The mind element, the idea element, the mind consciousness element. This is how the Buddha spoke of the diversity of elements.”
§4Then Citta, having approved and agreed with what Isidatta said, served and satisfied the senior mendicants with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. When the senior mendicants had eaten and washed their hands and bowls, they got up from their seats and left. Then the senior venerable said to Venerable Isidatta, “Isidatta, it’s good that you felt inspired to answer that question, because I didn’t. So when a similar question comes up, you should also answer it as you feel inspired.”
Self-check quiz
4 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.