A Great Sacrifice · AN 7.51–7.53

AN 7.51 · Yoking and Unyoking

AN 7.51 · Saṁyogasutta

“Mendicants, I will teach you an exposition of the teaching on yoking and unyoking. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak. … And what is the exposition of the teaching on yoking and unyoking?

“Saṁyogavisaṁyogaṁ vo, bhikkhave, dhammapariyāyaṁ desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha …pe… katamo ca so, bhikkhave, saṁyogo visaṁyogo dhammapariyāyo?

A woman focuses on her own femininity: her feminine moves, feminine appearance, feminine ways, feminine desires, feminine voice, and feminine adornment. She’s stimulated by this and takes pleasure in it. So she focuses on the masculinity of others: masculine moves, masculine appearance, masculine ways, masculine desires, masculine voice, and masculine adornment. She’s stimulated by this and takes pleasure in it. So she desires to yoke herself to another. And she desires the pleasure and happiness that comes from such yoking. Sentient beings who relish their femininity are yoked to men. This is how a woman does not transcend her femininity.

Itthī, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ itthindriyaṁ manasi karoti— itthikuttaṁ itthākappaṁ itthividhaṁ itthicchandaṁ itthissaraṁ itthālaṅkāraṁ. Sā tattha rajjati tatrābhiramati. Sā tattha rattā tatrābhiratā bahiddhā purisindriyaṁ manasi karoti— purisakuttaṁ purisākappaṁ purisavidhaṁ purisacchandaṁ purisassaraṁ purisālaṅkāraṁ. Sā tattha rajjati tatrābhiramati. Sā tattha rattā tatrābhiratā bahiddhā saṁyogaṁ ākaṅkhati. Yañcassā saṁyogapaccayā uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ tañca ākaṅkhati. Itthatte, bhikkhave, abhiratā sattā purisesu saṁyogaṁ gatā. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, itthī itthattaṁ nātivattati.

A man focuses on his own masculinity: his masculine moves, masculine appearance, masculine ways, masculine desires, masculine voice, and masculine adornment. He’s stimulated by this and takes pleasure in it. So he focuses on the femininity of others: feminine moves, feminine appearance, feminine ways, feminine desires, feminine voice, and feminine adornment. He’s stimulated by this and takes pleasure in it. So he desires to yoke himself to another. And he desires the pleasure and happiness that comes from such yoking. Sentient beings who relish their masculinity are yoked to women. This is how a man does not transcend his masculinity. This is how yoking comes about.

Puriso, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ purisindriyaṁ manasi karoti— purisakuttaṁ purisākappaṁ purisavidhaṁ purisacchandaṁ purisassaraṁ purisālaṅkāraṁ. So tattha rajjati tatrābhiramati. So tattha ratto tatrābhirato bahiddhā itthindriyaṁ manasi karoti— itthikuttaṁ itthākappaṁ itthividhaṁ itthicchandaṁ itthissaraṁ itthālaṅkāraṁ. So tattha rajjati tatrābhiramati. So tattha ratto tatrābhirato bahiddhā saṁyogaṁ ākaṅkhati. Yañcassa saṁyogapaccayā uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ tañca ākaṅkhati. Purisatte, bhikkhave, abhiratā sattā itthīsu saṁyogaṁ gatā. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puriso purisattaṁ nātivattati. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, saṁyogo hoti.

And how does unyoking come about? A woman doesn’t focus on her own femininity: her feminine moves, feminine appearance, feminine ways, feminine desires, feminine voice, and feminine adornment. She isn’t stimulated by this and takes no pleasure in it. So she doesn’t focus on the masculinity of others: masculine moves, masculine appearance, masculine ways, masculine desires, masculine voice, and masculine adornment. She isn’t stimulated by this and takes no pleasure in it. So she doesn’t desire to yoke herself to another. Nor does she desire the pleasure and happiness that comes from such yoking. Sentient beings who do not relish their femininity are not yoked to men. This is how a woman transcends her femininity.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, visaṁyogo hoti? Itthī, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ itthindriyaṁ na manasi karoti— itthikuttaṁ itthākappaṁ itthividhaṁ itthicchandaṁ itthissaraṁ itthālaṅkāraṁ. Sā tattha na rajjati, sā tatra nābhiramati. Sā tattha arattā tatra anabhiratā bahiddhā purisindriyaṁ na manasi karoti— purisakuttaṁ purisākappaṁ purisavidhaṁ purisacchandaṁ purisassaraṁ purisālaṅkāraṁ. Sā tattha na rajjati, tatra nābhiramati. Sā tattha arattā tatra anabhiratā bahiddhā saṁyogaṁ nākaṅkhati. Yañcassā saṁyogapaccayā uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ tañca nākaṅkhati. Itthatte, bhikkhave, anabhiratā sattā purisesu visaṁyogaṁ gatā. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, itthī itthattaṁ ativattati.

A man doesn’t focus on his own masculinity: masculine moves, masculine appearance, masculine ways, masculine desires, masculine voice, and masculine adornment. He isn’t stimulated by this and takes no pleasure in it. So he doesn’t focus on the femininity of others: feminine moves, feminine appearance, feminine ways, feminine desires, feminine voice, and feminine adornment. He isn’t stimulated by this and takes no pleasure in it. So he doesn’t desire to yoke himself to another. Nor does he desire the pleasure and happiness that comes from such yoking. Sentient beings who do not relish their masculinity are not yoked to women. This is how a man transcends his masculinity. This is how unyoking comes about. This is the exposition of the teaching on yoking and unyoking.”

Puriso, bhikkhave, ajjhattaṁ purisindriyaṁ na manasi karoti— purisakuttaṁ purisākappaṁ purisavidhaṁ purisacchandaṁ purisassaraṁ purisālaṅkāraṁ. So tattha na rajjati, so tatra nābhiramati. So tattha aratto tatra anabhirato bahiddhā itthindriyaṁ na manasi karoti— itthikuttaṁ itthākappaṁ itthividhaṁ itthicchandaṁ itthissaraṁ itthālaṅkāraṁ. So tattha na rajjati, tatra nābhiramati. So tattha aratto tatra anabhirato bahiddhā saṁyogaṁ nākaṅkhati. Yañcassa saṁyogapaccayā uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ tañca nākaṅkhati. Purisatte, bhikkhave, anabhiratā sattā itthīsu visaṁyogaṁ gatā. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, puriso purisattaṁ ativattati. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, visaṁyogo hoti. Ayaṁ kho, bhikkhave, saṁyogo visaṁyogo dhammapariyāyo”ti.

AN 7.52 · A Very Fruitful Gift

AN 7.52 · Dānamahapphalasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying near Campā on the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā campāyaṁ viharati gaggarāya pokkharaṇiyā tīre.

Then several lay followers of Campā went to Venerable Sāriputta, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, it’s been a long time since we’ve heard a Dhamma talk from the Buddha. It would be good if we got to hear a Dhamma talk from the Buddha.”

Atha kho sambahulā campeyyakā upāsakā yena āyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho campeyyakā upāsakā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavocuṁ: “cirassutā no, bhante, bhagavato sammukhā dhammīkathā. Sādhu mayaṁ, bhante, labheyyāma bhagavato sammukhā dhammiṁ kathaṁ savanāyā”ti.

“Well then, reverends, come on the next sabbath day. Hopefully you’ll get to hear a Dhamma talk from the Buddha.”

“Tenahāvuso, tadahuposathe āgaccheyyātha, appeva nāma labheyyātha bhagavato sammukhā dhammiṁ kathaṁ savanāyā”ti.

“Yes, sir” they replied. Then they rose from their seats, bowed to Sāriputta, and respectfully circled him before leaving.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho campeyyakā upāsakā āyasmato sāriputtassa paṭissutvā uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.

Then on the next sabbath the lay followers of Campā went to Venerable Sāriputta, bowed, and stood to one side. Then they went together with Sāriputta to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Sāriputta said to the Buddha:

Atha kho campeyyakā upāsakā tadahuposathe yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto tehi campeyyakehi upāsakehi saddhiṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, could it be that someone gives a gift and it is not very fruitful or beneficial, while someone else gives exactly the same gift and it is very fruitful and beneficial?”

“Siyā nu kho, bhante, idhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ na mahapphalaṁ hoti na mahānisaṁsaṁ; siyā pana, bhante, idhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ hoti mahānisaṁsan”ti?

“Indeed it could, Sāriputta.”

“Siyā, sāriputta, idhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ na mahapphalaṁ hoti na mahānisaṁsaṁ; siyā pana, sāriputta, idhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ hoti mahānisaṁsan”ti.

“Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason for this?”

“Ko nu kho, bhante, hetu ko paccayo yena midhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ na mahapphalaṁ hoti na mahānisaṁsaṁ; ko nu kho, bhante, hetu ko paccayo yena midhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ hoti mahānisaṁsan”ti?

“Sāriputta, take the case of a someone who gives a gift as an investment, their mind tied to it, expecting to keep it, thinking ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life.’ They give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. What do you think, Sāriputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

“Idha, sāriputta, ekacco sāpekho dānaṁ deti, patibaddhacitto dānaṁ deti, sannidhipekho dānaṁ deti, ‘imaṁ pecca paribhuñjissāmī’ti dānaṁ deti. So taṁ dānaṁ deti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sāriputta, dadeyya idhekacco evarūpaṁ dānan”ti?

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Sāriputta, someone who gives a gift as an investment, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods of the four great kings. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they return to this place.

“Tatra, sāriputta, yvāyaṁ sāpekho dānaṁ deti, patibaddhacitto dānaṁ deti, sannidhipekho dānaṁ deti, ‘imaṁ pecca paribhuñjissāmī’ti dānaṁ deti. So taṁ dānaṁ datvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. So taṁ kammaṁ khepetvā taṁ iddhiṁ taṁ yasaṁ taṁ ādhipaccaṁ āgāmī hoti āgantā itthattaṁ.

Next, take the case of a someone who gives a gift not as an investment, their mind not tied to it, not expecting to keep it, and not thinking, ‘I’ll enjoy this in my next life.’ But they give a gift thinking, ‘It’s good to give.’ …

Idha pana, sāriputta, ekacco na heva kho sāpekho dānaṁ deti, na patibaddhacitto dānaṁ deti, na sannidhipekho dānaṁ deti, na ‘imaṁ pecca paribhuñjissāmī’ti dānaṁ deti; api ca kho ‘sāhu dānan’ti dānaṁ deti …pe….

They give a gift thinking, ‘Giving was practiced by my father and my father’s father. It would not be right for me to abandon this family custom.’ …

Napi ‘sāhu dānan’ti dānaṁ deti; api ca kho ‘dinnapubbaṁ katapubbaṁ pitupitāmahehi na arahāmi porāṇaṁ kulavaṁsaṁ hāpetun’ti dānaṁ deti …pe….

They give a gift thinking, ‘I cook, they don’t. It wouldn’t be right for me to not give to them.’ …

Napi ‘dinnapubbaṁ katapubbaṁ pitupitāmahehi na arahāmi porāṇaṁ kulavaṁsaṁ hāpetun’ti dānaṁ deti; api ca kho ‘ahaṁ pacāmi, ime na pacanti, nārahāmi pacanto apacantānaṁ dānaṁ adātun’ti dānaṁ deti …pe….

They give a gift thinking, ‘The ancient brahmin seers were Aṭṭhaka, Vāmaka, Vāmadeva, Vessāmitta, Yamadaggi, Aṅgīrasa, Bhāradvāja, Vāseṭṭha, Kassapa, and Bhagu. Just as they performed great sacrifices, I will share a gift.’ …

Napi ‘ahaṁ pacāmi, ime na pacanti, nārahāmi pacanto apacantānaṁ dānaṁ adātun’ti dānaṁ deti; api ca kho ‘yathā tesaṁ pubbakānaṁ isīnaṁ tāni mahāyaññāni ahesuṁ, seyyathidaṁ— aṭṭhakassa vāmakassa vāmadevassa vessāmittassa yamadaggino aṅgīrasassa bhāradvājassa vāseṭṭhassa kassapassa bhaguno, evaṁ me ayaṁ dānasaṁvibhāgo bhavissatī’ti dānaṁ deti …pe….

They give a gift thinking, ‘When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.’ …

Napi ‘yathā tesaṁ pubbakānaṁ isīnaṁ tāni mahāyaññāni ahesuṁ, seyyathidaṁ— aṭṭhakassa vāmakassa vāmadevassa vessāmittassa yamadaggino aṅgīrasassa bhāradvājassa vāseṭṭhassa kassapassa bhaguno, evaṁ me ayaṁ dānasaṁvibhāgo bhavissatī’ti dānaṁ deti; api ca kho ‘imaṁ me dānaṁ dadato cittaṁ pasīdati, attamanatā somanassaṁ upajāyatī’ti dānaṁ deti …pe….

They don’t give a gift thinking, ‘When giving this gift my mind becomes clear, and I become happy and joyful.’ But they give a gift thinking, ‘This is an adornment and requisite for the mind.’ They give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting. What do you think, Sāriputta, don’t some people give gifts in this way?”

Napi ‘imaṁ me dānaṁ dadato cittaṁ pasīdati, attamanatā somanassaṁ upajāyatī’ti dānaṁ deti; api ca kho cittālaṅkāracittaparikkhāraṁ dānaṁ deti. So taṁ dānaṁ deti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, sāriputta, dadeyya idhekacco evarūpaṁ dānan”ti?

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Sāriputta, someone who gives gifts, not for any other reason, but thinking, ‘This is an adornment and requisite for the mind’, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn among the gods of the Divinity’s host. When that deed, success, glory, and sovereignty is spent they are a non-returner; they do not return to this place.

“Tatra, sāriputta, yvāyaṁ na heva sāpekho dānaṁ deti; na patibaddhacitto dānaṁ deti; na sannidhipekho dānaṁ deti; na ‘imaṁ pecca paribhuñjissāmī’ti dānaṁ deti; napi ‘sāhu dānan’ti dānaṁ deti; napi ‘dinnapubbaṁ katapubbaṁ pitupitāmahehi na arahāmi porāṇaṁ kulavaṁsaṁ hāpetun’ti dānaṁ deti; napi ‘ahaṁ pacāmi, ime na pacanti, nārahāmi pacanto apacantānaṁ dānaṁ adātun’ti dānaṁ deti; napi ‘yathā tesaṁ pubbakānaṁ isīnaṁ tāni mahāyaññāni ahesuṁ, seyyathidaṁ— aṭṭhakassa vāmakassa vāmadevassa vessāmittassa yamadaggino aṅgīrasassa bhāradvājassa vāseṭṭhassa kassapassa bhaguno, evaṁ me ayaṁ dānasaṁvibhāgo bhavissatī’ti dānaṁ deti; napi ‘imaṁ me dānaṁ dadato cittaṁ pasīdati, attamanatā somanassaṁ upajāyatī’ti dānaṁ deti; api ca kho cittālaṅkāracittaparikkhāraṁ dānaṁ deti. So taṁ dānaṁ datvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. So taṁ kammaṁ khepetvā taṁ iddhiṁ taṁ yasaṁ taṁ ādhipaccaṁ anāgāmī hoti anāgantā itthattaṁ.

This is the cause, this is the reason why someone gives a gift and it is not very fruitful or beneficial, while someone else gives exactly the same gift and it is very fruitful and beneficial.”

Ayaṁ kho, sāriputta, hetu ayaṁ paccayo yena midhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ na mahapphalaṁ hoti na mahānisaṁsaṁ. Ayaṁ pana, sāriputta, hetu ayaṁ paccayo yena midhekaccassa tādisaṁyeva dānaṁ dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ hoti mahānisaṁsan”ti.

AN 7.53 · Nanda’s Mother

AN 7.53 · Nandamātāsutta

So I have heard. At one time the venerables Sāriputta and Mahāmoggallāna were wandering in the Southern Hills together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants. Now at that time the laywoman Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother, rose at the crack of dawn and recited the verses of “The Way to the Far Shore”.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ca sāriputto āyasmā ca mahāmoggallāno dakkhiṇāgirismiṁ cārikaṁ caranti mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ. Tena kho pana samayena veḷukaṇḍakī nandamātā upāsikā rattiyā paccūsasamayaṁ paccuṭṭhāya pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsati.

And at that time the great king Vessavaṇa was on his way from the north to the south on some business. He heard Nanda’s Mother reciting, and stood waiting for her to finish.

Tena kho pana samayena vessavaṇo mahārājā uttarāya disāya dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ gacchati kenacideva karaṇīyena. Assosi kho vessavaṇo mahārājā nandamātāya upāsikāya pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsantiyā, sutvā kathāpariyosānaṁ āgamayamāno aṭṭhāsi.

Then when her recital was over she fell silent. Then, knowing she had finished, Vessavaṇa applauded, saying, “Good, sister! Good, sister!”

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsitvā tuṇhī ahosi. Atha kho vessavaṇo mahārājā nandamātāya upāsikāya kathāpariyosānaṁ viditvā abbhānumodi: “sādhu, bhagini, sādhu, bhaginī”ti.

“But who might you be, dearest?”

“Ko paneso, bhadramukhā”ti?

“Sister, I am your brother Vessavaṇa, the great king.”

“Ahaṁ te, bhagini, bhātā vessavaṇo, mahārājā”ti.

“Good, dearest! Then may my recital of the teaching be my offering to you as my guest.”

“Sādhu, bhadramukha, tena hi yo me ayaṁ dhammapariyāyo bhaṇito idaṁ te hotu ātitheyyan”ti.

“Good, sister! And let this also be your offering to me as your guest. Tomorrow, the mendicant Saṅgha headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna will arrive at Veḷukaṇṭa before breakfast. When you’ve served the Saṅgha, please dedicate the religious donation to me. Then that will also be your offering to me as your guest.”

“Sādhu, bhagini, etañceva me hotu ātitheyyaṁ. Sveva sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho akatapātarāso veḷukaṇḍakaṁ āgamissati, tañca bhikkhusaṅghaṁ parivisitvā mama dakkhiṇaṁ ādiseyyāsi. Etañceva me bhavissati ātitheyyan”ti.

And when the night had passed the lay woman Nanda’s Mother had delicious fresh and cooked foods prepared in her own home. Then the Saṅgha of mendicants headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna arrived at Veḷukaṇṭa. Then Nanda’s Mother addressed a man, “Please, my man, go to the monastery and announce the time to the Saṅgha, saying: ‘Sirs, it’s time. The meal is ready in the home of the lady Nanda’s Mother.’”

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā tassā rattiyā accayena sake nivesane paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyādāpesi. Atha kho sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho akatapātarāso yena veḷukaṇḍako tadavasari. Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, ārāmaṁ gantvā bhikkhusaṅghassa kālaṁ ārocehi: ‘kālo, bhante, ayyāya nandamātuyā nivesane niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan’”ti.

“Yes, ma’am,” that man replied, and he did as she said.

“Evaṁ, ayye”ti kho so puriso nandamātāya upāsikāya paṭissutvā ārāmaṁ gantvā bhikkhusaṅghassa kālaṁ ārocesi: “kālo, bhante, ayyāya nandamātuyā nivesane niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”ti.

And then the Saṅgha of mendicants headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, went to the home of Nanda’s Mother, where they sat on the seats spread out. Then Nanda’s Mother served and satisfied them with her own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods.

Atha kho sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena nandamātāya upāsikāya nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā sāriputtamoggallānappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi.

When Sāriputta had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, Nanda’s Mother sat down to one side. Sāriputta said to her, “Nanda’s Mother, who told you that the Saṅgha of mendicants was about to arrive?”

Atha kho nandamātā upāsikā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ bhuttāviṁ onītapattapāṇiṁ ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho nandamātaraṁ upāsikaṁ āyasmā sāriputto etadavoca: “ko pana te, nandamāte, bhikkhusaṅghassa abbhāgamanaṁ ārocesī”ti?

“Sir, last night I rose at the crack of dawn and recited the verses of ‘The Way to the Far Shore’, and then I fell silent. Then the great king Vessavaṇa, knowing I had finished, applauded me, ‘Good, sister! Good, sister!’

“Idhāhaṁ, bhante, rattiyā paccūsasamayaṁ paccuṭṭhāya pārāyanaṁ sarena bhāsitvā tuṇhī ahosiṁ. Atha kho, bhante, vessavaṇo mahārājā mama kathāpariyosānaṁ viditvā abbhānumodi: ‘sādhu, bhagini, sādhu, bhaginī’ti.

I asked: ‘But who might you be, dearest?’

‘Ko paneso, bhadramukhā’ti?

‘Sister, I am your brother Vessavaṇa, the great king.’

‘Ahaṁ te, bhagini, bhātā vessavaṇo, mahārājā’ti.

‘Good, dearest! Then may my recital of the teaching be my offering to you as my guest.’

‘Sādhu, bhadramukha, tena hi yo me ayaṁ dhammapariyāyo bhaṇito idaṁ te hotu ātitheyyan’ti.

‘Good, sister! And let this also be your offering to me as your guest. Tomorrow, the mendicant Saṅgha headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna will arrive at Veḷukaṇṭa before breakfast. When you’ve served the Saṅgha, please dedicate the religious donation to me. Then that will also be your offering to me as your guest.’

‘Sādhu, bhagini, etañceva me hotu ātitheyyaṁ. Sveva sāriputtamoggallānappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho akatapātarāso veḷukaṇḍakaṁ āgamissati, tañca bhikkhusaṅghaṁ parivisitvā mama dakkhiṇaṁ ādiseyyāsi. Etañceva me bhavissati ātitheyyan’ti.

And so, sir, may the merit and the flourishing of merit of this gift be for the happiness of the great king Vessavaṇa.”

Yadidaṁ, bhante, dāne puññañca puññamahī ca taṁ vessavaṇassa mahārājassa sukhāya hotū”ti.

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing that you converse face to face with a mighty and illustrious godling like the great king Vessavaṇa.”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte. Yatra hi nāma vessavaṇena mahārājena evaṁmahiddhikena evaṁmahesakkhena devaputtena sammukhā sallapissasī”ti.

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality; there is another. I had an only son named Nanda who I loved dearly. The rulers forcibly abducted him on some pretext and had him executed. But I can’t recall getting upset when my boy was under arrest or being arrested, imprisoned or being put in prison, killed or being killed.”

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Idha me, bhante, nando nāma ekaputtako piyo manāpo. Taṁ rājāno kismiñcideva pakaraṇe okassa pasayha jīvitā voropesuṁ. Tasmiṁ kho panāhaṁ, bhante, dārake gahite vā gayhamāne vā vadhe vā vajjhamāne vā hate vā haññamāne vā nābhijānāmi cittassa aññathattan”ti.

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing that you purify even the arising of a thought.”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ nandamāte. Yatra hi nāma cittuppādampi parisodhessasī”ti.

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality; there is another. When my husband passed away he was reborn in one of the realms of spirits. He revealed to me his previous incarnation. But I can’t recall getting upset on that account.”

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Idha me, bhante, sāmiko kālaṅkato aññataraṁ yakkhayoniṁ upapanno. So me teneva purimena attabhāvena uddassesi. Na kho panāhaṁ, bhante, abhijānāmi tatonidānaṁ cittassa aññathattan”ti.

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing that you purify even the arising of a thought.”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte. Yatra hi nāma cittuppādampi parisodhessasī”ti.

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality; there is another. Ever since we were both young, and I was given in marriage to my husband, I can’t recall betraying him even in thought, still less in deed.”

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Yatohaṁ, bhante, sāmikassa daharasseva daharā ānītā nābhijānāmi sāmikaṁ manasāpi aticaritā, kuto pana kāyenā”ti.

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing that you purify even the arising of a thought.”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte. Yatra hi nāma cittuppādampi parisodhessasī”ti.

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality; there is another. Ever since I declared myself a lay follower, I can’t recall deliberately breaking any precept.”

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Yadāhaṁ, bhante, upāsikā paṭidesitā nābhijānāmi kiñci sikkhāpadaṁ sañcicca vītikkamitā”ti.

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing!”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte”ti.

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality; there is another. Whenever I want, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, I enter and remain in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected. As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, I enter and remain in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected. And with the fading away of rapture, I enter and remain in the third absorption, where I meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’ With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, I enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.”

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Idhāhaṁ, bhante, yāvade ākaṅkhāmi vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi. Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi. Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhikā ca viharāmi satā ca sampajānā sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedemi, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi. Sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmī”ti.

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing!”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte”ti.

“Sir, this is not my only incredible and amazing quality; there is another. Of the five lower fetters taught by the Buddha, I don’t see any that I haven’t given up.”

“Na kho me, bhante, eseva acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Atthi me aññopi acchariyo abbhuto dhammo. Yānimāni, bhante, bhagavatā desitāni pañcorambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni nāhaṁ tesaṁ kiñci attani appahīnaṁ samanupassāmī”ti.

“It’s incredible, Nanda’s Mother, it’s amazing!”

“Acchariyaṁ, nandamāte, abbhutaṁ, nandamāte”ti.

Then Venerable Sāriputta educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired Nanda’s Mother with a Dhamma talk, after which he rose from his seat and left.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto nandamātaraṁ upāsikaṁ dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmīti.