Reading guide
Fruits versus goal, a genuine distinction
Where SN 45.35 named four distinct fruits (the stages of awakening), this discourse names one single goal (the ending of the three roots) — confirmed by direct comparison, plurality versus singularity, gradual attainment versus one final target.
A formula met many times before
“The ending of greed, hate, and delusion” is confirmed by direct comparison to be the identical phrase this project has already met defining “the unconditioned” (SN 43), “the culmination of the spiritual path” (SN 45.6), extinguishment, and freedom from death (SN 45.7) — now applied as the ascetic life's own goal.
Key terms
The text
§1At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, I will teach you the ascetic life and the goal of the ascetic life. Listen … And what is the ascetic life? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the ascetic life. And what is the goal of the ascetic life? The ending of greed, hate, and delusion. This is called the goal of the ascetic life.”
Self-check quiz
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