12. VANGISASUTTA.
Vangisa desires to know the fate of Nigrodhakappa, whether he has been
completely extinguished, or whether he is still with some elements of
existence left behind. He is answered by Buddha.
So it was heard by me:
At one time Bhagavat dwelt at Alavi, in the temple of Aggalava. At that time
the teacher of the venerable Vangisa, the Thera, by name Nigrodhakappa, had
attained bliss not long before (akiraparinibbuta). Then this reflection occurred
to the venerable Vangisa, while retired and meditating:
Whether my teacher be blessed (parinibbuta) or whether he be not blessed.
Then the venerable Vangisa, at the evening time, coming forth from his
retirement went to Bhagavat, and having gone to him he sat down apart after
saluting him, and sitting down apart the venerable Vangisa said this to
Bhagavat:
'Lord, while retired and meditating, this reflection occurred to me here:
Whether my teacher be blessed or whether he be not blessed.'
Then the venerable Vangisa, rising from his seat, throwing his robe over one
shoulder and bending his joined hands towards Bhagavat, addressed him in
stanzas:
1. 'We ask the Master of excellent understanding: he who in this world had
cut off doubt, died at Aggalava, a Bhikkhu, well known, famous, and of a calm
mind. (342)
2. 'The name "Nigrodhakappa" was given to that Brahmana by thee, O Bhagavat;
he wandered
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about worshipping thee, having liberation in view, strong, and seeing Nibbana.
(343)
3. 'O Sakka, thou all-seeing, we all wish to learn (something about) this
disciple; our ears are ready to hear, thou art our Master, thou art
incomparable. (344)
4. 'Cut off our doubt, tell me of him, inform us of the blessed, O thou of
great understanding; speak in the midst of us, O thou all-seeing, as the
thousand-eyed Sakka (speaks in the midst) of the gods. (345)
5. 'Whatever ties there are in this world (constituting) the way to folly,
combined with ignorance, forming the seat of doubt, they do not exist before
Tathagata, for he is the best eye of men. (346)
6. 'If a man does not for ever dispel the sin as the wind (dispels) a mass of
clouds, all the world will be enveloped in darkness, not even illustrious men
will shine. (347)
7. 'Wise men are light-bringers, therefore, O wise man, I consider thee as
such a one; we have come to him who beholds meditation, reveal Kappa to us in
the assembly. (348)
8. 'Uplift quickly, O thou beautiful one, thy beautiful voice, like the swans
drawing up (their necks) sing softly with a rich and well-modulated voice; we
will all listen to thee attentively. (349)
9. 'Having earnestly called upon him who has completely left birth and death
behind and shaken off (sin), I will make him proclaim the Dhamma, for ordinary
people cannot do what they want, but the Tathagatas act with a purpose[1]. (350)
[1. Pahinagatimaranam asesam
Niggayha dhonam vadessami dhammam,
Na kamakaro hi puthuggananam
Samkheyyakaro ka tathagatanam.]
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10. 'This full explanation by thee, the perfectly wise, is accepted, this
last clasping of the hands is well bent, O thou of high wisdom, knowing (Kappa's
transmigration), do not delude us[1]. (351)
11. ' Having perfectly[2] comprehended the Dhamma of the venerable ones, do
not delude (us), O thou of unsurpassed strength, knowing (everything); as one in
the hot season pained by the heat (longs for) water, so I long for thy words;
send a shower of learning. (352)
12. 'The rich religious life which Kappayana led, has not that been in vain
(to him), has he been (completely) extinguished; or is he still with some
elements of existence (left behind)? How he was liberated, that we want to
hear.' (353)
13. Bhagavat: 'He cut off the desire for name and form in this world,'--so
said Bhagavat,--'Kanha's (i.e. Mara's) stream, adhered to for a long time, he
crossed completely birth and death,' so said Bhagavat, the best of the five
(Brahmanas, pankavaggiya). (354)
14. Vangisa: 'Having heard thy word, O thou the best of the Isis, I am
pleased; not in vain have I asked, the Brahmana did not deceive me. (355)
15. 'As he talked so he acted, he was a (true) disciple of Buddha, he cut
asunder the outspread strong net of deceitful death. (356)
16. 'Kappiya (Kappayana) saw, O Bhagavat, the beginning
[1. Sampannaveyyakaranam tava-y-idam
Samuggupannassa samuggahitam,
Ayam angali pakkhimo suppanamito,
Ma mohayi ganam anomapanna.
2. Parovaran ti lokuttaralokiyavasena sundarasundaram dûre santikam va.
Commentator.]
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of attachment, Kappayana verily crossed the realm of death, which is very
difficult to cross.' (357)
Vangisasutta is ended.
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