







Conclusion:



We can conclude with a few general observations. In this sutta,



1) there are some teachings that we find in other suttas as well;



2) there are peculiar teachings not found anywhere else that look quite authentic and enlightening, which tends to prove that there would be an authentic version of this sutta;



3) there are distinctions made in the teachings of the Buddha, which are apparently based on an opinion expressed in the Khuddaka Nikāya and according to which there is an 'inferior' portion of the teaching siding with merit etc. and a superior 'noble' one connected with insight etc.



4) the word 'sāsava' is used here in a sense which is consistent with late literature, but that is in direct contradiction with otherwise well-known teachings of the four Nikāyas, which also tends to prove that this sutta has been influenced by textual material of late enough origin for such a semantic drift to have happened;



5) we find quite a number of very rare words and expressions found only in the Khuddaka Nikāya or the Abhidhamma, and not anywhere else in the four Nikāyas;



6) we find alternate definitions for the factors of the path, which are obviously imported from the Abhidhamma, since outside this sutta they do not appear anywhere else;



7) some passage may come across as expressing some amount of contempt for the ancient teachings and the willingness to promote teachings imported from the Khuddaka Nikāya and Abhidhamma.



This is more than enough to conclude that this sutta, though it seems to contain original and authentic material, has been largely influenced by textual material of late origin.



The following reflection, reportedly made to Sandaka by Ānanda, may be of circumstance:



