The king said to that person, ‘Is it really true, my man, that you stole from others?’
Evaṁ vutte, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto taṁ purisaṁ etadavoca: ‘saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, ambho purisa, paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti?
‘No, Your Majesty,’ he said, deliberately lying.
‘Na hi, devā’ti sampajānamusā abhāsi.
And so, mendicants, from not providing money to the penniless, poverty, theft, swords, and killing became widespread. When killing was widespread, lying became widespread. And for the sentient beings among whom lying was widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for 40,000 years had children who lived for 20,000 years.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, adhanānaṁ dhane ananuppadiyamāne dāliddiyaṁ vepullamagamāsi. Dāliddiye vepullaṁ gate adinnādānaṁ vepullamagamāsi, adinnādāne vepullaṁ gate satthaṁ vepullamagamāsi. Satthe vepullaṁ gate pāṇātipāto vepullamagamāsi, pāṇātipāte vepullaṁ gate musāvādo vepullamagamāsi, musāvāde vepullaṁ gate tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ cattārīsavassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ vīsativassasahassāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
Among the humans who lived for 20,000 years, a certain person stole something from others. Someone else reported this to the king, ‘Your Majesty, the person named so-and-so stole from others,’ he said, going behind his back.
Vīsativassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu aññataro puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyi. Tamenaṁ aññataro puriso rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa ārocesi: ‘itthannāmo, deva, puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti pesuññamakāsi.
And so, mendicants, from not providing money to the penniless, poverty, theft, swords, killing, and lying became widespread. When lying was widespread, backbiting became widespread. And for the sentient beings among whom backbiting was widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for 20,000 years had children who lived for 10,000 years.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, adhanānaṁ dhane ananuppadiyamāne dāliddiyaṁ vepullamagamāsi. Dāliddiye vepullaṁ gate adinnādānaṁ vepullamagamāsi, adinnādāne vepullaṁ gate satthaṁ vepullamagamāsi, satthe vepullaṁ gate pāṇātipāto vepullamagamāsi, pāṇātipāte vepullaṁ gate musāvādo vepullamagamāsi, musāvāde vepullaṁ gate pisuṇā vācā vepullamagamāsi, pisuṇāya vācāya vepullaṁ gatāya tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ vīsativassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ dasavassasahassāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
Among the humans who lived for 10,000 years, some were beautiful, some were ugly. And the ugly beings, coveting the beautiful ones, had relations with the wives of others.
Dasavassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu ekidaṁ sattā vaṇṇavanto honti, ekidaṁ sattā dubbaṇṇā. Tattha ye te sattā dubbaṇṇā, te vaṇṇavante satte abhijjhāyantā paresaṁ dāresu cārittaṁ āpajjiṁsu.
And so, mendicants, from not providing money to the penniless, poverty, theft, swords, killing, lying, and backbiting became widespread. When backbiting was widespread, sexual misconduct became widespread. And for the sentient beings among whom sexual misconduct was widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for 10,000 years had children who lived for 5,000 years.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, adhanānaṁ dhane ananuppadiyamāne dāliddiyaṁ vepullamagamāsi. Dāliddiye vepullaṁ gate …pe… kāmesumicchācāro vepullamagamāsi, kāmesumicchācāre vepullaṁ gate tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ dasavassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ pañcavassasahassāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
Among the humans who lived for 5,000 years, two things became widespread: harsh speech and talking nonsense. For the sentient beings among whom these two things were widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for 5,000 years had some children who lived for 2,500 years, while others lived for 2,000 years.
Pañcavassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu dve dhammā vepullamagamaṁsu— pharusāvācā samphappalāpo ca. Dvīsu dhammesu vepullaṁ gatesu tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ pañcavassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ appekacce aḍḍhateyyavassasahassāyukā, appekacce dvevassasahassāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
Among the humans who lived for 2,500 years, desire and ill will became widespread. For the sentient beings among whom desire and ill will were widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for 2,500 years had children who lived for 1,000 years.
Aḍḍhateyyavassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu abhijjhābyāpādā vepullamagamaṁsu. Abhijjhābyāpādesu vepullaṁ gatesu tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ aḍḍhateyyavassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ vassasahassāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
Among the humans who lived for 1,000 years, wrong view became widespread. For the sentient beings among whom wrong view was widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for 1,000 years had children who lived for five hundred years.
Vassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu micchādiṭṭhi vepullamagamāsi. Micchādiṭṭhiyā vepullaṁ gatāya tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ vassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ pañcavassasatāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
Among the humans who lived for five hundred years, three things became widespread: illicit desire, immoral greed, and wrong religious teachings. For the sentient beings among whom these three things were widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for five hundred years had some children who lived for two hundred and fifty years, while others lived for two hundred years.
Pañcavassasatāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu tayo dhammā vepullamagamaṁsu— adhammarāgo visamalobho micchādhammo. Tīsu dhammesu vepullaṁ gatesu tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ pañcavassasatāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ appekacce aḍḍhateyyavassasatāyukā, appekacce dvevassasatāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
Among the humans who lived for two hundred and fifty years, these things became widespread: lack of due respect for mother and father, ascetics and brahmins, and failure to honor the elders in the family.
Aḍḍhateyyavassasatāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu ime dhammā vepullamagamaṁsu. Amatteyyatā apetteyyatā asāmaññatā abrahmaññatā na kule jeṭṭhāpacāyitā.
And so, mendicants, from not providing money to the penniless, all these things became widespread—poverty, theft, swords, killing, lying, backbiting, sexual misconduct, harsh speech and talking nonsense, desire and ill will, wrong view, illicit desire, immoral greed, and wrong religious teachings, and lack of due respect for mother and father, ascetics and brahmins, and failure to honor the elders in the family. For the sentient beings among whom these things were widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people who lived for two hundred and fifty years had children who lived for a hundred years.
Iti kho, bhikkhave, adhanānaṁ dhane ananuppadiyamāne dāliddiyaṁ vepullamagamāsi. Dāliddiye vepullaṁ gate adinnādānaṁ vepullamagamāsi. Adinnādāne vepullaṁ gate satthaṁ vepullamagamāsi. Satthe vepullaṁ gate pāṇātipāto vepullamagamāsi. Pāṇātipāte vepullaṁ gate musāvādo vepullamagamāsi. Musāvāde vepullaṁ gate pisuṇā vācā vepullamagamāsi. Pisuṇāya vācāya vepullaṁ gatāya kāmesumicchācāro vepullamagamāsi. Kāmesumicchācāre vepullaṁ gate dve dhammā vepullamagamaṁsu, pharusā vācā samphappalāpo ca. Dvīsu dhammesu vepullaṁ gatesu abhijjhābyāpādā vepullamagamaṁsu. Abhijjhābyāpādesu vepullaṁ gatesu micchādiṭṭhi vepullamagamāsi. Micchādiṭṭhiyā vepullaṁ gatāya tayo dhammā vepullamagamaṁsu, adhammarāgo visamalobho micchādhammo. Tīsu dhammesu vepullaṁ gatesu ime dhammā vepullamagamaṁsu, amatteyyatā apetteyyatā asāmaññatā abrahmaññatā na kule jeṭṭhāpacāyitā. Imesu dhammesu vepullaṁ gatesu tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ aḍḍhateyyavassasatāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ vassasatāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.
5. When People Live for Ten Years
5. Dasavassāyukasamaya
There will come a time, mendicants, when these people will have children who live for ten years. Among the humans who live for ten years, girls will be marriageable at five. The following flavors will disappear: ghee, butter, oil, honey, molasses, and salt. The best kind of food will be finger millet, just as fine rice with meat is the best kind of food today.
Bhavissati, bhikkhave, so samayo, yaṁ imesaṁ manussānaṁ dasavassāyukā puttā bhavissanti. Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu pañcavassikā kumārikā alaṁpateyyā bhavissanti. Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu imāni rasāni antaradhāyissanti, seyyathidaṁ— sappi navanītaṁ telaṁ madhu phāṇitaṁ loṇaṁ. Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu kudrūsako aggaṁ bhojanānaṁ bhavissati. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, etarahi sālimaṁsodano aggaṁ bhojanānaṁ; evameva kho, bhikkhave, dasavassāyukesu manussesu kudrūsako aggaṁ bhojanānaṁ bhavissati.
The ten ways of doing skillful deeds will totally disappear, and the ten ways of doing unskillful deeds will explode in popularity. Those humans will not even have the word ‘skillful’, still less anyone who does what is skillful. And anyone who disrespects mother and father, ascetics and brahmins, and fails to honor the elders in the family will be venerated and praised, just as the opposite is venerated and praised today.
Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu dasa kusalakammapathā sabbena sabbaṁ antaradhāyissanti, dasa akusalakammapathā atibyādippissanti. Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu kusalantipi na bhavissati, kuto pana kusalassa kārako. Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu ye te bhavissanti amatteyyā apetteyyā asāmaññā abrahmaññā na kule jeṭṭhāpacāyino, te pujjā ca bhavissanti pāsaṁsā ca. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, etarahi matteyyā petteyyā sāmaññā brahmaññā kule jeṭṭhāpacāyino pujjā ca pāsaṁsā ca; evameva kho, bhikkhave, dasavassāyukesu manussesu ye te bhavissanti amatteyyā apetteyyā asāmaññā abrahmaññā na kule jeṭṭhāpacāyino, te pujjā ca bhavissanti pāsaṁsā ca.
There’ll be no recognition of the status of mother, aunts, or wives and partners of tutors and respected people. The world will become dissolute, like goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and hounds and jackals.
Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu na bhavissati mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṁ dārāti vā. Sambhedaṁ loko gamissati yathā ajeḷakā kukkuṭasūkarā soṇasiṅgālā.
They’ll be full of hostility toward each other, with acute ill will, malevolence, and thoughts of murder. Even a mother will feel like this for her child, and the child for its mother, father for child, child for father, brother for sister, and sister for brother. They’ll be just like a deer hunter when he sees a deer—full of hostility, ill will, malevolence, and thoughts of killing.
Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu tesaṁ sattānaṁ aññamaññamhi tibbo āghāto paccupaṭṭhito bhavissati tibbo byāpādo tibbo manopadoso tibbaṁ vadhakacittaṁ. Mātupi puttamhi puttassapi mātari; pitupi puttamhi puttassapi pitari; bhātupi bhaginiyā bhaginiyāpi bhātari tibbo āghāto paccupaṭṭhito bhavissati tibbo byāpādo tibbo manopadoso tibbaṁ vadhakacittaṁ. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, māgavikassa migaṁ disvā tibbo āghāto paccupaṭṭhito hoti tibbo byāpādo tibbo manopadoso tibbaṁ vadhakacittaṁ; evameva kho, bhikkhave, dasavassāyukesu manussesu tesaṁ sattānaṁ aññamaññamhi tibbo āghāto paccupaṭṭhito bhavissati tibbo byāpādo tibbo manopadoso tibbaṁ vadhakacittaṁ. Mātupi puttamhi puttassapi mātari; pitupi puttamhi puttassapi pitari; bhātupi bhaginiyā bhaginiyāpi bhātari tibbo āghāto paccupaṭṭhito bhavissati tibbo byāpādo tibbo manopadoso tibbaṁ vadhakacittaṁ.
Among the humans who live for ten years, there will be an interregnum of swords lasting seven days. During that time they will see each other as beasts. Sharp swords will appear in their hands, with which they’ll take each other’s life, crying, ‘It’s a beast! It’s a beast!’
Dasavassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu sattāhaṁ satthantarakappo bhavissati. Te aññamaññamhi migasaññaṁ paṭilabhissanti. Tesaṁ tiṇhāni satthāni hatthesu pātubhavissanti. Te tiṇhena satthena ‘esa migo esa migo’ti aññamaññaṁ jīvitā voropessanti.
But then some of those beings will think, ‘Let us neither kill nor be killed! Why don’t we hide in thick grass, thick jungle, thick trees, inaccessible riverlands, or rugged mountains and survive on forest roots and fruits?’ So that’s what they do.
Atha kho tesaṁ, bhikkhave, sattānaṁ ekaccānaṁ evaṁ bhavissati: ‘mā ca mayaṁ kañci, mā ca amhe koci, yannūna mayaṁ tiṇagahanaṁ vā vanagahanaṁ vā rukkhagahanaṁ vā nadīviduggaṁ vā pabbatavisamaṁ vā pavisitvā vanamūlaphalāhārā yāpeyyāmā’ti. Te tiṇagahanaṁ vā vanagahanaṁ vā rukkhagahanaṁ vā nadīviduggaṁ vā pabbatavisamaṁ vā pavisitvā sattāhaṁ vanamūlaphalāhārā yāpessanti.
When those seven days have passed, having emerged from their hiding places and embraced each other, they will come together and cry in one voice, ‘Fantastic, dear foe, you live! Fantastic, dear foe, you live!’
Te tassa sattāhassa accayena tiṇagahanā vanagahanā rukkhagahanā nadīviduggā pabbatavisamā nikkhamitvā aññamaññaṁ āliṅgitvā sabhāgāyissanti samassāsissanti: ‘diṭṭhā, bho, sattā jīvasi, diṭṭhā, bho, sattā jīvasī’ti.
6. The Period of Growth
6. Āyuvaṇṇādivaḍḍhanakathā
Then those beings will think, ‘It’s because we undertook unskillful things that we suffered such an extensive loss of our relatives. We’d better do what’s skillful. What skillful thing should we do? Why don’t we refrain from killing living creatures? Having undertaken this skillful thing we’ll live by it.’ So that’s what they do. Because of undertaking this skillful thing, their lifespan and beauty will grow. Those people who live for ten years will have children who live for twenty years.
Atha kho tesaṁ, bhikkhave, sattānaṁ evaṁ bhavissati: ‘mayaṁ kho akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samādānahetu evarūpaṁ āyataṁ ñātikkhayaṁ pattā. Yannūna mayaṁ kusalaṁ kareyyāma. Kiṁ kusalaṁ kareyyāma? Yannūna mayaṁ pāṇātipātā virameyyāma, idaṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ samādāya vatteyyāmā’ti. Te pāṇātipātā viramissanti, idaṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ samādāya vattissanti. Te kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samādānahetu āyunāpi vaḍḍhissanti, vaṇṇenapi vaḍḍhissanti. Tesaṁ āyunāpi vaḍḍhamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi vaḍḍhamānānaṁ dasavassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ vīsativassāyukā puttā bhavissanti.
Then those beings will think, ‘Because of undertaking this skillful thing, our lifespan and beauty are growing. Why don’t we do even more skillful things? What skillful thing should we do? Why don’t we refrain from stealing … sexual misconduct … lying … backbiting … harsh speech … and talking nonsense. Why don’t we give up covetousness … ill will … wrong view … three things: illicit desire, immoral greed, and wrong religious teachings. Why don’t we pay due respect to mother and father, ascetics and brahmins, honoring the elders in our families? Having undertaken this skillful thing we’ll live by it.’ So that’s what they do.
Atha kho tesaṁ, bhikkhave, sattānaṁ evaṁ bhavissati: ‘mayaṁ kho kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samādānahetu āyunāpi vaḍḍhāma, vaṇṇenapi vaḍḍhāma. Yannūna mayaṁ bhiyyoso mattāya kusalaṁ kareyyāma. Kiṁ kusalaṁ kareyyāma? Yannūna mayaṁ adinnādānā virameyyāma … kāmesumicchācārā virameyyāma … musāvādā virameyyāma … pisuṇāya vācāya virameyyāma … pharusāya vācāya virameyyāma … samphappalāpā virameyyāma … abhijjhaṁ pajaheyyāma … byāpādaṁ pajaheyyāma … micchādiṭṭhiṁ pajaheyyāma … tayo dhamme pajaheyyāma— adhammarāgaṁ visamalobhaṁ micchādhammaṁ … yannūna mayaṁ matteyyā assāma petteyyā sāmaññā brahmaññā kule jeṭṭhāpacāyino, idaṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ samādāya vatteyyāmā’ti. Te matteyyā bhavissanti petteyyā sāmaññā brahmaññā kule jeṭṭhāpacāyino, idaṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ samādāya vattissanti.
Because of undertaking this skillful thing, their lifespan and beauty will grow. Those people who live for twenty years will have children who live for forty years. Those people who live for forty years will have children who live for eighty years, then a hundred and sixty years, three hundred and twenty years, six hundred and forty years, 2,000 years, 4,000 years, 8,000 years, 20,000 years, 40,000 years, and finally 80,000 years. Among the humans who live for 80,000 years, girls will be marriageable at five hundred.
Te kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samādānahetu āyunāpi vaḍḍhissanti, vaṇṇenapi vaḍḍhissanti. Tesaṁ āyunāpi vaḍḍhamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi vaḍḍhamānānaṁ vīsativassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ cattārīsavassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … cattārīsavassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ asītivassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … asītivassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ saṭṭhivassasatāyukā puttā bhavissanti … saṭṭhivassasatāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ vīsatitivassasatāyukā puttā bhavissanti … vīsatitivassasatāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ cattārīsachabbassasatāyukā puttā bhavissanti. Cattārīsachabbassasatāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ dvevassasahassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … dvevassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ cattārivassasahassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … cattārivassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ aṭṭhavassasahassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … aṭṭhavassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ vīsativassasahassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … vīsativassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ cattārīsavassasahassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … cattārīsavassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ asītivassasahassāyukā puttā bhavissanti … asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu pañcavassasatikā kumārikā alaṁpateyyā bhavissanti.
7. The Time of King Saṅkha
7. Saṅkharājauppatti
Among the humans who live for 80,000 years, there will be just three afflictions: greed, starvation, and old age. The Black Plum Tree Land will be successful and prosperous. The villages, towns, and capital cities will be no more than a chicken’s flight apart. And the land will be so full of humans you’d think they were squashed together, like a thicket of rushes or reeds. The royal capital will be Varanasi, renamed Ketumatī. And it will be successful and prosperous, populous and full of people, with plenty of food. There will be 84,000 cities in the Black Plum Tree Land, with the royal capital of Ketumatī foremost.
Asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu tayo ābādhā bhavissanti, icchā, anasanaṁ, jarā. Asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu ayaṁ jambudīpo iddho ceva bhavissati phīto ca, kukkuṭasampātikā gāmanigamarājadhāniyo. Asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu ayaṁ jambudīpo avīci maññe phuṭo bhavissati manussehi, seyyathāpi naḷavanaṁ vā saravanaṁ vā. Asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu ayaṁ bārāṇasī ketumatī nāma rājadhānī bhavissati iddhā ceva phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca. Asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu imasmiṁ jambudīpe caturāsītinagarasahassāni bhavissanti ketumatīrājadhānīpamukhāni.
And in the royal capital of Ketumatī a king named Saṅkha will arise, a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king. His dominion will extend to all four sides, he will achieve stability in the country, and possess the seven treasures. He will have the following seven treasures: the wheel, the elephant, the horse, the jewel, the woman, the householder, and the commander as the seventh treasure. He will have over a thousand sons who are valiant and heroic, crushing the armies of his enemies. After conquering this land girt by sea, he will reign by principle, without rod or sword.
Asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu ketumatiyā rājadhāniyā saṅkho nāma rājā uppajjissati cakkavattī dhammiko dhammarājā cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto sattaratanasamannāgato. Tassimāni satta ratanāni bhavissanti, seyyathidaṁ— cakkaratanaṁ hatthiratanaṁ assaratanaṁ maṇiratanaṁ itthiratanaṁ gahapatiratanaṁ pariṇāyakaratanameva sattamaṁ. Parosahassaṁ kho panassa puttā bhavissanti sūrā vīraṅgarūpā parasenappamaddanā. So imaṁ pathaviṁ sāgarapariyantaṁ adaṇḍena asatthena dhammena abhivijiya ajjhāvasissati.
8. The Arising of the Buddha Metteyya
8. Metteyyabuddhuppāda
And the Blessed One named Metteyya will arise in the world—perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed— just as I have arisen today. He will realize with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and make it known to others, just as I do today. He will teach the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he will reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure, just as I do today. He will lead a Saṅgha of many thousand mendicants, just as I lead a Saṅgha of many hundreds today.
Asītivassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu metteyyo nāma bhagavā loke uppajjissati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā. Seyyathāpāhametarahi loke uppanno arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā. So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedessati, seyyathāpāhametarahi imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedemi. So dhammaṁ desessati ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsessati; seyyathāpāhametarahi dhammaṁ desemi ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsemi. So anekasahassaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ pariharissati, seyyathāpāhametarahi anekasataṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ pariharāmi.
Then King Saṅkha will have the sacrificial post once built by King Mahāpanāda raised up. Having reigned, he will abdicate, offering charity to ascetics and brahmins, paupers, vagrants, supplicants, and beggars. Then, having shaved off his hair and beard and dressed in ocher robes, he will go forth from the lay life to homelessness in the Buddha Metteyya’s presence. Soon after going forth, living withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, he will realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He will live having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.
Atha kho, bhikkhave, saṅkho nāma rājā yo so yūpo raññā mahāpanādena kārāpito. Taṁ yūpaṁ ussāpetvā ajjhāvasitvā taṁ datvā vissajjitvā samaṇabrāhmaṇakapaṇaddhikavaṇibbakayācakānaṁ dānaṁ datvā metteyyassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa santike kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissati. So evaṁ pabbajito samāno eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissati.
Mendicants, live as your own island, your own refuge, with no other refuge. Let the teaching be your island and your refuge, with no other refuge. And how does a mendicant do this? It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. That’s how a mendicant lives with themselves as island and refuge, without other refuge; with the teachings as island and refuge, without other refuge.
Attadīpā, bhikkhave, viharatha attasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā, dhammadīpā dhammasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā. Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu attadīpo viharati attasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo dhammadīpo dhammasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Vedanāsu vedanānupassī …pe… citte cittānupassī …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu attadīpo viharati attasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo dhammadīpo dhammasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo.
9. On Long Life and Beauty for Mendicants
9. Bhikkhunoāyuvaṇṇādivaḍḍhanakathā
Mendicants, you should roam inside your own territory, the domain of your fathers. Doing so, you will grow in lifespan, beauty, happiness, wealth, and power.
Gocare, bhikkhave, caratha sake pettike visaye. Gocare, bhikkhave, carantā sake pettike visaye āyunāpi vaḍḍhissatha, vaṇṇenapi vaḍḍhissatha, sukhenapi vaḍḍhissatha, bhogenapi vaḍḍhissatha, balenapi vaḍḍhissatha.
And what is long life for a mendicant? It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm, and active effort. They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to energy, and active effort. They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to mental development, and active effort. They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to inquiry, and active effort. Having developed and cultivated these four bases of psychic power they may, if they wish, live for the proper lifespan or what’s left of it. This is long life for a mendicant.
Kiñca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno āyusmiṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīriyasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, cittasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīmaṁsāsamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. So imesaṁ catunnaṁ iddhipādānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā ākaṅkhamāno kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā. Idaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno āyusmiṁ.
And what is beauty for a mendicant? It’s when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken. This is beauty for a mendicant.
Kiñca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno vaṇṇasmiṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti, pātimokkhasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati ācāragocarasampanno, aṇumattesu vajjesu bhayadassāvī, samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu. Idaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno vaṇṇasmiṁ.
And what is happiness for a mendicant? It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains 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, they enter and remain in the second absorption … third absorption … fourth absorption. This is happiness for a mendicant.
Kiñca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno sukhasmiṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ … tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ … catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati. Idaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno, sukhasmiṁ.
And what is wealth for a mendicant? It’s when a monk meditates spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of love to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. They meditate spreading a heart full of compassion … rejoicing … equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. This is wealth for a mendicant.
Kiñca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhogasmiṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati tathā dutiyaṁ. Tathā tatiyaṁ. Tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati. Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe… muditāsahagatena cetasā …pe… upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharati. Tathā dutiyaṁ. Tathā tatiyaṁ. Tathā catutthaṁ. Iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharati. Idaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno bhogasmiṁ.
And what is power for a mendicant? It’s when a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. This is power for a mendicant.
Kiñca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno balasmiṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Idaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno balasmiṁ.
Mendicants, I do not see a single power so hard to defeat as the power of Māra. It is due to undertaking skillful qualities that merit grows.”
Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekabalampi samanupassāmi yaṁ evaṁ duppasahaṁ, yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, mārabalaṁ. Kusalānaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammānaṁ samādānahetu evamidaṁ puññaṁ pavaḍḍhatī”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.
Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.
Cakkavattisuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.