增支部第 9 集（Sujato 英译）第 38 阅读页 · AN9.38 · Brahmin Cosmologists

Numbered Discourses 9.38Numbered Discourses 9.384. The Great Chapter4. The Great Chapter

Brahmin CosmologistsBrahmin CosmologistsThen two brahmin cosmologists went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.Then two brahmin cosmologists went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

“Worthy Gotama, Pūraṇa Kassapa claims to be all-knowing and all-seeing, to know and see everything without exception, thus:“Worthy Gotama, Pūraṇa Kassapa claims to be all-knowing and all-seeing, to know and see everything without exception, thus:‘Knowledge and vision are constantly and continually present to me, while walking, standing, sleeping, and waking.’‘Knowledge and vision are constantly and continually present to me, while walking, standing, sleeping, and waking.’He says:He says:

‘With infinite knowledge I know and see that the cosmos is infinite.’‘With infinite knowledge I know and see that the cosmos is infinite.’And the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan also claims to be all-knowing and all-seeing, to know and see everything without exception, thus:And the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan also claims to be all-knowing and all-seeing, to know and see everything without exception, thus:‘Knowledge and vision are constantly and continually present to me, while walking, standing, sleeping, and waking.’‘Knowledge and vision are constantly and continually present to me, while walking, standing, sleeping, and waking.’

He says:He says:‘With infinite knowledge I know and see that the cosmos is finite.’‘With infinite knowledge I know and see that the cosmos is finite.’These two claim to speak from knowledge, but they directly contradict each other. Which one of them speaks the truth, and which falsehood?”These two claim to speak from knowledge, but they directly contradict each other. Which one of them speaks the truth, and which falsehood?”

“Enough, brahmins, let that be.“Enough, brahmins, let that be.I will teach you the Dhamma.I will teach you the Dhamma.Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Yes, worthy sir,” those brahmins replied.“Yes, worthy sir,” those brahmins replied.The Buddha said this:The Buddha said this:“Suppose there were four men standing in the four quarters. Each of them was extremely fast, with an extremely mighty stride.“Suppose there were four men standing in the four quarters. Each of them was extremely fast, with an extremely mighty stride.

They’re as fast as a light arrow easily shot across the shadow of a palm tree by a well-trained expert archer with a strong bow.They’re as fast as a light arrow easily shot across the shadow of a palm tree by a well-trained expert archer with a strong bow.Their stride was such that it spanned from the eastern ocean to the western ocean.Their stride was such that it spanned from the eastern ocean to the western ocean.Then the man standing in the east would say:Then the man standing in the east would say:

‘I will reach the end of the world by traveling.’‘I will reach the end of the world by traveling.’Though he’d travel for his whole lifespan of a hundred years—pausing only to eat and drink, go to the toilet, and sleep to dispel weariness—he’d die along the way, never reaching the end of the world.Though he’d travel for his whole lifespan of a hundred years—pausing only to eat and drink, go to the toilet, and sleep to dispel weariness—he’d die along the way, never reaching the end of the world.Then the man standing in the west …Then the man standing in the west …

Then the man standing in the north …Then the man standing in the north …Then the man standing in the south would say:Then the man standing in the south would say:‘I will reach the end of the world by traveling.’‘I will reach the end of the world by traveling.’

Though he’d travel for his whole lifespan of a hundred years—pausing only to eat and drink, go to the toilet, and sleep to dispel weariness—he’d die along the way, never reaching the end of the world.Though he’d travel for his whole lifespan of a hundred years—pausing only to eat and drink, go to the toilet, and sleep to dispel weariness—he’d die along the way, never reaching the end of the world.Why is that?Why is that?I say it’s not possible to know or see or reach the end of the world by running like this.I say it’s not possible to know or see or reach the end of the world by running like this.

But I also say there’s no making an end of suffering without reaching the end of the world.But I also say there’s no making an end of suffering without reaching the end of the world.These five kinds of sensual stimulation are called the world in the training of the Noble One.These five kinds of sensual stimulation are called the world in the training of the Noble One.What five?What five?

Sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.Sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.Sounds known by the ear …Sounds known by the ear …Smells known by the nose …Smells known by the nose …

Tastes known by the tongue …Tastes known by the tongue …Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.These five kinds of sensual stimulation are called the world in the training of the Noble One.These five kinds of sensual stimulation are called the world in the training of the Noble One.

Take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.Take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.Others say of them:Others say of them:

‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’And I also say this:And I also say this:‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, enters and remains in the second absorption …Furthermore, take a mendicant who, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, enters and remains in the second absorption …third absorption …third absorption …fourth absorption.fourth absorption.

This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.Others say of them:Others say of them:‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’

And I also say this:And I also say this:‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space.Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space.

This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.Others say of them:Others say of them:‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’

And I also say this:And I also say this:‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’Furthermore, take a mendicant who enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness. …Furthermore, take a mendicant who enters and remains in the dimension of infinite consciousness. …

the dimension of nothingness …the dimension of nothingness …the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world.

Others say of them:Others say of them:‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’And I also say this:And I also say this:

‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’‘They’re included in the world, and haven’t yet left the world.’Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end.Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end.This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world. And they’ve crossed over clinging to the world.”This is called a mendicant who, having gone to the end of the world, meditates at the end of the world. And they’ve crossed over clinging to the world.”