Ru-Yi Meditation Center
Saṃyutta Nikāya · Discourse 46.18

Missed Out

Virāgasutta — Gilānavagga

Setting
Continuing directly from SN 46.17
Speakers
The Buddha, addressing the mendicants directly
Form
A brief, stark equivalence stated in both directions
Length
<1 minute to read
Northern parallel
No individual parallel confirmed by this project's own check
Difficulty
★☆☆☆☆ — short, but categorical in its own claim

Why this discourse

This discourse states, without qualification, that missing out on the seven awakening factors is identical to missing out on the entire noble path to the complete ending of suffering — and, conversely, that undertaking the seven awakening factors is identical to undertaking that same path. There is no partial credit implied.

Reading guide

An equivalence, not merely an association

The discourse's own phrasing (“whoever has missed out... has missed out”) states an identity, not a correlation — the seven awakening factors are presented as coextensive with the noble path itself, not merely one useful component among several, a stronger claim than most of this saṃyutta's own more measured similes.

Key terms

virāddho — “has missed out” — this discourse's own strong verb, implying a genuine failure or forfeiture rather than mere absence
āraddho — “has undertaken” — the discourse's own paired verb for genuine engagement, set against “missed out”
ariyo maggo sammā dukkhakkhayagāmī — “the noble path to the complete ending of suffering” — stated here as identical in scope to the seven awakening factors
sati... upekkhā — the seven awakening factors, named in brief succession as this discourse's own subject
virāgasutta — the discourse's own Pāli title, “missing out,” rendered in English here as “Missed Out” rather than the more literal “dispassion,” its own more common meaning elsewhere in the canon

The text

The complete discourse. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).

§1“Mendicants, whoever has missed out on the seven awakening factors has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken the seven awakening factors has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. What seven? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. Whoever has missed out on these seven awakening factors has missed out on the noble path to the complete ending of suffering. Whoever has undertaken these seven awakening factors has undertaken the noble path to the complete ending of suffering.”

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Self-check quiz

3 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.

Question 1 of 3
What kind of relationship does this discourse claim between the seven awakening factors and the noble path to the ending of suffering?
Correct: A. The discourse's own phrasing states an identity, not merely an association.
Question 2 of 3
What two paired verbs does the discourse use to frame this equivalence?
Correct: A. Strong verbs implying genuine failure or genuine engagement, not mere presence or absence.
Question 3 of 3
What does the discourse's own Pāli title, "Virāgasutta," more literally mean elsewhere in the canon, distinct from how this project renders it here?
Correct: A. The English title "Missed Out" reflects this discourse's own actual content rather than the term's own more usual sense.
Answered 0 of 3 · Correct 0

Further reading

← PreviousSN 46.17 · Going to the Far Shore