Highest Relief

1. At one time venerable Sāriputta was living with the Vajjis on the bank of river Ukkavela.

2. Then the wandering ascetic Sāmaṇḍakā approached venerable Sāriputta, exchanged friendly greetings and sat on a side.

3. “Sitting on a side the wandering ascetic Sāmaṇḍakā said to venerable Sāriputta: “Friend Sāriputta, it is said the highest relief, how does someone attain highest relief?”

“Friend, when the monk knows the arising, fading, satisfaction, danger, and the escape from the six spheres of mental contact as it really is and is released without anything remaining he experiences the highest relief.”

4. “Friend, is there a path and method to realize the highest relief?”

“Friend, there is a path and method to realize the highest relief.”

5. “Friend, what is the path and method to realize the highest relief?”

“Friend, it is this same Noble Eightfold Path, such as right view, right thoughts, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right establishment of mindfulness and right concentration, the path for the realization of highest relief.”

6. “Friend, the path and method is excellent for the realization of highest relief. It is suitable that I should be diligent.”