Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
21. Bhikkhu Saṃyutta
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
II. The Book Called the Nidāna-Vagga
Containing Kindred sayings on Cause
and Other Subjects
21. Kindred Sayings about Brethren
Sutta 4
Nava Bhikkhu Suttaṃ
The Novice
Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by F. L. Woodward
Originally Published by
The Pali Text Society
Public Domain
The Exalted One was once staying near Savatthī
at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
[2] Now at that time a certain novice
after he had returned from his almsround
and had dined,
entered his cell
and sat at leisure,
in silence and resigned,
nor did he render service to the brethren
at the time of robe-making.[1]
[3-4] Then a number of the brethren
went and informed the Exalted One
of his conduct.
[5] And the Exalted One bade a certain brother:
"Come thou, brother,
bid that brother by my word hither
saying, 'The Master bids thee, friend.'"
[6-7] "Even so, lord," was the response,
and that brother came,
saluted the Exalted One,
and sat down at one side.
[8] To him so seated the Exalted One said: —
"Is it true what they say
that thou, brother,
after almsround and meal
dost sit at leisure,
in silence
and resigned,
nor renderest service
to the brethren
at the time of robe-making?"
"I do my own work, lord."
[9] Then the Exalted One,
reading by his mind
that brother's mind,
bade the brethren: —
"Be ye not vexed, brethren,
with this brother.
He is a brother who can attain
at will,[2]
who can attain
without trouble,
without toil
the Four Jhānas,
happy states,
under present conditions,
of highest consciousness.[3]
And that for the sake of which
the clansmen rightly leave home
for the homeless —
that uttermost goal of divine living
he has comoe to know thoroughly for himself
and to realize,
has attained it
and therein abides."
[10] The Exalted One spake this.
The Wellfarer so saying, the Master spake this yet further: —
No slacker nor the man of puny strength
May win Nibbāna, freedom from all ill.
And this young brother, yea, this peerless man
Bears the last burden, devil's[4] conqueror.
[1] Cf. above, i, 258.
[2] Nikāma-lābhī.
[3] Abhiceta-sikānaṇ.
[4] Lit.: of Māra and his mount of elephant. Cf. Dhammapada, verse 175.
