The Numerical Discourses

27. The Correct Destination of the Four Truths

6. Four Kinds of Fearlessness

1. Thus I have heard:[1] One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

2. It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “The Tathāgata has arisen in the world with four kinds of fearlessness. The Tathāgata attains these four kinds of fearlessness, has no attachments to the world, roars the lion’s roar amid a great assembly, and turns the Brahma wheel.

3. “What are the four? Now, I have discerned this teaching. Even if ascetics, priests, Māra, the gods of Māra, or any other flying or crawling creatures were amid the great assembly and said that I didn’t achieve this teaching, it would be untrue. I’ve attained this kind of fearlessness in that regard. This is the first kind of fearlessness.

4. “Similarly, I’ve today ended the contaminants, so I’m not subject to the womb. If there were ascetics, priests, or other kinds of sentient beings amid the great assembly that said I have yet to end the contaminants, it would be untrue. This is the second kind of fearlessness.

5. “Now, I’ve become free of foolish and dark teachings or the desire to go back to foolish and dark teachings. That’ll never be possible. If there were ascetics, priests, Māra, gods of Māra, or other kinds of sentient beings amid the great assembly that said I will return to a foolish and dark teaching, this would be untrue. This is the third kind of fearlessness.

6. “The noble teaching of escape reaches the end of suffering. It’ll never be possible for someone to employ it and not escape. If there were ascetics, priests, Māra, gods of Māra, or other kinds of sentient beings amid the great assembly that said the Tathāgata hasn’t reached the end of suffering, it would be untrue. This is the Tathāgata’s fourth kind of fearlessness.

7. “Thus, monks, are the Tathāgata’s four kinds of fearlessness. Amid the great assembly, he roars the lion’s roar and turns the Brahma wheel. Thus, monks, should you seek the methods to achieve these four kinds of fearlessness. Thus, monks, should you train.”

8. The monks who heard what the Buddha taught then rejoiced and approved.

Notes

1. Parallels include MN 12, AN 4.8, and T757. [back]

Translator: Charles Patton

Last Revised: 7 July 2021