Dhammapada 3.2: 2. Aññatarabhikkhuvatthu

3.2.p1

Dunniggahassa lahunoti imaṃ dhammadesanaṃ satthā sāvatthiyaṃ jetavane viharanto aññataraṃ bhikkhuṃ ārabbha kathesi.

Thoughts are unruly and flighty. This religious instruction was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Sāvatthi with reference to a certain monk.

3.2.p2

Kosalarañño kira vijite pabbatapāde mātikagāmo nāma eko ghanavāso gāmo ahosi. Athekadivasaṃ saṭṭhimattā bhikkhū satthu santike yāva arahattā kammaṭṭhānaṃ kathāpetvā taṃ gāmaṃ gantvā piṇḍāya pavisiṃsu. Atha ne yo tassa gāmassa sāmiko mātiko nāma, tassa mātā disvā gehe nisīdāpetvā nānaggarasena yāgubhattena parivisitvā, ‘‘bhante, kattha gantukāmā’’ti pucchi. ‘‘Yathā phāsukaṭṭhānaṃ mahāupāsike’’ti. Sā ‘‘vassāvāsaṭṭhānaṃ, ayyā, pariyesanti maññe’’ti ñatvā pādamūle nipajjitvā, ‘‘sace, ayyā, imaṃ temāsaṃ idha vasissanti, ahaṃ tīṇi saraṇāni, pañca sīlāni gahetvā uposathakammaṃ karissāmī’’ti āha. Bhikkhū ‘‘mayaṃ imaṃ nissāya bhikkhāya akilamantā bhavanissaraṇaṃ kātuṃ sakkhissāmā’’ti adhivāsayiṃsu. Sā tesaṃ vasanaṭṭhānaṃ vihāraṃ paṭijaggitvā adāsi.

In the country of the king of the Kosalans, it appears, at the foot of a mountain, was a certain thickly settled village named Mātika. Now one day sixty monks who had received from the Teacher a Subject of Meditation leading to Arahatship came to this village and entered it for alms. Now the headman of this village was a man named Mātika. When Mātika's mother saw the monks, she provided them with seats, served them with rice-porridge flavored with all manner of choice flavors, and asked them, "Reverend Sirs, where do you desire to go?" "To some pleasant place, great lay disciple." Knowing that the monks were seeking a place of residence for the season of the rains, she flung herself at their feet and said to them, "If the noble monks will reside here during these three months, I will take upon myself the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts and will perform Fast-day duties." The monks consented, thinking to themselves, "With her assistance we shall be free from anxiety on the score of food and shall be able to effect Escape from Existence."

Mātika's mother superintended the erection of a monastery to serve as their place of residence, presented it to them, and the monks took up their residence there. On a certain day they met together and admonished each other as follows, "Brethren, it behooves us not to live the life of Heedlessness, for before us stand the Eight Great Hells with gates wide open, even as our own houses. Now we have come hither thus, having received a Subject of Meditation from the living Buddha. And the favor of the Buddhas cannot be won by a deceitful person, even though he walk in their very footsteps. Only by doing the will of the Buddhas can their favor be won. Therefore be Heedful. Two monks may neither stand nor sit in any one place. In the evening we shall meet together to wait upon the Elder, and early in the morning we shall meet together when it is time to go the rounds for alms. At other times two of us must never be together. If, however, a monk be taken sick, let him come to the monastery court and strike a bell. At the signal given by the stroke on the bell, we will come together and provide a remedy for him." Having made this agreement, they entered upon residence.

3.2.p3

Te tattheva vasantā ekadivasaṃ sannipatitvā aññamaññaṃ ovadiṃsu, ‘‘āvuso, amhehi pamādacāraṃ carituṃ na vaṭṭati. Amhākañhi sakagehaṃ viya aṭṭha mahānirayā vivaṭadvārāyeva, dharamānakabuddhassa kho pana santike kammaṭṭhānaṃ gahetvā mayaṃ āgatā, buddhā ca nāma padānupadikaṃ vicarantenāpi saṭhena ārādhetuṃ na sakkā, yathājjhāsayeneva ārādhetuṃ sakkā, appamattā hotha, dvīhi ekaṭṭhāne na ṭhātabbaṃ, na nisīditabbaṃ, sāyaṃ kho pana therūpaṭṭhānakāle pātova bhikkhācārakāle ekato bhavissāma, sesakāle dve ekato na bhavissāma, apica kho pana aphāsukena bhikkhunā āgantvā vihāramajjhe ghaṇḍiyā pahatāya ghaṇḍisaññāya āgantvā tassa bhesajjaṃ karissāmā’’ti.

3.2.p4

Tesu evaṃ katikaṃ katvā viharantesu ekadivasaṃ sā upāsikā sappitelaphāṇitādīni gāhāpetvā dāsadāsikammakarādīhi parivutā sāyanhasamaye taṃ vihāraṃ gantvā vihāramajjhe bhikkhū adisvā, ‘‘kahaṃ nu kho, ayyā, gatā’’ti purise pucchitvā, ‘‘attano attano rattiṭṭhānadivāṭṭhānesu nisinnā bhavissanti, ayye’’ti vutte, ‘‘kiṃ nu kho katvā daṭṭhuṃ sakkhissāmī’’ti āha. Atha naṃ bhikkhusaṅghassa katikavattaṃ jānanamanussā āhaṃsu – ‘‘ghaṇḍiyā pahatāya sannipatissanti, ayye’’ti. Sā ca ghaṇḍiṃ paharāpesi. Bhikkhū ghaṇḍisaddaṃ sutvā, ‘‘kassaci aphāsukaṃ bhavissatī’’ti sakasakaṭṭhānehi nikkhamitvā vihāramajjhe sannipatiṃsu. Dvepi janā ekamaggenāgatā nāma natthi. Upāsikā ekekaṭṭhānato ekekameva āgacchantaṃ disvā, ‘‘mama puttehi aññamaññaṃ kalaho kato bhavissatī’’ti cintetvā bhikkhusaṅghaṃ vanditvā pucchi – ‘‘kalahaṃ nu kho, bhante, karitthā’’ti? ‘‘Na karoma, mahāupāsike’’ti. ‘‘Sace vo, bhante, kalaho natthi, atha kasmā yathā amhākaṃ gehaṃ āgacchantā sabbe ekatova āgacchatha, evaṃ anāgantvā ekekaṭṭhānato ekekāva āgatā’’ti? ‘‘Mahāupāsike, ekekasmiṃ ṭhāne nisīditvā samaṇadhammaṃ karimhā’’ti. ‘‘Ko esa, bhante, samaṇadhammo nāmā’’ti? ‘‘Dvattiṃsākāre sajjhāyaṃ karoma, attabhāve ca khayavayaṃ paṭṭhapema, mahāupāsike’’ti. ‘‘Kiṃ pana, bhante, dvattiṃsākāre sajjhāyaṃ kātuṃ, attabhāve ca khayavayaṃ paṭṭhapetuṃ tumhākameva vaṭṭati, udāhu amhākampīti, kassacipi avārito esa dhammo, mahāupāsike’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi, bhante, mayhampi dvattiṃsākāraṃ detha, attabhāve ca khayavayapaṭṭhapanaṃ ācikkhathā’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi uggaṇha, mahāupāsike’’ti sabbaṃ uggaṇhāpesuṃ.

One day, while the monks were in residence, that female lay disciple took ghee, molasses, and other kinds of food and at eventide, accompanied by a retinue of slaves and servants, went to the monastery. Seeing no monks, she asked some men, "Where have the noble monks gone?" "My lady, they must be sitting in their own respective night-quarters and day-quarters." "What must I do in order to see them?" Men who knew about the agreement made by the Congregation of Monks said, “If you strike the bell, my lady, they will assemble.” So she struck the bell. When the monks heard the sound of the bell, they thought to themselves, “Someone must be sick.” And coming forth from their several quarters, they assembled in the monastery court. No two monks came by the same path.

When the female lay disciple saw them approach one at a time, each from his own quarters, she thought to herself, “My sons must have had a quarrel with each other.” So, after paying obeisance to the Congregation of Monks, she asked them, “Have you had a quarrel, Reverend Sirs?” “No indeed, great lay disciple.” “If, Reverend Sirs, there is no quarrel among you, how is it that, whereas in coming to our house you came all together, to-day you do not approach in this manner, but instead approach one at a time, each from his own quarters?” “Great lay disciple, we were sitting each in his own cell, engaged in the practice of meditation.” “What do you mean, Reverend Sirs, by this expression, ‘practice of meditation’?” “We rehearse the Thirty-two Constituent Parts of the Body, and thus obtain a clear conception of the decay and death inherent in the body, great lay disciple.” “But, Reverend Sirs, are you alone permitted to rehearse the Thirty-two Constituent Parts of the Body, and thus obtain a clear conception of the decay and death inherent in the body; or are we also permitted to do this?” “This practice is forbidden to none, great lay disciple.” “Well then, teach me also the Thirty-two Constituent Parts of the Body and show me how to obtain a clear conception of the decay and death inherent in the body.” “Very well, lay disciple,” said the monks, “learn them.” So saying, they taught her all. She began at once to rehearse the Thirty-two Constituent Parts of the Body, striving thereby to obtain for herself a clear conception of the decay and death inherent in the body. So successful was she that even in advance of those monks she attained the Three Paths and the Three Fruits, and by the same Paths won the Four Supernatural Powers and the Higher Faculties.

3.2.p5

Sā tato paṭṭhāya dvattiṃsākāre sajjhāyaṃ katvā attani khayavayaṃ paṭṭhapetvā tehi bhikkhūhi puretarameva tayo magge, tīṇi ca phalāni pāpuṇi. Maggeneva cassā catasso paṭisambhidā lokiyaabhiññā ca āgamiṃsu. Sā maggaphalasukhato vuṭṭhāya dibbacakkhunā oloketvā, ‘‘kadā nu kho mama puttehi ayaṃ dhammo adhigato’’ti upadhārentī sabbepime sarāgā sadosā samohā jhānavipassanāmattampi tesaṃ natthi, ‘‘kiṃ nu kho mayhaṃ puttānaṃ arahattassa upanissayo atthi, natthī’’ti āvajjetvā, ‘‘atthī’’ti disvā, ‘‘senāsanasappāyaṃ nu kho atthi, natthī’’ti āvajjetvā tampi disvā, ‘‘puggalasappāyaṃ nu kho labhanti, na labhantī’’ti āvajjesi, puggalasappāyampi disvā, ‘‘āhārasappāyaṃ nu kho labhanti, na labhantī’’ti upadhārentī ‘‘āhārasappāyaṃ nesaṃ natthī’’ti disvā tato paṭṭhāya nānāvidhaṃ yāguṃ, anekappakāraṃ khajjakaṃ, nānaggarasañca bhojanaṃ sampādetvā gehe bhikkhū nisīdāpetvā dakkhiṇodakaṃ datvā, ‘‘bhante, tumhākaṃ yaṃ yaṃ ruccati, taṃ taṃ gahetvā paribhuñjathā’’ti niyyādesi. Te yathāruci yāguādīni gahetvā paribhuñjanti. Tesaṃ sappāyāhāraṃ labhantānaṃ cittaṃ ekaggaṃ ahosi.

Arising from the bliss of the Paths and the Fruits, she looked with Supernatural Vision and considered within herself, “At what time did my sons attain this state?” Immediately she became aware of the following, “All these monks are still in the bondage of Lust, Hatred, Delusion. They have not yet, by the practice of Ecstatic Meditation, induced Spiritual Insight.” Then she pondered, “Do my sons possess the dispositions requisite for the attainment of Arahatship or do they not?” She perceived, “They do.” Then she pondered, “Do they possess suitable lodgings or do they not?” Immediately she perceived that they did. Then she pondered, “Have they proper companions or have they not?” Immediately she perceived that they had. Finally she pondered the question, “Do they receive proper food or do they not?” She perceived, “They do not receive proper food.”

From that time on she provided them with various kinds of rice-porridge and with all manner of hard food and with soft food flavored with various choice flavors. And seating the monks in her house, she offered them Water of Donation and presented the food to them, saying, “Reverend Sirs, take and eat whatever you desire.” As the result of the wholesome food they received, their minds became tranquil; and as the result of tranquillity of mind, they developed Spiritual Insight and attained Arahatship, together with the Supernatural Powers. Then the thought occurred to them, “The great female lay disciple has indeed been our support. Had we not received wholesome food, we should never have attained the Paths and the Fruits. As soon as we have completed our residence and celebrated the Terminal Festival, let us go visit the Teacher.” Accordingly they took leave of the great female lay disciple, saying, “Lay disciple, we desire to see the Teacher.” “Very well, noble sirs,” said she. So she accompanied them on their journey a little way, and then, saying, “Look in on us again, Reverend Sirs,” and many other pleasant words, she returned to her house.

3.2.p6

Te ekaggena cittena vipassanaṃ vaḍḍhetvā na cirasseva saha paṭisambhidāhi arahattaṃ patvā cintayiṃsu – ‘‘aho mahāupāsikā amhākaṃ patiṭṭhā jātā, sace mayaṃ sappāyāhāraṃ na labhimha, na no maggaphalapaṭivedho abhavissa, idāni vuṭṭhavassā pavāretvā satthu santikaṃ gamissāmā’’ti. Te ‘‘satthāraṃ daṭṭhukāmamhā’’ti mahāupāsikaṃ āpucchiṃsu. ‘‘Mahāupāsikā sādhu, ayyā’’ti. Te anugantvā punapi, ‘‘bhante, amhe olokeyyāthā’’ti bahūni piyavacanāni vatvā paṭinivatti. Tepi kho bhikkhū sāvatthiṃ gantvā satthāraṃ vanditvā ekamantaṃ nisinnā ‘‘kacci, bhikkhave, khamanīyaṃ, kacci yāpanīyaṃ, na ca piṇḍakena kilamitthā’’ti vutte ‘‘khamanīyaṃ, bhante, yāpanīyaṃ, bhante, piṇḍakena pana neva kilamimha. Amhākañhi mātikamātā nāmekā upāsikā cittācāraṃ ñatvā, ‘aho vata no evarūpaṃ nāma āhāraṃ paṭiyādeyyā’ti cintite yathācintitaṃ āhāraṃ paṭiyādetvā adāsī’’ti tassā guṇakathaṃ kathayiṃsu.

When those monks arrived at Sāvatthi, they paid obeisance to the Teacher and sat down respectfully on one side. The Teacher said to them, “Monks, you have evidently fared well, had plenty to eat, and not been troubled on the score of food.” The monks replied, “We have indeed fared well, Reverend Sir, had plenty to eat, and by no means been troubled on the score of food. For a certain female lay disciple, the Mother of Mātika, knew the course of our thoughts, insomuch that the moment we thought, ‘Oh that she would prepare such and such food for us!’ she prepared the very food we thought of and gave to us.” Thus did they recite her praises.

3.2.p7

Aññataro bhikkhu tassā guṇakathaṃ sutvā tattha gantukāmo hutvā satthu santike kammaṭṭhānaṃ gahetvā, ‘‘bhante, taṃ gāmaṃ gamissāmī’’ti satthāraṃ āpucchitvā jetavanato nikkhamitvā anupubbena taṃ gāmaṃ patvā vihāraṃ pavisanadivaseyeva cintesi – ‘‘ayaṃ kira upāsikā cintitacintitaṃ jānāti, ahañca maggakilanto vihāraṃ paṭijaggituṃ na sakkhissāmi, aho vata me vihārapaṭijaggakaṃ manussaṃ peseyyā’’ti. Upāsikā gehe nisinnāva āvajjentī tamatthaṃ ñatvā, ‘‘gaccha, vihāraṃ paṭijaggitvā ehī’’ti manussaṃ pesesi. Itaropi pānīyaṃ pivitukāmo ‘‘aho vata me sakkharapānakaṃ katvā peseyyā’’ti cintesi. Upāsikā tampi pesesi. So punadivase ‘‘pātova siniddhayāguṃ me sauttaribhaṅgaṃ pesetū’’ti cintesi. Upāsikā tathā akāsi. So yāguṃ pivitvā, ‘‘aho vata me evarūpaṃ khajjakaṃ peseyyā’’ti cintesi. Upāsikā tampi pesesi. So cintesi – ‘‘ayaṃ upāsikā mayā sabbaṃ cintitacintitaṃ pesesi, ahaṃ etaṃ daṭṭhukāmo, aho vata me nānaggarasabhojanaṃ gāhāpetvā sayameva āgaccheyyā’’ti. Upāsikā ‘‘mama putto maṃ daṭṭhukāmo, āgamanaṃ me paccāsīsatī’’ti bhojanaṃ gāhāpetvā vihāraṃ gantvā tassa adāsi. So katabhattakicco ‘‘mātikamātā nāma tvaṃ, mahāupāsike’’ti pucchi. ‘‘Āma, tātā’’ti. ‘‘Tvaṃ paracittaṃ jānāsī’’ti? ‘‘Kiṃ maṃ pucchasi, tātā’’ti? ‘‘Mayā cintitacintitaṃ sabbamakāsi, tena taṃ pucchāmī’’ti. ‘‘Paracittajānanakabhikkhū bahū, tātā’’ti? ‘‘Nāhaṃ aññe pucchāmi, tuvaṃ pucchāmi, upāsike’’ti. Evaṃ santepi upāsikā ‘‘paracittaṃ jānāmī’’ti avatvā ‘‘paracittaṃ jānantā nāma evaṃ karonti puttā’’ti āha. So ‘‘bhāriyaṃ vatidaṃ kammaṃ, puthujjanā nāma sobhanampi asobhanampi cintenti, sacāhaṃ kiñci ayuttaṃ cintayissāmi, saha bhaṇḍakena coraṃ cūḷāya gaṇhantī viya maṃ vippakāraṃ pāpeyya, mayā ito palāyituṃ vaṭṭatī’’ti cintetvā, ‘‘upāsike, ahaṃ gamissāmī’’ti āha. ‘‘Kahaṃ, ayyā’’ti? ‘‘Satthu santikaṃ, upāsike’’ti. ‘‘Vasatha tāva, bhante, idhā’’ti. ‘‘Na vasissāmi, upāsike, gamissāmevā’’ti nikkhamitvā satthu santikaṃ agamāsi. Atha naṃ satthā ‘‘kiṃ bhikkhu na tvaṃ tattha vasasī’’ti pucchi. ‘‘Āma, bhante, na sakkā tattha vasitu’’nti. ‘‘Kiṃ kāraṇā bhikkhū’’ti? ‘‘Bhante, sā upāsikā cintitacintitaṃ sabbaṃ jānāti, puthujjanā ca nāma sobhanampi asobhanampi cintenti, sacāhaṃ kiñci ayuttaṃ cintessāmi, saha bhaṇḍakena coraṃ cūḷāya gaṇhantī viya maṃ vippakāraṃ pāpessatī’’ti cintetvā āgatomhīti. ‘‘Bhikkhu, tattheva tayā vasituṃ vaṭṭatī’’ti, ‘‘na sakkomi, bhante, nāhaṃ tattha vasissāmī’’ti. ‘‘Tena hi tvaṃ, bhikkhu, ekameva rakkhituṃ sakkhissasī’’ti. ‘‘Kiṃ, bhante’’ti? ‘‘Tava cittameva rakkha, cittaṃ nāmetaṃ durakkhaṃ, tvaṃ attano cittameva niggaṇha, mā aññaṃ kiñci cintayi, cittaṃ nāmetaṃ dunniggaha’’nti vatvā imaṃ gāthamāha –

A certain monk, who heard his brethren praise the virtues of their hostess, conceived a desire to go there. So obtaining a Subject of Meditation from the Teacher, he took leave of the Teacher, saying, “Reverend Sir, I intend to go to that village.” And departing from Jetavana, he arrived in due course at that village and entered the monastery. On the very day he entered the monastery he thought to himself, "I have heard it said that this female lay disciple knows every thought that passes through the mind of another. Now I have been wearied by my journey and shall not be able to sweep the monastery. Oh that she would send a man to make ready the monastery for me!" The female lay disciple, sitting in her house, pondering within herself, became aware of this fact and sent a man thither, saying to him, "Go make ready the monastery and turn it over to him." The man went and swept the monastery and turned it over to him. Then the monk, desiring to have water to drink, thought to himself, "Oh that she would send me some sweetened water!" Straightway the female lay disciple sent it. On the following day, early in the morning, he thought to himself, "Let her send me rice-porridge with plenty of butter, together with some dainty bits." The female lay disciple straightway did so. After he had finished drinking the porridge, he thought to himself, "Oh that she would send me such and such hard food!" The female lay disciple straightway sent this also to him.

Then he thought to himself, "This female lay disciple has sent me every single thing I have thought of. I should like to see her. Oh that she would come to me in person, bringing with her soft food seasoned with various choice seasonings!" The female lay disciple thought to herself, "My son wishes to see me, desires me to go to him." So procuring soft food, she went to the monastery and gave it to him. When he had eaten his meal, he asked her, "Lay disciple, your name is Mother of Mātika?" "Yes, dear son." "You know the thoughts of another?" "Why do you ask me, dear son?" "You have done for me every single thing I have thought of; that is why I ask you." "Many are the monks who know the thoughts of another, dear son." "I am not asking anyone else; I am asking you, lay disciple." Even under these circumstances the female lay disciple avoided saying, "I know the thoughts of another," and said instead, "Those who know not the thoughts of another do thus, my son."

Thereupon the monk thought to himself, "I am in a most embarrassing position. They that are unconverted entertain both noble and ignoble thoughts. Were I to entertain a single sinful thought, she would doubtless seize me by the topknot, bag and baggage, as she would seize a thief, and do me harm. Therefore I had best run away from here." So he said to the female lay disciple, "Lay disciple, I intend to go away." "Where are you going, noble sir?" "To the Teacher, lay disciple." "Reside here for a while, Reverend Sir." “I can no longer reside here, lay disciple. I must positively go away.” With these words he departed and went to the Teacher.

The Teacher asked him, “Monk, are you no longer residing there?” “No, Reverend Sir, I cannot reside there any longer.” “For what reason, monk?” “Reverend Sir, that female lay disciple knows every single thought that passes through my mind. It occurred to me, ‘They that are unconverted entertain both noble and ignoble thoughts. Were I to entertain a single sinful thought, she would doubtless seize me by the topknot, bag and baggage, as she would seize a thief, and do me harm.’ That is why I have returned.” “Monk, that is the very place where you ought to reside.” “I cannot, Reverend Sir, I will not reside there any longer.” “Well then, monk, can you guard just one thing?” “What do you mean, Reverend Sir?” “Guard your thoughts alone, for thoughts are hard to guard. Restrain your thoughts alone. Do not concern yourself with aught else, for thoughts are unruly.” So saying, he pronounced the following Stanza,

3.2.35

‘‘Dunniggahassa lahuno, yatthakāmanipātino;
Cittassa damatho sādhu, cittaṃ dantaṃ sukhāvaha’’nti.

35. Thoughts are unruly and flighty, and flit and flutter wherever they list.
It is a good thing to tame the thoughts; tamed thoughts bring happiness.

3.2.35_2

Tattha cittaṃ nāmetaṃ dukkhena niggayhatīti dunniggahaṃ. Lahuṃ uppajjati ca nirujjhati cāti lahu. Tassa dunniggahassa lahuno. Yatthakāmanipātinoti yattha katthacideva nipatanasīlassa. Etañhi labhitabbaṭṭhānaṃ vā alabhitabbaṭṭhānaṃ vā yuttaṭṭhānaṃ vā ayuttaṭṭhānaṃ vā na jānāti, neva jātiṃ oloketi, na gottaṃ, na vayaṃ. Yattha yattha icchati, tattha tattheva nipatatīti ‘‘yatthakāmanipātī’’ti vuccati. Tassa evarūpassa cittassa damatho sādhu catūhi ariyamaggehi dantabhāvo yathā nibbisevanaṃ hoti, tathā katabhāvo sādhu. Kiṃ kāraṇā? Idañhi cittaṃ dantaṃ sukhāvahaṃ nibbisevanaṃ kataṃ maggaphalasukhaṃ paramatthanibbānasukhañca āvahatīti.

3.2.35_3

Desanāpariyosāne sampattaparisāya bahū sotāpannādayo ahesuṃ, mahājanassa sātthikā dhammadesanā jātāti.

3.2.35_4

Satthā tassa bhikkhuno imaṃ ovādaṃ datvā, ‘‘gaccha, bhikkhu, aññaṃ kiñci acintayitvā tattheva vasāhī’’ti pahiṇi. So bhikkhu satthu santikā ovādaṃ labhitvā tattha agamāsi. Kiñci bahiddhā cintanaṃ nāma na cintesi. Mahāupāsikāpi dibbena cakkhunā olokentī theraṃ disvā, ‘‘idāni ovādadāyakaṃ ācariyaṃ labhitvā punāgato mama putto’’ti attano ñāṇeneva paricchinditvā tassa sappāyāhāraṃ paṭiyādetvā adāsi. So sappāyabhojanaṃ sevitvā katipāheneva arahattaṃ patvā maggaphalasukhena vītināmento ‘‘aho mahāupāsikā mayhaṃ patiṭṭhā jātā, ahaṃ imaṃ nissāya bhavanissaraṇaṃ pattomhī’’ti cintetvā, ‘‘imasmiṃ tāva me attabhāve patiṭṭhā jātā, saṃsāre pana me saṃsarantassa aññesupi attabhāvesu ayaṃ patiṭṭhā bhūtapubbā, no’’ti upadhārento ekūnaattabhāvasataṃ anussari. Sāpi ekūnaattabhāvasate tassa pādaparicārikā aññesu paṭibaddhacittā hutvā taṃ jīvitā voropesi. Thero tassā ettakaṃ aguṇaṃ disvā, ‘‘aho mayaṃ mahāupāsikā bhāriyaṃ kammaṃ akāsī’’ti cintesi.

When the Teacher had admonished that monk, he dismissed him, saying, “Go, monk, concern yourself with nothing else. Resume residence in that same place.” And that monk, after being admonished by the Teacher, went to that same place and concerned himself with nothing other than his thoughts. The great female lay disciple looked with Supernatural Vision. Seeing the Elder, she determined by her own knowledge alone the following fact, “My son has now gained a Teacher who gives admonition and has returned once more.” And forthwith she prepared wholesome food and gave it to him. Once having received wholesome food, in but a few days the Elder attained Arahatship.

As the Elder passed his days in the enjoyment of the bliss of the Paths and the Fruits, he thought to himself, “The great female lay disciple has indeed been a support to me. By her assistance I have gained Release from Existence.” And he considered within himself, “Has she been a support to me in my present state of existence only, or has she been a support to me in other states of existence also, as I have passed from one state of existence to another in the round of existences?” With this thought in mind he recalled a hundred states of existence less one. Now in a hundred states of existence less one that female lay disciple had been his wife, and her affections had been set on other men, and she had caused him to be deprived of life. When, therefore, the Elder beheld the huge pile of demerit she had accumulated, he thought to himself, “Oh, what wicked deeds this female lay disciple has committed!”

3.2.35_5

Mahāupāsikāpi gehe nisinnāva ‘‘kiṃ nu kho mayhaṃ puttassa pabbajitakiccaṃ mattakaṃ pattaṃ, no’’ti upadhārayamānā tassa arahattapattiṃ ñatvā uttari upadhāriyamānā, ‘‘mama putto arahattaṃ patvā aho vata me ayaṃ upāsikā mahatī patiṭṭhā jātā’’ti cintetvā, ‘‘atītepi nu kho me ayaṃ patiṭṭhā bhūtapubbā, no’’ti upadhārento ekūnaattabhāvasataṃ anussari, ‘‘ahaṃ kho pana ekūnaattabhāvasate aññehi saddhiṃ ekato hutvā etaṃ jīvitā voropesiṃ, ayaṃ me ettakaṃ aguṇaṃ disvā ‘aho bhāriyaṃ kammaṃ kataṃ upāsikāyā’’ti cintesi. ‘‘Atthi nu kho evaṃ saṃsāre saṃsarantiyā mama puttassa upakāro katapubbo’’ti upadhārayamānā tato uttariṃ satamaṃ attabhāvaṃ anussaritvā satame attabhāve mayā etassa pādaparicārikāya hutvā etasmiṃ jīvitā voropanaṭṭhāne jīvitadānaṃ dinnaṃ, aho mayā mama puttassa mahāupakāro katapubbo’’ti gehe nisinnāva uttariṃ visesetvā ‘‘upadhārethā’’ti āha. So dibbāya sotadhātuyā saddaṃ sutvā visesetvā satamaṃ attabhāvaṃ anussaritvā tattha tāya attano jīvitassa dinnabhāvaṃ disvā, ‘‘aho mama imāya mahāupāsikāya upakāro katapubbo’’ti attamano hutvā tassā tattheva catūsu maggaphalesu pañhaṃ kathetvā anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbāyīti.

The great female lay disciple also sat in her house, considering within herself the following thought, “Has my son reached the goal of the religious life?” Perceiving that he had attained Arahatship, she continued her reflections as follows, “When my son attained Arahatship, he thought to himself, ‘This female lay disciple has indeed been a powerful support to me.’ Then he considered within himself, ‘Has she been a support to me in previous states of existence also or has she not?’ With this thought in mind he recalled a hundred states of existence less one. Now in a hundred states of existence less one I conspired with other men and deprived him of life. When, therefore, he beheld the huge pile of demerit I thus accumulated, he thought to himself, ‘Oh, what wicked deeds this female lay disciple has committed!’ Is it not possible that, as I have passed from one state of existence to another in the round of existences, I have rendered assistance to him?”

Considering the matter further, she called up before her mind her hundredth state of existence and became aware of the following, “In my hundredth state of existence I was his wife. On a certain occasion, when I might have deprived him of life, I spared his life. I have indeed rendered great assistance to my son.” And still remaining seated in her house, she said, “Discern further and consider the matter.” By the power of Supernatural Audition the monk immediately heard what she said. Discerning further, he called up before his mind his hundredth state of existence and perceived that in that state of existence she had spared his life. Filled with joy, he thought to himself, “This female lay disciple has indeed rendered great assistance to me.” Then and there, reciting the questions relating to the Four Paths and Fruits, he passed into that form of Nibbāna in which no trace of the Elements of Being remains.

3.2.35_6

Aññatarabhikkhuvatthu dutiyaṃ.