Dīgha Nikāya
The Longs Basket
Sutta 13
Tevijja Suttantaṃ
On Experiential Knowledge
Adapted by Michael M. Olds from the
Translation from the Pāḷi
by T.W. Rhys Davids
Introduction
This adaptation is being done so that we have a version of this sutta compatible with the preferred vocabulary of this site.
Once upon a time, the Lucky Man was journeying through Kosala
with a great company of beggars,
with about five hundred beggars,
and came to the Brahmān village in Kosala
which is called Manasākaṭa.
And there at Manasākaṭa
the Lucky Man stayed in the mango grove,
on the bank of the river Akiravatī,
to the north of Manasākaṭa.
2. Now at that time
many very distinguished and wealthy Brahmāns
were staying at Manasākaṭa;
to wit,
Kaṇkī the Brahmān,
Tārukkha the Brahmān,
Pokkharasādi the Brahmān,
Jāṇussoṇi the Brahmān,
Todeyya the Brahmān,
and other very distinguished and wealthy Brahmāns.
3. Now a conversation sprung up between Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja,
when they were taking exercise
and walking up and down,
in thoughtful mood,
as to which was the true path,
and which the false.
4. The young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha said this:
"This is the straight path,
this the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
into a state of union with Brahmā.
I mean that which has been pointed out
by the Brahmān Pokkharasādi."
5. The young Brahmān Bhāradvāja said this:
"This is the straight path,
this the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
into a state of union with Brahmā.
I mean that which has been pointed out
by the Brahmān Tārukkha."
6. But neither was the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha
able to convince the young Brahmān Bhāradvāja,
nor was the young Brahmān Bhāradvāja
able to convince the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha.
7. Then the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha
said to the young Brahmān Bhāradvāja:
"That Samaṇa Gotama, Bhāradvāja,
of the sons of the Sākyas,
who went out from the Sākya clan
to adopt the religious life,
is now staying at Manasākaṭa,
in the mango grove,
on the bank of the river Aciravatī,
to the north of Manasākaṭa.
Now regarding that venerable Gotama,
such is the high reputation
that has been spread abroad:
'That Exalted One is an Arahat,
a fully enlightened one,
abounding in wisdom and goodness,
happy,
with knowledge of the worlds,
unsurpassed as a guide
to mortals willing to be led,
a teacher of gods and men,
an Exalted One,
a Buddha.'
Come, then, Bhāradvāja,
let us go to the place
where the Samaṇa Gotama is;
and when we have come there,
let us ask the Samaṇa Gotama
touching this matter.
What the Samaṇa Gotama shall declare,
that let us bear in mind."
"Very well, my friend!"
said the young Brahmān Bhāradvāja, in assent,
to the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha.
8. Then the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha
and the young Brahmān Bhāradvāja
went to the place
where the Lucky Man was.
And when they had come there,
they exchanged with the Lucky Man
the greetings and compliments
of politeness and courtesy,
and sat down to one side.
And while they were thus seated
the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha
said to the Lucky Man:
"As we, Gotama, were taking exercise
and walking up and down,
there sprung up a conversation between us
on which was the true path,
and which the false.
I said thus:
'This is the straight path,
this the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
into a state of union with Brahmā.
I mean that which has been pointed out
by the Brahmān Pokkharasādi.'
Bhāradvāja said thus:
'This is the straight path,
this the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
into a state of union with Brahmā.
I mean that which has been pointed out
by the Brahmān Tārukkha.'
Regarding this matter, Gotama,
there is a strife,
a dispute,
a difference of opinion between us."
9. "So you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that you said thus:
'This is the straight path,
this the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
into a state of union with Brahmā.
I mean that which has been pointed out
by the Brahmān Pokkharasādi.'
While Bhāradvāja said thus:
'This is the straight path,
this the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
into a state of union with Brahmā.
I mean that which has been pointed out
by the Brahmān Tārukkha.'
But what, Vāseṭṭha,
is the strife,
dispute,
difference of opinion between you?"
10. "It is concerning the true path
and the false, Gotama.
Various Brahmāns, Gotama,
teach various paths.
The Addhariyā Brahmāns,
the Tittiriyā Brahmāns,
the Chandokā Brahmāns
[the Chandavā Brahmāns],
the Bavharijā Brahmāns.
Are all those saving paths?
Are they all paths
which will lead him who acts according to them,
into a state of union with Brahmā?
Just, Gotama, as
near a village or a town
there are many and various paths,
yet they all meet together in the village —
just in that way
are all the various paths
taught by various Brahmāns —
the Addhariyā Brahmāns,
the Tittiriyā Brahmāns,
the Chandokā Brahmāns
[the Chandavā Brahmāns],
the Bavharijā Brahmāns.
Are all these saving paths?
Are they all paths
which will lead him who acts according to them,
into a state of union with Brahmā?"
11. "Do you say that they all lead aright, Vāseṭṭha?"
"I say so, Gotama."
"Do you really say that they all lead aright, Vāseṭṭha?"
"So I say, Gotama."
12. "But, Vāseṭṭha,
is there a single one
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas,
who has ever seen Brahmā face-to-face?"
"No, Gotama."
"Or is there then, Vāseṭṭha,
a single one of the teachers
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
who has seen Brahmā face-to-face?"
"No, Gotama."
"Or is there then, Vāseṭṭha,
a single one of the pupils of the teachers
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
who has seen Brahmā face-to-face?"
"No, Gotama."
"Or is there then, Vāseṭṭha,
a single one of the Brahmāns
up to the seventh generation
who has seen Brahmā face-to-face?"
"No, Gotama."
13. "Well then, Vāseṭṭha,
those ancient Rishis
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas,
the authors of the verses,
the utterers of the verses,
whose ancient form of words
so chanted, uttered, or composed,
the Brahmāns of to-day chant over again or repeat;
intoning or reciting
exactly as has been intoned or recited -
to wit, Aṭṭhaka,
Vāmaka,
Vāmadeva,
Vessāmitta,
Yamataggi,
Aṇgirasa,
Bhāradvāja,
Vāseṭṭha,
Kassapa,
and Bhagu —
did even they speak thus, saying:
'We know it,
we have seen it,
where Brahmā is
from where Brahmā is,
whether Brahmā is'?"
"No, Gotama."
14. "Then you say, Vāseṭṭha
that none of the Brahmāns,
or of their teachers,
or of their pupils,
even up to the seventh generation,
has ever seen Brahmā face-to-face.
And that even the Rishis of old,
the authors and utterers of the verses,
of the ancient form of words
which the Brahmāns of to-day so carefully intone
and recite precisely as they have been handed down -
even they did not pretend to know
or to have seen
where
or from where
or whether Brahmā is.
So that the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
have, in fact, said this:
'What we know not,
what we have not seen,
to a state of union with that
we can show the way,
and can say:
'This is the straight path,
this is the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
into a state of union with Brahmā!'
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Does it not follow,
this being so,
that the talk of the Brahmāns,
versed though they be in the Three Vedas,
turns out to be foolish talk?"
"Truly, Gotama,
that being, so,
it follows that the talk
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
is foolish talk!"
15. "Truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
should be able to show the way
to a state of union
with that which they do not know,
nor have seen -
such a thing is not to be seen!
Just, Vāseṭṭha,
as with a string of blind men
clinging one to the other,
neither does the foremost see,
nor does the middle one see,
nor does the hindmost see —
even so, Vāseṭṭha, is the talk
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
but blind talk:
the first sees not,
the middle one sees not,
nor can the latest see.
The talk then
of these Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
turns out to be ridiculous,
mere words,
a vain and empty thing!
16. What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Can the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas —
like other, ordinary, people —
see the Moon and the Sun
as they pray to,
and praise,
and worship them,
turning round with clasped hands
towards the place from where they rise
and where they set?"
"Certainly, Gotama, they can".
17. "What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
The Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas,
who can very well —
like other, ordinary, people —
see the Moon and the Sun
as they pray to,
and praise,
and worship them,
turning round with clasped hands
to the place from where they rise
and where they set —
are those Brahmāns,
versed in the Three Vedas,
able to point out the way
to a state of union
with the Moon or the Sun,
saying:
'This is the straight path,
this the direct way
which makes for salvation,
and leads him who acts according to it,
to a state of union with the Moon or the Sun'?"
"No, Gotama."
18. "So you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that the Brahmāns are not able to point out
the way to union
with that which they have seen,
and you further say
that not one of them,
nor their pupils,
nor their predecessors
even to the seventh generation
has ever seen Brahmā.
And you further say
that even the Rishis of old,
whose words they hold in such deep respect,
did not pretend to know,
or to have seen
where, or from where, or whether Brahmā is.
Yet these Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
say, forsooth,
that they can point out the way to union
with that which they know not,
nor have seen.
Now what do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Does it not follow that,
this being so,
the talk of the Brahmāns,
versed though they be in the Three Vedas,
turns out to be foolish talk?"
"Truly, Gotama,
that being so,
it follows that the talk of the Brahmāns
versed in the Three Vedas
is foolish talk!"
19. "Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Truly then, Vāseṭṭha,
that Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
should be able to show the way
to a state of union
with that which they do not know,
nor have seen -
such a thing is not to be seen!
Just, Vāseṭṭha, as if a man should say:
'How I long for,
how I love
the most beautiful lass in the land!'
And people should ask him,
'Well! good friend!
this most beautiful lass in the land,
whom you thus love and long for,
do you know whether that beautiful lass
is a noble lady
or a Brahmān woman,
or of the trader class,
or a Sūdra?'
And when so asked,
he should answer:
'No.'
And when people should ask him,
'Well! good friend!
this most beautiful lass in the land,
whom you so love and long for,
do you know what the name
of that most beautiful lass is,
or what is her family name,
whether she be tall
or short
or of medium height,
dark
or brunette
or golden in color,
or in what village
or town
or city she dwells?'
And when so asked, he should answer:
'No.'
And then people should say to him:
'So then, good friend,
do you love and long for
she whom you know not,
nor have seen?'
And then when so asked, he should answer:
'Yes.'
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Would it not turn out,
that being so,
that the talk of that man
was foolish talk?"
"Truly, Gotama,
it would turn out,
that being so,
that the talk of that man
was foolish talk!"
"And even so, Vāseṭṭha
though you say that the Brahmāns
are not able to point out the way to union
with that which they have seen,
and you further say that
not one of them,
nor their pupils,
nor their predecessors
even to the seventh generation
has ever seen Brahmā.
And you further say
that even the Rishis of old,
whose words they hold in such deep respect,
did not pretend to know,
or to have seen
where, or from where, or whether Brahmā is.
Yet these Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
say that they can point out the way to union
with that which they know not,
nor have seen.
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Does it not follow that,
this being so,
the talk of the Brahmāns,
versed though they be in the Three Vedas,
is foolish talk?"
"Truly, Gotama,
that being so,
it follows that the talk
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
is foolish talk!"
"Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Truly then, Vāseṭṭha,
that Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
should be able to show the way
to a state of union
with that which they do not know,
nor have seen —
such a thing is not to be seen.
21. Just, Vāseṭṭha,
as if a man should make a staircase
to mount up into a mansion
in the place where four roads cross.
And people should say to him,
'Well, good friend,
this mansion,
to mount up into which
you are making this staircase,
do you know whether it is in the east,
or in the south,
or in the west,
or in the north?
whether it is high
or low
or of medium size?'
And when so asked, he should answer:
'No.'
And people should say to him,
'But then, good friend,
are you not making a staircase
to mount up into something —
taking it for a mansion —
which, meanwhile, you know not,
nor have seen!'
And when so asked, he should answer:
'Yes.'
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Would it not turn out
that being so,
that the talk of that man was foolish talk?"
"Truly, Gotama,
it would turn out,
that being so,
that the talk of that man
was foolish talk!"
22. "And even so, Vāseṭṭha,
though you say that the Brahmāns
are not able to point out the way
to union with that which they have seen,
and you further say
that not one of them,
nor their pupils,
nor their predecessors
even to the seventh generation
has ever seen Brahmā.
And you further say
that even the Rishis of old,
whose words they hold in such deep respect,
did not pretend to know,
or to have seen
where,
or from where,
or whether Brahmā is.
Yet these Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
say, forsooth,
that they can point out the way
to union with that which they know not,
nor have seen!
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Does it not follow that,
this being so,
the talk of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
is foolish talk?"
"Truly, Gotama,
that being so,
it follows that the talk
of the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
is foolish talk!"
23. "Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Truly then, Vāseṭṭha,
that Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
should be able to show the way
to a state of union
with that which they do not know,
nor have seen -
such a thing is not to be seen!
24. Again, Vāseṭṭha,
if this river Aciravatī were full of water
up to the brim,
and over-flowing.
And a man with business on the other side,
bound for the other side,
making, for the other side,
should come up,
and want to cross over.
And he, standing on this bank,
should invoke the further bank,
and say,
'Come hither, O further bank!
come over to this side!'
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Would the further bank
of the river Aciravatī,
by reason of that man's invoking
and praying
and hoping
and praising,
come over to this side?"
"No."
25. "In just the same way, Vāseṭṭha,
do the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas, —
omitting the practice of those qualities
which really make a man a Brahmān,
and adopting the practice of those qualities
which really make men non-Brahmāns —
say thus:
'Indra we call upon,
Soma we call upon,
Varuṇa we call upon,
Īsāna we call upon,
Pajāpati we call upon,
Brahmā we call upon,
Mahiddhi we call upon,
Yama we call upon!'
Truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that those Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas,
but omitting the practice
of those qualities which really make a man a Brahmān,
and adopting the practice
of those qualities which really make men non-Brahmāns —
that they, by reason of their invoking
and praying
and hoping
and praising,
should, after death
and when the body breaks up,
become united with Brahmā
such a thing is not to be seen!
26. Just, Vāseṭṭha,
as if this river Aciravatī were full,
up to the brim,
and overflowing.
And a man with business on the other side,
making for the other side,
bound for the other side,
should come up,
and want to cross over.
And he,
on this bank,
were to be bound tightly,
with his arms behind his back,
by a strong chain.
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha,
would that man be able to get over
from this bank of the river Aciravatī
to the further bank?"
"No."
27. "In the same way, Vāseṭṭha,
there are five things
leading to lust,
which are called,
in the discipline of the Arahats,
a 'chain' and a 'bond.'
What are the five?
Forms perceptible to the eye;
desirable,
agreeable,
pleasant,
attractive
shapes, that are accompanied by lust
and cause delight.
Sounds perceptible to the ear;
desirable,
agreeable,
pleasant,
attractive
sounds, that are accompanied by lust
and cause delight.
Scents perceptible to the nose;
desirable,
agreeable,
pleasant,
attractive
scents, that are accompanied by lust
and cause delight.
Tastes perceptible to the tongue;
desirable,
agreeable,
pleasant,
attractive
tastes, that are accompanied by lust
and cause delight.
Contacts perceptible to the body by touch;
desirable,
agreeable,
pleasant,
attractive
contacts, that are accompanied by lust
and cause delight.
These five things
predisposing to passion
are called, in the discipline of the Arahats,
a 'chain'
and a 'bond.'
And these five things
predisposing to lust, Vāseṭṭha,
the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
cling to,
they are infatuated by them,
attached to them,
see not the danger of them,
know not how unreliable they are,
and so enjoy them.
And truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas,
but omitting the practice of those qualities
which really make a man a Brahmān,
and adopting the practice of those qualities
which really make men non-Brahmāns -
clinging to these five things predisposing to passion,
infatuated by them,
attached to them,
see not their danger,
knowing not their unreliability,
and so enjoying them —
that these Brahmāns should
after death,
on the break-up of the body,
become united to Brahmā, —
such a thing is not to be seen!
29. Again, Vāseṭṭha,
if this river Aciravatī
were full of water
up to the brim,
and overflowing.
And a man with business on the other side,
making for the other side,
bound for the other side,
should come up,
and want to cross over.
And if he
covering himself up,
head and all,
were to lie down,
on this bank,
to sleep.
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha?
Would that man be able to get over
from this bank of the river Aciravatī
to the further bank?"
"No."
30. "And in the same way, Vāseṭṭha,
there are these Five Diversions,
in the discipline of the Arahats,
which are called 'veils,'
and are called 'hindrances,'
and are called 'obstacles,'
and are called 'entanglements'.
Which are the five?
The diversion of worldly lusts,
the diversion of ill will,
the diversion of torpor and sloth of heart and mind.
the diversion of flurry and worry,
the diversion of doubt.
These are the Five Diversions, Vāseṭṭha,
which, in the discipline of the Arahats,
are called 'veils,'
and are called 'hindrances,'
and are called 'obstacles'
and are called 'entanglements'.
Now with these Five Diversions, Vāseṭṭha,
the Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas
are veiled,
hindered,
obstructed,
and entangled.
And truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that Brahmāns versed in the Three Vedas,
but omitting the practice
of those qualities which really make a man a Brahmān,
and adopting the practice
of those qualities which really make men non-Brahmāns —
veiled,
hindered,
obstructed,
and entangled by these Five Diversions —
that these Brahmāns should
after death,
on the dissolution of the body,
become united to Brahmā —
such a thing is not to be seen!
31. What do you think, Vāseṭṭha,
and what have you heard
from the Brahmāns aged
and well-stricken in years,
when the learners and teachers are talking together?
Is Brahmā in possession
of wives and wealth,
or is he not?"
"He is not, Gotama."
"Is his mind full of anger,
or free from anger?"
"Free from anger, Gotama."
"Is his mind full of malice,
or free from malice?"
"Free from malice, Gotama."
"Is his mind tarnished,
or, is it pure?"
"It is pure, Gotama."
"Has he self-mastery,
or has he not?"
"He has, Gotama."
32. "What do you think, Vāseṭṭha,
are the Brahmāns versed in the Vedas
in the possession
of wives and wealth,
or are they not?"
"They are, Gotama."
"Have they anger in their hearts,
or have they not?"
"They have, Gotama."
"Do they bear malice,
or do they not?"
"They do, Gotama."
"Are they pure in heart,
or are they not?"
"They are not, Gotama."
"Have they self-mastery,
or have they not?"
"They have not, Gotama."
33. "Then you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that the Brahmāns are in possession
of wives and wealth,
and that Brahmā is not.
Can there, then,
be agreement and likeness
between the Brahmāns
with their wives and property,
and Brahmā,
who has none of these things?"
"No."
34. "Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
But, truly,
that these Brahmāns versed in the Vedas,
who live married and wealthy,
should after death,
when the body breaks up,
become united with Brahmā,
who has none of these things —
such a thing is not to be seen!
35. Then you say, too, Vāseṭṭha,
that the Brahmāns bear anger
and malice in their hearts,
and are tarnished in heart
and uncontrolled,
whilst Brahmā is free from anger and malice,
pure in heart,
and has self-mastery.
Now can there, then,
be concord and likeness
between the Brahmāns
and Brahmā?"
"No."
36. "Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
That these Brahmāns versed in the Vedas
and yet bearing anger and malice in their hearts,
sinful,
and uncontrolled,
should after death,
when the body breaks up,
become united to Brahmā,
who is free from anger and malice,
pure in heart,
and has self-mastery —
such a thing is not to be seen!
So that thus then, Vāseṭṭha, the Brahmāns,
versed though they be in the Three Vedas,
while they sit down
(in confidence),
are sinking down
(in the mire);
and so sinking
they are arriving only at despair,
thinking the while
that they are crossing over
into some happier land.
Therefore is it
that the threefold wisdom of the Brahmāns,
wise in their Three Vedas,
is called a waterless desert,
their threefold wisdom is called
a pathless jungle,
their threefold wisdom is called
perdition!"
37. When he had thus spoken,
the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha
said to the Blessed One:
"It has been told me, Gotama,
that the Samaṇa Gotama knows the way
to the state of union with Brahmā."
"What do you think, Vāseṭṭha,
is not Manasākaṭa near to this spot,
not distant from this spot?"
"Yes.
Manasākaṭa is near to,
is not far from here."
"What do you think, Vāseṭṭha,
suppose there were a man
born in Manasākaṭa,
and people should ask him,
who never till that time
had left Manasākaṭa,
which was the way to Manasākaṭa.
Would that man,
born and brought up in Manasākaṭa,
be in any doubt or difficulty?"
"No.
And why?
If the man had been born
and brought up in Manasākaṭa,
every road that leads to Manasākaṭa
would be perfectly familiar to him."
38. "That man, Vāseṭṭha,
born and brought up at Manasākaṭa
might, if he were asked the way to Manasākaṭa,
fall into doubt and difficulty,
but to the Tathāgata,
when asked touching the path
which leads to the world of Brahmā,
there can be neither doubt nor difficulty.
For Brahmā, I know, Vāseṭṭha,
the world of Brahmā,
and the path which leadeth unto it.
Yea, I know it
even as one who has entered the Brahmā-world,
and has been born within it!"
39. When he had thus spoken,
Vāseṭṭha, the young Brahmān,
said to the Blessed One:
"Just so has it been told me, Gotama,
even that the Samaṇa Gotama knows
the way to a state of union with Brahmā.
It is well!
Let the venerable Gotama
be pleased to show us the way
to a state of union with Brahmā,
let the venerable Gotama
save the Brahmān race!"
"Listen then, Vāseṭṭha,
and give ear attentively,
and I will speak!"
"So be it, Lord!"
said the young Brahmān Vāseṭṭha,
in assent, to the Blessed One.
40. Then the Blessed One said:
"Know, Vāseṭṭha, that
(from time to time)
a Tathāgata is born into the world,
an Arahat,
a fully awakened one,
abounding in wisdom and goodness,
happy,
with knowledge of the worlds,
unsurpassed as a guide
to mortals willing to be led,
a teacher of gods and men,
a Blessed One,
a Buddha.
He, by himself,
thoroughly understands,
and sees,
as it were, face-to-face
this universe —
including the worlds above
with the gods,
the Māras,
and the Brahmās;
and the world below
with its Samaṇas and Brahmāns,
its princes and peoples; —
and he then makes his knowledge
known to others.
He teaches Dhamma,
both in the letter
and in the spirit,
lovely in its origin,
lovely in its progress,
lovely in its consummation:
he makes known the higher life,
in all its purity
and in all its perfectness.
A householder or one of his children,
or a man of inferior birth in any class
listens to that truth;
and on hearing it he has faith in the Tathāgata;
and when he is possessed of that faith,
he considers thus within himself:
'Full of hindrances is household life,
a path for the dust of passion.
Free as the air is the life
of him who has renounced all worldly things.
How difficult is it for the man who dwells at home
to live the higher life in all its fullness,
in all its purity,
in all its bright perfection!
Let me then cut off my hair and beard,
let me clothe myself in the saffron robes,
and let me go forth
from the household life
into the homeless state.'
Then, before long,
forsaking his portion of wealth,
be it great or small,
forsaking his circle of relatives,
be they many or be they few,
he cuts off his hair and beard,
he clothes himself in the saffron robes,
and he goes forth from the household life
into the homeless state.
When he has thus become a recluse
he lives self-restrained by that restraint that should be binding on a recluse.
Uprightness is his delight,
and he sees danger
in the least of those things he should avoid.
He adopts, and trains himself in, the precepts.
He encompasses himself with good deeds in act and word.
Pure are his means of livelihood,
good is his conduct,
guarded the doors of his senses.
Mindful and self-possessed
he is altogether happy.
And how, Vāseṭṭha, is his conduct good?
In this, Vāseṭṭha, that the bhikkhu,
putting away the killing of living things,
holds aloof from the destruction of life.
The cudgel and the sword he has laid aside,
and ashamed of roughness,
and full of mercy,
he dwells compassionate and kind
to all creatures that have life.
Putting away the taking
of what has not been given,
he lives aloof from grasping
what is not his own.
He takes only what is given,
and expecting that gifts will come,
he passes his life in honesty
and purity of heart.
Putting away unchastity,
he is chaste.
He holds himself aloof,
far off from the vulgar practice,
from the sexual act.
Putting away lying words,
he holds himself aloof from falsehood.
He speaks truth,
from the truth he never swerves;
faithful and trustworthy,
he breaks not his word to the world.
Putting away slander,
he holds himself aloof from calumny.
What he hears here
he repeats not elsewhere
to raise a quarrel
against the people here;
what he hears elsewhere
he repeats not here
to raise a quarrel
against the people there.
Thus does he live as a binder together
of those who are divided,
an encourager of those who are friends,
a peacemaker,
a lover of peace,
impassioned for peace,
a speaker of words that make for peace.
Putting away rudeness of speech,
he holds himself aloof from harsh language.
Whatsoever word is blameless,
pleasant to the car,
lovely,
reaching to the heart,
urbane,
pleasing to the people,
beloved of the people -
such are words he speaks.
Putting away frivolous talk,
he holds himself aloof from vain conversation.
In season he speaks,
in accordance with the facts,
words full of meaning,
on religion,
on the discipline of the Order.
He speaks, and at the right time,
words worthy to be laid up in one's heart,
fitly illustrated,
clearly divided,
to the point.
He holds himself aloof
from causing injury to seeds or plants.
He takes but one meal a day,
not eating at night,
refraining from food after hours
at night.
He refrains from being a spectator
at shows at fairs,
with nautch dances,
singing, and music.
He abstains from wearing,
adorning,
or ornamenting himself
with garlands, scents, and unguents.
He abstains from the use
of large and lofty beds.
He abstains from accepting silver or gold.
He abstains from accepting uncooked grain.
He abstains from accepting raw meat.
He abstains from accepting women or girls.
He abstains from accepting bondmen or bondwomen.
He abstains from accepting sheep or goats.
He abstains from accepting fowls or swine.
He abstains from accepting elephants, cattle. horses, and mares.
He abstains from accepting cultivated fields or waste.
He abstains from acting as a go-between or messenger.
He abstains from buying and selling.
He abstains from cheating
with scales or bronzes or measures.
He abstains from the crooked ways
of bribery, cheating, and fraud.
He abstains from maiming,
murder,
putting in bonds,
highway robbery,
dacoity,
and violence.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to the injury of seedlings
and growing plants
whether propagated from roots
or cuttings
or joints
or buddings
or seeds
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such injury
to seedlings and growing plants.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to the use
of things stored up;
stores, to wit,
of foods,
drinks,
clothing,
equipages,
bedding,
perfumes,
and curry-stuffs —
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such use
of things stored up.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to visiting shows;
that is to say:
(1) Nautch dances;
(2) Singing of songs;
(3) Instrumental music;
(4) Shows at fairs;
(5) Ballad recitations;
(6) Hand music;
(7) The chanting of bards;
(8) Tam-tam playing;
(9) Fairy scenes;
(10) Acrobatic feats by Kaṇḍālas;
(11) Combats of elephants,
horses,
buffaloes,
bulls,
goats,
rams,
cocks,
and quails;
(12) Bouts at quarter-staff,
boxing,
wrestling;
(13) Sham-fights.
(14) roll-calls.
(15) maneuvers.
(16) reviews —
the bhikkhu holds aloof from visiting such shows.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to games and recreations;
that is to say:
(1) Games on boards with eight,
or with ten,
rows of squares;
(2) The same games
played by imagining such boards in the air;
(3) Keeping going over diagrams drawn on the ground
so that one steps only where one ought to go;
(4) Either removing the pieces or men from a heap
with one's nail,
or putting them into a heap,
in each case without shaking it,
he who shakes the heap, loses;
(5) Throwing dice;
(6) Hitting a short stick with a long one;
(7) Dipping the hand with the fingers stretched out
in lac,
or red dye,
or flower-water,
and striking the wet hand
on the ground
or on a wall,
calling out
'What shell it be?'
and showing the form required —
elephants, horses, etc.;
(8) Games with balls;
(9) Blowing through toy pipes made of leaves;
(10) Ploughing with toy ploughs;
(11) Turning summersaults;
(12) Playing with toy windmills made of palm-leaves;
(13) Playing with toy measures made of palm-leaves;
(14, 15) Playing with toy carts or toy bows;
(16) Guessing at letters traced in the air, or on a. playfellow's back;
(17) Guessing the play fellow's thoughts;
(18) Mimicry of deformities;
The bhikkhu holds aloof from such games and recreations.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to the use of high and large couches;
that is to say:
(1) Moveable settees,
high, and six feet long;
(2) Divans with animal figures carved on the supports;
(3) Goats' hair coverlets
with very long fleece;
(4) Patchwork counterpanes of many colors;
(5) White blankets;
(6) Woollen coverlets embroidered with flowers;
(7) Quilts stuffed with cotton wool;
(8) Coverlets embroidered with figures of lions, tigers, etc.;
(9) Rugs with fur on both sides;
(10) Rugs with fur on one side;
(11) Coverlets embroidered with gems;
(12) Silk coverlets;
(13) Carpets large enough for sixteen dancers;
(14) Elephant rugs;
(15) horse rugs;
(16) chariot rugs;
(17) Rugs of antelope skins sewn together;
(18) Rugs of skins of the plantain antelope;
(19) Carpets with awnings above them;
(20) Sofas with red pillows
for the head and feet.
The bhikkhu holds aloof from such things.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to the use
of means for adorning
and beautifying themselves;
that is to say:
Rubbing in scented powders on one's body,
shampooing it,
and bathing it;
Patting the limbs with clubs
after the manner of wrestlers;
The use of mirrors,
eye-ointments,
garlands,
rouge,
cosmetics,
bracelets,
necklaces,
walking-sticks,
reed cases for drugs,
rapiers,
sunshades,
embroidered slippers,
turbans,
diadems,
whisks of the yak's tail,
and long-fringed white robes;
The bhikkhu holds aloof
from such means of adorning and beautifying the person.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to such low conversation as these:
Tales of kings,
of robbers,
of ministers of state,
tales of war,
of terrors,
of battles;
talk about foods and drinks,
clothes,
beds,
garlands,
perfumes;
talks about relationships,
equipages,
villages,
town,
cities,
and countries;
tales about women,
and about heroes;
gossip at street corners,
or places from where water is fetched;
ghost stories;
desultory talk;
speculations about the creation of the land or sea,
or about existence and non-existence;
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low conversation.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to the use of wrangling phrases such as:
'You don't understand this doctrine and discipline,
I do.';
'How should you know about this doctrine and discipline?';
'You have fallen into wrong views.
It is I who am in the right.';
'I am speaking to the point,
you are not.';
'You are putting last
what ought to come first,
first what ought to come last.';
'What you've excogitated so long,
that's all quite upset.';
'Your challenge has been taken up.';
'You are proved to be wrong.';
'Set to work to clear your views.';
'Disentangle yourself if you can.';
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such wrangling phrases.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
continue addicted to taking messages,
going on errands,
and acting as go-betweens;
to wit,
on kings,
ministers of state,
Kshatriyas,
Brahmāns,
or young men,
saying:
'Go there,
come hither,
take this with you,
bring that from thence';
the bhikkhu abstains from such servile duties.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
are tricksters,
droners out (of holy words for pay),
diviners,
and exorcists,
ever hungering to add gain to gain —
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such deception and patter.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
earn their living by wrong means of livelihood,
by low arts,
such as these:
(1) Palmistry —
prophesying long life,
prosperity, etc.
from marks on child's hands,
feet. etc.;
(2) Divining by means of omens and signs;
(3) Auguries drawn from thunderbolts
and other celestial portents;
(4) Prognostication by interpreting dreams;
(5) Fortune-telling from marks on the body;
(6) Auguries from the marks on cloth gnawed by mice;
(7) Sacrificing to Agni;
(8) Offering oblations from a spoon;
(9-13) Making offerings to gods
of husks,
of the red powder between the grain and the husk,
of husked grain ready for boiling,
of ghee,
and of oil;
(14) Sacrificing by spewing mustard seeds, etc.,
into the fire out of one's mouth;
(15) Drawing blood from one's right knee
as a sacrifice to the gods;
(16) Looking at the knuckles, etc.,
and, after muttering a charm,
divining whether a man is well born
or lucky or not;
(17) Determining whether the site
for a proposed house or pleasance,
is lucky or not;
(18) Advising on customary law;
(19) Laying demons in a cemetery;
(20) Laying ghosts;
(21) Knowledge of the charms to be used
when lodging in an earth house;
(22) Snake charming;
(23) The poison craft;
(24) The scorpion craft;
(25) The mouse craft;
(26) The bird craft;
(27) The crow craft;
(28) Foretelling the number of years
that a man has yet to live.
(29) Giving charms to ward off arrows;
(30) The animal wheel;
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low arts.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
earn their living by wrong means of livelihood,
by low arts,
such as these:
Knowledge of the signs
of good and bad qualities
in the following things
and of the marks in them
denoting the health or luck of their owners: —
to wit,
gems,
staves,
garments,
swords,
arrows,
bows,
other weapons,
women,
men,
boys,
girls,
slaves,
slave-girls,
elephants,
horses,
buffaloes,
bulls,
oxen,
goats,
sheep,
fowls,
quails,
iguanas,
earrings,
tortoises,
and other animals;
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low arts.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
earn their living by wrong means of livelihood,
by low arts,
such as soothsaying,
to the effect that:
'The chiefs will march out';
'The chiefs will march back';
'The home chiefs will attack,
and the enemies' retreat';
'The enemies' chiefs will attack,
and ours will retreat';
'The home chiefs will gain the victory,
and the foreign chiefs suffer defeat';
'The foreign chiefs will gain the victory,
and ours will suffer defeat';
'Thus will there be victory on this side,
defeat on that'
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low arts.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
earn their living by wrong means of livelihood,
by such low arts as foretelling:
(1) 'There will be an eclipse of the moon';
(2) 'There will be en eclipse of the sun';
(3) 'There will be en eclipse of a star'
(Nakshatra);
(4) 'There will be aberration of the sun or the moon';
(5) 'The sun or the moon will return to its usual path';
(6) 'There will be aberrations of the stars';
(7) 'The stars will return to their usual course';
(8) 'There will be a fall of meteors';
(9) 'There will be a jungle fire';
(10) 'There will be an earthquake';
(11) 'The god will thunder';
(12-15) 'There will be rising and setting,
clearness and dimness,
of the sun or the moon or the stars',|| ||
or foretelling of each of these fifteen phenomena
that they will betoken such and such a result;
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low arts.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
earn their living by wrong means of livelihood,
by low arts,
such as these:
Foretelling an abundant rainfall;
Foretelling a deficient rainfall;
Foretelling a good harvest;
Foretelling scarcity of food;
Foretelling tranquillity;
Foretelling disturbances;
Foretelling a pestilence;
Foretelling a healthy season;
Counting on the fingers;
Counting without using the fingers;
Summing up large totals;
Composing ballads, poetizing;
Casuistry, sophistry;
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low arts.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
earn their living by wrong means of livelihood,
by low arts,
such as:
(1) Arranging a lucky day for marriages
in which the bride or bridegroom is brought home;
(2) Arranging a lucky day for marriages
in which the bride or bridegroom is sent forth;
(3) Fixing a lucky time for the conclusion of treaties of peace
[or using charms to procure harmony;
(4) Fixing a lucky time
for the outbreak of hostilities
[or using charms to make discord];
(5) Fixing-a lucky time
for the calling in of debts
[or charms for success in throwing dice];
(6) Fixing a lucky time
for the expenditure of money
[or charms to bring ill luck to an opponent throwing dice];
(7) Using charms to make people lucky;
(8) Using charms to make people unlucky;
(9) Using charms to procure abortion;
(10) Incantations to bring on dumbness;
(11) Incantations to keep a man's jaws fixed;
(12) Incantations to make a man throw up his hands;
(13) Incantations to bring on deafness;
(14) Obtaining oracular answers by means of the magic mirror;
(15) Obtaining oracular answers through a girl possessed;
(16) Obtaining oracular answers from a god;
(17) The worship of the Sun;
(18) The worship of the Great One;
(19) Bringing forth flames from one's mouth;
(20) Invoking Siri, the goddess of Luck —
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low arts.
Whereas some recluses and Brahmāns,
while living on food provided by the faithful,
earn their living by wrong means of livelihood,
by low arts,
such as these:
(1) Vowing gifts to a god if a certain benefit be granted;
(2) Paying such vows;
(3) Repeating charms while lodging in an earth house;
(4) Causing virility;
(5) Making a man impotent;
(6) Fixing on lucky sites for dwelling;
(7) Consecrating sites;
(8) Ceremonial rinsings of the month;
(9) Ceremonial bathings;
(10) Offering sacrifices;
(11-14) Administering emetics and purgatives;
(15) Purging people to relieve the head
(that is by giving drugs to make people sneeze);
(16) Oiling people's ears
(either to make them grow or to heal sores on them);
(17) Satisfying people's eyes
(soothing them by dropping medicinal oils into them);
(18) Administering drugs through the nose;
(19) Applying collyrium to the eyes;
(20) Giving medical ointment for the eyes;
(21) Practicing as an oculist;
(22) Practicing as a surgeon;
(23) Practicing as a doctor for children;
(24) Administering roots and drugs;
(25) Administering medicines in rotation;
the bhikkhu holds aloof from such low arts.
And then that bhikkhu, Vāseṭṭha,
being thus master of the minor moralities,
sees no danger from any side,
that is, so far as concerns his self-restraint in conduct.
Just, Vāseṭṭha, as a sovereign, duly crowned,
whose enemies have been beaten down,
sees no danger from any side;
that is, so far as enemies are concerned,
so is the bhikkhu confident.
And endowed with this body of morals,
so worthy of honor,
he experiences, within himself,
a sense of ease without alloy.
Thus is it, Vāseṭṭha, that the bhikkhu becomes righteous.
And how, Vāseṭṭha,
is the bhikkhu guarded
as to the doors of his senses?
When, Vāseṭṭha, he sees an object with his eye
he is not entranced in the general appearance
or the details of it.
He sets himself to restrain
that which might give occasion for the evil states of
covetousness and dejection,
to flow in over him
so long as he dwells unrestrained
as to his sense of sight.
He keeps watch upon his faculty of sight,
and he attains to mastery over it.
When, Vāseṭṭha, he hears a sound with his ear
he is not entranced in the general appearance
or the details of it.
He sets himself to restrain
that which might give occasion for the evil states of
covetousness and dejection,
to flow in over him
so long as he dwells unrestrained
as to his sense of hearing.
He keeps watch upon his faculty of hearing,
and he attains to mastery over it.
This, Vāseṭṭha, is that uprightness.
When, Vāseṭṭha, he smells an odor with his nose
he is not entranced in the general appearance
or the details of it.
He sets himself to restrain
that which might give occasion for the evil states of
covetousness and dejection,
to flow in over him
so long as he dwells unrestrained
as to his sense of smell.
He keeps watch upon his faculty of smell,
and he attains to mastery over it.
This, Vāseṭṭha, is that uprightness.
When, Vāseṭṭha, he tastes a flavor with his tongue
he is not entranced in the general appearance
or the details of it.
He sets himself to restrain
that which might give occasion for the evil states of
covetousness and dejection,
to flow in over him
so long as he dwells unrestrained
as to his sense of taste.
He keeps watch upon his faculty of taste,
and he attains to mastery over it.
This, Vāseṭṭha, is that uprightness.
When, Vāseṭṭha, he feels a touch with his body
he is not entranced in the general appearance
or the details of it.
He sets himself to restrain
that which might give occasion for the evil states of
covetousness and dejection,
to flow in over him
so long as he dwells unrestrained
as to his sense of touch.
He keeps watch upon his faculty of touch,
and he attains to mastery over it.
This, Vāseṭṭha, is that uprightness.
When, Vāseṭṭha, he cognizes a phenomenon with his mind
he is not entranced in the general appearance
or the details of it.
He sets himself to restrain
that which might give occasion for the evil states of
covetousness and dejection,
to flow in over him
so long as he dwells unrestrained
as to his mind.
He keeps watch upon his mind,
and he attains to mastery over it.
And endowed with this self-restraint,
so worthy of honor,
as regards the senses,
he experiences, within himself, a sense of ease
into which no evil state can enter.
Thus is it, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu becomes guarded
as to the doors of his senses.
And how, Vāseṭṭha, is the bhikkhu
mindful and self-possessed?
In this matter, Vāseṭṭha,
the bhikkhu
in going forth or in coming back
whether looking forward,
or in looking round;
in stretching forth his arm,
or in drawing it in again;
in eating or drinking,
in chewing or swallowing,
in urinating or defecating,
in going or standing or sitting,
in sleeping or waking,
in speaking or in being still,
he keeps himself aware
of what he is doing.
Thus is it, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu becomes mindful and self-possessed.
And how, Vāseṭṭha, is the bhikkhu content?
In this matter, Vāseṭṭha,
the bhikkhu is satisfied with sufficient robes
to protect his body,
with sufficient food
to keep his body going.
Whithersoever he may go,
these he takes with him as he goes
- just as a bird with his wings, Vāseṭṭha,
whethersoever he may fly,
carries his wings with him as he flies.
Thus is it, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu becomes content.
Then, master of this so excellent body of moral precepts,
gifted with this so excellent self-restraint as to the senses,
endowed with this so excellent mindfulness and self-possession,
filled with this so excellent content,
he chooses some lonely spot
to rest at on his way
— in the woods,
at the foot of a tree,
on a hill side,
in a mountain glen,
in a rocky cave,
in a charnel place,
or on a heap of straw in the open field.
And returning there
after his round for alms
he seats himself, when his meal is done,
cross-legged,
keeping his body erect,
and his mind alert, intent.
Putting away the hankering after the world,
he remains with a heart that hankers not,
and purifies his mind of lusts.
Putting away the corruption
of the wish to injure,
he remains with a heart free from ill temper,
and purifies his mind of malevolence.
Putting away torpor of heart and mind,
keeping his ideas alight,
mindful and self-possessed,
he purifies his mind of weakness and of sloth.
Putting away flurry and worry,
he remains free from fretfulness,
and with heart serene within,
he purifies himself of irritability
and vexation of spirit.
Putting away wavering,
he remains as one passed beyond perplexity;
and no longer in suspense as to what is good,
he purifies his mind of doubt.
Then just, Vāseṭṭha,
as when a man, after contracting a loan,
should set a business on foot,
and his business should succeed,
and he should not only be able
to pay off the old debt he had incurred,
but there should be a surplus over
to maintain a wife.
Then would he realize:
'I used to have to carry on my business
by getting into debt,
but it has gone so well with me
that I have paid off what I owed,
and have a surplus over
to maintain a wife.'
And he would be of good cheer at that,
would be glad of heart at that: —
Then just, Vāseṭṭha,
as if a man were a prey to disease,
in pain, and very ill,
and his food would not digest,
and there were no strength left in him;
and after a time
he were to recover from that disease,
and his food should digest,
and his strength come back to him;
then, when he realized his former and his present state,
he would be of good cheer at that,
he would be glad of heart at that: —
Then just, Vāseṭṭha,
as if a man were bound in a prison house,
and after a time
he should be set free from his bonds,
safe and sound,
and without any confiscation of his goods;
when he realized his former and his present state,
he would be of good cheer at that,
he would be glad of heart at that: —
Then just, Vāseṭṭha,
as if a man were a slave,
not his own master,
subject to another,
unable to go whether he would;
and after a time
he should be emancipated from that slavery,
become his own master,
not subject to others,
a free man,
free to go whether he would;
then, on realizing his former and his present state,
he would be of good cheer at that,
he would be glad of heart at that: —
Then just, Vāseṭṭha,
as if a man, rich and prosperous,
were to find himself on a long road,
in a desert, where no food was,
but much danger;
and after a time
were to find himself out of the desert,
arrived safe,
on the borders of his village,
in security and peace;
then, on realizing his former and his present state,
he would be of good cheer at that,
he would be glad of heart at that.
Just so, Vāseṭṭha, the bhikkhu,
so long as these five hindrances
are not put away within him
looks upon himself as in debt,
diseased,
in prison,
in slavery,
lost on a desert road.
But when these five hindrances
have been put away within him,
he looks upon himself as freed from debt,
rid of disease,
out of jail,
a free man,
and secure.
And gladness springs up within him
on his realizing that,
and joy arises to him thus gladdened,
and so rejoicing
all his frame becomes at ease,
and being thus at ease
he is filled with a sense of peace,
and in that peace his heart is stayed.
76. And he lets his mind pervade
one quarter of the world
with thoughts of friendliness,
and so the second,
and so the third,
and so the fourth.
And thus the whole wide world,
above,
below,
around,
and everywhere,
does he continue to pervade
with heart of friendliness,
far-reaching,
grown great,
and beyond measure.
77. Just, Vāseṭṭha, as a mighty trumpeter
makes himself heard -
and that without difficulty -
in all the four directions;
even so
of all things that have shape or life,
there is not one
that he passes by
or leaves aside,
but regards them all
with mind set free,
and deep-felt friendliness.
Truly this, Vāseṭṭha,
is the way to a state of union with Brahmā.
And he lets his mind pervade
one quarter of the world
with thoughts of sympathy,
and so the second,
and so the third,
and so the fourth.
And thus the whole wide world,
above,
below,
around,
and everywhere,
does he continue to pervade
with heart of sympathy,
far-reaching,
grown great,
and beyond measure.
Just, Vāseṭṭha, as a mighty trumpeter
makes himself heard -
and that without difficulty -
in all the four directions;
even so
of all things that have shape or life,
there is not one
that he passes by
or leaves aside,
but regards them all
with mind set free,
and deep-felt sympathy.
Truly this, Vāseṭṭha,
is the way to a state of union with Brahmā.
And he lets his mind pervade
one quarter of the world
with thoughts of empathy
and so the second,
and so the third,
and so the fourth.
And thus the whole wide world,
above,
below,
around,
and everywhere,
does he continue to pervade
with heart of empathy,
far-reaching,
grown great,
and beyond measure.
Just, Vāseṭṭha, as a mighty trumpeter
makes himself heard -
and that without difficulty -
in all the four directions;
even so
of all things that have shape or life,
there is not one
that he passes by
or leaves aside,
but regards them all
with mind set free,
and deep-felt empathy.
Truly this, Vāseṭṭha,
is the way to a state of union with Brahmā.
And he lets his mind pervade
one quarter of the world
with thoughts of detachment
and so the second,
and so the third,
and so the fourth.
And thus the whole wide world,
above,
below,
around,
and everywhere,
does he continue to pervade
with heart of detachment,
far-reaching,
grown great,
and beyond measure.
Just, Vāseṭṭha, as a mighty trumpeter
makes himself heard -
and that without difficulty -
in all the four directions;
even so
of all things that have shape or life,
there is not one
that he passes by
or leaves aside,
but regards them all
with mind set free,
and deep-felt detachment.
Truly this, Vāseṭṭha,
is the way to a state of union with Brahmā.
80. What do you think, Vāseṭṭha,
will the bhikkhu who lives thus
be in possession of women and of wealth,
or will he not?"
"He will not, Gotama!"
"Will he be full of anger,
or free from anger?"
"He will be free from anger, Gotama!"
"Will his mind be full of malice,
or free from malice?"
"Free from malice, Gotama!"
'Will his mind be tarnished,
or pure?"
"It will be pure, Gotama!"
"Will he have self-mastery,
or will he not?"
"Surely he will, Gotama!'
81. "Then you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu is free
from household and worldly cares,
and that Brahmā is free
from household and worldly cares.
Is there then
agreement and likeness
between the bhikkhu and Brahmā?"
"There is, Gotama!"
"Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Then truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu who is free from household cares
should after death,
when the body breaks up,
become united with Brahmā,
who is the same —
such a thing is possible to see.
"Then you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu is free
from anger,
and that Brahmā is free
from anger.
Is there then
agreement and likeness
between the bhikkhu and Brahmā?"
"There is, Gotama!"
"Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Then truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu who is free from anger
should after death,
when the body breaks up,
become united with Brahmā,
who is the same —
such a thing is possible to see.
81. "Then you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu is free
from malice,
and that Brahmā is free
from malice.
Is there then
agreement and likeness
between the bhikkhu and Brahmā?"
"There is, Gotama!"
"Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Then truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu who is free from malice
should after death,
when the body breaks up,
become united with Brahmā,
who is the same —
such a thing is possible to see.
"Then you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu is pure in mind
and that Brahmā is pure in mind.
Is there then
agreement and likeness
between the bhikkhu and Brahmā?"
"There is, Gotama!"
"Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Then truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu who is pure in mind
should after death,
when the body breaks up,
become united with Brahmā,
who is the same —
such a thing is possible to see.
"Then you say, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu is master of himself,
and that Brahmā is master of himself.
Is there then
agreement and likeness
between the bhikkhu and Brahmā?"
"There is, Gotama!"
"Well said, Vāseṭṭha.
Then truly, Vāseṭṭha,
that the bhikkhu who is master of himself
should after death,
when the body breaks up,
become united with Brahmā,
who is the same —
such a thing is possible to see.
82. When he had thus spoken,
the young Brahmāns Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja
addressed the Blessed One,
and said:
"Most excellent, Lord,
are the words of thy mouth,
most excellent!
Just as if a man were to set up
that which is thrown down,
or were to reveal
that which is hidden away,
or were to point out the right road
to him who has gone astray,
or were to bring a lamp into the darkness,
so that those who have eyes
can see external forms; —
just even so, Lord,
has the truth been made known to us,
in many a figure,
by the Lucky Man.
And we, even we,
betake ourselves, Lord,
to the Blessed One as our refuge,
to the Teachings,
and to the Brotherhood.
May the Blessed One accept us as disciples,
as true believers,
from this day forth,
as long as life endures!"
Here Ends the Tevijja Suttanta
