1. Now the courtezan Ambapâlî heard that the Blessed One had arrived at
Kotigâma. And the courtezan Ambapâlî ordered a number of magnificent vehicles to
be made ready, mounted one of these vehicles, and left Vesâlî with her
magnificent vehicles in order to visit the Blessed One. She
p. 106
went in the carriage as far as the ground was passable for carriages; there she
alighted; and she proceeded on foot to the place where the Blessed One was.
Having approached him and respectfully saluted the Blessed One, she sat down
near him.
2. When she was sitting near him, the Blessed One taught, incited, animated, and
gladdened the courtezan Ambapâlî by religious discourse. And the courtezan
Ambapâlî, having been taught, &c., by the Blessed One by religious discourse,
said to the Blessed One: '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.
Then the courtezan Ambapâlî, when she understood that the Blessed One had
accepted her invitation, rose from her seat, respectfully saluted the Blessed
One, and, passing round him with her right side towards him, went away.
3. Now the Likkhavis of Vesâlî heard that the Blessed One had arrived at
Kotigâma. And the Likkhavis of Vesâlî ordered a number of magnificent vehicles
to be made ready, mounted these vehicles, and left Vesâlî with their magnificent
vehicles in order to visit the Blessed One. Some of the Likkhavis were dark,
dark in colour, and wearing dark clothes and ornaments; some of them. were fair,
fair in colour, and wearing light clothes and ornaments; some of them were red,
ruddy in colour, and wearing red clothes and ornaments; some of them were white,
pale in colour, and wearing white colours and ornaments. And the courtezan
Ambapâlî drove up against the young
p. 107
[paragraph continues] Likkhavis, pole to pole, yoke to yoke, wheel to wheel,
axle to axle. [4.] And those Likkhavis said to the courtezan Ambapâlî: 'How is
it, Ambapâlî, that you drive up against the young Likkhavis, pole to pole, &c.?'
My Lords, I have just invited the Blessed One with the fraternity of Bhikkhus
for their morrow's meal.'
'Ambapâlî! give up this meal to us for a hundred thousand.'
'My Lords, were you to offer all Vesâlî with its subject territory, I would not
give up this meal.' Then the Likkhavis snapped their fingers (exclaiming), 'We
are outdone by this woman 1! we are out-reached by this woman 1!'
4. Then the Likkhavis went to the place where the Blessed One was. And the
Blessed One saw the Likkhavis coming from afar; when he saw them, he addressed
the Bhikkhus and said: 'O Bhikkhus, let those of the Bhikkhus who have never
seen the Tâvatimsa gods, gaze upon this company of the Likkhavis, behold this
company of the Likkhavis, compare this company of the Likkhavis, even as a
company of Tâvatimsa gods!' And the Likkhavis went in the carriages as far as
the ground was passable for carriages (&c., as in §§ 1, 2, down to:) 'Might the
Blessed One, Lord, consent to take his meal with us to-morrow together with the
fraternity of Bhikkhus.'
p. 108
'I have promised, O Likkhavis, to dine to-morrow with Ambapâlî the courtezan.'
5. And the Blessed One, after having dwelt at Kotigâma as long as he thought
fit, went to Ñâtikâ. There the Blessed One dwelt at Ñâtikâ, in the Brick Hall
(Giñgakâvasatha). And when the night had elapsed, the courtezan Ambapâlî ordered
in her park excellent food (&c., as in chap. 28. 10 1, down to:) she sat down
near him. Sitting near him the courtezan Ambapâlî said to the Blessed One: 'I
give up this Ambapâlî grove, Lord, to the fraternity of Bhikkhus with the Buddha
at its head.' The Blessed One accepted the Ârâma. Then the Blessed One, after
having taught, incited, animated, and gladdened the courtezan Ambapâlî by
religious discourse, rose from his seat and went to the Mahâvana. There the
Blessed One dwelt at Vesâlî, in the Mahâvana, in the Kûtâgâra-sâlâ.
_______________
End of the Likkhavi Bhânavâra.
Footnotes
107:1 Ambakâya, which Buddhaghosa explains by itthikâya, comp. the well-known
Mantra, Vâgasaneyi Samhitâ 23. 18: Ambe ambike ’mbâlike, &c. Probably the word
ambakâ is a contemptuous form intended here at the same time to convey an
allusion to the mango- (amba-) gardens which Ambapâlî possessed, and from which
she was named. Comp. Rh. D.'s note at Mahâparinibbâna Sutta II, 19.
108:1 Replace 'the Magadha ministers Sunîdha and Vassakâra' by the courtezan
Ambapâlî,' and instead of 'Reverend Gotama,' read 'Lord.'
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