AN · an3.63
At Venāgapura
0.1Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.63
The Numerical Discourses 3.63
0.27. Mahāvagga
7. The Great Chapter
0.3Venāgapurasutta
At Venāgapura
1.1Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena venāgapuraṁ nāma kosalānaṁ brāhmaṇagāmo tadavasari.
At one time, the Bhagavā was wandering on tour among the Kosalans together with a large saṅgha of bhikkhus, and arrived at Venāgapura, a brahmin village of the Kosalans.
1.2Assosuṁ kho venāgapurikā brāhmaṇagahapatikā:
The brahmin householders of Venāgapura heard:
1.3“samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito venāgapuraṁ anuppatto.
"The ascetic Gotama — a son of the Sakyans who went forth from the Sakyan clan — has arrived at Venāgapura.
1.4Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:
That good Gotama has this fine reputation that has spread:
1.5‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.
'He is the Bhagavā, an arahant, fully enlightened, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, well-gone, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans, a Buddha, a Bhagavā.'
1.6So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti.
He has, by his own direct knowledge, realized and proclaimed this world with its devas, Māra, and Brahmā, with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans.
1.7So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti.
He teaches Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good at the end, with the right meaning and phrasing; he reveals the holy life that is wholly complete and pure.
1.8Sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī”ti.
Good indeed is the seeing of such arahants."
2.1Atha kho venāgapurikā brāhmaṇagahapatikā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā appekacce bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu, appekacce tuṇhībhūtā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho venāgapuriko vacchagotto brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
Then the brahmin householders of Venāgapura went to the Bhagavā. Having approached, some paid homage to the Bhagavā and sat to one side; some exchanged pleasantries with the Bhagavā, and having exchanged greetings and pleasing conversation, sat to one side; some raised their hands in salutation toward the Bhagavā and sat to one side; some announced their name and clan to the Bhagavā and sat to one side; some sat to one side in silence. Seated to one side, Vacchagotta the brahmin of Venāgapura said this to the Bhagavā:
3.1“Acchariyaṁ, bho gotama, abbhutaṁ, bho gotama.
"Wonderful, Master Gotama! Astounding, Master Gotama!
3.2Yāvañcidaṁ bhoto gotamassa vippasannāni indriyāni, parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto.
How serene are Master Gotama's indriyas, how pure and bright is his complexion.
3.3Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, sāradaṁ badarapaṇḍuṁ parisuddhaṁ hoti pariyodātaṁ;
Just as, Master Gotama, a jujube fruit ripened in autumn is pure and bright,
3.4evamevaṁ bhoto gotamassa vippasannāni indriyāni parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto.
so too are Master Gotama's indriyas serene, his complexion pure and bright.
3.5Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, tālapakkaṁ sampati bandhanā pamuttaṁ parisuddhaṁ hoti pariyodātaṁ;
Just as, Master Gotama, a palm fruit freshly released from its stem is pure and bright,
3.6evamevaṁ bhoto gotamassa vippasannāni indriyāni parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto.
so too are Master Gotama's indriyas serene, his complexion pure and bright.
3.7Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nekkhaṁ jambonadaṁ dakkhakammāraputtasuparikammakataṁ ukkāmukhe sukusalasampahaṭṭhaṁ paṇḍukambale nikkhittaṁ bhāsate ca tapate ca virocati ca;
Just as, Master Gotama, an ornament of Jambonada gold, well worked by a skilled smith's son, placed on a yellow blanket, shines, glows, and radiates,
3.8evamevaṁ bhoto gotamassa vippasannāni indriyāni parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto.
so too are Master Gotama's indriyas serene, his complexion pure and bright.
3.9Yāni tāni, bho gotama, uccāsayanamahāsayanāni, seyyathidaṁ—
Those high and luxurious beds — namely:
3.10āsandi pallaṅko gonako cittako paṭikā paṭalikā tūlikā vikatikā uddalomī ekantalomī kaṭṭissaṁ koseyyaṁ kuttakaṁ hatthattharaṁ assattharaṁ rathattharaṁ ajinappaveṇī kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇaṁ sauttaracchadaṁ ubhatolohitakūpadhānaṁ, evarūpānaṁ nūna bhavaṁ gotamo uccāsayanamahāsayanānaṁ nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti.
a couch, a sofa, a woolen coverlet, an embroidered coverlet, a white woolly coverlet, a long woolly coverlet, a cotton quilt, a fringed woolen blanket, a fur rug with hair on both sides, a fur rug with hair on one side, a silk-and-gem cloth, a silk coverlet, a carpet, an elephant cloth, a horse cloth, a chariot cloth, an antelope-hide rug, a superior deer-hide rug, a couch with a canopy above and red cushions at both ends — surely Master Gotama obtains such high and luxurious beds as he wishes, without difficulty, without trouble?"
4.1“Yāni kho pana tāni, brāhmaṇa, uccāsayanamahāsayanāni, seyyathidaṁ—
"Those high and luxurious beds — namely:
4.2āsandi pallaṅko gonako cittako paṭikā paṭalikā tūlikā vikatikā uddalomī ekantalomī kaṭṭissaṁ koseyyaṁ kuttakaṁ hatthattharaṁ assattharaṁ rathattharaṁ ajinappaveṇī kadalimigapavarapaccattharaṇaṁ sauttaracchadaṁ ubhatolohitakūpadhānaṁ.
a couch, a sofa, a woolen coverlet, an embroidered coverlet, a white woolly coverlet, a long woolly coverlet, a cotton quilt, a fringed woolen blanket, a fur rug with hair on both sides, a fur rug with hair on one side, a silk-and-gem cloth, a silk coverlet, a carpet, an elephant cloth, a horse cloth, a chariot cloth, an antelope-hide rug, a superior deer-hide rug, a couch with a canopy above and red cushions at both ends —
4.3Dullabhāni tāni pabbajitānaṁ laddhā ca pana na kappanti.
those are hard to obtain for those who have gone forth, and even if obtained, they would not be allowable.
5.1Tīṇi kho, imāni, brāhmaṇa, uccāsayanamahāsayanāni, yesāhaṁ etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.
There are, brahmin, three high and luxurious beds of which I now obtain as I wish, without difficulty, without trouble.
5.2Katamāni tīṇi?
Which three?
5.3Dibbaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, brahmaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, ariyaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ.
The divine high and luxurious bed, the brahmic high and luxurious bed, and the noble high and luxurious bed.
5.4Imāni kho, brāhmaṇa, tīṇi uccāsayanamahāsayanāni, yesāhaṁ etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti.
These, brahmin, are the three high and luxurious beds of which I now obtain as I wish, without difficulty, without trouble."
6.1“Katamaṁ pana taṁ, bho gotama, dibbaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, yassa bhavaṁ gotamo etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti?
"But what, Master Gotama, is the divine high and luxurious bed of which Master Gotama now obtains as he wishes, without difficulty, without trouble?"
6.2“Idhāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yaṁ gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā upanissāya viharāmi, so pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya tameva gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya pavisāmi.
"Here, brahmin, whatever village or town I am dwelling near, in the morning I dress, take my bowl and robe, and enter that very village or town for alms.
6.3So pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto vanantaññeva pavisāmi.
Having returned from the alms round, after the meal, I enter the forest.
6.4So yadeva tattha honti tiṇāni vā paṇṇāni vā tāni ekajjhaṁ saṅgharitvā nisīdāmi pallaṅkaṁ ābhujitvā ujuṁ kāyaṁ paṇidhāya parimukhaṁ satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvā.
Whatever grass or leaves are there, I gather them together, sit down cross-legged, set my body upright, and establish sati in front of me.
6.5So vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi;
Secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome dhammas, I enter and dwell in the first jhāna, which has thought [vitakka] and examination [vicāra], with pīti and sukha born of seclusion [viveka].
6.6vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi;
With the stilling of thought [vitakka] and examination [vicāra], with internal confidence and unification of mind [cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ], I enter and dwell in the second jhāna, which is without thought [vitakka] and without examination [vicāra], with pīti and sukha born of samādhi.
6.7pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharāmi sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedemi, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi;
With the fading of pīti, dwelling with equanimity [upekkhā], with sati and fully aware [sampajānā], experiencing sukha with the body, I enter and dwell in the third jhāna, of which the noble ones say: 'One with equanimity [upekkhā] and sati dwells in sukha.'
6.8sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāmi.
With the abandoning of sukha and dukkha, and with the earlier passing away of joy and grief, I enter and dwell in the fourth jhāna, which is neither dukkha nor sukha, with the purity of equanimity [upekkhā] and sati.
6.9So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto caṅkamāmi, dibbo me eso tasmiṁ samaye caṅkamo hoti.
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, walk, then at that time my walk is divine.
6.10So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto tiṭṭhāmi, dibbaṁ me etaṁ tasmiṁ samaye ṭhānaṁ hoti.
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, stand, then at that time my standing is divine.
6.11So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto nisīdāmi, dibbaṁ me etaṁ tasmiṁ samaye āsanaṁ hoti.
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, sit, then at that time my sitting is divine.
6.12So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto seyyaṁ kappemi, dibbaṁ me etaṁ tasmiṁ samaye uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ hoti.
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, lie down, then at that time my high and luxurious bed is divine.
6.13Idaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, dibbaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, yassāhaṁ etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti.
This, brahmin, is the divine high and luxurious bed of which I now obtain as I wish, without difficulty, without trouble."
7.1“Acchariyaṁ, bho gotama, abbhutaṁ, bho gotama.
"Wonderful, Master Gotama! Astounding, Master Gotama!
7.2Ko cañño evarūpassa dibbassa uccāsayanamahāsayanassa nikāmalābhī bhavissati akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, aññatra bhotā gotamena.
Who else could obtain such a divine high and luxurious bed as he wishes, without difficulty, without trouble, other than Master Gotama?
8.1Katamaṁ pana taṁ, bho gotama, brahmaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, yassa bhavaṁ gotamo etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti?
But what, Master Gotama, is the brahmic high and luxurious bed of which Master Gotama now obtains as he wishes, without difficulty, without trouble?"
8.2“Idhāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yaṁ gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā upanissāya viharāmi, so pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya tameva gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya pavisāmi.
"Here, brahmin, whatever village or town I am dwelling near, in the morning I dress, take my bowl and robe, and enter that very village or town for alms.
8.3So pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto vanantaññeva pavisāmi.
Having returned from the alms round, after the meal, I enter the forest.
8.4So yadeva tattha honti tiṇāni vā paṇṇāni vā tāni ekajjhaṁ saṅgharitvā nisīdāmi pallaṅkaṁ ābhujitvā ujuṁ kāyaṁ paṇidhāya parimukhaṁ satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvā.
Whatever grass or leaves are there, I gather them together, sit down cross-legged, set my body upright, and establish sati in front of me.
8.5So mettāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharāmi, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ, iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjena pharitvā viharāmi.
I dwell pervading one direction with a mind [citta] accompanied by mettā, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; and so above, below, and across, everywhere, to all as to myself, I dwell pervading the entire world with a mind [citta] accompanied by mettā — vast, exalted, immeasurable, without enmity, without ill will.
8.6Karuṇāsahagatena cetasā …pe…
With a mind [citta] accompanied by karuṇā …
8.7muditāsahagatena cetasā …
With a mind [citta] accompanied by muditā …
8.8upekkhāsahagatena cetasā ekaṁ disaṁ pharitvā viharāmi, tathā dutiyaṁ, tathā tatiyaṁ, tathā catutthaṁ, iti uddhamadho tiriyaṁ sabbadhi sabbattatāya sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ upekkhāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyāpajjhena pharitvā viharāmi.
I dwell pervading one direction with a mind [citta] accompanied by upekkhā, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; and so above, below, and across, everywhere, to all as to myself, I dwell pervading the entire world with a mind [citta] accompanied by upekkhā — vast, exalted, immeasurable, without enmity, without ill will.
8.9So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto caṅkamāmi, brahmā me eso tasmiṁ samaye caṅkamo hoti.
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, walk, then at that time my walk is brahmic.
8.10So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto tiṭṭhāmi …pe…
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, stand …
8.11nisīdāmi …pe…
sit …
8.12seyyaṁ kappemi, brahmaṁ me etaṁ tasmiṁ samaye uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ hoti.
lie down, then at that time my high and luxurious bed is brahmic.
8.13Idaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, brahmaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, yassāhaṁ etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti.
This, brahmin, is the brahmic high and luxurious bed of which I now obtain as I wish, without difficulty, without trouble."
9.1“Acchariyaṁ, bho gotama, abbhutaṁ, bho gotama.
"Wonderful, Master Gotama! Astounding, Master Gotama!
9.2Ko cañño evarūpassa brahmassa uccāsayanamahāsayanassa nikāmalābhī bhavissati akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, aññatra bhotā gotamena.
Who else could obtain such a brahmic high and luxurious bed as he wishes, without difficulty, without trouble, other than Master Gotama?
10.1Katamaṁ pana taṁ, bho gotama, ariyaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, yassa bhavaṁ gotamo etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti?
But what, Master Gotama, is the noble high and luxurious bed of which Master Gotama now obtains as he wishes, without difficulty, without trouble?"
10.2“Idhāhaṁ, brāhmaṇa, yaṁ gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā upanissāya viharāmi, so pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya tameva gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā piṇḍāya pavisāmi.
"Here, brahmin, whatever village or town I am dwelling near, in the morning I dress, take my bowl and robe, and enter that very village or town for alms.
10.3So pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto vanantaññeva pavisāmi.
Having returned from the alms round, after the meal, I enter the forest.
10.4So yadeva tattha honti tiṇāni vā paṇṇāni vā tāni ekajjhaṁ saṅgharitvā nisīdāmi pallaṅkaṁ ābhujitvā ujuṁ kāyaṁ paṇidhāya parimukhaṁ satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvā.
Whatever grass or leaves are there, I gather them together, sit down cross-legged, set my body upright, and establish sati in front of me.
10.5So evaṁ jānāmi:
I know thus:
10.6‘rāgo me pahīno ucchinnamūlo tālāvatthukato anabhāvaṅkato āyatiṁ anuppādadhammo;
'Lust has been abandoned by me, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, made to be no more, incapable of arising in the future;
10.7doso me pahīno ucchinnamūlo tālāvatthukato anabhāvaṅkato āyatiṁ anuppādadhammo;
hatred has been abandoned by me, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, made to be no more, incapable of arising in the future;
10.8moho me pahīno ucchinnamūlo tālāvatthukato anabhāvaṅkato āyatiṁ anuppādadhammo’.
delusion has been abandoned by me, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, made to be no more, incapable of arising in the future.'
10.9So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto caṅkamāmi, ariyo me eso tasmiṁ samaye caṅkamo hoti.
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, walk, then at that time my walk is noble.
10.10So ce ahaṁ, brāhmaṇa, evaṁbhūto tiṭṭhāmi …pe…
If I, brahmin, being in such a state, stand …
10.11nisīdāmi …pe…
sit …
10.12seyyaṁ kappemi, ariyaṁ me etaṁ tasmiṁ samaye uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ hoti.
lie down, then at that time my high and luxurious bed is noble.
10.13Idaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, ariyaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ, yassāhaṁ etarahi nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī”ti.
This, brahmin, is the noble high and luxurious bed of which I now obtain as I wish, without difficulty, without trouble."
11.1“Acchariyaṁ, bho gotama, abbhutaṁ, bho gotama.
"Wonderful, Master Gotama! Astounding, Master Gotama!
11.2Ko cañño evarūpassa ariyassa uccāsayanamahāsayanassa nikāmalābhī bhavissati akicchalābhī akasiralābhī, aññatra bhotā gotamena.
Who else could obtain such a noble high and luxurious bed as he wishes, without difficulty, without trouble, other than Master Gotama?
12.1Abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.
Magnificent, Master Gotama! Magnificent, Master Gotama!
12.2Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ kho bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
Just as one might right what was overturned, reveal what was hidden, show the path to one who is lost, or hold an oil lamp in the darkness so that those with eyes can see forms — in the same way, Master Gotama has made the Dhamma clear in many ways.
12.3Ete mayaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.
We go to Master Gotama for refuge, and to the Dhamma, and to the Bhikkhusaṅgha.
12.4Upāsake no bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupete saraṇaṁ gate”ti.
Let Master Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge from this day forth for life."
12.5Tatiyaṁ.
The third.