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is that self-acquisition alone true, the future is false, the present is false? Or that self-acquisition of yours which will be in the future, is that self-acquisition alone true, the past is false, the present is false? Or that self-acquisition of yours which is now in the present, is that self-acquisition alone true, the past is false, the future is false?' How would you, Citta, answer when asked thus?" "But if, venerable sir, they were to ask me thus – 'That self-acquisition of yours which was in the past, is that self-acquisition alone true, the future is false, the present is false. Or that self-acquisition of yours which will be in the future, is that self-acquisition alone true, the past is false, the present is false. Or that self-acquisition of yours which is now in the present, is that self-acquisition alone true, the false the past is empty, the future is empty.' Thus questioned, venerable sir, I would explain thus: 'Whatever past acquisition of self I had, that very acquisition of self was true at that time. The future was empty, the present was empty. Whatever future acquisition of self I will have, that very acquisition of self will be true at that time. The past will be empty, the present will be empty. Whatever present acquisition of self I now have, that very acquisition of self is true. The past is empty, the future is empty.' Thus questioned, venerable sir, I would explain thus." "Even so, Citta, at whatever time there is a coarse acquisition of self, at that time it is not reckoned as a mind-made acquisition of self, nor as an immaterial acquisition of self. Only a coarse acquisition of self is reckoned at that time. At whatever time, Citta, there is a mind-made acquisition of self... At whatever time, Citta, there is an immaterial acquisition of self, at that time it is not reckoned as a coarse acquisition of self, nor as a mind-made acquisition of self. Only an immaterial acquisition of self is reckoned at that time." "Just as, Citta, from a cow, milk; from milk, curds; from curds, fresh butter; from fresh butter, ghee; from ghee, cream of ghee. At whatever time there is milk, at that time it is not reckoned as curds, nor as fresh butter, nor as ghee, nor as cream of ghee. Only milk is reckoned at that time. At whatever time there are curds... fresh butter... ghee... cream of ghee, at that time it is not reckoned as milk, nor as curds, nor as fresh butter, nor as ghee. Only cream of ghee is reckoned at that time. Even so, Citta, at whatever time there is a coarse acq..." Self-attainment comes to be [...]. When, Citta, mind-made self-attainment comes to be [...]. When, Citta, formless self-attainment comes to be, at that time, gross self-attainment is not reckoned as such, nor is mind-made self-attainment reckoned as such; only formless self-attainment is reckoned as such at that time. These, Citta, are worldly designations, worldly expressions, worldly usages, worldly concepts, by which the Tathāgata speaks, without clinging. When this was said, Potthapāda the wanderer said to the Blessed One: "Excellent, venerable sir! Excellent, venerable sir! Just as, venerable sir, one might set upright what was overturned, or reveal what was hidden, or point out the way to one who was lost, or hold up a lamp in the darkness – so that those with eyes might see forms. Even so has the Dhamma been made clear by the Blessed One in many ways. I go for refuge to the Blessed One, to the Dhamma, and to the Sangha of bhikkhus. May the Blessed One remember me as a lay follower, who has gone for refuge from this day forth, for as long as life lasts." Then Citta Hatthisāriputta said to the Blessed One: "Excellent, venerable sir! Excellent, venerable sir! Just as, venerable sir, one might set upright what was overturned, or reveal what was hidden, or point out the way to one who was lost, or hold up a lamp in the darkness – so that those with eyes might see forms. Even so has the Dhamma been made clear by the Blessed One in many ways. I go for refuge to the Blessed One, to the Dhamma, and to the Sangha of bhikkhus. May I obtain, venerable sir, the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One, may I obtain full ordination." Then Citta Hatthisāriputta obtained the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One, he obtained full ordination. Not long after his full ordination, Venerable Citta Hatthisāriputta, dwelling alone, secluded, diligent, ardent, resolute, not long thereafter – that for which For that purpose, sons of good families rightly go forth from home to the homeless life. That unsurpassed culmination of the holy life, having directly known and realized it for himself in this very life, he attained and dwelt therein. "Birth is ended, the holy life has been lived, what was to be done has been done, there is no more for this state of being" – he understood. And indeed, the venerable Citta Hatthasāriputta became an Arahant. The Poṭṭhapāda Sutta, the ninth, is concluded.