Need source of quotation: "Anyone who would teach the same thing for 45 years..."

The Watercooler
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I am looking for the source of a quote from a scholarly book/article discussing various explanations for the many contradictions found in the Suttapiṭaka. The writer was taking the position that the Buddha must have developed his ideas and possibly changed his mind in some ways over his 45-year ministry. I know that Richard Gombrich takes this position, but I don’t think he would have phrased it quite like the following, which is the best that I can recall: “Anyone who teaches exactly the same thing for 45 years would have to be a stupid person.” I am absolutely certain that the word “stupid” was used, the rest may not be word for word.

Thanks to all!

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Or maybe, I don’t know, a sammā sambuddha?

It does sound like something a scholar would say, though.

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how is an individual gullible for gossip? It’s when they’re very quick to believe what a certain individual says in praise or criticism of another.
[…]
And how is an individual dull and stupid? It’s when they don’t know the difference between qualities that are skillful and unskillful

~ AN 5.141

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It appears you think wrongly, for indeed the quote is his.

From Richard Gombrich’s essay, “Recovering the Buddha’s Message” published in Earliest Buddhism and Madhyamaka, you’ll find the quote on page 9:

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Screenshot_20251024_235009_Chrome946×200 176 KB

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Thank you, Bhante…Now I remember the article. I really should write these things down, because, closing on age 77 it’s in and out very quickly :frowning: I always assume I will remember….

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You seem to have remembered the quote quite accurately, to be fair! Well enough for me to find it. :blush:

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May I ask: How did you find it?

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