增支部第 8 集（Sujato 英译）第 12 阅读页 · AN8.12 · With Sīha · 1/2

Numbered Discourses 8.12Numbered Discourses 8.122. The Great Chapter2. The Great Chapter

With SīhaWith SīhaAt one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof.At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof.Now at that time several very prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.Now at that time several very prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.

Now at that time General Sīha, a disciple of the Jains, was sitting in that assembly.Now at that time General Sīha, a disciple of the Jains, was sitting in that assembly.He thought,He thought,“That Blessed One must without a doubt be a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha. For several very prominent Licchavis are praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.“That Blessed One must without a doubt be a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha. For several very prominent Licchavis are praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.

Why don’t I go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”Why don’t I go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”Then General Sīha went to the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan and said to him,Then General Sīha went to the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan and said to him,“Sir, I’d like to go to see the ascetic Gotama.”“Sir, I’d like to go to see the ascetic Gotama.”

“But Sīha, you believe in the doctrine of action. Why should you go to see the ascetic Gotama, who teaches a doctrine of inaction?“But Sīha, you believe in the doctrine of action. Why should you go to see the ascetic Gotama, who teaches a doctrine of inaction?For the ascetic Gotama believes in a doctrine of inaction, he teaches inaction, and he guides his disciples in that way.”For the ascetic Gotama believes in a doctrine of inaction, he teaches inaction, and he guides his disciples in that way.”Then Sīha’s determination to go and see the Buddha died down.Then Sīha’s determination to go and see the Buddha died down.

For a second time, several prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.For a second time, several prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.And for a second time Sīha thought:And for a second time Sīha thought:“Why don’t I go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”“Why don’t I go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”

Then General Sīha went to the Jain Ñātika …Then General Sīha went to the Jain Ñātika …Then for a second time Sīha’s determination to go and see the Buddha died down.Then for a second time Sīha’s determination to go and see the Buddha died down.For a third time, several prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.For a third time, several prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.

And for a third time Sīha thought,And for a third time Sīha thought,“That Blessed One must without a doubt be a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha. For several very prominent Licchavis are praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.“That Blessed One must without a doubt be a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha. For several very prominent Licchavis are praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Saṅgha in many ways.What can these Jains do to me, whether I take leave of them or not?What can these Jains do to me, whether I take leave of them or not?

Why don’t I, without taking leave of them, go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”Why don’t I, without taking leave of them, go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”Then Sīha, with around five hundred chariots, set out from Vesālī in the middle of the day to see the Buddha.Then Sīha, with around five hundred chariots, set out from Vesālī in the middle of the day to see the Buddha.He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and went by foot.He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and went by foot.

Then General Sīha went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:Then General Sīha went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:“Sir, I have heard this:“Sir, I have heard this:‘The ascetic Gotama believes in a doctrine of inaction, he teaches inaction, and he guides his disciples in that way.’‘The ascetic Gotama believes in a doctrine of inaction, he teaches inaction, and he guides his disciples in that way.’

I trust those who say this repeat what the Buddha 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 Buddha 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 Blessed One.”For we don’t want to misrepresent the Blessed One.”“There is, Sīha, a sense in which you could rightly say that“There is, Sīha, a sense in which you could rightly say that

I believe in inaction, I teach inaction, and I guide my disciples in that way.I believe in inaction, I teach inaction, and I guide my disciples in that way.And there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatI believe in action, I teach action, and I guide my disciples in that way.I believe in action, I teach action, and I guide my disciples in that way.

And there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatI believe in annihilationism, I teach annihilation, and I guide my disciples in that way.I believe in annihilationism, I teach annihilation, and I guide my disciples in that way.And there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd there is a sense in which you could rightly say that

I’m disgusted, I teach disgust, and I guide my disciples in that way.I’m disgusted, I teach disgust, and I guide my disciples in that way.And there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatI’m an exterminator, I teach extermination, and I guide my disciples in that way.I’m an exterminator, I teach extermination, and I guide my disciples in that way.

And there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatI’m a mortifier, I teach mortification, and I guide my disciples in that way.I’m a mortifier, I teach mortification, and I guide my disciples in that way.And there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd there is a sense in which you could rightly say that

I’m gutless, I teach gutlessness, and I guide my disciples in that way.I’m gutless, I teach gutlessness, and I guide my disciples in that way.And there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd there is a sense in which you could rightly say thatI’m ambitious, I teach ambition, and I guide my disciples in that way.I’m ambitious, I teach ambition, and I guide my disciples in that way.

And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatI believe in inaction, I teach inaction, and I guide my disciples in that way?I believe in inaction, I teach inaction, and I guide my disciples in that way?I teach inaction regarding bad bodily, verbal, and mental conduct,I teach inaction regarding bad bodily, verbal, and mental conduct,

and the many kinds of unskillful things.and the many kinds of unskillful things.In this sense you could rightly say that I teach inaction.In this sense you could rightly say that I teach inaction.And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say that

I believe in action, I teach action, and I guide my disciples in that way?I believe in action, I teach action, and I guide my disciples in that way?I teach action regarding good bodily, verbal, and mental conduct,I teach action regarding good bodily, verbal, and mental conduct,and the many kinds of skillful things.and the many kinds of skillful things.

In this sense you could rightly say that I teach action.In this sense you could rightly say that I teach action.And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatI believe in annihilationism, I teach annihilation, and I guide my disciples in that way?I believe in annihilationism, I teach annihilation, and I guide my disciples in that way?

I teach the annihilation of greed, hate, and delusion,I teach the annihilation of greed, hate, and delusion,and the many kinds of unskillful things.and the many kinds of unskillful things.In this sense you could rightly say that I teach annihilationism.In this sense you could rightly say that I teach annihilationism.

And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatI’m disgusted, I teach disgust, and I guide my disciples in that way?I’m disgusted, I teach disgust, and I guide my disciples in that way?I’m disgusted by bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind,I’m disgusted by bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind,

and by attainment of the many kinds of unskillful things.and by attainment of the many kinds of unskillful things.In this sense you could rightly say that I’m disgusted.In this sense you could rightly say that I’m disgusted.And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say that

I’m an exterminator, I teach extermination, and I guide my disciples in that way?I’m an exterminator, I teach extermination, and I guide my disciples in that way?I teach the extermination of greed, hate, and delusion,I teach the extermination of greed, hate, and delusion,and the many kinds of unskillful things.and the many kinds of unskillful things.

In this sense you could rightly say that I’m an exterminator.In this sense you could rightly say that I’m an exterminator.And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatI’m a mortifier, I teach mortification, and I guide my disciples in that way?I’m a mortifier, I teach mortification, and I guide my disciples in that way?

I say that bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind should be mortified.I say that bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind should be mortified.I say that a mortifier is someone who has given up unskillful qualities that should be mortified. They’ve cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.I say that a mortifier is someone who has given up unskillful qualities that should be mortified. They’ve cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.The Realized One is someone who has given up unskillful qualities that should be mortified. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.The Realized One is someone who has given up unskillful qualities that should be mortified. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.

In this sense you could rightly say that I’m a mortifier.In this sense you could rightly say that I’m a mortifier.And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatI’m gutless, I teach gutlessness, and I guide my disciples in that way?I’m gutless, I teach gutlessness, and I guide my disciples in that way?

I say that a gutless person is someone who has given up future wombs and rebirth into a new state of existence. They’ve cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.I say that a gutless person is someone who has given up future wombs and rebirth into a new state of existence. They’ve cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.The Realized One has given up future wombs and regeneration into a new state of existence. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.The Realized One has given up future wombs and regeneration into a new state of existence. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they’re unable to arise in the future.

In this sense you could rightly say that I’m gutless.In this sense you could rightly say that I’m gutless.And what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatAnd what’s the sense in which you could rightly say thatI’m ambitious, I teach ambition, and I guide my disciples in that way?I’m ambitious, I teach ambition, and I guide my disciples in that way?

I’m ambitious to offer solace, the highest solace, I teach solace, and I guide my disciples in that way.I’m ambitious to offer solace, the highest solace, I teach solace, and I guide my disciples in that way.In this sense you could rightly say that I’m ambitious.”In this sense you could rightly say that I’m ambitious.”When he said this, General Sīha said to the Buddha,When he said this, General Sīha said to the Buddha,

“Excellent, sir! Excellent!“Excellent, sir! Excellent!From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”“Sīha, you should act after careful consideration. It’s good for well-known people such as yourself to act after careful consideration.”“Sīha, you should act after careful consideration. It’s good for well-known people such as yourself to act after careful consideration.”

“Now I’m even more delighted and satisfied with the Buddha, since he tells me to act after careful consideration.“Now I’m even more delighted and satisfied with the Buddha, since he tells me to act after careful consideration.For if the followers of other religions were to gain me as a disciple, they’d carry a banner all over Vesālī, saying:For if the followers of other religions were to gain me as a disciple, they’d carry a banner all over Vesālī, saying:‘General Sīha has become our disciple!’‘General Sīha has become our disciple!’

And yet the Buddha tells me to act after careful consideration.And yet the Buddha tells me to act after careful consideration.For a second time, I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.For a second time, I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

“For a long time now, Sīha, your family has been a well-spring of support for the Jain ascetics. You should consider giving to them when they come.”“For a long time now, Sīha, your family has been a well-spring of support for the Jain ascetics. You should consider giving to them when they come.”“Now I’m even more delighted and satisfied with the Buddha, since he tells me to“Now I’m even more delighted and satisfied with the Buddha, since he tells me toconsider giving to the Jain ascetics when they come.consider giving to the Jain ascetics when they come.

Sir, I have heard thatSir, I have heard thatthe ascetic Gotama says this:the ascetic Gotama says this:‘Gifts should only be given to me, and to my disciples.‘Gifts should only be given to me, and to my disciples.

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.’Yet the Buddha encourages me to give to the Jain ascetics.Yet the Buddha encourages me to give to the Jain ascetics.

Well, sir, we’ll know the proper time for that.Well, sir, we’ll know the proper time for that.For a third time, I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.For a third time, I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

Then the Buddha taught Sīha step by step, withThen the Buddha taught Sīha step by step, witha talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He revealed the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation.a talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He revealed the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation.And when the Buddha knew that Sīha’s mind was ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he revealed the special teaching of the Buddhas:And when the Buddha knew that Sīha’s mind was ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he revealed the special teaching of the Buddhas:

suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye,Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye,in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in General Sīha:in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in General Sīha:

“Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.”“Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.”Then Sīha saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. He went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher’s instructions. He said to the Buddha,Then Sīha saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. He went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher’s instructions. He said to the Buddha,“Sir, would the Buddha together with the mendicant Saṅgha please accept tomorrow’s meal from me?”“Sir, would the Buddha together with the mendicant Saṅgha please accept tomorrow’s meal from me?”

The Buddha consented with silence.The Buddha consented with silence.Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, Sīha rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, Sīha rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.