Khuddaka Nikaya - Udana II Mucalinda Vagga

Khuddaka Nikaya - Udana II Mucalinda Vagga

Copyright © 1994 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Access to Insight edition © 1994
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Ud 2.1
Muccalinda Sutta
About Muccalinda

I have heard that on one occasion, when the Blessed One was newly Awakened —
staying at Uruvela by the banks of the Nerañjara River in the shade of the
Muccalinda tree — he sat for seven days in one session, sensitive to the bliss
of release. Now at that time a great, out-of-season storm-cloud rose up, with
seven days of rainy weather, cold winds, and intense darkness. Then Muccalinda
the naga king, leaving his realm and encircling the Blessed One's body seven
times with his coils, stood with his great hood spread over the Blessed One,
thinking: "Don't let the Blessed One be disturbed by cold. Don't let the Blessed
One be disturbed by heat. Don't let the Blessed One be disturbed by the touch of
flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and creeping things." Then at the end of the seven
days the Blessed One emerged from that concentration. Muccalinda the naga king,
realizing that the sky had cleared and the storm clouds had left, and unraveled
his coils from the body of the Blessed One, changed his appearance and, assuming
the form of a youth, stood in front of the Blessed One with hands before his
heart in homage.
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
Blissful is solitude for one who's content,
who has heard the Dhamma,
who sees.
Blissful is non-affliction with regard for the world,
restraint for living beings.
Blissful is dispassion with regard for the world,
the overcoming of sensuality.
But the subduing of the conceit "I am" —
That is truly
the ultimate bliss.

Ud 2.2
Raja Sutta
Kings

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time a large number of
monks, after the meal, on returning from their alms round, had gathered at the
meeting hall when this discussion arose: "Friends, which of these two kings has
greater wealth, greater possessions, the greater treasury, the greater stock of
riding animals, the greater army, greater power, greater might: King Seniya
Bimbisara of Magadha or King Pasenadi of Kosala?" And this discussion came to no
conclusion.
Then the Blessed One, emerging from his seclusion in the late afternoon, went to
the meeting hall and, on arrival, sat down on a seat made ready. As he was
sitting there, he addressed the monks: "For what topic are you gathered together
here? And what was the discussion that came to no conclusion?"
"Just now, lord, after the meal, on returning from our alms round, we gathered
at the meeting hall when this discussion arose: 'Friends, which of these two
kings has greater wealth, greater possessions, the greater treasury, the greater
stock of riding animals, the greater army, greater power, greater might: King
Seniya Bimbisara of Magadha or King Pasenadi of Kosala?' This was the discussion
that had come to no conclusion when the Blessed One arrived.
"It isn't right, monks, that sons of good families, on having gone forth out of
faith from home to the homeless life, should talk on such a topic. When you have
gathered you have two duties: either Dhamma-talk or noble silence."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
Any sensual bliss in the world,
any heavenly bliss,
isn't worth one sixteenth-sixteenth
of the bliss of the ending of craving.

Ud 2.3
Danda Sutta
The Stick

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time, a large number of
boys on the road between Savatthi and Jeta's Grove were hitting a snake with a
stick. Then early in the morning the Blessed One, having put on his robes and
carrying his bowl and outer robe, went into Savatthi for alms. He saw the large
number of boys on the road between Savatthi and Jeta's Grove hitting the snake
with a stick.
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
Whoever takes a stick
to beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with no ease after death.

Whoever doesn't take a stick
to beings desiring ease,
when he himself is looking for ease,
will meet with ease after death.

Ud 2.4
Sakkara Sutta
Veneration

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time the Blessed One was
worshipped, revered, honored, venerated, given homage — a recipient of robes,
almsfood, lodgings, and medical requisites for the sick. The community of monks
was also worshipped, revered, honored, venerated, given homage — a recipient of
robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medical requisites for the sick. But the
wanderers of other sects were not worshipped, revered, honored, venerated, or
given homage, nor were they recipients of robes, almsfood, lodgings, or medical
requisites for the sick. So the wanderers of other sects, unable to stand the
veneration given to the Blessed One and the community of monks, on seeing monks
in village or forest, would insult, revile, irritate, and harass them with
discourteous, abusive language.
Then a large number of monks went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having
bowed down to him, sat to one side. As they were sitting there, they said to the
Blessed One: "At present the Blessed One is worshipped, revered, honored,
venerated, given homage — a recipient of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medical
requisites for the sick. The community of monks is also worshipped, revered,
honored, venerated, given homage — a recipient of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and
medical requisites for the sick. But the wanderers of other sects are not
worshipped, revered, honored, venerated, or given homage, nor are they
recipients of robes, almsfood, lodgings, or medical requisites for the sick. So
the wanderers of other sects, unable to stand the veneration given to the
Blessed One and the community of monks, on seeing monks in village or forest,
insult, revile, irritate, and harass them with discourteous, abusive language."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
When in contact with pleasure or pain
in village or forest,
one should blame neither
oneself nor others.
Contacts make contact
dependent on a sense of acquisition.
Where there's no sense of acquisition,
contacts would make contact
with what?

Ud 2.5
Upasaka Sutta
The Lay Follower

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time a certain lay follower
from Icchanangalaka had arrived in Savatthi on some business affairs. Having
settled his affairs in Savatthi, he went to the Blessed One and, on arrival,
having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, the Blessed
One said to him, "At long last you have managed to come here."
"For a long time I have wanted to come see the Blessed One, lord, but being
involved in one business affair after another, I have not been able to do so."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
How blissful it is, for one who has nothing
who has mastered the Dhamma,
is learned.
See how they suffer, those who have something,
people bound in body
with people.

Ud 2.6
Gabbhini Sutta
The Pregnant Woman

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time the young wife of a
certain wanderer was pregnant and on the verge of delivery. So she said to the
wanderer, "Go get some oil for my delivery."
When this was said, the wanderer said to her, "But where can I get any oil?"
A second time, she said to him, "Go get some oil for my delivery."
A second time, he said to her, "But where can I get any oil?"
A third time, she said to him, "Go get some oil for my delivery."
Now at that time at the storehouse of King Pasenadi Kosala they were giving
priests and contemplatives as much oil or ghee as they needed to drink, but not
to take away. So the thought occurred to the wanderer, "At present at the
storehouse of King Pasenadi Kosala they are giving priests and contemplatives as
much oil or ghee as they need to drink, but not to take away. Suppose, having
gone there, I were to drink as much oil as I need and, on returning home, were
to vomit it up to use at the delivery?"
So, having gone to the storehouse of King Pasenadi Kosala, he drink as much oil
as he needed but, on returning home, was unable to bring it up or pass it down.
So he rolled back and forth, suffering from pains that were piercing, racking,
and agonizing. Then early in the morning the Blessed One, having put on his
robes and carrying his bowl and outer robe, went into Savatthi for alms. He saw
the wanderer rolling back and forth, suffering from pains that were piercing,
racking, and agonizing,
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
How blissful it is, for one who has nothing.
Those who are expert
are people with nothing.
See how they suffer, those who have something,
people bound in mind
with people.

Ud 2.7
Ekaputta Sutta
The Only Son

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi, in
Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time the dear and beloved
only son of a certain lay follower had died. So a large number of lay followers
— their clothes wet, their hair wet — went to the Blessed One in the middle of
the day and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As they were
sitting there the Blessed One said to them: "Why have you come here — your
clothes wet, your hair wet — in the middle of the day?"
When this was said, the lay follower said to the Blessed One, "My dear and
beloved only son has died. This is why we have come here — our clothes wet, our
hair wet — in the middle of the day."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
Tied down by what's dear & alluring,
heavenly beings, most people,
worn out with misery,
fall under the sway of the King of Death.
But those who, day & night,
heedfully abandon what's dear,
dig up misery
by the root —
Death's bait
so hard
to overcome.

8. Thus have I heard. On a certain occasion the Blessed One dwelt at Kundi in
the Kunditthana Grove. Now at that time Suppavasa, the daughter (of the King) of
Koliya, had been in travail for seven days, after remaining childless for seven
years. She, stricken with acute, piercing, terrible pains, found consolation in
these three reflections;
"Surely, there is the Exalted One, the supreme Buddha who preaches the
Doctrine whereby such pains as these are left behind."
"Surely, there are the disciples of the Exalted One, who walk in
righteousness, who have entered the path where pains like these are left
behind."
"O happy, too happy Nirvana1, where pains like these will be no more!"
And Suppavasa, the daughter (of the King) of Koliya called her husband and
said; "Go, my Lord, to where the Exalted One tarries, and when you have drawn
near to him, in my name bow down your head in salutation at the feet of the
Exalted One, and ask if there is any slight ailment, if the Blessed One is free
from bodily suffering and in vigorous health, and speak thus; "Suppavasa, Sire,
the daughter (of the King) of Koliya, bows her head in salutation at the feet of
the Exalted One and asks if there is any slight ailment, if the Blessed One is
free from bodily suffering, in vigorous health and in the enjoyment of life."
p. 20
And say; "Suppavasa, Sire, the daughter (of the King) of Koliya was childless
for seven years and now has been in travail for seven days; she, stricken with
acute, [as above] pains, finds consolation in these three reflections;
[repetition as above. Transl.].
"Be it so;" said Koliyaputta, in assent to Suppavasa the daughter of Koliya,
and he went to where the Blessed One was and having saluted the Blessed One, he
stood respectfully on one side and while thus standing he said to the Blessed
One; "Suppavasa, Sire, the daughter of Koliya bows her head. . . . [repetition
as above. Transl.].
(And the Blessed One said); "Let it be well with Suppavasa, the daughter of
Koliya, let her bring forth in health a healthy son." (At the very moment the
Blessed One spoke these words, it was well with Suppavasa, the daughter of
Koliya and she brought forth in health a healthy son).
"So be it, Sire," said Koliyaputta praising the words of the Blessed One and
giving thanks. Then he arose from his seat and having saluted the Blessed One,
passing round with his right side to him, he returned to his own house. And
Koliyaputta saw that it was well with Suppavasa and that she had brought forth a
healthy son and when he beheld her, he thought to himself; "How marvellous, how
wonderful is the great strength and mighty power of the Perfect One, that at the
very moment the Blessed One spoke these words, it was well with Suppavasa, and
she brought forth in health a healthy son." And he was happy, gladdened and
overjoyed.
And Suppavasa cailed her husband and said; "Go, my Lord, to where the Blessed
One is and drawing near to him, p. 21 in my name bow your head in salutation at
the feet of the Blessed One and say thus; "Suppavasa, Sire, the daughter of
Koliya, was childless for seven years, and for seven days she was in travail: it
is now well with her, and she has brought forth in health a healthy son, she
invites the Brethren to take their meals with her for seven days. May it please
the Blessed One and the Brethren to take their meals with Suppavasa the daughter
of Koliya for seven days."
"Be it so," said Koliyaputta in assent to Suppavasa and he went to where the
Blessed One was and drawing near be saluted the Blessed One, and sat down
respectfully apart, and while thus sitting he said to the Blessed One;
"Suppavasa, Sire, the daughter of Koliya bows her head . . . [as above.
Transl.]. May it please the Blessed One and the Brethren to take their meals
with her for seven days."
Now at that time, the Brotherhood with the Buddha at their head had been
invited by a certain lay disciple to take their morrow's meal with him. And that
lay disciple was the servitor of the venerable Maha Moggallana. And the Blessed
One called the venerable Maha Moggallana to him and said; "Go thou, Moggalana,
to where that disciple is and drawing near to him, say; "Friend, Suppavasa, the
daughter of Koliya who was childless for seven years . . . . [repetition.
Transl.] has invited the Blessed One and the Brotherhood to take their meals
with her for seven days. Permit Suppavasa to provide these seven meals,
afterwards you servitor shall provide the meal."
"Be it so, Sire," said the venerable Maha Moggalana in assent to the Blessed
One and be went to where that lay disciple was and drawing near he said to him;
"Suppavasa, friend, . . . . [repetition. Transl.] has invited . . . . . . . p.
22 [repetition. Transl.] . . . . . afterwards, you shall provide the meal." "If
the lord Maha Moggalana will be my surety for three things, my property, my life
and my faith, then let Suppavasa the daughter of Koliya provide the seven meals,
and afterwards I will provide the meal."
"For two of these things, friend, I will be your surety, for your property
and your life, but you must be your own surety in respect of the faith."
If the Lord Maha Moggallana will be my surety for these two things, my
property and my life, then let Suppavasa provide the seven meals and afterwards
I will provide the meal.
Then the venerable Maha Moggalana, having persuaded the lay disciple, went to
where the Blessed One was and drawing near said to the Blessed One; "I have,
Sire, persuaded the lay disciple to allow Suppavasa to provide the seven meals
and afterwards he will provide the meal."
Then Suppavasa, the daughter of Koliya, for seven days with her own hands,
made ready sweet food, both hard and soft and served it to the Brotherhood and
the Buddha, as the principal guest. And she did homage to the child and to the
Blessed One and the Brotherhood.
And the venerable Sariputta said to the child; "I trust, child, that you are
at ease, that you have sufficient food to support life, that you do not suffer
in any respect."
How, reverend Sariputta, can I be at ease, how can I be doing well, since I
have been the cause of suffering to my mother for seven years?"
And Suppavasa said to herself; "My son is conversing with the 'Captain1 of
the Faith'." And she rejoiced exceedingly p. 24 and became enraptured and was
filled with joy. And the Blessed One said to Suppavasa, the daughter of Koliya;
"Suppavasa, would you have another son such as this one?"
"I would have, Blessed One, seven other sons such as this one."
And the Blessed One, in this connection, on that occasion, breathed forth
this solemn utterance:--
"Joylessness in the guise of joy, delight in the guise of misery,
Pain in the guise of happiness, take possession of the thoughtless".1

Ud 2.9
Visakha Sutta
To Visakha

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying in Savatthi at the
Eastern Monastery, the palace of Migara's mother. Now at that time, Visakha,
Migara's mother, had some dealings with King Pasenadi Kosala that he did not
settle as she had wished. So in the middle of the day she went to the Blessed
One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As she was
sitting there the Blessed One said to her, "Well now, Visakha, where are you
coming from in the middle of the day?"
"Just now, lord, I had some dealings with King Pasenadi Kosala that he did not
settle as I had wished."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
All subjection to others
is painful.
All independence
is bliss.
What is held in common
brings suffering,
for duties are hard
to overcome.

Ud 2.10
Bhaddiya Kaligodha Sutta
About Bhaddiya Kaligodha

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying at Anupiya in the
Mango Orchard. Now at that time, Ven. Bhaddiya Kaligodha, on going to a forest,
to the foot of a tree, or to an empty dwelling, would repeatedly exclaim, "What
bliss! What bliss!" A large number of monks heard Ven. Bhaddiya Kaligodha, on
going to a forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty dwelling, repeatedly
exclaim, "What bliss! What bliss!" and on hearing him, the thought occurred to
them, "There's no doubt but that Ven. Bhaddiya Kaligodha doesn't enjoy leading
the holy life, for when he was a householder he knew the bliss of kingship, so
that now, on recollecting that, he is repeatedly exclaiming, 'What bliss! What
bliss!'" They went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him,
sat to one side. As they were sitting there, they told him: "Ven. Bhaddiya
Kaligodha, lord, on going to a forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty
dwelling, repeatedly exclaims, 'What bliss! What bliss!' There's no doubt but
that Ven. Bhaddiya Kaligodha doesn't enjoy leading the holy life, for when he
was a householder he knew the bliss of kingship, so that now, on recollecting
that, he is repeatedly exclaiming, 'What bliss! What bliss!'"
Then the Blessed One told a certain monk, "Come, monk. In my name, call
Bhaddiya, saying, 'The Teacher calls you, my friend.'"
"As you say, lord," the monk answered and, having gone to Ven. Bhaddiya, on
arrival he said, "The Teacher calls you, my friend."
"As you say, my friend," Ven. Bhaddiya replied. Then he went to the Blessed One
and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting
there, the Blessed One said to him, "Is it true, Bhaddiya that, on going to a
forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty dwelling, you repeatedly exclaim,
'What bliss! What bliss!'?"
"Yes, lord."
"What meaning do you have in mind that you repeatedly exclaim, 'What bliss! What
bliss!'?"
"Before, when I was a householder, maintaining the bliss of kingship, I had
guards posted within and without the royal apartments, within and without the
city, within and without the countryside. But even though I was thus guarded,
thus protected, I dwelled in fear — agitated, distrustful, and afraid. But now,
on going alone to a forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty dwelling, I
dwell without fear, unagitated, confident, and unafraid — unconcerned,
unruffled, my wants satisfied, with my mind like a wild deer. This is the
meaning I have in mind that I repeatedly exclaim, 'What bliss! What bliss!'"
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
In whom there exists
no provocation,
& for whom becoming & non-becoming
are overcome,
he is one — beyond fear,
blissful,
without grief,
whom the devas can't see.