增支部第 4 集（Sujato 英译）第 35 阅读页 · AN4.35 · With Vassakāra

Numbered Discourses 4.35Numbered Discourses 4.354. Situations4. Situations

With VassakāraWith VassakāraAt one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.Then Vassakāra the brahmin, a chief minister of Magadha, went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.Then Vassakāra the brahmin, a chief minister of Magadha, 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:“Worthy Gotama, when someone has four qualities we describe him as a great man with great wisdom.“Worthy Gotama, when someone has four qualities we describe him as a great man with great wisdom.What four?What four?

They are very learned in diverse fields of learning.They are very learned in diverse fields of learning.They understand the meaning of diverse statements, saying: ‘This is what that statement means; that is what this statement means.’They understand the meaning of diverse statements, saying: ‘This is what that statement means; that is what this statement means.’They are mindful, able to remember and recollect what was said and done long ago.They are mindful, able to remember and recollect what was said and done long ago.

They are deft and tireless in household duties, understanding how to go about things in order to complete and organize the work.They are deft and tireless in household duties, understanding how to go about things in order to complete and organize the work.When someone possesses these four qualities we describe him as a great man with great wisdom.When someone possesses these four qualities we describe him as a great man with great wisdom.If the worthy Gotama agrees with me, please say so.If the worthy Gotama agrees with me, please say so.

If he disagrees, please say so.”If he disagrees, please say so.”“Brahmin, I neither agree nor disagree with you,“Brahmin, I neither agree nor disagree with you,but when someone has four qualities I describe him as a great man with great wisdom.but when someone has four qualities I describe him as a great man with great wisdom.

What four?What four?It’s when someone practices for the welfare and happiness of the people.It’s when someone practices for the welfare and happiness of the people.They’ve established many people in the noble system, that is, the principles of goodness and skillfulness.They’ve established many people in the noble system, that is, the principles of goodness and skillfulness.

They think what they want to think, and don’t think what they don’t want to think.They think what they want to think, and don’t think what they don’t want to think.They consider what they want to consider, and don’t consider what they don’t want to consider.They consider what they want to consider, and don’t consider what they don’t want to consider.Thus they have achieved mental mastery of the paths of thought.Thus they have achieved mental mastery of the paths of thought.

They get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.They get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.They 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.They 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.Brahmin, I neither agree nor disagree with you,Brahmin, I neither agree nor disagree with you,

but when someone possesses these four qualities I describe him as a great man with great wisdom.”but when someone possesses these four qualities I describe him as a great man with great wisdom.”“It’s incredible, worthy Gotama, it’s amazing!“It’s incredible, worthy Gotama, it’s amazing!How well said this was by the worthy Gotama!How well said this was by the worthy Gotama!

And we will remember the worthy Gotama as someone who possesses these four qualities.And we will remember the worthy Gotama as someone who possesses these four qualities.For the worthy Gotama practices for the welfare and happiness of the people …For the worthy Gotama practices for the welfare and happiness of the people …The worthy Gotama has achieved mental mastery of the paths of thought.The worthy Gotama has achieved mental mastery of the paths of thought.

The worthy Gotama gets the four absorptions … when he wants, without trouble or difficulty.The worthy Gotama gets the four absorptions … when he wants, without trouble or difficulty.The worthy Gotama has realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. He lives having realized it with his own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.”The worthy Gotama has realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. He lives having realized it with his own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.”“Your words are clearly invasive and intrusive, brahmin.“Your words are clearly invasive and intrusive, brahmin.

Nevertheless, I will answer you.Nevertheless, I will answer you.For I do practice for the welfare and happiness of the people …For I do practice for the welfare and happiness of the people …I have achieved mental mastery of the paths of thought.I have achieved mental mastery of the paths of thought.

I do get the four absorptions … when I want, without trouble or difficulty.I do get the four absorptions … when I want, without trouble or difficulty.I have realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. I live having realized it with my own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.I have realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. I live having realized it with my own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.He discovered release from the snare of deathHe discovered release from the snare of death

for all beings,for all beings,and explained the system of the teachingand explained the system of the teachingfor the welfare of gods and humans.for the welfare of gods and humans.

When they see him or hear him,When they see him or hear him,many people become confident.many people become confident.He is skilled in what is the path and what is not the path,He is skilled in what is the path and what is not the path,

he has completed the task and is free of defilements.he has completed the task and is free of defilements.The Buddha, bearing his final body,The Buddha, bearing his final body,is called ‘a great man, of great wisdom’.”is called ‘a great man, of great wisdom’.”