{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn35.81/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn35.81","id":"suttacentral_sn35.81","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn35.81/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha \u2026 and asked him, \u201cSir, sometimes wanderers of other religions ask us: \u2018Reverends, what\u2019s the goal of leading the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama?\u2019 We answer them like this: \u2018The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to completely understand suffering.\u2019 Answering this way, we trust that we repeat what the Buddha has said, and don\u2019t misrepresent him with an untruth. We trust our explanation is in line with the teaching, and that there are no legitimate grounds for rebuttal or criticism.\u201d \u201cIndeed, in answering this way you repeat what I\u2019ve said, and don\u2019t misrepresent me with an untruth. Your explanation is in line with the teaching, and there are no legitimate grounds for rebuttal or criticism. For the goal of leading the spiritual life under me is to completely understand suffering. If wanderers of other religions were to ask you: \u2018Reverends, what is that suffering?\u2019 You should answer them: \u2018Reverends, the eye is suffering. The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to completely understand this. Sights \u2026 Eye consciousness \u2026 Eye contact \u2026 The pleasant, painful, or neutral feeling that arises dependent on eye contact is also suffering. The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to completely understand this. Ear \u2026 Nose \u2026 Tongue \u2026 Body \u2026 Mind \u2026 The pleasant, painful, or neutral feeling that arises dependent on mind contact is also suffering. The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to completely understand this. This is that suffering. The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is to completely understand this.\u2019 When questioned by wanderers of other religions, that\u2019s how you should answer them.\u201d","title":"Several Mendicants","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":292}