Overcome by two kinds of wrong views, some get stuck, while others overreach. But those with vision see.

ITI 49  Diṭṭhigata sutta - Two Kinds Of Wrong Views

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Dvīhi, bhikkhave, diṭṭhigatehi pariyuṭṭhitā devamanussā olīyanti eke, atidhāvanti eke; cakkhumanto ca passanti.

“Bhikkhus, overcome by two kinds of wrong views, gods and humans—|some get stuck::lag behind, get bogged down [olīyati]|, while others |overreach::overshoot the mark, go too far [atidhāvati]|. But those with |clear eyes::vision [cakkhumant]| see.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, olīyanti eke? Bhavārāmā, bhikkhave, devamanussā bhavaratā bhavasammuditā tesaṁ bhavanirodhāya dhamme desiyamāne cittaṁ na pakkhandati na pasīdati na santiṭṭhati nādhimuccati. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, olīyanti eke.

And how, bhikkhus, do some get stuck? Because of taking pleasure in |[continued] existence::being, becoming [bhava]|, delighting in existing, and enjoying existence, when the Dhamma is being taught for the |ending of continued existence::ending of becoming [bhavanirodha]|, the minds of some gods and humans are not |inspired::leap forth [pakkhandati]|, they do not |gain confidence:: become clear [pasīdati]|, do not |settle down::remain still [santiṭṭhati]| and do not become resolved. In this way, bhikkhus, some lag behind.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, atidhāvanti eke? Bhaveneva kho paneke aṭṭīyamānā harāyamānā jigucchamānā vibhavaṁ abhinandantiyato kira, bho, ayaṁ attā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā ucchijjati vinassati na hoti paraṁ maraṇā; etaṁ santaṁ etaṁ paṇītaṁ etaṁ yāthāvanti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, atidhāvanti eke.

And how, bhikkhus, do some overreach? Some, distressed by existence, ashamed of it, and being disgusted by it, delight in |annihilation::nonexistence, extermination [vibhava]|, thinking: ‘Since this self, after the breaking up of the body, after death, is annihilated, perishes, and does not exist after death—this is peaceful, this is excellent, this is the truth.’ In this way, bhikkhus, some overreach.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, cakkhumanto passanti? Idha bhikkhu bhūtaṁ bhūtato passati; bhūtaṁ bhūtato disvā bhūtassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, cakkhumanto passantī”ti.

And how, bhikkhus, do those with vision see? Here, a bhikkhu sees |continued conditional existence::what has come to be [bhūta]| as it actually is. Having seen continued conditional existence as it actually is, he is practicing for |disenchantment::de-illusionment, disinterest, dispassion [nibbidā]|, |fading of desire::dispassion, detachment [virāga]|, and |gradual ending::cessation, termination [nirodha]|.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Ye bhūtaṁ bhūtato disvā,
bhūtassa ca atikkamaṁ;
Yathābhūte vimuccanti,
bhavataṇhā parikkhayā.

“Having seen continued conditional existence as it actually is,
those who transcend continued conditional existence;
They are freed in accordance with |actuality::reality, suchness [yathābhūta]|,
with the |complete exhaustion::gradual and complete wearing away [parikkhaya]| of |craving::wanting, yearning, longing, attachment, lit. thirst [taṇha]|.

Sa ve bhūtapariñño so,
vītataṇho bhavābhave;
Bhūtassa vibhavā bhikkhu,
nāgacchati punabbhavan”ti.

That one, completely comprehending continued conditional existence,
is free from craving for |any state of existence::continued existence [bhavābhava]|;
With the ending of continued conditional existence,
does not arrive at any future becoming.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Complete comprehension

Complete comprehension

The thorough understanding of phenomena as they truly are—fully knowing their arising, passing, and the unsatisfactoriness inherent in them while they persist.

Also known as: full understanding, knowing full well, seeing things as they are
Pāli: pariññāya, sammadaññā, sampajañña, saṅkhāya
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Disenchantment

Disenchantment

The turning away from fascination with conditioned things through clear seeing of their impermanence and unsatisfactoriness.

Also known as: de-illusionment, disinterest
Pāli: nibbidā
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Dispassion

Dispassion

The fading of desire and attraction toward conditioned things. It arises through seeing the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of experience. It is the natural fragrance of understanding and the forerunner of release.

Also known as: detachment, disinterest, fading of desire, disentanglement
Pāli: virāga, visaṃyutta
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Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and cessation of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on December 13, 2025