增支部第 3 集（Sujato 英译）第 57 阅读页 · AN3.57 · With Vacchagotta

Numbered Discourses 3.57Numbered Discourses 3.576. Brahmins6. Brahmins

With VacchagottaWith VacchagottaThen the wanderer Vacchagotta went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.Then the wanderer Vacchagotta went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

“I have heard, worthy Gotama, that the ascetic Gotama says this:“I have heard, worthy Gotama, that the ascetic Gotama says this:‘Gifts should only be given to me, not to others.‘Gifts should only be given to me, not to others.Gifts should only be given to my disciples, not to the disciples of others.Gifts should only be given to my disciples, not to the disciples of others.

Only what is given to me is very fruitful, not what is given to others.Only what is given to me is very fruitful, not what is given to others.Only what is given to my disciples is very fruitful, not what is given to the disciples of others.’Only what is given to my disciples is very fruitful, not what is given to the disciples of others.’I trust those who say this repeat what the worthy Gotama has said, and do not misrepresent him with an untruth? Is their explanation in line with the teaching? Are there any legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism?I trust those who say this repeat what the worthy Gotama has said, and do not misrepresent him with an untruth? Is their explanation in line with the teaching? Are there any legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism?

For we don’t want to misrepresent the worthy Gotama.”For we don’t want to misrepresent the worthy Gotama.”“Vaccha, those who say this“Vaccha, those who say thisdo not repeat what I have said. They misrepresent me with what is false and untrue.do not repeat what I have said. They misrepresent me with what is false and untrue.

Anyone who prevents another from giving makes an obstacle and a roadblock for three individuals.Anyone who prevents another from giving makes an obstacle and a roadblock for three individuals.What three?What three?The giver is obstructed from making merit. The receiver is obstructed from getting what is offered. And they’ve already broken and damaged themselves.The giver is obstructed from making merit. The receiver is obstructed from getting what is offered. And they’ve already broken and damaged themselves.

Anyone who prevents another from giving makes an obstacle and a roadblock for these three individuals.Anyone who prevents another from giving makes an obstacle and a roadblock for these three individuals.Vaccha, this is what I say:Vaccha, this is what I say:‘You even make merit by tipping out dish-washing water in a cesspool or a sump with living creatures in it, thinking,‘You even make merit by tipping out dish-washing water in a cesspool or a sump with living creatures in it, thinking,

“May any creatures here be nourished!”’“May any creatures here be nourished!”’How much more then for human beings!How much more then for human beings!However, I also say that a gift to an ethical person is more fruitful than one to an unethical person. They’ve given up five factors, and possess five factors.However, I also say that a gift to an ethical person is more fruitful than one to an unethical person. They’ve given up five factors, and possess five factors.

What are the five factors they’ve given up?What are the five factors they’ve given up?Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt.Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt.These are the five factors they’ve given up.These are the five factors they’ve given up.

What are the five factors they possess?What are the five factors they possess?The entire spectrum of an adept’s ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and knowledge and vision of freedom.The entire spectrum of an adept’s ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and knowledge and vision of freedom.These are the five factors they possess.These are the five factors they possess.

I say that a gift to anyone who has given up these five factors and possesses these five factors is very fruitful.I say that a gift to anyone who has given up these five factors and possesses these five factors is very fruitful.Cows may be black or white,Cows may be black or white,red or tawny,red or tawny,

mottled or uniform,mottled or uniform,or pigeon-colored.or pigeon-colored.But when one is born among them,But when one is born among them,

the bull that’s tamed—the bull that’s tamed—a behemoth, powerful,a behemoth, powerful,well-paced in pulling forward—well-paced in pulling forward—

they yoke the load just to him,they yoke the load just to him,regardless of his color.regardless of his color.So it is for humans,So it is for humans,

wherever they may be born—wherever they may be born—among aristocrats, brahmins, peasants,among aristocrats, brahmins, peasants,menials, or corpse-workers and scavengers—menials, or corpse-workers and scavengers—

one is born among them,one is born among them,tamed, true to their vows.tamed, true to their vows.Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct,Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct,

truthful, conscientious,truthful, conscientious,they’ve given up birth and death.they’ve given up birth and death.Complete in the spiritual journey,Complete in the spiritual journey,

with burden put down, detached,with burden put down, detached,they’ve completed the task and are free of defilements.they’ve completed the task and are free of defilements.Gone beyond all things,Gone beyond all things,

they’re quenched by not grasping.they’re quenched by not grasping.In that flawless field,In that flawless field,a religious donation is abundant.a religious donation is abundant.

Fools who don’t understand—Fools who don’t understand—unlearned simpletons—unlearned simpletons—give their gifts to those outside,give their gifts to those outside,

and don’t attend the peaceful ones.and don’t attend the peaceful ones.But those who do attend the peaceful ones—But those who do attend the peaceful ones—wise, esteemed as attentive—wise, esteemed as attentive—

and whose faith in the Holy Oneand whose faith in the Holy Onehas roots planted deep,has roots planted deep,they go to the realm of the gods,they go to the realm of the gods,

or are born here in a good family.or are born here in a good family.Gradually those astute onesGradually those astute onesreach extinguishment.”reach extinguishment.”