Mahāsakuludāyisutta

Majjhima Nikāya 77

Middle Discourses 77

Mahāsakuludāyisutta

The Longer Discourse with Sakuludāyī

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.

Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā paribbājakā moranivāpe paribbājakārāme paṭivasanti, seyyathidaṁ—

Now at that time several very well-known wanderers were residing in their monastery in the peacocks’ feeding ground.

annabhāro varadharo sakuludāyī ca paribbājako aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā paribbājakā.

They included Annabhāra, Varadhara, Sakuludāyī, and other very well-known wanderers.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya rājagahaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for alms.

Atha kho bhagavato etadahosi:

Then it occurred to him,

“atippago kho tāva rājagahe piṇḍāya carituṁ.

“It’s too early to wander for alms in Rājagaha.

Yannūnāhaṁ yena moranivāpo paribbājakārāmo yena sakuludāyī paribbājako tenupasaṅkameyyan”ti.

Why don’t I visit the wanderer Sakuludāyī at the monastery for the wanderers in the peacocks’ feeding ground?”

Atha kho bhagavā yena moranivāpo paribbājakārāmo tenupasaṅkami.

So the Buddha went to the monastery for the wanderers.

Tena kho pana samayena sakuludāyī paribbājako mahatiyā paribbājakaparisāya saddhiṁ nisinno hoti unnādiniyā uccāsaddamahāsaddāya anekavihitaṁ tiracchānakathaṁ kathentiyā, seyyathidaṁ—

Now at that time, Sakuludāyī was sitting together with a large assembly of wanderers making an uproar, a colossal racket. They engaged in all kinds of low talk, such as

rājakathaṁ corakathaṁ mahāmattakathaṁ senākathaṁ bhayakathaṁ yuddhakathaṁ annakathaṁ pānakathaṁ vatthakathaṁ sayanakathaṁ mālākathaṁ gandhakathaṁ ñātikathaṁ yānakathaṁ gāmakathaṁ nigamakathaṁ nagarakathaṁ janapadakathaṁ itthikathaṁ sūrakathaṁ visikhākathaṁ kumbhaṭṭhānakathaṁ pubbapetakathaṁ nānattakathaṁ lokakkhāyikaṁ samuddakkhāyikaṁ itibhavābhavakathaṁ iti vā.

talk about kings, bandits, and chief ministers; talk about armies, threats, and wars; talk about food, drink, clothes, and beds; talk about garlands and fragrances; talk about family, vehicles, villages, towns, cities, and countries; talk about women and heroes; talk at the street market and the place for water pots; talk about the departed; motley talk; tales of land and sea; and talk about being reborn in this or that place.

Addasā kho sakuludāyī paribbājako bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.

Sakuludāyī saw the Buddha coming off in the distance,

Disvāna sakaṁ parisaṁ saṇṭhāpeti:

and hushed his own assembly,

“appasaddā bhonto hontu;

“Be quiet, good fellows, don’t make a sound.

mā bhonto saddamakattha.

Ayaṁ samaṇo gotamo āgacchati;

Here comes the ascetic Gotama.

appasaddakāmo kho pana so āyasmā appasaddassa vaṇṇavādī.

The venerable likes quiet and praises quiet.

Appeva nāma appasaddaṁ parisaṁ viditvā upasaṅkamitabbaṁ maññeyyā”ti.

Hopefully if he sees that our assembly is quiet he’ll see fit to approach.”

Atha kho te paribbājakā tuṇhī ahesuṁ.

Then those wanderers fell silent.

Atha kho bhagavā yena sakuludāyī paribbājako tenupasaṅkami.

Then the Buddha approached Sakuludāyī,

Atha kho sakuludāyī paribbājako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

who said to him,

“etu kho, bhante, bhagavā.

“Let the Blessed One come, sir!

Svāgataṁ, bhante, bhagavato.

Welcome to the Blessed One, sir!

Cirassaṁ kho, bhante, bhagavā imaṁ pariyāyamakāsi yadidaṁ idhāgamanāya.

It’s been a long time since you took the opportunity to come here.

Nisīdatu, bhante, bhagavā;

Please, sir, sit down, this seat is ready.”

idamāsanaṁ paññattan”ti.

Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane.

The Buddha sat down on the seat spread out,

Sakuludāyīpi kho paribbājako aññataraṁ nīcaṁ āsanaṁ gahetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

while Sakuludāyī took a low seat and sat to one side.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho sakuludāyiṁ paribbājakaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

The Buddha said to him,

“Kāya nuttha, udāyi, etarahi kathāya sannisinnā, kā ca pana vo antarākathā vippakatā”ti?

“Udāyī, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?”

“Tiṭṭhatesā, bhante, kathā yāya mayaṁ etarahi kathāya sannisinnā.

“Sir, leave aside what we were sitting talking about just now.

Nesā, bhante, kathā bhagavato dullabhā bhavissati pacchāpi savanāya.

It won’t be hard for you to hear about that later.

Purimāni, bhante, divasāni purimatarāni nānātitthiyānaṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ kutūhalasālāyaṁ sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ ayamantarākathā udapādi:

Sir, a few days ago several ascetics and brahmins who follow various other religions were sitting together at the debating hall, and this discussion came up among them:

‘lābhā vata, bho, aṅgamagadhānaṁ, suladdhalābhā vata, bho, aṅgamagadhānaṁ.

‘The people of Aṅga and Magadha are so fortunate, so very fortunate!

Tatrime samaṇabrāhmaṇā saṅghino gaṇino gaṇācariyā ñātā yasassino titthakarā sādhusammatā bahujanassa rājagahaṁ vassāvāsaṁ osaṭā.

For there are these ascetics and brahmins who lead an order and a community, and tutor a community. They’re well-known and famous religious founders, deemed holy by many people. And they have come down for the rainy season residence at Rājagaha.

Ayampi kho pūraṇo kassapo saṅghī ceva gaṇī ca gaṇācariyo ca ñāto yasassī titthakaro sādhusammato bahujanassa;

They include Pūraṇa Kassapa,

sopi rājagahaṁ vassāvāsaṁ osaṭo.

Ayampi kho makkhali gosālo …pe…

the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla,

ajito kesakambalo …

Ajita of the hair blanket,

pakudho kaccāyano …

Pakudha Kaccāyana,

sañjayo belaṭṭhaputto …

Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta,

nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto saṅghī ceva gaṇī ca gaṇācariyo ca ñāto yasassī titthakaro sādhusammato bahujanassa;

and the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan.

sopi rājagahaṁ vassāvāsaṁ osaṭo.

Ayampi kho samaṇo gotamo saṅghī ceva gaṇī ca gaṇācariyo ca ñāto yasassī titthakaro sādhusammato bahujanassa;

This ascetic Gotama also leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people.

sopi rājagahaṁ vassāvāsaṁ osaṭo.

And he too has come down for the rains residence at Rājagaha.

Ko nu kho imesaṁ bhavataṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ saṅghīnaṁ gaṇīnaṁ gaṇācariyānaṁ ñātānaṁ yasassinaṁ titthakarānaṁ sādhusammatānaṁ bahujanassa sāvakānaṁ sakkato garukato mānito pūjito, kañca pana sāvakā sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharantī’ti?

Which of these ascetics and brahmins is honored, respected, revered, and venerated by their disciples? And how do their disciples, honoring and respecting them, remain loyal?’

Tatrekacce evamāhaṁsu:

Some of them said:

‘ayaṁ kho pūraṇo kassapo saṅghī ceva gaṇī ca gaṇācariyo ca ñāto yasassī titthakaro sādhusammato bahujanassa;

‘This Pūraṇa Kassapa leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people.

so ca kho sāvakānaṁ na sakkato na garukato na mānito na pūjito, na ca pana pūraṇaṁ kassapaṁ sāvakā sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

But he’s not honored, respected, revered, and venerated by his disciples. And his disciples, not honoring and respecting him, don’t remain loyal to him.

Bhūtapubbaṁ pūraṇo kassapo anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ deseti.

Once it so happened that he was teaching an assembly of many hundreds.

Tatraññataro pūraṇassa kassapassa sāvako saddamakāsi:

Then one of his disciples made a noise,

“mā bhonto pūraṇaṁ kassapaṁ etamatthaṁ pucchittha;

“My good fellows, don’t ask Pūraṇa Kassapa about that.

neso etaṁ jānāti;

He doesn’t know that.

mayametaṁ jānāma, amhe etamatthaṁ pucchatha;

I know it. Ask me about it,

mayametaṁ bhavantānaṁ byākarissāmā”ti.

and I’ll answer you.”

Bhūtapubbaṁ pūraṇo kassapo bāhā paggayha kandanto na labhati:

Once it so happened that Pūraṇa Kassapa didn’t get his way, though he called out with raised arms,

“appasaddā bhonto hontu, mā bhonto saddamakattha.

“Be quiet, good fellows, don’t make a sound.

Nete, bhavante, pucchanti, amhe ete pucchanti;

They’re not asking you, they’re asking me!

mayametesaṁ byākarissāmā”ti.

I’ll answer you!”

Bahū kho pana pūraṇassa kassapassa sāvakā vādaṁ āropetvā apakkantā:

Indeed, many of his disciples have left him after refuting his doctrine:

“na tvaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānāsi, ahaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānāmi, kiṁ tvaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānissasi? Micchāpaṭipanno tvamasi, ahamasmi sammāpaṭipanno, sahitaṁ me, asahitaṁ te, purevacanīyaṁ pacchā avaca, pacchāvacanīyaṁ pure avaca, adhiciṇṇaṁ te viparāvattaṁ, āropito te vādo, niggahitosi, cara vādappamokkhāya, nibbeṭhehi vā sace pahosī”ti.

“You don’t understand this teaching and training. I understand this teaching and training. What, you understand this teaching and training? You’re practicing wrong. I’m practicing right. I stay on topic, you don’t. You said last what you should have said first. You said first what you should have said last. What you’ve thought so much about has been disproved. Your doctrine is refuted. Go on, save your doctrine! You’re trapped; get yourself out of this—if you can!”

Iti pūraṇo kassapo sāvakānaṁ na sakkato na garukato na mānito na pūjito, na ca pana pūraṇaṁ kassapaṁ sāvakā sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

That’s how Pūraṇa Kassapa is not honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by his disciples. On the contrary, his disciples, not honoring and respecting him, don’t remain loyal to him.

Akkuṭṭho ca pana pūraṇo kassapo dhammakkosenā’ti.

Rather, he’s reviled, and rightly so.’

Ekacce evamāhaṁsu:

Others said:

‘ayampi kho makkhali gosālo …pe…

‘This bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla …

ajito kesakambalo …

Ajita of the hair blanket …

pakudho kaccāyano …

Pakudha Kaccāyana …

sañjayo belaṭṭhaputto …

Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta …

nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto saṅghī ceva gaṇī ca gaṇācariyo ca ñāto yasassī titthakaro sādhusammato bahujanassa;

This Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people.

so ca kho sāvakānaṁ na sakkato na garukato na mānito na pūjito, na ca pana nigaṇṭhaṁ nāṭaputtaṁ sāvakā sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

But he’s not honored, respected, revered, and venerated by his disciples. And his disciples, not honoring and respecting him, don’t remain loyal to him.

Bhūtapubbaṁ nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ deseti.

Once it so happened that he was teaching an assembly of many hundreds.

Tatraññataro nigaṇṭhassa nāṭaputtassa sāvako saddamakāsi:

Then one of his disciples made a noise,

“mā bhonto nigaṇṭhaṁ nāṭaputtaṁ etamatthaṁ pucchittha;

“My good fellows, don’t ask the Jain Ñātika about that.

neso etaṁ jānāti;

He doesn’t know that.

mayametaṁ jānāma, amhe etamatthaṁ pucchatha;

I know it. Ask me about it,

mayametaṁ bhavantānaṁ byākarissāmā”ti.

and I’ll answer you.”

Bhūtapubbaṁ nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto bāhā paggayha kandanto na labhati:

Once it so happened that the Jain Ñātika didn’t get his way, though he called out with raised arms,

“appasaddā bhonto hontu, mā bhonto saddamakattha.

“Be quiet, good fellows, don’t make a sound.

Nete bhavante pucchanti, amhe ete pucchanti;

They’re not asking you, they’re asking me!

mayametesaṁ byākarissāmā”ti.

I’ll answer you!”

Bahū kho pana nigaṇṭhassa nāṭaputtassa sāvakā vādaṁ āropetvā apakkantā:

Indeed, many of his disciples have left him after refuting his doctrine:

“na tvaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānāsi, ahaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānāmi. Kiṁ tvaṁ imaṁ dhammavinayaṁ ājānissasi? Micchāpaṭipanno tvamasi. Ahamasmi sammāpaṭipanno. Sahitaṁ me asahitaṁ te, purevacanīyaṁ pacchā avaca, pacchāvacanīyaṁ pure avaca, adhiciṇṇaṁ te viparāvattaṁ, āropito te vādo, niggahitosi, cara vādappamokkhāya, nibbeṭhehi vā sace pahosī”ti.

“You don’t understand this teaching and training. I understand this teaching and training. What, you understand this teaching and training? You’re practicing wrong. I’m practicing right. I stay on topic, you don’t. You said last what you should have said first. You said first what you should have said last. What you’ve thought so much about has been disproved. Your doctrine is refuted. Go on, save your doctrine! You’re trapped; get yourself out of this—if you can!”

Iti nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto sāvakānaṁ na sakkato na garukato na mānito na pūjito, na ca pana nigaṇṭhaṁ nāṭaputtaṁ sāvakā sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

That’s how the Jain Ñātika is not honored, respected, revered, and venerated by his disciples. On the contrary, his disciples, not honoring and respecting him, don’t remain loyal to him.

Akkuṭṭho ca pana nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto dhammakkosenā’ti.

Rather, he’s reviled, and rightly so.’

Ekacce evamāhaṁsu:

Others said:

‘ayampi kho samaṇo gotamo saṅghī ceva gaṇī ca gaṇācariyo ca ñāto yasassī titthakaro sādhusammato bahujanassa;

‘This ascetic Gotama leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people.

so ca kho sāvakānaṁ sakkato garukato mānito pūjito, samaṇañca pana gotamaṁ sāvakā sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

He’s honored, respected, revered, and venerated by his disciples. And his disciples, honoring and respecting him, remain loyal to him.

Bhūtapubbaṁ samaṇo gotamo anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ desesi.

Once it so happened that he was teaching an assembly of many hundreds.

Tatraññataro samaṇassa gotamassa sāvako ukkāsi.

Then one of his disciples cleared their throat.

Tamenāññataro sabrahmacārī jaṇṇukena ghaṭṭesi:

And one of their spiritual companions nudged them with their knee, to indicate,

“appasaddo āyasmā hotu, māyasmā saddamakāsi, satthā no bhagavā dhammaṁ desesī”ti.

“Hush, venerable, don’t make sound! Our teacher, the Blessed One, is teaching!”

Yasmiṁ samaye samaṇo gotamo anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ deseti, neva tasmiṁ samaye samaṇassa gotamassa sāvakānaṁ khipitasaddo vā hoti ukkāsitasaddo vā.

While the ascetic Gotama is teaching an assembly of many hundreds, there is no sound of his disciples coughing or clearing their throats.

Tamenaṁ mahājanakāyo paccāsīsamānarūpo paccupaṭṭhito hoti:

That large crowd is poised expectantly at the ready, thinking,

“yaṁ no bhagavā dhammaṁ bhāsissati taṁ no sossāmā”ti.

“Whatever the Buddha teaches, we shall listen to it.”

Seyyathāpi nāma puriso cātummahāpathe khuddamadhuṁ anelakaṁ pīḷeyya.

It’s like when there’s a person at the crossroads pressing out pure dwarf-bee honey,

Tamenaṁ mahājanakāyo paccāsīsamānarūpo paccupaṭṭhito assa.

and a large crowd is poised expectantly at the ready.

Evameva yasmiṁ samaye samaṇo gotamo anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ deseti, neva tasmiṁ samaye samaṇassa gotamassa sāvakānaṁ khipitasaddo vā hoti ukkāsitasaddo vā.

In the same way, while the ascetic Gotama is teaching an assembly of many hundreds, there is no sound of his disciples coughing or clearing their throats.

Tamenaṁ mahājanakāyo paccāsīsamānarūpo paccupaṭṭhito hoti:

That large crowd is poised expectantly at the ready, thinking,

“yaṁ no bhagavā dhammaṁ bhāsissati taṁ no sossāmā”ti.

“Whatever the Buddha teaches, we shall listen to it.”

Yepi samaṇassa gotamassa sāvakā sabrahmacārīhi sampayojetvā sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattanti tepi satthu ceva vaṇṇavādino honti, dhammassa ca vaṇṇavādino honti, saṅghassa ca vaṇṇavādino honti, attagarahinoyeva honti anaññagarahino, “mayamevamhā alakkhikā mayaṁ appapuññā te mayaṁ evaṁ svākkhāte dhammavinaye pabbajitvā nāsakkhimhā yāvajīvaṁ paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ caritun”ti.

Even when disciples of the ascetic Gotama, having clashed with their spiritual companions, resign the training and return to a lesser life, they speak only praise of the Teacher, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They blame only themselves, not others: “We were unlucky, we had little merit. For even after going forth in such a well explained teaching and training we weren’t able to practice for life the perfectly full and pure spiritual life.”

Te ārāmikabhūtā vā upāsakabhūtā vā pañcasikkhāpade samādāya vattanti.

They become monastery workers or lay followers, and they proceed having undertaken the five precepts.

Iti samaṇo gotamo sāvakānaṁ sakkato garukato mānito pūjito, samaṇañca pana gotamaṁ sāvakā sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharantī’”ti.

That’s how the ascetic Gotama is honored, respected, revered, and venerated by his disciples. And that’s how his disciples, honoring and respecting him, remain loyal to him.’”

“Kati pana tvaṁ, udāyi, mayi dhamme samanupassasi, yehi mamaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharantī”ti?

“But Udāyī, how many qualities do you see in me, because of which my disciples honor, respect, revere, and venerate me; and honoring and respecting me, they remain loyal to me?”

“Pañca kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati dhamme samanupassāmi yehi bhagavantaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

“Sir, I see five such qualities in the Buddha.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Bhagavā hi, bhante, appāhāro, appāhāratāya ca vaṇṇavādī.

The Buddha eats little and praises eating little.

Yampi, bhante, bhagavā appāhāro, appāhāratāya ca vaṇṇavādī imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati paṭhamaṁ dhammaṁ samanupassāmi yena bhagavantaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

This is the first such quality I see in the Buddha.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, bhagavā santuṭṭho itarītarena cīvarena, itarītaracīvarasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, the Buddha is content with any kind of robe, and praises such contentment.

Yampi, bhante, bhagavā santuṭṭho itarītarena cīvarena, itarītaracīvarasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī, imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati dutiyaṁ dhammaṁ samanupassāmi yena bhagavantaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

This is the second such quality I see in the Buddha.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, bhagavā santuṭṭho itarītarena piṇḍapātena, itarītarapiṇḍapātasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, the Buddha is content with any kind of almsfood, and praises such contentment.

Yampi, bhante, bhagavā santuṭṭho itarītarena piṇḍapātena, itarītarapiṇḍapātasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī, imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati tatiyaṁ dhammaṁ samanupassāmi yena bhagavantaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

This is the third such quality I see in the Buddha.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, bhagavā santuṭṭho itarītarena senāsanena, itarītarasenāsanasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, the Buddha is content with any kind of lodging, and praises such contentment.

Yampi, bhante, bhagavā santuṭṭho itarītarena senāsanena, itarītarasenāsanasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī, imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati catutthaṁ dhammaṁ samanupassāmi yena bhagavantaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

This is the fourth such quality I see in the Buddha.

Puna caparaṁ, bhante, bhagavā pavivitto, pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādī.

Furthermore, the Buddha is secluded, and praises seclusion.

Yampi, bhante, bhagavā pavivitto, pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādī, imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati pañcamaṁ dhammaṁ samanupassāmi yena bhagavantaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

This is the fifth such quality I see in the Buddha.

Ime kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavati pañca dhamme samanupassāmi yehi bhagavantaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharantī”ti.

These are the five qualities I see in the Buddha, because of which his disciples honor, respect, revere, and venerate him; and honoring and respecting him, they remain loyal to him.”

“‘Appāhāro samaṇo gotamo, appāhāratāya ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, santi kho pana me, udāyi, sāvakā kosakāhārāpi aḍḍhakosakāhārāpi beluvāhārāpi aḍḍhabeluvāhārāpi.

“Suppose, Udāyī, my disciples were loyal to me because I eat little. Well, there are disciples of mine who eat a tumbler of food, or half a tumbler; they eat a wood-apple, or half a wood-apple.

Ahaṁ kho pana, udāyi, appekadā iminā pattena samatittikampi bhuñjāmi bhiyyopi bhuñjāmi.

But sometimes I even eat this bowl full to the brim, or even more.

‘Appāhāro samaṇo gotamo, appāhāratāya ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, ye te, udāyi, mama sāvakā kosakāhārāpi aḍḍhakosakāhārāpi beluvāhārāpi aḍḍhabeluvāhārāpi na maṁ te iminā dhammena sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ.

So if it were the case that my disciples are loyal to me because I eat little, then those disciples who eat even less would not be loyal to me.

‘Santuṭṭho samaṇo gotamo itarītarena cīvarena, itarītaracīvarasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, santi kho pana me, udāyi, sāvakā paṁsukūlikā lūkhacīvaradharā te susānā vā saṅkārakūṭā vā pāpaṇikā vā nantakāni uccinitvā saṅghāṭiṁ karitvā dhārenti.

Suppose my disciples were loyal to me because I’m content with any kind of robe. Well, there are disciples of mine who have rag robes, wearing shabby robes. They gather scraps from charnel grounds, rubbish dumps, and shops, make them into a patchwork robe and wear it.

Ahaṁ kho panudāyi, appekadā gahapaticīvarāni dhāremi daḷhāni satthalūkhāni alābulomasāni.

But sometimes I wear robes offered by householders that are strong, yet next to which bottle-gourd down is coarse.

‘Santuṭṭho samaṇo gotamo itarītarena cīvarena, itarītaracīvarasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, ye te, udāyi, mama sāvakā paṁsukūlikā lūkhacīvaradharā te susānā vā saṅkārakūṭā vā pāpaṇikā vā nantakāni uccinitvā saṅghāṭiṁ karitvā dhārenti, na maṁ te iminā dhammena sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ.

So if it were the case that my disciples are loyal to me because I’m content with any kind of robe, then those disciples who wear rag robes would not be loyal to me.

‘Santuṭṭho samaṇo gotamo itarītarena piṇḍapātena, itarītarapiṇḍapātasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, santi kho pana me, udāyi, sāvakā piṇḍapātikā sapadānacārino uñchāsake vate ratā, te antaragharaṁ paviṭṭhā samānā āsanenapi nimantiyamānā na sādiyanti.

Suppose my disciples were loyal to me because I’m content with any kind of almsfood. Well, there are disciples of mine who eat only almsfood, wander indiscriminately for almsfood, happy to eat whatever they glean. When they’ve entered an inhabited area, they don’t consent when invited to sit down.

Ahaṁ kho panudāyi, appekadā nimantanepi bhuñjāmi sālīnaṁ odanaṁ vicitakāḷakaṁ anekasūpaṁ anekabyañjanaṁ.

But sometimes I even eat by invitation boiled fine rice with the dark grains picked out, served with many soups and sauces.

‘Santuṭṭho samaṇo gotamo itarītarena piṇḍapātena, itarītarapiṇḍapātasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, ye te, udāyi, mama sāvakā piṇḍapātikā sapadānacārino uñchāsake vate ratā te antaragharaṁ paviṭṭhā samānā āsanenapi nimantiyamānā na sādiyanti, na maṁ te iminā dhammena sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ.

So if it were the case that my disciples are loyal to me because I’m content with any kind of almsfood, then those disciples who eat only almsfood would not be loyal to me.

‘Santuṭṭho samaṇo gotamo itarītarena senāsanena, itarītarasenāsanasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, santi kho pana me, udāyi, sāvakā rukkhamūlikā abbhokāsikā, te aṭṭhamāse channaṁ na upenti.

Suppose my disciples were loyal to me because I’m content with any kind of lodging. Well, there are disciples of mine who stay at the root of a tree, in the open air. For eight months they don’t go under a roof.

Ahaṁ kho panudāyi, appekadā kūṭāgāresupi viharāmi ullittāvalittesu nivātesu phusitaggaḷesu pihitavātapānesu.

But sometimes I even stay in bungalows, plastered inside and out, draft-free, with doors fastened and windows shuttered.

‘Santuṭṭho samaṇo gotamo itarītarena senāsanena, itarītarasenāsanasantuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, ye te, udāyi, mama sāvakā rukkhamūlikā abbhokāsikā te aṭṭhamāse channaṁ na upenti, na maṁ te iminā dhammena sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ.

So if it were the case that my disciples are loyal to me because I’m content with any kind of lodging, then those disciples who stay at the root of a tree would not be loyal to me.

‘Pavivitto samaṇo gotamo, pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ, santi kho pana me, udāyi, sāvakā āraññikā pantasenāsanā araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni ajjhogāhetvā viharanti, te anvaddhamāsaṁ saṅghamajjhe osaranti pātimokkhuddesāya.

Suppose my disciples were loyal to me because I’m secluded and I praise seclusion. Well, there are disciples of mine who live in the wilderness, in remote lodgings. Having ventured deep into remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest, they live there, coming down to the midst of the Saṅgha each fortnight for the recitation of the monastic code.

Ahaṁ kho panudāyi, appekadā ākiṇṇo viharāmi bhikkhūhi bhikkhunīhi upāsakehi upāsikāhi raññā rājamahāmattehi titthiyehi titthiyasāvakehi.

But sometimes I live crowded by monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen; by rulers and their chief ministers, and monastics of other religions and their disciples.

‘Pavivitto samaṇo gotamo, pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādī’ti, iti ce maṁ, udāyi, sāvakā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ. Ye te, udāyi, mama sāvakā āraññakā pantasenāsanā araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni ajjhogāhetvā viharanti te anvaddhamāsaṁ saṅghamajjhe osaranti pātimokkhuddesāya, na maṁ te iminā dhammena sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya vihareyyuṁ.

So if it were the case that my disciples are loyal to me because I’m secluded and praise seclusion, then those disciples who live in the wilderness would not be loyal to me.

Iti kho, udāyi, na mamaṁ sāvakā imehi pañcahi dhammehi sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

So, Udāyī, it’s not because of these five qualities that my disciples honor, respect, revere, and venerate me; and honoring and respecting me, they remain loyal to me.

Atthi kho, udāyi, aññe ca pañca dhammā yehi pañcahi dhammehi mamaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

There are five other qualities because of which my disciples honor, respect, revere, and venerate me; and honoring and respecting me, they remain loyal to me.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Idhudāyi, mamaṁ sāvakā adhisīle sambhāventi:

Firstly, my disciples esteem me for the higher ethics:

‘sīlavā samaṇo gotamo paramena sīlakkhandhena samannāgato’ti.

‘The ascetic Gotama is ethical. He possesses the entire spectrum of ethical conduct to the highest degree.’

Yampudāyi, mamaṁ sāvakā adhisīle sambhāventi:

Since this is so,

‘sīlavā samaṇo gotamo paramena sīlakkhandhena samannāgato’ti, ayaṁ kho, udāyi, paṭhamo dhammo yena mamaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

this is the first quality because of which my disciples are loyal to me.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, mamaṁ sāvakā abhikkante ñāṇadassane sambhāventi:

Furthermore, my disciples esteem me for my excellent knowledge and vision:

‘jānaṁyevāha samaṇo gotamo—jānāmīti,

‘The ascetic Gotama only claims to know when he does in fact know.

passaṁyevāha samaṇo gotamo—passāmīti;

He only claims to see when he really does see.

abhiññāya samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ deseti no anabhiññāya;

He teaches based on direct knowledge, not without direct knowledge.

sanidānaṁ samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ deseti no anidānaṁ;

He teaches based on reason, not without reason.

sappāṭihāriyaṁ samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ deseti no appāṭihāriyan’ti.

He teaches with a demonstrable basis, not without it.’

Yampudāyi, mamaṁ sāvakā abhikkante ñāṇadassane sambhāventi:

Since this is so,

‘jānaṁyevāha samaṇo gotamo—jānāmīti,

passaṁyevāha samaṇo gotamo—passāmīti;

abhiññāya samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ deseti no anabhiññāya;

sanidānaṁ samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ deseti no anidānaṁ;

sappāṭihāriyaṁ samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ deseti no appāṭihāriyan’ti, ayaṁ kho, udāyi, dutiyo dhammo yena mamaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

this is the second quality because of which my disciples are loyal to me.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, mamaṁ sāvakā adhipaññāya sambhāventi:

Furthermore, my disciples esteem me for my higher wisdom:

‘paññavā samaṇo gotamo paramena paññākkhandhena samannāgato;

‘The ascetic Gotama is wise. He possesses the entire spectrum of wisdom to the highest degree.

taṁ vata anāgataṁ vādapathaṁ na dakkhati, uppannaṁ vā parappavādaṁ na sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggaṇhissatīti—netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati’.

It’s not possible that he would fail to foresee grounds for future criticism, or to legitimately and completely refute the doctrines of others that come up.’

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, udāyi,

What do you think, Udāyī?

api nu me sāvakā evaṁ jānantā evaṁ passantā antarantarā kathaṁ opāteyyun”ti?

Would my disciples, knowing and seeing this, break in and interrupt me?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“No, sir.”

“Na kho panāhaṁ, udāyi, sāvakesu anusāsaniṁ paccāsīsāmi;

“That’s because I don’t expect to be instructed by my disciples.

aññadatthu mamayeva sāvakā anusāsaniṁ paccāsīsanti.

Invariably, my disciples expect instruction from me.

Yampudāyi, mamaṁ sāvakā adhipaññāya sambhāventi:

Since this is so,

‘paññavā samaṇo gotamo paramena paññākkhandhena samannāgato;

taṁ vata anāgataṁ vādapathaṁ na dakkhati, uppannaṁ vā parappavādaṁ na sahadhammena niggahitaṁ niggaṇhissatīti—

netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati’.

Ayaṁ kho, udāyi, tatiyo dhammo yena mamaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

this is the third quality because of which my disciples are loyal to me.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, mama sāvakā yena dukkhena dukkhotiṇṇā dukkhaparetā te maṁ upasaṅkamitvā dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pucchanti, tesāhaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ puṭṭho byākaromi, tesāhaṁ cittaṁ ārādhemi pañhassa veyyākaraṇena;

Furthermore, my disciples come to me and ask how the noble truth of suffering applies to the suffering in which they are swamped and mired. And I provide them with a satisfying answer to their question.

te maṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ …

They ask how the noble truths of the origin of suffering,

dukkhanirodhaṁ …

the cessation of suffering,

dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pucchanti, tesāhaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ ariyasaccaṁ puṭṭho byākaromi, tesāhaṁ cittaṁ ārādhemi pañhassa veyyākaraṇena.

and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering apply to the suffering in which they are swamped and mired. And I provide them with satisfying answers to their questions.

Yampudāyi, mama sāvakā yena dukkhena dukkhotiṇṇā dukkhaparetā te maṁ upasaṅkamitvā dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pucchanti, tesāhaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ puṭṭho byākaromi, tesāhaṁ cittaṁ ārādhemi pañhassa veyyākaraṇena.

Since this is so,

Te maṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ …

dukkhanirodhaṁ …

dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ ariyasaccaṁ pucchanti.

Tesāhaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ ariyasaccaṁ puṭṭho byākaromi.

Tesāhaṁ cittaṁ ārādhemi pañhassa veyyākaraṇena.

Ayaṁ kho, udāyi, catuttho dhammo yena mamaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

this is the fourth quality because of which my disciples are loyal to me.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā cattāro satipaṭṭhāne bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ;

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.

vedanāsu vedanānupassī viharati …

They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …

citte cittānupassī viharati …

mind …

dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā cattāro sammappadhāne bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the four right efforts.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu anuppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppādāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, vīriyaṁ ārabhati, cittaṁ paggaṇhāti, padahati;

It’s when a mendicant generates enthusiasm, tries, makes an effort, exerts the mind, and strives so that bad, unskillful qualities don’t arise.

uppannānaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, vīriyaṁ ārabhati, cittaṁ paggaṇhāti, padahati;

They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen are given up.

anuppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ uppādāya chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, vīriyaṁ ārabhati, cittaṁ paggaṇhāti, padahati;

They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful qualities arise.

uppannānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ ṭhitiyā asammosāya bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya bhāvanāya pāripūriyā chandaṁ janeti, vāyamati, vīriyaṁ ārabhati, cittaṁ paggaṇhāti, padahati.

They generate enthusiasm, try, make an effort, exert the mind, and strive so that skillful qualities that have arisen remain, are not lost, but increase, mature, and are fully developed.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā cattāro iddhipāde bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the four bases of psychic power.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti,

It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm, and active effort.

vīriyasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti,

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to energy, and active effort.

cittasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti,

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to mental development, and active effort.

vīmaṁsāsamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to inquiry, and active effort.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā pañcindriyāni bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the five faculties.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu saddhindriyaṁ bhāveti upasamagāmiṁ sambodhagāmiṁ;

It’s when a mendicant develops the faculties of faith,

vīriyindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe…

energy,

satindriyaṁ bhāveti …

mindfulness,

samādhindriyaṁ bhāveti …

immersion,

paññindriyaṁ bhāveti upasamagāmiṁ sambodhagāmiṁ.

and wisdom, which lead to peace and awakening.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā pañca balāni bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the five powers.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu saddhābalaṁ bhāveti upasamagāmiṁ sambodhagāmiṁ;

It’s when a mendicant develops the powers of faith,

vīriyabalaṁ bhāveti …pe…

energy,

satibalaṁ bhāveti …

mindfulness,

samādhibalaṁ bhāveti …

immersion,

paññābalaṁ bhāveti upasamagāmiṁ sambodhagāmiṁ.

and wisdom, which lead to peace and awakening.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā sattabojjhaṅge bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the seven awakening factors.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ;

It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness,

dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …pe…

investigation of principles,

vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …

energy,

pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …

rapture,

passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …

tranquility,

samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti …

immersion,

upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the noble eightfold path.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāveti, sammāsaṅkappaṁ bhāveti, sammāvācaṁ bhāveti, sammākammantaṁ bhāveti, sammāājīvaṁ bhāveti, sammāvāyāmaṁ bhāveti, sammāsatiṁ bhāveti, sammāsamādhiṁ bhāveti.

It’s when a mendicant develops right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā aṭṭha vimokkhe bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the eight liberations.

Rūpī rūpāni passati,

Having physical form, they see forms.

ayaṁ paṭhamo vimokkho;

This is the first liberation.

ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī bahiddhā rūpāni passati,

Not perceiving form internally, they see forms externally.

ayaṁ dutiyo vimokkho;

This is the second liberation.

subhanteva adhimutto hoti,

They’re focused only on beauty.

ayaṁ tatiyo vimokkho;

This is the third liberation.

sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati,

Going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, they enter and remain in the dimension of infinite space.

ayaṁ catuttho vimokkho;

This is the fourth liberation.

sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘anantaṁ viññāṇan’ti viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati,

Going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, they enter and remain in the dimension of infinite consciousness.

ayaṁ pañcamo vimokkho;

This is the fifth liberation.

sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘natthi kiñcī’ti ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati,

Going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, they enter and remain in the dimension of nothingness.

ayaṁ chaṭṭho vimokkho;

This is the sixth liberation.

sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati,

Going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, they enter and remain in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

ayaṁ sattamo vimokkho;

This is the seventh liberation.

sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati,

Going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, they enter and remain in the cessation of perception and feeling.

ayaṁ aṭṭhamo vimokkho.

This is the eighth liberation.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā aṭṭha abhibhāyatanāni bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the eight dimensions of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ rūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati parittāni suvaṇṇadubbaṇṇāni.

Perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally, limited, both pretty and ugly.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁ saññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ paṭhamaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the first dimension of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ rūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati appamāṇāni suvaṇṇadubbaṇṇāni.

Perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally, limitless, both pretty and ugly.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁ saññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ dutiyaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the second dimension of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati parittāni suvaṇṇadubbaṇṇāni.

Not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally, limited, both pretty and ugly.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁ saññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ tatiyaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the third dimension of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati appamāṇāni suvaṇṇadubbaṇṇāni.

Not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally, limitless, both pretty and ugly.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁ saññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ catutthaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the fourth dimension of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati nīlāni nīlavaṇṇāni nīlanidassanāni nīlanibhāsāni.

Not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally, blue, with blue color and blue appearance.

Seyyathāpi nāma umāpupphaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ nīlaṁ nīlavaṇṇaṁ nīlanidassanaṁ nīlanibhāsaṁ;

They’re like a flax flower that’s blue, with blue color and blue appearance. Or a cloth from Varanasi that’s smoothed on both sides, blue, with blue color and blue appearance.

evameva ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati nīlāni nīlavaṇṇāni nīlanidassanāni nīlanibhāsāni.

In the same way, not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally, blue, with blue color and blue appearance.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁ saññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ pañcamaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the fifth dimension of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati pītāni pītavaṇṇāni pītanidassanāni pītanibhāsāni.

Not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally that are yellow, with yellow color and yellow appearance.

Seyyathāpi nāma kaṇikārapupphaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ pītaṁ pītavaṇṇaṁ pītanidassanaṁ pītanibhāsaṁ;

They’re like a champak flower that’s yellow, with yellow color and yellow appearance. Or a cloth from Varanasi that’s smoothed on both sides, yellow, with yellow color and yellow appearance.

evameva ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati pītāni pītavaṇṇāni pītanidassanāni pītanibhāsāni.

In the same way, not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally that are yellow, with yellow color and yellow appearance.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁ saññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the sixth dimension of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati lohitakāni lohitakavaṇṇāni lohitakanidassanāni lohitakanibhāsāni.

Not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally that are red, with red color and red appearance.

Seyyathāpi nāma bandhujīvakapupphaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ lohitakaṁ lohitakavaṇṇaṁ lohitakanidassanaṁ lohitakanibhāsaṁ;

They’re like a scarlet mallow flower that’s red, with red color and red appearance. Or a cloth from Varanasi that’s smoothed on both sides, red, with red color and red appearance.

evameva ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati lohitakāni lohitakavaṇṇāni lohitakanidassanāni lohitakanibhāsāni.

In the same way, not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally that are red, with red color and red appearance.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁ saññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ sattamaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the seventh dimension of mastery.

Ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati odātāni odātavaṇṇāni odātanidassanāni odātanibhāsāni.

Not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally that are white, with white color and white appearance.

Seyyathāpi nāma osadhitārakā odātā odātavaṇṇā odātanidassanā odātanibhāsā, seyyathā vā pana taṁ vatthaṁ bārāṇaseyyakaṁ ubhatobhāgavimaṭṭhaṁ odātaṁ odātavaṇṇaṁ odātanidassanaṁ odātanibhāsaṁ;

They’re like the morning star that’s white, with white color and white appearance. Or a cloth from Varanasi that’s smoothed on both sides, white, with white color and white appearance.

evameva ajjhattaṁ arūpasaññī eko bahiddhā rūpāni passati odātāni odātavaṇṇāni odātanidassanāni odātanibhāsāni.

In the same way, not perceiving form internally, someone sees forms externally that are white, with white color and white appearance.

‘Tāni abhibhuyya jānāmi, passāmī’ti evaṁsaññī hoti.

Mastering them, they perceive: ‘I know and see.’

Idaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ abhibhāyatanaṁ.

This is the eighth dimension of mastery.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dasa kasiṇāyatanāni bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the ten universal dimensions of meditation.

Pathavīkasiṇameko sañjānāti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ advayaṁ appamāṇaṁ;

Someone perceives the meditation on universal earth above, below, across, undivided and limitless.

āpokasiṇameko sañjānāti …pe…

They perceive the meditation on universal water …

tejokasiṇameko sañjānāti …

the meditation on universal fire …

vāyokasiṇameko sañjānāti …

the meditation on universal air …

nīlakasiṇameko sañjānāti …

the meditation on universal blue …

pītakasiṇameko sañjānāti …

the meditation on universal yellow …

lohitakasiṇameko sañjānāti …

the meditation on universal red …

odātakasiṇameko sañjānāti …

the meditation on universal white …

ākāsakasiṇameko sañjānāti …

the meditation on universal space …

viññāṇakasiṇameko sañjānāti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ advayaṁ appamāṇaṁ.

the meditation on universal consciousness above, below, across, undivided and limitless.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā cattāri jhānāni bhāventi.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to develop the four absorptions.

Idhudāyi, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

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.

So imameva kāyaṁ vivekajena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa vivekajena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

They drench, steep, fill, and spread themselves with rapture and bliss born of seclusion. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of seclusion.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, dakkho nhāpako vā nhāpakantevāsī vā kaṁsathāle nhānīyacuṇṇāni ākiritvā udakena paripphosakaṁ paripphosakaṁ sanneyya, sāyaṁ nhānīyapiṇḍi snehānugatā snehaparetā santarabāhirā phuṭā snehena na ca pagghariṇī;

It’s like when a deft bathroom attendant or their apprentice pours bath powder into a bronze dish, sprinkling it little by little with water. They knead it until the ball of bath powder is soaked and saturated with moisture, spread through inside and out; yet no moisture oozes out.

evameva kho, udāyi, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ vivekajena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa vivekajena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

In the same way, a mendicant drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads themselves with rapture and bliss born of seclusion. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of seclusion.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ …pe… dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a mendicant enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

So imameva kāyaṁ samādhijena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa samādhijena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

They drench, steep, fill, and spread themselves with rapture and bliss born of immersion. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of immersion.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, udakarahado gambhīro ubbhidodako. Tassa nevassa puratthimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na pacchimāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na uttarāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, na dakkhiṇāya disāya udakassa āyamukhaṁ, devo ca na kālena kālaṁ sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya;

It’s like a deep lake fed by spring water. There’s no inlet to the east, west, north, or south, and the heavens would not properly bestow showers from time to time.

atha kho tamhāva udakarahadā sītā vāridhārā ubbhijjitvā tameva udakarahadaṁ sītena vārinā abhisandeyya parisandeyya paripūreyya paripphareyya, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato udakarahadassa sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa.

But the stream of cool water welling up in the lake drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads throughout the lake. There’s no part of the lake that’s not spread through with cool water.

Evameva kho, udāyi, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ samādhijena pītisukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa samādhijena pītisukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

In the same way, a mendicant drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads themselves with rapture and bliss born of immersion. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with rapture and bliss born of immersion.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā …pe… tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a mendicant enters and remains in the third absorption. They meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

So imameva kāyaṁ nippītikena sukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa nippītikena sukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

They drench, steep, fill, and spread themselves with bliss free of rapture. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with bliss free of rapture.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, uppaliniyaṁ vā paduminiyaṁ vā puṇḍarīkiniyaṁ vā appekaccāni uppalāni vā padumāni vā puṇḍarīkāni vā udake jātāni udake saṁvaḍḍhāni udakānuggatāni anto nimuggaposīni, tāni yāva caggā yāva ca mūlā sītena vārinā abhisannāni parisannāni paripūrāni paripphuṭāni, nāssa kiñci sabbāvataṁ, uppalānaṁ vā padumānaṁ vā puṇḍarīkānaṁ vā sītena vārinā apphuṭaṁ assa;

It’s like a pool with blue water lilies, or pink or white lotuses. Some of them sprout and grow in the water without rising above it, thriving underwater. From the tip to the root they’re drenched, steeped, filled, and soaked with cool water. There’s no part of them that’s not soaked with cool water.

evameva kho, udāyi, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ nippītikena sukhena abhisandeti parisandeti paripūreti parippharati, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa nippītikena sukhena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

In the same way, a mendicant drenches, steeps, fills, and spreads themselves with bliss free of rapture. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with bliss free of rapture.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.

Furthermore, with the giving up of pleasure and pain and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, a mendicant enters and remains in the fourth absorption. It is without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

So imameva kāyaṁ parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena pharitvā nisinno hoti, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

They sit spreading their body through with pure bright mind. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with pure bright mind.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso odātena vatthena sasīsaṁ pārupitvā nisinno assa, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa odātena vatthena apphuṭaṁ assa;

It’s like someone sitting wrapped from head to foot with white cloth. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread over with white cloth.

evameva kho, udāyi, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṁ parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena pharitvā nisinno hoti, nāssa kiñci sabbāvato kāyassa parisuddhena cetasā pariyodātena apphuṭaṁ hoti.

In the same way, they sit spreading their body through with pure bright mind. There’s no part of the body that’s not spread with pure bright mind.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā evaṁ pajānanti:

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to understand this:

‘ayaṁ kho me kāyo rūpī cātumahābhūtiko mātāpettikasambhavo odanakummāsūpacayo aniccucchādanaparimaddanabhedanaviddhaṁsanadhammo;

‘This body of mine is formed. It’s made up of the four principal states, produced by mother and father, built up from rice and porridge, liable to impermanence, to wearing away and erosion, to breaking up and destruction.

idañca pana me viññāṇaṁ ettha sitaṁ ettha paṭibaddhaṁ’.

And this consciousness of mine is attached to it, tied to it.’

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno sabbākārasampanno;

Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally lustrous, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent and clear, endowed with all good qualities.

tatridaṁ suttaṁ āvutaṁ nīlaṁ vā pītaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā odātaṁ vā paṇḍusuttaṁ vā.

And it was strung with a thread of blue, yellow, red, white, or golden brown.

Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso hatthe karitvā paccavekkheyya:

And a person with clear eyes were to take it in their hand and examine it:

‘ayaṁ kho maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno sabbākārasampanno;

‘This beryl gem is naturally lustrous, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent and clear, endowed with all good qualities.

tatridaṁ suttaṁ āvutaṁ nīlaṁ vā pītaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā odātaṁ vā paṇḍusuttaṁ vā’ti.

And it’s strung with a thread of blue, yellow, red, white, or golden brown.’

Evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā evaṁ pajānanti:

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to understand this:

‘ayaṁ kho me kāyo rūpī cātumahābhūtiko mātāpettikasambhavo odanakummāsūpacayo aniccucchādanaparimaddanabhedanaviddhaṁsanadhammo;

‘This body of mine is formed. It’s made up of the four principal states, produced by mother and father, built up from rice and porridge, liable to impermanence, to wearing away and erosion, to breaking up and destruction.

idañca pana me viññāṇaṁ ettha sitaṁ ettha paṭibaddhan’ti.

And this consciousness of mine is attached to it, tied to it.’

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā imamhā kāyā aññaṁ kāyaṁ abhinimminanti rūpiṁ manomayaṁ sabbaṅgapaccaṅgiṁ ahīnindriyaṁ.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to create from this body another body—formed, mind-made, whole in its major and minor limbs, not deficient in any faculty.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso muñjamhā īsikaṁ pabbāheyya;

Suppose a person was to draw a reed out from its sheath.

tassa evamassa:

They’d think:

‘ayaṁ muñjo, ayaṁ īsikā; añño muñjo, aññā īsikā; muñjamhā tveva īsikā pabbāḷhā’ti.

‘This is the reed, this is the sheath. The reed and the sheath are different things. The reed has been drawn out from the sheath.’

Seyyathā vā panudāyi, puriso asiṁ kosiyā pabbāheyya;

Or suppose a person was to draw a sword out from its scabbard.

tassa evamassa:

They’d think:

‘ayaṁ asi, ayaṁ kosi; añño asi aññā kosi; kosiyā tveva asi pabbāḷho’ti.

‘This is the sword, this is the scabbard. The sword and the scabbard are different things. The sword has been drawn out from the scabbard.’

Seyyathā vā, panudāyi, puriso ahiṁ karaṇḍā uddhareyya;

Or suppose a person was to draw a snake out from its slough.

tassa evamassa:

They’d think:

‘ayaṁ ahi, ayaṁ karaṇḍo; añño ahi, añño karaṇḍo; karaṇḍā tveva ahi ubbhato’ti.

‘This is the snake, this is the slough. The snake and the slough are different things. The snake has been drawn out from the slough.’

Evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā imamhā kāyā aññaṁ kāyaṁ abhinimminanti rūpiṁ manomayaṁ sabbaṅgapaccaṅgiṁ ahīnindriyaṁ.

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to create from this body another body—formed, mind-made, whole in its major and minor limbs, not deficient in any faculty.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhonti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā honti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamānā gacchanti, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karonti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchanti, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamanti, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasanti parimajjanti, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattenti.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to wield the many kinds of psychic power: multiplying themselves and becoming one again; materializing and dematerializing; going unobstructed through a wall, a rampart, or a mountain as if through space; diving in and out of the earth as if it were water; walking on water as if it were earth; flying cross-legged through the sky like a bird; touching and stroking with the hand the sun and moon, so mighty and powerful. They control the body as far as the realm of divinity.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, dakkho kumbhakāro vā kumbhakārantevāsī vā suparikammakatāya mattikāya yaṁ yadeva bhājanavikatiṁ ākaṅkheyya taṁ tadeva kareyya abhinipphādeyya;

Suppose a deft potter or their apprentice had some well-prepared clay. They could produce any kind of pot that they like.

seyyathā vā panudāyi, dakkho dantakāro vā dantakārantevāsī vā suparikammakatasmiṁ dantasmiṁ yaṁ yadeva dantavikatiṁ ākaṅkheyya taṁ tadeva kareyya abhinipphādeyya;

Or suppose a deft ivory-carver or their apprentice had some well-prepared ivory. They could produce any kind of ivory item that they like.

seyyathā vā panudāyi, dakkho suvaṇṇakāro vā suvaṇṇakārantevāsī vā suparikammakatasmiṁ suvaṇṇasmiṁ yaṁ yadeva suvaṇṇavikatiṁ ākaṅkheyya taṁ tadeva kareyya abhinipphādeyya.

Or suppose a deft goldsmith or their apprentice had some well-prepared gold. They could produce any kind of gold item that they like.

Evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā anekavihitaṁ iddhividhaṁ paccanubhonti—ekopi hutvā bahudhā honti, bahudhāpi hutvā eko hoti; āvibhāvaṁ, tirobhāvaṁ; tirokuṭṭaṁ tiropākāraṁ tiropabbataṁ asajjamānā gacchanti, seyyathāpi ākāse; pathaviyāpi ummujjanimujjaṁ karonti, seyyathāpi udake; udakepi abhijjamāne gacchanti, seyyathāpi pathaviyaṁ; ākāsepi pallaṅkena kamanti, seyyathāpi pakkhī sakuṇo; imepi candimasūriye evaṁmahiddhike evaṁmahānubhāve pāṇinā parimasanti parimajjanti, yāva brahmalokāpi kāyena vasaṁ vattenti.

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to wield the many kinds of psychic power …

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇanti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use so that, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and heavenly, whether near or far.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, balavā saṅkhadhamo appakasireneva cātuddisā viññāpeyya;

Suppose there was a powerful horn blower. They’d easily make themselves heard in the four quarters.

evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya ubho sadde suṇanti—dibbe ca mānuse ca, ye dūre santike ca.

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use so that, with clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, they hear both kinds of sounds, human and heavenly, whether near or far.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā parasattānaṁ parapuggalānaṁ cetasā ceto paricca pajānanti—

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to understand the minds of other beings and individuals, having encompassed them with their own mind.

sarāgaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘sarāgaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

They understand mind with greed as ‘mind with greed’,

vītarāgaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘vītarāgaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti;

and mind without greed as ‘mind without greed’;

sadosaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘sadosaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

mind with hate as ‘mind with hate’,

vītadosaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘vītadosaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti;

and mind without hate as ‘mind without hate’;

samohaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘samohaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

mind with delusion as ‘mind with delusion’,

vītamohaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘vītamohaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti;

and mind without delusion as ‘mind without delusion’;

saṅkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘saṅkhittaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

constricted mind as ‘constricted mind’,

vikkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘vikkhittaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti;

and scattered mind as ‘scattered mind’;

mahaggataṁ vā cittaṁ ‘mahaggataṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

expansive mind as ‘expansive mind’,

amahaggataṁ vā cittaṁ ‘amahaggataṁ cittan’ti pajānanti;

and unexpansive mind as ‘unexpansive mind’;

sauttaraṁ vā cittaṁ ‘sauttaraṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

mind that is not supreme as ‘mind that is not supreme’,

anuttaraṁ vā cittaṁ ‘anuttaraṁ cittan’ti pajānanti;

and mind that is supreme as ‘mind that is supreme’;

samāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘samāhitaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

mind immersed in samādhi as ‘mind immersed in samādhi’,

asamāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘asamāhitaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti;

and mind not immersed in samādhi as ‘mind not immersed in samādhi’;

vimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘vimuttaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

freed mind as ‘freed mind’,

avimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘avimuttaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti.

and unfreed mind as ‘unfreed mind’.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, itthī vā puriso vā daharo yuvā maṇḍanakajātiko ādāse vā parisuddhe pariyodāte acche vā udakapatte sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno sakaṇikaṁ vā ‘sakaṇikan’ti jāneyya, akaṇikaṁ vā ‘akaṇikan’ti jāneyya;

Suppose there was a woman or man who was young, youthful, and fond of adornments, and they check their own reflection in a clean bright mirror or a clear bowl of water. If they had a spot they’d know ‘I have a spot’, and if they had no spots they’d know ‘I have no spots’.

evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā parasattānaṁ parapuggalānaṁ cetasā ceto paricca pajānanti—

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to understand the minds of other beings and individuals, having encompassed them with their own mind …

sarāgaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘sarāgaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti,

vītarāgaṁ vā cittaṁ …pe…

sadosaṁ vā cittaṁ …

vītadosaṁ vā cittaṁ …

samohaṁ vā cittaṁ …

vītamohaṁ vā cittaṁ …

saṅkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ …

vikkhittaṁ vā cittaṁ …

mahaggataṁ vā cittaṁ …

amahaggataṁ vā cittaṁ …

sauttaraṁ vā cittaṁ …

anuttaraṁ vā cittaṁ …

samāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ …

asamāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ …

vimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ …

avimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ ‘avimuttaṁ cittan’ti pajānanti.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussaranti, seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ dvepi jātiyo tissopi jātiyo catassopi jātiyo pañcapi jātiyo dasapi jātiyo vīsampi jātiyo tiṁsampi jātiyo cattālīsampi jātiyo paññāsampi jātiyo jātisatampi jātisahassampi jātisatasahassampi, anekepi saṁvaṭṭakappe anekepi vivaṭṭakappe anekepi saṁvaṭṭavivaṭṭakappe: ‘amutrāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto amutra udapādiṁ; tatrāpāsiṁ evaṁnāmo evaṅgotto evaṁvaṇṇo evamāhāro evaṁsukhadukkhappaṭisaṁvedī evamāyupariyanto, so tato cuto idhūpapanno’ti. Iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to recollect the many kinds of past lives. That is: one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand rebirths; many eons of the world contracting, many eons of the world expanding, many eons of the world contracting and expanding. ‘There, I was named this, my clan was that, I looked like this, and that was my food. This was how I felt pleasure and pain, and that was how my life ended. When I passed away from that place I was reborn somewhere else. There, too, I was named this, my clan was that, I looked like this, and that was my food. This was how I felt pleasure and pain, and that was how my life ended. When I passed away from that place I was reborn here.’ And so they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, puriso sakamhā gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya, tamhāpi gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ gaccheyya; so tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgaccheyya; tassa evamassa: ‘ahaṁ kho sakamhā gāmā aññaṁ gāmaṁ agacchiṁ, tatra evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ evaṁ nisīdiṁ evaṁ abhāsiṁ evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ; tamhāpi gāmā amuṁ gāmaṁ agacchiṁ, tatrāpi evaṁ aṭṭhāsiṁ evaṁ nisīdiṁ evaṁ abhāsiṁ evaṁ tuṇhī ahosiṁ, somhi tamhā gāmā sakaṁyeva gāmaṁ paccāgato’ti.

Suppose a person was to leave their home village and go to another village. From that village they’d go to yet another village. And from that village they’d return to their home village. They’d think: ‘I went from my home village to another village. There I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. From that village I went to yet another village. There too I stood like this, sat like that, spoke like this, or kept silent like that. And from that village I returned to my home village.’

Evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussaranti, seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ …pe… iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussaranti.

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to recollect the many kinds of past lives.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passanti cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānanti: ‘ime vata bhonto sattā kāyaduccaritena samannāgatā vacīduccaritena samannāgatā manoduccaritena samannāgatā ariyānaṁ upavādakā micchādiṭṭhikā micchādiṭṭhikammasamādānā, te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapannā; ime vā pana bhonto sattā kāyasucaritena samannāgatā vacīsucaritena samannāgatā manosucaritena samannāgatā ariyānaṁ anupavādakā sammādiṭṭhikā sammādiṭṭhikammasamādānā, te kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapannā’ti. Iti dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passanti cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānanti.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use so that, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. They understand how sentient beings pass on according to their deeds: ‘These dear beings did bad things by way of body, speech, and mind. They denounced the noble ones; they had wrong view; and they chose to act out of that wrong view. When their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. These dear beings, however, did good things by way of body, speech, and mind. They never denounced the noble ones; they had right view; and they chose to act out of that right view. When their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’ And so, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. They understand how sentient beings pass on according to their deeds.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, dve agārā sadvārā. Tatra cakkhumā puriso majjhe ṭhito passeyya manusse gehaṁ pavisantepi nikkhamantepi anucaṅkamantepi anuvicarantepi;

Suppose there were two houses with doors. A person with clear eyes standing in between them would see humans entering and leaving a house and wandering to and fro.

evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passanti cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānanti …pe…

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use so that, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, they see sentient beings passing away and being reborn …

tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Puna caparaṁ, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti.

Furthermore, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to realize 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.

Seyyathāpi, udāyi, pabbatasaṅkhepe udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo, tattha cakkhumā puriso tīre ṭhito passeyya sippisambukampi sakkharakaṭhalampi macchagumbampi carantampi tiṭṭhantampi. Tassa evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho udakarahado accho vippasanno anāvilo, tatrime sippisambukāpi sakkharakaṭhalāpi macchagumbāpi carantipi tiṭṭhantipī’ti.

Suppose that in a mountain glen there was a lake that was transparent, clear, and unclouded. A person with clear eyes standing on the bank would see the clams and mussels, pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still. They’d think: ‘This lake is transparent, clear, and unclouded. And here are the clams and mussels, pebbles and gravel, and schools of fish swimming about or staying still.’

Evameva kho, udāyi, akkhātā mayā sāvakānaṁ paṭipadā, yathāpaṭipannā me sāvakā āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti.

In the same way, I have explained to my disciples a practice that they use to realize 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.

Tatra ca pana me sāvakā bahū abhiññāvosānapāramippattā viharanti.

And many of my disciples meditate on that having attained perfection and consummation of insight.

Ayaṁ kho, udāyi, pañcamo dhammo yena mama sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharanti.

This is the fifth quality because of which my disciples are loyal to me.

Ime kho, udāyi, pañca dhammā yehi mamaṁ sāvakā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, sakkatvā garuṁ katvā upanissāya viharantī”ti.

These are the five qualities because of which my disciples honor, respect, revere, and venerate me; and honoring and respecting me, they remain loyal to me.”

Idamavoca bhagavā.

That is what the Buddha said.

Attamano sakuludāyī paribbājako bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

Satisfied, the wanderer Sakuludāyī approved what the Buddha said.

Mahāsakuludāyisuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ sattamaṁ.