Majjhima Nikaya - Catuma Sutta

67. Catuma Sutta - English MAJJHIMA NIKAYA II
II. 2. 7. Càtumasuttaü
(67) The Discourse at Catuma

I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the âmalaki forest in
Catuma. At that time about five hundred bhikkhus had come to Catuma headed by
venerable Sariputta and venerable Moggallana to see the Blessed One. While
exchanging friendly greetings, arranging beddings, putting away bowls and robes,
they made much noise. The Blessed One addressed venerable Ananda: 'Ananda, who
are those making such a noise, like fishermen hauling a catch of fish'
'Venerable sir, about five hundred bhikkhus, headed by Sariputta and Moggallana
have arrived in Catuma to see the Blessed One. They exchanging friendly
greetings. with the resident bhikkhus, while arranging beddings, putting away
bowls and robes are making much noise. Then ânanda, call those bhikkhus in my
words'. Venerable ânanda agreed, approached those bhikkhus and said. 'Venerable
ones, the Teacher calls you. '. Then those bhikkhus, agreeing approached the
Blessed One, worshipped and sat on a side. The Blessed One addressed those
bhikkhus. 'Bhikkhus, why do you make such a big noise? It's like fishermen
hauling a catch of fish. ' 'Venerable sir, about five hundred bhikkhus, headed
by Sàriputta and Moggallàna have arrived in Catuma to see the Blessed One.
Exchanging friendly greetings, with the the resident bhikkhus, arranging
beddings, putting away bowls and robes they are making much noise'. 'Go!
Bhikkhus, I turn you away, you should not stay close to me'. Those bhikkhus,
agreed, worshipped the Blessed One circumambulated the Blessed One and taking
their bowls and robes left the presence of the Blessed One.
At that time the Sakyas of Catuma had assembled in the assembly hall for some
matter. The Sakyas of Catuma saw the bhikkhus going away in the distance,
approaching them said thus:'Venerable Ones, why do you go away?' 'The Blessed
One has turned out the Community of bhikkhus'. 'Then venerable ones wait a
moment, perhaps I would be able to win over the Blessed One' Then those bhikkhus
listened to the words of the Sakyas of Catuma and waited. The Sakyas of Catuma
approached the Blessed One worshipped the Blessed One and sitting on a side said
thus: 'Let, the Blessed One take pleasure in the Community of bhikkhus. May, the
Blessed One welcome, the community of bhikkhus, As the Blessed One showed
compassion to the community in the past, let compassion be shown now too.
Venerable sir, here, there are new bhikkhus, those gone forth recently. If they
do not get a chance to see the Blessed One, they would change their minds. Like
small plants that die in want of water. Venerable sir, if these bhikkhus
recently come to the dispensation do not get a chance to see the Blessed One
they would change their minds. Like the calf that would be disturbed not seeing
the mother. Venerable sir, in the same manner if these bhikkhus recently come to
the dispensation do not get a chance to see the Blessed One they would change
their minds. May the Blessed One take pleasure in the Community of bhikkhus. May
the Blessed One welcome the community of bhikkhus, As the Blessed One showed
compassion to the communityin the past, let there be compassion now too. '
Then Brahma Sahampati knowing the Blessed One's thoughts, as a strong man would
stretch his bent arm, or bend his stretched arm in that manner disappearing from
the world of Brahma appeared before the Blessed One. Brahma Sahamapathy
arranging his shawl on one shoulder and clasping hands towards the Blessed One
said 'Let the Blessed One take pleasure in the Community of bhikkhus. May the
Blessed One welcome the community of bhikkhus, As the Blessed One showed
compassion to the community in the past, let compassion be shown now too.
Venerable sir, here, there are new bhikkhus, those gone forth recently. If they
do not get a chance to see the Blessed One, they would change their minds, like
small plants that die in want of water. Venerable sir, if these bhikkhus
recently come to the dispensation do not get a chance to see the Blessed One
they would change their minds. Like the calf that would be disturbed not seeing
the mother. Venerable sir, in the same manner if these bhikkhus recently come to
the dispensation do not get a chance to see the Blessed One they would change
their minds. Let the Blessed One take pleasure in the Community of bhikkhus. May
the Blessed One welcome the community of bhikkhus, As the Blessed One showed
compassion to the community in the past, let compassion be shown now too. '
The Sakyas of Catuma and Brahma Sahampati could win over the Blessed One with
the comparison of the plants and the calf. Then venerable Mahàmoggallàna
addressed the bhikkhus: 'Friends, get up, take your bowls and robes, it was
possible for the Sakyas of catuma and Brahma Sahampati to win over the Blessed
One with the comparison of the plants and the calf'. Those bhikkhus agreeing got
up from their seats and taking bowls and robes, approached the Blessed One,
worshipped and sat on a side. Then the Blessed One spoke to venerable Sàriputta.
'Sàriputta, when I turned away the Community of bhikkhus, what occurred to you?'
'Venerable sir, it occurred to me. The Blessed One will abide in pleasantness
here and now, unconcerned, I too will abide in pleasantness here and now,
unconcerned. Come! Sàriputta, you should not arouse such a thought in the
future' Then the Blessed One addresssed venerable Mahàmoggallàna: 'Moggallàna,
when I turned away the Community of bhikkhus, what occurred to you?'. 'Venerable
sir, it occurrd to me thus: The Blessed One will abide in pleasantness here and
now unconcerned, I and venerable Sàriputta will lead the Community of bhikkhus.
' 'Good! Moggallàna, either I or Sàriputta and Moggallàna should lead the
Community of bhikkhus'.
Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: 'Bhikkhus, four fears should be
expected by one descending to water: What four? Fear of, waves, crocodiles,
whirl pools and alligators. Bhikkhus, these four fears should be expected by one
enteringwater. In the same manner four fears should be expected by a person
leaving the household to become a homeless. What four? The fear of waves, fear
of crocodiles, fear of whirlpools and fear of alligators.
Bhikkhus, what is the fear of waves? Bhikkhus, a certain son of a clansman out
of faith goes forth from a household. He becomes a homeless thinking am overcome
by birth, decay, death, grief, lament, unpleasantness, displeasure and distress.
There's only a few who could declare the complete ending of this unpleasantness.
The co-associates in the holy life, advise him. You should go forward like this,
turn and go like this, Look on, like thisand look this and other side like this.
Thus you should bend your limbs and stretch you limbs. Thus you should bear the
three robes and bowl. Then it occurs to him: When I was a householder, I advised
others, here I have to abide by the advice of those who are like my sons and
grand sons. Then he gives up robes and becomes a layman, out of fear for waves,
it is said. Bhikkhus, fear of waves is a synonymn for anger and aversion.
Bhikkhus, what is the fear of crocodiles? Bhikkhus, a certain son of a clansman
out of faith goes forth from a household. He becomes a homeless thinking, I'm
overcome by birth, decay, death, grief, lament, unpleasantness, displeasure and
distress. There are only a few who could declare the complete ending of this
unpleasantness. The co-associates in the holy life, advise him. You should eat
this, should not eat this. You should partake thus, not partake thus, You should
taste thus and not taste thus. You should drink thus, and not drink thus. You
should drink the suitable and avoid the unsuitable. Eat, partake and taste the
suitable and avoid the unsuitable. You should eat and partake at the right time,
avoid eating food at untimely hours. Then it occurs to him. When I was a
householder, I ate what I liked, and not what I disliked, Partook what I liked
and not what I disliked. Drank what I liked and not what I disliked. I ate,
partook, tasted and drank the suitable and the unsuitable. I partook, tasted and
drank at timely hours and at untimely hours. Householders offer us nourishing
food and drinks out of faith during the day time, when it is not the correct
time. I think it is a restriction for the mouth. Then he gives up robes and
becomes a layman. He gives up robes and becomes a layman, out of fear for
crocodiles it is said. Crocodiles is asynonymn for, greed for food.
Bhikkhus, what is the fear for whirl pools? Bhikkhus, a certain son of a
clansman out of faith goes forth from a household and becomes a homeless
thinking I'm overcome by birth, decay, death, grief, lament, unpleasantness,
displeasure and distress. He thinks there's only a few who could declare the
complete ending of this unpleasantness. He gone forth thus, putting on robes in
the morning, takes bowl and robes and goes the alms round, in the village or
hamlet controlled in body and speech, mindfulness not established and mental
faculties not protected. In the village he sees a householder or the son of a
householder partaking the five strands of sensual pleasures, possessed and
provided with them. Then it occurs to him, when I was a householder, I too
partook these five strands of sensual pleasures, possessed and provided. I have
wealth in my clan, to enjoy these sensual pleasures. I could do merit, too. Then
he gives up robes and becomes a layman. He gives up robes and becomes a layman
out of fear for whirlpools, it is said. Bhikkhus, fear for whirlpool is a
synonymn for, the five strands of sensual pleasures.
Bhikkhus, what is the fear for alligaters? . Bhikkhus, a certain son of a
clansman out of faith goes forth from a household. He becomes a homeless
thinking I'm overcome by birth, decay, death, grief, lament, unpleasantness,
displeasure and distress. There are only a few who could declare the complete
ending of this unpleasantness. He gone forth thus, putting on robes in the
morning, taking bowl and robes goes the alms round, in the village or hamlet
controlled in body and speech, mindfulness not established and mental faculties
not protected. In the village he sees a woman not well covered and dressed.
Seeing her in that manner, greed assails his mind and with a mind assailed by
greed he gives up robes and becomes a layman. He gives up robes and becomes a
layman out of fear for alligaters. Bhikkhus, fear for alligaters is a synonymn
for women.
ßBhikkhus, these are the four fears, that should be expected by a certain person
who goes forth as a homeless, in this dispensation of the Discipline.û
The Blessed One said thus and those bhikkhus delighted in the words of the
Blessed One.