---
title: "Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 23 of 32
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/23/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta, section 23. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/23/"
---
# Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta
*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*
Teachings grouped in fours: four kinds of persons, four right efforts, four ways of practice.
> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).
> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.
> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.
## 23. The Great Chapter · AN 4.195–4.197
Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/23/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/23/#p-N
[¶0] AN 4.195 · With Vappa
> Pali: AN 4.195 · Vappasutta
[¶1] At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery. Then Vappa of the Sakyans, a disciple of the Jains, went up to Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, bowed, and sat down to one side. Mahāmoggallāna said to him:
> Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme. Atha kho vappo sakko nigaṇṭhasāvako yenāyasmā mahāmoggallāno tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho vappaṁ sakkaṁ nigaṇṭhasāvakaṁ āyasmā mahāmoggallāno etadavoca:
[¶2] “Vappa, take an individual who, due to the fading away of ignorance and the arising of knowledge, is restrained in body, speech, and mind. Do you see any reason why defilements giving rise to painful feelings would defile that person in the next life?”
> Pali: “Idhassa, vappa, kāyena saṁvuto vācāya saṁvuto manasā saṁvuto avijjāvirāgā vijjuppādā. Passasi no tvaṁ, vappa, taṁ ṭhānaṁ yatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan”ti?
[¶3] “Sir, I do see such a case. Take someone who did bad deeds in a past life. But the result of that has not yet ripened. For this reason defilements giving rise to painful feelings would defile that person in the next life.” But this conversation between Mahāmoggallāna and Vappa was left unfinished.
> Pali: “Passāmahaṁ, bhante, taṁ ṭhānaṁ. Idhassa, bhante, pubbe pāpakammaṁ kataṁ avipakkavipākaṁ. Tatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan”ti. Ayañceva kho pana āyasmato mahāmoggallānassa vappena sakkena nigaṇṭhasāvakena saddhiṁ antarākathā vippakatā hoti.
[¶4] Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat and went to the assembly hall. He sat down on the seat spread out, and said to Mahāmoggallāna, “Moggallāna, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?”
> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena upaṭṭhānasālā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Nisajja kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ etadavoca: “Kāya nuttha, moggallāna, etarahi kathāya sannisinnā; kā ca pana vo antarākathā vippakatā”ti?
[¶5] Moggallāna repeated the entire conversation to the Buddha, and concluded: “This was my conversation with Vappa that was unfinished when the Buddha arrived.”
> Pali: “Idhāhaṁ, bhante, vappaṁ sakkaṁ nigaṇṭhasāvakaṁ etadavocaṁ: ‘idhassa, vappa, kāyena saṁvuto vācāya saṁvuto manasā saṁvuto avijjāvirāgā vijjuppādā. Passasi no tvaṁ, vappa, taṁ ṭhānaṁ yatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan’ti? Evaṁ vutte, bhante, vappo sakko nigaṇṭhasāvako maṁ etadavoca: ‘passāmahaṁ, bhante, taṁ ṭhānaṁ. Idhassa, bhante, pubbe pāpakammaṁ kataṁ avipakkavipākaṁ. Tatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan’ti. Ayaṁ kho no, bhante, vappena sakkena nigaṇṭhasāvakena saddhiṁ antarākathā vippakatā; atha bhagavā anuppatto”ti.
[¶6] Then the Buddha said to Vappa, “Vappa, we can discuss this. But only if you grant what should be granted, and reject what should be rejected. And if you ask me the meaning of anything you don’t understand, saying: ‘Sir, why is this? What’s the meaning of that?’”
> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā vappaṁ sakkaṁ nigaṇṭhasāvakaṁ etadavoca: “sace me tvaṁ, vappa, anuññeyyañceva anujāneyyāsi, paṭikkositabbañca paṭikkoseyyāsi, yassa ca me bhāsitassa atthaṁ na jāneyyāsi mamevettha uttari paṭipuccheyyāsi: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ, imassa ko attho’ti, siyā no ettha kathāsallāpo”ti.
[¶7] “Sir, let us discuss this. I will do as you say.”
> Pali: “Anuññeyyañcevāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavato anujānissāmi, paṭikkositabbañca paṭikkosissāmi, yassa cāhaṁ bhagavato bhāsitassa atthaṁ na jānissāmi bhagavantaṁyevettha uttari paṭipucchissāmi: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ, imassa ko attho’ti? Hotu no ettha kathāsallāpo”ti.
[¶8] “What do you think, Vappa? There are distressing and feverish defilements that arise because of instigating bodily activity. These don’t occur in someone who refrains from such bodily activity. They don’t perform any new deeds, and old deeds are eliminated by experiencing their results little by little. This wearing away is apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. Do you see any reason why defilements giving rise to painful feelings would defile that person in the next life?”
> Pali: “Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vappa, ye kāyasamārambhapaccayā uppajjanti āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, kāyasamārambhā paṭiviratassa evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. So navañca kammaṁ na karoti, purāṇañca kammaṁ phussa phussa byantīkaroti, sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Passasi no tvaṁ, vappa, taṁ ṭhānaṁ yatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan”ti?
[¶9] “No, sir.”
> Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”.
[¶10] “What do you think, Vappa? There are distressing and feverish defilements that arise because of instigating verbal activity. These don’t occur in someone who refrains from such verbal activity. They don’t perform any new deeds, and old deeds are eliminated by experiencing their results little by little. This wearing away is apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. Do you see any reason why defilements giving rise to painful feelings would defile that person in the next life?”
> Pali: “Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vappa, ye vacīsamārambhapaccayā uppajjanti āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, vacīsamārambhā paṭiviratassa evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. So navañca kammaṁ na karoti, purāṇañca kammaṁ phussa phussa byantīkaroti. Sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Passasi no tvaṁ, vappa, taṁ ṭhānaṁ yatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan”ti?
[¶11] “No, sir.”
> Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”.
[¶12] “What do you think, Vappa? There are distressing and feverish defilements that arise because of instigating mental activity. These don’t occur in someone who refrains from such mental activity. They don’t perform any new deeds, and old deeds are eliminated by experiencing their results little by little. This wearing away is apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. Do you see any reason why defilements giving rise to painful feelings would defile that person in the next life?”
> Pali: “Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vappa, ye manosamārambhapaccayā uppajjanti āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, manosamārambhā paṭiviratassa evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. So navañca kammaṁ na karoti, purāṇañca kammaṁ phussa phussa byantīkaroti. Sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Passasi no tvaṁ, vappa, taṁ ṭhānaṁ yatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan”ti?
[¶13] “No, sir.”
> Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”.
[¶14] “What do you think, Vappa? There are distressing and feverish defilements that arise because of ignorance. These don’t occur when ignorance fades away and knowledge arises. They don’t perform any new deeds, and old deeds are eliminated by experiencing their results little by little. This wearing away is apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves. Do you see any reason why defilements giving rise to painful feelings would defile that person in the next life?”
> Pali: “Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, vappa, ye avijjāpaccayā uppajjanti āsavā vighātapariḷāhā, avijjāvirāgā vijjuppādā evaṁsa te āsavā vighātapariḷāhā na honti. So navañca kammaṁ na karoti, purāṇañca kammaṁ phussa phussa byantīkaroti. Sandiṭṭhikā nijjarā akālikā ehipassikā opaneyyikā paccattaṁ veditabbā viññūhi. Passasi no tvaṁ, vappa, taṁ ṭhānaṁ yatonidānaṁ purisaṁ dukkhavedaniyā āsavā assaveyyuṁ abhisamparāyan”ti?
[¶15] “No, sir.”
> Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”.
[¶16] “A mendicant whose mind is rightly freed like this has achieved six consistent responses. Seeing a sight with their eyes, they’re neither happy nor sad, but remain equanimous, mindful and aware. Hearing a sound with their ears … Smelling an odor with their nose … Tasting a flavor with their tongue … Encountering a touch with their body … Knowing an idea with their mind, they’re neither happy nor sad, but remain equanimous, mindful and aware. Feeling the end of the body draw close, they understand: ‘I feel the end of the body draw close.’ Feeling the end of life draw close, they understand: ‘I feel the end of life draw close.’ They understand: ‘When my body breaks up and my life has come to an end, everything that’s felt, being no longer relished, will become cool right here.’
> Pali: “Evaṁ sammā vimuttacittassa kho, vappa, bhikkhuno cha satatavihārā adhigatā honti. So cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā neva sumano hoti na dummano; upekkhako viharati sato sampajāno. Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …pe… ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …pe… jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …pe… kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …pe… manasā dhammaṁ viññāya neva sumano hoti na dummano; upekkhako viharati sato sampajāno. So kāyapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyamāno ‘kāyapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyāmī’ti pajānāti; jīvitapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyamāno ‘jīvitapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyāmī’ti pajānāti; ‘kāyassa bhedā uddhaṁ jīvitapariyādānā idheva sabbavedayitāni anabhinanditāni sītī bhavissantī’ti pajānāti.
[¶17] Suppose there was a shadow cast by a post. Then along comes a person with a spade and basket. They cut down the post at its base, dig it up, and pull it out by its roots, right down to the fibers and stems. Then they split it apart, cut up the parts, and chop them into splinters. Next they dry the splinters in the wind and sun, burn them with fire, and reduce them to ashes. Then they whisk away the ashes in a strong wind, or glide them down a swift stream. And so the shadow cast by the post is cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future.
> Pali: Seyyathāpi, vappa, thūṇaṁ paṭicca chāyā paññāyati. Atha puriso āgaccheyya kuddālapiṭakaṁ ādāya. So taṁ thūṇaṁ mūle chindeyya; mūle chinditvā palikhaṇeyya; palikhaṇitvā mūlāni uddhareyya, antamaso usīranāḷimattānipi. So taṁ thūṇaṁ khaṇḍākhaṇḍikaṁ chindeyya. Khaṇḍākhaṇḍikaṁ chetvā phāleyya. Phāletvā sakalikaṁ sakalikaṁ kareyya. Sakalikaṁ sakalikaṁ katvā vātātape visoseyya. Vātātape visosetvā agginā ḍaheyya. Agginā ḍahetvā masiṁ kareyya. Masiṁ karitvā mahāvāte vā ophuṇeyya nadiyā vā sīghasotāya pavāheyya. Evaṁ hissa, vappa, yā thūṇaṁ paṭicca chāyā sā ucchinnamūlā tālāvatthukatā anabhāvaṅkatā āyatiṁ anuppādadhammā.
[¶18] In the same way, a mendicant whose mind is rightly freed like this has achieved six consistent responses. Seeing a sight with their eyes, they’re neither happy nor sad, but remain equanimous, mindful and aware. Hearing a sound with their ears … Smelling an odor with their nose … Tasting a flavor with their tongue … Encountering a touch with their body … Knowing an idea with their mind, they’re neither happy nor sad, but remain equanimous, mindful and aware. Feeling the end of the body draw close, they understand: ‘I feel the end of the body draw close.’ Feeling the end of life draw close, they understand: ‘I feel the end of life draw close.’ They understand: ‘When my body breaks up and my life has come to an end, everything that’s felt, being no longer relished, will become cool right here.’”
> Pali: Evamevaṁ kho, vappa, evaṁ sammā vimuttacittassa bhikkhuno cha satatavihārā adhigatā honti. So cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā neva sumano hoti na dummano; upekkhako viharati sato sampajāno. Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …pe… ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …pe… jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …pe… kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …pe… manasā dhammaṁ viññāya neva sumano hoti na dummano; upekkhako viharati sato sampajāno. So kāyapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyamāno ‘kāyapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyāmī’ti pajānāti; jīvitapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyamāno ‘jīvitapariyantikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyāmī’ti pajānāti; ‘kāyassa bhedā uddhaṁ jīvitapariyādānā idheva sabbavedayitāni anabhinanditāni sītī bhavissantī’ti pajānāti”.
[¶19] When he said this, Vappa the Sakyan, the disciple of the Jains, said to the Buddha:
> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, vappo sakko nigaṇṭhasāvako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
[¶20] “Sir, suppose there was a man who raised commercial horses for profit. But he never made any profit, and instead just got weary and frustrated. In the same way, I paid homage to those Jain fools for profit. But I never made any profit, and instead just got weary and frustrated. From this day forth, any confidence I had in those Jain fools I whisk away as in a strong wind, or glide away as down a swift stream.
> Pali: “seyyathāpi, bhante, puriso udayatthiko assapaṇiyaṁ poseyya. So udayañceva nādhigaccheyya, uttariñca kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assa. Evamevaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, udayatthiko bāle nigaṇṭhe payirupāsiṁ. Svāhaṁ udayañceva nādhigacchiṁ, uttariñca kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī ahosiṁ. Esāhaṁ, bhante, ajjatagge yo me bālesu nigaṇṭhesu pasādo taṁ mahāvāte vā ophuṇāmi nadiyā vā sīghasotāya pavāhemi.
[¶21] Excellent, sir! … From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”
> Pali: Abhikkantaṁ, bhante …pe… upāsakaṁ maṁ, bhante, bhagavā dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.
[¶22] > Pali: Pañcamaṁ.
[¶23] AN 4.196 · With Sāḷha
> Pali: AN 4.196 · Sāḷhasutta
[¶24] At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then Sāḷha and Abhaya the Licchavis went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
> Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vesāliyaṁ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ. Atha kho sāḷho ca licchavi abhayo ca licchavi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho sāḷho licchavi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
[¶25] “There are, sir, some ascetics and brahmins who advocate crossing the flood by means of two things: purification of ethics, and mortification in disgust of sin. What does the Buddha say about this?”
> Pali: “Santi, bhante, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā dvayena oghassa nittharaṇaṁ paññapenti— sīlavisuddhihetu ca tapojigucchāhetu ca. Idha, bhante, bhagavā kimāhā”ti?
[¶26] “Sāḷha, purification of ethics is one of the factors of the ascetic life, I say. But those ascetics and brahmins who teach fervent mortification in disgust of sin—regarding it as essential and sticking to it—are incapable of crossing the flood. And those ascetics and brahmins whose livelihood and behavior by way of body, speech, and mind, is not pure are also incapable of knowing and seeing, of supreme awakening.
> Pali: “Sīlavisuddhiṁ kho ahaṁ, sāḷha, aññataraṁ sāmaññaṅganti vadāmi. Ye te, sāḷha, samaṇabrāhmaṇā tapojigucchāvādā tapojigucchāsārā tapojigucchāallīnā viharanti, abhabbā te oghassa nittharaṇāya. Yepi te, sāḷha, samaṇabrāhmaṇā aparisuddhakāyasamācārā aparisuddhavacīsamācārā aparisuddhamanosamācārā aparisuddhājīvā, abhabbā te ñāṇadassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya.
[¶27] Suppose a man who wanted to cross a river took a sharp axe into a wood. There he’d see a large green sal tree, straight and young and grown unskewed. He’d cut it down at the base, cut off the top, and completely strip off the branches and foliage. Then he’d trim it with axes and machetes, plane it, and sand it with a rock. Finally, he’d launch out on the river.
> Pali: Seyyathāpi, sāḷha, puriso nadiṁ taritukāmo tiṇhaṁ kuṭhāriṁ ādāya vanaṁ paviseyya. So tattha passeyya mahatiṁ sālalaṭṭhiṁ ujuṁ navaṁ akukkuccakajātaṁ. Tamenaṁ mūle chindeyya; mūle chetvā agge chindeyya; agge chetvā sākhāpalāsaṁ suvisodhitaṁ visodheyya; sākhāpalāsaṁ suvisodhitaṁ visodhetvā kuṭhārīhi taccheyya; kuṭhārīhi tacchetvā vāsīhi taccheyya; vāsīhi tacchetvā lekhaṇiyā likheyya; lekhaṇiyā likhitvā pāsāṇaguḷena dhoveyya; pāsāṇaguḷena dhovetvā nadiṁ patāreyya.
[¶28] What do you think, Sāḷha? Is that man capable of crossing the river?”
> Pali: Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sāḷha, bhabbo nu kho so puriso nadiṁ taritun”ti?
[¶29] “No, sir. Why not? Because that green sal tree is well worked on the outside, but inside it’s still not cleared out. I’d expect that green sal tree to sink, and the man to come to ruin.”
> Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”. “Taṁ kissa hetu”? “Asu hi, bhante, sālalaṭṭhi bahiddhā suparikammakatā anto avisuddhā. Tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—sālalaṭṭhi saṁsīdissati, puriso anayabyasanaṁ āpajjissatī”ti.
[¶30] “In the same way, Sāḷha, those ascetics and brahmins who teach fervent mortification in disgust of sin—regarding it as essential and sticking to it—are incapable of crossing the flood. And those ascetics and brahmins whose livelihood and behavior by way of body, speech, and mind is not pure are also incapable of knowing and seeing, of supreme awakening.
> Pali: “Evamevaṁ kho, sāḷha, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā tapojigucchāvādā tapojigucchāsārā tapojigucchāallīnā viharanti, abhabbā te oghassa nittharaṇāya. Yepi te, sāḷha, samaṇabrāhmaṇā aparisuddhakāyasamācārā aparisuddhavacīsamācārā aparisuddhamanosamācārā aparisuddhājīvā, abhabbā te ñāṇadassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya.
[¶31] But those ascetics and brahmins who don’t teach mortification in disgust of sin—not regarding it as essential or sticking to it—are capable of crossing the flood. And those ascetics and brahmins whose behavior by way of body, speech, and mind is pure are also capable of knowing and seeing, of supreme awakening.
> Pali: Ye ca kho te, sāḷha, samaṇabrāhmaṇā na tapojigucchāvādā na tapojigucchāsārā na tapojigucchāallīnā viharanti, bhabbā te oghassa nittharaṇāya. Yepi te, sāḷha, samaṇabrāhmaṇā parisuddhakāyasamācārā parisuddhavacīsamācārā parisuddhamanosamācārā parisuddhājīvā, bhabbā te ñāṇadassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya.
[¶32] Suppose a man who wanted to cross a river took a sharp axe into a wood. There he’d see a large green sal tree, straight and young and grown unskewed. He’d cut it down at the base, cut off the top, and completely strip off the branches and foliage. Then he’d trim it with axes and machetes. Then he’d take a chisel and completely clear it out inside. Then he’d plane it, sand it with a rock, and make it into a boat. Finally he’d fix it with oars and rudder, and launch out on the river.
> Pali: Seyyathāpi, sāḷha, puriso nadiṁ taritukāmo tiṇhaṁ kuṭhāriṁ ādāya vanaṁ paviseyya. So tattha passeyya mahatiṁ sālalaṭṭhiṁ ujuṁ navaṁ akukkuccakajātaṁ. Tamenaṁ mūle chindeyya; mūle chinditvā agge chindeyya; agge chinditvā sākhāpalāsaṁ suvisodhitaṁ visodheyya; sākhāpalāsaṁ suvisodhitaṁ visodhetvā kuṭhārīhi taccheyya; kuṭhārīhi tacchetvā vāsīhi taccheyya; vāsīhi tacchetvā nikhādanaṁ ādāya anto suvisodhitaṁ visodheyya; anto suvisodhitaṁ visodhetvā lekhaṇiyā likheyya; lekhaṇiyā likhitvā pāsāṇaguḷena dhoveyya; pāsāṇaguḷena dhovetvā nāvaṁ kareyya; nāvaṁ katvā phiyārittaṁ bandheyya; phiyārittaṁ bandhitvā nadiṁ patāreyya.
[¶33] What do you think, Sāḷha? Is that man capable of crossing the river?”
> Pali: Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sāḷha, bhabbo nu kho so puriso nadiṁ taritun”ti?
[¶34] “Yes, sir. Why is that? Because that green sal tree is well worked on the outside, cleared out on the inside, made into a boat, and fixed with oars and rudder. I’d expect that boat to not sink, and the man to safely make it to the far shore.”
> Pali: “Evaṁ, bhante”. “Taṁ kissa hetu”? “Asu hi, bhante, sālalaṭṭhi bahiddhā suparikammakatā, anto suvisuddhā nāvākatā phiyārittabaddhā. Tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ: ‘nāvā na saṁsīdissati, puriso sotthinā pāraṁ gamissatī’”ti.
[¶35] “In the same way, Sāḷha, those ascetics and brahmins who don’t teach fervent mortification in disgust of sin—not regarding it as essential or sticking to it—are capable of crossing the flood. And those ascetics and brahmins whose behavior by way of body, speech, and mind is pure are also capable of knowing and seeing, of supreme awakening. Suppose there was a warrior who knew lots of fancy archery tricks. It is only with these three factors that he becomes worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is reckoned a factor of kingship. What three? He’s a long-distance shooter, a marksman, and one who shatters large objects.
> Pali: “Evamevaṁ kho, sāḷha, ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā na tapojigucchāvādā na tapojigucchāsārā na tapojigucchāallīnā viharanti, bhabbā te oghassa nittharaṇāya. Yepi te, sāḷha, samaṇabrāhmaṇā parisuddhakāyasamācārā parisuddhavacīsamācārā parisuddhamanosamācārā parisuddhājīvā, bhabbā te ñāṇadassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya. Seyyathāpi, sāḷha, yodhājīvo bahūni cepi kaṇḍacitrakāni jānāti; atha kho so tīhi ṭhānehi rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅganteva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Katamehi tīhi? Dūrepātī ca, akkhaṇavedhī ca, mahato ca kāyassa padāletā.
[¶36] Just as a warrior is a long-distance shooter, a noble disciple has right immersion. A noble disciple with right immersion truly sees any kind of form at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near: all form—with right understanding: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ They truly see any kind of feeling … perception … choices … consciousness at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near: all consciousness—with right understanding: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’
> Pali: Seyyathāpi, sāḷha, yodhājīvo dūrepātī; evamevaṁ kho, sāḷha, ariyasāvako sammāsamādhi hoti. Sammāsamādhi, sāḷha, ariyasāvako yaṁ kiñci rūpaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikaṁ vā sukhumaṁ vā hīnaṁ vā paṇītaṁ vā yaṁ dūre santike vā sabbaṁ rūpaṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati. Yā kāci vedanā … yā kāci saññā … ye keci saṅkhārā … yaṁ kiñci viññāṇaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikaṁ vā sukhumaṁ vā hīnaṁ vā paṇītaṁ vā yaṁ dūre santike vā, sabbaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passati.
[¶37] Just as a warrior is a marksman, a noble disciple has right view. A noble disciple with right view truly understands: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’.
> Pali: Seyyathāpi, sāḷha, yodhājīvo akkhaṇavedhī; evamevaṁ kho, sāḷha, ariyasāvako sammādiṭṭhi hoti. Sammādiṭṭhi, sāḷha, ariyasāvako ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
[¶38] Just as a warrior shatters large objects, a noble disciple has right freedom. A noble disciple with right freedom shatters the great mass of ignorance.”
> Pali: Seyyathāpi, sāḷha, yodhājīvo mahato kāyassa padāletā; evamevaṁ kho, sāḷha, ariyasāvako sammāvimutti hoti. Sammāvimutti, sāḷha, ariyasāvako mahantaṁ avijjākkhandhaṁ padāletī”ti.
[¶39] > Pali: Chaṭṭhaṁ.
[¶40] AN 4.197 · Queen Mallikā
> Pali: AN 4.197 · Mallikādevīsutta
[¶41] At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Queen Mallikā went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
> Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho mallikā devī yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho mallikā devī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
[¶42] “What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why in this life some ladies are ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; and poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant?
> Pali: “Ko nu kho, bhante, hetu ko paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo dubbaṇṇā ca hoti durūpā supāpikā dassanāya; daliddā ca hoti appassakā appabhogā appesakkhā ca?
[¶43] And why are some ladies ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; but rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious?
> Pali: Ko pana, bhante, hetu ko paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo dubbaṇṇā ca hoti durūpā supāpikā dassanāya; aḍḍhā ca hoti mahaddhanā mahābhogā mahesakkhā ca?
[¶44] And why are some ladies attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; but poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant?
> Pali: Ko nu kho, bhante, hetu ko paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo abhirūpā ca hoti dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā; daliddā ca hoti appassakā appabhogā appesakkhā ca?
[¶45] And why are some ladies attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; and rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious?”
> Pali: Ko pana, bhante, hetu ko paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo abhirūpā ca hoti dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā, aḍḍhā ca hoti mahaddhanā mahābhogā mahesakkhā cā”ti?
[¶46] “Take a lady who is irritable and bad-tempered. Even when criticized a little bit she loses her temper, becoming annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, and displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness. She doesn’t give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. And she’s jealous, envying, resenting, and begrudging the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others. If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; and poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant.
> Pali: “Idha, mallike, ekacco mātugāmo kodhanā hoti upāyāsabahulā. Appampi vuttā samānā abhisajjati kuppati byāpajjati patitthīyati, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti. Sā na dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. Issāmanikā kho pana hoti; paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu issati upadussati issaṁ bandhati. Sā ce tato cutā itthattaṁ āgacchati, sā yattha yattha paccājāyati dubbaṇṇā ca hoti durūpā supāpikā dassanāya; daliddā ca hoti appassakā appabhogā appesakkhā ca.
[¶47] Take another lady who is irritable and bad-tempered. … But she does give to ascetics or brahmins … And she’s not jealous … If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking; but rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious.
> Pali: Idha pana, mallike, ekacco mātugāmo kodhanā hoti upāyāsabahulā. Appampi vuttā samānā abhisajjati kuppati byāpajjati patitthīyati, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti. Sā dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. Anissāmanikā kho pana hoti; paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu na issati na upadussati na issaṁ bandhati. Sā ce tato cutā itthattaṁ āgacchati, sā yattha yattha paccājāyati dubbaṇṇā ca hoti durūpā supāpikā dassanāya; aḍḍhā ca hoti mahaddhanā mahābhogā mahesakkhā ca.
[¶48] Take another lady who isn’t irritable and bad-tempered. … But she doesn’t give to ascetics or brahmins … And she’s jealous … If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; but poor, with few assets and possessions; and insignificant.
> Pali: Idha pana, mallike, ekacco mātugāmo akkodhanā hoti anupāyāsabahulā. Bahumpi vuttā samānā nābhisajjati na kuppati na byāpajjati na patitthīyati, na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti. Sā na dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. Issāmanikā kho pana hoti; paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu issati upadussati issaṁ bandhati. Sā ce tato cutā itthattaṁ āgacchati, sā yattha yattha paccājāyati abhirūpā ca hoti dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā; daliddā ca hoti appassakā appabhogā appesakkhā ca.
[¶49] Take another lady who isn’t irritable and bad-tempered. … She gives to ascetics and brahmins … And she’s not jealous … If she comes back to this place after passing away, wherever she is reborn she’s attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty; and rich, affluent, wealthy, and illustrious.
> Pali: Idha pana, mallike, ekacco mātugāmo akkodhanā hoti anupāyāsabahulā. Bahumpi vuttā samānā nābhisajjati na kuppati na byāpajjati na patitthīyati, na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti. Sā dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. Anissāmanikā kho pana hoti; paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu na issati na upadussati na issaṁ bandhati. Sā ce tato cutā itthattaṁ āgacchati, sā yattha yattha paccājāyati abhirūpā ca hoti dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā; aḍḍhā ca hoti mahaddhanā mahābhogā mahesakkhā ca.
[¶50] This is why some ladies are ugly … and poor … and insignificant. And some ladies are ugly … but rich … and illustrious. And some ladies are attractive … but poor … and insignificant. And some ladies are attractive … and rich … and illustrious.”
> Pali: Ayaṁ kho, mallike, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo dubbaṇṇā ca hoti durūpā supāpikā dassanāya; daliddā ca hoti appassakā appabhogā appesakkhā ca. Ayaṁ pana, mallike, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo dubbaṇṇā ca hoti durūpā supāpikā dassanāya; aḍḍhā ca hoti mahaddhanā mahābhogā mahesakkhā ca. Ayaṁ kho, mallike, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo abhirūpā ca hoti dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā; daliddā ca hoti appassakā appabhogā appesakkhā ca. Ayaṁ pana, mallike, hetu ayaṁ paccayo, yena midhekacco mātugāmo abhirūpā ca hoti dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā; aḍḍhā ca hoti mahaddhanā mahābhogā mahesakkhā cā”ti.
[¶51] When this was said, Queen Mallikā said to the Buddha:
> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, mallikā devī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
[¶52] “Sir, in another life I must have been irritable and bad-tempered. Even when lightly criticized I must have lost my temper, becoming annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, and displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness. For now I am ugly, unattractive, and bad-looking.
> Pali: “yā nūnāhaṁ, bhante, aññaṁ jātiṁ kodhanā ahosiṁ upāyāsabahulā, appampi vuttā samānā abhisajjiṁ kuppiṁ byāpajjiṁ patitthīyiṁ kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātvākāsiṁ, sāhaṁ, bhante, etarahi dubbaṇṇā durūpā supāpikā dassanāya.
[¶53] In another life I must have given to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. For now I am rich, affluent, and wealthy.
> Pali: Yā nūnāhaṁ, bhante, aññaṁ jātiṁ dātā ahosiṁ samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ, sāhaṁ, bhante, etarahi aḍḍhā mahaddhanā mahābhogā.
[¶54] In another life, I must not have been jealous, envying, resenting, and begrudging the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others. For now I am illustrious. In this royal court I command maidens of the aristocrats, brahmins, and householders. So, sir, from this day forth I will not be irritable and bad-tempered. Even when heavily criticized I won’t lose my temper, become annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, or display annoyance, hate, and bitterness. I will give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. I will not be jealous, envying, resenting, and begrudging the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others.
> Pali: Yā nūnāhaṁ, bhante, aññaṁ jātiṁ anissāmanikā ahosiṁ, paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu na issiṁ na upadussiṁ na issaṁ bandhiṁ, sāhaṁ, bhante, etarahi mahesakkhā. Santi kho pana, bhante, imasmiṁ rājakule khattiyakaññāpi brāhmaṇakaññāpi gahapatikaññāpi, tāsāhaṁ issarādhipaccaṁ kāremi. Esāhaṁ, bhante, ajjatagge akkodhanā bhavissāmi anupāyāsabahulā, bahumpi vuttā samānā nābhisajjissāmi na kuppissāmi na byāpajjissāmi na patitthīyissāmi, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca na pātukarissāmi; dassāmi samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. Anissāmanikā bhavissāmi, paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu na ississāmi na upadussissāmi na issaṁ bandhissāmi.
[¶55] Excellent, sir! … From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”
> Pali: Abhikkantaṁ, bhante …pe… upāsikaṁ maṁ, bhante, bhagavā dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.
[¶56] > Pali: Sattamaṁ.