Section outline
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Lesson 2.1.6 Cintīsuttaṃ – The Characteristics of Foolish and Wise People
The Cintīsutta highlights characteristics and signs of ‘wise’ companions but also of those ‘foolish people’ whose association one should avoid. Based on the narrations found in Vinayapiṭaka and the Mahāvaṃsapāḷi, the Introduction describes how the regulations of the Vinaya were finalised under the custodianship of the Venerable Mahā Kassapa, who addressed the Venerable Upāli with all questions in regards to the guidelines of the ‘code of monastic discipline’. After Upāli had concluded, and all his expositions were repeated in conformity by all, Mahā Kassapa asked the Venerable Ānanda to take the seat in the expounder’s chair and having seated there (dhammāsane nisīditvā) the famous words Evaṃ me sutaṃ (‘Thus I heard’) came into existence. The Venerable Ānanda had been praised by the Buddha as foremost in ‘being learned, in maintaining a good memory’ (bahussutānaṃ, satimantānaṃ) and thus the entire Suttapiṭaka came into existence.