Majjhima Nikaya - Nivapa Sutta

25. Nivapa Sutta - English Majjhima Nikàya I
3. 5. Nivàpasuttaü
(25) The Simile of the Deer Feeder

I heard thus:
At one time the Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anàthapindika in
Jeta's grove in Sàvatthi. From there the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:
ßBhikkhus, the deer feeder does not feed the wild animals thinking, `May the
wild animals eat this food; be beautiful, live long and may they feed on this
food for a long time.' Yet the deer feeder feeds the wild animals thinking, `May
the wild animals encroaching for food be intoxicated, eat this food, be swooned,
and be negligent and be subjected to the wicked actions in this encroachment.'
ßThe first set of wild animals, encroached the deer feeder's encroachment, ate
the fodder, swooned, became intoxicated and negligent, and became subjects to
the wishes of the deer feeder, in that same encroachment. Thus the first set of
wild animals were not released from the power of the deer feeder.
ßThe second set of wild animals together thought thus; `The first set of wild
animals, encroached the deer feeder's encroachment, ate the fodder, swooned,
became intoxicated and negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer
feeder in that same encroachment. Thus the first set of wild animals were not
released from the powers of the deer feeder. What if we abstained from all
fearful fodder, entered a forest dwelling?' So they abstained from all fearful
fodder, entered a forest dwelling and abode. In the last month of the Summer
when grass and water decreased, their bodies emaciated much, power and effort
decreased. Then they went back to the deer feeder ate the fodder, swooned,
became intoxicated and negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer
feeder, in that same encroachment. Thus the second set of wild animals were not
released from the power of the deer feeder.
ßThe third set of wild animals together thought thus: `The first set of wild
animals, encroached the deer feeder's encroachment, ate the fodder, swooned,
became intoxicated and negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer
feeder in that same encroachment. Thus the first set of wild animals were not
released from the power of the deer feeder. The second set of wild animals
together thought thus: ßThe first set of wild animals, encroached the deer
feeder's encroachment, ate the fodder, swooned, became intoxicated and
negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder, in that same
encroachment. Thus the first set of wild animals were not released from the
powers of the deer feeder. What if we abstained from all fearful fodder, entered
a forest dwelling?û So they abstained from all fearful fodder, entered a forest
dwelling and abode. In the last month of the Summer when grass and water
decreased, their bodies emaciated much, power and effort decreased , Then they
went back to the deer feeder, ate the fodder, swooned, became intoxicated and
negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder, in that same
encroachment. Thus the second set of wild animals too were not released from the
power of the deer feeder. Why shouldn't we make a settlement in the encroachment
of the deer feeder and eat the fodder not swooned, not intoxicated, not
negligent and not become subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder, in that same
encroachment?' So they made a setlement in the encroachment of the deer feeder
and ate the fodder not swooned, not intoxicated and not negligent and did not
become subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder in that same encroachment.
ßThen it occured to the deer feeder and his followers: `This third set of wild
animals are crafty, trained deceivers are proficient devils, we do not know
their comings and goings. What if we surround the enclosure on all sides with
sticks? Indeed we will see the settlement of the third set of wild animals and
get at them.' Then they surrounded the enclosure on all sides with sticks and
the deer feeder and his followers saw the settlement of the wild animals and got
at them. Thus the third set of wild animals too were not released from the power
of the deer feeder.
ßThe fourth set of wild animals together thought thus: `The first set of wild
animals, encroached the deer feeder's encroachment, ate the fodder, swooned,
became intoxicated and negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer
feeder, in that same encroachment. Thus the first set of wild animals were not
released from the power of the deer feeder. The second set of wild animals
together thought thus; ßThe first set of wild animals, encroached the deer
feeder's encroachment, ate the fodder, swooned, became intoxicated and
negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder, in that same
encroachment. Thus the first set of wild animals were not released from the
power of the deer feeder.What if we abstained from all fearful fodder, entered a
forest dwelling?û So they abstained from all fearful fodder, entered a forest
dwelling and abode. In the last month of the Summer when grass and water
decreased, their bodies emaciated much, power and effort decreased, Then they
went back to the deer feeder, ate the fodder, swooned, became intoxicated and
negligent, and became subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder, in that same
encroachment. Thus the second set of wild animals too were not released from the
power of the deer feeder. The third set of wild animals thought ßWhy shouldn't
we make a settlement in the encroachment of the deer feeder and eat the fodder
not swooned, not intoxicated, not negligent and not become subjects to the
wishes of the deer feeder, in that same encroachment. So they made a setlement
in the encroachment of the deer feeder and ate the fodder not swooned, not
intoxicated and not negligent and did not become subjects to the wishes of the
deer feeder in that same encroachment?û Then it occurred to the deer feeder and
his followers: ßThis third set of wild animals are crafty, trained deceivers are
proficient devils, we do not know their comings and goings. What if we surround
the enclosure on all sides with sticks? Indeed we will see the settlement of the
third set of wild animals and get at them.û Then they surrounded the enclosure
on all sides with sticks and the deer feeder and his followers saw the
settlement of the wild animals and got at them. Thus the third set of wild
animals too were not released from the power of the deer feeder.
ß `Then it occurred to the fourth set of wild animals, ßWhat if we make our
settlement in the encroachment so that the deer feeder and his followers do not
know our comings and goings * and eat the fodder not swooned, not intoxicated,
not negligent and not become subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder in that
same encroachment?û So they made their settlement in the encroachment, so that
the deer feeder and his followers do not know their comings and goings and
eating the fodder not swooned, not intoxicated and not negligent and not
becoming subjects to the wishes of the deer feeder in the encroachment.'
ßThen it occurred to the deer feeder and his followers, `this fourth set of wild
animals are crafty and trained deceivers are proficient devils, we do not know
their comings and goings. What if we surround the enclosure on all sides with
sticks. Indeed we will see the settlement of the fourth set of wild animals and
get at them?' Then they surrounded the enclosure on all sides with sticks and
the deer feeder and followers did not see the settlement of the wild animals and
did not get at them. Then it occurred to the deer feeder and his followers: `If
we hurt the fourth set of wild animals, others will be hurt, and that will hurt
others. What if we take care of the fourth set of wild animals?' So the deer
feeder and his followers took care of the fourth set of wild animals. Thus the
fourth set of wild animals were released from the power of the deer feeder.
ßThis is a comparison to explain the meaning, this is its meaning. Fodder is a
synonym for the five strands of sensual pleasures. The deer feeder is a synonym
for Màra the evil one. The followers of the deer feeder is a synonym for Màra's
following. Wild animals is a synonym for recluses and brahmins.
ßThe first set of recluses and brahmins encroaching partook of the worldly
matter of Màra, swooned and became intoxicated and negligent came under the
power of Màra and worldly matter. like the first set of wild animals, I say this
first set of recluses and brahmins are comparable to them.
ßThe second set of recluses and brahmins together thought thus: `The first set
of recluses and brahmins encroaching partook of the worldly matter of Màra,
swooned and became intoxicated and negligent came under the power of Màra and
worldly matter, this first set of recluses and brahmins were not released from
the power of Màra. What if we abstained from all fearful worldly matter and
abode in a forest dwelling? They abstained from all fearful worldly matter and
abode in a forest dwelling. There they ate vegetables, millets, raw rice,
dadulla rice, water plants, husked rice powder, rice foam, sesame flour, grass,
cow dung, roots and fruits and picked fruits. In the last month of Summer when
grass and water dried, their bodies emaciated and power and effort decreasing
they returned to partake of the worldly matter of Màra. They partaking food
swooned became intoxicated and negligent and came under the power of Màra and
worldly matter. Thus the second set of recluses and brahmins were not released
from the power of Màra like the second set of wild animals, I say, this second
set of recluses and brahmins are comparable to them.
ßThe third set of recluses of brahmins together thought thus: `The first set of
recluses and brahmins encroaching partook of the worldly matter of Màra, swooned
and became intoxicated and negligent were under the power of Màra and worldly
matter, this first set of recluses and brahmins were not released from the power
of Màra. ... ßWhat if we abstained from all fearful worldly matter and abode in
a forest dwelling?û They abstained from all fearful worldly matter and abode in
a forest dwelling. There they ate vegetables, millets, raw rice, dadulla rice,
water plants, husked rice powder, rice foam, sesame flour, grass, cow dung,
roots and fruits and picked fruits. In the last month of Summer when grass and
water dried, their bodies emaciated and power and effort decreasing returned to
partake of the worldly matter of Màra. They partaking food swooned became
intoxicated and negligent and came under the power of Màra and worldly matter.
Thus the second set of recluses and brahmins were not released from the power of
Màra.
ßThen it occured to them: `What if we make our settlement in Màra's worldly
matter, and partake of that worldly matter not swooned, and not intoxicated and
not negligent and be not subjects of Màra and his worldly matter?' They made
their settlement in Màra's worldly matter, partook of the worldly matter not
swooned and not intoxicated and not becoming negligent did not become the
subjects of Màra and worldly matter. Yet they had such views such as: `Is the
world eternal or not eternal? Is it limited or not limited? Is the soul the
body, or is the soul one and the body something different? Is the Thus Gone One
after death, or isn't the Thus Gone One after death? Is it the Thus Gone One is
and is not after death? Is it the Thus Gone One, neither is nor is not after
death?' Thus, bhikkhus, this third set of bhikkhus were not released from the
power of Màra. like the third set of wild animals I say, this third set of
recluses and brahmins, are comparable to them.
ßThe fourth set of recluses of brahmins together thought thus: `The first set of
recluses and brahmins encroaching partook of the worldly matter of Màra, swooned
and became intoxicated and negligent came under the power of Màra and worldly
matter, this first set of recluses and brahmins were not released from the power
of Màra. What if we abstained from all fearful worldly matter and abode in a
forest dwelling?' They abstained from all fearful worldly matter and abode in a
forest dwelling. There they ate vegetables, millets, raw rice, dadulla rice,
water plants, husked rice powder, rice foam, sesame flour, grass, cow dung,
roots and fruits and picked fruits. In the last month of Summer when grass and
water dried, their bodies emaciated and power and effort decreasing returned to
partake of the worldly matter of Màra. There they partaking food swooned became
intoxicated and negligent and came under the power of Màra and worldly matter..
Thus the second set of recluses and brahmins were not released from the power of
Màra.
ßThen it occured to them, `What if we make our settlement in Màra's worldly
matter, and partake of that worldly matter not swooned, and not intoxicated and
not negligent and be not subjects of Màra and his worldly matter?' They made
their settlement in the encroachment of Màra's worldly matter, partook of the
worldly matter not swooned and not intoxicated and not becoming negligent did
not become the subjects of Màra and worldly matter. Yet they had such views such
as: `Is the world eternal or not eternal? Is it limited or not limited? Is the
soul, the body, or is the soul one and the body something different? Is the Thus
Gone One after death, or isn't the Thus Gone One after death? Is it the Thus
Gone One is and is not after death? Is it the Thus Gone One neither is, nor is
not after death?' Thus, bhikkhus, this third set of bhikkhus were not released
from the power of Màra. `What if we make our settlement not accessible to death
and his followers, in this same encroachment of death and this worldly matter,
and partake this worldly matter not swooned, not intoxicated and not becoming
negligent, we would not become the subjects of Màra in this same encroachment?'
They made their settlement not accessible to death and his followers, and
settling in that same encroachment of death and this worldly matter partook of
this worldly matter not swooned, not intoxicated and not becoming negligent, did
not become the subjects of Màra in this same encroachment. Bhikkhus, in this
manner the fourth set of recluses and brahmins were released from the power of
Màra. Like the fourth set of wild animals, I say, this fourth set of recluses
and brahmins are comparable to them.
ßBhikkhus, what is inaccessible to Màra and the followings of Màra. Here,
bhikkhus, the bhikkhu secluded from sensual thoughts and demeritorious thoughts
with thoughts and thought processes and with joy and pleasàntness born of
seclusion, attained to abides in the first jhàna. To this is said, that death is
blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one has gone beyond the sight of
death, the evil one. Again, the bhikkhu overcoming thoughts and thought
processes, the mind internally appeased and brought to one point, without
thoughts and discursive thoughts, with joy and pleasantness born of
concentration attained to abides in the second jhàna. To this is said, that
death is blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one has gone beyond the
sight of death the evil one. Again, the bhikkhu with joy and with equanimity to
detachment abides mindful and aware, experiences pleasantness too with the body,
to this the noble ones say: mindfully abiding in pleasantness with equanimity.
To this is said, that death is blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one,
has gone beyond the sight of death, the evil one. Again, the bhikkhu, giving up
pleasantness, and unpleasantness, and earlier overcoming pleasure and
displeasure, without unpleasantness and pleasantness and mindfulness purified
with equanimity attained to abides in the fourth jhàna. To this is said, that
death is blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one has gone beyond the
sight of death the evil one. Again the bhikkhu overcoming all perceptions of
matter and overcoming perceptions of anger, not attending to various
perceptions, with space is boundless attains to abides in the sphere of space.
To this is said, that death is blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one,
has gone beyond the sight of death, the evil one. Again, the bhikkhu overcoming
all perceptions of space with consciousness is boundless attains to abides in
the sphere of consciousness. To this is said, that death is blindfolded, having
destroyed the feetless one, has gone beyond the sight of death, the evil one.
Again, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of consciousness, with there is
nothing attains to abides in the sphere of no-thingness. To this is said, that
death is blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one, has gone beyond the
sight of death, the evil one. Again, the bhikkhu, overcoming all the sphere of
no-thingness, attains to abides in the sphere of
neither-perception-nor-non-perception. To this is said, that death is
blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one, has gone beyond the sight of
death, the evil one. Again, the bhikkhu overcoming all the sphere of
neither-perception-nor-non-perception, attains to the cessation of perceptions
and feelings and abides. Seeing it with wisdom too, desires get destroyed. To
this is said, that death is blindfolded, having destroyed the feetless one, has
gone beyond the sight of death, the evil one.
The Blessed One said thus, and those bhikkhus delighted in the words of the
Blessed One.