A single elided sentence, continuing this vagga's own confirmed sequence
Length
<1 minute to read
Northern parallel
No individual parallel confirmed by this project's own check
Significance
★★★★ — the point where the two traditional lists this vagga draws on — the ten Tathāgata powers and the sixfold higher knowledges — converge
Why this discourse
Confirmed by direct reading, this discourse's own claim — recollecting “many kinds of past lives, with features and details” — is both the eighth of the ten Tathāgata powers this vagga has tracked since SN 52.15, and, confirmed by this project's own cross-reference, the fourth of the classic sixfold higher knowledges already given in full at SN 51.11: the two traditional lists converge from this discourse onward, since the dasabala's own final three powers are identical to the abhiññā's own final three.
Reading guide
Two lists, now confirmed to converge
This project's own cross-reference: recollection of past lives, clairvoyance, and the ending of defilements — the remaining three items of this vagga (SN 52.22-24) — are simultaneously the eighth through tenth of the ten Tathāgata powers and the fourth through sixth of the classic sixfold higher knowledges, resolving the open question this project noted at SN 52.21: the two lists this vagga has drawn on do not conflict but share their own final three items.
The identical description already met at SN 51.11
Confirmed by direct reading, this discourse's own phrasing — “many kinds of past lives, with features and details” — is the same compressed reference to the fuller account already given at SN 51.11, which itself detailed name, clan, appearance, food, feelings, and manner of death across many past existences.
Key terms
anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarāmi seākāraṁ sauddesaṁ — “I recollect my many kinds of past lives, with features and details” — this discourse's own precise claim, both the eighth Tathāgata power and the fourth higher knowledge
ākāra — “feature” — specific circumstances of a given past life, as detailed in full at SN 51.11
uddesa — “detail” — further specifics of a recollected past existence
pubbenivāsa — “past lives,” literally “former abode” — this discourse's own title and central term
catunnaṁ satipaṭṭhānānaṁ bhāvitattā — “because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation” — the cause named for this knowledge here, as throughout this vagga
The text
Every genuinely translated fragment given in the consulted English source. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1“… And it’s because of developing and cultivating these four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I recollect my many kinds of past lives, with features and details.”
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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 does this project's own cross-reference confirm about this discourse's own claim?
Correct: A. Confirmed by direct comparison: the two traditional lists converge from this discourse onward.
Question 2 of 3
How does this discourse's own phrasing compare to SN 51.11's own fuller account?
Correct: A. Confirmed by direct reading: the same compressed phrase, referring back to the fuller account already translated.
Question 3 of 3
What does this discourse's own resolution settle from this project's own earlier open question at SN 52.21?
Correct: A. This project's own resolution of the structural question raised at SN 52.21.
