Pañha Sutta

Questions

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

"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."

First the categorical answer,
then the qualified,
third, the type to be counter-questioned,
& fourth, the one to be set aside.
Any monk who knows which is which,
    in line with the Dhamma,
is said to be skilled
in the four types of questions:
    hard to overcome, hard to beat,
    profound, hard to defeat.
He knows what's worthwhile
    & what's not,
proficient in (recognizing) both,
he rejects the worthless,
    grasps the worthwhile.
He's called     one who has broken through
    to what's worthwhile,
        prudent,
    wise.

See also: MN 58; MN 72; suttas in the Avyakata Samyutta; AN III.78; AN V.165; AN X.96.

Revised: Friday 2005.03.18

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/sutta/anguttara/an04-042.html