The Related Discourses

13. Factors of the Noble Path

15 (761). Correct Men and Great Men

1. Thus have I 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, “I will explain the correct man and the great man.[2] Listen closely and consider it well. What is a correct man? It means a correct man’s accomplishment of right view … right intention … right speech … right action … right method … right mindfulness … accomplishment of right samādhi. This is called a correct man. What is the great man? It means the great man’s accomplishment of right view … right intention … right speech … right action … right method … right mindfulness … accomplishment of right samādhi. This is called a great man.”

3. After the Buddha spoke this sūtra, the monks who heard what the Buddha taught rejoiced and approved.

Notes

1. This sūtra is reconstituted according to a variant note that follows SĀ 13.14, which substitutes “correct man” and “great man” for “trainee” and “adept.” [back]
2. Correct man and great man. These are literal translations of C. 正士 and 大士. They were likely translations of S. sat-puruṣa and mahā-puruṣa. [back]

Translator: Charles Patton

Last Revised: 1 November 2022