{"collection":"Buddhism","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bud/angu/an4-42.htm","path":"bud/angu/an4-42.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bud/angu/an4-42.htm","text":"Main index\nBuddhism index\nindex\nAnguttara Nikaya IV.42\nPa\u00f1ha Sutta\nQuestions\nFor free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma\nContext of this sutta\n\"There are these four ways of answering questions. Which four? There are questions that should be answered categorically [straightforwardly yes, no, this, that]. There are questions that should be answered with an analytical (qualified) answer [defining or redefining the terms]. There are questions that should be answered with a counter-question. There are questions that should be put aside. These are the four ways of answering questions.\"\nFirst the categorical answer,\nthen the qualified,\nthird, the type to be counter-questioned,\n& fourth, the one to be set aside.\nAny monk who knows which is which,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 in line with the Dhamma,\nis said to be skilled\nin the four types of questions:\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 hard to overcome, hard to beat,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 profound, hard to defeat.\nHe knows what's worthwhile\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 & what's not,\nproficient in (recognizing) both,\nhe rejects the worthless,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 grasps the worthwhile.\nHe's called \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 one who has broken through\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to what's worthwhile,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 prudent,\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wise.\nRelated reading:\nRevised: Sat 17 October 1998","title":"AN IV.42: Pa\u00f1ha Sutta","type":"page"}