--- title: "Linked Discourses IV: The Six Senses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Saḷāyatanavagga" author: "The Buddha" translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato" languages: [pi, en] shelf: "Pali Canon" section: 35 of 44 url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-4/35/ cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Linked Discourses IV: The Six Senses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Saḷāyatanavagga, section 35. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-4/35/" --- # Linked Discourses IV: The Six Senses · Saṁyutta Nikāya · Saḷāyatanavagga *The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato* The six senses and their objects, the Fire Sermon, feelings, and the unconditioned. > 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. ## 35. Chiefs · SN 42.1–42.7 Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-4/35/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-samyutta-nikaya-4/35/#p-N [¶0] SN 42.1 · Fury > Pali: SN 42.1 · Caṇḍasutta [¶1] At Sāvatthī. > Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ. [¶2] Then Fury the chief went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: > Pali: Atha kho caṇḍo gāmaṇi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho caṇḍo gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: [¶3] “What is the cause, sir, what is the reason why some people are regarded as furious, while others are regarded as gentle?” > Pali: “ko nu kho, bhante, hetu, ko paccayo yena midhekacco caṇḍo caṇḍotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Ko pana, bhante, hetu, ko paccayo yena midhekacco sorato soratotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchatī”ti? [¶4] “Take someone who hasn’t given up greed. So they get annoyed by others, and they show it. They’re regarded as furious. They haven’t given up hate. So they get annoyed by others, and they show it. They’re regarded as furious. They haven’t given up delusion. So they get annoyed by others, and they show it. They’re regarded as furious. This is the cause, this is the reason why some people are regarded as furious. > Pali: “Idha, gāmaṇi, ekaccassa rāgo appahīno hoti. Rāgassa appahīnattā pare kopenti, parehi kopiyamāno kopaṁ pātukaroti. So caṇḍotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Doso appahīno hoti. Dosassa appahīnattā pare kopenti, parehi kopiyamāno kopaṁ pātukaroti. So caṇḍotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Moho appahīno hoti. Mohassa appahīnattā pare kopenti, parehi kopiyamāno kopaṁ pātukaroti. So caṇḍotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Ayaṁ kho, gāmaṇi, hetu, ayaṁ paccayo yena midhekacco caṇḍo caṇḍotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. [¶5] But take someone who has given up greed. So they don’t get annoyed by others, and don’t show it. They’re regarded as gentle. They’ve given up hate. So they don’t get annoyed by others, and don’t show it. They’re regarded as gentle. They’ve given up delusion. So they don’t get annoyed by others, and don’t show it. They’re regarded as gentle. This is the cause, this is the reason why some people are regarded as gentle.” > Pali: Idha pana, gāmaṇi, ekaccassa rāgo pahīno hoti. Rāgassa pahīnattā pare na kopenti, parehi kopiyamāno kopaṁ na pātukaroti. So soratotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Doso pahīno hoti. Dosassa pahīnattā pare na kopenti, parehi kopiyamāno kopaṁ na pātukaroti. So soratotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Moho pahīno hoti. Mohassa pahīnattā pare na kopenti, parehi kopiyamāno kopaṁ na pātukaroti. So soratotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati. Ayaṁ kho, gāmaṇi, hetu ayaṁ paccayo yena midhekacco sorato soratotveva saṅkhaṁ gacchatī”ti. [¶6] When he said this, Fury the chief said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.” > Pali: Evaṁ vutte, caṇḍo gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante. Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Esāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Upāsakaṁ maṁ bhagavā dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti. [¶7] > Pali: Paṭhamaṁ. [¶8] SN 42.2 · With Tālapuṭa > Pali: SN 42.2 · Tālapuṭasutta [¶9] At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Then Tālapuṭa the dancing chief came up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: > Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe. Atha kho tālapuṭo naṭagāmaṇi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho tālapuṭo naṭagāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: [¶10] “Sir, I have heard that the dancers of the past who were tutors of tutors said: ‘Suppose a dancer entertains and amuses people on a stage or at a festival with mixed truth and lies. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of laughing gods.’ What does the Buddha say about this?” > Pali: “sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante, pubbakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ naṭānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo so naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe saccālikena janaṁ hāseti rameti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pahāsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’ti. Idha bhagavā kimāhā”ti? [¶11] “Enough, chief, let it be. Don’t ask me that.” > Pali: “Alaṁ, gāmaṇi, tiṭṭhatetaṁ. Mā maṁ etaṁ pucchī”ti. [¶12] For a second time … > Pali: Dutiyampi kho tālapuṭo naṭagāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante, pubbakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ naṭānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo so naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe saccālikena janaṁ hāseti rameti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pahāsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’ti. Idha bhagavā kimāhā”ti? “Alaṁ, gāmaṇi, tiṭṭhatetaṁ. Mā maṁ etaṁ pucchī”ti. [¶13] And for a third time Tālapuṭa said to the Buddha: > Pali: Tatiyampi kho tālapuṭo naṭagāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: [¶14] “Sir, I have heard that the dancers of the past who were tutors of tutors said: ‘Suppose a dancer entertains and amuses people on a stage or at a festival with mixed truth and lies. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of laughing gods.’ What does the Buddha say about this?” > Pali: “sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante, pubbakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ naṭānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo so naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe saccālikena janaṁ hāseti rameti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pahāsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’ti. Idha bhagavā kimāhā”ti? [¶15] “Clearly, chief, I’m not getting through to you when I say: ‘Enough, chief, let it be. Don’t ask me that.’ Nevertheless, I will answer you. > Pali: “Addhā kho tyāhaṁ, gāmaṇi, na labhāmi: ‘alaṁ, gāmaṇi, tiṭṭhatetaṁ, mā maṁ etaṁ pucchī’ti. Api ca tyāhaṁ byākarissāmi. [¶16] When sentient beings are still not free of greed, and are still bound by greed, a dancer in a stage or festival presents them with even more arousing things. When sentient beings are still not free of hate, and are still bound by hate, a dancer in a stage or festival presents them with even more hateful things. When sentient beings are still not free of delusion, and are still bound by delusion, a dancer in a stage or festival presents them with even more delusory things. And so, being heedless and negligent themselves, they’ve encouraged others to be heedless and negligent. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the hell called ‘Laughter’. > Pali: Pubbe kho, gāmaṇi, sattā avītarāgā rāgabandhanabaddhā. Tesaṁ naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe ye dhammā rajanīyā te upasaṁharati bhiyyoso mattāya. Pubbe kho, gāmaṇi, sattā avītadosā dosabandhanabaddhā. Tesaṁ naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe ye dhammā dosanīyā te upasaṁharati bhiyyoso mattāya. Pubbe kho, gāmaṇi, sattā avītamohā mohabandhanabaddhā. Tesaṁ naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe ye dhammā mohanīyā te upasaṁharati bhiyyoso mattāya. So attanā matto pamatto pare madetvā pamādetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pahāso nāma nirayo tattha upapajjati. [¶17] But if you have such a view: ‘Suppose a dancer entertains and amuses people on a stage or at a festival with mixed truth and lies. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of laughing gods.’ This is your wrong view. An individual with wrong view is reborn in one of two places, I say: hell or the animal realm.” > Pali: Sace kho panassa evaṁdiṭṭhi hoti: ‘yo so naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe saccālikena janaṁ hāseti rameti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pahāsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’ti, sāssa hoti micchādiṭṭhi. Micchādiṭṭhikassa kho panāhaṁ, gāmaṇi, purisapuggalassa dvinnaṁ gatīnaṁ aññataraṁ gatiṁ vadāmi— nirayaṁ vā tiracchānayoniṁ vā”ti. [¶18] When he said this, Tālapuṭa cried and burst out in tears. > Pali: Evaṁ vutte, tālapuṭo naṭagāmaṇi parodi assūni pavattesi. [¶19] “This is what I didn’t get through to you when I said: ‘Enough, chief, let it be. Don’t ask me that.’” > Pali: “Etaṁ kho tyāhaṁ, gāmaṇi, nālatthaṁ: ‘alaṁ, gāmaṇi, tiṭṭhatetaṁ; mā maṁ etaṁ pucchī’”ti. [¶20] “Sir, I’m not crying because of what the Buddha said. But sir, for a long time I’ve been cheated, tricked, and deceived by the dancers of the past who were tutors of tutors, who said: ‘Suppose a dancer entertains and amuses people on a stage or at a festival with mixed truth and lies. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of laughing gods.’ > Pali: “Nāhaṁ, bhante, etaṁ rodāmi yaṁ maṁ bhagavā evamāha; api cāhaṁ, bhante, pubbakehi ācariyapācariyehi naṭehi dīgharattaṁ nikato vañcito paluddho: ‘yo so naṭo raṅgamajjhe samajjamajjhe saccālikena janaṁ hāseti rameti so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā pahāsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’”ti. [¶21] Excellent, sir! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence?” > Pali: “Abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante. Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Esāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Labheyyāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, labheyyaṁ upasampadan”ti. [¶22] And Tālapuṭa the dancing chief received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence. Not long after his ordination, Venerable Tālapuṭa became one of the perfected. > Pali: Alattha kho tālapuṭo naṭagāmaṇi bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, alattha upasampadaṁ. Acirūpasampanno ca panāyasmā tālapuṭo …pe… arahataṁ ahosīti. [¶23] > Pali: Dutiyaṁ. [¶24] SN 42.3 · A Warrior > Pali: SN 42.3 · Yodhājīvasutta [¶25] Then Dustin the warrior chief went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: > Pali: Atha kho yodhājīvo gāmaṇi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho yodhājīvo gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: [¶26] “Sir, I have heard that the warriors of the past who were tutors of tutors said: ‘Suppose a warrior, while striving and struggling in battle, is killed and finished off by his foes. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in the company of the gods of the fallen.’ What does the Buddha say about this?” > Pali: “sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante, pubbakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ yodhājīvānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo so yodhājīvo saṅgāme ussahati vāyamati, tamenaṁ ussahantaṁ vāyamantaṁ pare hananti pariyāpādenti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā parajitānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’ti. Idha bhagavā kimāhā”ti? [¶27] “Enough, chief, let it be. Don’t ask me that.” > Pali: “Alaṁ, gāmaṇi, tiṭṭhatetaṁ; mā maṁ etaṁ pucchī”ti. [¶28] For a second time … > Pali: Dutiyampi kho …pe… [¶29] And for a third time Dustin the warrior chief said to the Buddha: > Pali: tatiyampi kho yodhājīvo gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: [¶30] “Sir, I have heard that the warriors of the past who were tutors of tutors said: ‘Suppose a warrior, while striving and struggling in battle, is killed and finished off by his foes. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in the company of the gods of the fallen.’ What does the Buddha say about this?” > Pali: “sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante, pubbakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ yodhājīvānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘yo so yodhājīvo saṅgāme ussahati vāyamati, tamenaṁ ussahantaṁ vāyamantaṁ pare hananti pariyāpādenti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā parajitānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’ti. Idha bhagavā kimāhā”ti? [¶31] “Clearly, chief, I’m not getting through to you when I say: ‘Enough, chief, let it be. Don’t ask me that.’ Nevertheless, I will answer you. > Pali: “Addhā kho tyāhaṁ, gāmaṇi, na labhāmi: ‘alaṁ, gāmaṇi, tiṭṭhatetaṁ; mā maṁ etaṁ pucchī’ti. Api ca tyāhaṁ byākarissāmi. [¶32] When a warrior strives and struggles in battle, their mind is already low, degraded, and misdirected as they think: ‘May these sentient beings be killed, slaughtered, slain, destroyed, or annihilated!’ His foes kill him and finish him off, and when his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in the hell called ‘The Fallen’. > Pali: Yo so, gāmaṇi, yodhājīvo saṅgāme ussahati vāyamati, tassa taṁ cittaṁ pubbe gahitaṁ dukkaṭaṁ duppaṇihitaṁ: ‘ime sattā haññantu vā bajjhantu vā ucchijjantu vā vinassantu vā mā vā ahesuṁ iti vā’ti. Tamenaṁ ussahantaṁ vāyamantaṁ pare hananti pariyāpādenti; so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā parajito nāma nirayo tattha upapajjatīti. [¶33] But if you have such a view: ‘Suppose a warrior, while striving and struggling in battle, is killed and finished off by his foes. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in the company of the gods of the fallen.’ This is your wrong view. An individual with wrong view is reborn in one of two places, I say: hell or the animal realm.” > Pali: Sace kho panassa evaṁ diṭṭhi hoti: ‘yo so yodhājīvo saṅgāme ussahati vāyamati tamenaṁ ussahantaṁ vāyamantaṁ pare hananti pariyāpādenti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā parajitānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’ti, sāssa hoti micchādiṭṭhi. Micchādiṭṭhikassa kho panāhaṁ, gāmaṇi, purisapuggalassa dvinnaṁ gatīnaṁ aññataraṁ gatiṁ vadāmi— nirayaṁ vā tiracchānayoniṁ vā”ti. [¶34] When he said this, Dustin the warrior chief cried and burst out in tears. > Pali: Evaṁ vutte, yodhājīvo gāmaṇi parodi, assūni pavattesi. [¶35] “This is what I didn’t get through to you when I said: ‘Enough, chief, let it be. Don’t ask me that.’” > Pali: “Etaṁ kho tyāhaṁ, gāmaṇi, nālatthaṁ: ‘alaṁ, gāmaṇi, tiṭṭhatetaṁ; mā maṁ etaṁ pucchī’”ti. [¶36] “Sir, I’m not crying because of what the Buddha said. But sir, for a long time I’ve been cheated, tricked, and deceived by the warriors of the past who were tutors of tutors, who said: ‘Suppose a warrior, while striving and struggling in battle, is killed and finished off by his foes. When his body breaks up, after death, he’s reborn in the company of the gods of the fallen.’ > Pali: “Nāhaṁ, bhante, etaṁ rodāmi yaṁ maṁ bhagavā evamāha; api cāhaṁ, bhante, pubbakehi ācariyapācariyehi yodhājīvehi dīgharattaṁ nikato vañcito paluddho: ‘yo so yodhājīvo saṅgāme ussahati vāyamati, tamenaṁ ussahantaṁ vāyamantaṁ pare hananti pariyāpādenti, so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā parajitānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjatī’”ti. [¶37] Excellent, sir! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.” > Pali: “Abhikkantaṁ, bhante …pe… ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti. [¶38] > Pali: Tatiyaṁ. [¶39] SN 42.4 · An Elephant Marshal > Pali: SN 42.4 · Hatthārohasutta [¶40] Then an elephant marshal chief went up to the Buddha … “From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.” > Pali: Atha kho hatthāroho gāmaṇi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā …pe… ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatanti. [¶41] > Pali: Catutthaṁ. [¶42] SN 42.6 · With Asibandhaka’s Son > Pali: SN 42.6 · Asibandhakaputtasutta [¶43] At one time the Buddha was staying near Nāḷandā in Pāvārika’s Mango Grove. > Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā nāḷandāyaṁ viharati pāvārikambavane. [¶44] Then Asibandhaka’s son the chief went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: > Pali: Atha kho asibandhakaputto gāmaṇi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho asibandhakaputto gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: [¶45] “Sir, there are western brahmins garlanded with aquatic flowers who carry pitchers, immerse themselves in water, and serve the sacred flame. When someone has passed away, oh! they lift them up, send them well, and convey them to heaven. But what about the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha: is he able to ensure that the whole world will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm when their body breaks up, after death?” > Pali: “brāhmaṇā, bhante, pacchā bhūmakā kāmaṇḍalukā sevālamālikā udakorohakā aggiparicārakā. Te mataṁ kālaṅkataṁ uyyāpenti nāma saññāpenti nāma saggaṁ nāma okkāmenti. Bhagavā pana, bhante, arahaṁ sammāsambuddho pahoti tathā kātuṁ yathā sabbo loko kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyyā”ti? [¶46] “Well then, chief, I’ll ask you about this in return, and you can answer as you like. > Pali: “Tena hi, gāmaṇi, taññevettha paṭipucchissāmi. Yathā te khameyya tathā naṁ byākareyyāsīti. [¶47] What do you think, chief? Take a person who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, and have wrong view. A large crowd were to come together to offer up supplication and entreaty, circumambulating them with cupped palms and saying: ‘When this person’s body breaks up, after death, may they be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm!’ What do you think, chief? Would that person be reborn in heaven because of their supplications?” > Pali: Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, idhassa puriso pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhiko. Tamenaṁ mahājanakāyo saṅgamma samāgamma āyāceyya thomeyya pañjaliko anuparisakkeyya: ‘ayaṁ puriso kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatū’ti. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, api nu so puriso mahato janakāyassa āyācanahetu vā thomanahetu vā pañjalikā anuparisakkanahetu vā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyyā”ti? [¶48] “No, sir.” > Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”. [¶49] “Chief, suppose a person were to throw a broad rock into a deep lake. And a large crowd were to come together to offer up supplication and entreaty, circumambulating it with cupped palms, and saying: ‘Rise, good rock! Float, good rock! Float to shore, good rock!’ What do you think, chief? Would that broad rock rise up or float because of their supplications?” > Pali: “Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, puriso mahatiṁ puthusilaṁ gambhīre udakarahade pakkhipeyya. Tamenaṁ mahā janakāyo saṅgamma samāgamma āyāceyya thomeyya pañjaliko anuparisakkeyya: ‘ummujja, bho puthusile, uplava, bho puthusile, thalamuplava, bho puthusile’ti. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, api nu sā puthusilā mahato janakāyassa āyācanahetu vā thomanahetu vā pañjalikā anuparisakkanahetu vā ummujjeyya vā uplaveyya vā thalaṁ vā uplaveyyā”ti? [¶50] “No, sir.” > Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”. [¶51] “In the same way, take a person who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, and have wrong view. Even though a large crowd were to come together to offer up supplication and entreaty … when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. > Pali: “Evameva kho, gāmaṇi, yo so puriso pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhiko. Kiñcāpi taṁ mahā janakāyo saṅgamma samāgamma āyāceyya thomeyya pañjaliko anuparisakkeyya: ‘ayaṁ puriso kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatū’ti, atha kho so puriso kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyya. [¶52] What do you think, chief? Take a person who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. And a large crowd were to come together to offer up supplication and entreaty, circumambulating them with cupped palms and saying: ‘When this person’s body breaks up, after death, may they be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell!’ What do you think, chief? Would that person be reborn in hell because of their supplications?” > Pali: Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, idhassa puriso pāṇātipātā paṭivirato adinnādānā paṭivirato kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato musāvādā paṭivirato pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato samphappalāpā paṭivirato anabhijjhālu abyāpannacitto sammādiṭṭhiko. Tamenaṁ mahā janakāyo saṅgamma samāgamma āyāceyya thomeyya pañjaliko anuparisakkeyya: ‘ayaṁ puriso kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjatū’ti. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, api nu so puriso mahato janakāyassa āyācanahetu vā thomanahetu vā pañjalikā anuparisakkanahetu vā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjeyyā”ti? [¶53] “No, sir.” > Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”. [¶54] “Chief, suppose a person were to sink a pot of ghee or oil into a deep lake and break it open. Its shards and chips would sink down, while the ghee or oil in it would rise up. And a large crowd were to come together to offer up supplication and entreaty, circumambulating it with cupped palms and saying: ‘Sink, good ghee or oil! Descend, good ghee or oil! Go down, good ghee or oil!’ What do you think, chief? Would that ghee or oil sink and descend because of their supplications?” > Pali: “Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, puriso sappikumbhaṁ vā telakumbhaṁ vā gambhīre udakarahade ogāhetvā bhindeyya. Tatra yāssa sakkharā vā kaṭhalā vā sā adhogāmī assa; yañca khvassa tatra sappi vā telaṁ vā taṁ uddhaṁ gāmi assa. Tamenaṁ mahā janakāyo saṅgamma samāgamma āyāceyya thomeyya pañjaliko anuparisakkeyya: ‘osīda, bho sappitela, saṁsīda, bho sappitela, adho gaccha, bho sappitelā’ti. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, api nu taṁ sappitelaṁ mahato janakāyassa āyācanahetu vā thomanahetu vā pañjalikā anuparisakkanahetu vā osīdeyya vā saṁsīdeyya vā adho vā gaccheyyā”ti? [¶55] “No, sir.” > Pali: “No hetaṁ, bhante”. [¶56] “In the same way, take a person who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. Even though a large crowd were to come together to offer up supplication and entreaty … when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.” > Pali: “Evameva kho, gāmaṇi, yo so puriso pāṇātipātā paṭivirato, adinnādānā paṭivirato, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato, musāvādā paṭivirato, pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato, pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato, samphappalāpā paṭivirato, anabhijjhālu, abyāpannacitto, sammādiṭṭhiko, kiñcāpi taṁ mahā janakāyo saṅgamma samāgamma āyāceyya thomeyya pañjaliko anuparisakkeyya: ‘ayaṁ puriso kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjatū’ti, atha kho so puriso kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyyā”ti. [¶57] When he said this, Asibandhaka’s son the chief said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! … From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.” > Pali: Evaṁ vutte, asibandhakaputto gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bhante …pe… ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti. [¶58] > Pali: Chaṭṭhaṁ. [¶59] SN 42.7 · The Simile of the Field > Pali: SN 42.7 · Khettūpamasutta [¶60] At one time the Buddha was staying near Nāḷandā in Pāvārika’s Mango Grove. Then Asibandhaka’s son the chief went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: > Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā nāḷandāyaṁ viharati pāvārikambavane. Atha kho asibandhakaputto gāmaṇi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho asibandhakaputto gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: [¶61] “Sir, doesn’t the Buddha live full of sympathy for all living beings?” > Pali: “nanu, bhante, bhagavā sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī viharatī”ti? [¶62] “Yes, chief.” > Pali: “Evaṁ, gāmaṇi, tathāgato sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī viharatī”ti. [¶63] “So why then, sir, do you teach some people thoroughly and others less thoroughly?” > Pali: “Atha kiñcarahi, bhante, bhagavā ekaccānaṁ sakkaccaṁ dhammaṁ deseti, ekaccānaṁ no tathā sakkaccaṁ dhammaṁ desetī”ti? [¶64] “Well then, chief, I’ll ask you about this in return, and you can answer as you like. What do you think? Suppose a farmer has three fields: one is good, one is average, and one is poor—bad ground of sand and salt. What do you think? When that farmer wants to plant seeds, where would he plant them first: the good field, the average one, or the poor one?” > Pali: “Tena hi, gāmaṇi, taññevettha paṭipucchissāmi. Yathā te khameyya tathā naṁ byākareyyāsi. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, idhassu kassakassa gahapatino tīṇi khettāni—ekaṁ khettaṁ aggaṁ, ekaṁ khettaṁ majjhimaṁ, ekaṁ khettaṁ hīnaṁ jaṅgalaṁ ūsaraṁ pāpabhūmi. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, asu kassako gahapati bījāni patiṭṭhāpetukāmo kattha paṭhamaṁ patiṭṭhāpeyya, yaṁ vā aduṁ khettaṁ aggaṁ, yaṁ vā aduṁ khettaṁ majjhimaṁ, yaṁ vā aduṁ khettaṁ hīnaṁ jaṅgalaṁ ūsaraṁ pāpabhūmī”ti? [¶65] “Sir, he’d plant them first in the good field, then the average, then he may or may not plant seed in the poor field. Why is that? Because at least it can be fodder for the cattle.” > Pali: “Asu, bhante, kassako gahapati bījāni patiṭṭhāpetukāmo yaṁ aduṁ khettaṁ aggaṁ tattha patiṭṭhāpeyya. Tattha patiṭṭhāpetvā yaṁ aduṁ khettaṁ majjhimaṁ tattha patiṭṭhāpeyya. Tattha patiṭṭhāpetvā yaṁ aduṁ khettaṁ hīnaṁ jaṅgalaṁ ūsaraṁ pāpabhūmi tattha patiṭṭhāpeyyapi, nopi patiṭṭhāpeyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Antamaso gobhattampi bhavissatī”ti. [¶66] “To me, the monks and nuns are like the good field. I teach them the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And I reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. Why is that? Because they live with me as their island, asylum, shelter, and refuge. > Pali: “Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, yaṁ aduṁ khettaṁ aggaṁ; evameva mayhaṁ bhikkhubhikkhuniyo. Tesāhaṁ dhammaṁ desemi—ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ, sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsemi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Ete hi, gāmaṇi, maṁdīpā maṁleṇā maṁtāṇā maṁsaraṇā viharanti. [¶67] To me, the laymen and laywomen are like the average field. I also teach them the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And I reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. Why is that? Because they live with me as their island, asylum, shelter, and refuge. > Pali: Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, yaṁ aduṁ khettaṁ majjhimaṁ; evameva mayhaṁ upāsakaupāsikāyo. Tesaṁ pāhaṁ dhammaṁ desemi—ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ, sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsemi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Ete hi, gāmaṇi, maṁdīpā maṁleṇā maṁtāṇā maṁsaraṇā viharanti. [¶68] To me, the ascetics, brahmins, and wanderers of other religions are like the poor field, the bad ground of sand and salt. I also teach them the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And I reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. Why is that? Hopefully they might understand even a single sentence, which would be for their lasting welfare and happiness. > Pali: Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, yaṁ aduṁ khettaṁ hīnaṁ jaṅgalaṁ ūsaraṁ pāpabhūmi; evameva mayhaṁ aññatitthiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇaparibbājakā. Tesaṁ pāhaṁ dhammaṁ desemi—ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsemi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāma ekaṁ padampi ājāneyyuṁ taṁ nesaṁ assa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyāti. [¶69] Suppose a person had three water jars: one that’s uncracked and nonporous; one that’s uncracked but porous; and one that’s cracked and porous. What do you think? When that person wants to store water, where would they store it first: in the jar that’s uncracked and nonporous, the one that’s uncracked but porous, or the one that’s cracked and porous?” > Pali: Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, purisassa tayo udakamaṇikā—eko udakamaṇiko acchiddo ahārī aparihārī, eko udakamaṇiko acchiddo hārī parihārī, eko udakamaṇiko chiddo hārī parihārī. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, gāmaṇi, asu puriso udakaṁ nikkhipitukāmo kattha paṭhamaṁ nikkhipeyya, yo vā so udakamaṇiko acchiddo ahārī aparihārī, yo vā so udakamaṇiko acchiddo hārī parihārī, yo vā so udakamaṇiko chiddo hārī parihārī”ti? [¶70] “Sir, they’d store water first in the jar that’s uncracked and nonporous, then the one that’s uncracked but porous, then they may or may not store water in the one that’s cracked and porous. Why is that? Because at least it can be used for washing the dishes.” > Pali: “Asu, bhante, puriso udakaṁ nikkhipitukāmo, yo so udakamaṇiko acchiddo ahārī aparihārī tattha nikkhipeyya, tattha nikkhipitvā, yo so udakamaṇiko acchiddo hārī parihārī tattha nikkhipeyya, tattha nikkhipitvā, yo so udakamaṇiko chiddo hārī parihārī tattha nikkhipeyyapi, nopi nikkhipeyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Antamaso bhaṇḍadhovanampi bhavissatī”ti. [¶71] “To me, the monks and nuns are like the water jar that’s uncracked and nonporous. I teach them the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And I reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. Why is that? Because they live with me as their island, asylum, shelter, and refuge. > Pali: “Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, yo so udakamaṇiko acchiddo ahārī aparihārī; evameva mayhaṁ bhikkhubhikkhuniyo. Tesāhaṁ dhammaṁ desemi—ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsemi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Ete hi, gāmaṇi, maṁdīpā maṁleṇā maṁtāṇā maṁsaraṇā viharanti. [¶72] To me, the laymen and laywomen are like the water jar that’s uncracked but porous. I also teach them the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And I reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. Why is that? Because they live with me as their island, asylum, shelter, and refuge. > Pali: Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, yo so udakamaṇiko acchiddo hārī parihārī; evameva mayhaṁ upāsakaupāsikāyo. Tesāhaṁ dhammaṁ desemi—ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsemi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Ete hi, gāmaṇi, maṁdīpā maṁleṇā maṁtāṇā maṁsaraṇā viharanti. [¶73] To me, the ascetics, brahmins, and wanderers of other religions are like the water jar that’s cracked and porous. I also teach them the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And I reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. Why is that? Hopefully they might understand even a single sentence, which would be for their lasting welfare and happiness.” > Pali: Seyyathāpi, gāmaṇi, yo so udakamaṇiko chiddo hārī parihārī; evameva mayhaṁ aññatitthiyā samaṇabrāhmaṇaparibbājakā. Tesāhaṁ dhammaṁ desemi—ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsemi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Appeva nāma ekaṁ padampi ājāneyyuṁ, taṁ nesaṁ assa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyā”ti. [¶74] When he said this, Asibandhaka’s son the chief said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.” > Pali: Evaṁ vutte, asibandhakaputto gāmaṇi bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante …pe… upāsakaṁ maṁ bhagavā dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti. [¶75] > Pali: Sattamaṁ.