. |
. |
Kakacūpamasutta |
The Simile of the Saw |
Evaṃ me sutaṃ— |
So I have heard. |
ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṃ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. |
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. |
Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ ativelaṃ saṃsaṭṭho viharati. |
Now at that time, Venerable Phagguna of the Top-Knot was mixing too closely together with the nuns. |
Evaṃ saṃsaṭṭho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ viharati— |
So much so that |
sace koci bhikkhu āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa sammukhā tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, tenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karoti. |
if any monk criticized those nuns in his presence, Phagguna of the Top-Knot got angry and upset, and even instigated disciplinary proceedings. |
Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ sammukhā āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti. |
And if any monk criticized Phagguna of the Top-Knot in their presence, those nuns got angry and upset, and even instigated disciplinary proceedings. |
Evaṃ saṃsaṭṭho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ viharati. |
That’s how much Phagguna of the Top-Knot was mixing too closely together with the nuns. |
Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ nisīdi. Ekamantaṃ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṃ etadavoca: |
Then a monk went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was going on. |
“āyasmā, bhante, moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ ativelaṃ saṃsaṭṭho viharati. |
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Evaṃ saṃsaṭṭho, bhante, āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ viharati— |
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sace koci bhikkhu āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa sammukhā tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, tenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karoti. |
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Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ sammukhā āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti. |
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Evaṃ saṃsaṭṭho, bhante, āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ viharatī”ti. |
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Atha kho bhagavā aññataraṃ bhikkhuṃ āmantesi: |
So the Buddha said to a certain monk: |
“ehi tvaṃ, bhikkhu, mama vacanena moḷiyaphaggunaṃ bhikkhuṃ āmantehi: |
“Please, monk, in my name tell the monk Phagguna of the Top-Knot that |
‘satthā taṃ, āvuso phagguna, āmantetī’”ti. |
the teacher summons him.” |
“Evaṃ, bhante”ti kho so bhikkhu bhagavato paṭissutvā yenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṃ moḷiyaphaggunaṃ etadavoca: |
“Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to Phagguna of the Top-Knot and said to him: |
“satthā taṃ, āvuso phagguna, āmantetī”ti. |
“Reverend Phagguna, the teacher summons you.” |
“Evamāvuso”ti kho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno tassa bhikkhuno paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ nisīdi. Ekamantaṃ nisinnaṃ kho āyasmantaṃ moḷiyaphaggunaṃ bhagavā etadavoca: |
“Yes, reverend,” Phagguna replied. He went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him: |
“Saccaṃ kira tvaṃ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ ativelaṃ saṃsaṭṭho viharasi? |
“Is it really true, Phagguna, that you’ve been mixing overly closely together with the nuns? |
Evaṃ saṃsaṭṭho kira tvaṃ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ viharasi— |
So much so that |
sace koci bhikkhu tuyhaṃ sammukhā tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, tena tvaṃ kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karosi. |
if any monk criticizes those nuns in your presence, you get angry and upset, and even instigate disciplinary proceedings? |
Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ sammukhā tuyhaṃ avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti. |
And if any monk criticizes you in those nuns’ presence, they get angry and upset, and even instigate disciplinary proceedings? |
Evaṃ saṃsaṭṭho kira tvaṃ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ viharasī”ti? |
Is that how much you’re mixing overly closely together with the nuns?” |
“Evaṃ, bhante”ti. |
“Yes, sir.” |
“Nanu tvaṃ, phagguna, kulaputto saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṃ pabbajito”ti? |
“Phagguna, are you not a member of a good family who has gone forth from the lay life to homelessness?” |
“Evaṃ, bhante”ti. |
“Yes, sir.” |
“Na kho te etaṃ, phagguna, patirūpaṃ kulaputtassa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṃ pabbajitassa, yaṃ tvaṃ bhikkhunīhi saddhiṃ ativelaṃ saṃsaṭṭho vihareyyāsi. |
“As such, it’s not appropriate for you to mix so closely with the nuns. |
Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ avaṇṇaṃ bhāseyya, tatrāpi tvaṃ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi. |
So if anyone criticizes those nuns in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life. |
Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva me cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘My mind will be unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāmi, |
I will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, |
I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantaro’ti. |
and no secret hate.’ |
Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā tāsaṃ bhikkhunīnaṃ pāṇinā pahāraṃ dadeyya, leḍḍunā pahāraṃ dadeyya, daṇḍena pahāraṃ dadeyya, satthena pahāraṃ dadeyya. Tatrāpi tvaṃ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi. |
So even if someone strikes those nuns with fists, stones, rods, and swords in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life. |
Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva me cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘My mind will be unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāmi, |
I will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, |
I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantaro’ti. |
and no secret hate.’ |
Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā avaṇṇaṃ bhāseyya, tatrāpi tvaṃ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi. |
So if anyone criticizes you in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life. |
Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva me cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘My mind will be unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāmi, |
I will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, |
I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantaro’ti. |
and no secret hate.’ |
Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci pāṇinā pahāraṃ dadeyya, leḍḍunā pahāraṃ dadeyya, daṇḍena pahāraṃ dadeyya, satthena pahāraṃ dadeyya, tatrāpi tvaṃ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi. |
So Phagguṇa, even if someone strikes you with fists, stones, rods, and swords, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life. |
Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva me cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘My mind will be unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāmi, |
I will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, |
I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantaro’ti. |
and no secret hate.’ |
Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: |
Then the Buddha said to the monks: |
“ārādhayiṃsu vata me, bhikkhave, bhikkhū ekaṃ samayaṃ cittaṃ. |
“monks, I used to be satisfied with the monks. |
Idhāhaṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū āmantesiṃ— |
Once, I addressed them: |
ahaṃ kho, bhikkhave, ekāsanabhojanaṃ bhuñjāmi. |
‘I eat my food in one sitting per day. |
Ekāsanabhojanaṃ kho ahaṃ, bhikkhave, bhuñjamāno appābādhatañca sañjānāmi appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca. |
Doing so, I find that I’m healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. |
Etha tumhepi, bhikkhave, ekāsanabhojanaṃ bhuñjatha. |
You too should eat your food in one sitting per day. |
Ekāsanabhojanaṃ kho, bhikkhave, tumhepi bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānissatha appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañcāti. |
Doing so, you’ll find that you’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.’ |
Na me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu anusāsanī karaṇīyā ahosi; |
I didn’t have to keep on instructing those monks; |
satuppādakaraṇīyameva me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu ahosi. |
I just had to prompt their rememberfulness. |
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, subhūmiyaṃ catumahāpathe ājaññaratho yutto assa ṭhito odhastapatodo. |
Suppose a chariot stood harnessed to thoroughbreds at a level crossroads, with a goad ready. |
Tamenaṃ dakkho yoggācariyo assadammasārathi abhiruhitvā, vāmena hatthena rasmiyo gahetvā, dakkhiṇena hatthena patodaṃ gahetvā, yenicchakaṃ yadicchakaṃ sāreyyapi paccāsāreyyapi. |
Then an expert horse trainer, a master charioteer, might mount the chariot, taking the reins in his right hand and goad in the left. He’d drive out and back wherever he wishes, whenever he wishes. |
Evameva kho, bhikkhave, na me tesu bhikkhūsu anusāsanī karaṇīyā ahosi, |
In the same way, I didn’t have to keep on instructing those monks; |
satuppādakaraṇīyameva me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu ahosi. |
I just had to prompt their rememberfulness. |
Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, tumhepi akusalaṃ pajahatha, kusalesu dhammesu āyogaṃ karotha. |
So, monks, give up what’s unskillful and devote yourselves to skillful Dharmas. |
Evañhi tumhepi imasmiṃ dhammavinaye vuddhiṃ virūḷhiṃ vepullaṃ āpajjissatha. |
In this way you’ll achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this Dharma and training. |
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gāmassa vā nigamassa vā avidūre mahantaṃ sālavanaṃ. |
Suppose that not far from a town or village there was a large grove of sal trees |
Tañcassa eḷaṇḍehi sañchannaṃ. |
that was choked with castor-oil weeds. |
Tassa kocideva puriso uppajjeyya atthakāmo hitakāmo yogakkhemakāmo. |
Then along comes a person who wants to help protect and nurture that grove. |
So yā tā sālalaṭṭhiyo kuṭilā ojāpaharaṇiyo tā chetvā bahiddhā nīhareyya, antovanaṃ suvisodhitaṃ visodheyya. |
They’d cut down the crooked sal saplings that were robbing the sap, and throw them out. They’d clean up the interior of the grove, |
Yā pana tā sālalaṭṭhiyo ujukā sujātā tā sammā parihareyya. |
and properly care for the straight, well-formed sal saplings. |
Evañhetaṃ, bhikkhave, sālavanaṃ aparena samayena vuddhiṃ virūḷhiṃ vepullaṃ āpajjeyya. |
In this way, in due course, that sal grove would grow, increase, and mature. |
Evameva kho, bhikkhave, tumhepi akusalaṃ pajahatha, kusalesu dhammesu āyogaṃ karotha. |
In the same way, monks, give up what’s unskillful and devote yourselves to skillful Dharmas. |
Evañhi tumhepi imasmiṃ dhammavinaye vuddhiṃ virūḷhiṃ vepullaṃ āpajjissatha. |
In this way you’ll achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this Dharma and training. |
Bhūtapubbaṃ, bhikkhave, imissāyeva sāvatthiyā vedehikā nāma gahapatānī ahosi. |
Once upon a time, monks, right here in Sāvatthī there was a housewife named Vedehikā. |
Vedehikāya, bhikkhave, gahapatāniyā evaṃ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: |
She had this good reputation: |
‘soratā vedehikā gahapatānī, nivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, upasantā vedehikā gahapatānī’ti. |
‘The housewife Vedehikā is sweet, even-tempered, and calm.’ |
Vedehikāya kho pana, bhikkhave, gahapatāniyā kāḷī nāma dāsī ahosi dakkhā analasā susaṃvihitakammantā. |
Now, Vedehikā had a bonded maid named Kāḷī who was skilled, tireless, and well-organized in her work. |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi: |
Then Kāḷī thought: |
‘mayhaṃ kho ayyāya evaṃ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: |
‘My mistress has a good reputation as being |
“soratā vedehikā gahapatānī, nivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, upasantā vedehikā gahapatānī”ti. |
sweet, even-tempered, and calm. |
Kiṃ nu kho me ayyā santaṃyeva nu kho ajjhattaṃ kopaṃ na pātukaroti udāhu asantaṃ |
But does she actually have anger in her and just not show it? Or does she have no anger? |
udāhu mayhamevete kammantā susaṃvihitā yena me ayyā santaṃyeva ajjhattaṃ kopaṃ na pātukaroti, no asantaṃ? |
Or is it just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside? |
Yannūnāhaṃ ayyaṃ vīmaṃseyyan’ti. |
Why don’t I test my mistress?’ |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divā uṭṭhāsi. |
So Kāḷī got up during the day. |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṃ dāsiṃ etadavoca: |
Vedehikā said to her: |
‘he je kāḷī’ti. |
‘What the hell, Kāḷī!’ |
‘Kiṃ, ayye’ti? |
‘What is it, madam?’ |
‘Kiṃ, je, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti? |
‘You’re getting up in the day—what’s up with you, girl?’ |
‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti. |
‘Nothing, madam.’ |
‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā bhākuṭiṃ akāsi. |
‘Nothing’s up, you bad girl, but you get up in the day!’ Angry and upset, she scowled. |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi: |
Then Kāḷī thought: |
‘santaṃyeva kho me ayyā ajjhattaṃ kopaṃ na pātukaroti, no asantaṃ; |
‘My mistress actually has anger in her and just doesn’t show it; it’s not that she has no anger. |
mayhamevete kammantā susaṃvihitā, yena me ayyā santaṃyeva ajjhattaṃ kopaṃ na pātukaroti, no asantaṃ. |
It’s just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside. |
Yannūnāhaṃ bhiyyoso mattāya ayyaṃ vīmaṃseyyan’ti. |
Why don’t I test my mistress further?’ |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divātaraṃyeva uṭṭhāsi. |
So Kāḷī got up later in the day. |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṃ dāsiṃ etadavoca: |
Vedehikā said to her: |
‘he je kāḷī’ti. |
‘What the hell, Kāḷī!’ |
‘Kiṃ, ayye’ti? |
‘What is it, madam?’ |
‘Kiṃ, je, divātaraṃ uṭṭhāsī’ti? |
‘You’re getting up later in the day—what’s up with you, girl?’ |
‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti. |
‘Nothing, madam.’ |
‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divātaraṃ uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā anattamanavācaṃ nicchāresi. |
‘Nothing’s up, you bad girl, but you get up later in the day!’ Angry and upset, she blurted out angry words. |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi: |
Then Kāḷī thought: |
‘santaṃyeva kho me ayyā ajjhattaṃ kopaṃ na pātukaroti, no asantaṃ. |
‘My mistress actually has anger in her and just doesn’t show it; it’s not that she has no anger. |
Mayhamevete kammantā susaṃvihitā, yena me ayyā santaṃyeva ajjhattaṃ kopaṃ na pātukaroti, no asantaṃ. |
It’s just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside. |
Yannūnāhaṃ bhiyyoso mattāya ayyaṃ vīmaṃseyyan’ti. |
Why don’t I test my mistress further?’ |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divātaraṃyeva uṭṭhāsi. |
So Kāḷī got up even later in the day. |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṃ dāsiṃ etadavoca: |
Vedehikā said to her: |
‘he je kāḷī’ti. |
‘What the hell, Kāḷī!’ |
‘Kiṃ, ayye’ti? |
‘What is it, madam?’ |
‘Kiṃ, je, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti? |
‘You’re getting up even later in the day—what’s up with you, girl?’ |
‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti. |
‘Nothing, madam.’ |
‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā aggaḷasūciṃ gahetvā sīse pahāraṃ adāsi, sīsaṃ vobhindi. |
‘Nothing’s up, you bad girl, but you get up even later in the day!’ Angry and upset, she grabbed a rolling-pin and hit Kāḷī on the head, cracking it open. |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī bhinnena sīsena lohitena galantena paṭivissakānaṃ ujjhāpesi: |
Then Kāḷī, with blood pouring from her cracked skull, denounced her mistress to the neighbors: |
‘passathayye, soratāya kammaṃ; |
‘See, ladies, what the sweet one did! |
passathayye, nivātāya kammaṃ, passathayye, upasantāya kammaṃ. |
See what the even-tempered one did! See what the calm one did! |
Kathañhi nāma ekadāsikāya divā uṭṭhāsīti kupitā anattamanā aggaḷasūciṃ gahetvā sīse pahāraṃ dassati, sīsaṃ vobhindissatī’ti. |
How on earth can she grab a rolling-pin and hit her only maid on the head, cracking it open, just for getting up late?’ |
Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikāya gahapatāniyā aparena samayena evaṃ pāpako kittisaddo abbhuggacchi: |
Then after some time the housewife Vedehikā got this bad reputation: |
‘caṇḍī vedehikā gahapatānī, anivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, anupasantā vedehikā gahapatānī’ti. |
‘The housewife Vedehikā is fierce, ill-tempered, and not calm at all.’ |
Evameva kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco bhikkhu tāvadeva soratasorato hoti nivātanivāto hoti upasantūpasanto hoti yāva na amanāpā vacanapathā phusanti. |
In the same way, a monk may be the sweetest of the sweet, the most even-tempered of the even-tempered, the calmest of the calm, so long as they don’t encounter any disagreeable criticism. |
Yato ca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṃ amanāpā vacanapathā phusanti, atha bhikkhu ‘sorato’ti veditabbo, ‘nivāto’ti veditabbo, ‘upasanto’ti veditabbo. |
But it’s when they encounter disagreeable criticism that you’ll know whether they’re really sweet, even-tempered, and calm. |
Nāhaṃ taṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṃ ‘suvaco’ti vadāmi yo cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārahetu suvaco hoti, sovacassataṃ āpajjati. |
I don’t say that a monk is easy to admonish if they make themselves easy to admonish only for the sake of robes, alms-food, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. |
Taṃ kissa hetu? |
Why is that? |
Tañhi so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṃ alabhamāno na suvaco hoti, na sovacassataṃ āpajjati. |
Because when they don’t get robes, alms-food, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, they’re no longer easy to admonish. |
Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammaṃyeva sakkaronto, dhammaṃ garuṃ karonto, dhammaṃ mānento, dhammaṃ pūjento, dhammaṃ apacāyamāno suvaco hoti, sovacassataṃ āpajjati, tamahaṃ ‘suvaco’ti vadāmi. |
But when a monk is easy to admonish purely because they honor, respect, revere, worship, and venerate the Dharma, then I say that they’re easy to admonish. |
Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘dhammaṃyeva sakkarontā, dhammaṃ garuṃ karontā, dhammaṃ mānentā, dhammaṃ pūjentā, dhammaṃ apacāyamānā suvacā bhavissāma, sovacassataṃ āpajjissāmā’ti. |
So, monks, you should train yourselves: ‘We will be easy to admonish purely because we honor, respect, revere, worship, and venerate the Dharma.’ |
Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Pañcime, bhikkhave, vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ— |
monks, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you. |
kālena vā akālena vā; |
Their speech may be timely or untimely, |
bhūtena vā abhūtena vā; |
true or false, |
saṇhena vā pharusena vā; |
gentle or harsh, |
atthasaṃhitena vā anatthasaṃhitena vā; |
beneficial or harmful, |
mettacittā vā dosantarā vā. |
from a heart of friendly-kindness or from secret hate. |
Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ akālena vā; |
When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways. |
bhūtena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ abhūtena vā; |
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saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ pharusena vā; |
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atthasaṃhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ anatthasaṃhitena vā; |
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mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ dosantarā vā. |
Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva no cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘Our minds will remain unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāma, |
We will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā, |
We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantarā. |
and no secret hate. |
Tañca puggalaṃ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, |
We will meditate spreading a heart of friendly-kindness to that person. |
tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ mettāsahagatena cittena vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti. |
And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart full of friendly-kindness to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of vengeful-animosity and ill will.’ |
Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya kudālapiṭakaṃ ādāya. |
Suppose a person was to come along carrying a spade and basket |
So evaṃ vadeyya: |
and say: |
‘ahaṃ imaṃ mahāpathaviṃ apathaviṃ karissāmī’ti. |
‘I shall make this great earth be without earth!’ |
So tatra tatra vikhaṇeyya, tatra tatra vikireyya, tatra tatra oṭṭhubheyya, tatra tatra omutteyya: |
And they’d dig all over, scatter all over, spit all over, and urinate all over, saying: |
‘apathavī bhavasi, apathavī bhavasī’ti. |
‘Be without earth! Be without earth!’ |
Taṃ kiṃ maññatha, bhikkhave, |
What do you think, monks? |
api nu so puriso imaṃ mahāpathaviṃ apathaviṃ kareyyā”ti? |
Could that person make this great earth be without earth?” |
“No hetaṃ, bhante”. |
“No, sir. |
“Taṃ kissa hetu”? |
Why is that? |
“Ayañhi, bhante, mahāpathavī gambhīrā appameyyā. |
Because this great earth is deep and limitless. |
Sā na sukarā apathavī kātuṃ; |
It’s not easy to make it be without earth. |
yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti. |
That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.” |
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ— |
“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you. |
kālena vā akālena vā; |
Their speech may be timely or untimely, |
bhūtena vā abhūtena vā; |
true or false, |
saṇhena vā pharusena vā; |
gentle or harsh, |
atthasaṃhitena vā anatthasaṃhitena vā; |
beneficial or harmful, |
mettacittā vā dosantarā vā. |
from a heart of friendly-kindness or from secret hate. |
Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ akālena vā; |
When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways. |
bhūtena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ abhūtena vā; |
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saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ pharusena vā; |
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atthasaṃhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ anatthasaṃhitena vā; |
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mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ dosantarā vā. |
Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva no cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘Our minds will remain unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāma, |
We will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā, |
We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantarā. |
and no secret hate. |
Tañca puggalaṃ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, |
We will meditate spreading a heart of friendly-kindness to that person. |
tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ mettāsahagatena cittena vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti. |
And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart full of friendly-kindness to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of vengeful-animosity and ill will.’ |
Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya lākhaṃ vā haliddiṃ vā nīlaṃ vā mañjiṭṭhaṃ vā ādāya. |
Suppose a person was to come along with dye such as red lac, turmeric, indigo, or rose madder, |
So evaṃ vadeyya: |
and say: |
‘ahaṃ imasmiṃ ākāse rūpaṃ likhissāmi, rūpapātubhāvaṃ karissāmī’ti. |
‘I shall draw pictures on the sky, making pictures appear there.’ |
Taṃ kiṃ maññatha, bhikkhave, |
What do you think, monks? |
api nu so puriso imasmiṃ ākāse rūpaṃ likheyya, rūpapātubhāvaṃ kareyyā”ti? |
Could that person draw pictures on the sky?” |
“No hetaṃ, bhante”. |
“No, sir. |
“Taṃ kissa hetu”? |
Why is that? |
“Ayañhi, bhante, ākāso arūpī anidassano. |
Because the sky is formless and invisible. |
Tattha na sukaraṃ rūpaṃ likhituṃ, rūpapātubhāvaṃ kātuṃ; |
It’s not easy to draw pictures there. |
yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti. |
That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.” |
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ kālena vā akālena vā … pe … |
“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you … |
tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ ākāsasamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti. |
… |
Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
… |
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya ādittaṃ tiṇukkaṃ ādāya. |
Suppose a person was to come along carrying a blazing grass torch, |
So evaṃ vadeyya: |
and say: |
‘ahaṃ imāya ādittāya tiṇukkāya gaṅgaṃ nadiṃ santāpessāmi samparitāpessāmī’ti. |
‘I shall burn and scorch the river Ganges with this blazing grass torch.’ |
Taṃ kiṃ maññatha, bhikkhave, |
What do you think, monks? |
api nu so puriso ādittāya tiṇukkāya gaṅgaṃ nadiṃ santāpeyya samparitāpeyyā”ti? |
Could that person burn and scorch the river Ganges with a blazing grass torch?” |
“No hetaṃ, bhante”. |
“No, sir. |
“Taṃ kissa hetu”? |
Why is that? |
“Gaṅgā hi, bhante, nadī gambhīrā appameyyā. |
Because the river Ganges is deep and limitless. |
Sā na sukarā ādittāya tiṇukkāya santāpetuṃ samparitāpetuṃ; |
It’s not easy to burn and scorch it with a blazing grass torch. |
yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti. |
That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.” |
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ kālena vā akālena vā … pe … |
“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you … |
tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ ākāsasamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti. |
… |
Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
… |
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, biḷārabhastā madditā sumadditā suparimadditā, mudukā tūlinī chinnasassarā chinnabhabbharā. |
Suppose there was a catskin bag that was rubbed, well-rubbed, very well-rubbed, soft, silky, rid of rustling and crackling. |
Atha puriso āgaccheyya kaṭṭhaṃ vā kathalaṃ vā ādāya. |
Then a person comes along carrying a stick or a stone, |
So evaṃ vadeyya: |
and says: |
‘ahaṃ imaṃ biḷārabhastaṃ madditaṃ sumadditaṃ suparimadditaṃ, mudukaṃ tūliniṃ, chinnasassaraṃ chinnabhabbharaṃ kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṃ karissāmi bharabharaṃ karissāmī’ti. |
‘I shall make this soft catskin bag rustle and crackle with this stick or stone.’ |
Taṃ kiṃ maññatha, bhikkhave, |
What do you think, monks? |
api nu so puriso amuṃ biḷārabhastaṃ madditaṃ sumadditaṃ suparimadditaṃ, mudukaṃ tūliniṃ, chinnasassaraṃ chinnabhabbharaṃ kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṃ kareyya, bharabharaṃ kareyyā”ti? |
Could that person make that soft catskin bag rustle and crackle with that stick or stone?” |
“No hetaṃ, bhante”. |
“No, sir. |
“Taṃ kissa hetu”? |
Why is that? |
“Amu hi, bhante, biḷārabhastā madditā sumadditā suparimadditā, mudukā tūlinī, chinnasassarā chinnabhabbharā. |
Because that catskin bag is rubbed, well-rubbed, very well-rubbed, soft, silky, rid of rustling and crackling. |
Sā na sukarā kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṃ kātuṃ bharabharaṃ kātuṃ; |
It’s not easy to make it rustle or crackle with a stick or stone. |
yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti. |
That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.” |
“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ— |
“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you. |
kālena vā akālena vā; |
Their speech may be timely or untimely, |
bhūtena vā abhūtena vā; |
true or false, |
saṇhena vā pharusena vā; |
gentle or harsh, |
atthasaṃhitena vā anatthasaṃhitena vā; |
beneficial or harmful, |
mettacittā vā dosantarā vā. |
from a heart of friendly-kindness or from secret hate. |
Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ akālena vā; |
When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways. |
bhūtena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ abhūtena vā; |
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saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ pharusena vā; |
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atthasaṃhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ anatthasaṃhitena vā; |
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mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṃ dosantarā vā. |
Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva no cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘Our minds will remain unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāma, |
We will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā, |
We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantarā. |
and no secret hate. |
Tañca puggalaṃ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, |
We will meditate spreading a heart of friendly-kindness to that person. |
tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ mettāsahagatena cittena vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti. |
And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart full of friendly-kindness to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of vengeful-animosity and ill will.’ |
Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Ubhatodaṇḍakena cepi, bhikkhave, kakacena corā ocarakā aṅgamaṅgāni okanteyyuṃ, |
Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb, |
tatrāpi yo mano padūseyya, |
anyone who had a malevolent thought on that account |
na me so tena sāsanakaro. |
would not be following my instructions. |
Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṃ sikkhitabbaṃ: |
If that happens, you should train like this: |
‘na ceva no cittaṃ vipariṇataṃ bhavissati, |
‘Our minds will remain unaffected. |
na ca pāpikaṃ vācaṃ nicchāressāma, |
We will blurt out no bad words. |
hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā, |
We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of friendly-kindness |
na dosantarā. |
and no secret hate. |
Tañca puggalaṃ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, |
We will meditate spreading a heart of friendly-kindness to that person. |
tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṃ lokaṃ mettāsahagatena cittena vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti. |
And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart full of friendly-kindness to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of vengeful-animosity and ill will.’ |
Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṃ. |
That’s how you should train. |
Imañca tumhe, bhikkhave, kakacūpamaṃ ovādaṃ abhikkhaṇaṃ manasi kareyyātha. |
If you frequently reflect on this advice—the simile of the saw— |
Passatha no tumhe, bhikkhave, taṃ vacanapathaṃ, aṇuṃ vā thūlaṃ vā, yaṃ tumhe nādhivāseyyāthā”ti? |
do you see any criticism, large or small, that you could not endure?” |
“No hetaṃ, bhante”. |
“No, sir.” |
“Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, imaṃ kakacūpamaṃ ovādaṃ abhikkhaṇaṃ manasikarotha. |
“So, monks, you should frequently reflect on this advice, the simile of the saw. |
Taṃ vo bhavissati dīgharattaṃ hitāya sukhāyā”ti. |
This will be for your lasting welfare and happiness.” |
Idamavoca bhagavā. |
That is what the Buddha said. |
Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṃ abhinandunti. |
Satisfied, the monks were happy with what the Buddha said. |