Kinh Tevijja (Tam Minh)

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi yena manasākaṭaṁ nāma kosalānaṁ brāhmaṇagāmo tadavasari.

Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā manasākaṭe viharati uttarena manasākaṭassa aciravatiyā nadiyā tīre ambavane.

Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā manasākaṭe paṭivasanti, seyyathidaṁ—

caṅkī brāhmaṇo tārukkho brāhmaṇo pokkharasāti brāhmaṇo jāṇusoṇi brāhmaṇo todeyyo brāhmaṇo aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā brāhmaṇamahāsālā.

Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājānaṁ māṇavānaṁ jaṅghavihāraṁ anucaṅkamantānaṁ anuvicarantānaṁ maggāmagge kathā udapādi.

Atha kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo evamāha:

“ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāya, yvāyaṁ akkhāto brāhmaṇena pokkharasātinā”ti.

Bhāradvājopi māṇavo evamāha:

“ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko, niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāya, yvāyaṁ akkhāto brāhmaṇena tārukkhenā”ti.

Neva kho asakkhi vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ, na pana asakkhi bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhaṁ māṇavaṁ saññāpetuṁ.

Atha kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhāradvājaṁ māṇavaṁ āmantesi:

“ayaṁ kho, bhāradvāja, samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito manasākaṭe viharati uttarena manasākaṭassa aciravatiyā nadiyā tīre ambavane.

Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:

‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.

Āyāma, bho bhāradvāja, yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkamissāma; upasaṅkamitvā etamatthaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ pucchissāma.

Yathā no samaṇo gotamo byākarissati, tathā naṁ dhāressāmā”ti.

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho bhāradvājo māṇavo vāseṭṭhassa māṇavassa paccassosi.

1. Maggāmaggakathā

Atha kho vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“idha, bho gotama, amhākaṁ jaṅghavihāraṁ anucaṅkamantānaṁ anuvicarantānaṁ maggāmagge kathā udapādi.

Ahaṁ evaṁ vadāmi:

‘ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāya, yvāyaṁ akkhāto brāhmaṇena pokkharasātinā’ti.

Bhāradvājo māṇavo evamāha:

‘ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāya, yvāyaṁ akkhāto brāhmaṇena tārukkhenā’ti.

Ettha, bho gotama, attheva viggaho, atthi vivādo, atthi nānāvādo”ti.

“Iti kira, vāseṭṭha, tvaṁ evaṁ vadesi:

‘ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāya, yvāyaṁ akkhāto brāhmaṇena pokkharasātinā’ti.

Bhāradvājo māṇavo evamāha:

‘ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāya, yvāyaṁ akkhāto brāhmaṇena tārukkhenā’ti.

Atha kismiṁ pana vo, vāseṭṭha, viggaho, kismiṁ vivādo, kismiṁ nānāvādo”ti?

“Maggāmagge, bho gotama.

Kiñcāpi, bho gotama, brāhmaṇā nānāmagge paññāpenti, addhariyā brāhmaṇā tittiriyā brāhmaṇā chandokā brāhmaṇā bavhārijjhā brāhmaṇā, atha kho sabbāni tāni niyyānikā niyyanti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāya.

Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, gāmassa vā nigamassa vā avidūre bahūni cepi nānāmaggāni bhavanti, atha kho sabbāni tāni gāmasamosaraṇāni bhavanti;

evameva kho, bho gotama, kiñcāpi brāhmaṇā nānāmagge paññāpenti, addhariyā brāhmaṇā tittiriyā brāhmaṇā chandokā brāhmaṇā bavhārijjhā brāhmaṇā, atha kho sabbāni tāni niyyānikā niyyanti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyā”ti.

2. Vāseṭṭhamāṇavānuyoga

“Niyyantīti, vāseṭṭha vadesi”?

“Niyyantīti, bho gotama, vadāmi”.

“Niyyantīti, vāseṭṭha, vadesi”?

“Niyyantīti, bho gotama, vadāmi”.

“Niyyantīti, vāseṭṭha, vadesi”?

“Niyyantīti, bho gotama, vadāmi”.

“Kiṁ pana, vāseṭṭha, atthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ekabrāhmaṇopi, yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Kiṁ pana, vāseṭṭha, atthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ekācariyopi, yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Kiṁ pana, vāseṭṭha, atthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ekācariyapācariyopi, yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Kiṁ pana, vāseṭṭha, atthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ yāva sattamā ācariyāmahayugā yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Kiṁ pana, vāseṭṭha, yepi tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ pubbakā isayo mantānaṁ kattāro mantānaṁ pavattāro, yesamidaṁ etarahi tevijjā brāhmaṇā porāṇaṁ mantapadaṁ gītaṁ pavuttaṁ samihitaṁ, tadanugāyanti, tadanubhāsanti, bhāsitamanubhāsanti, vācitamanuvācenti, seyyathidaṁ—aṭṭhako vāmako vāmadevo vessāmitto yamataggi aṅgīraso bhāradvājo vāseṭṭho kassapo bhagu.

Tepi evamāhaṁsu:

‘mayametaṁ jānāma, mayametaṁ passāma, yattha vā brahmā, yena vā brahmā, yahiṁ vā brahmā’”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Iti kira, vāseṭṭha, natthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ekabrāhmaṇopi, yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Natthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ekācariyopi, yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Natthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ekācariyapācariyopi, yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Natthi koci tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ yāva sattamā ācariyāmahayugā yena brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Yepi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ pubbakā isayo mantānaṁ kattāro mantānaṁ pavattāro, yesamidaṁ etarahi tevijjā brāhmaṇā porāṇaṁ mantapadaṁ gītaṁ pavuttaṁ samihitaṁ, tadanugāyanti, tadanubhāsanti, bhāsitamanubhāsanti, vācitamanuvācenti, seyyathidaṁ—aṭṭhako vāmako vāmadevo vessāmitto yamataggi aṅgīraso bhāradvājo vāseṭṭho kassapo bhagu, tepi na evamāhaṁsu:

‘mayametaṁ jānāma, mayametaṁ passāma, yattha vā brahmā, yena vā brahmā, yahiṁ vā brahmā’ti.

Teva tevijjā brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

‘yaṁ na jānāma, yaṁ na passāma, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desema.

Ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko, niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyā’ti.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

nanu evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti?

“Addhā kho, bho gotama, evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, te vata, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā yaṁ na jānanti, yaṁ na passanti, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desessanti. ‘Ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko, niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyā’ti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, andhaveṇi paramparasaṁsattā purimopi na passati, majjhimopi na passati, pacchimopi na passati;

evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, andhaveṇūpamaṁ maññe tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ bhāsitaṁ, purimopi na passati, majjhimopi na passati, pacchimopi na passati.

Tesamidaṁ tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ bhāsitaṁ hassakaññeva sampajjati, nāmakaññeva sampajjati, rittakaññeva sampajjati, tucchakaññeva sampajjati.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

passanti tevijjā brāhmaṇā candimasūriye, aññe cāpi bahujanā, yato ca candimasūriyā uggacchanti, yattha ca ogacchanti, āyācanti thomayanti pañjalikā namassamānā anuparivattantī”ti?

“Evaṁ, bho gotama, passanti tevijjā brāhmaṇā candimasūriye, aññe cāpi bahujanā, yato ca candimasūriyā uggacchanti, yattha ca ogacchanti, āyācanti thomayanti pañjalikā namassamānā anuparivattantī”ti.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

yaṁ passanti tevijjā brāhmaṇā candimasūriye, aññe cāpi bahujanā, yato ca candimasūriyā uggacchanti, yattha ca ogacchanti, āyācanti thomayanti pañjalikā namassamānā anuparivattanti, pahonti tevijjā brāhmaṇā candimasūriyānaṁ sahabyatāya maggaṁ desetuṁ:

‘ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko, niyyāti takkarassa candimasūriyānaṁ sahabyatāyā’”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Iti kira, vāseṭṭha, yaṁ passanti tevijjā brāhmaṇā candimasūriye, aññe cāpi bahujanā, yato ca candimasūriyā uggacchanti, yattha ca ogacchanti, āyācanti thomayanti pañjalikā namassamānā anuparivattanti, tesampi nappahonti candimasūriyānaṁ sahabyatāya maggaṁ desetuṁ:

‘ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko, niyyāti takkarassa candimasūriyānaṁ sahabyatāyā’ti.

Iti pana na kira tevijjehi brāhmaṇehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ācariyehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ācariyapācariyehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ yāva sattamā ācariyāmahayugehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Yepi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ pubbakā isayo mantānaṁ kattāro mantānaṁ pavattāro, yesamidaṁ etarahi tevijjā brāhmaṇā porāṇaṁ mantapadaṁ gītaṁ pavuttaṁ samihitaṁ, tadanugāyanti, tadanubhāsanti, bhāsitamanubhāsanti, vācitamanuvācenti, seyyathidaṁ—aṭṭhako vāmako vāmadevo vessāmitto yamataggi aṅgīraso bhāradvājo vāseṭṭho kassapo bhagu, tepi na evamāhaṁsu:

‘mayametaṁ jānāma, mayametaṁ passāma, yattha vā brahmā, yena vā brahmā, yahiṁ vā brahmā’ti.

Teva tevijjā brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

‘yaṁ na jānāma, yaṁ na passāma, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desema—ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyā’ti.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

nanu evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti?

“Addhā kho, bho gotama, evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, te vata, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā yaṁ na jānanti, yaṁ na passanti, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desessanti: ‘ayameva ujumaggo, ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko, niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyā’ti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

2.1. Janapadakalyāṇīupamā

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, puriso evaṁ vadeyya:

‘ahaṁ yā imasmiṁ janapade janapadakalyāṇī, taṁ icchāmi, taṁ kāmemī’ti.

Tamenaṁ evaṁ vadeyyuṁ:

‘ambho purisa, yaṁ tvaṁ janapadakalyāṇiṁ icchasi kāmesi, jānāsi taṁ janapadakalyāṇiṁ—

khattiyī vā brāhmaṇī vā vessī vā suddī vā’ti?

Iti puṭṭho ‘no’ti vadeyya.

Tamenaṁ evaṁ vadeyyuṁ:

‘ambho purisa, yaṁ tvaṁ janapadakalyāṇiṁ icchasi kāmesi, jānāsi taṁ janapadakalyāṇiṁ—evaṁnāmā evaṅgottāti vā, dīghā vā rassā vā majjhimā vā kāḷī vā sāmā vā maṅguracchavī vāti, amukasmiṁ gāme vā nigame vā nagare vā’ti?

Iti puṭṭho ‘no’ti vadeyya.

Tamenaṁ evaṁ vadeyyuṁ:

‘ambho purisa, yaṁ tvaṁ na jānāsi na passasi, taṁ tvaṁ icchasi kāmesī’ti?

Iti puṭṭho ‘āmā’ti vadeyya.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

nanu evaṁ sante tassa purisassa appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti?

“Addhā kho, bho gotama, evaṁ sante tassa purisassa appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti.

“Evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, na kira tevijjehi brāhmaṇehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho, napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ācariyehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho, napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ācariyapācariyehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ yāva sattamā ācariyāmahayugehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Yepi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ pubbakā isayo mantānaṁ kattāro mantānaṁ pavattāro, yesamidaṁ etarahi tevijjā brāhmaṇā porāṇaṁ mantapadaṁ gītaṁ pavuttaṁ samihitaṁ, tadanugāyanti, tadanubhāsanti, bhāsitamanubhāsanti, vācitamanuvācenti, seyyathidaṁ—aṭṭhako vāmako vāmadevo vessāmitto yamataggi aṅgīraso bhāradvājo vāseṭṭho kassapo bhagu, tepi na evamāhaṁsu:

‘mayametaṁ jānāma, mayametaṁ passāma, yattha vā brahmā, yena vā brahmā, yahiṁ vā brahmā’ti.

Teva tevijjā brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

‘yaṁ na jānāma, yaṁ na passāma, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desema—ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyā’ti.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha, nanu evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti?

“Addhā kho, bho gotama, evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, te vata, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā yaṁ na jānanti, yaṁ na passanti, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desessanti—ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyāti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

2.2. Nisseṇīupamā

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, puriso cātumahāpathe nisseṇiṁ kareyya pāsādassa ārohaṇāya.

Tamenaṁ evaṁ vadeyyuṁ:

‘ambho purisa, yassa tvaṁ pāsādassa ārohaṇāya nisseṇiṁ karosi, jānāsi taṁ pāsādaṁ—puratthimāya vā disāya dakkhiṇāya vā disāya pacchimāya vā disāya uttarāya vā disāya ucco vā nīco vā majjhimo vā’ti?

Iti puṭṭho ‘no’ti vadeyya.

Tamenaṁ evaṁ vadeyyuṁ:

‘ambho purisa, yaṁ tvaṁ na jānāsi, na passasi, tassa tvaṁ pāsādassa ārohaṇāya nisseṇiṁ karosī’ti?

Iti puṭṭho ‘āmā’ti vadeyya.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

nanu evaṁ sante tassa purisassa appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti?

“Addhā kho, bho gotama, evaṁ sante tassa purisassa appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti.

“Evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, na kira tevijjehi brāhmaṇehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho, napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ācariyehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho, napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ ācariyapācariyehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho, napi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ yāva sattamā ācariyāmahayugehi brahmā sakkhidiṭṭho.

Yepi kira tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ pubbakā isayo mantānaṁ kattāro mantānaṁ pavattāro, yesamidaṁ etarahi tevijjā brāhmaṇā porāṇaṁ mantapadaṁ gītaṁ pavuttaṁ samihitaṁ, tadanugāyanti, tadanubhāsanti, bhāsitamanubhāsanti, vācitamanuvācenti, seyyathidaṁ—aṭṭhako vāmako vāmadevo vessāmitto yamataggi aṅgīraso bhāradvājo vāseṭṭho kassapo bhagu, tepi na evamāhaṁsu—

mayametaṁ jānāma, mayametaṁ passāma, yattha vā brahmā, yena vā brahmā, yahiṁ vā brahmāti.

Teva tevijjā brāhmaṇā evamāhaṁsu:

‘yaṁ na jānāma, yaṁ na passāma, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desema, ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyā’ti.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha, nanu evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti?

“Addhā kho, bho gotama, evaṁ sante tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ appāṭihīrakataṁ bhāsitaṁ sampajjatī”ti.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, te vata, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā yaṁ na jānanti, yaṁ na passanti, tassa sahabyatāya maggaṁ desessanti. Ayameva ujumaggo ayamañjasāyano niyyāniko niyyāti takkarassa brahmasahabyatāyāti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

2.3. Aciravatīnadīupamā

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, ayaṁ aciravatī nadī pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.

Atha puriso āgaccheyya pāratthiko pāragavesī pāragāmī pāraṁ taritukāmo.

So orime tīre ṭhito pārimaṁ tīraṁ avheyya:

‘ehi pārāpāraṁ, ehi pārāpāran’ti.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

api nu tassa purisassa avhāyanahetu vā āyācanahetu vā patthanahetu vā abhinandanahetu vā aciravatiyā nadiyā pārimaṁ tīraṁ orimaṁ tīraṁ āgaccheyyā”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā ye dhammā brāhmaṇakārakā te dhamme pahāya vattamānā, ye dhammā abrāhmaṇakārakā te dhamme samādāya vattamānā evamāhaṁsu:

‘indamavhayāma, somamavhayāma, varuṇamavhayāma, īsānamavhayāma, pajāpatimavhayāma, brahmamavhayāma, mahiddhimavhayāma, yamamavhayāmā’ti.

Te vata, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā ye dhammā brāhmaṇakārakā te dhamme pahāya vattamānā, ye dhammā abrāhmaṇakārakā te dhamme samādāya vattamānā avhāyanahetu vā āyācanahetu vā patthanahetu vā abhinandanahetu vā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmānaṁ sahabyūpagā bhavissantīti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, ayaṁ aciravatī nadī pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.

Atha puriso āgaccheyya pāratthiko pāragavesī pāragāmī pāraṁ taritukāmo.

So orime tīre daḷhāya anduyā pacchābāhaṁ gāḷhabandhanaṁ baddho.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

api nu so puriso aciravatiyā nadiyā orimā tīrā pārimaṁ tīraṁ gaccheyyā”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, pañcime kāmaguṇā ariyassa vinaye andūtipi vuccanti, bandhanantipi vuccanti.

Katame pañca?

Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

Sotaviññeyyā saddā …pe…

ghānaviññeyyā gandhā …

jivhāviññeyyā rasā …

kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

Ime kho, vāseṭṭha, pañca kāmaguṇā ariyassa vinaye andūtipi vuccanti, bandhanantipi vuccanti.

Ime kho, vāseṭṭha, pañca kāmaguṇe tevijjā brāhmaṇā gadhitā mucchitā ajjhopannā anādīnavadassāvino anissaraṇapaññā paribhuñjanti.

Te vata, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā ye dhammā brāhmaṇakārakā, te dhamme pahāya vattamānā, ye dhammā abrāhmaṇakārakā, te dhamme samādāya vattamānā pañca kāmaguṇe gadhitā mucchitā ajjhopannā anādīnavadassāvino anissaraṇapaññā paribhuñjantā kāmandubandhanabaddhā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmānaṁ sahabyūpagā bhavissantīti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, ayaṁ aciravatī nadī pūrā udakassa samatittikā kākapeyyā.

Atha puriso āgaccheyya pāratthiko pāragavesī pāragāmī pāraṁ taritukāmo.

So orime tīre sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nipajjeyya.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

api nu so puriso aciravatiyā nadiyā orimā tīrā pārimaṁ tīraṁ gaccheyyā”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, pañcime nīvaraṇā ariyassa vinaye āvaraṇātipi vuccanti, nīvaraṇātipi vuccanti, onāhanātipi vuccanti, pariyonāhanātipi vuccanti.

Katame pañca?

Kāmacchandanīvaraṇaṁ, byāpādanīvaraṇaṁ, thinamiddhanīvaraṇaṁ, uddhaccakukkuccanīvaraṇaṁ, vicikicchānīvaraṇaṁ.

Ime kho, vāseṭṭha, pañca nīvaraṇā ariyassa vinaye āvaraṇātipi vuccanti, nīvaraṇātipi vuccanti, onāhanātipi vuccanti, pariyonāhanātipi vuccanti.

Imehi kho, vāseṭṭha, pañcahi nīvaraṇehi tevijjā brāhmaṇā āvuṭā nivutā onaddhā pariyonaddhā.

Te vata, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā ye dhammā brāhmaṇakārakā te dhamme pahāya vattamānā, ye dhammā abrāhmaṇakārakā te dhamme samādāya vattamānā pañcahi nīvaraṇehi āvuṭā nivutā onaddhā pariyonaddhā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmānaṁ sahabyūpagā bhavissantīti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

3. Saṁsandanakathā

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

kinti te sutaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vuddhānaṁ mahallakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ, sapariggaho vā brahmā apariggaho vā”ti?

“Apariggaho, bho gotama”.

“Saveracitto vā averacitto vā”ti?

“Averacitto, bho gotama”.

“Sabyāpajjacitto vā abyāpajjacitto vā”ti?

“Abyāpajjacitto, bho gotama”.

“Saṅkiliṭṭhacitto vā asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto vā”ti?

“Asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto, bho gotama”.

“Vasavattī vā avasavattī vā”ti?

“Vasavattī, bho gotama”.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

sapariggahā vā tevijjā brāhmaṇā apariggahā vā”ti?

“Sapariggahā, bho gotama”.

“Saveracittā vā averacittā vā”ti?

“Saveracittā, bho gotama”.

“Sabyāpajjacittā vā abyāpajjacittā vā”ti?

“Sabyāpajjacittā, bho gotama”.

“Saṅkiliṭṭhacittā vā asaṅkiliṭṭhacittā vā”ti?

“Saṅkiliṭṭhacittā, bho gotama”.

“Vasavattī vā avasavattī vā”ti?

“Avasavattī, bho gotama”.

“Iti kira, vāseṭṭha, sapariggahā tevijjā brāhmaṇā apariggaho brahmā.

Api nu kho sapariggahānaṁ tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ apariggahena brahmunā saddhiṁ saṁsandati sametī”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, te vata, vāseṭṭha, sapariggahā tevijjā brāhmaṇā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apariggahassa brahmuno sahabyūpagā bhavissantīti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Iti kira, vāseṭṭha, saveracittā tevijjā brāhmaṇā, averacitto brahmā …pe…

sabyāpajjacittā tevijjā brāhmaṇā abyāpajjacitto brahmā …

saṅkiliṭṭhacittā tevijjā brāhmaṇā asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto brahmā …

avasavattī tevijjā brāhmaṇā vasavattī brahmā, api nu kho avasavattīnaṁ tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ vasavattinā brahmunā saddhiṁ saṁsandati sametī”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, te vata, vāseṭṭha, avasavattī tevijjā brāhmaṇā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā vasavattissa brahmuno sahabyūpagā bhavissantīti, netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Idha kho pana te, vāseṭṭha, tevijjā brāhmaṇā āsīditvā saṁsīdanti, saṁsīditvā visāraṁ pāpuṇanti, sukkhataraṁ maññe taranti.

Tasmā idaṁ tevijjānaṁ brāhmaṇānaṁ tevijjāiriṇantipi vuccati, tevijjāvivanantipi vuccati, tevijjābyasanantipi vuccatī”ti.

Evaṁ vutte, vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“sutaṁ metaṁ, bho gotama, samaṇo gotamo brahmānaṁ sahabyatāya maggaṁ jānātī”ti.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha.

Āsanne ito manasākaṭaṁ, na ito dūre manasākaṭan”ti?

“Evaṁ, bho gotama, āsanne ito manasākaṭaṁ, na ito dūre manasākaṭan”ti.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

idhassa puriso manasākaṭe jātasaṁvaddho.

Tamenaṁ manasākaṭato tāvadeva avasaṭaṁ manasākaṭassa maggaṁ puccheyyuṁ.

Siyā nu kho, vāseṭṭha, tassa purisassa manasākaṭe jātasaṁvaddhassa manasākaṭassa maggaṁ puṭṭhassa dandhāyitattaṁ vā vitthāyitattaṁ vā”ti?

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?

“Amu hi, bho gotama, puriso manasākaṭe jātasaṁvaddho, tassa sabbāneva manasākaṭassa maggāni suviditānī”ti.

“Siyā kho, vāseṭṭha, tassa purisassa manasākaṭe jātasaṁvaddhassa manasākaṭassa maggaṁ puṭṭhassa dandhāyitattaṁ vā vitthāyitattaṁ vā, na tveva tathāgatassa brahmaloke vā brahmalokagāminiyā vā paṭipadāya puṭṭhassa dandhāyitattaṁ vā vitthāyitattaṁ vā.

Brahmānañcāhaṁ, vāseṭṭha, pajānāmi brahmalokañca brahmalokagāminiñca paṭipadaṁ, yathā paṭipanno ca brahmalokaṁ upapanno, tañca pajānāmī”ti.

Evaṁ vutte, vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“sutaṁ metaṁ, bho gotama, samaṇo gotamo brahmānaṁ sahabyatāya maggaṁ desetī”ti.

“Sādhu no bhavaṁ gotamo brahmānaṁ sahabyatāya maggaṁ desetu ullumpatu bhavaṁ gotamo brāhmaṇiṁ pajan”ti.

“Tena hi, vāseṭṭha, suṇāhi; sādhukaṁ manasi karohi; bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho vāseṭṭho māṇavo bhagavato paccassosi.

4. Brahmalokamaggadesanā

Bhagavā etadavoca:

“idha, vāseṭṭha, tathāgato loke uppajjati arahaṁ, sammāsambuddho …pe…

Evaṁ kho, vāseṭṭha, bhikkhu sīlasampanno hoti …pe…

tassime pañca nīvaraṇe pahīne attani samanupassato pāmojjaṁ jāyati, pamuditassa pīti jāyati, pītimanassa kāyo passambhati, passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vedeti, sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati.

So mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati. Tathā dutiyaṁ. Tathā tatiyaṁ. Tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati.

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, balavā saṅkhadhamo appakasireneva catuddisā viññāpeyya;

evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, evaṁ bhāvitāya mettāya cetovimuttiyā yaṁ pamāṇakataṁ kammaṁ na taṁ tatrāvasissati, na taṁ tatrāvatiṭṭhati.

Ayampi kho, vāseṭṭha, brahmānaṁ sahabyatāya maggo.

Puna caparaṁ, vāseṭṭha, bhikkhu karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe…

muditāsahagatena cetasā …pe…

upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati. Tathā dutiyaṁ. Tathā tatiyaṁ. Tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati.

Seyyathāpi, vāseṭṭha, balavā saṅkhadhamo appakasireneva catuddisā viññāpeyya;

evameva kho, vāseṭṭha, evaṁ bhāvitāya upekkhāya cetovimuttiyā yaṁ pamāṇakataṁ kammaṁ na taṁ tatrāvasissati, na taṁ tatrāvatiṭṭhati.

Ayampi kho, vāseṭṭha, brahmānaṁ sahabyatāya maggo.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vāseṭṭha,

evaṁvihārī bhikkhu sapariggaho vā apariggaho vā”ti?

“Apariggaho, bho gotama”.

“Saveracitto vā averacitto vā”ti?

“Averacitto, bho gotama”.

“Sabyāpajjacitto vā abyāpajjacitto vā”ti?

“Abyāpajjacitto, bho gotama”.

“Saṅkiliṭṭhacitto vā asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto vā”ti?

“Asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto, bho gotama”.

“Vasavattī vā avasavattī vā”ti?

“Vasavattī, bho gotama”.

“Iti kira, vāseṭṭha, apariggaho bhikkhu, apariggaho brahmā.

Api nu kho apariggahassa bhikkhuno apariggahena brahmunā saddhiṁ saṁsandati sametī”ti?

“Evaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, so vata vāseṭṭha apariggaho bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apariggahassa brahmuno sahabyūpago bhavissatīti, ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

Iti kira, vāseṭṭha, averacitto bhikkhu, averacitto brahmā …pe…

abyāpajjacitto bhikkhu, abyāpajjacitto brahmā …

asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto bhikkhu, asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto brahmā …

vasavattī bhikkhu, vasavattī brahmā, api nu kho vasavattissa bhikkhuno vasavattinā brahmunā saddhiṁ saṁsandati sametī”ti?

“Evaṁ, bho gotama”.

“Sādhu, vāseṭṭha, so vata, vāseṭṭha, vasavattī bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā vasavattissa brahmuno sahabyūpago bhavissatīti, ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī”ti.

Evaṁ vutte, vāseṭṭhabhāradvājā māṇavā bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.

Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.

Ete mayaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma, dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.

Upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupete saraṇaṁ gate”ti.

Tevijjasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ terasamaṁ.

Sīlakkhandhavaggo niṭṭhito.

Tassuddānaṁ

Brahmāsāmaññaambaṭṭha,

Soṇakūṭamahālijālinī;

Sīhapoṭṭhapādasubho kevaṭṭo,

Lohiccatevijjā terasāti.

Sīlakkhandhavaggapāḷi niṭṭhitā.

PTS cs 1 PTS vp Pali 1.235 PTS vp En 300 Thus have I heard. When the Exalted One was once journeying through Kosala with a great company of the brethren, with about five hundred brethren, he came to the Brahman village in Kosala which is called Manasākaṭa. And there at Manasākaṭa the Exalted One stayed in the mango grove, on the bank of the river Aciravatī, to the north of Manasākaṭa.

PTS cs 2 Now at that time many very distinguished and wealthy Brahmans were staying at Manasākaṭa; to wit, Cankī the Brahman, Tārukkha the Brahman, Pokkharasādi the Brahman, Jāṇussoṇi the Brahman, Todeyya the Brahman, and other very distinguished and wealthy Brahmans.

PTS cs 3 PTS vp En 301 Now a conversation sprung up between Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja, when they were taking exercise (after their bath) and walking up and down in thoughtful mood, as to which was the true path, and which the false.’

PTS cs 4 The young Brahman Vāseṭṭha spake 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 announced by the Brahman Pokkharasādi.’

PTS cs 5 The young Brahman Bhāradvāja spake 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. PTS vp Pali 1.236 I mean that which has been announced by the Brahman Tārukkha.’

PTS cs 6 But neither was the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha able to convince the young Brahman Bhāradvāja, nor was the young Brahman Bhāradvāja able to convince the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha.

PTS cs 7 Then the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha said to the young Brahman 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 noised 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.”

PTS vp En 302 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 unto us, that let us bear in mind.’

‘Very well, my friend!’ said the young Brahman Bhāradvāja, in assent, to the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha.

PTS cs 8 Then the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha and the young Brahman Bhāradvāja went on to the place where the Exalted One was.

And when they had come there, they exchanged with the Exalted One the greetings and compliments of politeness and courtesy, and sat down beside him. And while they were thus seated the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha said to the Exalted One:

‘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 announced by the Brahman 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 announced by the Brahman Tārukkha.”’

‘Regarding this matter, Gotama, there is a strife, a dispute, a difference of opinion between us.’ PTS vp Pali 1.237

PTS cs 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.

PTS vp En 303 I mean that which has been announced by the Brahman 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 announced by the Brahman Tārukkha.”’

‘Wherein, then, O Vāseṭṭha, is there a strife, a dispute, a difference of opinion between you?’

PTS cs 10 ‘Concerning the true path and the false, Gotama; various Brahmans, Gotama, teach various paths: the Addhariyā Brahmans, the Tittiriyā Brahmans, the Chandokā Brahmans [the Chandavā Brahmans], the Bavharijā Brahmans. 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 Brahmans—the Addhariyā Brahmans, the Tittiriyā Brahmans, the Chandokā Brahmans [the Chandavā Brahmans], the Bavharijā Brahmans. 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?’

PTS cs 11 ‘Do you say that they all lead aright, Vāseṭṭha?

‘I say so, Gotama.’

PTS vp En 304 ‘Do you really say that they all lead aright, Vāseṭṭha?’

‘So I say, Gotama.’ PTS vp Pali 1.238

PTS cs 12 ‘But yet, Vāseṭṭha, is there a single one of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas who has ever seen Brahmā face to face?’

‘No, indeed, Gotama.’

‘Or is there then, Vāseṭṭha, a single one of the teachers of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas who has seen Brahmā face to face?’

‘No, indeed, Gotama!’

‘Or is there then, Vāseṭṭha, a single one of the teachers of the teachers of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas who has seen Brahmā face to face?’

‘No, indeed, Gotama!’

‘Or is there then, Vāseṭṭha, a single one of the Brahmans up to the seventh generation who has seen Brahmā face to face?’

‘No, indeed, Gotama!’

PTS cs 13 ‘Well then, Vāseṭṭha, those ancient Rishis of the Brahmans 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 Brahmans 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, Aṅgirasa, Bhāradvāja, Vāsettha, Kassapa, and Bhagu—did even they speak thus, saying: “We know it, we have seen it, where Brahmā is, whence Brahmā is, whither Brahmā is?”’

‘Not so, Gotama!’

PTS cs 14 ‘Then you say, Vāseṭṭha, that none of the Brahmans, or of their teachers, or of their pupils, PTS vp Pali 1.239 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 Brahmans of to-day so carefully intone and recite precisely as they have PTS vp En 305 been handed down—even they did not pretend to know or to have seen where or whence or whither Brahmā is. So that the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas have forsooth said thus: “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!’”

‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Does it not follow, this being so, that the talk of the Brahmans, versed though they be in the Three Vedas, turns out to be foolish talk?’

‘In sooth, Gotama, that being so, it follows that the talk of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas is foolish talk!’

PTS cs 15 ‘Verily, Vāseṭṭha. that Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas should be able to show the way to a state of union with that which they do not know, neither have seen—such a condition of things can in no wise be!

‘Just, Vāseṭṭha, as when a string of blind men are clinging one to the other, neither can the foremost see, nor can the middle one see, nor can the hindmost see—just even so, methinks, Vāseṭṭha, is the talk of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas but blind talk: the first PTS vp Pali 1.240 sees not, the middle one sees not, nor can the latest see. The talk then of these PTS vp En 306 Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas turns out to be ridiculous) mere words, a vain and empty thing!’

PTS cs 16 ‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Can the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas—like other, ordinary, folk—see the Moon and the Sun as they pray to, and praise, and worship them, turning round with clasped hands towards the place whence they rise and where they set?’

‘Certainly, Gotama, they can.’

PTS cs 17 ‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? The Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas, who can very well—like other, ordinary, folk—see the Moon and the Sun as they pray to, and praise, and worship them, turning round with clasped hands to the place whence they rise and where they set—are those Brahmans, 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?”’

‘Certainly, not, Gotama!’

PTS cs 18 ‘So you say, Vāseṭṭha, that the Brahmans are not able to point out the way to union with that which they have seen, and you further say that neither any one of them, nor of their pupils, PTS vp Pali 1.241 nor of 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 whence, or whither Brahmā is. Yet these Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas say, forsooth, that they can point out the way to union with that which they know not, neither have seen. Now what PTS vp En 307 think you, Vāseṭṭha? Does it not follow that, this being so, the talk of the Brahmans, versed though they be in the Three Vedas, turns out to be foolish talk?’

‘In sooth, Gotama, that being so, it follows that the talk of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas is foolish talk!’

PTS cs 19 ‘Very good, Vāseṭṭha. Verily then, Vāseṭṭha, that Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas should be able to show the way to a state of union with that which they do not know, neither have seen—such a condition of things can in no wise be!’

‘Just, Vāseṭṭha, as if a man should say, “How I long for, how I love the most beautiful woman in this land!”

‘And people should ask him, “Well, good friend! This most beautiful woman in the land, whom you thus love and long for, do you know whether that beautiful woman is a noble lady or a Brahman woman, or of the trader class, or a Śūdra?”

‘But when so asked, he should answer: “No.”

‘And when people should ask him, “Well, good friend! This most beautiful woman in all the land, whom you so love and long for, do you know PTS vp Pali 1.242 what the name of that most beautiful woman is, or what is her family name, whether she be tall or short or of medium height, dark or brunette or golden in colour, or in what village or town or city she dwells?”

‘But when so asked, he should answer: “No.”

‘And then people should say to him, “So then, good friend, whom you know not, neither have seen, her do you love and long for?”

‘And then when so asked, he should answer: “Yes.”

‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Would it not turn out, that being so, that the talk of that man was foolish talk?’

‘In sooth, Gotama, it would turn out, that being so, that the talk of that man was foolish talk!’

PTS cs 20 PTS vp En 308 ‘And just even so, Vāseṭṭha, though you say that the Brahmans are not able to point out the way to union with that which they have seen, and you further say that neither any one of them, nor of their pupils, nor of 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 whence, or whither Brahmā is. Yet these Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas say, forsooth, that they can point out the way to union with that which they know not, neither have seen! Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Does it not follow that, this being so, the talk of the Brahmans, versed though they be in the Three Vedas, is foolish talk?’

‘In sooth, Gotama, that being so, it follows that the talk of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas is foolish talk!’

‘Very good, Vāseṭṭha. Verily then, Vāseṭṭha, that Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas PTS vp Pali 1.243 should be able to show the way to a state of union with that which they do not know, neither have seen—such a condition of things can in no wise be.’

PTS cs 21 ‘Just, Vāseṭṭha, as if a man should make a staircase in the place where four roads cross, to mount up into a mansion. 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, you are making a staircase to mount up into something—taking it for a mansion—which, all the while, you know not, neither have seen!”

‘And when so asked, he should answer: “Yes.”

‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Would it not PTS vp En 309 turn out, that being so, that the talk of that man was foolish talk?’

‘In sooth, Gotama, it would turn out, that being so, that the talk of that man was foolish talk!’

PTS cs 22 ‘And just even so, Vāseṭṭha, though you say that the Brahmans are not able to point out the way to union with that which they have seen, and you further say that neither any one of them, nor of their pupils, nor of 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 whence, or whither Brahmā is. Yet these Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas say, forsooth, that they can point out the way to union with that which they know not, neither have seen! Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Does it not follow that, this being so, the talk of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas is foolish talk?’

‘In sooth, Gotama, that being so, it follows that the talk of the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas is foolish talk!’

PTS cs 23 ‘Very good, Vāseṭṭha. Verily then, Vāseṭṭha, that Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas should be able to show the way to a state of union with that which they do not know, neither have seen—such a condition of things can in no wise be.’ PTS vp Pali 1.244

PTS cs 24 ‘Again, Vāseṭṭha, if this river Aciravatī were full of water even to the brim, and overflowing. 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!”

‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Would the further bank of the river Aciravatī, by reason of that man’s PTS vp En 310 invoking and praying and hoping and praising, come over to this side?’

‘Certainly not, Gotama!’

PTS cs 25 ‘In just the same way, Vāseṭṭha, do the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas—omitting the practice of those qualities which really make a man a Brahman, and adopting the practice of those qualities which really make men non-Brahmans—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!]” Verily, Vāseṭṭha, that those Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas, PTS vp Pali 1.245 but omitting the practice of those qualities which really make a man a Brahman, and adopting the practice of those qualities which really make men non-Brahmans—that they, by reason of their invoking and praying and hoping and praising, should, after death and when the body is dissolved, become united with Brahmā—verily such a condition of things can in no wise be!’

PTS cs 26 ‘Just, Vāseṭṭha, as if this river Aciravatī were full, even 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. Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha, would that man be able to get over from this bank of the river Aciravatī to the further bank?’

‘Certainly not, Gotama!’

PTS cs 27 ‘In the same way, Vāseṭṭha, there are five things PTS vp En 311 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 forms, that are accompanied by lust and cause delight. Sounds of the same kind perceptible to the ear. Odours of the same kind perceptible to the nose. Tastes of the same kind perceptible to the tongue. Substances of the same kind perceptible to the body by touch. 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, do the Brahmans 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.’

PTS cs 28 ‘And verily, Vāseṭṭha, that Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas, but omitting the practice of those qualities which really make a man a Brahman, and adopting the practice of those qualities which really make men non-Brahmans—PTS vp Pali 1.246 clinging to these five things predisposing to passion, infatuated by them, attached to them, seeing not their danger, knowing not their unreliability, and so enjoying them—that these Brahmans should after death, on the dissolution of the body, become united to Brahmā—such a condition of things can in no wise be!’

PTS cs 29 ‘Again, Vāseṭṭha, if this river Aciravatī were full of water even 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, even to his head, were to lie down, on this bank, to sleep.

‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha? Would that man PTS vp En 312 be able to get over from this bank of the river Aciravatī to the further bank?’

‘Certainly not, Gotama!’

PTS cs 30 ‘And in the same way, Vāseṭṭha, there are these Five Hindrances, 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 hindrance of worldly lusts, ‘The hindrance of ill-will, ‘The hindrance of torpor and sloth of heart a mind, ‘The hindrance of flurry and worry, ‘The hindrance of suspense.

‘These are the Five Hindrances, 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 Hindrances, Vāseṭṭha, the Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas are veiled, hindered, obstructed, and entangled.

‘And verily, Vāseṭṭha, that Brahmans versed in the Three Vedas, but omitting the practice of those qualities which really make a man a Brahman, and adopting the practice of those qualities which really make men non-Brahmans—veiled, hindered, obstructed, and entangled by these Five Hindrances—that these Brahmans should after death, on the dissolution of the body, PTS vp Pali 1.247 become united to Brahmā—such a condition of things can in no wise be!’

PTS cs 31 ‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha, and what have you heard from the Brahmans aged and well-stricken in years, when the learners and teachers are talking PTS vp En 313 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.’

PTS cs 32 ‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha, are the Brahmans 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.’

PTS cs 33 ‘Then you say, Vāseṭṭha, that the Brahmans are in possession of wives and wealth, and that Brahmā is not. Can there, then, be agreement and likeness between the Brahmans with their wives and property, and Brahmā, who has none of these things?’

PTS vp En 314 ‘Certainly not, Gotama!’

PTS cs 34 ‘Very good, Vāseṭṭha. But, verily, that these Brahmans versed in the Vedas, who live married and wealthy, should after death, when the body is dissolved, PTS vp Pali 1.248 become united with Brahmā who has none of these things—such a condition of things can in no wise be!’

PTS cs 35 ‘Then you say, too, Vāseṭṭha, that the Brahmans 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 Brahmans and Brahmā?’

‘Certainly not, Gotama!’

PTS cs 36 ‘Very good, Vāseṭṭha. That these Brahmans versed in the Vedas and yet bearing anger and malice in their hearts, sinful, and uncontrolled, should after death, when the body is dissolved, become united to Brahmā, who is free from anger and malice, pure in heart, and has self-mastery—such a condition of things can in no wise be!

‘So that thus then, Vāseṭṭha, the Brahmans, 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 Brahmans, wise in their Three Vedas, is called a waterless desert, their threefold wisdom is called a pathless jungle, their threefold wisdom is called perdition!’

PTS cs 37 ‘When he had thus spoken, the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha said to the Blessed One:

PTS vp En 315 ‘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?’

‘Just so, Gotama, Manasākaṭa is near to, is not far from here.’

‘Now what think you, Vāseṭṭha, suppose there were a man born in Manasākaṭa, and people should ask him, who never till that time had left Manasākaṭa, PTS vp Pali 1.249 which was the way to Manasākaṭa. Would that man, born and brought up in Manasākaṭa, be in any doubt or difficulty?’

‘Certainly not, Gotama! 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.’

PTS cs 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, and 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!’

PTS cs 39 When he had thus spoken, Vāseṭṭha, the young Brahman, 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 Brahman race!’

‘Listen then, Vāseṭṭha, and give ear attentively, and I will speak!’

PTS vp En 316 ‘So be it, Lord!’ said the young Brahman Vāseṭṭha, in assent, to the Blessed One.

PTS cs 40 ‘Then the Blessed One spake, and 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 Brahmans, its princes and peoples—and he then makes his knowledge known to others. The truth doth he proclaim both in the letter and in the spirit, lovely in its origin, lovely in its progress, lovely in its consummation: the higher life doth he make known, in all its purity and in all its perfectness.

PTS cs 41 ‘A householder (gahapati), or one of his children, or a man of inferior birth in any class, listens to that truth. On hearing the truth he has faith in the Tathāgata, and when he has acquired that faith he thus considers with himself:

‘"Full of hindrances is household life, a path defiled by passion: free as the air is the life of him who has renounced all worldly things. How difficult it is 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 orange-coloured robes, and let me go forth from a household life into the homeless state!”

‘Then before long, forsaking his portion of wealth, be it great or be it 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 orange-coloured PTS vp En 317 robes, and he goes forth from the household life into the homeless state.

PTS cs 42 ‘When he has thus become a recluse he passes a life self-restrained by that restraint which 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 goodness in word and deed. He sustains his life by means that are quite pure; good is his conduct, guarded the door of his senses; mindful and self-possessed, he is altogether happy!’ PTS vp Pali 1.250

PTS cs 43-75 ‘And how, Vāseṭṭha, is his conduct good?’

Moral Discipline, Samādhi, and Wisdom

The next section in the Pali text is greatly abbreviated. The following is a fully expanded version, based on the text of DN 2, Sāmaññaphala Sutta as translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Note that it is not always possible to determine exactly how the expansion should be done.

BPS 41“Herein, Vāseṭṭha, a Tathāgata arises in the world, a worthy one, perfectly enlightened, endowed with clear knowledge and conduct, accomplished, a knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of men to be tamed, teacher of gods and men, enlightened and exalted. Having realized by his own direct knowledge this world with its gods, its Māras, and its Brahmās, this generation with its recluses and brahmins, its rulers and people, he makes it known to others. He teaches the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, possessing meaning and phrasing; he reveals the holy life that is fully complete and purified.

BPS 62“Whereas some recluses and brahmins, while living on the food offered by the faithful, earn their living by a wrong means of livelihood, by such debased arts as:

• promising gifts to deities in return for favours
• fulfilling such promises
• demonology
• reciting spells after entering an earthen house
• inducing virility and impotence
• preparing and consecrating sites for a house
• giving ceremonial mouthwashes and ceremonial bathing
• offering sacrificial fires
• administering emetics, purgatives, expectorants, and phlegmagogues
• administering medicines through the ear and through the nose, administering ointments and counter-ointments, practising fine surgery on the eyes and ears, practising general surgery on the body, practising as a children’s doctor—

he abstains from such wrong means of livelihood, from such debased arts.

BPS 63“Vāseṭṭha, the bhikkhu who is thus possessed of moral discipline sees no danger anywhere in regard to his restraint by moral discipline. Just as a head-anointed noble warrior who has defeated his enemies sees no danger anywhere from his enemies, so the bhikkhu who is thus possessed of moral discipline sees no danger anywhere in regard to his restraint by moral discipline. Endowed with this noble aggregate of moral discipline, he experiences within himself a blameless happiness. In this way, Vāseṭṭha, the bhikkhu is possessed of moral discipline.

Restraint of the Sense Faculties

BPS 64“And how, Vāseṭṭha, does the bhikkhu guard the doors of his sense faculties? Herein, Vāseṭṭha, having seen a form with the eye, the bhikkhu does not grasp at the sign or the details. Since, if he were to dwell without restraint over the faculty of the eye, evil unwholesome states such as covetousness and grief might assail him, he practises restraint, guards the faculty of the eye, and achieves restraint over the faculty of the eye.

BPS 76“When he sees that these five hindrances have been abandoned within himself, gladness arises. When he is gladdened, rapture arises. When his mind is filled with rapture, his body becomes tranquil; tranquil in body, he experiences happiness; being happy, his mind becomes concentrated.

PTS cs 76 ‘And he lets his mind pervade one quarter of PTS vp En 318 the world with thoughts of Love PTS vp Pali 1.251 , 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 Love, far-reaching, grown great, and beyond measure.

PTS cs 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 love.

‘Verily this, Vāseṭṭha, is the way to a state of union with Brahmā.

PTS cs 78 ‘And he lets his mind pervade one quarter of the world with thoughts of pity, … sympathy, … equanimity, 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 pity, … sympathy, … equanimity, far-reaching, grown great, and beyond measure.

PTS cs 79 ‘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 pity, … sympathy, … equanimity.

‘Verily this, Vāseṭṭha, is the way to a state of union with Brahmā.’

PTS cs 80 ‘Now what think you, 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?’

PTS vp En 319 ‘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!’ PTS vp Pali 1.252

PTS cs 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!’

‘Very good, Vāseṭṭha. Then in sooth, Vāseṭṭha, that the Bhikkhu who is free from household cares should after death, when the body is dissolved, become united with Brahmā, who is the same-such a condition of things is every way possible!

‘And so you say, Vāseṭṭha, that the Bhikkhu is free from anger, and free from malice, pure in mind, and master of himself; and that Brahmā is free from anger, and free from malice, pure in mind, and master of himself. Then in sooth, Vāseṭṭha, that the Bhikkhu who is free from anger, free from malice, pure in mind, and master of himself should after death, when the body is dissolved, become united with Brahmā, who is the same-such a condition of things is every way possible!’

PTS cs 82 ‘When he had thus spoken, the young Brahmans 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 Exalted One. And we, even we, betake ourselves, Lord, to the Blessed One as our guide, to the Truth, PTS vp En 320 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 Tevijjā Suttanta.