Reading guide
An identical request and teaching, confirmed by direct comparison
Uttiya's own request for a brief teaching and the Buddha's own reply — ethics and correct view as “the starting point of skillful qualities,” with the four kinds of mindfulness meditation grounded on that basis — are confirmed by direct comparison to be worded identically to SN 47.15's own version, down to the plain fourfold formula without any internal/external dimension.
A genuinely distinct closing promise
Where SN 47.3 and SN 47.15 both close with “growth, not decline, in skillful qualities,” this discourse's own closing line is confirmed by direct reading to promise something different: “you'll cross beyond Death's dominion” (gamissasi maccudheyyassa pāraṁ) — a distinct outcome-phrase, reported here as a genuine variant rather than harmonized with the other two discourses' own wording.
The identical swift attainment narrative
Uttiya's own path to arahantship — living “alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute,” then swiftly realizing the goal — is confirmed by direct comparison to close this discourse in the identical wording already met at SN 47.3 and SN 47.15.
Key terms
The text
§1 — Uttiya's own request and its answerAt Sāvatthī. Then Venerable Uttiya went up to the Buddha … and asked him, “Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.” “Well then, Uttiya, you should purify the starting point of skillful qualities. What is the starting point of skillful qualities? Well purified ethics and correct view. When your ethics are well purified and your view is correct, you should develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, depending on and grounded on ethics.
§2 — the fourfold formula, and crossing beyond Death's dominionWhat four? Meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. Meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. When you develop these four kinds of mindfulness meditation, depending on and grounded on ethics, you’ll cross beyond Death’s dominion.”
§3 — departure and attainmentAnd then Venerable Uttiya approved and agreed with what the Buddha said. He got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then Uttiya, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme end of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Uttiya became one of the perfected.
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