Viyahapannatti 18.7.744

18.7.744

At that time and in that period, there was a city named Rājagṛha. The Guṇaśīla caitya—the description [should be supplied] up to the slab of black rock. Not far from that Guṇaśīla caitya, many followers of other doctrines dwelt, namely: Kālodāyin, Śailodāyin, Śaivālodāyin, Udaka, Nāmudaka, Nammudaka, Annavālaka, Śailavālaka, Śaṅkhavālaka, [and] the householder Suhastin.

Then, on one occasion, when those followers of other doctrines had gathered together, assembled, seated, and settled in one place, this mutual conversation and discussion arose among them: “Indeed, the śramaṇa Jñātṛputra expounds five existent entities (astikāyas), namely: the entity of Dharma up to the entity of pudgala.

Therein, the śramaṇa Jñātṛputra expounds four existent entities as non-living bodies (ajīvakāyas), namely: the entity of Dharma, the entity of Adharma, the entity of space (ākāśa), [and] the entity of pudgala. And the śramaṇa Jñātṛputra expounds one existent entity—the entity of jīva—as a formless body (arūvikāya), a living body (jīvakāya).

Therein, the śramaṇa Jñātṛputra expounds four existent entities as formless bodies, namely: the entity of Dharma, the entity of Adharma, the entity of space, [and] the entity of jīva. And the śramaṇa Jñātṛputra expounds one existent entity—the entity of pudgala—as a corporeal body (rūvikāya), a non-living body. Now, how can this, indeed, be so?”

There in the city of Rājagṛha, a lay follower of the śramaṇas named Madduka dwelt—affluent, up to not disparaged by many people, one who comprehended the living and the non-living, up to lived.

Then, at some time, the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra, wandering in regular succession, journeying from village to village, dwelling in ease, arrived where the city of Rājagṛha was, where the Guṇaśīla caitya was, and stayed there. The assembly went forth up to pays homage.

Then, when the lay follower Madduka received news of this matter, being glad, pleased, delighted in heart, joyful, happy-minded, exceedingly cheerful, his heart expanding with joy, he bathed, up to adorned his body with few but costly ornaments, and departed from his own house. Having departed, walking on foot, he went through the midst of the city of Rājagṛha; having gone forth, he passed near those followers of other doctrines.

Then those followers of other doctrines saw the lay follower Madduka passing nearby. Having seen him, they called to one another and spoke thus: “Indeed, beloved of the gods, this discussion of ours remains unresolved, and here the lay follower Madduka is passing near us. Therefore, it would surely be better, beloved of the gods, for us to ask this matter of the lay follower Madduka.” Having thus agreed to this proposition among themselves, they approached where the lay follower Madduka was. Having approached, they said this to the lay follower Madduka: “Indeed, Madduka, your master of Dharma, teacher of Dharma, the śramaṇa Jñātṛputra expounds five existent entities, namely: the entity of Dharma up to the entity of pudgala; and so on up to expounds [the entity of pudgala] as a corporeal body, a non-living body. Now, how can this be so, Madduka?”

Then the lay follower Madduka spoke thus to those followers of other doctrines: “If an effect is produced, we know and perceive [the cause]; but if no effect is produced, we do not know and do not perceive [it].”

Then those followers of other doctrines spoke thus to the lay follower Madduka: “What sort of lay follower of the śramaṇas are you, Madduka, who does not know and does not perceive this matter?”

Then the lay follower Madduka spoke thus to those followers of other doctrines:
“Long-lived ones, does the wind-body blow?” “Yes, it does.”
“Long-lived ones, do you see the form of the wind-body as it blows?”
“That meaning is not tenable.”
“Long-lived ones, are there material particles connected with the sense of smell?”
“Yes, there are.”
“Long-lived ones, do you see the form of the material particles connected with the sense of smell?”
“That meaning is not tenable.”
“Long-lived ones, is there a fire-body contained within fire-sticks (araṇi)?”
“Yes, there is.”
“Long-lived ones, do you see the form of the fire-body contained within fire-sticks?”
“That meaning is not tenable.”
“Long-lived ones, are there forms situated beyond the ocean?”
“Yes, there are.”
“Long-lived ones, do you see the forms situated beyond the ocean?”
“That meaning is not tenable.”
“Long-lived ones, are there forms situated in the world of the gods?”
“Yes, there are.”
“Long-lived ones, do you see the forms situated in the world of the gods?” “That meaning is not tenable.”
“In the very same manner, long-lived ones, if whatever I, or you, or any other un-omniscient person (chadmastha) does not know or see does not exist, then very many things in the world would cease to exist for you!” Having thus replied to those followers of other doctrines, he went to where the Guṇaśīla caitya was, where the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra was. Having approached, he worshipped the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra with the fivefold form of reverence up to attended upon him.

Addressing Madduka, the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra said to the lay follower Madduka: “Well said, Madduka, to those followers of other doctrines! Excellent, Madduka, was what you said to those followers of other doctrines! For whoever, Madduka, speaks, expounds, explains, shows, demonstrates, or points out among a multitude of people a meaning, a reason, a question, or an answer that is unknown, unseen, unheard, unexperienced, or not understood—that person engages in disrespect toward the arhats, disrespect toward the Dharma expounded by the arhats, disrespect toward the omniscient ones (kevalins), and disrespect toward the Dharma expounded by the omniscient ones. Therefore, Madduka, well said was what you said to those followers of other doctrines! Excellent, Madduka, was what you said to those followers of other doctrines!”

Then the lay follower Madduka, addressed thus by the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra, became glad and pleased. He praised and bowed down to the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra; having praised and bowed down, neither too close nor too far, desiring to hear, bowing down, facing [him], he attended with devotion, with hands folded in reverent salutation.

Then the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra expounded the Dharma to the lay follower Madduka and to that vast assembly, until the assembly dispersed.

Then the lay follower Madduka, having heard and grasped the Dharma before the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra, glad and pleased, asked questions. Having asked, he grasped the meanings. Having grasped them, he arose from his seat; having arisen, he praised and bowed down to the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra; having praised and bowed down, he departed in the same direction from which he had come.

“Venerable Sir!” The venerable Gautama praised and bowed down to the śramaṇa, the Lord Mahāvīra; having praised and bowed down, he spoke thus: “Is the lay follower Madduka capable, Venerable Sir, of becoming tonsured and renouncing the householder's life for the homeless state in the presence of the beloved of the gods?”
“That meaning is not tenable. In this manner, just as in the case of Śaṅkha, so also with regard to Aruṇābha, up to he will make an end [of suffering].”