长部第 14 经（Sujato 英译）第 3 阅读页 · The Great Discourse on Traces Left Behind · 3/6

It was as sweet as the song of a cuckoo-bird found in the Himalayas.It was as sweet as the song of a cuckoo-bird found in the Himalayas.From when he was born, Prince Vipassī had the power of clairvoyance which manifested as a result of past deeds, by which he could see for a league all around both by day and by night.From when he was born, Prince Vipassī had the power of clairvoyance which manifested as a result of past deeds, by which he could see for a league all around both by day and by night.And he was unblinkingly watchful, like the gods of the thirty-three.And he was unblinkingly watchful, like the gods of the thirty-three.

And because it was said that he was unblinkingly watchful, he came to be known as ‘Vipassī’.And because it was said that he was unblinkingly watchful, he came to be known as ‘Vipassī’.Then while King Bandhumā was sitting in court, he’d sit Prince Vipassī in his lap and explain the case to him.Then while King Bandhumā was sitting in court, he’d sit Prince Vipassī in his lap and explain the case to him.And sitting there in his father’s lap, Vipassī would thoroughly consider the case and draw a conclusion using a logical system.And sitting there in his father’s lap, Vipassī would thoroughly consider the case and draw a conclusion using a logical system.

So this was all the more reason for him to be known as ‘Vipassī’.So this was all the more reason for him to be known as ‘Vipassī’.Then King Bandhumā had three stilt longhouses built for him—one for the winter, one for the summer, and one for the rainy season,Then King Bandhumā had three stilt longhouses built for him—one for the winter, one for the summer, and one for the rainy season,and provided him with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.and provided him with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Prince Vipassī stayed in a stilt longhouse without coming downstairs for the four months of the rainy season, where he was entertained by musicians—none of them men.Prince Vipassī stayed in a stilt longhouse without coming downstairs for the four months of the rainy season, where he was entertained by musicians—none of them men.The first recitation section.The first recitation section.

5. The Old Man5. The Old Man

Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī addressed his charioteer,Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī addressed his charioteer,‘My dear charioteer, harness the finest chariots. We will go to a park and see the scenery.’‘My dear charioteer, harness the finest chariots. We will go to a park and see the scenery.’‘Yes, sir,’ replied the charioteer. He harnessed the chariots and informed the prince,‘Yes, sir,’ replied the charioteer. He harnessed the chariots and informed the prince,

‘Your Majesty, the finest chariots are harnessed.‘Your Majesty, the finest chariots are harnessed.Please go at your convenience.’Please go at your convenience.’Then Prince Vipassī mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out for the park.Then Prince Vipassī mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out for the park.

Along the way he saw an elderly man, bent double, crooked, leaning on a staff, trembling as he walked, ailing, past his prime.Along the way he saw an elderly man, bent double, crooked, leaning on a staff, trembling as he walked, ailing, past his prime.He addressed his charioteer,He addressed his charioteer,‘My dear charioteer, what has that man done?‘My dear charioteer, what has that man done?

For his hair and his body are unlike those of other men.’For his hair and his body are unlike those of other men.’‘That, Your Majesty, is called an old man.’‘That, Your Majesty, is called an old man.’‘But why is he called an old man?’‘But why is he called an old man?’

‘He’s called an old man because now he has not long to live.’‘He’s called an old man because now he has not long to live.’‘But my dear charioteer, am I liable to grow old? Am I not exempt from old age?’‘But my dear charioteer, am I liable to grow old? Am I not exempt from old age?’‘Everyone is liable to grow old, Your Majesty, including you. No one is exempt from old age.’‘Everyone is liable to grow old, Your Majesty, including you. No one is exempt from old age.’

‘Well then, my dear charioteer, that’s enough of the park for today. Let’s return to the royal compound.’‘Well then, my dear charioteer, that’s enough of the park for today. Let’s return to the royal compound.’‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.Back at the royal compound, the prince brooded, miserable and sad:Back at the royal compound, the prince brooded, miserable and sad:

‘Curse this thing called rebirth, since old age will come to anyone who’s born.’‘Curse this thing called rebirth, since old age will come to anyone who’s born.’Then King Bandhumā summoned the charioteer and said,Then King Bandhumā summoned the charioteer and said,‘My dear charioteer, I hope the prince enjoyed himself at the park? I hope he was happy there?’‘My dear charioteer, I hope the prince enjoyed himself at the park? I hope he was happy there?’

‘No, Your Majesty, the prince didn’t enjoy himself at the park.’‘No, Your Majesty, the prince didn’t enjoy himself at the park.’‘But what did he see on the way to the park?’‘But what did he see on the way to the park?’And the charioteer told the king about seeing the old man and the prince’s reaction.And the charioteer told the king about seeing the old man and the prince’s reaction.

6. The Sick Man6. The Sick Man

Then King Bandhumā thought,Then King Bandhumā thought,‘Prince Vipassī must not renounce the throne. He must not go forth from the lay life to homelessness. And the words of the brahmin soothsayers must not come true.’‘Prince Vipassī must not renounce the throne. He must not go forth from the lay life to homelessness. And the words of the brahmin soothsayers must not come true.’To this end he provided the prince with even more of the five kinds of sensual stimulation,To this end he provided the prince with even more of the five kinds of sensual stimulation,

with which the prince amused himself.with which the prince amused himself.Then, after many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī had his charioteer drive him to the park once more.Then, after many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī had his charioteer drive him to the park once more.Along the way he saw a man who was sick, suffering, gravely ill, collapsed in his own urine and feces, being picked up by some and put down by others.Along the way he saw a man who was sick, suffering, gravely ill, collapsed in his own urine and feces, being picked up by some and put down by others.

He addressed his charioteer,He addressed his charioteer,‘My dear charioteer, what has that man done?‘My dear charioteer, what has that man done?For his eyes and his voice are unlike those of other men.’For his eyes and his voice are unlike those of other men.’

‘That, Your Majesty, is called a sick man.’‘That, Your Majesty, is called a sick man.’‘But why is he called a sick man?’‘But why is he called a sick man?’‘He’s called a sick man; hopefully he will recover from that illness.’‘He’s called a sick man; hopefully he will recover from that illness.’

‘But my dear charioteer, am I liable to fall sick? Am I not exempt from sickness?’‘But my dear charioteer, am I liable to fall sick? Am I not exempt from sickness?’‘Everyone is liable to fall sick, Your Majesty, including you. No one is exempt from sickness.’‘Everyone is liable to fall sick, Your Majesty, including you. No one is exempt from sickness.’‘Well then, my dear charioteer, that’s enough of the park for today. Let’s return to the royal compound.’‘Well then, my dear charioteer, that’s enough of the park for today. Let’s return to the royal compound.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.Back at the royal compound, the prince brooded, miserable and sad:Back at the royal compound, the prince brooded, miserable and sad:‘Curse this thing called rebirth, since old age and sickness will come to anyone who’s born.’‘Curse this thing called rebirth, since old age and sickness will come to anyone who’s born.’

Then King Bandhumā summoned the charioteer and said,Then King Bandhumā summoned the charioteer and said,‘My dear charioteer, I hope the prince enjoyed himself at the park? I hope he was happy there?’‘My dear charioteer, I hope the prince enjoyed himself at the park? I hope he was happy there?’‘No, Your Majesty, the prince didn’t enjoy himself at the park.’‘No, Your Majesty, the prince didn’t enjoy himself at the park.’

‘But what did he see on the way to the park?’‘But what did he see on the way to the park?’And the charioteer told the king about seeing the sick man and the prince’s reaction.And the charioteer told the king about seeing the sick man and the prince’s reaction.

7. The Dead Man7. The Dead Man

Then King Bandhumā thought,Then King Bandhumā thought,‘Prince Vipassī must not renounce the throne. He must not go forth from the lay life to homelessness. And the words of the brahmin soothsayers must not come true.’‘Prince Vipassī must not renounce the throne. He must not go forth from the lay life to homelessness. And the words of the brahmin soothsayers must not come true.’To this end he provided the prince with even more of the five kinds of sensual stimulation,To this end he provided the prince with even more of the five kinds of sensual stimulation,

with which the prince amused himself.with which the prince amused himself.Then, after many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī had his charioteer drive him to the park once more.Then, after many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī had his charioteer drive him to the park once more.Along the way he saw a large crowd gathered making a bier out of garments of different colors.Along the way he saw a large crowd gathered making a bier out of garments of different colors.

He addressed his charioteer,He addressed his charioteer,‘My dear charioteer, why is that crowd making a bier?’‘My dear charioteer, why is that crowd making a bier?’‘That, Your Majesty, is for someone who’s departed.’‘That, Your Majesty, is for someone who’s departed.’

‘Well then, drive the chariot up to the departed.’‘Well then, drive the chariot up to the departed.’‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer, and did so.‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer, and did so.When the prince saw the corpse of the departed, he addressed the charioteer,When the prince saw the corpse of the departed, he addressed the charioteer,

‘But why is he called departed?’‘But why is he called departed?’‘He’s called departed because now his mother and father, his relatives and kin shall see him no more, and he shall never again see them.’‘He’s called departed because now his mother and father, his relatives and kin shall see him no more, and he shall never again see them.’‘But my dear charioteer, am I liable to die? Am I not exempt from death?‘But my dear charioteer, am I liable to die? Am I not exempt from death?

Will the king and queen and my other relatives and kin see me no more?Will the king and queen and my other relatives and kin see me no more?And shall I never again see them?’And shall I never again see them?’‘Everyone is liable to die, Your Majesty, including you. No one is exempt from death.‘Everyone is liable to die, Your Majesty, including you. No one is exempt from death.

The king and queen and your other relatives and kin shall see you no more,The king and queen and your other relatives and kin shall see you no more,and you shall never again see them.’and you shall never again see them.’‘Well then, my dear charioteer, that’s enough of the park for today. Let’s return to the royal compound.’‘Well then, my dear charioteer, that’s enough of the park for today. Let’s return to the royal compound.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.Back at the royal compound, the prince brooded, miserable and sad:Back at the royal compound, the prince brooded, miserable and sad:‘Curse this thing called rebirth, since old age, sickness, and death will come to anyone who’s born.’‘Curse this thing called rebirth, since old age, sickness, and death will come to anyone who’s born.’

Then King Bandhumā summoned the charioteer and said,Then King Bandhumā summoned the charioteer and said,‘My dear charioteer, I hope the prince enjoyed himself at the park? I hope he was happy there?’‘My dear charioteer, I hope the prince enjoyed himself at the park? I hope he was happy there?’‘No, Your Majesty, the prince didn’t enjoy himself at the park.’‘No, Your Majesty, the prince didn’t enjoy himself at the park.’

‘But what did he see on the way to the park?’‘But what did he see on the way to the park?’And the charioteer told the king about seeing the dead man and the prince’s reaction.And the charioteer told the king about seeing the dead man and the prince’s reaction.

8. The Renunciate8. The Renunciate

Then King Bandhumā thought,Then King Bandhumā thought,‘Prince Vipassī must not renounce the throne. He must not go forth from the lay life to homelessness. And the words of the brahmin soothsayers must not come true.’‘Prince Vipassī must not renounce the throne. He must not go forth from the lay life to homelessness. And the words of the brahmin soothsayers must not come true.’To this end he provided the prince with even more of the five kinds of sensual stimulation,To this end he provided the prince with even more of the five kinds of sensual stimulation,

with which the prince amused himself.with which the prince amused himself.Then, after many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī had his charioteer drive him to the park once more.Then, after many thousand years had passed, Prince Vipassī had his charioteer drive him to the park once more.Along the way he saw a man, a renunciate with shaven head, wearing an ocher robe.Along the way he saw a man, a renunciate with shaven head, wearing an ocher robe.

He addressed his charioteer,He addressed his charioteer,‘My dear charioteer, what has that man done?‘My dear charioteer, what has that man done?For his head and his clothes are unlike those of other men.’For his head and his clothes are unlike those of other men.’

‘That, Your Majesty, is called a renunciate.’‘That, Your Majesty, is called a renunciate.’‘But why is he called a renunciate?’‘But why is he called a renunciate?’‘He is called a renunciate because he celebrates principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures.’‘He is called a renunciate because he celebrates principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures.’

‘Then I celebrate the one called a renunciate, who celebrates principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures!‘Then I celebrate the one called a renunciate, who celebrates principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures!Well then, drive the chariot up to that renunciate.’Well then, drive the chariot up to that renunciate.’‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer, and did so.‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer, and did so.

Then Prince Vipassī said to that renunciate,Then Prince Vipassī said to that renunciate,‘My dear, what have you done?‘My dear, what have you done?For your head and your clothes are unlike those of other men.’For your head and your clothes are unlike those of other men.’

‘Your Majesty, I am what is called a renunciate.’‘Your Majesty, I am what is called a renunciate.’‘But why are you called a renunciate?’‘But why are you called a renunciate?’‘I am called a renunciate because I celebrate principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures.’‘I am called a renunciate because I celebrate principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures.’

‘Then I celebrate the one called a renunciate, who celebrates principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures!’‘Then I celebrate the one called a renunciate, who celebrates principled and fair conduct, skillful actions, good deeds, harmlessness, and sympathy for living creatures!’

9. The Going Forth9. The Going Forth

Then the prince addressed the charioteer,Then the prince addressed the charioteer,‘Well then, my dear charioteer, take the chariot and return to the royal compound.‘Well then, my dear charioteer, take the chariot and return to the royal compound.I shall shave off my hair and beard right here, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’I shall shave off my hair and beard right here, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the charioteer and did so.Then Prince Vipassī shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness.Then Prince Vipassī shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness.

10. A Great Crowd Goes Forth10. A Great Crowd Goes Forth