82(2)Puṇṇiya
Then the Venerable Punniya approached the Blessed One,
paid homage to him,sat down to one side,
and said to him:
"Bhante,why is it that at timies the Tathāgata is disposed to
teach the Dhamma and at times is not disposed to teach?"
Tathagatam dhammadesana patibhati.Here I render this peculiar Pali idiom in accordance with the context as"is disposed to teach."Literally, it would be rendered " a Dhamma teaching shines upon [or 'occurs to']the Tathagata."
(1)"When,Punniya,a bhikkhu is endowed with faith but does not approach him,
the Tathāgata is not disposed to teach the Dhamma.
(2)But when a bhikkhuis endowed with faith and approaches him,
the Tathagata is disposed to teach.
(3)"When a bhikkhu is endowed with faith and approaches
him,but he does not attend on him...(4)When he attends on him but does not ask questions...(5)When he asks questions but does not listen to the Dhamma with eager ears...(6)When he listens to the Dhamma with eager ears,but having heard it,does not retain itin mind...(7)When,having heard it,he retains it in mind but does not examine the meaning of the teachings that have been retained in mind...(8)When he examines the meaning of the teaclings that have been retained in mind but does not understand the meaning and the Dhamma and then practice in accordance with the Dhamma,
the Tathagata is not disposed to teach the Dhamma.
"But,Punniya,(1)when a bhikkhu is endowed with faith,[338]
(2)approaches [the Tathāgata],(3)attends [on the Tathāgata],
(4)asks questions,and (5)listens to the Dhamma with eager ears;and(6)having heard the Dhamma,he retains it in mind,
(7)examines the meaning of the teachings he has retained in mind,and (8)understands the meaning and the Dhamma andthen practices in accordance with the Dhamma,
the Tathāgata is disposed to teach the Dhamma.
When,Punniya,one possesses these eight qualities,the Tathāgata is entirely disposed to teach the Dhamma,"