The Great Chapter · AN 7.72–7.74

AN 7.72 · The Simile of the Great Mass of Fire

AN 7.72 · Aggikkhandhopamasutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ carati mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ.

While walking along the road, at a certain spot he saw a great mass of fire burning, blazing, and glowing. Seeing this he left the road, sat at the root of a tree on a seat spread out, and addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, do you see that great mass of fire burning, blazing, and glowing?”

Addasā kho bhagavā addhānamaggappaṭipanno aññatarasmiṁ padese mahantaṁ aggikkhandhaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ. Disvāna maggā okkamma aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle paññatte āsane nisīdi. Nisajja kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “passatha no tumhe, bhikkhave, amuṁ mahantaṁ aggikkhandhaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtan”ti?

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti.

“What do you think, mendicants? Which is better—to sit or lie down embracing that great mass of fire? Or to sit or lie down embracing a girl of the aristocrats or brahmins or householders with soft and tender hands and feet?”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave? katamaṁ nu kho varaṁ—yaṁ amuṁ mahantaṁ aggikkhandhaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ āliṅgetvā upanisīdeyya vā upanipajjeyya vā, yaṁ vā khattiyakaññaṁ vā brāhmaṇakaññaṁ vā gahapatikaññaṁ vā mudutalunahatthapādaṁ āliṅgetvā upanisīdeyya vā upanipajjeyya vā”ti?

“Sir, it would be much better to sit or lie down embracing a girl of the aristocrats or brahmins or householders with soft and tender hands and feet. For it would be painful to sit or lie down embracing that great mass of fire.”

“Etadeva, bhante, varaṁ—yaṁ khattiyakaññaṁ vā brāhmaṇakaññaṁ vā gahapatikaññaṁ vā mudutalunahatthapādaṁ āliṅgetvā upanisīdeyya vā upanipajjeyya vā, dukkhañhetaṁ, bhante, yaṁ amuṁ mahantaṁ aggikkhandhaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ āliṅgetvā upanisīdeyya vā upanipajjeyya vā”ti.

“I declare this to you, mendicants, I announce this to you! It would be better for that unethical man—of bad qualities, filthy, with suspicious behavior, underhand, no true ascetic or spiritual practitioner, though claiming to be one, rotten inside, festering, and depraved—to sit or lie down embracing that great mass of fire. Why is that? Because that might result in death or deadly pain. But when his body breaks up, after death, it would not cause him to be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

“Ārocayāmi vo, bhikkhave, paṭivedayāmi vo, bhikkhave, yathā etadeva tassa varaṁ dussīlassa pāpadhammassa asucisaṅkassarasamācārassa paṭicchannakammantassa assamaṇassa samaṇapaṭiññassa abrahmacārissa brahmacāripaṭiññassa antopūtikassa avassutassa kasambujātassa yaṁ amuṁ mahantaṁ aggikkhandhaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ āliṅgetvā upanisīdeyya vā upanipajjeyya vā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tatonidānañhi so, bhikkhave, maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ, na tveva tappaccayā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya.

But when such an unethical man sits or lies down embracing a girl of the aristocrats or brahmins or householders with soft and tender hands and feet, that brings him lasting harm and suffering. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

Yañca kho so, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo asucisaṅkassarasamācāro …pe… kasambujāto khattiyakaññaṁ vā brāhmaṇakaññaṁ vā gahapatikaññaṁ vā mudutalunahatthapādaṁ āliṅgetvā upanisīdati vā upanipajjati vā, tañhi tassa, bhikkhave, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

What do you think, mendicants? Which is better—to have a strong man twist a strong horse-hair rope around both shins and tighten it so that it cuts through your outer skin, your inner skin, your flesh, sinews, and bones, until it reaches your marrow and keeps pressing? Or to consent to well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders bowing down to you?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho varaṁ—yaṁ balavā puriso daḷhāya vālarajjuyā ubho jaṅghā veṭhetvā ghaṁseyya—sā chaviṁ chindeyya chaviṁ chetvā cammaṁ chindeyya cammaṁ chetvā maṁsaṁ chindeyya maṁsaṁ chetvā nhāruṁ chindeyya nhāruṁ chetvā aṭṭhiṁ chindeyya aṭṭhiṁ chetvā aṭṭhimiñjaṁ āhacca tiṭṭheyya, yaṁ vā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā abhivādanaṁ sādiyeyyā”ti?

“Sir, it would be much better to consent to well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders bowing down. For it would be painful to have a strong man twist a strong horse-hair rope around your shins and tighten it so that it cut through the outer skin until it reached the marrow and kept pressing.”

“Etadeva, bhante, varaṁ—yaṁ khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā abhivādanaṁ sādiyeyya, dukkhañhetaṁ, bhante, yaṁ balavā puriso daḷhāya vālarajjuyā …pe… aṭṭhimiñjaṁ āhacca tiṭṭheyyā”ti.

“I declare this to you, mendicants, I announce this to you! It would be better for that unethical man to have a strong man twist a strong horse-hair rope around both shins and tighten it until it reached the marrow and kept pressing. Why is that? Because that might result in death or deadly pain. But when his body breaks up, after death, it would not cause him to be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. But when such an unethical man consents to well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders bowing down, that brings him lasting harm and suffering. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

Ārocayāmi vo, bhikkhave, paṭivedayāmi vo, bhikkhave, yathā etadeva tassa varaṁ dussīlassa …pe… kasambujātassa yaṁ balavā puriso daḷhāya vālarajjuyā ubho jaṅghā veṭhetvā …pe… aṭṭhimiñjaṁ āhacca tiṭṭheyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tatonidānañhi so, bhikkhave, maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ, na tveva tappaccayā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya. Yañca kho so, bhikkhave, dussīlo …pe… kasambujāto khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā abhivādanaṁ sādiyati, tañhi tassa, bhikkhave, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

What do you think, mendicants? Which is better—to have a strong man stab you in the chest with a sharp, oiled sword? Or to consent to well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders revering you with cupped palms?”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho varaṁ—yaṁ balavā puriso tiṇhāya sattiyā teladhotāya paccorasmiṁ pahareyya, yaṁ vā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā añjalikammaṁ sādiyeyyā”ti?

“Sir, it would be much better to consent to well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders revering you with cupped palms. For it would be painful to have a strong man stab you in the chest with a sharp, oiled sword.”

“Etadeva, bhante, varaṁ—yaṁ khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā añjalikammaṁ sādiyeyya, dukkhañhetaṁ, bhante, yaṁ balavā puriso tiṇhāya sattiyā teladhotāya paccorasmiṁ pahareyyā”ti.

“I declare this to you, mendicants, I announce this to you! It would be better for that unethical man to have a strong man stab him in the chest with a sharp, oiled sword. Why is that? Because that might result in death or deadly pain. But when his body breaks up, after death, it would not cause him to be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. But when such an unethical man consents to well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders revering him with cupped palms, that brings him lasting harm and suffering. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

“Ārocayāmi vo, bhikkhave, paṭivedayāmi vo, bhikkhave, yathā etadeva tassa varaṁ dussīlassa …pe… kasambujātassa yaṁ balavā puriso tiṇhāya sattiyā teladhotāya paccorasmiṁ pahareyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tatonidānañhi so, bhikkhave, maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ, na tveva tappaccayā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya. Yañca kho so, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo …pe… kasambujāto khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā añjalikammaṁ sādiyati, tañhi tassa, bhikkhave, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

What do you think, mendicants? Which is better—to have a strong man wrap you up in a red-hot sheet of iron, burning, blazing, and glowing? Or to enjoy the use of a robe given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho varaṁ—yaṁ balavā puriso tattena ayopaṭṭena ādittena sampajjalitena sajotibhūtena kāyaṁ sampaliveṭheyya, yaṁ vā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ cīvaraṁ paribhuñjeyyā”ti?

“Sir, it would be much better to enjoy the use of a robe given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders. For it would be painful to have a strong man wrap you up in a red-hot sheet of iron, burning, blazing, and glowing.”

“Etadeva, bhante, varaṁ—yaṁ khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā …pe… saddhādeyyaṁ cīvaraṁ paribhuñjeyya, dukkhañhetaṁ, bhante, yaṁ balavā puriso tattena ayopaṭṭena ādittena sampajjalitena sajotibhūtena kāyaṁ sampaliveṭheyyā”ti.

“I declare this to you, mendicants, I announce this to you! It would be better for that unethical man to have a strong man wrap him up in a red-hot sheet of iron, burning, blazing, and glowing. Why is that? Because that might result in death or deadly pain. But when his body breaks up, after death, it would not cause him to be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. But when such an unethical man enjoys the use of a robe given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders, that brings him lasting harm and suffering. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

“Ārocayāmi vo, bhikkhave, paṭivedayāmi vo, bhikkhave, yathā etadeva tassa varaṁ dussīlassa …pe… kasambujātassa yaṁ balavā puriso tattena ayopaṭṭena ādittena sampajjalitena sajotibhūtena kāyaṁ sampaliveṭheyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tatonidānañhi so, bhikkhave, maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ, na tveva tappaccayā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya. Yañca kho so, bhikkhave, dussīlo …pe… kasambujāto khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ cīvaraṁ paribhuñjati, tañhi tassa, bhikkhave, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

What do you think, mendicants? Which is better—to have a strong man force your mouth open with a hot iron spike and shove in a red-hot copper ball, burning, blazing, and glowing, that burns your lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and stomach before coming out below dragging your entrails? Or to enjoy almsfood given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho varaṁ—yaṁ balavā puriso tattena ayosaṅkunā mukhaṁ vivaritvā tattaṁ lohaguḷaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ mukhe pakkhipeyya—taṁ tassa oṭṭhampi daheyya mukhampi daheyya jivhampi daheyya kaṇṭhampi daheyya urampi daheyya antampi antaguṇampi ādāya adhobhāgā nikkhameyya, yaṁ vā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ piṇḍapātaṁ paribhuñjeyyā”ti?

“Sir, it would be much better to enjoy almsfood given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders. For it would be painful to have a strong man force your mouth open with a hot iron spike and shove in a red-hot copper ball, burning, blazing, and glowing, that burns your lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and stomach before coming out below dragging your entrails.”

“Etadeva, bhante, varaṁ—yaṁ khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ piṇḍapātaṁ paribhuñjeyya, dukkhañhetaṁ, bhante, yaṁ balavā puriso tattena ayosaṅkunā mukhaṁ vivaritvā tattaṁ lohaguḷaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ mukhe pakkhipeyya—taṁ tassa oṭṭhampi daheyya mukhampi daheyya jivhampi daheyya kaṇṭhampi daheyya urampi daheyya antampi antaguṇampi ādāya adhobhāgaṁ nikkhameyyā”ti.

“I declare this to you, mendicants, I announce this to you! It would be better for that unethical man to have a strong man force his mouth open with a hot iron spike and shove in a red-hot copper ball, burning, blazing, and glowing, that burns his lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and stomach before coming out below with his entrails. Why is that? Because that might result in death or deadly pain. But when his body breaks up, after death, it would not cause him to be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. But when such an unethical man enjoys almsfood given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders, that brings him lasting harm and suffering. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

“Ārocayāmi vo, bhikkhave, paṭivedayāmi vo, bhikkhave, yathā etadeva tassa varaṁ dussīlassa …pe… kasambujātassa yaṁ balavā puriso tattena ayosaṅkunā mukhaṁ vivaritvā tattaṁ lohaguḷaṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ mukhe pakkhipeyya—taṁ tassa oṭṭhampi daheyya mukhampi daheyya jivhampi daheyya kaṇṭhampi daheyya urampi daheyya antampi antaguṇampi ādāya adhobhāgaṁ nikkhameyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tatonidānañhi so, bhikkhave, maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ, na tveva tappaccayā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya. Yañca kho so, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo …pe… kasambujāto khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ piṇḍapātaṁ paribhuñjati, tañhi tassa hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

What do you think, mendicants? Which is better—to have a strong man grab you by the head or shoulders and make you sit or lie down on red-hot iron bed or seat? Or to enjoy the use of beds and chairs given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho varaṁ—yaṁ balavā puriso sīse vā gahetvā khandhe vā gahetvā tattaṁ ayomañcaṁ vā ayopīṭhaṁ vā abhinisīdāpeyya vā abhinipajjāpeyya vā, yaṁ vā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ mañcapīṭhaṁ paribhuñjeyyā”ti?

“Sir, it would be much better to enjoy the use of beds and chairs given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders. For it would be painful to have a strong man grab you by the head or shoulders and make you sit or lie down on a red-hot iron bed or seat.”

“Etadeva, bhante, varaṁ—yaṁ khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ mañcapīṭhaṁ paribhuñjeyya, dukkhañhetaṁ, bhante, yaṁ balavā puriso sīse vā gahetvā khandhe vā gahetvā tattaṁ ayomañcaṁ vā ayopīṭhaṁ vā abhinisīdāpeyya vā abhinipajjāpeyya vā”ti.

“I declare this to you, mendicants, I announce this to you! It would be better for that unethical man to have a strong man grab him by the head or shoulders and make him sit or lie down on a red-hot iron bed or seat. Why is that? Because that might result in death or deadly pain. But when his body breaks up, after death, it would not cause him to be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. But when such an unethical man enjoys the use of beds and seats given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders, that brings him lasting harm and suffering. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

“Ārocayāmi vo, bhikkhave, paṭivedayāmi vo, bhikkhave, yathā etadeva tassa varaṁ dussīlassa …pe… kasambujātassa yaṁ balavā puriso sīse vā gahetvā khandhe vā gahetvā tattaṁ ayomañcaṁ vā ayopīṭhaṁ vā abhinisīdāpeyya vā abhinipajjāpeyya vā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tatonidānañhi so, bhikkhave, maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ, na tveva tappaccayā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya. Yañca kho so, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo …pe… kasambujāto khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ mañcapīṭhaṁ paribhuñjati. Tañhi tassa, bhikkhave, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

What do you think, mendicants? Which is better—to have a strong man grab you, turn you upside down, and shove you in a red-hot copper pot, burning, blazing, and glowing, where you’re seared in boiling scum, and swept up and down and round and round. Or to enjoy the use of dwellings given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, katamaṁ nu kho varaṁ—yaṁ balavā puriso uddhampādaṁ adhosiraṁ gahetvā tattāya lohakumbhiyā pakkhipeyya ādittāya sampajjalitāya sajotibhūtāya—so tattha pheṇuddehakaṁ paccamāno sakimpi uddhaṁ gaccheyya sakimpi adho gaccheyya sakimpi tiriyaṁ gaccheyya, yaṁ vā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ vihāraṁ paribhuñjeyyā”ti?

“Sir, it would be much better to enjoy the use of dwellings given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders. For it would be painful to have a strong man grab you, turn you upside down, and shove you in a red-hot copper pot, burning, blazing, and glowing, where you’re seared in boiling scum, and swept up and down and round and round.”

“Etadeva, bhante, varaṁ—yaṁ khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ vihāraṁ paribhuñjeyya, dukkhañhetaṁ, bhante, yaṁ balavā puriso uddhampādaṁ adhosiraṁ gahetvā tattāya lohakumbhiyā pakkhipeyya ādittāya sampajjalitāya sajotibhūtāya—so tattha pheṇuddehakaṁ paccamāno sakimpi uddhaṁ gaccheyya sakimpi adho gaccheyya sakimpi tiriyaṁ gaccheyyā”ti.

“I declare this to you, mendicants, I announce this to you! It would be better for that unethical man to have a strong man grab him, turn him upside down, and shove him in a red-hot copper pot, burning, blazing, and glowing, where he’s seared in boiling scum, and swept up and down and round and round. Why is that? Because that might result in death or deadly pain. But when his body breaks up, after death, it would not cause him to be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. But when such an unethical man enjoys the use of dwellings given in faith by well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders, that brings him lasting harm and suffering. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

“Ārocayāmi vo, bhikkhave, paṭivedayāmi vo, bhikkhave, yathā etadeva tassa varaṁ dussīlassa pāpadhammassa …pe… kasambujātassa yaṁ balavā puriso uddhampādaṁ adhosiraṁ gahetvā …pe… sakimpi tiriyaṁ gaccheyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tatonidānañhi so, bhikkhave, maraṇaṁ vā nigaccheyya maraṇamattaṁ vā dukkhaṁ, na tveva tappaccayā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya. Yañca kho so, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo …pe… kasambujāto khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā saddhādeyyaṁ vihāraṁ paribhuñjati. Tañhi tassa, bhikkhave, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

So you should train like this: ‘The services of those whose robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick we enjoy shall be very fruitful and beneficial for them. And our going forth will not be barren, but will be fruitful and fertile.’ That’s how you should train. Considering what is good for yourself, mendicants, is quite enough for you to persist with diligence. Considering what is good for others is quite enough for you to persist with diligence. Considering what is good for both is quite enough for you to persist with diligence.”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘yesañca mayaṁ paribhuñjāma cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ tesaṁ te kārā mahapphalā bhavissanti mahānisaṁsā, amhākañcevāyaṁ pabbajjā avañjhā bhavissati saphalā saudrayā’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘attatthaṁ vā, bhikkhave, sampassamānena alameva appamādena sampādetuṁ; paratthaṁ vā, bhikkhave, sampassamānena alameva appamādena sampādetuṁ; ubhayatthaṁ vā, bhikkhave, sampassamānena alameva appamādena sampādetun’”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. And while this discourse was being spoken, sixty monks spewed hot blood from their mouths. Sixty mendicants resigned the training and returned to a lesser life, saying:

Idamavoca bhagavā. Imasmiñca pana veyyākaraṇasmiṁ bhaññamāne saṭṭhimattānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ uṇhaṁ lohitaṁ mukhato uggañchi. Saṭṭhimattā bhikkhū sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattiṁsu:

“It’s too hard, Blessed One! It’s just too hard!” And sixty monks were freed from defilements by not grasping.

“sudukkaraṁ bhagavā, sudukkaraṁ bhagavā”ti. Saṭṭhimattānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ anupādāya āsavehi cittāni vimucciṁsūti.

AN 7.73 · About Sunetta

AN 7.73 · Sunettasutta

“Once upon a time, mendicants, there was a teacher named Sunetta. He was a religious founder and was free of desire for sensual pleasures. He had many hundreds of disciples. He taught them a Dhamma for rebirth in the company of Divinity. Those lacking confidence in Sunetta were—when their body broke up, after death—reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. Those full of confidence in Sunetta were—when their body broke up, after death—reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

“Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, sunetto nāma satthā ahosi titthakaro kāmesu vītarāgo. Sunettassa kho pana, bhikkhave, satthuno anekāni sāvakasatāni ahesuṁ. Sunetto satthā sāvakānaṁ brahmalokasahabyatāya dhammaṁ desesi. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, sunettassa satthuno brahmalokasahabyatāya dhammaṁ desentassa cittāni nappasādesuṁ te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjiṁsu. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, sunettassa satthuno brahmalokasahabyatāya dhammaṁ desentassa cittāni pasādesuṁ te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjiṁsu.

Once upon a time, there was a teacher named Mūgapakkha … Aranemi … Kuddālaka … Hatthipāla … Jotipāla … Araka. He was a religious founder and was free of desire for sensual pleasures. He had many hundreds of disciples. He taught them a Dhamma for rebirth in the company of Divinity. Those lacking confidence in Araka were—when their body broke up, after death—reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. Those full of confidence in Araka were—when their body broke up, after death—reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, mūgapakkho nāma satthā ahosi …pe… aranemi nāma satthā ahosi …pe… kuddālako nāma satthā ahosi …pe… hatthipālo nāma satthā ahosi …pe… jotipālo nāma satthā ahosi …pe… arako nāma satthā ahosi titthakaro kāmesu vītarāgo. Arakassa kho pana, bhikkhave, satthuno anekāni sāvakasatāni ahesuṁ. Arako nāma satthā sāvakānaṁ brahmalokasahabyatāya dhammaṁ desesi. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, arakassa satthuno brahmalokasahabyatāya dhammaṁ desentassa cittāni nappasādesuṁ, te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjiṁsu. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, arakassa satthuno brahmalokasahabyatāya dhammaṁ desentassa cittāni pasādesuṁ, te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjiṁsu.

What do you think, mendicants? If someone with malicious intent were to abuse and insult these seven teachers with their hundreds of followers, would they not brim with much wickedness?”

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, yo ime satta satthāre titthakare kāmesu vītarāge anekasataparivāre sasāvakasaṅghe paduṭṭhacitto akkoseyya paribhāseyya, bahuṁ so apuññaṁ pasaveyyā”ti?

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“They would indeed. But someone who abuses and insults a single individual accomplished in view with malicious intent brims even more with wickedness. Why is that? I say that any injury done by those outside of the Buddhist community does not compare with what is done to one’s own spiritual companions.

“Yo, bhikkhave, ime satta satthāre titthakare kāmesu vītarāge anekasataparivāre sasāvakasaṅghe paduṭṭhacitto akkoseyya paribhāseyya, bahuṁ so apuññaṁ pasaveyya. Yo ekaṁ diṭṭhisampannaṁ puggalaṁ paduṭṭhacitto akkosati paribhāsati, ayaṁ tato bahutaraṁ apuññaṁ pasavati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, ito bahiddhā evarūpiṁ khantiṁ vadāmi yathāmaṁ sabrahmacārīsu.

So you should train like this: ‘We will have no malicious intent for our spiritual companions.’ That’s how you should train.”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘na no sabrahmacārīsu cittāni paduṭṭhāni bhavissantī’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

AN 7.74 · About Araka

AN 7.74 · Arakasutta

“Once upon a time, mendicants, there was a teacher named Araka. He was a religious founder and was free of desire for sensual pleasures. He had many hundreds of disciples, and he taught them like this: ‘Brahmins, life as a human is short, brief, and fleeting, full of suffering and distress. Be thoughtful and wake up! Do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death.

“Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, arako nāma satthā ahosi titthakaro kāmesu vītarāgo. Arakassa kho pana, bhikkhave, satthuno anekāni sāvakasatāni ahesuṁ. Arako satthā sāvakānaṁ evaṁ dhammaṁ deseti: ‘appakaṁ, brāhmaṇa, jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ bahudukkhaṁ bahupāyāsaṁ mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.

It’s like a drop of dew on a grass tip. When the sun comes up it vanishes right away and doesn’t last long. In the same way, life as a human is like a dewdrop. It’s brief and fleeting, full of suffering and distress. Be thoughtful and wake up! Do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death.

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, tiṇagge ussāvabindu sūriye uggacchante khippaṁyeva paṭivigacchati, na ciraṭṭhitikaṁ hoti; evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, ussāvabindūpamaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ bahudukkhaṁ bahupāyāsaṁ mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.

It’s like when the heavens rain heavily. The bubbles vanish right away and don’t last long. In the same way, life as a human is like a bubble. …

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, thullaphusitake deve vassante udakabubbuḷaṁ khippaṁyeva paṭivigacchati, na ciraṭṭhitikaṁ hoti; evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, udakabubbuḷūpamaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ bahudukkhaṁ bahupāyāsaṁ mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.

It’s like a line drawn in water. It vanishes right away and doesn’t last long. In the same way, life as a human is like a line drawn in water. …

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, udake daṇḍarāji khippaṁyeva paṭivigacchati, na ciraṭṭhitikā hoti; evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, udake daṇḍarājūpamaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ …pe… natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.

It’s like a mountain river traveling far, flowing fast, carrying all before it. It doesn’t turn back—not for a moment, a second, an hour—but runs, rolls, and flows on. In the same way, life as a human is like a mountain river. …

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, nadī pabbateyyā dūraṅgamā sīghasotā hārahārinī, natthi so khaṇo vā layo vā muhutto vā yaṁ sā āvattati, atha kho sā gacchateva vattateva sandateva; evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, nadīpabbateyyūpamaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ …pe… natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.

It’s like a strong man who has formed a glob of spit on the tip of his tongue. He could easily spit it out. In the same way, life as a human is like a glob of spit. …

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, balavā puriso jivhagge kheḷapiṇḍaṁ saṁyūhitvā akasireneva vameyya; evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, kheḷapiṇḍūpamaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ …pe… natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.

Suppose there was an iron cauldron that had been heated all day. If you tossed a scrap of meat in, it would vanish right away and not last long. In the same way, life as a human is like a scrap of meat. …

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, divasaṁsantatte ayokaṭāhe maṁsapesi pakkhittā khippaṁyeva paṭivigacchati, na ciraṭṭhitikā hoti; evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, maṁsapesūpamaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ …pe… natthi jātassa amaraṇaṁ.

It’s like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse. With every step she comes closer to the slaughter, closer to death. In the same way, life as a human is like a cow being slaughtered. It’s brief and fleeting, full of suffering and distress. Be thoughtful and wake up! Do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death.’

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, gāvī vajjhā āghātanaṁ nīyamānā yaṁ yadeva pādaṁ uddharati, santikeva hoti vadhassa santikeva maraṇassa; evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, govajjhūpamaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ bahudukkhaṁ bahupāyāsaṁ mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇan’ti.

Now, mendicants, at that time human beings had a lifespan of 60,000 years. Girls could be married at 500 years of age. And human beings only had six afflictions: cold, heat, hunger, thirst, and the need to defecate and urinate. But even though humans were so long-lived with so few afflictions, Araka still taught in this way: ‘Life as a human is short, brief, and fleeting, full of suffering and distress. Be thoughtful and wake up! Do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death.’

Tena kho pana, bhikkhave, samayena manussānaṁ saṭṭhivassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi, pañcavassasatikā kumārikā alaṁpateyyā ahosi. Tena kho pana, bhikkhave, samayena manussānaṁ chaḷeva ābādhā ahesuṁ— sītaṁ, uṇhaṁ, jighacchā, pipāsā, uccāro, passāvo. So hi nāma, bhikkhave, arako satthā evaṁ dīghāyukesu manussesu evaṁ ciraṭṭhitikesu evaṁ appābādhesu sāvakānaṁ evaṁ dhammaṁ desessati: ‘appakaṁ, brāhmaṇa, jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ bahudukkhaṁ bahupāyāsaṁ mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇan’ti.

These days it’d be right to say: ‘Life as a human is short, brief, and fleeting, full of suffering and distress. Be thoughtful and wake up! Do what’s good and lead the spiritual life, for no one born can escape death.’ For these days a long life is a hundred years or a little more. Living for a hundred years, there are just three hundred seasons, a hundred each of the winter, summer, and rains. Living for three hundred seasons, there are just twelve hundred months, four hundred in each of the winter, summer, and rains. Living for twelve hundred months, there are just twenty-four hundred fortnights, eight hundred in each of the winter, summer, and rains. Living for 2,400 fortnights, there are just 36,000 days, 12,000 in each of the summer, winter, and rains. Living for 36,000 days, you just eat 72,000 meals, 24,000 in each of the summer, winter, and rains, including when you’re suckling at the breast, and when you’re prevented from eating.

Etarahi taṁ, bhikkhave, sammā vadamāno vadeyya: ‘appakaṁ jīvitaṁ manussānaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ bahudukkhaṁ bahupāyāsaṁ mantāyaṁ boddhabbaṁ, kattabbaṁ kusalaṁ, caritabbaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, natthi jātassa amaraṇan’ti. Etarahi, bhikkhave, yo ciraṁ jīvati so vassasataṁ appaṁ vā bhiyyo. Vassasataṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, jīvanto tīṇiyeva utusatāni jīvati— utusataṁ hemantānaṁ, utusataṁ gimhānaṁ, utusataṁ vassānaṁ. Tīṇi kho pana, bhikkhave, utusatāni jīvanto dvādasayeva māsasatāni jīvati— cattāri māsasatāni hemantānaṁ, cattāri māsasatāni gimhānaṁ, cattāri māsasatāni vassānaṁ. Dvādasa kho pana, bhikkhave, māsasatāni jīvanto catuvīsatiyeva addhamāsasatāni jīvati— aṭṭhaddhamāsasatāni hemantānaṁ, aṭṭhaddhamāsasatāni gimhānaṁ, aṭṭhaddhamāsasatāni vassānaṁ. Catuvīsati kho pana, bhikkhave, addhamāsasatāni jīvanto chattiṁsaṁyeva rattisahassāni jīvati— dvādasa rattisahassāni hemantānaṁ, dvādasa rattisahassāni gimhānaṁ, dvādasa rattisahassāni vassānaṁ. Chattiṁsaṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, rattisahassāni jīvanto dvesattatiyeva bhattasahassāni bhuñjati— catuvīsati bhattasahassāni hemantānaṁ, catuvīsati bhattasahassāni gimhānaṁ, catuvīsati bhattasahassāni vassānaṁ saddhiṁ mātuthaññāya saddhiṁ bhattantarāyena.

Things that prevent you from eating include anger, pain, sickness, sabbath, or being unable to get food. So mendicants, for a human being with a hundred years lifespan I have counted the lifespan, the limit of the lifespan, the seasons, the years, the months, the fortnights, the nights, the days, the meals, and the things that prevent them from eating. Out of sympathy, I’ve done what a teacher should do who wants what’s best for their disciples. Here are these roots of trees, and here are these empty huts. Practice absorption, mendicants! Don’t be negligent! Don’t regret it later! This is my instruction to you.”

Tatrime bhattantarāyā kapimiddhopi bhattaṁ na bhuñjati, dukkhitopi bhattaṁ na bhuñjati, byādhitopi bhattaṁ na bhuñjati, uposathikopi bhattaṁ na bhuñjati, alābhakenapi bhattaṁ na bhuñjati. Iti kho, bhikkhave, mayā vassasatāyukassa manussassa āyupi saṅkhāto, āyuppamāṇampi saṅkhātaṁ, utūpi saṅkhātā, saṁvaccharāpi saṅkhātā, māsāpi saṅkhātā, addhamāsāpi saṅkhātā, rattipi saṅkhātā, divāpi saṅkhātā, bhattāpi saṅkhātā, bhattantarāyāpi saṅkhātā. Yaṁ, bhikkhave, satthārā karaṇīyaṁ sāvakānaṁ hitesinā anukampakena anukampaṁ upādāya; kataṁ vo taṁ mayā etāni, bhikkhave, rukkhamūlāni etāni suññāgārāni. Jhāyatha, bhikkhave, mā pamādattha; mā pacchā vippaṭisārino ahuvattha. Ayaṁ vo amhākaṁ anusāsanī”ti.