长部第 16 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment · 1/14

Long Discourses 16Long Discourses 16The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s ExtinguishmentThe Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.Now at that time King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wanted to invade the Vajjis.Now at that time King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wanted to invade the Vajjis.

He said:He said:“I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!”“I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!”And then King Ajātasattu addressed Vassakāra the brahmin, a chief minister of Magadha,And then King Ajātasattu addressed Vassakāra the brahmin, a chief minister of Magadha,

“Please, brahmin, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.“Please, brahmin, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.And then say:And then say:‘Sir, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wants to invade the Vajjis.‘Sir, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wants to invade the Vajjis.

He says,He says,“I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!”’“I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!”’Remember well how the Buddha answers and tell it to me.Remember well how the Buddha answers and tell it to me.

For Realized Ones say nothing that is not so.”For Realized Ones say nothing that is not so.”

1. The Brahmin Vassakāra1. The Brahmin Vassakāra

“Yes, worthy sir,” Vassakāra replied. He had the finest carriages harnessed. Then he mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out from Rājagaha for the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.“Yes, worthy sir,” Vassakāra replied. He had the finest carriages harnessed. Then he mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out from Rājagaha for the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and approached the Buddha on foot, and exchanged greetings with him.He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and approached the Buddha on foot, 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, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, bows with his head to your feet. He asks if you are healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.“Worthy Gotama, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, bows with his head to your feet. He asks if you are healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.Worthy Gotama, King Ajātasattu wants to invade the Vajjis.Worthy Gotama, King Ajātasattu wants to invade the Vajjis.He said:He said:

‘I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!’”‘I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!’”

2. Principles That Prevent Decline2. Principles That Prevent Decline

Now at that time Venerable Ānanda was standing behind the Buddha fanning him.Now at that time Venerable Ānanda was standing behind the Buddha fanning him.Then the Buddha said to him,Then the Buddha said to him,“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet frequently and have many meetings?”“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet frequently and have many meetings?”

“I have heard that, sir.”“I have heard that, sir.”“As long as the Vajjis meet frequently and have many meetings, they can expect growth, not decline.“As long as the Vajjis meet frequently and have many meetings, they can expect growth, not decline.Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony?”Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony?”

“I have heard that, sir.”“I have heard that, sir.”“As long as the Vajjis meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they can expect growth, not decline.“As long as the Vajjis meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they can expect growth, not decline.Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjian principles as they have been decreed?”Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjian principles as they have been decreed?”

“I have heard that, sir.”“I have heard that, sir.”“As long as the Vajjis don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjian principles as they have been decreed, they can expect growth, not decline.“As long as the Vajjis don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjian principles as they have been decreed, they can expect growth, not decline.Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate Vajjian elders, and think them worth listening to?”Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate Vajjian elders, and think them worth listening to?”

“I have heard that, sir.”“I have heard that, sir.”“As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate Vajjian elders, and think them worth listening to, they can expect growth, not decline.“As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate Vajjian elders, and think them worth listening to, they can expect growth, not decline.Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis don’t forcibly abduct the women or girls of the clans and make them live with them?”Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis don’t forcibly abduct the women or girls of the clans and make them live with them?”

“I have heard that, sir.”“I have heard that, sir.”“As long as the Vajjis don’t forcibly abduct the women or girls of the clans and make them live with them, they can expect growth, not decline.“As long as the Vajjis don’t forcibly abduct the women or girls of the clans and make them live with them, they can expect growth, not decline.Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the Vajjian shrines, whether inner or outer, not neglecting the proper spirit-offerings that were given and made in the past?”Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the Vajjian shrines, whether inner or outer, not neglecting the proper spirit-offerings that were given and made in the past?”

“I have heard that, sir.”“I have heard that, sir.”“As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the Vajjian shrines, whether inner or outer, not neglecting the proper spirit-offerings that were given and made in the past, they can expect growth, not decline.“As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the Vajjian shrines, whether inner or outer, not neglecting the proper spirit-offerings that were given and made in the past, they can expect growth, not decline.Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis organize proper protection, shelter, and security for perfected ones, so that more perfected ones might come to the realm and those already here may live in comfort?”Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis organize proper protection, shelter, and security for perfected ones, so that more perfected ones might come to the realm and those already here may live in comfort?”

“I have heard that, sir.”“I have heard that, sir.”“As long as the Vajjis organize proper protection, shelter, and security for perfected ones, so that more perfected ones might come to the realm and those already here may live in comfort, they can expect growth, not decline.”“As long as the Vajjis organize proper protection, shelter, and security for perfected ones, so that more perfected ones might come to the realm and those already here may live in comfort, they can expect growth, not decline.”Then the Buddha said to Vassakāra,Then the Buddha said to Vassakāra,

“Brahmin, this one time I was staying near Vesālī at the Sārandada Shrine.“Brahmin, this one time I was staying near Vesālī at the Sārandada Shrine.There I taught the Vajjis these seven principles that prevent decline.There I taught the Vajjis these seven principles that prevent decline.As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the Vajjis, and as long as the Vajjis are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the Vajjis, and as long as the Vajjis are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

When the Buddha had spoken, Vassakāra said to him,When the Buddha had spoken, Vassakāra said to him,“Worthy Gotama, if the Vajjis follow even a single one of these principles they can expect growth, not decline.“Worthy Gotama, if the Vajjis follow even a single one of these principles they can expect growth, not decline.How much more so all seven!How much more so all seven!

King Ajātasattu cannot defeat the Vajjis in war, unless by bribery or by sowing dissension.King Ajātasattu cannot defeat the Vajjis in war, unless by bribery or by sowing dissension.Well, now, worthy Gotama, I must go. I have many duties, and much to do.”Well, now, worthy Gotama, I must go. I have many duties, and much to do.”“Please, brahmin, go at your convenience.”“Please, brahmin, go at your convenience.”

Then Vassakāra the brahmin, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, rose from his seat and left.Then Vassakāra the brahmin, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, rose from his seat and left.

3. Principles That Prevent Decline Among the Mendicants3. Principles That Prevent Decline Among the Mendicants

Soon after he had left, the Buddha said to Ānanda,Soon after he had left, the Buddha said to Ānanda,“Go, Ānanda, gather all the mendicants staying in the vicinity of Rājagaha together in the assembly hall.”“Go, Ānanda, gather all the mendicants staying in the vicinity of Rājagaha together in the assembly hall.”“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. He did what the Buddha asked. Then he went back, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. He did what the Buddha asked. Then he went back, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,

“Sir, the mendicant Saṅgha has assembled. Please, sir, go at your convenience.”“Sir, the mendicant Saṅgha has assembled. Please, sir, go at your convenience.”Then the Buddha went to the assembly hall, where he sat down on the seat spread outThen the Buddha went to the assembly hall, where he sat down on the seat spread outand addressed the mendicants:and addressed the mendicants:

“Mendicants, I will teach you these seven principles that prevent decline.“Mendicants, I will teach you these seven principles that prevent decline.Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”“Yes, sir,” they replied.“Yes, sir,” they replied.

The Buddha said this:The Buddha said this:“As long as the mendicants meet frequently and have many meetings, they can expect growth, not decline.“As long as the mendicants meet frequently and have many meetings, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as the mendicants don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the training rules as they have been decreed, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the training rules as they have been decreed, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the senior mendicants—of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha—and think them worth listening to, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the senior mendicants—of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha—and think them worth listening to, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as the mendicants don’t fall under the sway of arisen craving for future lives, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants don’t fall under the sway of arisen craving for future lives, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants take care to live in wilderness lodgings, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants take care to live in wilderness lodgings, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants individually establish mindfulness, so that more good-hearted spiritual companions might come, and those that have already come may live comfortably, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants individually establish mindfulness, so that more good-hearted spiritual companions might come, and those that have already come may live comfortably, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …As long as the mendicants don’t relish work, loving it and liking to relish it, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants don’t relish work, loving it and liking to relish it, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as they don’t relish talk …As long as they don’t relish talk …sleep …sleep …company …company …

they don’t have corrupt wishes, falling under the sway of corrupt wishes …they don’t have corrupt wishes, falling under the sway of corrupt wishes …they don’t have bad friends, companions, and associates …they don’t have bad friends, companions, and associates …they don’t stop half-way after achieving some trifling distinction, they can expect growth, not decline.they don’t stop half-way after achieving some trifling distinction, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …As long as the mendicants are faithful …As long as the mendicants are faithful …

conscientious …conscientious …prudent …prudent …learned …learned …

energetic …energetic …mindful …mindful …wise, they can expect growth, not decline.wise, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …As long as the mendicants develop the awakening factors of mindfulness …As long as the mendicants develop the awakening factors of mindfulness …

investigation of principles …investigation of principles …energy …energy …rapture …rapture …

tranquility …tranquility …immersion …immersion …equanimity, they can expect growth, not decline.equanimity, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …I will teach you seven more principles that prevent decline. …As long as the mendicants develop the perceptions of impermanence …As long as the mendicants develop the perceptions of impermanence …

not-self …not-self …ugliness …ugliness …drawbacks …drawbacks …

giving up …giving up …fading away …fading away …cessation, they can expect growth, not decline.cessation, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.I will teach you six principles that prevent decline. …I will teach you six principles that prevent decline. …As long as the mendicants consistently treat their spiritual companions with bodily kindness …As long as the mendicants consistently treat their spiritual companions with bodily kindness …

verbal kindness …verbal kindness …and mental kindness both in public and in private, they can expect growth, not decline.and mental kindness both in public and in private, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants share without reservation any material things they have gained by legitimate means, even the food placed in the alms-bowl, using them in common with their ethical spiritual companions, they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants share without reservation any material things they have gained by legitimate means, even the food placed in the alms-bowl, using them in common with their ethical spiritual companions, they can expect growth, not decline.

As long as the mendicants live according to the precepts shared with their spiritual companions, both in public and in private—such precepts as are intact, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion—they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants live according to the precepts shared with their spiritual companions, both in public and in private—such precepts as are intact, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion—they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants live according to the view shared with their spiritual companions, both in public and in private—the view that is noble and emancipating, and delivers one who applies it to the complete end of suffering—they can expect growth, not decline.As long as the mendicants live according to the view shared with their spiritual companions, both in public and in private—the view that is noble and emancipating, and delivers one who applies it to the complete end of suffering—they can expect growth, not decline.