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were there in the past other ascetics or brahmins more fully enlightened than the Blessed One?' Being asked thus, venerable sir, I would say 'no'. 'But, friend Sāriputta, will there be in the future other ascetics or brahmins more fully enlightened than the Blessed One?' Being asked thus, venerable sir, I would say 'no'. 'But, friend Sāriputta, is there at present another ascetic or brahmin more fully enlightened than the Blessed One?' Being asked thus, venerable sir, I would say 'no'. But if, venerable sir, they were to ask me thus: 'Now, friend Sāriputta, were there in the past... In the past, were there other recluses or brahmins, equal to the Blessed One in enlightenment? If asked thus, venerable sir, I would say, 'Yes.' 'But friend Sāriputta, will there be in the future other recluses or brahmins, equal to the Blessed One in enlightenment?' If asked thus, venerable sir, I would say, 'Yes.' 'But friend Sāriputta, are there now other recluses or brahmins, equal to the Blessed One in enlightenment?' If asked thus, venerable sir, I would say, 'No.' 'But if, venerable sir, they were to ask me thus: "Does Venerable Sāriputta affirm some, and not affirm others?"' If asked thus, venerable sir, I would explain thus: '"This, friend, I have heard directly from the Blessed One, I have received directly from him: 'There were in the past Arahants, Fully Self-Enlightened Ones, equal to me in enlightenment.' This, friend, I have heard directly from the Blessed One, I have received directly from him: 'There will be in the future Arahants, Fully Self-Enlightened Ones, equal to me in enlightenment.' This, friend, I have heard directly from the Blessed One, I have received directly from him: 'It is impossible, it cannot be, that in one world-system two Arahants, Fully Self-Enlightened Ones, should arise simultaneously, one not before the other. This is not possible."'' 'Venerable sir, if asked thus, and explaining thus, would I be speaking in accordance with the Blessed One's words, and not misrepresenting the Blessed One with what is not true, and explaining in accordance with the Dhamma, and would no fellow Dhamma-follower find fault with my statement?' 'Indeed, Sāriputta, if asked thus, and explaining thus, you would be speaking in accordance with my words, and not misrepresenting me with what is not true, and explaining in accordance with the Dhamma, and no fellow Dhamma-follower would find fault with your statement.' Wonderful, amazing! When this was said, Venerable Udāyī said this to the Blessed One: and – “Wonderful, venerable sir, amazing, venerable sir, is the Tathāgata’s little-wishing, contentment, and austerity. For where the Tathāgata, so mighty, so powerful, yet does not reveal himself! If, venerable sir, other sectarians, wandering ascetics, were to perceive even one such quality in themselves, they would carry a banner for it. Wonderful, venerable sir, amazing, venerable sir, is the Tathāgata’s little-wishing, contentment, and austerity. For where the Tathāgata, so mighty, so powerful, yet does not reveal himself!” “See, Udāyi, ‘the Tathāgata’s little-wishing, contentment, and austerity. For where the Tathāgata, so mighty, so powerful, yet does not reveal himself!’ If, Udāyi, other sectarians, wandering ascetics, were to perceive even one such quality in themselves, they would carry a banner for it. See, Udāyi, ‘the Tathāgata’s little-wishing, contentment, and austerity. For where the Tathāgata, so mighty, so powerful, yet does not reveal himself!’” 163. Then the Blessed One addressed Venerable Sāriputta: “Therefore, Sāriputta, you should frequently speak this discourse on the Dhamma to monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. For even for those foolish men, Sāriputta, who may have doubt or perplexity about the Tathāgata, having heard this discourse on the Dhamma, their doubt or perplexity about the Tathāgata will be abandoned.” Thus, Venerable Sāriputta declared his profound faith in the presence of the Blessed One. Therefore, this exposition is called the “Discourse on Inspiring Faith.” The Discourse on Inspiring Faith, the fifth, is finished.