Reading guide
A term redefined, not merely explained
Confirmed by direct reading, Sāriputta's own question (“they speak of ‘a great man’... how is a great man defined?”) implies the term was already in circulation with some existing sense; the Buddha's own answer does not describe that existing usage but replaces it outright with a single criterion: “someone whose mind is free is a great man, I say.”
A binary criterion, stated twice for emphasis
The Buddha's own answer is confirmed by direct reading to state its criterion in strict binary form, both at the start and the end of his reply: a freed mind makes one a great man; an unfreed mind means one is not — no intermediate category or partial greatness is admitted.
Freedom defined as dispassion arising from the fourfold practice
“A free mind” is confirmed by direct reading to be defined specifically as what arises FROM observing the body, feelings, mind, and principles: “their mind becomes dispassionate, and is freed from the defilements by not grasping” — not a vague aspiration but a stated causal outcome of the fourfold practice.
Key terms
The text
§1 — Sāriputta's own questionAt Sāvatthī. Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha: “Sir, they speak of ‘a great man’. How is a great man defined?” “Sāriputta, someone whose mind is free is a great man, I say. If their mind is not free, I say they’re not a great man.
§2 — a freed mind, definedAnd how does someone have a free mind? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. As they meditate observing an aspect of the body, their mind becomes dispassionate, and is freed from the defilements by not grasping. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. As they meditate observing an aspect of principles, their mind becomes dispassionate, and is freed from the defilements by not grasping. That’s how someone has a free mind. Someone whose mind is free is a great man, I say. If their mind is not free, I say they’re not a great man.”
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