Majjhima Nikaya - Jivaka Sutta

55. Jivaka Sutta - English MAJJHIMA NIKAYA II
II. 1. 5. Jãvakasuttaü
(55) A discourse to Jivaka the Foster Son of the Prince

I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One lived in Ràjagaha, in the mango
orchard of Jivaka, the foster son of the prince. Jivaka the foster son of the
prince approached the Blessed One, worshipped, sat on a side and said: 'I have
heard this, venerable sir, that living things are killed on account of the
recluse Gotama, and he partakes that knowing, it was killed on account of him.
Venerable sir, those who say, that living things are killed on account of the
recluse Gotama, and he partakes that, knowing, it was killed on account of him,
are they saying the rightful words of the Blessed One and not blaming the
Teaching?'
'Jeevaka, those who say, that living things are killed on account of the recluse
Gotama, and he partakes that knowing, because it was killed on account of him.
They are not my words, and they blame me falsely. Jeevaka, I say that on three
instances meat should not be partaken, when seen, heard or when there is a
doubt. I say, that on these three instances meat should not be partaken. I say,
that meat could be partaken on three instances, when not seen, not heard and
when there is no doubt about it.
Jeevaka, the bhikkhu supported by a village or hamlet sits pervading one
direction with thoughts of loving kindness, and also the second, third, fourth,
above, below and across, in all circumstances, for all purposes, towards all.
With that thought developed limitlessly and grown great without anger. Then a
certain householder or the son of a householder approaches and invites him for
the next day's meal. If the bhikkhu desires he accepts and at the end of that
night, putting on robes and taking bowl and robes, approaches the house of that
householder or the son of the householder and sits on the prepared seat. That
householder or his son serves him with the nourishing food with his own hands.
It does not occur to him. This householder should offer me nourishing food in
the future too. He partakes that morsel food, neither enslaved andswooned, nor
guilty. Wisely reflecting the danger. Jeevaka, does this bhikkhu think to
trouble himself, another or both at that moment?'. 'No, venerable sir, he does
not. ' 'Jeevaka, isn't this bhikkhu partaking this food without a blemish?' 'He
is, venerable sir I have heard, that Brahma abides, in loving kindness. I
witness it in the Blessed One. The Blessed One abides in loving kindness. '
'Jeevaka, the Thus Gone One has dispelled that greed, hate and delusion, pulled
it out with the roots, made palm stumps and made them not to grow again. If you
say it, on account of that, I allow it. ''Venerable sir, I say it, on account of
that. ' 'Jeevaka, the bhikkhu abides supported on a certain village or hamlet.
He abides pervading one direction with thoughts of compassion.. With thoughts of
intrinsic joy.. With equanimity and also the second, third, fourth, above, below
and across, in all circumstances, for all purposes, towards all, equanimity
grown great and developed limitlesslywithout anger. Then a certain householder
or the son of a householder approaches him and invites him for the next day's
meal. If the bhikkhu desires he accepts the invitation. At the end of that
night, putting on robes and taking bowl and robes, he approaches the house of
that householder or the son of the householder and sits on the prepared seat.
That householder serves the bhikkhu with the nourishing food with his own hands.
It doesn't occur to him, this householder should offer me nourishing food in the
future too. He partakes that morsel food, not enslaved, not swooned, and without
a guilt, wisely reflecting the danger. Jeevaka, does this bhikkhu think to
trouble himself, another, or trouble both at that moment?'. 'No, venerable sir,
he does not. ' 'Jeevaka, doesn't this bhikkhu partake this food without a
blemish?' 'Venerable sir, he partakes food without a blemish. . I have heard,
that Brahma abides in equanimity. I witness it, in the Blessed One. The Blessed
One, abides in equanimity. ' 'Jeevaka, the Thus Gone One is not troubled, is
detached, and not averse to greed, hate and delusion, [1] pulled it out with the
roots, made palm stumps and made not to grow again. If it is said on account of
that, I allow it. ' 'Venerable sir, I say it, on account of that. '
'Jeevaka, who ever destroys living things on account of the Thus Gone One or the
disciples of the Thus Gone One, accumulate much demerit on five instances: If he
said, go bring that living thing of such name. In this first instance he
accumulates much demerit. If that living thing is pulled along, tied, with pain
at the throat, feeling displeased and unpleasant. [2] In this second instance he
accumulates much demerit. If it was said, go kill that animal. In this third
instance he accumulates much demerit. When killing if that animal feels
displeased and unpleasant*2), in this fourth instance he accumulates, much
demerit. When the Thus Gone One or a disciple of the Thus Gone tastes that
unsuitabale food*2). In this fifth instance he accumulates much demerit.
Jeevaka, if anyone destroys the life of a living thing on account of the Thus
Gone One or a disciple of the Thus Gone One, he accumulates much demerit on
these five instances. ' When this was said Jeevaka the foster son of the prince
said; 'Wonderful venerable sir, the bhikkhus partake suitable faultless food.
Now I understand venerable sir. It is as though something overturned was
reinstated. Something covered was made manifest. As though the path was told to
someone who had lost his way. As though an oil lamp was lighted, for those who
have sight to see forms. In various ways the Teaching is explained. Now I take
refuge in the Blessed One, in the Teaching and the Community of bhikkhus. May I
be remembered as one who has taken refuge from today until life lasts.



[1] The Thus Gone One is not troubled, is detached, and not averse to greed hate
and delusion. 'yena kho Jeevaka ràgena yena dosena yena mohena vihesavà
assa,arativà assa pañighavà assa so ràgo so doso so moho tathàgatassa pahino
ucchinnamålo tàlavatthukato anabhàvakato àyatiü anuppàdadhammo' When equanimity
is developed, that person's nature is such, that he is not troubled, is detached
and not averse to greed, hate and delusion.
[2] The Blessed One shows five instances when it is demerit to offer meat to the
bhikkhu. Those are when it is seen, heard, or known, that such and such an
animal is killed. When it is ordered, kill this animal. When seen it, being
pulled along to be killed. When seen it going along sad and unpleasant, and when
the Thus Gone One or a disciple of the Thus Gone One tastes the unsuitable food.
If we understand this correctly, it is feelings which matter. The Blessed One's
Teaching is completely based on feelings. Unpleasantness-'dukkha' is a feeling,
and it is for its cessation that the Teaching is proclaimed.