增支部第 6 集（Sujato 英译）第 43 阅读页 · AN6.43 · The Giant

Numbered Discourses 6.43Numbered Discourses 6.435. About Dhammika5. About Dhammika

The GiantThe GiantAt one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.

Then, after the meal, on his return from almsround, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,Then, after the meal, on his return from almsround, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery for the day’s meditation.”“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery for the day’s meditation.”“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.

So the Buddha went with Ānanda to the Eastern Monastery.So the Buddha went with Ānanda to the Eastern Monastery.In the late afternoon the Buddha came out of retreat and addressed Ānanda,In the late afternoon the Buddha came out of retreat and addressed Ānanda,“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to the eastern gate to bathe.”“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to the eastern gate to bathe.”

“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.So the Buddha went with Ānanda to the eastern gate to bathe.So the Buddha went with Ānanda to the eastern gate to bathe.When he had bathed and emerged from the water he stood in one robe drying his limbs.When he had bathed and emerged from the water he stood in one robe drying his limbs.

Now, at that time King Pasenadi had a giant bull elephant called “White”. It emerged from the eastern gate to the beating and playing of musical instruments.Now, at that time King Pasenadi had a giant bull elephant called “White”. It emerged from the eastern gate to the beating and playing of musical instruments.When people saw it they said,When people saw it they said,“The royal giant is so handsome! The royal giant is so good-looking! The royal giant is so lovely! The royal giant has such a big body!”“The royal giant is so handsome! The royal giant is so good-looking! The royal giant is so lovely! The royal giant has such a big body!”

When they said this, Venerable Udāyī said to the Buddha,When they said this, Venerable Udāyī said to the Buddha,“Sir, is it only when they see elephants with such a big, formidable body that people say:“Sir, is it only when they see elephants with such a big, formidable body that people say:‘A giant, such a giant’? Or do they say it when they see any other creatures with big, formidable bodies?”‘A giant, such a giant’? Or do they say it when they see any other creatures with big, formidable bodies?”

“Udāyī, when they see elephants with such a big, formidable body people say:“Udāyī, when they see elephants with such a big, formidable body people say:‘A giant, such a giant!’‘A giant, such a giant!’And also when they see a horse with a big, formidable body …And also when they see a horse with a big, formidable body …

When they see a bull with a big, formidable body …When they see a bull with a big, formidable body …When they see a serpent with a big, formidable body …When they see a serpent with a big, formidable body …When they see a tree with a big, formidable body …When they see a tree with a big, formidable body …

And when they see a human being with such a big, formidable body people say:And when they see a human being with such a big, formidable body people say:‘A giant, such a giant!’‘A giant, such a giant!’But Udāyī, one who does nothing monstrous by way of body, speech, and mind is who I call a ‘giant’ in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans.”But Udāyī, one who does nothing monstrous by way of body, speech, and mind is who I call a ‘giant’ in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans.”

“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing!“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing!How well said this was by the Buddha:How well said this was by the Buddha:‘But Udāyī, one who does nothing monstrous by way of body, speech, and mind is who I call a “giant” in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans.’‘But Udāyī, one who does nothing monstrous by way of body, speech, and mind is who I call a “giant” in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans.’

And I celebrate the well-spoken words of the Buddha with these verses:And I celebrate the well-spoken words of the Buddha with these verses:Awakened as a human being,Awakened as a human being,self-tamed and immersed in samādhi,self-tamed and immersed in samādhi,

following the spiritual path,following the spiritual path,he loves peace of mind.he loves peace of mind.Revered by people,Revered by people,

gone beyond all things,gone beyond all things,even the gods revere him;even the gods revere him;so I’ve heard from the perfected one.so I’ve heard from the perfected one.

He has transcended all fettersHe has transcended all fettersand escaped from entanglements.and escaped from entanglements.Delighting to renounce sensual pleasures,Delighting to renounce sensual pleasures,

he’s freed like lustrous gold from stone.he’s freed like lustrous gold from stone.That giant outshines all,That giant outshines all,like the Himalaya beside other mountains.like the Himalaya beside other mountains.

Of all those named ‘giant’,Of all those named ‘giant’,he is truly named, supreme.he is truly named, supreme.I shall extol the giant for you,I shall extol the giant for you,

for he does nothing monstrous.for he does nothing monstrous.Gentleness and harmlessnessGentleness and harmlessnessare two feet of the giant.are two feet of the giant.

Fervor and chastityFervor and chastityare his two other feet.are his two other feet.Faith is the giant’s trunk,Faith is the giant’s trunk,

and equanimity his white tusks.and equanimity his white tusks.Mindfulness is his neck, his head is wisdom—Mindfulness is his neck, his head is wisdom—inquiry and thinking about principles.inquiry and thinking about principles.

His belly is the sacred hearth of the Dhamma,His belly is the sacred hearth of the Dhamma,and his tail is seclusion.and his tail is seclusion.Practicing absorption, enjoying the breath,Practicing absorption, enjoying the breath,

he is serene within.he is serene within.The giant is serene when walking,The giant is serene when walking,the giant is serene when standing,the giant is serene when standing,

the giant is serene when lying down,the giant is serene when lying down,and when sitting, the giant is serene.and when sitting, the giant is serene.The giant is restrained everywhere:The giant is restrained everywhere:

this is the accomplishment of the giant.this is the accomplishment of the giant.He eats blameless things,He eats blameless things,he doesn’t eat blameworthy things.he doesn’t eat blameworthy things.

When he gets food and clothes,When he gets food and clothes,he avoids storing them up.he avoids storing them up.Having severed all bonds,Having severed all bonds,

fetters large and small,fetters large and small,wherever he goes,wherever he goes,he goes without concern.he goes without concern.

A white lotus,A white lotus,fragrant and delightful,fragrant and delightful,sprouts in water and grows there,sprouts in water and grows there,

but water does not stick to it.but water does not stick to it.Just so the Buddha is born in the world,Just so the Buddha is born in the world,and lives in the world,and lives in the world,

but the world does not stick to him,but the world does not stick to him,as water does not stick to the lotus.as water does not stick to the lotus.A great blazing fireA great blazing fire

dies down when the fuel runs out.dies down when the fuel runs out.When the coals have gone outWhen the coals have gone outit’s said to be ‘quenched’.it’s said to be ‘quenched’.

This simile is taught by the discerningThis simile is taught by the discerningto express the meaning clearly.to express the meaning clearly.Great giants will understandGreat giants will understand

what the giant taught the giant.what the giant taught the giant.Free of greed, free of hate,Free of greed, free of hate,free of delusion, undefiled;free of delusion, undefiled;

the giant, giving up his body,the giant, giving up his body,being undefiled, will be fully quenched.”being undefiled, will be fully quenched.”