Having views about what is "ultimate"
A person makes these the best in the world
And calls all other [views] "inferior."
As such they have not gone beyond quarreling.
Seeing benefit in the Self,
Or in things seen, heard, and thought
Or in precepts and religious practices,
And then grasping at this,
A person [then] sees all else as inferior.
What one relies on in order to see all else as inferior
Is an entanglement, say those who are skilled.
Monastics should, therefore,
Not depend on things seen, heard, or thought out
Or on virtue and [religious] observances.
Nor should they make up views in the world
By means of knowledge, precepts, and [religious] observances.
Nor would they think of themselves
Inferior or superior [to others]
And they shouldn't take themselves as equal.
Letting go of what is taken up,
The person free of grasping
Doesn't depend on knowledge
Or take sides when factions disagree,
Or fall back on any kind of view.
One not inclined to either side—
to becoming or nonbecoming,
to here or the next world—
There exists nothing to get entrenched in
When considering the doctrines others grasp.
Here, one does not conceive the slightest concept
In regard to what is seen, heard, or thought.
How, in this word, could one categorize the brahmin
Who does not take hold of views?
One does not construct, prefer, or take up any doctrine.
A [true] brahmin not led by precepts or religious practices,
Who has gone beyond
Does not fall back [on belief],
Is one who is Thus.
----The Sutta Nipata (Translated by Gil Fronsdal)---
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