THE MAHÂVAGGA.
REVERENCE TO THE BLESSED ONE, THE HOLY ONE, THE FULLY ENLIGHTENED ONE.
FIRST KHANDHAKA.
(THE ADMISSION TO THE ORDER OF BHIKKHUS.)
11.
1. At that time the blessed Buddha dwelt at p. 74 Uruvelâ, on the bank of the
river Nerañgarâ1 at the foot of the Bodhi tree (tree of wisdom), just after he
had become Sambuddha. And the blessed Buddha sat cross-legged at the foot of the
Bodhi tree uninterruptedly during seven days, enjoying the bliss of
emancipation2.
p. 75
2. Then the Blessed One (at the end of these seven days) during the first
watch of the night fixed his mind upon the Chain of Causation1, in direct and in
reverse order: 'From Ignorance2 spring the p. 76 samkhâras1, from the samkhâras
springs Consciousness, from Consciousness spring Name-and-Form, from
Name-and-Form spring the six Provinces (of the p. 77 six senses1), from the six
Provinces springs Contact, from Contact springs Sensation, from Sensation
springs Thirst (or Desire), from Thirst springs Attachment, from Attachment
springs Existence, from Existence springs Birth, from Birth spring Old Age and
Death, grief, lamentation, suffering, dejection, and despair. Such is the
origination of this whole mass of suffering. Again, by the destruction of
Ignorance, which consists in the complete absence of lust, the samkhâras are
destroyed, by the destruction of the samkhâras Consciousness is destroyed, by
the destruction of Consciousness Name-and-Form are destroyed, by the destruction
of Name-and-Form the six Provinces are destroyed, by the destruction of the six
Provinces Contact is destroyed, by the destruction of Contact Sensation is
destroyed, by the destruction of Sensation Thirst is destroyed, by the
destruction of Thirst Attachment is destroyed, by the destruction of Attachment
Existence is destroyed, by the destruction of Existence Birth is destroyed, by
the destruction of Birth Old Age and Death, grief, lamentation, suffering,
dejection, and despair are p. 78 destroyed. Such is the cessation of this whole
mass of suffering.'
3. Knowing this the Blessed One then on that occasion pronounced this solemn
utterance: 'When the real nature of things becomes clear to the ardent,
meditating Brâhmana, then all his doubts fade away, since he realises what is
that nature and what its cause.'
4. Then the Blessed One during the middle watch of the night fixed his mind
upon the Chain of Causation, in direct and reverse order: 'From Ignorance spring
the samkhâras, &c. Such is the origination of this whole mass of suffering, &c.
Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.'
5. Knowing this the Blessed One then on that occasion pronounced this solemn
utterance: 'When the real nature of things becomes clear to the ardent,
meditating Brâhmana, then all his doubts fade away, since he has understood the
cessation of causation.'
6. Then the Blessed One during the third watch of the night fixed his mind,
&c.
7. Knowing this the Blessed One then on that occasion pronounced this solemn
utterance: 'When the real nature of things becomes clear to the ardent,
meditating Brâhmana, he stands, dispelling the hosts of Mâra, like the sun that
illuminates the sky.'
Here ends the account of what passed under the Bodhi tree.
p. 79
2.
1. Then the Blessed One, at the end of those seven days, arose from that
state of meditation, and went from the foot of the Bodhi tree to the Agapâla
banyan tree (banyan tree of the goat-herds1). And when he had reached it, he sat
cross-legged at the foot of the Agapâla banyan tree uninterruptedly during seven
days, enjoying the bliss of emancipation.
2. Now a certain Brâhmana, who was of a haughty disposition2, went to the
place where the Blessed One was; having approached him, he exchanged greeting
with the Blessed One; having exchanged with him greeting and complaisant words,
he stationed himself near him; then standing near him that Brâhmana thus spoke
to the Blessed One: 'By what, Gotama; does one become a Brâhmana, and what are
the characteristics that make a man a Brâhmana?'
3. And the Blessed One, having heard that, on this occasion pronounced this
solemn utterance: 'That Brâhmana who has removed (from himself) all sinfulness,
who is free from haughtiness, free from impurity, self-restrained, who is an
accomplished master of knowledge (or, of the Veda), who has fulfilled the duties
of holiness, such a Brâhmana may p. 80 justly call himself a Brâhmana, whose
behaviour is uneven to nothing in the world.'
Here ends the account of what passed under the Agapâla tree.
3.
1. Then the Blessed One, at the end of those seven days, arose from that
state of meditation, and went from the foot of the Agapâla banyan tree to the
Mukalinda tree. And when he had reached it, he sat cross-legged at the foot of
the Mukalinda tree uninterruptedly during seven days, enjoying the bliss of
emancipation.
2. At that time a great cloud appeared out of season, rainy weather which
lasted seven days, cold weather, storms, and darkness. And the Nâga (or Serpent)
king Mukalinda came out from his abode, and seven times encircled the body of
the Blessed One with his windings, and kept extending his large hood over the
Blessed One's head, thinking to himself: 'May no coldness (touch) the Blessed
One! May no heat (touch) the Blessed One! May no vexation by gadflies and gnats,
by storms and sunheat and reptiles (touch) the Blessed One!'
3. And at the end of those seven days, when the Nâga king Mukalinda saw the
open, cloudless sky, he loosened his windings from the body of the Blessed One,
made his own appearance disappear, created the appearance of a youth, and
stationed himself in front of the Blessed One, raising his clasped hands, and
paying reverence to the Blessed One.
p. 81
4. And the Blessed One, perceiving that, on this occasion, pronounced this
solemn utterance: 'Happy is the solitude of him who is full of joy, who has
learnt the Truth, who sees (the Truth). Happy is freedom from malice in this
world, (self-)restraint towards all beings that have life. Happy is freedom from
lust in this world, getting beyond all desires; the putting away of that pride
which comes from the thought "I am!" This truly is the highest happiness!'
Here ends the account of what passed under the Mukalinda tree.
4.
1. Then the Blessed One, at the end of those seven days, arose from that
state of meditation, and went from the foot of the Mukalinda tree to the
Râgâyatana (tree1); when he had reached it, he sat cross-legged at the foot of
the Râgâyatana tree uninterruptedly during seven days, enjoying the bliss of
emancipation.
2. At that time Tapussa and Bhallika, two merchants, came travelling on the
road from Ukkala (Orissa) to that place. Then a deity who had been (in a former
life) a blood-relatian of the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika, thus spoke to the
merchants p. 82 Tapussa and Bhallika: 'Here, my noble friends, at the foot of
the Râgâyatana tree, is staying the Blessed One, who has just become Sambuddha.
Go and show your reverence to him, the Blessed One, by (offering him) rice-cakes
and lumps of honey. Long will this be to you for a good and for a blessing.'
3. And the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika took rice-cakes and lumps of honey,
and went to the place where the Blessed One was; having approached him and
respectfully saluted the Blessed One, they stationed themselves near him;
standing near him, the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika thus addressed the Blessed
One: 'May, O Lord, the Blessed One accept from us these rice-cakes and lumps of
honey, that that may long be to us for a good and for a blessing!
4. Then the Blessed One thought: 'The Tathâgatas1 do not accept (food) with
their hands. Now p. 83 with what shall I accept the rice-cakes and lumps of
honey?' Then the four Mahârâga gods1, understanding by the power of their minds
the reflection which had arisen in the mind of the Blessed One, offered to the
Blessed One from the four quarters (of the horizon) four bowls made of stone
(saying), 'May, O Lord, the Blessed One accept herewith the rice-cakes and the
lumps of honey!' The Blessed One accepted those new stone bowls; and therein be
received the rice-cakes and honey lumps, and those, when he had received, he
ate.
5. And Tapussa and Bhallika, the merchants, when they saw that the Blessed
One had cleansed2 his bowl and his hands, bowed down in reverence p. 84 at the
feet of the Blessed One and thus addressed the Blessed One: 'We take our refuge,
Lord, in the Blessed One and in the Dhamma; may the Blessed One receive us as
disciples who, from this day forth while our life lasts, have taken their refuge
(in him).' These were the first in the world to become lay-disciples (of the
Buddha) by the formula which contained (only) the dyad1.
Here ends the account of what passed under the Râgâyatana tree.
5.
1. Then the Blessed One, at the end of those seven days, arose from that
state of meditation, and went from the foot of the Râgâyatana tree to the
Agapâla banyan tree. And when he had reached it, the Blessed One stayed there at
the foot of the Agapâla banyan tree.
2. Then in the mind of the Blessed One, who was alone, and had retired into
solitude, the following thought arose: 'I have penetrated this doctrine which is
profound, difficult to perceive and to understand, which brings quietude of
heart, which is exalted, which is unattainable by reasoning, abstruse,
intelligible (only) to the wise. This people, on the other hand, is given to
desire, intent upon desire, delighting in desire. To this people, therefore, who
p. 85 are given to desire, intent upon desire, delighting in desire, the law of
causality and the chain of causation will be a matter difficult to understand;
most difficult for them to understand will be also the extinction of all
samkhâras, the getting rid of all the substrata (of existence1), the destruction
of desire, the absence of passion, quietude of heart, Nirvâna! Now if I proclaim
the doctrine, and other men are not able to understand my preaching, there would
result but weariness and annoyance to me.'
3. And then the following . . . .2 stanzas, unheard before, occurred to the
Blessed One: 'With great pains have I acquired it. Enough! why should I now
proclaim it? This doctrine will not be easy to understand to beings that are
lost in lust and hatred.
'Given to lust, surrounded with thick darkness, they will not see what is
repugnant (to their minds), abstruse, profound, difficult to perceive, and
subtle.'
4. When the Blessed One pondered over this matter, his mind became inclined
to remain in quiet, and not to preach the doctrine. Then Brahmâ p. 86
Sahampati1, understanding by the power of his mind the reflection which had
arisen in the mind of the Blessed One, thought: 'Alas! the world perishes! Alas!
the world is destroyed! if the mind of the Tathâgata, of the holy, of the
absolute Sambuddha inclines itself to remain in quiet, and not to preach the
doctrine.'
5. Then Brahmâ Sahampati disappeared from Brahma's world, and appeared before
the Blessed One (as quickly) as a strong man might stretch his bent arm out, or
draw back his out-stretched arm.
6. And Brahmâ Sahampati adjusted his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder,
and putting his right knee on the ground, raised his joined hands towards the
Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, may the Blessed One preach the
doctrine! may the perfect One preach the doctrine! there are beings whose mental
eyes are darkened by scarcely any dust; but if they do not hear the doctrine,
they cannot attain salvation. These will understand the doctrine.'
7. Thus spoke Brahmâ Sahampati; and when he had thus spoken, he further said:
'The Dhamma hitherto manifested in the country of Magadha has been impure,
thought out by contaminated men. But do thou now open the door of the Immortal2;
let them hear the doctrine discovered by the spotless One!
'As a man standing on a rock, on mountain's p. 87 top, might overlook the
people all around, thus, O wise One, ascending to the highest palace of Truth,
look down, all-seeing One, upon the people lost in suffering, overcome by birth
and decay,--thou, who hast freed thyself from suffering!
'Arise, O hero; O victorious One! Wander through the world, O leader of the
pilgrim band, who thyself art free from debt. May the Blessed One preach the
doctrine; there will be people who can understand it!'
8. When he had spoken thus, the Blessed One said to Brahmâ Sahampati: 'The
following thought, Brahmâ, has occurred to me: "I have penetrated this doctrine,
. . . . (&c., down to end of § 2)." And also, Brahmâ, the following . . . .1
stanzas have presented themselves to my mind, which had not been heard (by me)
before: "With great pains, . . . . (&c., down to end of § 3)." When I pondered
over this matter, Brahmâ, my mind became inclined to remain in quiet, and not to
preach the doctrine.'
9. And a second time Brahmâ Sahampati said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, may the
Blessed One preach the doctrine, . . . . (&c., as in §§ 6, 7).' And for the
second time the Blessed One said to Brahmâ Sahampati: 'The following thought . .
. . (&c., as before).'
10. And a third time Brahmâ Sahampati said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, may the
Blessed One preach the doctrine, . . . . (&c., as before).'
Then the Blessed One, when he had heard Brahmâ's solicitation, looked, full
of compassion towards sentient beings, over the world, with his (all-perceiving)
eye of a Buddha. And the Blessed One, looking over the world with his eye of a
Buddha, p. 88 saw beings whose mental eyes were darkened by scarcely any dust,
and beings whose eyes were covered by much dust, beings sharp of sense and blunt
of sense, of good disposition and of bad disposition, easy to instruct and
difficult to instruct, some of them seeing the dangers of future life and of
sin.
11. As, in a pond of blue lotuses, or water-roses, or white lotuses, some
blue lotuses, or water-roses, or white lotuses, born in the water, grown up in
the water, do not emerge over the water, but thrive hidden under the water; and
other blue lotuses, or water-roses, or white lotuses, born in the water, grown
up in the water, reach to the surface of the water; and other blue lotuses, or
water-roses, or white lotuses, born in the water, grown up in the water, stand
emerging out of the water, and the water does not touch them,--
12. Thus the Blessed One, looking over the world with his eye of a Buddha,
saw beings whose mental eyes were darkened, . . . . (&c., the text repeats §
10); and when he had thus seen them, he addressed Brahmâ Sahampati in the
following stanza: 'Wide opened is the door of the Immortal to all who have ears
to hear; let them send forth faith to meet it. The Dhamma sweet and good I spake
not, Brahmâ, despairing of the weary task, to men.'
13. Then Brahmâ Sahampati understood: 'The Blessed One grants my request that
He should preach the doctrine.' And he bowed down before the Blessed One, and
passed round him with his right side towards him; and then he straightway
disappeared.
Here ends the story of Brahmâ's request.
p. 89
6.
1. Now the Blessed One thought: 'To whom shall I preach the doctrine first?
Who will understand this doctrine easily?' And the Blessed One thought: 'There
is Âlâra Kâlâma1; he is clever, wise, and learned; long since have the eye of
his mind been darkened by scarcely any dust. What if I were to preach the
doctrine first to Âlâra Kâlâma? He will easily understand this doctrine.'
2. Then an invisible deity said to the Blessed One: 'Âlâra Kâlâma has died,
Lord, seven days ago.' And knowledge sprang up in the Blessed One's mind that
Âlâra Kâlâma had died seven days ago. And the Blessed One thought: 'Highly noble
was Alâra Kâlâma. If he had heard my doctrine, he would easily have understood
it.'
3. Then the Blessed One thought: 'To whom shall I preach the doctrine first?
Who will understand this doctrine easily?' And the Blessed One thought: 'There
is Uddaka Râmaputta1; he is clever, wise, and learned; long since have the eye
or his mind been darkened by scarcely any dust. What if I were to preach the
doctrine first to Uddaka Râmaputta? He will easily understand this doctrine.'
4. Then an invisible deity said to the Blessed One: 'Uddaka Râmaputta has
died, Lord, yesterday evening.' And knowledge arose in the Blessed One's mind
that Uddaka Râmaputta had died the previous evening. And the Blessed One
thought: p. 90 'Highly noble was Uddaka Râmaputta. If he had heard my doctrine,
he would easily have understood it.'
5. Then the Blessed One thought: 'To whom shall I preach the doctrine first?
Who will understand this doctrine easily?' And the Blessed One thought: 'The
five Bhikkhus1 have done many services to me2; they attended on me during the
time of my exertions (to attain sanctification by undergoing austerities). What
if I were to preach the doctrine first to the five Bhikkhus?'
6. Now the Blessed One thought: 'Where do the five Bhikkhus dwell now?' And
the Blessed One saw by the power of his divine, clear vision, surpassing that of
men, that the five Bhikkhus were living at Benares, in the deer park Isipatana3.
And the Blessed One, after having remained at Uruvelâ as long as he thought fit,
went forth to Benares.
7. Now Upaka, a man belonging to the Âgîvaka sect (i.e. the sect of naked
ascetics), saw the Blessed One travelling on the road, between Gayâ and the
Bodhi tree; and when he saw him, he said to the Blessed One: 'Your countenance,
friend, is serene; your complexion is pure and bright. In whose p. 91 name,
friend, have you retired from the world? Who is your teacher? Whose doctrine do
you profess?'
8. When Upaka the Âgîvaka had spoken thus, the Blessed One addressed him in
the following stanzas: 'I have overcome all foes; I am all-wise; I am free from
stains in every way; I have left everything; and have obtained emancipation by
the destruction of desire. Having myself gained knowledge, whom should I call my
master? I have no teacher; no one is equal to me; in the world of men and of
gods no being is like me. I am the holy One in this world, I am the highest
teacher, I alone am the absolute Sambuddha; I have gained coolness (by the
extinction of all passion) and have obtained Nirvâna. To found the Kingdom of
Truth I go to the city of the Kâsis (Benares); I will beat the drum of the
Immortal in the darkness of this world.'
9. (Upaka replied): 'You profess then, friend, to be the holy, absolute
Gina1.'
(Buddha said): 'Like me are all Ginas who have reached extinction of the
Âsavas2; I have overcome (gitâ me) all states of sinfulness; therefore, Upaka,
am I the Gina.'
When he had spoken thus, Upaka the Âgîvaka replied: 'It may be so, friend;'
shook his head, took another road, and went away.
10. And the Blessed One, wandering from place to place, came to Benares, to
the deer park Isipatana, to the place where the five Bhikkhus were. And p. 92
the five Bhikkhus saw the Blessed One coming from afar; when they saw him, they
concerted with each other, saying, 'Friends, there comes the samana Gotama, who
lives in abundance, who has given up his exertions, and who has turned to an
abundant life. Let us not salute him; nor rise from our seats when he
approaches; nor take his bowl and his robe from his hands. But let us put there
a seat; if he likes, let him sit down.'
11. But when the Blessed One gradually approached near unto those five
Bhikkhus, the five Bhikkhus kept not their agreement. They went forth to meet
the Blessed One; one took his bowl and his robe, another prepared a seat, a
third one brought water for the washing of the feet, a foot-stool, and a towel1.
Then the Blessed One sat down on the seat they had prepared; and when he was
seated, the Blessed One washed his feet. Now they addressed the Blessed One by
his name, and with the appellation 'Friend.'
12. When they spoke to him thus, the Blessed One said to the five Bhikkhus:
'Do not address, O Bhikkhus, the Tathâgata by his name, and with the appellation
"Friend." The Tathâgata, O Bhikkhus, is the holy, absolute Sambuddha. Give ear,
O Bhikkhus! The immortal (Amata) has been won (by me); I will teach you; to you
I preach the doctrine. If you walk in the way I show you, you will, ere long,
have penetrated to the truth, having yourselves known it and seen it face to
face; and you p. 93 will live in the possession of that highest goal of the holy
life, for the sake of which noble youths fully give up the world and go forth
into the houseless state.
13. When he had spoken thus, the five monks said to the Blessed One: 'By
those observances, friend Gotama, by those practices, by those austerities, you
have not been able to obtain power surpassing that of men, nor the superiority
of full and holy knowledge and insight. How will you now, living in abundance,
having given up your exertions, having turned to an abundant life, be able to
obtain power surpassing that of men, and the superiority of full and holy
knowledge and insight?'
14. When they had spoken thus, the Blessed One said to the five Bhikkhus:
'The Tathâgata, O Bhikkhus, does not live in abundance, he has not given up
exertion, he has not turned to an abundant life. The Tathâgata, O Bhikkhus, is
the holy, absolute Sambuddha. Give ear, O Bhikkhus; the immortal has been won
(by me); I will teach you, to you I will preach the doctrine. If you walk in the
way I show you, you will, ere long, have penetrated to the truth, having
yourselves known it and seen it face to face; and you will live in the
possession of that highest goal of the holy life, for the sake of which noble
youths fully give up the world and go forth into the houseless state.'
15. And the five Bhikkhus said to the Blessed One a second time (as above).
And the Blessed One said to the five Bhikkhus a second time (as above). And the
five Bhikkhus said to the Blessed One a third time (as above).
16. When they had spoken thus, the Blessed One p. 94 said to the five
Bhikkhus: 'Do you admit, O Bhikkhus, that I have never spoken to you in this way
before this day?'
'You have never spoken so, Lord.'
'The Tathâgata, O Bhikkhus, is the holy, absolute Sambuddha. Give ear, O
Bhikkhus, &c. (as above).'
And the Blessed One was able to convince the five Bhikkhus; and the five
Bhikkhus again1 listened willingly to the Blessed One; they gave ear, and fixed
their mind on the knowledge (which the Buddha imparted to them).
17. And the Blessed One thus addressed the five Bhikkhus2: 'There are two
extrernes, O Bhikkhus, which he who has given up the world, ought to avoid. What
are these two extremes? A life given to pleasures, devoted to pleasures and
lusts: this is degrading, sensual, vulgar, ignoble, and profitless; and a life
given to mortifications: this is painful, ignoble, and profitless. By avoiding
these two extrernes, O Bhikkhus, the Tathâgata has gained the knowledge of the
Middle Path which leads to insight, which leads to wisdom, which conduces to
calm, to knowledge, to the Sambodhi, to Nirvâna.
18. 'Which, O Bhikkhus, is this Middle Path the knowledge of which the
Tathâgata has gained, which leads to insight, which leads to wisdom, which
conduces p. 95 to calm, to knowledge, to the Sambodhi, to Nirvâna? It is the
holy eightfold Path, namely, Right Belief, Right Aspiration, Right Speech, Right
Conduct, Right Means of Livelihood, Right Endeavour, Right Mernory, Right
Meditation. This, O Bhikkhus, is the Middle Path the knowledge of which the
Tathâgata has gained, which leads to insight, which leads to wisdom, which
conduces to calm, to knowledge, to the Sambodhi, to Nirvâna.
19. 'This, O Bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of Suffering: Birth is suffering;
decay is suffering; illness is suffering; death is suffering. Presence of
objects we hate, is suffering; Separation from objects we love, is suffering;
not to obtain what we desire, is suffering. Briefly, the fivefold clinging to
existence1 is suffering.
20. 'This, O Bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of the Cause of suffering: Thirst,
that leads to re-birth, accornpanied by pleasure and lust, finding its delight
here and there. (This thirst is threefold), namely, thirst for pleasure, thirst
for existence, thirst for prosperity.
21. 'This, O Bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of the Cessation of suffering: (It
ceases with) the complete cessation of this thirst,--a cessation which consists
in the absence of every passion,--with the abandoning of this thirst, with the
doing away with it, with the deliverance from it, with the destruction of
desire.
22. 'This, O Bhikkhus, is the Noble Truth of the Path which leads to the
cessation of suffering: p. 96 that holy eightfold Path, that is to say, Right
Belief, Right Aspiration, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Means of
Livelihood, Right Endeavour, Right Memory, Right Meditation.
23. '"This is the Noble Truth of Suffering;"--thus, O Bhikkhus, of this
doctrine, which formerly had not been heard of, have I obtained insight,
knowledge, understanding, wisdom, intuition. "This Noble Truth of Suffering must
be understood," thus, O Bhikkhus, of this doctrine, . . . . (&c., down to
intuition). "This Noble Truth of Suffering I have understood," thus, O Bhikkhus,
of this doctrine, . . . . (&c.,down to intuition).
24. '"This is the Noble Truth of the Cause of suffering," thus, O Bhikkhus,
(&c.) "This Noble Truth of the Cause of suffering must be abandoned1 has been
abandoned by me," thus, O Bhikkhus, (&c.)
25. '"This is the Noble Truth of the Cessation of suffering," thus, O
Bhikkhus, (&c.) "This Noble Truth of the Cessation of suffering must be seen
face to face . . . . has been seen by me face to face," thus, O Bhikkhus, (&c.)
26. '"This is the Noble Truth of the Path which leads to the cessation of
suffering," thus, O Bhikkhus, (&c.) "This Noble Truth of the Path which leads to
the cessation of suffering, must be realised has been realised by me," thus, O
Bhikkhus, (&c.)
27. 'As long, O Bhikkhus, as I did not possess with perfect purity this true
knowledge and insight into these four Noble Truths, with its three modifications
p. 97 and its twelve constituent parts1; so long, O Bhikkhus, I knew that I had
not yet obtained the highest, absolute Sambodhi in the world of men and gods, in
Mâra's and Brahma's world, among all beings, Samanas and Brâhmanas, gods and
men.
28. 'But since I possessed, O Bhikkhus, with perfect purity this true
knowledge and insight into these four Noble Truths, with its three modifications
and its twelve constituent parts, then I knew, O Bhikkhus, that I had obtained
the highest, universal Sambodhi in the world of men and gods, . . . . (&c., as
in § 27).
29. 'And this knowledge and insight arose in my mind: "The emancipation of my
mind cannot be lost; this is my last birth; hence I shall not be born again!"'
Thus the Blessed One spoke. The five Bhikkhus were delighted, and they
rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One. And when this exposition was
propounded, the venerable Kondañña obtained the pure and spotless Eye of the
Truth (that is to say, the following knowledge): 'Whatsoever is subject to the
condition of origination, is subject also to the condition of cessation.'
30. And as the Blessed One had founded the Kingdom of Truth (by propounding
the four Noble Truths), the earth-inhabiting devas shouted: 'Truly the Blessed
One has founded at Benares, in the deer park Isipatana, the highest kingdom of
Truth, which may be opposed neither by a Samana nor by a Brâhmana, neither by a
deva, nor by Mâra, nor by Brahma, nor by any being in the world.'
p. 98
Hearing the shout of the earth-inhabiting devas, the kâtumahârâgika devas
(gods belonging to the world of the four divine mahârâgas) shouted, . . . .
(&c., as above). Hearing the shout of the kâtumahârâgika devas, the tâvatimsa
devas1, the yâma devas, the tusita devas, the nimmânarati devas, the
paranimmitavasavatti devas, the brahmakâyika devas shouted: 'Truly the Blessed
One, . . . .' (&c., as above).
31. Thus in that moment, in that instant, in that second the shout reached
the Brahma world; and this whole system of ten thousand worlds quaked, was
shaken, and trembled; and an infinite, mighty light was seen through the world,
which surpassed the light that can be produced by the divine power of the devas.
And the Blessed One pronounced this solemn utterance: 'Truly Kondañña has
perceived it ("aññâsi"), truly Kondañña has perceived it!' Hence the venerable
Kondañña received the name Aññâtakondañña (Kondañña who has perceived the
doctrine).
32. And the venerable Aññâtakondañña, having seen the Truth, having mastered
the Truth, having understood the Truth, having penetrated the Truth, having
overcome uncertainty, having dispelled all doubts, having gained full knowledge,
dependent on nobody else for knowledge of the doctrine of the Teacher, thus
spoke to the Blessed One: 'Lord, let p. 99 me receive the pabbaggâ and
upasampadâ ordinations from the Blessed One.'
'Come, O Bhikkhu,' said the Blessed One, 'well taught is the doctrine; lead a
holy life for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.' Thus this
venerable person received the upasampadâ ordination.
33. And the Blessed One administered to the other Bhikkhus exhortation and
instruction by discourses relating to the Dhamma. And the venerable Vappa, and
the venerable Bhaddiya, when they received from the Blessed One such exhortation
and instruction by discourses relating to the Dhamma, obtained the pure and
spotless Eye of the Truth (that is to say, the following knowledge): 'Whatsoever
is subject to the condition of origination is subject also to the condition of
cessation.'
34. And having seen the Truth, having mastered the Truth, . . . . (&c., as in
§ 32), they thus spoke to the Blessed One: 'Lord, let us receive the pabbaggâ
and upasampadâ ordinations from the Blessed One.'
'Come, O Bhikkhus,' said the Blessed One, 'well taught is the doctrine; lead
a holy life for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.' Thus these
venerable persons received the upasampadâ ordination.
35. And the Blessed One, living on what the Bhikkhus brought him,
administered to the other Bhikkhus exhortation and instruction by discourse
relating to the Dhamma; in this way the six persons lived on what the three
Bhikkhus1 brought home from their alms pilgrimage.
p. 100
36, 37. And the venerable Mahânâma and the venerable Assagi, when they
received from the Blessed One, . . . . (&c., as in §§ 33, 34, down to:). Thus
these venerable persons received the upasampadâ ordination.
38. And the Blessed One thus spoke to the five Bhikkhus: 'The body (Rûpa), O
Bhikkhus, is not the self. If the body, O Bhikkhus, were the self, the body
would not be subject to disease, and we should be able to say: "Let my body be
such and such a one, let my body not be such and such a one." But since the
body, O Bhikkhus, is not the self, therefore the body is subject to disease, and
we are not able to say: "Let my body be such and such a one, let my body not be
such and such a one."
39-41. 'Sensation (Vedanâ), O Bhikkhus, is not the self, . . . . (&c.1)
Perception (Saññâ) is not the self, . . . . The Samkhâras2 are not the self, . .
. . Consciousness (Viññâna) is not the self, . . . . (&c.1)
42. 'Now what do you think, O Bhikkhus, is the body permanent or perishable?'
p. 101
'It is perishable, Lord.'
'And that which isperishable, does that cause pain or joy?'
'It causes pain, Lord.'
'And that which is perishable, painful, subject to change, is it possible to
regard that in this way: 'This is mine, this am I, this is my self?'
'That is impossible, Lord.'
43. 'Is sensation permanent or perishable?' . . . . (&c.1)
44. 'Therefore, O Bhikkhus, whatever body has been, will be, and is now,
belonging or not belonging to sentient beings, gross or subtle, inferior or
superior, distant or near, all that body is not mine, is not me, is not my self:
thus it should be considered by right knowledge according to the truth.
45. 'Whatever sensation, . . . . (&c.2)
46. 'Considering this, O Bhikkhus, a learned, noble hearer of the word
becomes weary of body, weary of sensation, weary of perception, weary of the
Samkhâras, weary of consciousness. Becoming weary of all that, he divests
himself of passion; by absence of passion he is made free; when he is free, he
becomes aware that he is free; and he realises that re-birth is exhausted; that
holiness is completed; that duty is fulfilled; and that there is no further
return to this world3.'
47. Thus the Blessed One spoke; the five Bhikkhus were delighted, and
rejoiced at the words of the Blessed One. And when this exposition had been p.
102 propounded, the minds of the five Bhikkhus became free from attachment to
the world, and were released from the Âsavas1.
At that time there were six Arahats (persons who had reached absolute
holiness) in the world.
End of the first Bhânavâra.
72.
1. At that time there was in Benares a noble youth, Yasa by name, the son of
a setthi (or treasurer3) and delicately nurtured. He had three palaces, one for
winter, one for summer, one for the rainy season. In the palace for the rainy
season he lived during the four months (of that season), surrounded with female
musicians among whom no p. 103 man was, and he did not descend from that palace
(all that time). Now one day Yasa, the noble youth, who was endowed with, and
possessed of the five pleasures of sense1, while he was attended (by those
female musicians), fell asleep sooner than usual; and after him his attendants
also fell asleep. Now an oil lamp was burning through the whole night.
2. And Yasa, the noble youth, awoke sooner than usual; and he saw his
attendants sleeping; one had her lute leaning against her arm-pit; one had her
tabor leaning against her neck; one had her drum leaning against her arm-pit;
one had dishevelled hair; one had saliva flowing from her mouth; and they were
muttering in their sleep. One would think it was a cemetery one had fallen
into2. When he saw that, the evils (of the life he led) manifested themselves to
him; his mind became weary (of worldly pleasures). And Yasa, the noble youth,
gave utterance to this solemn exclamation: 'Alas! what distress; alas! what
danger!'
3. And Yasa, the noble youth, put on his gilt slippers, and went to the gate
of his house. Non-human beings opened the gate, in order that no being might
prevent Yasa the noble youth's leaving the world, and going forth into the
houseless state. And Yasa, the noble youth, went to the gate of the city.
Non-human beings opened the gate, in order that no being might prevent Yasa the
noble youth's leaving the world, and going forth into the houseless state. And
Yasa, the noble youth, went to the deer park Isipatana.
p. 104
4. At that time the Blessed One, having arisen in the night, at dawn was
walking up and down in the open air. And the Blessed One saw Yasa, the noble
youth, coming from afar. And when he saw him, he left the place where he was
walking, and sat down on a seat laid out (for him). And Yasa, the noble youth,
gave utterance near the Blessed One to that solemn exclamation: 'Alas! what
distress; alas! what danger!' And the Blessed One said to Yasa, the noble youth:
'Here is no distress, Yasa, here is no danger. Come here, Yasa, sit down; I will
teach you the Truth (Dhamma).'
5. And Yasa, the noble youth, when he heard that there was no distress, and
that there was no danger, became glad and joyful; and he put off his gilt
slippers, and went to the place where the Blessed One was; having approached him
and having respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat down near him. When
Yasa, the noble youth, was sitting near him, the Blessed One preached to him in
due course: that is to say, he talked about the merits obtained by alms-giving,
about the duties of morality, about heaven, about the evils, the vanity, and the
sinfulness of desires, and about the blessings of the abandonment of desire1.
6. When the Blessed One saw that the mind of Yasa, the noble youth, was
prepared, impressible, free from obstacles (to understanding the Truth), elated,
and believing, then he preached what is the principal doctrine of the Buddhas,
namely, Suffering, p. 105 the Cause of stiffering, the Cessation of suffering,
the Path. Just as a clean cloth free from black specks properly takes the dye,
thus Yasa, the noble youth, even while sitting there, obtained the pure and
spotless Eye of the Truth (that is, the knowledge): 'Whatsoever is subject to
the condition of origination is subject also to the condition of cessation.'
7. Now the mother of Yasa, the noble youth, having gone up to his palace, did
not see Yasa, the noble youth, and she went to the setthi, the householder (her
husband), and having approached him, she said to the setthi, the householder:
'Your son Yasa, O householder, has disappeared.' Then the setthi, the
householder, sent messengers on horseback to the four quarters of the horizon;
and he went himself to the deer park Isipatana. Then the setthi, the
householder, saw on the ground the marks of the gilt slippers; and when he saw
them, he followed them up.
8. And the Blessed One saw the setthi, the householder, coming from afar. On
seeing him, he thought: 'What if I were to effect such an exercise of miraculous
power, that the setthi, the householder, sitting here, should not see Yasa, the
noble youth, who is sitting here also.' And the Blessed One effected such an
exercise of his miraculous power.
9. And the setthi, the householder, went to the place where the Blessed One
was; having approached him, he said to the Blessed One: 'Pray, Lord, has the
Blessed One seen Yasa, the noble youth?'
'Well, householder, sit down. Perhaps, sitting here, you may see Yasa, the
noble youth, sitting here also.'
p. 106
And the setthi, the householder, who thought: 'Indeed, sitting here I shall
see Yasa, the noble youth, sitting here also I became glad and joyful, and
having respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat down near him.
10. When the setthi, the householder, was sitting near him, the Blessed One
preached to him in due course; that is to say, he talked about the merits
obtained by alms-giving, . . . . (&c., as at end of § 5). And the setthi, the
householder, having seen the Truth, having mastered the Truth, having penetrated
the Truth, having overcome uncertainty, having dispelled all doubts, having
gained full knowledge, dependent on nobody else for the knowledge of the
doctrine of the Teacher, said to the Blessed One: 'Glorious, Lord! glorious,
Lord! Just as if one should set up, Lord, what had been overturned, or should
reveal what had been hidden, or should point out the way to one who had lost his
way, or should bring a lamp into the darkness, in order that those who had eyes
might see visible things, thus has the Blessed One preached the doctrine in many
ways. I take my refuge, Lord, in the Blessed One, and in the Dhamma, and in the
fraternity of Bhikkhus; may the Blessed One receive me from this day forth while
my life lasts as a disciple who has taken his refuge in Him.'
This was the first person in the world who became a lay-disciple by the
formula of the holy triad
11. And Yasa, the noble youth, while instruction was administered (by the
Buddha) to his father, contemplated the stage of knowledge which he had seen
with his mind and understood; and his mind became free from attachment to the
world, and was p. 107 released from the Âsavas. Then the Blessed One thought:
'Yasa, the noble youth, while instruction was administered to his father, has
contemplated the stage of knowledge which he had seen with his mind and
understood; and his mind has become free from attachment to the world, and has
become released from the Âsavas. It is impossible that Yasa, the noble youth,
should return to the world and enjoy pleasures, as he did before, when he lived
in his house. What if I were now to put an end to that exertion of my miraculous
power.' And the Blessed One put an end to that exertion of his miraculous Power.
12. Then the setthi, the householder, saw Yasa, the noble youth, sitting
there. On seeing him he said to Yasa, the noble youth: 'My son Yasa, your mother
is absorbed in lamentation and grief; restore your mother to life.'
13. Then Yasa, the noble youth, looked at the Blessed One. And the Blessed
One said to the setthi, the householder: 'What do you think then, O householder?
That Yasa has (first) won only an imperfect1 degree of knowledge and insight
into the Truth, as you have yourself? Or that rather he was contemplating the
stage of knowledge which he had seen with his mind and understood; and that his
mind has thus become free from attachment to the world, and has become released
from the Âsavas? Now would it then be possible, O householder, that Yasa should
return to the world and enjoy pleasures as he did before, when he lived in his
house?'
'Not so, Lord.' p. 108 'Yasa, the noble youth, O householder, had (first)
won, like yourself, an imperfect degree of knowledge and insight into the Truth.
But when he was contemplating the stage of knowledge which he had seen with his
mind and understood, his mind has become free from attachment to the world, and
has become released from the Âsavas. It is impossible, O householder, that Yasa,
the noble youth, should return to the world and enjoy pleasures as he did
before, when he lived in his house.'
14. 'It is all gain, Lord, to Yasa, the noble youth, it is high bliss, Lord,
for Yasa, the noble youth, that the mind of Yasa, the noble youth, has become
free from attachment to the world, and has become released from the Âsavas.
Might, Lord, the Blessed One consent to take his meal with me to-day together
with Yasa, the noble youth, as his attendant?'
The Blessed One expressed his consent by remaining silent. Then the setthi,
the householder, when he understood that the Blessed One had accepted his
invitation, rose from his seat, respectfully saluted the Blessed One, and
passing round him with his right side towards him, departed thence.
15. And Vasâ, the noble youth, soon after the setthi, the householder, was
gone, said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, let me receive the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ
ordinations from the Blessed One.'
'Come, O Bhikkhu,' said the Blessed One, 'well taught is the doctrine; lead a
holy life for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.'
Thus this venerable person received the upasampadâ ordination. At that time
there were seven Arahats in the world.
End of the story of Yasa's pabbaggâ.
p. 109
8.
1. And in the forenoon the blessed One, having put on his under-robes1, took
his alms-bowl, and, with his kîvara on, went with the venerable Yasa as his
attendant to the house of the setthi, the householder. When he had arrived
there, he sat down on a seat laid out for him. Then the mother and the former
wife of the venerable Yasa went to the place where the Blessed One was; having
approached him and having respectfully saluted the Blessed One. they sat down
near him.
2. Then the Blessed One preached to them in due course; that is to say, he
talked about the merits obtained by alms-giving, . . . . (&c., as in chap. 7. 5,
6, down to:); thus they obtained, while sitting there, the pure and spotless Eye
of theTruth (that is, the knowledge): 'Whatsoever is subject to the condition of
origination is subject also to the condition of cessation.'
3. And having seen the Truth, . . . . (&c., as above, §§ 5, 6, down to:),
dependent on nobody else for knowledge of the Teacher's doctrine, they thus
spoke to the Blessed One: 'Glorious, Lord! glorious Lord! Just as if one should
set up' (&c., as in chap. 7. 10, down to:). We take our refuge, Lord, in the
Blessed One, and in the Dhamma, and in the fraternity of Bhikkhus; may the
Blessed One receive us from this day forth, while our life lasts, as disciples
who have taken their refuge in Him.'
These were the first females in the world who became lay-disciples by the
formula of the holy triad.
p. 110
4. And the mother and the father and the former wife of the venerable Yasa
with their own hands served and offered1 excellent food, both hard and soft, to
the Blessed One and to the venerable Yasa; and when the Blessed One had finished
his meal, and cleansed his bowl and his hands, they sat down near him. Then the
Blessed One taught, incited, animated, and gladdened the mother, and father, and
the former wife of the venerable Yasa by religious discourse; and then he rose
from his seat and went away.
9.
1. Now four lay persons, friends of the venerable Yasa, belonging to the
setthi families of Benares, and to the highest after the setthi families, by
name Vimala, Subâhu, Punnagi, and Gavampati, heard: 'Yasa, the noble youth, has
cut off his hair and beard, and has put on yellow robes, and has given up the
world, and gone forth into the houseless state.' When they had heard that, they
thought: 'Surely that cannot be a common doctrine and discipline, that cannot be
a common renunciation of the world, if Yasa, the noble youth, has cut off his
hair and beard, and has put on yellow robes, and has given up the world, and
gone forth into the houseless state.'
p. 111
2. Those four persons went to the place where the venerable Yasa was; having
approached him and having respectfully saluted the venerable Yasa, they stood by
his side. And the venerable Yasa went with his four lay-friends to the place
where the Blessed One was; having approached him and having respectfully saluted
the Blessed One, he sat down near him. Sitting near him the venerable Yasa said
to the Blessed One: 'Lord, here are four lay-friends of mine, belonging to the
setthi families of Benares and to the highest after the setthi families; their
names are Vimala, Subâhu, Punnagi, and Gavampati. May the Blessed One administer
exhortation and. instruction to these four persons.
3. Then the Blessed One preached to them, . . . . (&c., as in chap. 8. 2).
4. And having seen the Truth, . . . . (&c., down to:) dependent on nobody
else for the knowledge of the Teacher's doctrine, they thus spoke to the Blessed
One: 'Lord, let us receive the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations from the
Blessed One.'
'Come, O Bhikkhus,' said the Blessed One, 'well taught is the doctrine; lead
a holy life for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.'
Thus these venerable persons received the upasampadâ ordination. And the
Blessed One administered to these Bhikkhus exhortation and instruction by
discourse relating to the Dhamma. While they received exhortation and
instruction from the Blessed One by discourse relating to the Dhamma. their
minds became free from attachment to the world, and were released from the
Âsavas.
p. 112
At that time there were eleven Arahats in the world.
Here ends the story of the ordination of the four laymen.
10.
Now fifty lay persons, friends of the venerable Yasa, belonging to the
highest families in the country and to those next to the highest, heard, . . . .
( &c., as in chap. 9, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, down to:). While they received exhortation
and instruction from the Blessed One by discourse relating to the Dhamma, their
minds became free from attachment to the world, and were released from the
Âsavas.
At that time there were sixty-one Arahats in the world.
11.
1. And the Blessed One said to the Bhikkhus: 'I am delivered, O Bhikkhus,
from all fetters, human and divine. You, O Bhikkhus, are also delivered from all
fetters, human and divine. Go ye now, O Bhikkhus, and wander, for the gain of
the many, for the welfare of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the
good, for the gain, and for the welfare of gods and men, Let not two of you go
the same way1, Preach, O Bhikkhus, the doctrine p. 113 which is glorious in the
beginning, glorious in the middle, glorious at the end, in the spirit and in the
letter; proclaim a consummate, perfect, and pure life of holiness. There are
beings whose mental eyes are covered by scarcely any dust, but if the doctrine
is not preached to them, they cannot attain salvation. They will understand the
doctrine. And I will go also, O Bhikkhus, to Uruvelâ, to Senâninigama1, in order
to preach the doctrine.'
2. And Mâra the wicked One went to the place where the Blessed One was;
having approached him, he addressed the Blessed One in the following stanza:
'Thou art bound by all fetters, human and divine. Thou art bound by strong
fetters. Thou wilt not be delivered from me, O Samana.'
Buddha replied: 'I am delivered from all fetters, human and divine. I am
delivered from the strong fetters. Thou art struck down, O Death.'
(Mâra said): 'The fetter which pervades the sky, with which mind is bound,
with that fetter I will bind thee. Thou wilt not be delivered from me, O
Samana.'
(Buddha replied): 'Whatever forms, sounds, odours, flavours, or contacts
there are which please the p. 114 senses, in me desire for them has ceased. Thou
art struck down, O Death.'
Then Mâra the wicked One understood: 'The Blessed One knows me, the perfect
One knows me,' and, sad and afflicted, he vanished away.
Here ends the story of Mâra.
12.
1. At that time the Bhikkhus brought (to Buddha), from different regions and
different countries, persons who desired to obtain the pabbaggâ andupasampadâ
ordinations, thinking: 'The Blessed One will confer on them the pabbaggâ and
upasampadâ ordinations.' Thus both the Bhikkhus became tired (from the journey),
and also those who desired to obtain the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations.
Now when the Blessed One was alone and had retired into solitude, the following
consideration presented itself to his mind: 'The Bhikkhus now bring to me from
different regions and different countries persons who desire to obtain the
pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations, thinking: "The Blessed One will confer on
them the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations." Now both the Bhikkhus become
tired, and also those who desire to obtain the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ
ordinations. What if I were to grant permission to the Bhikkhus, saying: "Confer
henceforth, O Bhikkhus, in the different regions, and in the different
countries, the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations yourselves (on those who
desire to receive them)."'
2. And the Blessed One, having left the solitude p. 115 in the evening, in
consequence of that, and on this occasion, after having delivered a religious
discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'When I was alone, a Bhikkhus, and had
retired into solitude, the following consideration, &c. What if I were to
permit, . . . .' (&c., as in § 1).
3. 'I grant you, O Bhikkhus, this permission: Confer henceforth in the
different regions and in the different countries the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ
ordinations yourselves (on those who desire to receive them). And you ought, O
Bhikkhus, to confer the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations in this way: Let him
(who desires to receive the ordination), first have his hair and beard cut off;
let him put on yellow robes, adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder,
salute the feet of the Bhikkhus (with his head), and sit down squatting; then
let him raise his joined hands and tell him to say:
4. '"I take my refuge in the Buddha, I take my refuge in the Dhamma, I take
my refuge in the Samgha. And for the second time I take (&c. . . . . Samgha).
And for the third time I take my refuge in the Buddha, and for the third time I
take my refuge in the Dhamma, and for the third time I take my refuge in the
Samgha."
'I prescribe, a Bhikkhus, the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations consisting
in the three times repeated declaration of taking refuge (in the holy triad).'
End of the account of the upasampadâ ordination by the threefold declaration of
taking refuge1.
p. 116
13.
1. And the Blessed One, after having kept the vassa residence1, thus
addressed the Bhikkhus: 'By wise contemplation, O Bhikkhus, and by wise firmness
of exertion have I attained the highest emancipation, have I realised the
highest emancipation. Attain ye also, O Bhikkhus, the highest emancipation,
realise the highest emancipation, by wise contemplation and by wise firmness of
exertion.'
2. And Mâra the wicked One went to the place where the Blessed One was;
having approached him, he addressed the Blessed One by the following stanza:
'Thou art bound by Mâra's fetters, human and divine. Thou art bound by strong
fetters. Thou wilt not be delivered from me, O Samana.'
(Buddha replied): 'I am delivered from Mâra's fetters, human and divine. I am
delivered from the strong fetters. Thou art struck down; O Death.'
Then Mâra the wicked One understood: 'The Blessed One knows me, the perfect
One knows me;' and, sad and afflicted, he vanished away.
14.
1. And the Blessed One, after having dwelt at Benares as long as he thought
fit, went forth to Uruvelâ. And the Blessed One left the road and went to a
certain grove; having gone there, and having entered it, he sat down at the foot
of a tree. At that time there was a party of thirty friends, rich young men, who
were sporting in that same grove p. 117 together with their wives. One of them
had no wife; for him they had procured a harlot. Now while they did not pay
attention, and were indulging in their sports, that harlot took up the articles
belonging to them, and ran away.
2. Then those companions, doing service to their friend, went in search of
that woman; and, roaming about that grove, they saw the Blessed One sitting at
the foot of a tree. Seeing him they went to the place where the Blessed One was;
having approached him, they said to the Blessed One: 'Pray, Lord, has the
Blessed One seen a woman passing by?'
'What have you to do, young men, with the woman?'
'We were sporting, Lord, in this grove, thirty friends, rich young men,
together with our wives. One of us had no wife; for him we had procured a
harlot. Now, Lord, while we did not pay attention, and were indulging in our
sports, that harlot has taken up the articles belonging to us, and has run away.
Therefore, Lord, we companions, doing service to our friend, go in search of
that woman, and roam about this grove.'
3. 'Now what think you, young men? Which would be the better for you; that
you should go in search of a woman, or that you should go in search of
yourselves?'
'That, Lord, would be the better for us, that we should go in search of
ourselves.'
'If so, young men, sit down, I will preach to you the Truth (Dhamma).'
The rich young companions replied: 'Yes, Lord,' and respectfully saluted the
Blessed One, and sat down near him.
p. 118
4. Then the Blessed One preached to them, . . . . (&c., as in chap. 8. 2, or
9. 3).
5. And having seen the Truth, . . . . (&c., as in chap. 9. 4 down to:). Thus
these venerable persons received the upasampadâ ordination.
Here ends the story of the thirty rich young companions.
End of the second Bhânavâra.
15.
1. And the Blessed One, wandering from place to place, came to Uruvelâ. At
that time there lived in Uruvelâ three Gatilas1, Uruvelâ Kassapa, Nadî Kassapa
(Kassapa of the River, i.e. the Nerañgarâ), and Gayâ Kassapa (Kassapa of the
village Gayâ.). Of these the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa was chief, leader, foremost,
first, and highest over five hundred Gatilas; Nadî Kassapa was chief . . . .
(&c., down to highest over) three hundred Gatilas, Gayâ Kassapa was chief (&c.,
down to highest over) two hundred Gatilas.
2. And the Blessed One went to the hermitage of p. 119 the Gatila Uruvelâ
Kassapa; having gone there, he said to the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa: 'If it is not
disagreeable to you, Kassapa, let me spend one night in the room where your
(sacred) fire is kept.'
'It is not disagreeable to me, great Samana, but there is a savage Nâga (or
Serpent) king of great magical power1, a dreadfully venomous serpent; let him do
no harm to you.'
And a second time the Blessed One said to the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa: 'If it
is not disagreeable,' &c. . . . .
'It is not disagreeable,' &c.
And a third time the Blessed One said: 'If it not disagreeable,' &c. . . . .
'It is not disagreeable,' &c. . . . .
'He is not likely to do any harm to me. Pray, Kassapa, allow me a place in
the room where your fire is kept.'
'Stay there, great Samana, as you wish it.'
3. Then the Blessed One entered the room where the fire was kept, made
himself a couch of grass, and sat down cross-legged, keeping the body erect and
surrounding himself with watchfulness of mind2. And the Nâga saw that the
Blessed One had entered; when he saw that, he became annoyed, and irritated, and
sent forth a cloud of smoke. Then the Blessed One thought: 'What if I were to
leave intact the skin, and hide, and flesh, and ligaments, and bones, p. 120 and
marrow of this Nâga; but were to conquer the fire, which he will send forth, by
my fire.'
4. And the Blessed One effected the appropriate exercise of miraculous power
and sent forth a cloud of smoke. Then the Nâga, who could not master his rage1,
sent forth flames. And the Blessed One, converting his body into fire2, sent
forth flames. When they both shone forth with their flames, the fire room looked
as if it were burning and blazing, as if it were all in flames. And the Gatilas,
surrounding the fire room, said: 'Truly, the countenance of the great Samana is
beautiful, but the Nâga will do harm to him3.'
5. That night having elapsed, the Blessed One, leaving intact the skin and
hide and flesh and ligaments and bones and marrow of that Nâga, and conquering
the Nâga's fire by his fire, threw him into his alms-bowl, and showed him to the
Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa (saying), 'Here you see the Nâga, Kassapa; his fire has
been conquered by my fire.' Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Truly the
great Samana possesses high magical powers and great faculties, in that he is
able to conquer by his fire the fire of that savage Nâga king, who is possessed
of magical power, that dreadfully venomous serpent. He is not, however, holy
(arahâ) as I am.'
64. Near the Nerañgarâ river the Blessed One p. 121 said to the Gatila
Uruvelâ Kassapa: 'If it is not disagreeable to you, Kassapa, let me dwell this
moonlight night in your fire room.'
'It is not disagreeable to me, great Samana, but in your own behalf I warn
you off. There is a savage Snake king there possessed of magical power, a
dreadfully venomous serpent; let him do no harm to you.'
'He is not likely to do any harm to me; pray, Kassapa, allow me a place in
your fire room.'
When he saw that Kassapa had given his permission, fearlessly He, who had
overcome all fear, entered. When the chief of Serpents saw that the Sage had
entered, he became irritated, and sent forth a cloud of smoke. Then the chief of
men1, joyful and unperplexed, also sent forth a cloud of smoke. Unable to master
his rage, the chief of Serpents sent forth flames like a burning fire. Then the
chief of men1, the perfect master of the element of fire, also sent forth
flames. When they shone forth both with their flames, the Gatilas looked at the
fire room (saying), 'Truly the countenance of the great Samana is beautiful, but
the Nâga will do harm to him.'
7. And when that night had elapsed, the flames of the Nâga were extinguished,
but the various-coloured flames of Him who is possessed of magical powers
remained. Dark blue and red, light red, yellow, and crystal-coloured flames of
various colours p. 122 appeared on the Angirasa's1 body. Having put the chief of
Serpents into his alms-bowl, he showed him to the Brâhmana (saying), 'Here you
see the Nâga, Kassapa; his fire has been conquered by my fire.'
And the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa, having conceived an affection for the Blessed
One in consequence of this wonder, said to the Blessed One: 'Stay with me, great
Samana, I will daily provide you with food.'
End of the first Wonder.
16.
1. And the Blessed One resided in a certain grove near the hermitage of the
Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa. And on a beautiful night the four Mahârâgas2, filling
the whole grove with light by the brilliancy of their complexion, went to the
place where the Blessed One was; having approached him and respectfully saluted
the Blessed One, they stood in the four directions like great firebrands.
2. And when that night had elapsed, the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa went to the
place where the Blessed One was; having approached him, he said to the Blessed
One: 'It is time, great Samana, the meal is ready. Who were they, great Samana,
who came, this beautiful night, filling the whole grove with light by the
brilliancy of their complexion, to p. 123 the place where you were, and having
approached you and respectfully saluted you, stood in the four directions like
great firebrands?'
'They were the four Mahârâgas, Kassapa, who came to me in order to hearmy
preaching.'
Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samana possesses
high magical powers and great faculties, since even the four Mahârâgas come to
hear his preaching. He is not, however, holy like me.'
And the Blessed One ate the food offered by the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa, and
continued to stay in that same grove.
End of the second Wonder.
17.
1. And on a beautiful night Sakka (Sakra or Indra) the king of the devas,
filling the whole grove with light by the brilliancy of his complexion, went to
the place where the Blessed One was; having approached him and respectfully
saluted the Blessed One, he stood near him like a great firebrand, surpassing in
beauty and brilliancy the splendour of the former appearances.
2. And when that night had elapsed (&c., as in chap. 16. 2).
End of the third Wonder.
p. 124
18.
And on a beautiful night Brahmâ Sahampati (&c., as in chap. 17).
End of the fourth Wonder.
19.
1. At that time a great sacrifice which the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa used to
celebrate was approaching, and all the people of Anga and Magadha wished to go
to that sacrifice carrying abundant food, both hard and soft. Now the Gatila
Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Presently my great sacrifice is approaching, and all
the people of Anga and Magadha will come and bring with them abundant food, both
hard and soft. If the great Samana should perform a wonder before that great
assembly, gain and honour would increase to the great Samana, and my gain and
honour would diminish. Well, the great Samana shall not appear here to-morrow.'
2. Then the Blessed One, understanding by the power of his mind this
reflection which had arisen in the mind of the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa, went to
Uttara Kuru; having begged alms there, he took the food (he had received) to the
Anotatta lake1; there he took his meal and rested during the heat of the day at
the same place.
And when the night had elapsed, the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa went to the place
where the Blessed One was; having approached him, he said to the p. 125 Blessed
One: 'It is time, great Samana, the meal is ready. Why did you not come
yesterday, great Samana? We have thought of you: "Why does the great Samana not
come?" and your portions of food, both hard and soft, were served up for you.'
3. (Buddha replied): 'Did you not think, Kassapa: "Presently my great
sacrifice (&c., as above down to:). Well, the great Samana shall not appear here
tomorrow?"
4. 'Now I understood, Kassapa, by the power of my mind this reflection which
had arisen in your mind, and I went to Uttara Kuru; having begged alms there, I
took the food to the Anotatta lake; there I took my meal and rested during the
heat of the day at the same place.'
Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samana possesses
high magical powers and great faculties, since he is able to understand by the
power of his mind the thoughts of other people. He is not, however, holy like
fie.' And the Blessed One ate (&c., as in chap. 16, 2).
End of the fifth Wonder.
20.
1. At that time the Blessed One had rags taken from a dust heap (of which he
was going to make himiself a dress). Now the Blessed One thought: 'Where shall I
wash these rags?' Then Sakka the king of the devas, understanding in his mind
the thought which had arisen in the mind of the Blessed One, dug a tank with his
own hand, p. 126 and said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, might the Blessed One wash
the rags here.'
And the Blessed One thought: 'What shall I rub the rags upon?' Then Sakka the
king of the devas, understanding, &c., put there a great stone and said: 'Lord,
might the Blessed One rob the rags upon this stone.'
2. And the Blessed One thought: 'What shall I take hold of when going up
(from the tank)?' Then a deity that resided in a Kakudha tree, understanding,
&c., bent down a branch and said: 'Lord, might the Blessed One take hold of this
branch when going up (from the tank).'
And the Blessed One thought: 'What shall I lay the rags upon (in order to dry
them)?' Then Sakka the king of the devas, understanding, &c., put there a great
stone and sald: 'Lord, might the Blessed One lay the rags upon this stone.'
3. And when that night had elapsed, the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa went to the
place where the Blessed One was; having approached him, he said to the Blessed
One: 'It is time, great Samana, the meal is ready. What is this, great Samana?
Formerly there was here no tank, and now here is this tank. Formerly no stone
was put here; by whom has this stone been put here? Formerly this Kakudha tree
did not bend down its branch, and now this branch is bent down.'
4. 'I had rags, Kassapa, taken from a dust heap; and I thought, Kassapa:
"Where shall I wash these rags?" Then, Kassapa, Sakka the king of the devas,
understanciing in his mind the thought which had arisen in my mind, dug a tank
with his hand and said to me: "Lord, might the Blessed One wash the p. 127 rags
here." Thus this tank has been dug by the hand of a non-human being.
'And I thought, Kassapa: "What shall I rub the rags upon?" Then, Kassapa,
Sakka, &c. Thus this stone has been put here by a non-human being.
5. 'And I thought, Kassapa: "What shall I take hold of when going up (from
the tank)?" Then, Kassapa, a deity, &c. Thus this Kakudha tree has served me as
a hold for my hand.
'And I thought, Kassapa: "Where shall I lay the rags upon (in order to dry
them)?" Then, Kassapa, Sakka, &c. Thus this stone has been put here by a
non-human being.'
6. Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samana possesses
high magical powers and great faculties, since Sakka the king of the devas does
service to him. He is not, however, holy like me.'
And the Blessed One ate (&c., as in chap. 16. 2 ).
7. And when that night had elapsed, the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa went to the
place where the Blessed One was; having approached him, he announced to the
Blessed One that it was time, by saying, 'It is time, great Samana, the meal is
ready.'
(Buddha replied): 'Go you, Kassapa; I will follow you.'
Having thus sent away the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa, he went to pluck a fruit
from the gambu tree after which this continent of Gambudîpa (the Gambu Island,
or India) is named1; then arriving before p. 128 Kassapa he sat down in the room
where Kassapa's (sacred) fire was kept1.
8. Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa saw the Blessed One sitting in the fire
room; seeing him he said to the Blessed One: 'By what way have you come, great
Samana? I have departed before you, and you have arrived before me and are
sitting in the fire room.'
9. 'When I had sent you away, Kassapa, I went to pluck a fruit from the
garnbu tree after which this continent of Gambudîpa is named; then I arrived
before you and sat down in the fire room. Here is the gambu fruit, Kassapa, it
is beautiful, fragrant, and full of flavour; you may eat it, if you like.'
'Nay, great Samana, to you alone it is becoming to eat it; eat it yourself.'
And the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samana possesses
high magical powers and great faculties, since he is able, having sent me away
before him, to go and pluck a fruit from the gambu tree after which this
continent of Gambudîpa is named, and then to arrive before me and to sit down in
the fire room. He is not however, holy like me.'
And the Blessed One ate (&c., as in chap. 16. 2).
10. And when that night had elapsed (&c., as in § 7, down to:). Having thus
sent away the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa, he went to pluck a fruit from a mango tree
growing near the gambu tree after which this continent of Gambudîpa is named,
&c. He p. 129 went to pluck a fruit from an emblic myrobalan tree, &c., from a
yellow myrobalan tree growing near the gambu tree, &c. He went to the Tâvatimsa
heaven to pluck a pârikkhattaka (or pârigâtaka) flower; then arriving before
Kassapa he sat down in the fire room. Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa saw (&c.,
as in § 8).
11. 'When I had sent you away, Kassapa, I went to the Tâvatimsa heaven to
pluck a pârikkhattaka flower; then I arrived before you and sat down in the fire
room. Here is the pârikkhattaka flower, Kassapa; it is beautiful and fragrant;
you may take it, if you like.'
'Nay, great Samana, to you alone it is becoming to keep it; keep it
yourself.'
And the Gatila (&c., as in § 9). 'He is not, however, holy as I am.'
12. At that time one day the Gatilas, who wished to attend on their sacred
fires, could not succeed in splitting fire-wood. Now these Gatilas thought:
'Doubtless this is the magical power and the high faculty of the great Samana
that we cannot succeed in splitting fire-wood.' Then the Blessed One said to the
Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa: 'Shall the fire-wood be split, Kassapa?'
'Let it be split, great Samana.'
Then in a moment the five hundred pieces of fire-wood1 were split. And the
Gatila Uruvelâ p. 130 Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samana possesses high
magical powers and great faculties, since even the fire-wood splits itself (at
his command). He is not, however, holy like me.'
13. At that time the Gatilas who wished to attend on their sacred fires,
could not succeed in lighting up the fires (&c., as in the preceding story).
14. At that time the Gatilas, after having attended on their sacred fires,
could not succeed in extinguishing the fires (&c., as above).
15. At that time in the cold winter nights, in the time between the ashtakâ
festivals1, when snow falls, the Gatilas plunged into the river Nerañgarâ, and
emerged again, and repeatedly plunged into the water and emerged. And the
Blessed One created five hundred vessels with burning fire2; at those the
Gatilas coming out of the river warmed themselves. And the Gatilas thought:
'Doubtless this is the magical power and the high faculty of the great Samana
that these vessels with fire have been caused to appear here.' And the Gatila
Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samana possesses high magical powers
and great faculties, since he can create such great vessels with fire. He is
not, however, holy like me.'
16. At that time a great rain fell out of season; and a great inundation
arose. The place where the Blessed One livcd was covered with water. Then p. 131
the Blessed One thought: 'What if I were to cause the water to recede round
about, and if I were to walk up and down in the midst of the water on a
dust-covered spot.' And the Blessed One caused the water to recede round about,
and he walked up and down in the midst of the water on a dust-covered spot.
And the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa, who was afraid that the water might have
carried away the great Samana, went with a boat together with many Gatilas to
the place where the Blessed One lived. Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa saw the
Blessed One, who had caused the water to recede round about, walking up and down
in the midst of the water on a dust-covered spot. Seeing him, he said to the
Blessed One: 'Are you there, great Samana?'
'Here I am, Kassapa,' replied the Blessed One, and he rose in the air and
stationed himself in the boat.
And the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa thought: 'Truly the great Samana possesses
high magical powers and great faculties, since the water does not carry him
away. He is not, however, holy like me.'
17. Then the Blessed One thought: 'This foolish man will still for a long
time think thus: "Truly the great Samana possesses high magical powers and great
faculties; he is not, however, holy like me." What if I were to move the mind of
this Gatila (in order to show him my superiority).'
And the Blessed One said to the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa: 'You are not holy
(arahâ), Kassapa, nor have you entered the path of Arahatship, nor do you walk
in such a practice as will lead you to Arahatship. or to entering the path of
Arahatship.'
p. 132
Then the Gatila Uruvelâ. Kassapa prostrated himself, inclining his head to
the feet of the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, let me receive
the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations from the Blessed One.'
18. (Buddha replied): 'You, Kassapa, are chief, leader, foremost, first, and
highest of five hundred Gatilas; go first and inform them of your intention, and
let them do what they think fit.'
Then the Gatila Uruvelâ Kassapa went to those Gatilas; having gone to them,
he said to those Gatilas: 'I wish, Sirs, to lead a religious life under the
direction of the great Samana; you may do, Sirs, what you think fit.'
(The Gatilas replied): 'We have conceived, Sir, an affection for the great
Samana long since; if you will lead. Sir, a religious life under the great
Samana' s direction; we will all lead a religious life under the great Samana's
direction.'
19. Then the Gatilas flung their hair1, their braids, their provisions2, and
the things for the agnihotra sacrifice into the river, and went to the place
where the Blessed One was; having approached him and prostrated themselves
before him, inclining their heads to the feet of the Blessed One, they said to
the Blessed One: 'Lord, let us receive the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations
from the Blessed One.'
p. 133
'Come, O Bhikkhus,' said the Blessed One, 'well taught is the doctrine; lead
a holy life for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.'
Thus these venerable persons received the upasampadâ ordination.
20. And the Gatila Nadî Kassapa saw the hair, the braids, the provisions, the
things for the agnihotra sacrifice, which were carried down by the river; when
he saw that, he became afraid that some misfortune might have befallen his
brother. He sent some Gatilas, saying, 'Go and look after my brother,' and went
himself with his three hundred Gatilas to the venerable Uruvelâ Kassapa; having
approached him, he said to the venerable Uruvelâ Kassapa: 'Now, Kassapa, is this
bliss?'
(Uruvelâ Kassapa replied): 'Yes, friend, this is bliss.'
21. And the Gatilas (who had come with Nadî Kassapa) (&c., as in § 19).
22. And the Gatila Gayâ Kassapa saw (&c., as in § 20); when he saw that, he
became afraid that some misfortune might have befallen his brothers. He sent
some Gatilas, saying, 'Go and look after my brothers,' and went himself with his
two hundred Gatilas to the venerable Uruvelâ Kassapa (&c., as above).
23. And the Gatilas (who had come with Gayâ Kassapa) (&c., as in § 19).
24. 1At the command of the Blessed One the five hundred pieces of fire-wood
could not be split and were split, the fires could not be lit up and p. 134 were
lit up, could not be extinguished and were extinguished; besides he created five
hundred vessels with fire. Thus the number of these miracles amounts to three
thousand five hundred.
21.
1. And the Blessed One, after having dwelt at Uruvelâ as long as he thought
fit, went forth to Gayâsîsa1, accompanied by a great number of Bhikkhus, by one
thousand Bhikkhus who all had been Gatilas before. There near Gayâ, at Gayâsîsa,
the Blessed One dwelt together with those thousand Bhikkhus.
2. There the Blessed One thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'Everything, O
Bhikkhus, is burning. And how, O Bhikkhus, is everything burning?
'The eye, O Bhikkhus, is burning; visible things are burning; the mental
impressions based on the eye are burning; the contact of the eye (with visible
things) is burning; the sensation produced by the contact of the eye (with
visible things), be it pleasant, be it painful, be it neither pleasant nor
painful, that also is burning. With what fire is it burning? I declare unto you
that it is burning with the fire of lust, with the fire of anger, with the fire
of ignorance; it is burning with (the anxieties of) birth, decay, death, grief,
lamentation, suffering, dejection, and despair.
3. 'The ear is burning, sounds are burning, &c. . . . . The nose is burning,
odours are burning, &c. p. 135 . . . . The tongue is burning, tastes are
burning, &c. . . . . The body is burning, objects of contact are burning, &c. .
. . . The mind is burning, thoughts are burning, &c. . . . .1
4. 'Considering this, O Bhikkhus, a disciple learned (in the scriptures),
walking in the Noble Path, becomes weary of the eye, weary of visible things,
weary of the mental impressions based on the eye, weary of the contact of the
eye (with visible things), weary also of the sensation produced by the contact
of the eye (with visible things), be it pleasant, be it painful, be it neither
pleasant nor painful. He becomes weary of the ear (&c. . . . . , down to . . . .
thoughts1). Becoming weary of all that, he divests himself of passion; by
absence of passion he is made free; when he is free, he becomes aware that he is
free; and he realises that re-birth is exhausted; that holiness is completed;
that duty is fulfilled; and that there is no further return to this world.'
When this exposition was propounded, the minds of those thousand Bhikkhus
became free from attachment to the world, and were released from the Âsavas.
Here ends the sermon on 'The Burning.'
End of the third Bhânavâra concerning the Wonders done at Uruvelâ.
p. 136
22.
1. And the Blessed One, after having dwelt at Gayâsisa as long as he thought
fit, went forth to Râgaha, accompanied by a great number of Bhikkhus, by one
thousand Bhikkhus who all had been Gatilas before. And the Blessed One,
wandering from place to place, came to Râgagaha. There the Blessed One dwelt
near Râgagaha, in the Latthivana pleasure garden, near the sacred shrine of
Supatittha1.
2. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra heard: 'The Samana Gotama
Sakyaputta, an ascetic of the Sakya tribe, has just arrived at Râgagaha and is
staying near Râgagaha, in the Latthivana pleasure garden, near the sacred shrine
of Supatittha. Of Him the blessed Gotama such a glorious fame is spread abroad:
"Truly he is the blessed, holy, absolute Sambuddha, endowed with knowledge and
conduct, the most happy One, who understands all worlds, the highest One, who
guides men as a driver curbs a bullock, the teacher of gods and men, the blessed
Buddha. He makes known the Truth, which he has understood himself and seen face
to face, to this world system with its devas, its Mâras, and its Brahmâs; to all
beings, Samanas and Brâhmanas, p. 137 gods and men; he preaches that Truth
(Dhamma) which is glorious in the beginning, glorious in the middle, glorious at
the end, in the spirit and in the letter; he proclaims a consummate, perfect,
and pure life." It is good to obtain the sight of holy men (Arahats) like that.'
3. And the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra, surrounded by twelve myriads of
Magadha Brâhmanas and householders1, went to the place where the Blessed One
was; having approached him and respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat down
near him. And of those twelve myriads of Magadha Brâhmanas and householders some
also respectfully saluted the Blessed One and sat down near him; some exchanged
greeting with the Blessed One, having exchanged with him greeting and
complaisant words, they sat down near him; some bent their clasped hands towards
the Blessed One and sat down near him; some shouted out their name and their
family name before the Blessed One and sat down near him; some silently sat down
near him.
4. Now those twelve myriads of Magadha Brâhmanas and householders thought:
'How now is this? has the great Samana placed himself under the spiritual
direction of Uruvelâ Kassapa, or has Uruvelâ Kassapa placed himself under the
spiritual direction of the great Samana?'
And the Blessed One, who understood in his mind the reflection which had
arisen in the minds of those twelve myriads of Magadha Brâhmanas and
householders, addressed the venerable Uruvelâ Kassapa p. 138 in this stanza:
'What knowledge have you gained, O inhabitant of Uruvelâ, that has induced you,
who were renowned for your penances1, to forsake your sacred fire? I ask you,
Kassapa, this question: How is it that your fire sacrifice has become deserted?'
(Kassapa replied): 'It is visible things and sounds, and also tastes,
pleasures and woman that the sacrifices speak of2; because I understood that
whatever belongs to existence3 is filth, therefore I took no more delight in
sacrifices and offerings4.'
5. 'But if your mind, Kassapa (said the Blessed One5), found there no more
delight,--either in visible things, or sounds, or tastes,--what is it in the
world of men or gods in which6 your mind, Kassapa, now finds delight? Tell me
that.'
(Kassapa replied): 'I have seen the state of peace (i.e. Nirvâna) in which
the basis of existence (upadhi3) and the obstacles to perfection p. 139
(kiñkana1) have ceased, which is free from attachment to sensual existence,
which cannot pass over into another state, which cannot be led to another state;
therefore I took no more delight in sacrifices and offerings.'
6. Then the venerable Uruvelâ Kassapa rose from his seat, adjusted his upper
robe so as to cover one shoulder, prostrated himself, inclining his head to the
feet of the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: 'My teacher, Lord, is the
Blessed One, I am his pupil; my teacher, Lord, is the Blessed One, I am his
pupil.' Then those twelve myriads of Magadha Brâhmanas and householders
understood: 'Uruvelâ Kassapa has placed himself under the spiritual direction of
the great Samana.'
7, 8. And the Blessed One, who understood in his mind the reflection that had
arisen in the minds of those twelve myriads of Magadha Brâhmanas and
householders, preached to them in due course (&c., as in chap. 7, §§ 5, 6, down
to:). Just as a clean cloth free from black specks properly takes the dye, thus
eleven myriads of those Magadha Brâhmanas and householders with Bimbisâra at
their head, while sitting there, obtained the pure and spotless Eye of the Truth
(that is, the knowledge): 'Whatsoever is subject to the condition of origination
is subject p. 140 also to the condition of cessation.' One myriad announced
their having become lay-pupils.
9. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra, having seen the Truth (&c. . . . .
down to) dependent on nobody else for the knowledge of the Teacher's doctrine,
said to the Blessed One: 'In former days, Lord, when I was a prince, I
entertained five wishes; these are fulfilled now. In former days, Lord, when I
was a prince, I wished: "O that I might be inaugurated as king." This was my
first wish, Lord; this is fulfilled now. "And might then the holy, absolute
Sambuddha come into my kingdom." This was my second wish, Lord; this is
fulfilled now.
10. '"And might I pay my respects to Him, the Blessed One." This was my third
wish, Lord; this is fulfilled now. "And might He the Blessed One preach his
doctrine (Dhamma) to me." This was my fourth wish, Lord; this is fulfilled now.
"And might I understand His, the Blessed One's doctrine." This was my fifth
wish, Lord; this is fulfilled now. These were the five wishes, Lord, which I
entertalned in former days when I was a prince; these are fulfilled now.
11. 'Glorious, Lord! (&c., as in chap. 7. 10, down to:) who has taken his
refuge in Him. And might the Blessed One, Lord, consent to take his meal with me
to-morrow together with the fraternity of Bhikkhus.'
The Blessed One expressed his consent by remaining silent.
12. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra, when he understood that the
Blessed One had accepted his invitation, rose from his seat, respectfully
saluted the Blessed One, and, passing round him with his right side towards him,
went away. p. 141 And when the night had elapsed, the Magadha king Seniya
Bimbisâra ordered excellent food, both hard and soft, to be prepared, and had
dinner-time announced to the Blessed One in the words: 'It is time, Lord, the
meal is ready.' And in the forenoon the Blessed One, having put on his
under-robes, took his alms-bowl, and with his kîvara on entered the city of
Râgagaha accompanied by a great number of Bhikkhus, by one thousand Bhikkhus who
all had been Gatilas before.
13. At that time Sakka the king of the devas, assuming the appearance of a
young Brâhman, walked in front of the Bhikkhu fraternity with Buddha at its
head, singing the following stanzas: 'The self-controlled One with the
self-controlled, with the former Gatilas, the released One with the released,
the Blessed One, gold-coloured like an ornament of singî gold1, has entered
Râgagaha.
'The emancipated One with the emancipated, with the former Gatilas, &c.
'He who has crossed (the ocean of passion) with them who have crossed (it),
with the former Gatilas, the released One with the released, the Blessed One,
gold-coloured like an ornament of singi go1d, has entered Râgagaha.
'He who is possessed of the ten Noble States2 p. 142 and of the ten Powers1,
who understands the ten Paths of Kamma2 and possesses the ten (attributes of
Arahatship)3, the Blessed One, surrounded by ten hundred of followers, has
entered Râgagaha.'
14. The people when they saw Sakka the king of the devas, said: 'This youth
indeed is handsome; this youth indeed has a lovely appearance; this youth indeed
is pleasing. Whose attendant may this youth be?'
When they talked thus, Sakka the king of the devas addressed those people in
this stanza: 'He who is wise, entirely self-controlled, the unrivalled Buddha,
tie Arahat, the most happy upon earth: his attendant am I.'
15. And the Blessed One went to the palace of the Magadha king Seniya
Bimbisâra. Having gone there, he sat down with the Bhikkhus who followed him, on
seats laid out for them. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra with his own
hands served and offered excellent food, both hard and soft, to the fraternity
of Bhikkhus with the Buddha at p. 143 its head; and when the Blessed One had
finished his meal and cleansed his bowl and his hands, he sat down near him.
16. Sitting near him the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra thought: 'Where may I
find a place for the Blessed One to live in, not too far from the town and not
too near, suitable for going and coming, easily accessible for all people who
want (to see him), by day not too crowded, at night not exposed to much noise
and alarm, clean of the smell of people, hidden from men, well fitted for a
retired life?'
17. And the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra thought: 'There is the Veluvana1,
my pleasure garden, which is not too far from the town and not too near,
suitable for going and coming, . . . . (&c., down to a retired life). What if I
were to make an offering of the Veluvana pleasure garden to the fraternity of
Bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head?'
18. And the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra took a golden vessel (with water in
it, to be poured over the Buddha's hand); and dedicated (the garden) to the
Blessed One (by saying), 'I give up this Veluvana pleasure garden, Lord, to the
fraternity of Bhikkhus with the Buddha at its head.' The Blessed One accepted
the ârâma (park). Then the Blessed One, after having taught, incited, animated,
and gladdened the Magadha king Seniya p. 144 Bimbisâra by religious discourse,
rose from his seat and went away.
And in consequence of this event the Blessed One, after having delivered a
religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to
receive the donation of an ârâma (a park).'
23.
1. At that time Sañgaya, a paribbâgaka (wandering ascetic), resided at
Râgagaha with a great retinue of paribbâgakas, with two hundred and fifty
paribbâgakas. At that time Sâriputta and Moggallâna (two young Brâhmanas) led a
religious life as followers of Sañgaya the paribbâgaka; these had given their
word to each other: 'He who first attains to the immortal (amata, i.e. Nirvâna)
shall tell the other one.'
2. Now one day the venerable Assagi in the forenoon, having put on his
under-robes, and having taken his alms-bowl, and with his kîvara on, entered the
city of Râgagaha for alms; his walking, turning back, regarding, looking,
drawing (his arms) back, and stretching (them) out was decorous; he turned his
eyes to the ground, and was dignified in deportment. Now the paribbâgaka
Sâriputta saw the venerable Assagi, who went through Râgagaha for alms, whose
walking, &c., was docorous, who kept his eyes on the ground, and was dignified
in deportment. Seeing him he thought: 'Indeed this person is one of those
Bhikkhus who are the worthy ones (Arahats) in the world, or who have entered the
path of Arahatship. What if I were to approach this Bhikkhu and p. 145 to ask
him: "In whose name, friend, have you retired from the world? Who is your
teacher? Whose doctrine do you profess?"'
3. Now the paribbâgaka Sâriputta thought: 'This is not the time to ask this
Bhikkhu; he has entered the interior yard of a house, walking for alms. What if
I were to follow this Bhikkhu step by step, according to the course recognised
by those who want something1.'
And the venerable Assagi, having finished his alms-pilgrimage through
Râgagaha, went back with the food he had received. Then the paribbâgaka
Sâriputta went to the place where the venerable Assagi was; having approached
him, he exchanged greeting with the venerable Assagi; having exchanged with him
greeting and complaisant words, he stationed himself at his side; standing at
his side the paribbâgaka Sâriputta said to the venerable Assagi: 'Your
countenance, friend, is serene; your complexion is pure and bright. In whose
name, friend, have you retired from the world? Who is your teacher? Whose
doctrine do you profess2?'
4. (Assagi replied): 'There is, friend, the great Samana Sakyaputta, an
ascetic of the Sakya tribe; in His, the Blessed One's, name have I retired from
the world; He, the Blessed One, is my teacher; and His, the Blessed One's,
doctrine do I profess.'
p. 146
'And what is the doctrine, Sir, which your teacher holds, and preaches to
you?'
'I am only a young disciple, friend; I have but recently received the
ordination; and I have newly adopted this doctrine and discipline. I cannot
explain to you the doctrine in detail; but I will tell you in short what it
means.'
Then the paribbâgaka Sâriputta said to the venerable Assagi: 'Well, friend,
tell me much or little as you like, but be sure to tell me the spirit (of the
doctrine); I want but the spirit; why do you make so much of the letter?'
5. Then the venerable Assagi pronounced to the paribbâgaka Sâriputta the
following text of the Dhamma: 'Of all objects which proceed from a cause, the
Tathâgata has explained the cause, and He has explained theîr cessation also;
this is the doctrine of the 'great Samana1.'
And the paribbâgaka 'Sâriputta after having heard this text obtained the pure
and spotless Eye of the Truth (that is, the following knowledge): 'Whatsoever is
subject to the condition of origination is subject also to the condition of
cessation.' (And he said): 'If this alone be the Doctrine (the Dhamma), now you
have reached up to the state where all sorrow ceases (i.e. Nirvâna), (the state)
which has remained unseen p. 147 through many myriads of Kappas (world-ages) of
the past.'
6. Then the paribbâgaka Sâriputta went to the place where the paribbâgaka
Moggallâna was. And the paribbâgaka Moggallâna saw the paribbâgaka Sâriputta
coming from afar; seeing him he said to the paribbâgaka Sâriputta: 'Your
countenance, friend, is serene; your complexion is pure and bright. Have you
then really reached the immortal, friend?'
'Yes, friend, I have attained to the immortal.'
'And how, friend, have you done so?'
7-9. 'I saw, friend, the Bhikkhu Assagi who went through Râgagaha for alms
(&c.1, down to:); "But I will tell you in short what it means."
'"Tell me much or little as you like, but be sure to tell me the spirit (of
the doctrine); I want but the spirit; why do you make so much of the letter?"
10. 'Then, friend, the Bhikkhu Assagi pronounced the following Dhamma
sentence: "Of all objects which proceed from a cause, the Tathâgata has
explained the cause, and He has explained their cessation also; this is the
doctrine of the great Samana."'
And the paribbâgaka Moggallâna, after having heard (&c., as in § 5, down to
the end).
24.
1. Then the paribbâgaka Moggallâna said to the paribbâgaka Sâriputta: 'Let us
go, friend, and join p. 148 the Blessed One; that He, the Blessed One, may be
our teacher.'
(Sâriputta replied): 'It is on our account, friend; that these two hundred
and fifty paribbâgakas live here (as followers of Sañgaya), and it is we whom
they regard; let us first inform them also of our intention; then they may do
what they think fit.'
Then Sâriputta and Moggallâna went to the place where those paribbâgakas
were; having approached them, they said to the paribbâgakas: 'Friends, we are
going to join the Blessed One; that He, the Blessed One, may be our teacher.'
(The paribbâgakas replied): 'It is on your account, Sirs, that we live here,
and it is you whom we regard; if you, Sirs, are about to place yourselves under
the spiritual direction of the great Samana, we all will place ourselves also
under the spiritual direction of the great Samana.'
2. Then Sâriputta and Moggallâna went to the place where the paribbâgaka
Sañgaya was; having approached him, they said to the paribbâgaka Sañgaya:
'Friend, we are going to join the Blessed One; that He, the Blessed One, may be
our teacher.'
(Sañgaya replied): 'Nay, friends, do not go; let us all three share in the
leadership of this body (of disciples).'
And a second time Sâriputta and Moggallâna said, &c. And a third time
Sâriputta and Moggallâna said, &c. (And a third time he replied): 'Nay, friends,
do not go; let us all three share in the leadership of this body (of
disciples).'
3. But Sâriputta and Moggallâna took with them those two hundred and fifty
paribbâgakas and went to the Veluvana. But the paribbâgaka Sañgaya p. 149 began,
on the spot, to vomit hot blood from his mouth1.
And the Blessed One saw them, Sâriputta and Moggallâna, coming from afar; on
seeing them he thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'There, O Bhikkhus, two companions
arrive, Kolita and U patissa2; these will be a pair of (true) pupils, a most
distinguished, auspicious pair.
When3 (Sâriputta and Moggallâna), who had reached emancipation in the perfect
destruction of the substrata (of existence), which is a profound subject
accessible only to knowledge, came to the Veluvana, the Teacher, who saw them,
foretold about p. 150 them: 'These two companions who are now coming--Kolita and
Upatissa--these will be a pair of (true) pupils, a most distinguished,
auspicious pair.'
4. Then Sâriputta and Moggallâna went to the place where the Blessed One was;
having approached him, they prostrated thernselves, inclining their heads to the
feet of the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: 'Lord, let us receive the
pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations from the Blessed One.'
'Come, O Bhikkhus,' said the Blessed One, 'well taught is the doctrine; lead
a holy life for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.' Thus these
venerable persons received the upasampadâ ordination.
5. At that time many distinguished young Magadha noblemen led a religious
life under the direction of the Blessed One. The people were annoyed, murmured,
and became angry (saying), 'The Samana Gotama causes fathers to beget no sons;
the Samana Gotama causes wives to become widows; the Samana Gotama causes
families to become extinct. Now he has ordained one thousand Gatilas, and he has
ordained these two hundred and fifty paribbâgakas who were followers of Sañgaya;
and these many distingtiished young Magadha noblemen are now leading a religious
life under the direction of the Samana Gotama.' And moreover, when they saw the
Bhikkhus, they reviled them in the following stanza: 'The great Samana has come
to Giribbaga (i.e. Râgagaha) of the Magadha people, leading with hi in all the
follawers of Sañgaya; who will be the next to be led by him?'
6. Some Bhikkhus heard those people that were p. 151 annoyed, murmured, and
had hecome angry; these Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed One. (He
replied): 'This noise, O Bhikkhus, will not last long; it will last only seven
days; after seven days it will he over. And if they revile you, O Bhikkhus, in
this stanza: "The great Samana has come, &c.," you should reply to the revilers
in the following stanza: "It is by means of the true doctrine that the great
heroes, the Tathâgatas, lead men. Who will murmur at the wise, who lead men by
the power of the Truth?"'
7. At that time the people, when seeing the Bhikkhus, reviled them in the
following stanza: 'The great Samana has come, &c.' Then the Bhikkhus replied to
the revilers in the following stanza: 'It is by means of the true doctrine, &c.'
Then the people understood: 'It is by truth, and not by wrong, that the
Sakyaputtiya Samanas lead men;' and thus that noise lasted only seven days, and
after seven days it was over.
Here ends the narration of the ordination of Sâriputta and Moggallâna.
End of the fourth Bhânavâra.
251.
1. At that time some Bhikkhus, as they had no upagghâyas (preceptors) and
received no exhortation p. 152 and instruction, went on their rounds for alms
wearing improper under and upper garments (or, wearing their under and upper
garments improperly), and in an improper attire. While people were eating, they
held out their alms-bowls in which were leavings of food1, over the hard food
(which the people were eating), and held them out over soft food, and held them
out over savoury food, and held them out over drinks. They asked for soup and
boiled rice themselves, and ate it; in the dining halls they made a great and
loud noise.
2. The people were annoyed, murmured, and became angry (saying), 'How can the
Sakyaputtiya Samanas go on their rounds for alms wearing improper under and
upper garments, . . . . (&c., as in § 1, down to drinks)? How can they make so
great and loud a noise in the dining halls? They behave like Brâhmanas at the
dinners given to them.'
3. Some Bhikkhus heard those people that were annoyed, murmured, and had
become angry. Those Bhikkhus who were moderate, frugal, modest, conscientious,
p. 153 anxious for training, were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'How can
the Bhikkhus go on their rounds for alms wearing improper under and upper
garments, &c.? How can they make so great and loud a noise in the dining halls?'
4. These Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed One.
In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, having ordered
the fraternity of Bhikkhus to assemble, questioned the Bhikkhus: 'Is it true, O
Bhikkhus, that some Bhikkhus go on their rounds, . . . . (&c., down to), that
they make a great and loud noise in the dining halls?'
'It is true, Lord.'
5. Then the Blessed Buddha rebuked those Bhikkhus: 'It is improper, O
Bhikkhus, what these foolish persons are doing, it is unbecoming, indecent, un
worthy of Samanas, unallowable, and to be avoided. How can these foolish
persons, O Bhikkhus, go on their rounds, &c.? How can they make so great and
loud a noise in the dining halls? This will not do, O Bhikkhus, for converting
the unconverted, and for augmenting the number of the converted; but it will
result, O Bhikkhus, in the unconverted being repulsed (from the faith), and in
many of the converted being estranged.'
6. And the Blessed One rebuked those Bhikkhus in many ways, spoke against
unfrugality, ill-nature, immoderation, insatiableness, delighting in society,
and indolence; spoke in many ways in praise of frugality, good-nature, of the
moderate, contented, who have eradicated (sin), who have shaken off (sin), of
the gracious, of the reverent, and of the energetic. And having delivered
beforethe Bhikkhus a religious p. 154 discourse in accordance to, and in
conformity with these subjects, he thus addressed the Bhikkhus:
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, (that young Bhikkhus choose) an upagghâya (or
preceptor).
'The upagghâya, O Bhikkhus, ought to consider the saddhivihârika (i.e. pupil)
as a son; the saddhivihârika ought to consider the upagghâya as a father. Thus
these two, united by mutual reverence, confidence, and communion of life, will
progress, advance, and reach a high stage in this doctrine and discipline.
7. 'And let them choose, O Bhikkhus, an upagghâya in this way: Let him (who
is going to choose an upagghâya) adjust his upper robe so as to cover one
shoulder, salute the feet (of the intended upagghâya), sit down squatting, raise
his joined hands, and say: "Venerable Sir, be my upagghâya; venerable Sir, be my
upagghâya; venerable Sir, be my upagghâya." (If the other answer): "Well," or,
"Certainly," or, "Good," or, "All right," or, "Carry on (your work) with
friendliness (towards me)," or should he express this by gesture (lit. by his
body). or by word, or by gesture and word, then the upagghâya has been chosen.
If he does not express this by gesture, nor by word, nor by gesture and word,
the upagghâya has not been chosen.
8. 'The saddhivihârika, O Bhikkhus, ought to observe a strict conduct towards
his upagghâya. And these are the rules for his conduct: Let him arise betimes,
and having taken off his shoes1 and adjusted his upper robe so as to cover one
shoulder, p. 155 let him give (to the upagghâya) the teeth-cleanser and water to
rinse his mouth with. Then let him prepare a seat (for the upagghâya). If there
is rice-milk, let him rinse the jug and offer the rice-milk (to the upagghâya).
When he has drunk it, let him give water (to the upagghâya), take the jug, hold
it down, rinse it properly without (damaging it by) rubbing, and put it away.
When the upagghâya has risen, let him take away the seat. If the place is dirty,
let him sweep the place.
9. 'If the upagghâya wishes to go into the village, let (the saddhivihârika)
give (to the upagghâya) his under garment, take (from him) his second under
garment (i.e. his house-dress ?), give him his girdle, lay the two upper
garments upon each other1 and give them (to the upagghâya), rinse the alms-bowl,
and give it him with some water in it. If the upagghâya wishes (to go with) an
attendant Bhikkhu, let him put on his under garment so as to conceal the three
circles (viz. the navel and the two knees) and as to cover the body all around;
then let him put on his girdle, lay the two upper garments upon each other and
put them on, tie the knots, take his alms-bowl, after having it rinsed, and
follow the upagghâya as his attendant. Let him not go too far (from the
upagghâya) nor too near. Let him take (from the upagghâya) what has been put
into his alms-bowl2.
10. 'When the upagghâya speaks, let (the saddhivihârika) p. 156 not interrupt
him. If the upagghâya is in danger of committing an offence by the words he
says, let (the saddhivihârika) keep him back. When (the upagghâya) turns back
(from his alms-pilgrimage), let the saddhivihârika go back (to the Vihâra)
before (the upagghâya), prepares seat, get water for the washing of his feet, a
foot-stool, and a towel1; then let him go to meet the upagghâya, take his bowl
and his robe, give him his second under garment (his house-dress ?), and take
his under garment. If the robe (of the upagghâya) is wet with perspiration, let
him dry it a while in a hot place, but let him not leave the robe in a hot
place. Let him fold up the robe. When folding up the robe, let him fold it up so
as to leave (every day) four inches (more than the day before) hanging over at
the corners, in order that no fold may arise in the middle of it2. Let him the
girdle3. If there is any food received in the alms-bowl, and the upagghâya
desires to eat it, let him give water (to the upagghâya) and then offer him the
food.
11. 'Let him offer to the upagghâya (water) to drink. When the upagghâya has
finished his meal, let (the saddhivihârika) give him water, take his alms-bowl,
hold it down, rinse it properly without (damaging it by) rubbing, pour the water
out, and dry (the bowl) a while in some hot place, but let p. 157 him not leave
the bowl in the hot place. Let him put away the alms-bowl and the robe. When he
puts away the alms-bowl, let him do so holding the alms-bowl with one hand, and
first feeling with the other hand under the bed or under the chair (where he is
going to put the bowl), and let him not put the bowl on the bare ground. When he
hangs up the robe, let him take the robe with one hand and stroke with the other
hand along the bambu peg or rope on which the robe is to be hung up, and hang up
the robe so that the border is turned away from him (and turned to the wall),
and the fold is turned towards him. When the upagghâya has risen, let him take
away the seat and put away the water for the washing of the feet, the
foot-stool, and the towel1. If the place is dirty, let him sweep the place.
12. 'If the upagghâya wishes to bathe, let him prepare a bath. If he wants
cold water, let him get cold water; if he wants hot water, let him get hot
water. If the upagghâya wishes to go to the gantâghara2, let (the
saddhivihârika) knead the powder3, moisten the clay4, take up the chair
belonging to the gantâghara, follow the upagghâya from behind, give him the
chair, take his p. 158 robe and put it aside, give him the powder and the clay.
If he is able1, let him also enter the gantâghara. When he is going to enter the
gantâghara, let him besmear his face with clay, cover himself from before and
behind, and thus enter the gantâghara.
13. 'Let him not sit down so as to encroach on senior Bhikkhus, nor let him
dislodge junior Bhikkhus from their seats. Let him wait upon the upagghâya in
thegantâghara. When he is going to leave thegantâghara, let him take up the
chair belonging to the gantâghara, cover himself from before and behind, and
thus leave the gantâghara. Let him wait upon the upagghâya also in the water.
When he has bathed, let (the saddhivihârika) go out of the water first, let him
dry his own body, put on his dress, then wipe off the water from his upagghâya's
body, give him his under garment and his upper garment, take the chair belonging
to the gantâghara, go before the upagghâya, prepare a seat for him, and get
water for the washing of his feet, a foot-stool, and a towel2. Let him offer to
the upagghâya (water) to drink.
14. 'If (the upagghâya) likes being called upon to deliver a discourse, let
him call upon (the upagghâya to do so). If (the upagghâya) likes questions being
put to him, let him put questions (to the upagghâya).
'If the Vihâra, in which the upagghâya dwells, is dirty, let him clean that
Vihâra, if he is able to do so. When cleaning the Vihâra, let him first take
away the alms-bowl and the robe (of the upagghâya) p. 159 and lay them aside.
Let him take away the mat and the sheet1 and lay them aside. Let him take away
the mattress and the pillow and lay them aside.
15. 'Let him turn down the bed, take it away properly without rubbing it
(against the floor) and without knocking it against door or doorpost, and put it
aside. Let him turn down the chair, take it away properly without rubbing it
(against the floor) and without knocking it against door or doorpost, and put it
aside. Let him take away the supporters of the bed2 and put them aside. Let him
take away the spitting-box and put it aside. Let him take away the board to
recline on3 and put it aside. Let him take away the carpet, after having noticed
how it was spread out, and put it aside. If there are cobwebs in the Vihâra, let
him remove them as soon as he sees them. Let him wipe off the casements4 and the
corners of the room. If a wall which is coated with red chalk, is dirty, let him
moisten the mop, wring it out, and scour the wall. If the floor is coated black
and is dirty, let him moisten the mop, wring it out, and scour the floor. If the
floor is not blacked, let him sprinkle it with water and scrub it in order that
the Vihâra may not become dusty. Let him heap up the sweepings and cast them
aside.
16. 'Let him bask the carpet in the sunshine, clean it, dust it by beating,
take it back, and spread it out as it was spread before. Let him put the
supporters of the bed in the sunshine, wipe them p. 160 take them back, and put
them in their place. Let him put the bed in the sunshine, dean it, dust it by
beating, turn it down, take it back properly without rubbing it (against the
floor) and without knocking it against door and doorpost, and put it in its
place. Let him put the chair in the sunshine, &c.1 Let him put mattress and
pillow in the sunshine, clean them, dust them by beating, take them back, and
lay them out as they were laid out before. Let him put the mat and sheet in the
sunshine, &c.1 Let him put the spittoon in the sunshine, wipe it, take it back,
and put it in its place. Let him put in the sunshine the board to recline on,
&c.1
17. 'Let him put away the alms-bowl and the robe. When he puts them away
(&c., as in § 11, down to:), and hang up the robe so that the border is turned
away from him and the fold is turned towards him.
18. 'If dusty winds blow from the East, let him shut the windows on the East.
If dusty winds blow from the West, let him shut the windows on the West, &c.2 If
it is cold weather, let him open the windows by day and shut them at night. If
it is hot weather, let him shut the windows by day and open them at night.
19. 'If the cell is dirty, let him sweep the cell. If the store-room is
dirty, let him sweep the store-room. If the refectory, &c. If the fire room, &c.
If the privy is dirty, let him sweep the privy. If there is no drinkable water,
let him provide drinkable water. If there is no food, let him provide food. If
there is no water in the waterpot for rinsing the mouth with, let him pour water
into the pot.
p. 161
20. 'If discontent has arisen within the upagghâya's heart, let the
saddhivihârika appease him1, or cause him to be appeased (by another), by
compose him by religious conversation. If indecision has arisen in the
upagghâya's mind, let the saddhivihârika dispel it, or cause it to be dispelled,
or compose him by religious conversation. If the upagghâya takes to a false
doctrine, let the saddhivihârika discuss it, or cause another to discuss it, or
compose (the upagghâya) by religious conversation.
21. 'If the upagghâya is guilty of a grave offence, and ought to be sentenced
to parivâsa discipline2, let the saddhivihârika take care that the Samgha
sentence the upagghâya to parivâsa discipline. If the upagghâya ought to be
sentenced to recommence his penal discipline, let the saddhivihârika take care
that the Samgha may order the upagghâya to recommence his penal discipline. If
the mânatta discipline ought to be imposed on the upagghâya, let the
saddhivihârika take care that the Samgha impose the mânatta discipline on the
upagghâya. If the upagghâya is to be rehabilitated (when his penal discipline
has been duly undergone), let the saddhivihârika take care that the Samgha
rehabilitate the upagghâya.
p. 162
22. 'If the Samgha wishes to proceed against the upagghâya by the
tagganiyakamma1, or the nissaya, or the pabbâganiyakamma, or the
patisâraniyakamma, or the ukkhepaniyakamma, let the saddhivihârika do what he
can in order that the Samgha may not proceed against the upagghâya or may
mitigate the proceeding. Or if thc Samgha has instituted a proceeding against
him, the tagganiyakamma, &c., or the ukkhepaniyakamma, let the saddhivihârika do
what he can in order that the upagghâya may behave himself properly, live
modestly, and aspire to get clear of his penance, and that the Samgha may revoke
its sentence.
23. 'If the robe of the upagghâya must be washed, let the saddhivihârika wash
it or take care that the upagghâya's robe is washed. If a robe must be made for
the upagghâya, let the saddhivihârika make it or take care that the upagghâya's
robe is made. If dye must be boiled for the upagghâya, &c. If the robe of the
upagghâya must be dyed, &c. When he dyes the robe, let him dye it properly and
turn it whenever required, and let him not go away before the dye has ceased to
drop.
24. 'Let him not give his alms-bowl to any one without the permission of his
upagghâya. Let him not accept an alms-bowl from any one else without the
permission of his upagghâya. Let him not give his robe to any one else, &c. Let
him not accept a robe from any one else; let him not give articles p. 163
(required for a Bhikkhu) to any one else; let him not receive (such) articles
from anyone else; let him not shave the hair of any one else; let him not have
his hair shaven by any one else; let him not wait upon any one else; let him not
have done service by any one else; let him not execute commissions for any one
else; let him not have commissions executed by anyone else; let him not go with
anyone else as his attendant; let him not take any one else with him as his
attendant; let him not carry any one's food received by him in alms (to the
Vihâra); let him not have the food received by himself in alms carried by any
one (to the Vihâra) without the permission of his upagghâya. Let him not enter
the village, or go to a cemetery, or go abroad on journeys without the
permission of his upagghâya. If his upagghâya is sick, let him nurse him as long
as his life lasts, and wait until he has recovered.'
End of the duties towards an upagghâya.
26.
1. 'The upagghâya, O Bhikkhus, ought to observe a strict conduct towards his
saddhivihârika. And these are the rules for his conduct: Let the upagghâya, O
Bhikkhus, afford (spiritual) help and furtherance to the saddhivihârika by
teaching by putting questions to him, by exhortation, by instruction. If the
upagghâya has an alms-bowl and the saddhivihârika has not, let the upagghâya
give the alms-bowl to the saddhivihârika or take care p. 164 that the
saddhivihârika gets an alms-bowl. If the upagghâya has a robe and the
saddhivihârika has not, let the upagghâya give the robe, &c. If the upagghâya
has the articles (required for a Bhikkhu) and the saddhivihârika has not, &c.
2-6. 'If the saddhivihârika is sick, let (the upagghâya) arise betimes and
give him the teeth-cleanser and water to rinse his mouth with. Then let him
prepare a seat (for the saddhivihârika). If there is rice-milk (&c., as in chap.
25. 8, 9, down to:), and give it him with some water in it. When he expects:
"Now he must be about to return," let him prepare a seat, get water for the
washing of his feet (&c., as in chap. 25. 10-131, down to:). Let him offer to
the saddhivihârika water to drink.
7-10. 'If the Vihâra in which the saddhivihârika dwells, is dirty . . . .
(&c., as in chap. 25. 14-22).
11. 'If the robe of the saddhivihârika must be washed, let the upagghâya tell
the saddhivihârika: "Thus must you wash your robe," or let him take care that
the saddhivihârika's robe is washed. If a robe must be made for the
saddhivihârika, let the upagghâya tell the saddhivihârika: "Thus must you make
the robe," or let him take care that the saddhivihârika's robe is made. If dye
must be boiled for the saddhivihârika, &c. If the robe of the saddhivihârika
must be dyed, let the upagghâya tell, &c. When he dyes the robe, let him dye it
properly, and turn it whenever required, and let him not go away before the dye
has ceased to drop. If the saddhivihârika p. 165 is sick, let him nurse him as
long as his life lasts and wait until he has recovered.'
End of the duties towards a saddhivihârika.
27.
1. At that time the saddhivihârikas did not observe a proper conduct towards
their upagghâyas. The moderate Bhikkhus1 were annoyed, murmured, and became
angry, saying, 'How can the saddhivihârikas not observe a proper conduct towards
their upagghâyas?' These Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed One.
(Then Buddha questioned the Bhikkhus): 'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, that the
saddhivihârikas do not observe a proper conduct towards their upagghâyas?' (They
replied): 'It is true, Lord.' Then the blessed Buddha rebuked those Bhikkhus:
'How can the saddhivihârikas, O Bhikkhus, not observe a proper conduct towards
their upagghâyas?' Having rebuked them and delivered a religious discourse, he
thus addressed the Bhikkhus2: 'Let a saddhivihârika, O Bhikkhus, not forbear to
observe a proper conduct towards p. 166 his upagghâya. He who does not observe
it, is guilty of a dukkata1 offence.'
2. Notwithstanding this, they did not observe a proper conduct. They told
this thing to the Blessed One.
'I ordain, O Bhikkhus, to turn away (a saddhivihârika) who does not observe a
proper conduct. And he ought, O Bhikkhus, to be turned away in this way: (The
upagghâya is to say): "I turn you away," or, " Do not come back hither," or,
"Take away your alms-bowl and robe," or, "I am not to be attended by you any
more." Whether he express this by gesture, or by word, or by gesture and word,
the saddhivihârika has then been turned away. If he does not express this by
gesture, nor by word, nor by gesture and word, the saddhivihârika has not been
turned away.'
3. At that time saddhivihârikas who had been turned away did not beg pardon
(of their upagghâyas). They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that (a saddhivihârika who has been turned away)
should, beg pardon (of his upagghâya).'
They did not beg pardon notwithstanding. They told, &c.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that (a saddhivihârika) who has been turned away
shall not forbear to beg pardon (of his upagghâya). If he does not beg pardon,
it is a dukkata offence.'
p. 167
4. At that time upagghâyas, when the saddhivihârikas begged their pardon,
would not forgive them. They told, &c.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, forgiving.'
Notwithstanding this they did not forgive. The saddhivihârikas went away, or
returned to the world, or went over to other schools. They told, &c.
'Let him who is asked for his pardon, not withhold it. He who does not
forgive, is guilty of a dukkata offence:
5. At that time upagghâyas turned away (a saddhivihârika) who observed a
proper conduct, and did not turn awayone who did not observe it. They told, &c.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, who observes a proper conduct, be turned away. He
who turns him away is guilty of a dukkata offence. And let no one, O Bhikkhus,
who dues not observe a proper conduct, not be turned away. (An upagghâya) who
does not turn him away is guilty of a dukkata offence.
6. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a saddhivihârika ought to be turned away: when
he does not feel great affection for his upagghâya, nor great inclination
(towards him), nor much shame, nor great reverence, nor great devotion (towards
the upagghâya). In these five cases, O Bhikkhus, a saddhivihârika ought to be
turned away.
'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a saddhivihârika ought not to be turned away:
when he feels great affection for his upagghâya, great inclination (towards
him), &c. In these five cases, O Bhikkhus, a saddhivihârika ought not to be
turned away.
7. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, it is right to turn away a saddhivihârika:
when he does not feel p. 168 great affection, &c. In these five cases, O
Bhikkhus, it is right to turn away a saddhivihârika.
'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, it is not right, &c.
8. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, an upagghâya who does not turn away a
saddhivihârika, trespasses (against the law), and an upagghâya who turns him
away, does not trespass: when he does not feel great affection, &c. In these
five cases, &c.
'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, an upagghâya who turns away a saddhivihârika,
trespasses (against the law), and an upagghâya who does not turn him away, does
not trespass, &c.'
28.
1. At that time a certain Brâhmana came to the Bhikkhus and asked them for
the pabbaggâ ordination. The Bhikkhus were not willing to ordain him. As he did
not obtain the pabbaggâ ordination from the Bhikkhus, he became emaciated, lean,
discoloured, more and more livid, and the veins became visible all over his
body.
And the Blessed One saw this Brâhmana, who had become emaciated, &c. When he
had seen him, he said to the Bhikkhus: 'How is it, O Bhikkhus, that this
Brâhmana has become emaciated, &c.'
'This Brâhmana, Lord, came to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the pabbaggâ
ordination (&c., as above, down to:), and the veins became visible all over his
body.'
2. Then the Blessed One said to the Bhikkhus: 'Now, O Bhikkhus, who remembers
anything about this Brâhmana?'
p. 169
When he had spoken thus, the venerabIe Sâriputta said to the Blessed One: 'I
remember something, Lord, about this Brâhmana.'
'And what is it you remember, Sâriputta, about this Brâhmana?'
'This Brâhmana, Lord, one day, when I went through Râgagaha for alms, ordered
a spoonfuI of food to be given to me; this is what I remember, Lord, about this
Brâhmana.'
3. 'Good, good, Sâriputta; pious men, Sâriputta, are gratefuI and remember
what has been done to them. Therefore, Sâriputta, confer you the pabbaggâ and
upasampadâ ordinations on that Brâhmana.'
'Lord, how shall I confer the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations on this
Brâhmana?'
Then the Blessed One on this occasion, after having delivered a religious
discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I abolish, O Bhikkhus, from this day
the upasampadâ ordination by the threefoId declaration of taking refuge1, which
I had prescribed. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you confer the upasampadâ
ordination by a formal act of the Order in which the announcement (ñatti) is
followed by three questions2.
4. 'And you ought, O Bhikkhus, to confer the p. 170 upasampadâ ordination in
this way: Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before
the Samgha:
'Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. This person N. N., desires to
receive the upasampadâ ordination from the venerable N. N. (i.e. with the
venerable N. N. as his upagghâya). If the Samgha is ready, let the Samgha confer
on N. N. the upasampadâ ordination with N. N. as upagghâya. This is the ñatti.
5, 6. 'Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. This person N. N. desires to
receive the upasampadâ ordination from the venerable N. N. The Samgha confers on
N. N. the upasampadâ ordination with N. N. as upagghâya. Let any one of the
venerable brethren who is in favour of the upasampadâ ordination of N. N. with
N. N. as upagghâya, be silent, and any one who is not in favour of it, speak.
'And for the second time I thus speak to you: Let the Samgha (&c., as
before).
'And for the third time I thus speak to you: Let the Samgha, &c.
'N. N. has received the upasampadâ ordination from the Samgha with N. N. as
upagghâya. The Samgha is in favour of it, therefore it is silent. Thus I
understand1.'
29.
1. At that time a certain Bhikkhu shortly after having received the
upasampadâ ordination, abandoned p. 171 himself to bad conduct. The Bhikkhus
said to him: 'You ought not to do so, friend; it is not becoming.'
He replied: 'I never asked you, Sirs, saying, "Confer on me the upasampadâ
ordination." Why have you ordained me without your being asked?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, ordain a person unless he has been asked to do so.
He who does, commits a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you ordain
only after having been asked.
2. 'And (a Bhikkhu) ought to be asked in this way: Let him who desires to
receive the upasampadâ ordination, go to the Samgha, adjust his upper robe so as
to cover one shoulder, salute the feet of the Bhikkhus with his head, sit down
squatting, raise his joined hands, and say: "I ask the Samgha, reverend Sirs,
for the upasampadâ ordination; might the Samgha, reverend Sirs, draw me out (of
the sinful world) out of compassion towards me." And for the second time, &c.;
and for the third time let him ask, &c.
3. 'Then let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before
the Samgha: "Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. This person N. N. desires
to receive the upasampadâ ordination from the venerable N. N.; N. N. asks the
Samgha for the upasampadâ ordination with N. N. as upagghâya. If the Samgha is
ready, &c,1"'
p. 172
30.
1. At that time an arrangement had been made at Râgagaha that the Bhikkhus
were to receive excellent meals successively (in the houses of different rich
upâsakas). Now (one day) a certain Brâhmana thought: 'Indeed the precepts which
these Sakyaputtiya Samanas keep and the life they live are commodious; they have
good meals and lie down on beds protected from the wind1. What if I were to
embrace the religious life among the Sakyaputtiya Samanas?' Then this Brâhmana
went to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the pabbaggâ ordination; the Bhikkhus
conferred the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations on him.
2. When he had been ordained, the arrangement of successive meals (with the
rich upâsakas) came to an end. The Bhikkhus said to him: 'Come, friend, let us
now go on our rounds for alms.'
He replied: 'I have not embraced the religious life for that purpose--to
going about for alms; if you give me (food), I will eat; if you do not, I will
return to the world.'
(The Bhikkhus said): 'What, friend! have you indeed embraced the religious
life for your belly's sake?'
'Yes, friends.'
3. The moderate Bhikkhus were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'How can a
Bhikkhu embrace the religious life in so well-taught a doctrine and discipline
for his belly's sake?'
p. 173
These Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed One.
(The Buddha said): 'Is it true, O Bhikkhu, that you have embraced the
religious life for your belly's sake?'
(He replied): 'It is true, Lord.'
Then the blessed Buddha rebuked that Bhikkhu: 'How can you, foolish person
that you are, embrace the religious life in so well-taught a doctrine and
discipline for your belly's sake? This will not do, O foolish one, for
converting the unconverted and for augmenting the number of the converted.'
Having rebuked him and delivered a religious discourse, he thus addressed the
Bhikkhus:
4. 'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that he who confers the upasampadâ ordination
(on a Bhikkhu), tell him the four Resources.
'The religious life has morsels of food given in alms for its resource. Thus
you must endeavour to live all your life. Meals given to the Samgha, to certain
persons, invitations, food distributed by ticket, meals given each fortnight,
each uposatha day (i.e. the last day of each fortnight), or the first day of
each fortnight, are extra allowances.
'The religious life has the robe made of rags taken from a dust heap for its
resource. Thus you must endeavour to live all your life. Linen, cotton, silk,
woollen garments, coarse cloth, hempen cloth are extra allowances.
'The religious life has dwelling at the foot of a tree for its resource. Thus
you must endeavour to live all your life. Vihâras, addhayogas, storied
dwellings, attics, caves1 are extra allowances.
p. 174
'The religious life has decomposing urine as medicine1 for its resource. Thus
you must endeavour to live all your life. Ghee, butter, oil, honey, and molasses
are extra allowances.'
Here ends the fifth Bhânavâra, which contains the duties towards upagghâyas.
31.
1. At that time a certain youth came to the Bhikkhus and asked them to be
ordained. The Bhikkhus told him the (four) Resources before his ordination. Then
he said: 'If you had told me the Resources, venerable Sirs, after my ordination,
I should have persisted (in the religious life); but now, venerable Sirs, I will
not be ordained; the Resources are repulsive and loathsome to me.'
The Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed One.
'You ought not, O Bhikkhus, to tell the Resources (to the candidates) before
their ordination. He who does, is guilty of a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O
Bhikkhus, that you tell the Resources (to the newly-ordained Bhikkhus)
immediately after their upasampadâ.'
p. 175
2. At that time some Bhikkhus performed the upasampadâ service with a chapter
of two or three Bhikkhus.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, receive the upasampadâ ordination before a chapter
of less than ten Bhikkhus. He who performs the upasampadâ service (with a
smaller number of Bhikkhus), is guilty of a dukkata offence. I prescribe you, O
Bhikkhus, the holding of upasampadâ services with a chapter of ten Bhikkhus or
more than ten.'
3. At that time some Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination on their
saddhivihârikas one or two years after their own upasampadâ. 1Thus also the
venerable Upasena Vangantaputta conferred the upasampadâ ordination on a
saddhivihârika of his one year after his own upasampadâ. When he had concluded
the vassa residence, after two years from his own upasampadâ had elapsed, he
went with his saddhivihârika, who had completed the first year after his
upasampadâ, to the place where the Blessed One was; having approached him and
respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat down near him.
4. Now it is the custom of the blessed Buddhas to exchange greeting with
incoming Bhikkhus. And the Blessed One said to the venerable Upasena
Vangantaputta: 'Do things go well with you, Bhikkhu? Do you get enough to
support your life? Have you made your journey with not too great fatigue?'
'Things go pretty well with us, Lord; we get p. 176 enough, Lord, to support
our life, and we have made our journey, Lord, with not too great fatigue.' The
Tathâgatas sometimes ask about what they know; sometimes they do not ask about
what they know. They understand the right time when to ask, and they understand
the right time when not to ask. The Tathâgatas put questions full of sense, not
void of sense; to what is void of sense the bridge is pulled down for the
Tathâgatas. For two purposes the blessed Buddhas put questions to the Bhikkhus,
when they intend to preach the doctrine or when they intend to institute a rule
of conduct to their disciples.
5. And the Blessed One said to the venerable Upananda Vangantaputta: 'How
many years have you completed, O Bhikkhu, since your upasampadâ?'
'Two years, Lord.'
'And how many years has this Bhikkhu completed?'
'One year, Lord.'
'In what relation does this Bhikkhu stand to you?'
'He is my saddhivihârika, Lord.'
Then the blessed Buddha rebuked him: 'This is improper, O foolish one,
unbecoming, unsuitable, unworthy of a Samana, unallowable, and to be avoided.
How can you, O foolish one, who ought to receive exhortation and instruction
from others, think yourself fit for administering exhortation and instruction to
another Bhikkhu? Too quickly, O foolish one, have you abandoned yourself to the
ambition of collecting followers. This will not do (&c.: as in chap. 30. 3). Let
no one, O Bhikkhus, confer the upasampadâ ordination who has not p. 177
completed ten years. He who does, is guilty of a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O
Bhikkhus, that only he who has completed ten years or more than ten years, may
confer the upasampadâ ordination.'
6. At that time ignorant, unlearned Bhikkhus (who said), 'We have completed
ten years (since our upasampadâ), we have completed ten years,' conferred the
upasampadâ ordination; (thus) ignorant upagghâyas were found and clever
saddhivihârikas; unlearned upagghâyas were found and learned saddhivihârikas;
upagghâyas were found who had small knowledge, and saddhivihârikas who had great
knowledge; foolish upagghâyas were found and wise saddhivihârikas. And a certain
Bhikkhu who had formerly belonged to a Titthiya school, when his upagghâya
remonstrated with him (on certain offences) according to the Dhamma, brought his
upagghâya (by reasoning) to silence and went back to that same Titthiya school1.
7. The moderate Bhikkhus were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'How can
those ignorant, unlearned Bhikkhus confer the upasampadâ ordination (saying);
"We have completed ten years, we have completed ten years?" (Thus) ignorant
upagghâyas are found and clever saddhivihârikas (&c., down to:), foolish
upagghâyas are found and wise saddhivihârikas.'
These Bhikkhus told, &c.
'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, &c.?'
'It is true, Lord.'
8. Then the blessed Buddha rebuked those Bhikkhus: 'How can these foolish
persons, O Bhikkhus, p. 178 confer the upasampadâ ordination (saying), "We have,
&c?" (Thus) ignorant upagghâyas are found, &c. This will not do, O Bhikkhus, for
converting the unconverted and for augmenting the number of the converted.'
Having rebuked those Bhikkhus and delivered a religious discourse, he thus
addressed the Bhikkhus: 'Let no ignorant, unlearned Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, confer
the upasampadâ ordination. If he does, he is guilty of a dukkata offence. I
prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that only a learned, competent Bhikkhu who has completed
ten years, or more than ten years, may confer the upasampadâ ordination.'
32.
1. At that time some Bhikkhus whose upagghâyas were gone away, or had
returned to the world, or had died, or were gone over to a (schismatic)
faction1, as they had no âkariyas and received no exhortation and instruction,
went on their rounds for alms wearing improper under and upper garments (&c., as
in chap. 25. 1-6, down to:), he thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I prescribe, O
Bhikkhus, (that young Bhikkhus choose) an âkariya2.
p. 179
'The âkariya, O Bhikkhus, ought to consider the antevâsika (i.e. disciple) as
a son; the antevâsika ought to consider the âkariya as a father. Thus these two,
united by mutual reverence, confidence, and communion of life, will progress,
advance, and reach a high stage in this doctrine and discipline.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you live (the first) ten years in dependence
(on an âkariya); he who has completed his tenth year may give a nissaya1
himself.
p. 180
2. 'And let (the antevâsika), O Bhikkhus, choose his âkariya in this way: Let
him adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder, salute the feet (of the
âkariya), sit down squatting, raise his joined hands, and say: "Venerable Sir,
be my âkariya, I will live in dependence on you, Sir."' (This formula is
repeated thrice.)
'(If the other answers): "Well" (&c., as in chap. 25. 7).
3. 'The antevâsika, O Bhikkhus, ought to observe a strict conduct towards his
âkariya' (&c., as in chap. 25. 8-24).
End of the duties towards an âkariya.
33.
'The âkariya, O Bhikkhus, ought to observe a strict conduct towards his
antevâsika' (&c., as in chap. 26).
End of the duties towards an antevâsika.
End of the sixth Bhânavâra.
34.
At that time the antevâsikas did not observe a proper conduct towards their
âkariyas (&c., as in chap. 27. 1-8).
p. 181
35.
1, 2. At that time ignorant, unlearned Bhikkhus (who said), 'We have
completed ten years (since our upasampadâ), we have completed ten years,' gave a
nissaya (i.e. they received young Bhikkhus as their antevâsikas); (thus)
ignorant âkariyas were found and clever antevâsikas; unlearned âkariyas were
found and learned antevâsikas; âkariyas were found who had small knowIedge, and
antevâsikas who had great knowledgc; foolish âkariyas were found and wise
antevâsikas. The moderate Bhikkhus were annoyed (&c., as in chap. 31, 7, 8).
'Let no ignorant, unlearned Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, give a nissaya. If he does,
he is guilty of a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that only a learned,
competent Bhikkhu who has completed ten years, or more than ten years, may give
a nissaya.
36.
1. At that time the Bhikkhus whose âkariyas and upagghâyas were gone away, or
had returned to the worId, or had died, or were gone over to a (schismatic)
faction, were not acquainted with (the rules about) the cessation of their
nissayas1. They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'There are five cases of cessation of a nissaya, O Bhikkhus, between
(saddhivihârika and) upagghâya: p. 182 When the upagghâya is gone away, or he
has returned to the world, or has died, or is gone over to a (schismatic)
faction; the fifth case is that of order (given by the upagghâya to the
saddhivihârika1). These, O Bhikkhu's, are the five cases of the cessation of a
nissaya between (saddhivihârika and) upagghâya.
'There are six cases of cessation of a nissaya, O Bhikkhus, between
(antevâsika and) âkariya: When the âkariya is gone away, &c.; the fifth case is
that of order (given by the âkariya to the antevâsika); or (sixthly) when the
âkariya and the upagghâya have come together at the same place2. These, O
Bhikkhus, are the six cases of cessation of a nissaya between (antevâsika and)
âkariya.
2. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer the upasampadâ
ordination, nor give a nissaya, nor ordain a novice3: When he does not possess
full perfection in what belongs to moral practices; or does not possess full
perfection in what belongs to self-concentration; or does not possess full
perfection in what belongs to wisdom; or does p. 183 not possess full perfection
in what belongs to emancipation; or does not possess full perfection in what
belongs to knowledge and insight into emancipation. In these five cases, O
Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer the upasampadâ ordination, nor give a
nissaya, nor ordain a novice.
3. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer the upasampadâ
ordination, give a nissaya, and ordain a novice: When he possesses full
perfection in what belongs to moral practices, &c. In these five cases, O
Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may, &c.
4. 'And also in other five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer,
&c.: When he does not possess for himself full perfection in what belongs to
moral practices and is not able to help others to full perfection in what
belongs to moral practices; or does not possess for himself full perfection in
what belongs to self-concentration, and is not able to help others to full
perfection in what belongs to self-concentration, &c.
5. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer, &c.: When he possesses
for himself full perfection in what belongs to moral practices, and is able to
help others to full perfection, &c.
6. 'And also in other five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer,
&c.: When he is unbelieving, shameless, fearless of sinning, indolent,
forgetful. In these five cases, &c.
7. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer, &c.: When he is
believing, modest, fearful of sinning, strenuous, of ready memory. In these five
cases, &c.
8. 'And also in other five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer ,
&c.: When as regards p. 184 moral practices he is guilty of moral
transgressions; or when as regards the rules of conduct1 he is guilty of
transgressions in his conduct; or when as regards belief he is guilty of heresy;
or when he is unlearned; or when he is foolish. In these five cases, &c.
9. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer, &c.: When as regards
moral practices he is not guilty of moral transgressions, &c.; when he is
learned; and when he is wise. In these five cases, &c.
10. 'And also in other five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer,
&c.: When he is not able to nurse or to get nursed an antevâsika or a
saddhivihârika when he is sick, to appease him or to cause him to be appeased
when discontent with religious life has sprung up within him, to dispel or to
cause to be dispelled according to the Dhamma doubts of conscience which have
arisen in his mind; when he does not know what is an offence; or does not know
how to atone for an offence. In these five cases, &c.
11. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer, &c.: When he is able
(&c., down to:); when he knows what is an offence; and knows how to atone for an
offence. In these five cases, &c.
12. 'And also in other five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer,
&c.: When he is not able to train an antevâsika or a saddhivihârika in the
precepts of proper conduct2, to educate him p. 185 in the elements of morality1,
to instruct him in what pertains to the Dhamma, to instruct him in what pertains
to the Vinaya, to discuss or to make another discuss according to the Dhamma a
false doctrine that might arise. In these:fÏve cases, &c.
13. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer, &c.: When he is able,
&c.
14. 'And also in other five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer,
&c.: When he does not know what is an offence; or does not know what is no
offence; or does not know what is a light offence; or does not know what is a
grave offence; when the two Pâtimokkhas are not perfectly known to him in their
entirety, with all their divisions and their whole course, and with the entire
discussion according to the single rules and to the single parts of each rule.
In these five cases, &c.
15. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer, &c.: When he knows, &c.
16. 'And also in other five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer,
&c.: When he does not know what is an offence; or does not know what is no
offence; or does not know what is a light offence; or does not know what is a
grave offence; p. 186 or when he has not completed the tenth year (after his
upasampadâ). In these five cases, &c.
17. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may confer, &c.: When he knows
(&c., down to:); when he has completed ten years or more than ten years (after
his upasampadâ). In these five cases, &c.'
End of the sixteen times five cases concerning the admissibility of upasampadâ.
37.
'In six cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not confer, &c.1'
End of the sixteen times2 six cases concerning the admissibility of upasampadâ.
38.
1. At that time that Bhikkhu who, having formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school, had (by reasoning) put to silence his upagghâya, when he remonstrated
with him according to the Dhamma, and had returned to that same Titthiya
school3, came back again and asked the Bhikkhus for the upasampadâ ordination.
The Bhikkhus told, &c.
'That Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, who having formerly p. 187 belonged to a Titthiya
school, has put to silence his upagghâya when he remonstrated with him according
to the Dhamma, and has returned to that same Titthiya school, must not receive
the upasampadâ ordination, if he comes back. On other persons, O Bhikkhus, who
have formerly belonged to Titthiya schools and desire to receive the pabbaggâ
and upasampadâ ordinations in this doctrine and discipline, you ought to impose
a parivâsa (a probation-time) of four months.
2. 'And you ought, O Bhikkhus, to impose it in this way: Let him (who desires
to receive the ordination) first cut off his hair and beard; let him put on
yellow robes, adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder, salute the feet
of the Bhikkhus (with his head), and sit down squatting; then let him raise his
joined hands, and tell him to say: "I take my refuge in the Buddha, I take my
refuge in the Dhamma, I take my refuge in the Samgha. And for the second time,
&c. And for the third time take I my refuge in the Buddha, and for the third
time take I my refuge in the Dhamma, and for the third time take I my refuge in
the Samgha."
3. 'Let that person, O Bhikkhus, who has formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school, approach the Samgha, adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder,
salute the feet of the Bhikkhus (with his head), sit down squatting, raise his
joined hands, and say: "I, N. N., reverend Sirs,who have formerly belonged to a
Titthiya school, desire to receive the upasampadâ ordination in this doctrine
and discipline, and ask the Samgha, reverend Sirs, for a parivâsa of four
months." Let him ask thus a second time. Let him ask thus a third time.
p. 188
'Then let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before
the Samgha: "Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me, This person N, N ., who has
formerly belonged to a Titthiya school, desires to receive the upasampadâ
ordination in this doctrine and discipline, He asks the Samgha for a parivâsa of
four months. If the Samgha is ready, let the Samgha impose on N. N., who has
formerly belonged to a Titthiya school, a parivâs-a of four months, This is the
ñatti,
4. '"Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me, This person N. N., who has, &c.
He asks the Samgha for a parivâsa of four months, The Samgha imposes on N. N.,
who has formerly belonged to a Titthiya school, a parivâsa of four months. Let
any one of the venerable brethren who is in favour of imposing a parivâsa of
four months on N. N., who has formerly belonged to a Titthiya school, be silent,
and any one who is not in favour of it, speak, A parivâsa of four months has
been imposed by the Samgha on N. N., who has formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school, The Samgha is in favour of it, therefore it is silent. Thus I
understand."
5. 'And this, O Bhikkhus, is the way in which a person that has formerly
belonged to a Titthiya school, succeeds or fails in satisfying (the Bhikkhus and
obtaining upasampadâ when the probation-time is over),
'What is the way, a Bhikkhus, in which a person that has formerly belonged to
a Titthiya school, fails in satisfying (the Bhikkhus)?
'In case, O.Bhikkhus, the person that has formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school, enters the village p. 189 too early, and comes back (to the Vihâra) too
late, thus, O Bhikkhus, a person that has formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school, fails in satisfying (the Bhikkhus).
'And further, O Bhikkhus, in case the person that has formerly belonged to a
Titthiya school, frequents the society of harlots, or of widows, or of adult
girls, or of eunuchs, or of Bhikkhunîs, thus also, O Bhikkhus, a person that has
formerly belonged to a Titthiya school, fails in satisfying (the Bhikkhus).
6. 'And further, O Bhikkhus, in case the person that has formerly belonged to
a Titthiya school, does not show himself skilled in the various things his
fellow Bhikkhus have to do, not diligent, not able to consider how those things
are to be done, not able to do things himself, not able to give directions to
others, thus also, O Bhikkhus, &c.
'And further, O Bhikkhus, in case the person that has formerly belonged to a
Titthiya school, does not show keen zeal, when the doctrine is preached to him
or when questions are put, in what belongs to morality, to contemplation, and to
wisdom, thus also, O Bhikkhus, &c.
7. 'And further, O Bhikkhus, in case the person that has formerIy belonged to
a Titthiya school, becomes angry, displeased, and dissatisfied, when people
speak against the teacher, the belief, the opinions, the persuasion, the creed
of the school he formerly belonged to; and is pleased, glad, and satisfied, when
people speak against the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Samgha; or he is pleased,
glad, and satisfied, when people speak in praise of the teacher, &c.; and
becomes angry, displeased, dissatisfied, when people speak in praise of the
Buddha, the p. 190 Dhamma, and the Samgha; this, O Bhikkhus, is a decisive
moment for the failure of a person that has formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school (in obtaining admission to the Samgha).
'Thus, O Bhikkhus, a person that has formerly belonged to a Titthiya school,
fails in satisfying (the Bhikkhus). When a person comes, O Bhikkhus, that has
formerly belonged to a Titthiya school, and has thus failed in satisfying (the
Bhikkhus), the upasampadâ ordination should not be conferred on him.
8-10. 'And what is the way, O Bhikkhus, in which a person that has formerly
belonged to a Titthiya school, succeeds in satisfying (the Bhikkhus)?
'In case, O Bhikkhus, the person that has formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school, does not enter the village too early (&c., point by point the contrary
of the preceding).
'When a person comes, O Bhikkhus, that has formerly belonged to a Titthiya
school, and has thus succeeded in satisfying (the Bhikkhus), the upasampadâ
ordination ought to be conferred on him.
11. 'If a person, O Bhikkhus, that has formerly beIonged to a Titthiya
school, comes (to the Bhikkhus) naked, it is incumbent on his upagghâya to get a
robe for him. If he comes with unshaven hair, the Samgha's permission ought to
be asked for having his hair shaved1.
'If fire-worshippers and Gatilas come to you, O Bhikkhus, they are to receive
the upasampadâ ordination (directly), and no parivâsa is to be imposed on them.
And for what reason? These, O Bhikkhus, hold the doctrine that actions receive
their p. 191 reward, and that our deeds have their result (according to their
moral merit).
'If a Sakya by birth, O Bhikkhus, who has belonged to a Titthiya school,
comes to you, he is to receive the upasampadâ ordination (directly), and no
parivâsa is to be imposed on him. This exceptional privilege, O Bhikkhus, I
grant to my kinsmen.'
Here ends the exposition on the ordination of persons that have formerly
belonged to Titthiya schools.
End of the seventh Bhânavâra.
39.
1. At that time these five diseases prevailed among the people of
Magadha:--leprosy, boils, dry leprosy, consumption, and fits. The people who
were affected with these five diseases went to Gîvaka Komârabhakka1 and said:
'pray, doctor, cure us.'
'I have too many duties', Sirs, and am too occupied. I have to treat the
Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra, and the royal seraglio, and the fraternity of
Bhikkhus with the Buddha at their head. I cannot cure you.
'All that we possess shall be yours, doctor, and we will be your slaves;
pray, doctor, cure us.'
'I have too many duties, Sirs, &c.; I cannot cure you.'
2. Now those people thought: 'Indeed the precepts which these Sakyaputtiya
Samanas keep and p. 192 the life they live are commodious; they have good meals
and lie down on beds protected from the wind. What if we were to embrace the
religious life among the Sakyaputtiya Samanas: then the Bhikkhus will nurse us,
and Gîvaka Komârabhakka, will cure us.'
Thus these persons went to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the pabbaggâ
ordination; the Bhikkhus conferred on them the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ
ordinations; and the Bhikkhus nursed them, and Gîvaka Komârabhakka cured them.
3. At that time the Bhikkhus, who had to nurse many sick Bhikkhus, began to
solicit (lay people) with many demands and many requests: 'Give us food for the
sick; give us food for the tenders of the sick; give us medicine for the sick.'
And also Gîvaka Komârabhakka, who had to treat many sick Bhikkhus, neglected
some of his duties to the king.
4. Now one day a man who was affected with the five diseases went to Gîvaka
Komârabhakka and said:'Pray, doctor, cure me.'
'I have too many duties, Sir, and am too occupied; I have to treat the
Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra, and the royal seraglio, and the fraternity of
Bhikkhus with the Buddha at their head; I cannot cure you.'
'All that I possess shall be yours, doctor, and I will be your slave; pray
doctor, cure me.'
'I have too many duties, Sir, &c.; I cannot cure you.
5. Now that man thought: 'Indeed the precepts which these Sakyaputtiya
Samanas keep (&c., down to:): then the Bhikkhus will nurse me, and Gîvaka
Komârabhakka will cure me. When I have become free from sickness, then I will
return to the world.'
Thus that man went to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the pabbaggâ
ordination; the Bhikkhus p. 193 conferred on him the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ
ordinations; and the Bhikkhus nursed him, and Gîvaka Komârabhakka cured him.
When he had become free from sickness, he returned to the world. Now Gîvaka
Komârabhakka saw this person that had returned to the world; and when he saw him
he asked that person: 'Had you not embraced the religious life, Sir, among the
Bhikkhus?'
'Yes, doctor.'
'And why have you adopted such a course, Sir?'
Then that man told Gîvaka Komârabhakka the whole matter .
6. Then Gîvaka Komârabhakka was annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'How can
the venerable brethren confer the pabbaggâ ordination on a person affected with
the five diseases?'
And Gîvaka Komârabhakka went to the place where the Blessed One was; having
approached him and having respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat down near
him. Sitting near him, Gîvaka Komârabhakka said to the Blessed One: 'Pray, Lord,
let their reverences not confer the pabbaggâ ordination on persons affected with
the five diseases.'
7. Then the Blessed One taught, incited, animated, and gladdened Gîvaka
Komârabhakka by religious discourse; and Gîvaka Komârabhakka, having been taught
. . . . and gladdened by the Blessed One by religious discourse, rose from his
seat, respectfully saluted the Blessed One, and passing round him with his right
side towards him, went away.
In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, after having
delivered a religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'Let no one, p.
194 O Bhikkhus, who is affected with the five diseases, receive the pabbaggâ
ordination. He who confers the pabbaggâ ordination ( on such a person), is
guilty of a dukkata offence.'
40.
1. At that time the border provinces (of the kingdom) of the Magadha king
Seniya Bimbisâra were agitated. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra gave
order to the officers who were at the head of the army: 'Well now, go and search
through the border provinces1: The officers who were at the head of the army
accepted the order of the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra (by saying), 'Yes, Your
Majesty.'
2. Now many distinguished warriors thought: 'We who go (to war) and find our
delight in fighting, do evil and produce great demerit. Now what shall we do
that we may desist from evil-doing and may do good?'
Then these warriors thought: 'These Sakyaputtiya Samanas lead indeed a
virtuous, tranquil, holy life; they speak the truth; they keep the precepts of
morality, and are endowed with all virtues. If we could obtain pabbaggâ with the
Sakyaputtiya Samanas, we should desist from evil-doing and do good.'
Thus these warriors went to the Bhikkhus and p. 195 asked them for the
pabbaggâ ordination; the Bhikkhus conferred on them: the pabbaggâ and
upasanipadâ ordinations.
3. The officers at the head of the army asked the royal soldiers: 'Why, how
is it that the warriors N. N. and N. N. are nowhere to be seen?'
'The warriors N. N. and N. N., Lords, have embraced religious life among the
Bhikkhus.'
Then the officers at the head of the army were annoyed, murmured, and became
angry: 'How can the Sakyaputtiya Samanas ordain persons in the royal service?'
The officers who were at the head of the army told the thing to the Magadha
king Seniya Bimbisâra. And the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra asked the officers
of justice: 'Tell me, my good Sirs, what punishment does he deserve who ordains
a person in the royal service?'
'The upagghâya, Your Majesty, should be beheaded; to him who recites (the
kammavâkâ), the tongue should be torn out; to those who form the chapter, half
of their ribs should be broken.'
4. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra went to the place where the Blessed
One was; having approached him and having respectfully saluted the Blessed One,
he sat down near him. Sitting near him the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra said to
the Blessed One: 'Lord, there are unbelieving kings who are disinclined (to the
faith); these might harass the Bhikkhus even on trifling occasions. Pray, Lord,
let their reverences not confer the pabbaggâ ordination on persons in royal
service.'
Then the Blessed One taught (&c., see chap. 39. 7, p. 196 down to:), thus
addressed the Bhikkhus: 'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, who is in the royal service,
receive the pabbaggâ ordination. He who confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on such
a person), is guilty of a dukkata offence:
41.
At that time the robber Angulimâla1 had embraced religious life among the
Bhikkhus. When the people saw that, they became alarmed and terrified; they fled
away, went elsewhere, turned away their heads, and shut their doors. The people
were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'How can the Sakyaputtiya Samanas
ordain a robber who openly wears the emblems (of his deeds)?'
Some Bhikkhus heard those people that were annoyed, murmured, and had become
angry; these Bhikkhus told the thing to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'Let no robber, O Bhikkhus, who
wears the emblems (of his deeds), receive the pabbaggâ ordination. He who
confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on such a person), is guilty of a dukkata
offence.'
p. 197
42.
1. At that time the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra had issued the following
decree: 'No one is to do any harm to those who are ordained among the
Sakyaputtiya Samanas; well taught is their doctrine; let them lead a holy life
for the sake of the complete extinction of suffering.'
Now at that time a certain person who had committed robbery was imprisoned in
the jail. He broke out of the jail, ran away, and received the pabbaggâ
ordination with the Bhikkhus.
2. The people who saw him, said: 'Here is the robber who has broken out of
jail; come, let us bring him (before the authorities).'
But some people replied: 'Do not say so, Sirs. A decree has been issued by
the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra: 'No one is to do any harm to those who are
ordained, &c.'
People were annoyed, murmured, and became angry, thinking: 'Indeed these
Sakyaputtiya Samanas are secure from anything; it is not allowed to do any harm
to them. How can they ordain a robber who has broken out of jail?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no robber, O Bhikkhus, who has broken out of jail, receive the pabbaggâ
ordination. He who confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on such a person), is guilty
of a dukkata offence.'
p. 198
43.
At that time a certain person who had committed robbery had run away and had
become ordained with the Bhikkhus. At the royal palace a proclamation was
written: 'Wherever he is seen, he is to be killed.'
The people who saw him, said: 'Here is the proclaimed robber; come, let us
kill him' (&c., as in chap. 42).
'Let no proclaimed robber, O Bhikkhus, receive the pabbaggâ ordination. He
who confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on such a robber), is guilty of a dukkata
offence.'
44.
At that time a certain person who had been punished by scourging had been
ordained with the Bhikkhus. People were annoyed, &c.: 'How can these
Sakyaputtiya Samanas ordain a person that has been punished by scourging?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, who has been punished by scourging, receive the
pabbaggâ ordination. He who confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on such a person),
is guilty of dukkata offence.'
45.
At that time a certain person who had been punished by branding (&c., as in
chap. 44, down to the end).
p. 199
46.
At that time a certain person who was in debt, ran away and was ordained with
the Bhikkhus. When his creditors saw him, they said: 'There is our debtor; come,
let us lead him (to prison).' But some people replied: 'Do not say so, Sirs. A
decree has been issued by the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisâra: 'No one is to do
any harm to those who are ordained with the Sakyaputtiya Samanas; well taught is
their doctrine; let them lead a holy life for the sake of the complete
extinction of suffering.'
People were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'Indeed these Sakyaputtiya
Samanas are secure from anything; it is not allowed to do anything to them. How
can they ordain a debtor?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no debtor, O Bhikkhus, receive the pabbaggâ ordination. He who confers
the pabbaggâ ordination (on a debtor), is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
47.
At that time a slave ran away and was ordained with the Bhikkhus. When his
masters saw him, they said: 'There is our slave; come, let us lead him away
(back to our house),' (&c., as in chap. 46).
'Let no slave, O Bhikkhus, receive the pabbaggâ ordination. He who confers
the pabbaggâ ordination (on a slave), is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
p. 200
48.
1. At that time a certain smith1 who was bald-headed, having had a quarrel
with his father and mother, had gone to the Ârâma and received pabbaggâ with the
Bhikkhus. Now the father and mother of that bald-headed smith, searching after
that bald-headed smith, came to the Ârâma and asked the Bhikkhus: 'Pray,
reverend Sirs, have you seen such and such a boy?'
The Bhikkhus, who did not know him, said: 'We do not know him;' having not
seen him, they said: 'We have not seen him.'
2. Now the father and mother of that bald-headed smith, searching after that
bald-headed smith, found him ordained with the Bhikkhus; they were annoyed, &c.:
'These Sakyaputtiya Samanas are shameless, wicked, and liars. They knew him and
said: "We do not know him;" they had seen him and said: "We have not seen him."
This boy has been ordained with the Bhikkhus.'
Now some Bhikkhus heard the father and mother of that bald-headed smith, who
were annoyed, &c. Those Bhikkhus told the thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the Samgha's permission is asked for having
(the new coming Bhikkhus) shaved.'
p. 201
49.
1. At that time there was in Râgagaha a company of seventeen boys, friends of
each other; young Upâli1 was first among them. Now Upâli's father and mother
thought: 'How will Upâli after our death live a life of ease and without pain?'
Then Upâli's father and mother said to themselves: 'If Upâli could learn
writing, he would after our death live a life of ease and without pain.' But
then Upâli's father and mother thought again: 'If Upâli learns writing, his
fingers will become sore. But if Upâli could learn arithmetic, he would after
our death live a life of ease and without pain.'
2. But then Upâli's father and mother thought again: 'If Upâli learns
arithmetic, his breast will become diseased2. But if Upâli could learn
money-changing3, he would after our death live a life of ease and comfort, and
without pain.' But then Upâli's father and mother said to themselves: 'If Upâli
learns money-changing, his eyes will suffer. Now here are the Sakyaputtiya
Samanas, who keep commodious precepts and live a commodious life; they have good
meals and lie down on beds protected from the wind. If Upâli could be ordained
with the p. 202 Sakyaputtiya Samanas, he would after our death live a life of
ease and without pain.'
3. Now young Upâli heard his father and mother talking thus. Then young Upâli
went to the other boys; having approached them, he said to those boys: 'Come,
Sirs, let us get ordained with the Sakyaputtiya Samanas.' (They replied): 'If
you will get ordained, Sir, we will be ordained also.' Then those boys went each
to his father and mother and said to them: 'Give me your consent for leaving the
world and going forth into the houseless state.' Then the parents of those boys,
who thought, 'It is a good thing what all these boys are wishing so unanimously
for, gave their consent. They went to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the
pabbaggâ ordination. The Bhikkhus conferred the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ
ordinations on them.
4. In the night, at dawn, they rose and began to cry: 'Give us rice-milk,
give us soft food, give us hard food!' The Bhikkhus said: 'Wait, friends, till
day-time. If there is rice-milk, you shall drink; if there is food, soft or
hard, you shall eat; if there is no rice-milk and no food, soft or hard, you
must go out for alms, and then you will eat.'
But those Bhikkhus, when they were thus spoken to by the other Bhikkhus,
threw their bedding about and made it wet, calling out: 'Give us rice-milk, give
us soft food, give us hard food!'
5. Then the Blessed One, having arisen in the night, at dawn, heard the noise
which those boys made; hearing it he said to the venerable Ânanda: 'Now, Ânanda,
what noise of boys is that?'
Then the venerable Ânanda told the thing to the Blessed One.
p. 203
'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, that the Bhikkhus knowingly confer the upasampadâ
ordination on persons under twenty years of age?'
'It is true, Lord.'
Then the Blessed One rebuked those Bhikkhus: 'How can those foolish persons,
O Bhikkhus, knowingly confer the upasampadâ ordination on persons under twenty
years of age?
6. 'A person under twenty years, O Bhikkhus, cannot endure coldness and heat,
hunger and thirst, vexation by gadflies and gnats, by storms and sun-heat, and
by reptiles; (he cannot endure) abusive, offensive language; he is not able to
bear bodily pains which are severe, sharp, grievous, disagreeable, unpleasant,
and destructive to life; whilst a person that has twenty years of age, O
Bhikkhus, can endure coldness, &c. This will not do, O Bhikkhus, for converting
the unconverted and for augmenting the number of the converted.'
Having rebuked those Bhikkhus and delivered a religious discourse, he thus
addressed the Bhikkhus: 'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, knowingly confer the upasampadâ
ordination on a person under twenty years of age. He who does, is to be treated
according to the law1.'
p. 204
50.
At that time a certain family had died of pestilence1; only a father and his
son were left; they received the pabbaggâ ordination with the Bhikkhus and went
together on their rounds for alms. Now that boy, when food was given to his
father, ran up to him and said: 'Give some to me too, father; give some to me
too, father.'
People were annoyed, &c.: 'These Sakyaputtiya Samanas live an impure life;
this boy is a Bhikkhunî's son.'
Some Bhikkhus heard, &c.
They told this thing to the Blessed One, &c. 'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, confer
the pabbaggâ ordination on a boy under fifteen years of age. He who does, is
guilty of a dukkata offence.'
51.
At that time a believing, pious family, who devoted themselves to the
(especial) service of the venerable Ânanda, had died of pestilence. Only two
boys were left; these, when seeing Bhikkhus, ran up to them according to their
old custom, but the Bhikkhus turned them away. When they were turned away by the
Bhikkhus, they cried. Now the venerable Ânanda thought: 'The Blessed One has
forbidden us to confer the pabbaggâ ordination p. 205 on a boy under fifteen
years of age, and these boys are under fifteen years of age. What can be done in
order that these boys may not perish?' And the venerable Ânanda told this thing
to the. Blessed One.
'Are these boys able, Ânanda, to scare crows?'
'They are, Lord.'
In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, after having
delivered a religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I allow you, O
Bhikkhus, to confer the pabbaggâ ordination on crow-keeper boys even under
fifteen years of age.'
52.
At that time the venerable Upananda, of the Sakya tribe, had two novices,
Kandaka and Mahaka; these committed sodomy with each other. The Bhikkhus were
annoyed, &c.: 'How can novices abandon themselves to such bad conduct?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One, &c.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, ordain two novices. He who does, is guilty of a
dukkata offence1.'
53.
1. At that time the Blessed One dwelt at Râgagaha during the rainy season,
and remained at the same place during winter and summer. The people were
annoyed, &c.: 'The (four) regions are2 . . . . and p. 206 covered by darkness to
the Sakyaputtiya Samanas; they cannot discern the (four) regions.' Some Bhikkhus
heard, &c.
2. Then the Blessed One said to the venerable Ânanda: 'Go, Ânanda, take a key
and tell the Bhikkhus in every cell: "Friends, the Blessed One wishes to go
forth to Dakkhinâgiri. Let any one of the venerable brethren who thinks fit,
come to him."'
The venerable Ânanda accepted this order of the Blessed One (by saying),
'Yes, Lord,' took a key, and said to the Bhikkhus in every cell: 'Friends, the
Blessed One,' &c.
3. The Bhikkhus replied: 'Friend Ânanda, the Blessed One has prescribed1 that
Bhikkhus are to live (the first) ten years in dependence (on their âkariyas and
upagghâyas), and that he who has completed his tenth year, may give a nissaya
himself. Now if we go there, we shall be obliged to take a nissaya there; then
we shall stay there for a short time, then we must go back again and take a new
nissaya. If our âkariyas and upagghâyas go, we will go also; if our âkariyas and
upagghâyas do not go, we will not go either. Otherwise our light-mindedness,
friend Ânanda, will become manifest.'
4. Thus the Blessed One went forth to Dakkhinâgiri fonowed only by a few
Bhikkhus. And the Blessed One, after having dwelt at Dakkhinâgiri as long as he
thought fit, went back to Râgagaha again.
Then the Blessed One said to the venerable Ânanda: 'How is it, Ânanda, that
the perfect p. 207 One has gone forth to Dakkhinâgiri with so few Bhikkhus?'
Then the venerable Ânanda told the thing to the Blessed One.
In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, after having
delivered a religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I prescribe, O
Bhikkhus, that a learned, competent Bhikkhu lives five years in dependence (on
his âkariya and upagghâya), an unlearned one all his life.
5. 'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not live without a nissaya
(i.e. independent of âkariya and upagghâya): when he does not possess full
perfection in what belongs to moral practices (&c., as in chap. 36. 2). In these
five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu should not live without a nlssaya.
'In five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may live without a nissaya: when he
possesses full perfection in what belongs to moral practices (&c., as in chap.
36. 3). In these five cases, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu may live without a nissaya.
6-13. 'And also in other five cases, &c.1'
End of the eighth Bhânavâra, which is called the Abhayûvara Bhânavâra2.
54.
1. Then the Blessed One, after having resided at Râgagaha as long as he
thought fit, went forth to p. 208 Kapilavatthu. Wandering from place to place he
came to Kapilavatthu. There the Blessed One dwelt in the Sakka country, near
Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodhârâma (Banyan Grove).
And in the forenoon the Blessed One, having put on his under-robes, took his
alms-bowl and with his kîvara on went to the residence of the Sakka Suddhodana
(his father). Having gone there, he sat down on a seat laid out for him.
Then the princess, who was the mother of Râhula1, said to young Râhula: 'This
is your father, Râhula; go and ask him for your inheritance.'
2. Then young Râhula went to the place where the Blessed One was; having
approached him, he stationed himself before the Blessed One (and said): 'Your
shadow, Samana, is a place of bliss.'
Then the Blessed One rose from his seat and went away, and young Râhula
followed the Blessed One from behind and said: 'Give me my inheritance, Samana;
give me my inheritance, Samana.'
Then the Blessed One said to the venerable Sâriputta: 'Well, Sâriputta,
confer the pabbaggâ. ordination on young Râhula.' (Sâriputta replied): 'How
shall I confer, Lord, the pabbaggâ ordination on young Râhula?'
3. In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, after having
delivered a religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I prescribe, p.
209 O Bhikkhus, the pabbaggâ ordination of novices by the threefold declaration
of taking refuge.
'And you ought, O Bhikkhus, to confer the pabbaggâ ordination (on a novice)
in this way: Let him first have his hair and beard cut off; let him put on
yellow robes, adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder, salute the feet
of the Bhikkhus (with his head), and sit down squatting; then let him raise his
joined hands and tell him to say: "I take my refuge in the Buddha, I take my
refuge in the Dhamma, I take my refuge in the Samgha. And for the second time,
&c. And for the third time, &c."
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, the pabbaggâ ordination of novices by this
threefold declaration of taking refuge.'
Thus the venerable Sâriputta conferred the pabbaggâ ordination on young
Râhula.
4. Then the Sakka Suddhodana went to the place where the Blessed One was;
having approached him and having respectfully saluted the Blessed One, he sat
down near him. Sitting near him the Sakka Suddhodana said to the Blessed One:
'Lord, I ask one boon of the Blessed One.' (The Buddha replied): 'The perfect
Ones, Gotama, are above granting boons (before they know what they are1).'
(Suddhodana said): 'Lord, it is a proper and unobjectionable demand.' 'Speak,
Gotama.'
5. 'Lord, when the Blessed One gave up the p. 210 world, it was a great pain
to me; so it was when Nanda1 did the same; my pain was excessive when Râhula too
did so. The love for a son, Lord, cuts into the skin; having cut into the skin,
it cuts into the hide; having cut into the hide, it cuts into the flesh, . . . .
the ligaments, . . . . the bones; having cut into the bones, it reaches the
marrow and dwells in the marrow. Pray, Lord, let their reverences not confer the
pabbaggâ ordination on a son without his father's and mother's permission.'
Then the Blessed One taught the Sakka Suddhodana (&c., see chap. 39. 7).
'Let no son, O Bhikkhus, receive the pabbaggâ ordination without his father's
and mother's permission. He who confers the pabbaggâ ordination (on a son
without that permission), is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
55.
Then the Blessed One, after having resided at Kapilavatthu as long as he
thought fit, went forth to Sâvatthi. Wandering from place to place he came to
Sâvatthi. There the Blessed One dwelt at Sâvatthi, in the Getavana, the Ârâma of
Anâthapindika.
At that time a family who devoted themselves to the (especial) service of the
venerable Sâriputta sent a boy to the venerable Sâriputta (with this message):
p. 211 'Might the Thera confer the pabbaggâ ordination on this boy.' Now the
venerable Sâriputta thought: 'The Blessed One has established the rule1 that no
one may ordain two novices, and I have already one novice, Râhula. Now what am I
to do?' He told the thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow, O Bhikkhus, a learned, competent Bhikkhu to ordain two novices, or
to ordain as many novices as he is able to administer exhortation and
instruction to.'
56.
Now the novices thought: 'How many precepts2 are there for us, and in what
(precepts) are we to exercise ourselves?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, ten precepts for the novices, and the exercise of
the novices in these (ten precepts), viz. abstinence from destroying life;
abstinence from stealing; abstinence from impurity; abstinence from lying;
abstinence from arrack and strong drink and intoxicating liquors, which cause
indifference (to religion); abstinence from eating at forbidden times;
abstinence from dancing, singing, music, and seeing spectacles; abstinence from
garlands, scents, unguents, ornaments, and finery; abstinence from (the use of)
high or broad beds; abstinence from accepting gold or silver. I prescribe, p.
212 O Bhikkhus, these ten precepts for the novices, and the exercise of the
novices in these (ten precepts).'
57.
1. At that time novices did not show reverence and confidence towards the
Bhikkhus, and did not live in harmony with them. The Bhikkhus were annoyed,
murmured, and became angry: 'How can the novices not show reverence and
confidence towards the Bhikkhus, and not live in harmony with them?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you inflict punishment upon a novice in five
cases: When he is intent on the Bhikkhus' receiving no alms; when he is intent
on the Bhikkhus' meeting with misfortune; when he is intent on the Bhikkhus'
finding no residence; when he abuses and reviles the Bhikkhus; when he causes
divisions between Bhikkhus and Bhikkhus. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that in these
five cases you inflict punishment upon a novice.'
2. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'What punishment are we to inflict?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you forbid them (certain places, for instance,
their own residences).'
At that time Bhikkhus forbad novices the whole Samghârâma. The novices, who
were not admitted to the Samghârâma, went away, or retumed to the world, or went
over to Titthiya schools.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
p. 213
'Let them not, O Bhikkhus, forbid (novices) the whole Samghârâma. He who does
so, commits a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that (the Bhikkhus)
forbid (a novice) the place where he lives or which he uses to frequent.'
3. At that time Bhikkhus forbad the novices the use of (certain kinds of)
food that is taken with the mouth. People, when they prepared rice-milk to drink
or meals for the Samgha, said to the novices:
'Come, reverend Sirs, drink rice-milk; come, reverend Sirs, take food.' The
novices replied: 'It is impossible, friends; the Bhikkhus have issued a
forewarning (against us).' The people were annoyed, murmured, and became angry,
thinking: 'How can their reverences forbid novices the use of all food that is
taken with the mouth?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let them not, O Bhikkhus, forbid (novices) food that is taken with the
mouth. He who does so, commits a dukkata offence.'
End of the section about punishment (of novices).
58.
At that time the Khabbaggiya1 Bhikkhus laid a ban upon novices without the
consent of the upagghâyas (of those novices). The upagghâyas p. 214 searched
after them, thinking: 'How is it that our novices have disappeared?' The
Bhikkhus said: 'TheKhabbaggiya Bhikkhus, friends, have laid a ban upon them.'
The upagghâyas were annoyed, &c.: 'How can the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus lay a ban
upon our novices without having obtained our consent?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkh us, lay a ban (upon novices) without consent of the
upagghâyas. He who does, commits a dukkata offence.'
59.
At that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus drew the novices of senior Bhikkhus
over (to themselves). The Theras, who were obliged to get themselves
teeth-cleansers and water to rinse their mouths with, became tired.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, draw the followers of another Bhikkhu over to
himself. He who does, commits a dukkata offence.'
60.
At that time a novice, Kandaka by name, who was a follower of the venerable
Upananda Sakyaputto, had sexual intercourse with a Bhikkhunî, Kandakâ by name.
The Bhikkhus were annoyed, &c.: 'How can a novice abandon himself to such
conduct?'
p. 215
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you expel a novice (from the fraternity) in
the following ten cases: When he destroys life; when he commits theft; when he
commits impurity; when he is a liar; when he drinks strong drinks; when he
speaks against the Buddha; when he speaks against the Dhamma; when he speaks
against the Samgha; when he holds false doctrines; when he has sexual
intercourse with Bhikkhunîs1. In these ten cases I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that
you expel the novice (from the fraternity).'
61.
At that time, &c.2
'Let a eunuch, O Bhikkhus, who has not received the upasampadâ ordination,
not receive it; if he has received it, let him be expelled (from the
fraternity).'
p. 216
62.
1. At that time there was a certain person of an old family, whose kinsmen
had died away; he was delicately nurtured. Now this person of an old family,
whose kinsmen had died away, thought: 'I am delicately nurtured; I am not able
to acquire new riches or to augment the riches which I possess. What shall I do
in order that I may live a life of ease and without pain?'
Then this person of an old family, whose kinsmen had died away, gave himself
the following answer: 'There are the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, who keep commodious
precepts and live a commodious life; they have good meals and lie down on beds
protected from wind. What if I were to procure myself an alms-bowl and robes on
my own account, and were to have my hair and beard cut off, to put on yellow
robes, to go to the Ârâma, and to live there with the Bhikkhus.'
2. Then that person of an old family, whose kinsmen had died away, procured
himself an alms-bowl and robes on his own account, had his hair and beard cut
off, put on yellow robes, went to the Ârâma, and respectfully saluted the
Bhikkhus. The p. 217 Bhikkhus said to him: 'How many years, friend, have elapsed
since your upasampadâ?'
'What does that mean, friends, "years elapsed since the upasampadâ?"'
'And who is your upagghâya, friend?'
'What does that word upagghâya mean, friends?'
The Bhikkhus said to the venerable Upâli: 'Pray, friend Upâli, examine this
ascetic.'
3. Then that person of an old family, whose kinsmen had died away, when being
examined by the venerable Upâli, told him the whole matter. The venerable Upâli
told this thing to the Bhikkhus; the Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed
One.
'Let a person, O Bhikkhus, who has furtively attached himself to the Samgha,
if he has not received the upasampadâ ordination, not receive it; if he has
received it, let him be expelled (from the fraternity).
'Let a person, O Bhikkhus, who has gone over to the Titthiyas' ( &c., as in
chap. 61).
63.
1. At that time there was a serpent who was aggrieved at, ashamed of, and
conceived aversion for his having been born as a serpent. Now this serpent
thought: 'What am I to do in order to become released from being a serpent, and
quickly to obtain human nature?' Then this serpent gave himself the following
answer: 'These Sakyaputtiya Samanas lead indeed a virtuous, tranquil, holy life;
they speak the truth; they keep the precepts of morality, and are endowed with
all virtues. If p. 218 I could obtain pabbaggâ with the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, I
should be released from bcing a serpent and quickly obtain human nature,'
2. Then that serpent, in the shape of a youth, went to the Bhikkhus, and
asked them for the pabbaggâ ordination; the Bhikkhus conferred on him the
pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations.
At that time that serpent dwelt together with a certain Bhikkhu in the last
Vihâra (near the boundary wall of the Getavana). Now that Bhikkhu, having arisen
in the night, at dawn, was walking up and down in the open air. When that
Bhikkhu had left (the Vihâra), that serpent, who thought himself safe (from
discovery), fell asleep (in his natural shape). The whole Vihâra was filled with
the snake's body; his windings jutted out of the window.
3. Then that Bhikkhu thought: 'I will go back to the Vihâra,' opened the
door, and saw the whole Vihâra filled with the snake's body, the windings
jutting out of the window. Seeing that he was terrified and cried out. The
Bhikkhus ran up, and said to that Bhikkhu: 'Why did you cry out, friend?' 'This
whole Vihâra, friends, is filled with a snake's body; the windings jut out of
the window.'
Then that serpent awoke from that noise and sat down on his seat. The
Bhikkhus said to him: 'Who are you, friend?' 'I am a serpent, reverend Sirs.'
'And why have you done such a thing, friend?' Then that Nâga told the whole
matter to the Bhikkhus; the Bhikkhus told it to the Blessed One.
4. In consequence of that and on this occasion the Blessed One, having
ordered the fraternity of p. 219 Bhikkhus to assemble, said to that serpent:
'You serpents are not capable of (spiritual) growth in this doctrine and
discipline. However, serpent, go and observe fast on the fourteenth, fifteenth,
and eighth day of each half month; thus will you be released from being a
serpent and quickly obtain human nature.'
Then that serpent, who thought, 'I am not capable of (spiritual) growth in
this doctrine and discipline,' became sad and sorrowful, shed tears, made an
outcry, and went away.
5. Then the Blessed One said to the Bhikkhus:
'There are two occasions, O Bhikkhus, on which a serpent (who has assumed
human shape) manifests his true nature: when he has sexual intercourse with a
female of his species, and if he thinks himself safe (from discovery) and falls
asleep. These, O Bhikkhus, are the two occasions on which a serpent manifests
his true nature.
'Let an animal, O Bhikkhus, that has not received the upasampadâ ordination,
not receive it; if it has received it, let it be expelled (from the
fraternity).'
64.
1. At that time a certain young man deprived his mother of life. He was
grieved, ashamed, and loathed this sinful deed. Now this young man thought:
'What am I to do to get rid of my sinful deed?' Then this young man gave himself
this answer: 'These Sakyaputtiya Samanas lead indeed a virtuous, tranquil, holy
life, &c. If I could obtain p. 220 pabbaggâ with the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, I
might get rid of my sinful deed.'
2. Then that young man went to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the pabbaggâ
ordination. The Bhikkhus said to the venerable Upâli: 'Formerly , friend Upâli,
a serpent in the shape of a youth received the pabbaggâ ordination with the
Bhikkhus; pray, friend Upâli, examine this young man.' Then that young man, when
examined by the venerable Upâli, told him the whole matter. The venerable Upâli
told it to the Bhikkhus; the Bhikkhus told it to the Blessed One.
'Let a person, O Bhikkhus, that is guilty of matricide, if he has not
received the upasampadâ ordination, not receive it; if he has received it, let
him be expelled (from the fraternity).'
65.
At that time a certain young man deprived his father of life (&c., as in
chap.64).
'Let a person, O Bhikkhus, that is guilty of parricide, &c.'
66.
1. At that time a number of Bhikkhus were travelling on the road from Sâketa
to Sâvatthi. On the road robbers broke forth, robbed some of the Bhikkhus, and
killed some of them. Then royal soldiers came from Sâvatthi and caught some of
the robbers; others of them escaped. Those who had escaped, received pabbaggâ
with the Bhikkhus; those who had been caught, were led to death.
p. 221
2. Then those who had been ordained, saw those robbers who were being led to
death; seeing them they said: 'It is well that we have escaped; had we been
caught, we should also be killed thus.' The Bhikkhus said to them: 'Why, what
have you done, friends?' Then those (robbers) who had been ordained, told the
whole matter to the Bhikkhus. The Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Those Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, were Arahats. Let a person, O Bhikkhus, that has
murdered an Arahat, if this person has not received the upasampadâ ordination,
not receive it; if he has received it, let him be expelled (from the
fraternity).'
67.
At that time a number of Bhikkhunîs were travelling on the road from Sâketa
to Sâvatthi. On the road robbers broke forth, robbed some of the Bhikkhunîs, and
violated some of them. Then royal soldiers (&c., as in chap. 66).
The Bhikkhus told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let a person, O Bhikkhus, that has violated a Bhikkhunî (or, that has had
sexual intercourse with a Bhikkhunî), (&c., as in chap. 66).
'Let a person, O Bhikkhus, that has caused a schism among the Samgha, &c.
'Let a person, O Bhikkhus, that has shed (a Buddha's) blood,' &c.
p. 222
68.
At that time a certain hermaphrodite had received pabbaggâ with the Bhikkhus;
so karoti pi kârâpeti pi.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let a hermaphrodite, O Bhikkhus,' &c.
69.
1. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred, the upasampadâ ordination on a person
that had no upagghâya.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, who has no upagghâya, receive the upasampadâ
ordination. He who confers the upasampadâ ordination (on such a person), commits
a dukkata offence.'
2. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination with the
Samgha as upagghâya.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one receive the upasampadâ ordination with the Samgha as upagghâya.
He who confers the upasampadâ ordination (in such a way), commits a dukkata
offence.'
3. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination with a
number of Bhikkhus1 as upagghâya (&c., as before).
4. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ p. 223 ordination with
a eunuch as upagghâya, &c.; with a person that had furtively attached himself
(to the Samgha) as upagghâya; with a person that was gone over to the Titthiyas
as upagghâya; with an animal as upagghâya; with a person that was guilty of
matricide as upagghâya; with a person that was guilty of parricide as upagghâya;
with a person that had murdered an Arahat as upagghâya; with a person that had
violated a Bhikkhunî as upagghâya; with a person that had caused a schism among
the Samgha as upagghâya; with a person that had shed (a Buddha's) blood as
upagghâya; with a hermaphrodite as upagghâya.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one,' &c. (as in the first clause).
70.
1. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination on persons
that had no alms-bowl. They received alms with their hands. People were annoyed,
murmured, and became angry, saying, 'Like the Titthiyas.'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, receive the upasampadâ ordination without having an
alms-bowl. He who confers the upasampadâ ordination (on a person that has not),
commits a dukkata offence.'
2. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination on persons
that had no robes. They went out for alms naked. People were annoyed (&c., as in
§ 1).
3. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ p. 224 ordination on
persons that had neither alms-bowl nor robes. They went out for alms naked and
(received alms) with their hands. People were annoyed (&c., as in § 1).
4. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination on persons
that had borrowed alms-bowls. After the ordination (the owners) took their
alms-bowls back; (the Bhikkhus) received alms with their hands. People were
annoyed (&c. . . . . down to): 'Like the Titthiyas.'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, receive the upasampadâ ordination who has borrowed
the alms-bowl. He who confers,' &c. (as in the first clause).
5. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination on persons
that had borrowed robes. After the ordination (the owners) took their robes
back; (the Bhikkhus) went out for alms naked. People were annoyed (&c., as in §
1 to the end).
6. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the upasampadâ ordination on persons
that had borrowed alms-bowls and robes, &c.
Here end the twenty cases in which upasampadâ is forbidden.
71.
1. At that time the Bhikkhus conferred the pabbaggâ ordination on a person
whose hands were cut off, on a person whose feet were cut off, whose hands and
feet were cut off, whose ears were cut off, whose nose was cut off, whose ears
and nose were cut off, whose fingers were cut off, whose p. 225 thumbs were cut
off, whose tendons (of the feet) were cut, who had hands like a snake's hood1,
who was a hump-back, or a dwarf, or a person that had a goitre, that had been
branded, that had been scourged, on a proclaimed robber, on a person that had
elephantiasis, that was afflicted with bad illness, that gave offence (by any
deformity) to those who saw him, on a one-eyed person, on a person with a
crooked limb, on a lame person, on a person that was paralysed on one side, on a
cripple2, on a person weak from age, on a blind man, on a dumb man, on a deaf
man, on a blind and dumb man, on a blind and deaf man, on a deaf and dumb man,
on a blind, deaf and dumb man.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no person, O Bhikkhus, whose hands are cut off, receive the pabbaggâ
ordination. Let no person whose feet are cut off, receive the pabbaggâ
ordination, &c. (each of the above cases being here repeated). He who confers
the pabbaggâ ordination (on such persons), is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
Here end the thirty-two cases in which pabbaggâ. is forbidden.
End of the ninth Bhânavâra.
p. 226
72.
1. At that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus gave a nissaya to shameless
Bhikkhus.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, give a nissaya to shameless Bhikkhus. He who does,
is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
At that time some Bhikkhus lived in dependence on shameless Bhikkhus (i.e.
they received a nissaya from them, they chose them for their upagghâyas or
âkariyas); ere long they became also shameless, bad Bhikkhus.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, live in dependence on shameless Bhikkhus. He who
does, is guilty of a dukkata offence.'
2. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that we shall
not give a nissaya to shameless Bhikkhus, nor live in dependence on shameless
Bhikkhus. Now how are we to discern modest and shameless persons?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you wait first four or five days until you
have seen how a Bhikkhu behaves to the other Bhikkhus.'
73.
1. At that time a certain Bhikkhu was travelling on the road in the Kosala
country. Now this Bhikkhu thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that we shall
not live without a nissaya (of an âkariya and p. 227 an upagghâya); now I want a
nissaya, but I am travelling. What am I to do?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow, O Bhikkhus, a travelling Bhikkhu who can get no nissaya, to live
without a nissaya.'
2. At that time two Bhikkhus were travelling on the road in the Kosala
country. They came to a certain residence; there one of the two Bhikkhus was
taken ill. Now that sick Bhikkhu thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that
we shall not live without a nissaya; now I want a nissaya, but I am sick. What
am I to do?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow, O Bhikkhus, a sick Bhikkhu who can get no nissaya, to live without
a nissaya.'
3. Now the other Bhikkhu, who nursed that sick Bhikkhu, thought: 'The Blessed
One has prescribed, &c.; now I want a nissaya, but this Bhikkhu is sick. What am
I to do?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu who is nursing a sick Bhikkhu, if he can get
no nissaya and the sick asks him (to remain with him), to live without a
nissaya.'
4. At that time a certain Bhikkhu lived in the forest; he had a
dwelling-place where he lived pleasantly. Now this Bhikkhu thought: 'The Blessed
One has prescribed, &c.; now I want a nissaya, but I live in the forest and have
a dwelling-place where I live pleasantly. What am I to do?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu living in the forest who finds a place where
he may live pleasantly, p. 228 and who can get (there) no nissaya, to live
without a nissaya (saying to himself): "If a proper person to give me nissaya
comes hither, I will take nissaya of that person."
74.
1. At that time there was a person that desired to receive the upasampadâ
ordination from the venerable Mahâkassapa. Then the venerable Mahâkassapa sent a
messenger to the venerable Ânanda: 'Come, Ânanda, and recite the upasampadâ
proclamation for this person.' The venerable Ânanda said: 'I cannot pronounce
the Thera's (i.e. Mahâkassapa's) name; the Thera is too venerable compared with
me.'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to use also the family name (of the upagghâya,
instead of his proper name) in the proclamation.'
2. At that time there were two persons that desired to receive the upasampadâ
ordination from the venerable Mahâkassapa. They quarrelled with each other. (One
said): 'I will receive the upasampadâ ordination first. ' (The other said):
'Nay, I will receive it first.' . They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to ordain two persons by one proclamation.'
3. At that time there were persons who desired to receive the upasampadâ
ordination from different Theras. They quarrelled with each other. (One said); ,
1 will receive the upasampadâ ordination p. 229 first.' (The other said): 'Nay,
I will receive it first.' The Theras said: 'Well, friends, let us ordain them
altogether by one proclamation.'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to ordain two or three persons by one proclamation,
provided they have the same upagghâya, but not if they have different
upagghâyas.'
75.
At that time the venerable Kumârakassapa had received the upasampadâ
ordination when he had completed the twentieth year from his conception (but not
from his birth). Now the venerable Kumârakassapa thought: 'The Blessed One has
forbidden us to confer the upasampadâ ordination on persons under twenty years
of age1, and I have completed my twentieth year (only) from my conception. Have
I, therefore, received the upasampadâ ordination, or have I not received it?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'When, O Bhikkhus, in the womb the first thought rises up (in the nascent
being), the first consciousness manifests itself, according to this the (true)
birth should be reckoned. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to confer the upasampadâ
ordination on persons that have completed the twentieth year from their
conception (only).'
p. 230
76.
1. At that time ordained Bhikkhus were seen who were afflicted with leprosy,
boils, dry leprosy, consumption, and fits.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that he who confers the upasampadâ ordination, ask
(the person to be ordained) about the Disqualifications (for receiving the
ordination). And let him ask, O Bhikkhus, in this way:
'Are you afflicted with the following diseases, leprosy, boils, dry leprosy,
consumption, and fits?
'Are you a man?
'Are you a male?
'Are you a freeman?
'Have you no debts?
'Are you not in the royal service?
'Have your father and mother given their consent?
'Are you full twenty years old?
'Are your alms-bowl and your robes in due state?
'What is your name?
'What is your upagghâya's name?'
2. At that time the Bhikkhus asked the persons who desired to receive the
upasampadâ ordination about the Disqualifications, without having them
instructed beforehand (how to answer). The persons that desired to be ordained,
became disconcerted, perplexed, and could not answer.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you first instruct (the persons desirous of
being ordained), and then ask them about the Disqualifications.'
p. 231
3. Then they instructed (the candidates) in the midst of the assembly; the
persons desirous of being ordained became disconcerted, perplexed, and could not
answer nevertheless.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you instruct them aside, and ask them about
the Disqualifications before the assembly. And you ought, O Bhikkhus, to
instruct them in this way: You ought first to cause them to choose an upagghâya;
when they have chosen an upagghâya, their alms-bowl and robes must be shown to
them, "This is your alms-bowl, this is your samghâti, this is your upper robe,
this is your under garment; come and place yourself here."'
4. Ignorant, unlearned Bhikkhus instructed them; the persons desirous of
being ordained, though they had been instructed, became disconcerted, perplexed,
and could not answer.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no ignorant, unlearned Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, instruct them. If they do,
they commit a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that a learned,
competent Bhikkhu instruct them.'
5. At. that time persons instructed them who were not appointed thereto.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, instruct them without being appointed thereto. He
who so instructs, commits a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that an
appointed Bhikkhu is to instruct them. And (this Bhikkhu), O Bhikkhus, is to be
appointed in this way: One may either appoint himself, or one may appoint
another person. And how is (a Bhikkhu) to p. 232 appoint himself? Let a learned,
competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Samgha: "Let the
Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. N. N. desires to receive the upasampadâ
ordination from the venerable N. N. If the Samgha is ready, I will instruct N.
N." Thus one may appoint himself.
6. 'And how is (a Bhikkhu) to appoint another person? Let a learned,
competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Samgha: "Let the
Samgha, &c. N. N. desires to receive the upasampadâ ordination from the
venerable N. N. If the Samgha is ready let N. N. instruct N. N." Thus one may
appoint another person.
7. 'Then let that appointed Bhikkhu go to the person who desires to be
ordained, and thus address him: "Do you hear, N. N.? This is the time for you to
speak the truth, and to say that which is. When I ask you before the assembly
about that which is, you ought, if it is so, to answer: 'It is;' if it is not
so, you ought to answer: 'It is not.' Be not disconcerted, be not perplexed. I
shall ask you thus: 'Are you afflicted with the following diseases, &c?'"'
8. (After the instruction, the instructor and the candidate) appeared
together before the assembly.
'Let them not appear together. Let the instructor come first and proclaim the
following ñatti before the Samgha: "Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. N.
N. desires to receive the upasampadâ ordination from the venerable N. N.; he has
been instructed by me. If the Samgha is ready, let N. N. come." Then let him be
told: "Come on." Let him be told to adjust his upper robe (&c., see chap. 29. 2
), to raise his joined hands, and to ask (the Samgha) for the upasampadâ
ordination (by saying), p. 233 "I ask the Samgha, reverend Sirs, for the
upasampadâ ordination; might the Samgha, reverend Sirs, draw me out (of the
sinful world) out of compassion towards me. And for the second time, reverend
Sirs, I ask, &c. And for the third time, reverend Sirs, I ask, &c."
9. 'Then let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before
the Samgha: "Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. This person N. N. desires
to receive the upasampadâ ordination from the venerable N. N. If the Samgha is
ready, let me ask N. N. about the Disqualifications.
'"Do you hear, N. N.? This is the time for you (&c., see § 7, down to:) you
ought to answer: 'It is not.'"
'"Are you afflicted with the following diseases, &c.?"
10. 'Then let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti
before the Samgha: "Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. This person N. N.
desires to receive the upasampadâ ordination from the venerable N. N.; he is
free from the Disqualifications; his alms-bowl and robes are in due state. N. N.
asks the Samgha for the upasampadâ ordination with N. N. as upagghâya. If the
Samgha is ready, &c.1"'
End of the regulations for the upasampadâ ordination2.
p. 234
77.
'Then let them measure the shadow, tell (the newly-ordained Bhikkhu) what
season and what date it is, tell him what part of the day it is, tell him the
whole formula1, and tell him the four Resources: "The religious life has the
morsels of food given in alms for its resource (&c., as in chap. 30. 4)."'
End of the four Resources.
78.
1. At that time the Bhikkhus, after having conferred the upasampadâ
ordination on a certain Bhikkhu, left him alone and went away. Afterwards, as he
went alone (to the Ârâma), he met on the way his former wife. She said to him:
'Have you now embraced the religious life?' (He replied): 'Yes, I have embraced
the religious life.' 'It is difficult to persons who have embraced religious
life, to obtain sexual intercourse; come, let us have intercourse.' He practised
intercourse with her, and, in consequence, came late (to the Arâma). The
Bhikkhus said: 'How is it, friend, that you are so late?'
2. Then that Bhikkhu told the whole matter to the Bhikkhus. The Bhikkhus told
it to the Blessed One.
p. 235
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you give a companion to a newly-ordained
Bhikkhu, and that you tell him the four Interdictions:
'"A Bhikkhu who has received the upasampadâ ordination ought to abstain from
all sexual intercourse even with an animal. A Bhikkhu who practises sexual
intercourse is no Samana and no follower of the Sakyaputta. As a man whose head
is cut off, cannot live any longer with his trunk alone, thus a Bhikkhu who
practises sexual intercourse is no Samana and no follower of the Sakyaputta.
Abstain from doing so as long as your life lasts.
3. '"A Bhikkhu who has received the upasampadâ ordination, ought to abstain
from taking what is not given to him, and from theft, even of a blade of grass.
A Bhikkhu who takes what is not given to him, or steals it, if it is a pâda
(i.e. a quarter of a kârshâpana), or of the value of a pâda or worth more than a
pâda, is no Samana and no follower of the Sakyaputta. As a sear leaf loosed from
its stalk cannot become green again, thus a Bhikkhu who takes, &c. Abstain from
doing so as long as your life lasts.
4. '"A Bhikkhu who has received the upasampadâ ordination, ought not
intentionally to destroy the life of any being down to a worm or an ant. A
Bhikkhu who intentionally kills a human being, down to procuring abortion, is no
Samana and no follower of the Sakyaputta. As a great stone which is broken in
two, cannot be reunited, thus a Bhikkhu who intentionally, &c. Abstain from
doing so as long as your life lasts.
5. '"A Bhikkhu who has received the upasampadâ ordination, ought not to
attribute to p. 236 himself any superhuman condition, and not to say even: 'I
find delight in sojourning in an empty place.' A Bhikkhu who with bad intention
and out of covetousness attributes to himself a superhuman condition, which he
has not, and which he is not possessed of, a state of ghâna (mystic meditation),
or one of the vimokkhas1, or one of the samâdhis (states of self-concentration),
or one of the samâpattis (the attainment of the four ghânas and four of the
eight vimokkhas), or one of the Paths (of sanctification), or one of the Fruits
thereof, is no Samana and no follower of the Sakyaputta. As a palm tree of which
the top sprout has been cut off, cannot grow again, thus a Bhikkhu who with bad
intention, &c. Abstain from doing so as long as your life lasts."'
End of the four Interdicts.
79.
1. At that time a certain Bhikkhu against whom expulsion2 had been pronounced
for his refusal to see an offence (committed by himself), returned to p. 237 the
world. Afterwards he came back to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the upasampadâ
ordination.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'In case, O Bhikkhus, that a Bhikkhu against whom expulsion has been
pronounced for his refusal to see an offence (committed by himself), returns to
the world, and afterwards comes back to the Bhikkhus and asks them for the
upasampadâ ordination, let them say to him: "Will you see that offence?" If he
replies: "I will see it," let him be admitted to the pabbaggâ ordination; if he
replies: "I will not see it," let him not be admitted to the pabbaggâ
ordination.
2. 'When he has received the pabbaggâ ordination let them say to him: "Will
you see that offence?" If he says: "I will see it," let him be admitted to the
upasampadâ ordination; if he says: "I will not see it," let him not be admitted
to the upasampadâ ordination.
'When he has received the upasampadâ ordination (&c., as before). If he says:
"I will see it," let him be restored1; if he says: "I will not see it," let him
not be restored.
'When he has been restored, let them say to him: "Do you see that offence?"
If he sees it, well and good; if he does not see it, let them expel him again,
if it is possible to bring about unanimity (of the fraternity for the sentence
of expulsion); if that is impossible, it is no offence to live and to dwell
together (with such a Bhikkhu).
3. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, that a Bhikkhu against whom expulsion has been
pronounced for his refusal p. 238 to atone for an offence (committed by
himself), &c.1 When he has been restored, let them say to him: "Atone now for
that offence." If he atones for it, well and good, &c.
4. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, that a Bhikkhu against whom expulsion has been
pronounced for his refusal to renounce a false doctrine, &c.2 When he has been
restored, let them say to him: "Renounce now that false doctrine." If he
renounces it, well and good, &c.'
End of the first Khandhaka, which is called the Great Khandhaka3.
Next: Mahâvagga - Second Khandaka
Footnotes
p. 73
1 To this book is prefixed, as introduction, an account of the first events
after Gotama's attaining Buddhahood, down to the conversion of his two chief
disciples, Sâriputta and Moggallâna (chaps. 1-24). Among the elements of
historical or legendary character with which, in the Vinaya Pitaka, the
discussion of the monastic discipline is interwoven, this account occupies by
far the first place, both in extent and in importance. For it contains the
oldest version accessible to us now and, most probably, for ever, of what the
Buddhist fraternity deemed to be the history of their Master's life in its most
important period.
The connection in which this legendary narration stands with the main subject of
the first Khandhaka is not difficult to account for. The regulations regarding
the admission to the fraternity, which are discussed in this Khandhaka, could
not but present themselves to the redactors of the Pitaka as being the very
basis of their religious discipline and monastic life. It was possible to fancy
the existence of the Samgha without the Pâtimokkha rules, or without the
regulations about the Pavâranâ festival, but it was impossible to realise the
idea of a Samgha without rules showing who was to be regarded as a duly admitted
member of the fraternity, and who was not. It is quite natural, therefore, that
the stories or legends concerning the ordination of Bhikkhus were put in
connection with the record of the very first events of the history of the
Samgha. Nor is it difficult to account for the theory formulated by the
historians of the Buddhist ecclesiastical law, of different successive forms in
which the ordination of Bhikkhus had been performed. In the beginning, of
course, there was nobody but the Buddha himself who could ordain Bhikkhus; to
him those who desired to be received, expressed their wish, and he conferred on
them the pabbaggâ and upasampadâ ordinations by the formula: 'Ehi bhikkhu,' &c.
(see I, 6, 32, 34, &c.) It was a very natural conception that afterwards, as the
Samgha grew larger, the Buddha should have transferred the power of admitting
new members to the Bhikkhus themselves, and should have instituted that form of
ordination which the redactors of the Pitaka found valid at their own time.
The transition, however, from the supposed oldest form of ordination (the
so-called ehi-bhikkhu-upasampadâ) to that latter form is in the Vinaya legends
not represented as immediate. There is described an intermediate stage between
the two, the ordination by the three saranagamanas, or by the candidate's three
times repeated declaration of his taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and
the Samgha (see Mahâvagga I, 12). The reason which has led the redactors of the
Vinaya Pitaka to this construction, was most probably the important part which
in the upasampadâ service of the later time devolved upon the preceptor
(upagghâya) of the candidate. As only learned Bhikkhus, who had completed the
tenth year after their own upasampadâ, could perform the function of upagghâya
at the upasampadâ ordination of other Bhikkhus (Mahâvagga I, 31, 8), it was
natural that the redactors of the Vinaya found it impossible to ascribe this
form of upasampadâ service to the first times of Buddha's teaching. For these
times, therefore, they recorded another form, the upasampadâ by the three
saranagamanas, the introduction of which they assigned, very naturally, to the
time soon after the conversion of Yasa's friends, by which event the number of
Bhikkhus had been augmented at once from seven to sixty-one.
p. 74
1 The Lilayan or Phalgu river in Behar; see General Cunningham's map,
Archaeological Reports, vol. i. plate iii.
2 After having reached the sambodhi and before preaching to the world the truth
he has acquired, the Buddha remains, according to the tradition, during some
weeks at Uruvelâ, 'enjoying the bliss of emancipation.' The Mahâvagga, which
contains these legends in their oldest forms, assigns to this stay a period of
four times seven days; the later tradition is unanimous in extending it to seven
times seven days (Buddhaghosa in the commentary on the Mahâvagga; Gâtaka Atthav.
vol. i. p. 77 seq.; Dîpavamsa I, 29, 30; Lalita Vistara, p. 488 seq.; Beal,
Romantic Legend, p. 236 seq., &c.)
p. 75
1 The Chain of Causation, or the doctrine of the twelve nidânas (causes of
existence), contains, as has often been observed, in a more developed form an
answer to the same problem to which the second and third of the four Noble
Truths (ariyasakka) also try to give a solution, viz. the problem of the origin
and destruction of suffering. The Noble Truths simply reduce the origin of
suffering to Thirst, or Desire (Tanhâ), in its threefold form, thirst for
pleasure, thirst for existence, thirst for prosperity (see I, 6, 20). In the
system of the twelve nidânas Thirst also has found its place among the causes of
suffering, but it is not considered as the immediate cause. A concatenation of
other categories is inserted between tonhâ and its ultimate effect; and on the
other hand, the investigation of causes is carried on further beyond tonhâ. The
question is here asked, What does tonhâ come from? and thus the series of causes
and effects is led back to aviggâ (Ignorance), as its deepest root. We may add
that the redactors of the Pitakas, who of course could not but observe this
parallelity between the second and third ariyasakkas and the system of the
twelve nidânas, go so far, in one instance (Anguttara-Nikâya, Tika-Nipâta, fol.
ke of the Phayre MS.), as to directly replace, in giving the text of the four
ariyasakkas, the second and third of them by the twelve nidânas, in direct and
reverse order respectively. Professor Childers has furnished a valuable note on
the nidânas; see Colebrooke, Miscellaneous Essays (second edition), II, 453 seq.
2 In the Sammâditthisuttanta (Magghima-Nikâya, fol. khû of Turnour's MS.) we
find the following explanation of what Ignorance is: 'Not to know Suffering, not
to know the Cause of suffering, not to know the Cessation of suffering, not to
know the Path which leads to the cessation of suffering, this is called
Ignorance.' The same is repeated in the explanation of the nidâna formula, which
is given in the Vibhanga (Abhidhamma-Pitaka, Patikkasamuppâda-vibhanga, fol. ki
of the Phayre MS.), and we must accept it, therefore, as the authentic
expression of Buddhistical belief. It is obvious, however, that this explanation
leaves room for another question. Ignorance, we are told, is the source of all
evil and of all suffering, and the subject ignored is stated to be the four
Truths. But who is the subject that ignores them? All attributes (as the
viññâna, &c.), that constitute sentient beings and enable them to know or to
ignore, are said to be first produced by Ignorance, and we shou1d conclude,
therefore, that they cannot exist before Ignorance has begun to act. Or are we
to understand that it is the Ignorance incurred by a sentient being in a
preceding existence, that causes the samkhâras and Consciousness, the connecting
links between the different existences, to act and to bring about the birth of a
new being?
As is well known, this Ignorance (Avidyâ) plays a great part also in the
Brahmanical philosophy of the Upanishads; and the Buddhist belief is, no doubt,
founded to a considerable extent on older theories. But we cannot venture in a
note to touch upon one of the most difficult and interesting questions which
await the research of Indianists.
p. 76
1 It is very frequently stated that there are three samkhâras or productions:
kâyasamkhâra, vakisamkhâra, and kittasamkhâra, or, productions of body, of
speech, and of thought (see, for instance, the Sammâditthisuttanta,
Magghima-Nikâya, fol. khû of Turnour's MS.) The kâyasamkhâra consists, according
to the Samkhâra-Yamaka (Abhidhamma-Pitaka), in inhalation and expiration
(assâsapassâsâ); the vakîsamkhâra in attention and investigation
(vitakkavikârâ); the kittasamkhâra in ideas, sensations, and all attributes of
mind except attention and investigation (saññâ ka vedanâ ka thapetvâ
vitakkavikâre sabbe pi kittasampayuttakâ dhammâ). The Vibhanga
(Abhidhamma-Pitaka, Patikkasamuppâdavibhanga, I.I.{sic. ?}) gives, when
discussing the samkhâras, six categories instead of the three: 'Now which are
the samkhâras that are produced by Ignorance? Samkhâras (or, productions) that
lead to righteousness, samkhâras that lead to sinfulness, samkhâras that lead to
immovability, productions of body, of speech, and of thought.' The Pâli words
are: 'Tattha katame aviggâpakkayâ samkhârâ? puññâbhisamkhâro apuññâbhisamkhâro
ânañgâbhisamkhâro kâyasamkhâro vakisamkhâro kittasamkhâro.' The list of
fifty-five categories belonging to the samkhâra-khandha, which Sp. Hardy gives
in his Manual (p. 404 seq.; comp. also Rh. D., 'Buddhism,' p. 91 seq., and
'Buddhist Suttas from the Pâli,' p. 242), is not founded, as far as we know, on
the authority of the Pitakas themselves, but on later compendia and
commentaries.
p. 77
1 I.e. eye, ear, nose, tongue, body (or the faculty of touch), and mind.
p. 79
1 Buddhaghosa: 'The goat-herds used to go to the shadow of that banyan tree and
to sit there; therefore it was called the banyan tree of the goat-herds.' The
northern Buddhists say that this tree had been planted by a shepherd boy, during
the Bodhisatta's six years' penance, in order to shelter him; see Beal, Rom.
Legend, pp. 192, 238, and the Mahâvastu.
2 'Huhunkagâtiko.' Buddhaghosa: 'Because he was ditthamangalika, he became
filled with haughtiness and wrath, and went about uttering the sound "huhum."'
Ditthamangalika (having seen something auspicious ?) is obscure to us.
p. 81
1 Buddhaghosa says that Râgâyatana (lit. a royal apartment) was the name of a
tree. It is the same tree which in the Lalita Vistara (p. 493, ed. Calcutta) is
called Târâyana, and in the Dipavamsa (II, 50) Khîrapâla. The place where the
two merchants met Buddha, is thus described in the Mahâvastu:
kshîri-kâvanashande bahudevatake ketiye.
p. 82
1 The term Tathâgata is, in the Buddhistical literature, exclusively applied to
Sammâsambuddhas, and it is more especially used in the Pitakas when the Buddha
is represented as speaking of himself in the third person as 'the Tathâgata.'
The meaning 'sentient being,' which is given to the word in the
Abhidhânappadîpikâ, and in Childers's Dictionary, is not confirmed, as far as we
know, by any passage of the Pitakas. This translation of the word is very
possibly based merely on a misunderstanding of the phrase often repeated in the
Sutta Pitaka: hoti tathâgato param maranâ, which means, of course, 'does a
Buddha exist after death?' In the Gaina books we sometimes find the term
tatthagaya (tatragata), 'he who has attained that world, i.e. emancipation,'
applied to the Ginas as opposed to other beings who are called ihagaya
(idhagata), 'living in this world.' See, for instance, the Ginakaritra, § 16.
Considering the close relation in which most of the dogmatical terms of the
Gainas stand to those of the Bauddhas, it is difficult to believe that tathâgata
and tatthagaya should not originally have conveyed very similar ideas. We think
that on the long way from the original Mâgadhî to the Pâli and Sanskrit, the
term tatthagata or tatthâgata (tatra + âgata), 'he who has arrived there, i.e.
at emancipation,' may very easily have undergone the change into tathâgata,
which would have made it unintelligible, were we not able to compare its
unaltered form as preserved by the Gainas.
p. 83
1 The four guardian gods of the quarters of the world; see Hardy's Manual, p.
24. Their Pâli names, as given in the Abhidhânappadîpikâ, vv. 31, 32, the
Dîpavamsa XVI, 12, &c., were, Dhatarattha, VirûIhaka, Virûpakkha, and Vessavana
or Kuvera.
2 Onîtapattapâni, which is said very frequently of a person who has finished his
meal, is translated by Childers, 'whose hand is removed from the bowl' (comp.
also Trenckner, Pali Miscellany, p. 66). We do not think this explanation right,
though it agrees with, or probably is based on, a note of Buddhaghosa ('pattato
ka apanîtapânim'). Onîta, i.e. avanita, is not apanîta, and the end of the
dinner was marked, not by the Bhikkhu's removing his hand from the bowl, but by
his washing the bowl (see Kullavagga VIII, 4, 6), and, of course, his hands. In
Sanskrit the meaning of ava-nî is, to pour (water) upon something; see the
Petershurg Dictionary. We have translated, therefore, onîtapattapâni
accordingly.
p. 84
1 Because there was no Samgha at that time, their declaration of taking refuge,
by which they became upâsakas, could refer only to the dyad (the Buddha and the
Dhamma), instead of to the triad of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Samgha.
p. 85
1 The upadhis (substrata of existence) are specified in the commentary on the
Sutta-Nipâta, ap. Dhammapada, p. 433: 'sabbûpadhinam parikkhayâ 'ti sabbesam
khandhakâmagunakilesâbhisamkhârabhedânam upadhînam parikkhînattâ.' Probably
abhisamkhâra is not co-ordinate with the other members of the compound, but is
determined by them, comp. pabbaggâbhisamkhâra, iddhâbhisamkhâra,
gamikâbhisamkhâra. The upadhis, therefore, according to this passage, consist:
firstly, in the actions of mind that are directed towards the khandhas (i.e.
that have the effect of propagating and augmenting the dominion of the
khandhas); secondly, in the actions tending to the fivefold pleasures of sense;
and thirdly, in those connected with kilesa (evil passion).
2 Buddhaghosa explains anakkhariya by anuakkhariya, which is alike
unintelligible to us. The Lalita Vistara (p. 515, ed. Calcutta) has abhîkshnam
('repeatedly').
p. 86
1 It is difficult to believe that the Pâli name of Brahmâ Sahampati, the ruler
of the Brahma worlds (see Spence Hardy's Manual, pp. 43, 56), is not connected
with the Brahman svayambhû of the Brahmanical literature. Perhaps the Sanskrit
equivalent of sahampati might be svayampati.
2 Amata, an epithet of Arahatship, which may perhaps mean simply ambrosia. See
Rh. D., Buddhism, pp. 60, 111, 184.
p. 87
1 See § 3 with our note for this omitted word.
p. 89
1 Âlâra Kâlâma and Uddaka Râmaputta were the two teachers to whom Gotama had
attached himself first after his pabbaggâ See Faushöl1's Gâtaka, vol. i. p. 66;
Rh. D., Buddhism, p. 34.
p. 90
1 See about the five companions of Buddha's self-mortification, in the time
before the sambodhi, the Gâtaka, vol. i. p. 67; Hardy, Manual, p. 165; Rh. D.,
Buddhism, p. 35. The names of the five Bhikkhus were, Kondañña, Vappa, Bhaddiya,
Mahânâma, Assagi.
2 Perhaps instead of kho 'me ( = kho ime) we should read kho me.
3 'The Mrigadâwa, or Deer Park, is represented by a fine wood, which still
covers an area of about half a mile, and extends from the great tower of Dhamek
on the north, to the Chaukundi mound on the south.' Cunningham, Arch. Reports,
I, p. 107.
p. 91
1 Gina, or the victorious One, is one of the many appellations common to the
founders of the Bauddha and Gaina sects.
2 Sensuality, individuality, delusion, and ignorance (Kâma, Bhava, Ditthi, and
Aviggâ).
p. 92
1 Buddhaghosa, in a note on Kullavagga II, 1, 1, says that pâdapîtha is a stool
to put the washed foot on, pâdakathalika (or pâdakathalikâ?), a stool to put the
unwashed foot on, or a cloth to rub the feet with (pâdaghamsana).
p. 94
1 As they had done before when they underwent austerities together with the
Bodhisatta at Uruvelâ.
2 Of the literature that exists referring to the discourse which follows now
(the Dhammakakkappavattana Sutta), it will suffice to quote M. Feer's Études
Bouddhiques, I, p. 189 seq., and Rh. D., 'Buddhist Suttas from the Pâli,' pp.
137-155, and in the Fortnightly Review for December 1879.
p. 95
1 Clinging to the five elements of existence, rûpa, vedanâ, saññâ, samkhârâ,
viññâna. See § 38 seq.
p. 96
1 I.e. the thirst (tanhâ), which is declared in this Noble Truth to be the cause
of suffering, must be abandoned.
p. 97
1 The three modifications and twelve constituent parts are those specified in §§
23-26.
p. 98
1 The thirty-three devas of the Vedic mythology. This enumeration gives the gods
who reside in the different worlds, beginning from the lowest (the bhummâ devâ,
who inhabit the earth), and gradually ascending to the higher devalokas. See
Hardy, Manual, p. 25
p. 99
1 Those three Bhikkhus of the five, who had been converted, went about for alms;
while the Buddha remained with their two companions, and instructed them.
p. 100
1 This is shown exactly in the same way and with the same words that are used in
§ 38 with regard to the body. Body, sensations, perceptions, samkhâras, and
consciousness are the well-known five classes (khandha) of bodily and mental
parts and powers; see Rh. D., 'Buddhism,' p. 90 seq. The self (attâ), which, if
it exists at all, must be permanent and imperishable, is not to be found in any
one of these five classes, which are all subject to origin and decay. This
discourse of the Buddha's, which is frequently called the Anattalakkhana Sutta
(Sutta of the not having the signs of self), shows the perishable nature of the
five khandhas, and that the khandhas are not the self. But it does not deal with
the question, whether the self exists or not, in any other way.
2 See the note on chap. 1. 2.
p. 101
1 Here follow the same questions, answers, and rejoinders, with regard to
sensation, perception, the samkhâras, and consciousness.
2 The same with regard to the other four khandhas.
3 Compare Burnouf, 'Lotus de la bonne Loi,' p. 481.
p. 102
1 See the note on § 9.
2 A well-known scene in the life of the Bodhisatta has evidently been
represented after the model of this story. See Gâtaka I, p. 61; Lalita Vistara,
p. 251; Bigandet, Life of Gaudama, p. 55. Nowhere in the Pâli Pitakas is the
story told about the Bodhisatta himself.
3 This was a position of honour among the merchants. In the later literature we
hear of an office of setthi (setthi-tthâna) in a city, to which any one with the
requisite wealth and talent was eligible (Gâtaka I, 120-122); and, according to
the Mahâvamsa, the king appointed to an office called setthitâ, apparently at
his court (Mah. p. 69). The Gahapati, or Treasurer, one of the seven jewels of a
king, is explained by Buddhaghosa to be setthi-gahapati (see Rh. D.'s note on
Mahâ-sudassana Sutta I, 41). 'The Setthi,' standing alone, or 'the Mahâ-setthi,'
means Anâtha Pindika (Gâtaka I, 95, 227-230; Dhammapada Commentary, p. 395).
Below, in chapter 9, § 1, it would seem that the rank of setthi was hereditary,
and this is confirmed by the later literature; but this applies to the social
rank only, and not to the office.
p. 103
1 Pleasures of the eye, ear, nose, tongue, and touch.
2 Hatthappattam susânam maññe, literally, 'one would think a cernetery had
(suddenly) come to one's hand.'
p. 104
1 Nekkhamma is neither naishkramya nor naishkarmya, but naishkâmya. Itivuttaka,
fol. khi (Phayre MS.): kâmânam etam nissaranam yad idam nekkhammam, rûpânam etam
nissaranam yad idam aruppam.
p. 107
1 The stage of a sekha, i.e. a person who has attained to any stage in the Noble
Eightfold Path (such as sotâpattiphala, &c.) inferior to the highest
(Arahatship).
p. 109
1 The rules about the dress of a Bhikkhu who is going to the village are given
in the Kullavagga VIII, 4, 3; 5, 2. Compare Rh. D.'s note on the
Mahâ-parinibbâna Sutta V, 45.
p. 110
1 According to Subhûti (in Childers's Dictionary) sampavâreti means that the
host hands dishes to the guest until the latter says, 'I have had enough.'
Childers accordingly translates sampavâreti, 'to cause to refuse.' But as
pavâreti means, 'to cause to accept,' it is impossible that sampavâreti should
have exactly the opposite meaning. We prefer, therefore, to take it as an
emphatic synonym of pavâreti.
p. 112
1 This cannot be understood as a general rule, for it is repeated nowhere where
precepts for wandering Bhikkhus are given, and, on the contrary, numerous
instances occur in the Sacred Texts in which two or more Bhikkhus are mentioned
as wandering together, without any expression of disapproval being added. The
precept given here evidently is intended to refer only to the earliest period in
the spread of the new doctrine; just as in chap. 12 a form of upasampadâ is
introduced by Buddha which was regarded as inadmissible in later times.
p. 113
1 The correct spelling of this name appears to be Senâninigama ('the General's
Town'), and not Senânigama ('the Army's Town'); the Gâtaka Atthavannanâ (vol. i.
p. 68) and the Paris MS. of the Mahâvagga (manu secunda) read Senâninigama. The
Lalita Vistara has Senâpatigrâma.
p. 115
1 On this ceremony, which is still gone through before the regular ordination,
see the remarks in the note on chapter 1, §
p. 116
1 See about the vassa residence the rules given in Book III.
p. 118
1 The Gatilas (i.e. ascetics wearing matted hair) are Brahmanical vânaprasthas.
The description of their ascetic life given in many passages of the Gâtaka
Atthavannanâ and of the Apadâna exactly agrees with the picture of the forest
life of the {Greek: ulóbioi} which so frequently occurs in the Mahâbhârata. In
the Mahâvagga (VI, 35, 2) it is expressly stated that the Gatilas recognised the
authority of the Veda, and it is in keeping with this that the usual term for
adopting the state of a Gatila is 'isipabbaggam pabbagati' (frequently in the
Gât. Atth.), i.e. leaving the world and becoming a Rishi.
p. 119
1 Iddhi. compare the passages referred to by Rh. D. in. Buddhist Suttas from the
Pâli,' pp. 2, 40, 259; and further Mahâvagga VI, 15, 8, and Kullavagga Vll, 1,
4, and VII, 2, 1.
2 Satim upatthâpetvâ. Sati is here a more precise idea than memory.
p. 120
1 Buddhaghosa explains makkha by kodha.
2 Compare Kullavagga IV, 4, 4, where Dabba also tegodhatum samâpaggati, that is,
his finger is on fire.
3 Compare the Editor's corrections at Kullavagga, p. 363.
4 In §§ 6, 7 (excepting the last clause of § 7) the story related in §§ 1-5 is
repeated in a more popular style. This appears to us to be a more archaic
redaction than the preceding. We do not know any other instance in the Pâli
Pitakas of a similar repetition, excepting a short passage at the end of chap.
24. 3; and one other in the Mahâ-padhâna Sutta.
p. 121
1 Literally, 'the Snake among men,' or 'the Elephant among men' (manussanâgo).
p. 122
1 According to Vedic tradition the Gautamas, as is well known. belong to the
Ângirasa tribe.
2 See chap. 4. 4.
p. 124
1 One of the supposed seven great lakes in the Himavant.
p. 127
1 See about this gambu tree, which grows in the forest of Himavant, Hardy's
Manual, p. 18 seq.
p. 128
1 Very probably it is this story in which a similar legend has originated that
the Ceylonese tell about Mahinda, the converter of their island; see Dîpavamsa
XII, 75.
p. 129
1 Bigandet (Life of Gaudama, p. 135) translates this passage from the Burmese
version: 'Gaudama split it in a moment, in five hundred pieces.' Doubtless the
true meaning is, that there were five hundred pieces of wood, one for each of
the five hundred Gatilas over whom was Kassapa chief. In the following two
stories (§§ 13, 14) we have five hundred sacred fires.
p. 130
1 The ashtakâ festivals, about which accurate details are given in the Grihya
Sûtras, were celebrated about the wane of the moon of the winter months
mârgasîrsha, taisha, and mâgha; see Weber, Die vedischen Nachrichten von den
Naxatra, II. p. 337, and H. O.'s note on the Sânkhâyana Grihya, 3, 12, ap.
lndische Studien, XV, p. 145.
2 Buddhaghosa explains mandâmukhiyo by aggibhâganâni.
p. 132
1 Which they had cut off in order to receive the pabbaggâ ordination, see chap.
12. 3.
2 We are extremely doubtful about the meaning of khârikâga, which Buddhaghosa
explains by khâribhâra. Perhaps it may mean provisions of any description of
which each Gatila used to keep one khârî (a certain dry measure).
p. 133
1 This is evidently a remark added to the text by a reader or commentator.
p. 134
1 According to General Cunningham, Gayâsîsa (' the head of Gayâ.') is the
mountain of Brahmâyoni near Gayâ. Arch. Rep. III, 107.
p. 135
1 Here the same exposition which has been given relating to the eye, its
objects, the sensations produced by its contact with objects, &c., is repeated
with reference to the ear and the other organs of sense.
p. 136
1 Latthivana (Sansk. yashtivana), literally, 'stick forest,' means a forest
consisting of bambus. General Cunningham has the following note about this bambu
forest: 'In 1862, when I was at Râjgir (i.e. Râgagaha), I heard the bambu forest
always spoken of as Jaktiban; . . . I fixed the position of the bambu forest to
the south-west of Râjgir on the hill lying between the hot-springs of Tapoban
and old Râgagriha.' Reports, III, 140.
The word we have rendered sacred shrine is Ketiya.
p. 137
1 The word householder (gahapati) is used here, as is the case not unfrequently,
to denote householders of the third caste. Compare Rh. D.'s' note on
Mahâ-sudassana Sutta, p. 260.
p. 138
1 Literally, 'who is known as emaciate.' This is said with reference to the
mortifications practised by the Gatilas or Vânaprasthas. The Mahâbhârata (III,
1499) uses the same adjective (krisa) of a Gatila. Vadâno we take for a
participle, but it is possible also to read vadâ no, 'tell us,' which Professor
Jacobi (Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morg. Ges., XXXIV, p. 187) prefers.
Buddhaghosa takes kisakovadâno for a compound of kisaka and ovadâna: tâpasânam
ovâdako anusâsako.
2 The meaning is: The mantras which are recited at the sacrifices contain
praises of visible things, &c., and the rewards that are promised to him who
offers such sacrifices do not extend beyond that same sphere.
3 The Pâli word is upadhi, which is translated by Childers, 'substratum of
being.' See our note on chap. 5. 2. In this passage upadhi is said to refer to
the Khandhas (Buddhaghosa).
4 Here we have the Vedic distinction of greater and smaller sacrifices
(yagatayas and guhotaras).
5 The words 'said the Blessed One' (ti Bhagavâ avoka) are probably interpolated
from a gloss, as they destroy the metre.
6 Doubtless Buddhaghosa is right in explaining ko by kva.
p. 139
1 Akiñkana here, and elsewhere, used as an epithet of Arahatship, refers to the
state of mind in which the kiñkanas, that is, lust, malice, and delusion (so in
the Samgîti Sutta of the Digha Nikâya), have ceased to be. It is literally
'being without the somethings,' which are the things that stand in the way, the
obstacles to Buddhist perfection; and Buddhaghosa (in the Sumangala Vilâsinî on
the passage in the Samgîti Sutta) explains accordingly kiñkana by palibodha.
p. 141
1 Gold colour is one (the 17th) of the thirty-two lakkhana which form the
characteristics of Buddha as a mahâpurisa.
2 The ten ariyavâsas. Buddhaghosa says: dasasu ariyavâsesu vutthavâso. The
Samgîti Sutta gives the ten Noble States, as follows: 1. being free from the
five bad qualities (pañkanga), 2. being possessed of the six good qualities
(khalanga), 3. being guarded in the one thing (ekârakkha), 4. observing four
things (katurâpassena), 5. rejecting each of the four false truths (panunna
pakkeka-sakka), 6. seeking right things (samavayasa-dhesana), 7. having pure
aims (anâvila-samkappa), 8. being full of ease (passaddhakâya-samkhâra), 9.
being emancipated in heart (suvimuttakitta), 10. being emancipated in ideas
(suvimuttapañña). The Samgîti then further enlarges on the meaning of each of
these ten.
p. 142
1 The ten Balas, which are ten kinds of knowledge (ñâna); see Bumouf, Lotus, p.
781 and following, and compare Gâtaka I, 78.
2 Buddhaghosa explains dasadhammavidû by dasakammapathavidû.
3 Buddhaghosa explains dasabhi k' ûpeto by suppJying asekhehi dhammehi. The
first eight of the ten asekhâ dhammâ consist in the full perfection of
sammâditthi (right belief) and the other categories enumerated in the formula of
the Noble Eightfold Path; the ninth and tenth are the perfection of sammâñâna
(right knowledge) and sammâvimutti (right emancipation).
p. 143
1 The site of the Veluvana ('bambu forest') near Râgagaha has not yet been
discovered. 'It must have occupied about the position where the ancient
basements, marked K. K. K. and G. in Cunningham's map of Râgagriha (pl. xiv,
Reports, vol. i), were found by him' (Rh. D., 'Buddhism,' p. 62 note).
p. 145
1 This seems to us the meaning of atthikehi upaññâtam maggam. Sâriputta followed
Assagi as suppliants are accustomed to follow their proposed benefactor till a
convenient season arrives for preferring their request.
2 The same words as are put in the mouth of Upaka, when addressing the Buddha,
above, chap. 6, § 7 (and see below, § 6).
p. 146
1 This famous stanza doubtless alludes to the formula of the twelve Nidânas (see
chap. 1. 2) which explains the origination and cessation of what are called here
' dhammâ hetuppabhavâ.' Hetu and pakkaya (the word so frequently used in the
formula of the Nidânas) are nearly synonymous. Colebrooke (Life and Essays, vol.
ii. p. 419) says that the Bauddhas distinguish between hetu, 'proximate cause,'
and pakkaya (pratyaya), 'concurrent occasion;' but, in practical use, this
slight difference of meaning, if it really existed, has but little weight
attached to it.
p. 147
1 See §§ 2-4. lnstead of 'The paribbâgaka Sâriputta,' of course, the pronoun of
the first person is to be read; instead of' The venerable Assagi , read, 'The
Bhikkhu Assagi;' and further, the vocative 'Friend' (âvuso), addressed to
Moggallâna, is inserted three or four times in the course of this narration.
p. 149
1 The later Burmese and Chinese works translated by Bigandet (Life of Gaudama,
p. 152) and by Beal (Romantic Legend, p. 330) add that he died. This is not in
the Pâli text, and the Sinhalese account given by Hardy (Manual, p. 197) is
directly opposed to that statement.
2 Upatissa was called Sâriputta after his mother ('The Son of Sârî'); Kolita had
the family name Moggallâna (compare Beal, Romantic Legend, pp. 324, 331). The
name Upatissa occurs in Asoka's well-known edict which has been found at Bairât.
The king there quotes 'The Question of Upatissa' among the texts, the study of
which he recommends to the brethren and sisters of the fraternity and to the
laymen of either sex. This very probably refers to the dialogue between Assagi
and Sâriputta.
3 As to this repetition of what had been related before, comp. the note on chap.
15. 6, 7. The words from gambhîre down to upadhisamkhaye form a sloka. This is
one of several instances where an older passage in verse, and probably first
composed in some nearly related dialect, appears in the Pâli Pitakas in prose.
It is this which explains the extraordinary grammatical construction of the
first seven words. Compare Rh. D.'s note on the similar instance at
Mahâ-parinibbâna Sutta V, 62. The exclamation put into the mouth of Sâriputta,
and afterwards of Moggallâna (above, chap. 23, §§ 5, 10), ought also, perhaps,
to be included in the same category.
p. 151
1 The chief object of the first book being to discuss the regulations for the
upasampadâ ordination, at which the preceptor (upagghâya) of the candidate has a
principal part, the text now goes on to relate the institution of the office and
upagghâyas, and to explain the mutual duties incumbent on upagghâyas and pupils
(saddhivihârikas).
p. 152
1 Buddhaghosa has the following note on uttitthapatta: 'uttitthapattan ti
pindâya karanakapattam, tasmim hi manussâ u.kkitthasaññino (this word is spelt
so in the Paris MS. as well as in the Berlin MS. of the Samanta Pâsâdikâ; the
usual spelling is ukkhittha), tasmâ uttitthapattan ti vuttam. athavâ utthahitvâ
pattam upanâmentîti evam ettha attho datthabbo.' We take the word, as the former
of Buddhaghosa's two explanations implies, for a composition of ukkhittha. For
the conversion of palatal consonants into dentals, see E. Kuhn, Beiträge zur
Pali-Grammatik, p. 36, and on the use of the word compare Trenckner's Milinda
Pañho, pp. 213, 214.
p. 154
1 If he had put on shoes for having a walk early in the morning or for keeping
his feet clean (Buddhaghosa).
p. 155
1 Buddhaghosa explains sagunam katvâ by ekato katvâ.
2 According to Buddhaghosa the meaning of these words is: If the alms-bowl of
the upagghâya has become too heavy or hot by the food put into it, the
saddhivihârika ought to take it and give his own bowl to the upagghâya.
p. 156
1 See Chap. 6. 11, with the note.
2 I.e. in order that the folds might not fall upon the same place every day, and
the robe might be wom out at that place (Buddhaghosa).
3 The Pâli text is: 'Obhoge kâyabandhanam kâtabbam.' Buddhaghosa's note runs as
follows: 'Kâyabandhanam samgharitvâ (read samharitvâ) kîvarabhoge pakkhipitvâ
thapetabbam.' We do not venture to offer any conjectures as to the meaning of
this passage.
I See Chap. 6. 11, with the note.
2 A gantâghara (Sansk. yantragriha, according to Dr. Bühler's conjecture) is a
bathing-place for hot sitting baths. See Kullavagga V, 14, 3; VIII, 8; Kuhn's
Zeitschrift für vergleichende Sprachf., XXV, 325.
3 It is first moistened by water and then kneaded into lumps (Buddhaghosa),--no
doubt to be rubbed over the person who is bathing.
4 The face was besmeared with moistened clay in order to protect it from the
heat. See Kullavagga V, 14, 3.
p. 158
1 I.e. if he is not prevented by indisposition (Buddhaghosa).
2 See Chap. 6. 11, with the note.
p. 159
1 See VIII, 16, 3. 4.
2 The bedstead rested on movable supporters. See Kullavagga VI, 2, 5.
3 See Kullavagga VI, 20, 2.
4 See the Samanta Pâsâdikâ, ap. Minayeff, Prâtimoksha, p.87.
p. 160
1 As in the preceding clause.
2 The same for North and South.
p. 161
1 Literally, make it (the discontentedness) clear. Buddhaghosa reads
vûpakâsetabbo vûpakâsâpetabbo, which he explains thus: 'vûpakâsetabbo means,
"Let (the saddhivihârika) lead him to another place;" vûpakâsâpetabbo means,"Let
him tell another Bhikkhu to take the Thera and go with him elsewhere."'
2 The second and third books of the Kullavagga contain a detailed explanation of
parivâsa and of the other technical terms contained in this paragraph.
p. 162
1 The discussion about the tagganiyakamma and the other disciplinary proceedings
alluded to in this paragraph is given in the first book of the Kullavagga.
p. 164
1 Instead of, 'Follow the upagghâya from behind' (chap. 25. 12), read here, 'Go
(with the saddhivih~rika).'
p. 165
1 We believe that the words ' The moderate Bhikkhus' are intended here and
throughout the whole work as an abbreviation of the fuller phrase, 'Those
Bhikkhus who were moderate, frugal modest, conscientious, anxious for training'
(chap. 25. 3).
2 All this is an abbreviation of what has been given at full length in chap. 25.
4-6.
p. 166
1 Those slight offences which were not embodied in the Pâtimokkha are called
dukkata offences. They range, as to their gravity, with the pâkittiya offences
of the Pâtimokkha. For him who had committed a dukkata offence, no further
penance was required than a simple confession of his fault. See Kullavagga , XI,
1, 10.
p. 169
1 See chap. 12 and the note on chap. 1. 1.
2 The form for bringing a formal motion before the Order is the following: The
mover first announces to the assembled Bhikkhus what resolution he is going to
propose; this announcement is called ñatti (see, for instance, § 4). After the
ñatti follows the question put to the Bhikkhus present if they approve the
resolution. This question is put either once or three times; in the first case
we have a ñattidutiya kamma(see, for instance, II, chap. 6); in the second case,
a ñattikatuttha kamma (as in this chapter).
p. 170
1 With this and the following chapters should be compared the corresponding
ordinance laid down in chapters 74-76.
p. 171
1 Here follows the complete formula of a ñattikatuttha kamma, as in chap. 28.
4-6. The only difference is, that here in the ñatti, as well as in the three
questions, the words 'N. N. asks the Samgha for the upasampadâ ordination with
N. N. as upagghâya' are inserted after the words 'desires to receive the
upasampadâ ordination from the venerable N.N.'
p. 172
1 On this curious expression, compare Kullavagga IV, 4, 8. It is frequently
repeated below.
p. 173
1 These are the five kinds of dwellings (pañka lenâni) which are declared to be
allowable, Kullavagga VI, I, 2. The single expressions are explained by
Buddhaghosa in his note on Kullavagga 1. 1. as follows: 'addhayogo 'ti
suvannavangageham, pâsâdo 'ti dîghapâsâdo, hammiyan ti upariâkâsatale
patitthitakûtâgâro pâsâdo yeva, gubâ 'ti itthakaguhâ silâguhâ dâruguhâ
pamsuguhâ,' i.e. 'Addha-yoga is a gold-coloured Bengal house. Pâsâda is a long
storied mansion (or, the whole of an upper storey). Hammiya is a Pâsâda, which
has an upper chamber placed on the topmost storey. Gubâ is a hut made of bricks,
or in a rock, or of wood.'
p. 174
1 Compare Mabâvagga VI, 14, 6.
p. 175
1 This story recurs in the Gâtaka Commentary II, 449.
p. 177
1 See the conclusion of this in chapter 38.
p. 178
1 Buddhaghosa can scarcely be right in explaining pakkhasamkanta by
titthiyapakkhasamkanta.
2 Âkariya as well as upagghâya means 'teacher,' or 'preceptor.' It is very
difficult or rather impossible to draw a sharp line of distinction between
âkariyâ and upagghâya. The duties of an âkariya towards his antevâsika, and of
an antevâsika towards his âkariya, as indicated in chaps. 32, 33 ( = Kullavagga
VIII, 13, 14), are exactly the same as those of an upagghâya towards his
saddhivihârika and vice versa (chaps. 25, 26 = Kullavagga VIII, 11, 12). The
position of an upagghâya, however, was considered as the more important of the
two; at the upasampadâ service the upagghâya had a more prominent part than the
âkariya, as we may infer from chaps. 28, 29, and from the explanations on the
65th pâkittiya rule which are given in the Sutta Vibhanga. There it is said
that, if the upasampadâ ordination had been conferred, against the rule, on a
person that has not yet attained his twentieth year, the upagghâya has made
himself guilty of a pâkittiya offence, the âkariya and the other present
Bhikkhus only of a dukkata offence. We may add that the succession of Vinaya
teachers from Upâli down to Mahinda, which is given in the Dîpavamsa (Bhânavâras
IV and V), is a succession of upagghâyas and saddhivihârikas (see IV, 36, 42,
43, &c.), not of âkariyas and antevâsikas; the duty of instructing the young
Bhikkhus in the holy doctrines and ordinances seems, therefore, to belong to the
upagghâya rather than to the âkariya; compare also Dîpavamsa VII, 26. So among
the Brâhmanas, on the contrary, the âkârya is estimated higher than the
upâdhyâya; see Manu II, 145; Yâgñavalkya I, 35. Compare also chap. 36. 1 (end of
the paragraph), and Buddhaghosa's explanation of that passage.
p. 179
1 Nissaya (i.e. dependence) is the relation between âkariya and antevâsika. The
antevâsika lives ' nissâya ' with regard to the âkariya, i.e. dependent on him;
the âkariya gives his nissaya to the antevâsika. i.e. he receives him into his
protection and care. At chap. 36. 1, 'nissaya ' is said also of the relation
between upagghâya and saddhivihârika.
p. 181
1 That is, 'did not know how to decide whether their nissaya was destroyed, or
not.'
p. 182
1 This refers, according to Buddhaghosa, to the panâmanâ (turning away of the
saddhivihârika); see chap. 27. 2.
2 Buddhaghosa: 'Coming together may be understood either by seeing or by
hearing. If a saddhivihârika who lives in dependence (nissâya) on his âkariya
sees his upagghâya paying homage to a sacred shrine in the same Vihâra, or going
on his rounds in the same village, cessation of the nissaya (towards the
âkariya) is the consequence. If he hears the voice of his upagghâya, who
preaches the Dhamma or gladdens (lay-people by religious discourse), in the
Vihâra or in the interior of a house, and if he recognises that it is his
upagghâya's voice, cessation of the nissaya (towards the âkariya) is the
consequence.'
3 About the ordination of novices, see chap. 54. 3.
p. 184
1 According to Buddhaghosa, moral transgression (adhisîla) is said with regard
to offences against the pârâgika and samghâdisesa rules, while transgressions in
conduct (agghâkâra) consist in offences against the minor rules of the
Pâtimokkha. Buddhaghosa's explanation is confirmed by the Mahâvagga IV, 16, 12.
2 According to Buddhaghosa, this refers to instruction in the khandhakavatta
(i.e. in the rules contained in the Khandhaka texts, Mahâvagga and Kullavagga?).
See also Spence Hardy, Manual, p. 492.
p. 185
1 This means instructing him in the sekhapaññatti (Buddhaghosa). We cannot say
what is the accurate meaning of the last term, which apparently, as its verbal
meaning seems to imply, refers to ordinances for those Bhikkhus who have entered
the path of sanctification, but have not yet attained Arahatship. Spence Hardy
(Manual, p. 493) gives the term sekha-sîla, which he explains as the observance
of precepts in order to become a sekha. See also Hardy's note on
âdibrahmakariya-sila, l. l. p. 492.
p. 186
1 Chap. 37 is exactly identical with chap. 36. 2-15, but for the sixth case,
which, throughout chap. 37, is added each time at the end of the five cases
given in chap. 36, 'When he has not completed the tenth year (after his
upasampadâ);' and respectively, 'When he has completed ten years or more than
ten years (after his upasampadâ).'
2 It should be, 'Fourteen times.'
3 See chap. 31, § 6.
p. 190
1 Compare chap. 48.
p. 191
1 Gîvaka was physician to king Bimbisâra, and one of the chief partisans of
Buddha at the court of Râgugaha. See VIII, 1, the introduction of the
Sâmaññaphala Sutta, &c.
p. 194
1 On ukkinatha, compare the use of ukkhekkhâmi at Mahâparinibbâna Sutta I, 1 (p.
1), which Buddhaghosa rightly explains by ukkhindissâmi. But we think it better
to adhere here to the reading ukkinatha, in accordance with the MSS.
p. 196
1 The robber Angulimâla (i.e. he who wears a necklace of fingers), whose
original name was Ahimsaka, had received this surname from his habit of cutting
off the fingers of his victims and wearing them as a necklace. See Spence Hardy,
Manual, p. 249 seq. {See also Majjhima Nikâya, Sutta 86, translated by Albert J.
Edmunds.}
p. 200
1 Buddhaghosa explains kammârabhandu by tulâtaramundako (read tulâdhâram.)
suvannakâraputto. At Dhammapada, v. 239, kammâra is said of a silversmith. There
was probably no distinction in these early times between gold, silver, copper,
and iron smiths; the same man being an artificer in all kinds of metal.
p. 201
1 This Upâli is different from the famous Upâli who belonged to the chief
disciples of Buddha; the latter came not from Râgagaha, but from the Sakya
country.
2 Buddhaghosa: 'He who learns arithmetic, must think much; therefore his breast
will become diseased.'
3 We prefer this translation of rûpa to translating it by 'painting,' on account
of Buddhaghosa's note: 'He who learns the rûpa-sutta must turn over and over
many kârshâpanas and look at them.'
p. 203
1 The law alluded to is the 65th pâkittiya rule. Generally in the Khandhakas,
which presuppose, as we have stated in our preface, the existence of the
Pâtimokkha, direct repetition of the rules laid down there has been avoided. If,
nevertheless, in the Khandhakas a transgression alluded to in the Pâtimokkha had
to be mentioned again, then in most cases the Khandhakas, instead of directly
indicating the penance incurred thereby, use of the guilty Bhikkhu the
expression, 'yathâdhammo kâretabbo,' i.e. 'he is to be treated according to the
law.' See H. O.'s Introduction to his edition of the Mahâvagga, p. xx note.
p. 204
1 Buddhaghosa explains abivâtakaroga by mâribyâdhi, and says: 'When this plague
befalls a house, men and beasts in that house die; but he who breaks through
wall or roof, or is "rogâ mâdigato (?)," may be saved.'
p. 205
1 This seems very unpractical: and the rule is accordingly practically abrogated
again by chapter 55.
2 We must leave 'âhundarikâ' untranslated; Buddhaghosa says nothing about this
obscure word.
p. 206
1 See chap. 32. 1.
p. 207
1 Supply these pentads and hexads, respectively, from chaps. 36. 6, 7; 8, 9; 14,
15; 16, 17; 37. 1, 2; 5, 6; 7, 8; 13, 14.
2 Abhayûvara means, 'secure from anything.' This refers to the expression used
in chap. 42, § 2.
p. 208
1 The Buddha's former wife. This is, as far as we know, the only passage in the
Pâli Pitakas which mentions this lady, and it deserves notice that her name is
not mentioned. Probably this name was unknown to the Buddhists in early times,
and thus we may best account for the difference of the simply invented names
given to this lady by later writers. Compare Rh. D., Buddhism, p. 50 seq.
p. 209
1 Granting a boon (vara) is a constant phrase used of princes when making an
open promise to give to any one whatever they should ask. See, for instance, the
Gâtaka Story, No. 9, where the person to whom the boon was given laid it by for
a convenient season; and then asked the king to make her son heir-apparent, in
violation of all ancient law and custom.
p. 210
1 Nanda was a son of Mahâpagâpati, a half-brother of the Buddha. See the story
of his conversion in Rh. D.'s Buddhist Birth Stories, p. 128 (later and fuller
accounts can be seen in Hardy, Manual, p. 204 seq.; Beal, Romantic Legend, p.
369 seq.)
p. 211
1 See chap. 52.
2 Sikkhâpadâni, literally, 'Paths of Training.' Compare chap. 60.
p. 213
1 Here first appear the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus (the company of the 'six Bhikkhus',
with their attendants), the constant and indefatigable evil-doers throughout the
whole Vinaya-Pitaka. Buddhaghosa (on Kullayagga I, 1) says that Panduka and
Lohitaka belonged to this company, and also Assagi and Punabbasu are mentioned
as Khabbaggiyas (see Childers s. v. khabbaggiyo).
p. 215
1 The case of the novice's committing sexual intercoutse with a Bhikkhunî can
have found its place here only by a negligence of the redactor, as it is
comprised already in the third of the ten cases (the novice's committing
impurity). Buddhaghosa (who of course never admits anything like an inadvertence
of the holy Theras by whom the Vinaya is compiled) says that the third case and
the tenth are distinguished here, because a person that has simply committed an
impurity may receive the ordination, if he is willing to refrain himself in
future; whilst a bhikkhunîdûsaka cannot be ordained in any case (see chap. 67).
2 Tena kho pana samayena aññataro pandako bhikkhûsu pabbagito hoti, so dahare
dahare bhikkhû upasamkamitvâ evam vadeti: etha mam âyasmanto dûsethâ 'ti.
Bhikkhû apasâdenti: nassa pandaka, vinassa pandaka, ko tayâ attho 'ti. So
bhikkhûhi apasâdito mahante mahante moligalle (Buddhaghosa: thûlasarîre)
sâmanere upasamkamitvâ evam vadeti: etha mam âvuso dûsethâ 'ti. Sâmanerâ
apasâdenti: nassa pandaka, vinassa pandaka, ko tayâ at tho 'ti. So sâmanerehi
apasâdito hatthibhande assabhande upasamkamitvâ evam vadeti: etha mam âvuso
dûsethâ 'ti. Hatthibhandâ assabhandâ dûsesum. Te ugghâyanti khiyanti vipâkenti:
pandakâ ime samanâ Sakyaputtiyâ, ye pi imesam na pandakâ te pi pandake dûsenti,
evam ime sabbeva abrahmakârino 'ti. Assosum kho bhikkhû hatthibhandânam
assabhandânam ugghâyantânam khîyantânam vipâkentânam. Atha kho te bhikkhû
bhagavato etam attham ârokesum.
p. 222
1 I.e. not with the whole fraternity residing at that place, but with a part of
it.
p. 225
1 'Whose fingers are grown together, like bats' wings' (Buddhaghosa).
2 Buddhaghosa (Berlin MS.) explains 'khinniriyâpatha' by 'pidhasappi.' We ought
to read, no doubt, pîthasappî, which is Sanskrit pîthasarpin, a cripple that is
moved on in a rolling chair.
p. 229
1 See chap. 49. 6.
p. 233
1 Here follows the usual complete formula of a ñattikatuttha kamma; see chaps.
28. 4-6; 29. 3, &c.
2 With these sections compare the previous chapters 12, 28 and following, 36 and
following. The ñattis prescribed in this chapter, together with the Three
Refuges Formula prescribed in chap. 12, § 4, the whole of chap. 77, and the Four
Interdictions form together the current ceremony of ordination (the
upasampadâ-kamma-vâkâ) as now still in use in the Order. See the Journal of the
Royal Asiatic Society, New Series, VII, p. 1.
p. 234
1 I.e., according to Buddhaghosa, repeat to him all the data specified before
together, in order that be might be able to give a correct answer when asked
about his spiritual age.
p. 236
1 The vimokkhas (literally, deliverances) are eight stages of meditation
different from the four ghânas. The characteristics of the different vimokkhas
are specified by Childers s. v.
2 This temporary expulsion (ukkhepaniyakamma), which is pronounced against
Bhikkhus who refuse to see an offence committed by themselves (âpattiyâ
adassane), or to atone for such an offence (âpattiyâ appatikamme), or to
renounce a false doctrine (pâpikâya ditthiyâ appatinissagge), must be
distinguished from the definitive and permanent expulsion (nâsanâ) which is
pronounced against Bhikkhus who have committed a pârâgika offence. or in cases
like those treated of in chapters 61 seq.
p. 237
1 I.e. the sentence of expulsion is abolished; compare the Samanta Pâsâdikâ, ap.
Minayeff, Prâtimoksha, p. 92.
p. 238
1 As in §§ 1, 2. Instead of 'Will you see that offence?' and, 'I will see it,'
read here: 'Will you atone for that offence?' and, 'I will atone for it.'
2 As above. Read here: 'Will you renounce that false doctrine?' and, 'I will
renounce it.'
3 Here follow some Slokas, probably written in Ceylon, and an elaborate Table of
Contents, both of which we leave untranslated. The Slokas are introductory to
the Table of Contents (uddâna) and belong to it. A similar Table of Contents is
found in the MSS. nearly after all the other Khandhakas.
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