长部第 16 经（Sujato 英译）第 2 阅读页 · The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment · 2/14

As long as these six 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 six principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”And while staying there at the Vulture’s Peak the Buddha often gave this Dhamma talk to the mendicants:And while staying there at the Vulture’s Peak the Buddha often gave this Dhamma talk to the mendicants:“Such is ethics, such is immersion, such is wisdom.“Such is ethics, such is immersion, such is wisdom.

When immersion is imbued with ethics it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When immersion is imbued with ethics it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When wisdom is imbued with immersion it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When wisdom is imbued with immersion it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When the mind is imbued with wisdom it is rightly freed from the defilements, namely,When the mind is imbued with wisdom it is rightly freed from the defilements, namely,

the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.”the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.”When the Buddha had stayed in Rājagaha as long as he pleased, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,When the Buddha had stayed in Rājagaha as long as he pleased, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to Ambalaṭṭhikā.”“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to Ambalaṭṭhikā.”

“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.Then the Buddha together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants arrived at Ambalaṭṭhikā,Then the Buddha together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants arrived at Ambalaṭṭhikā,where he stayed in the royal rest-house.where he stayed in the royal rest-house.

And while staying there, too, he often gave this Dhamma talk to the mendicants:And while staying there, too, he often gave this Dhamma talk to the mendicants:“Such is ethics, such is immersion, such is wisdom.“Such is ethics, such is immersion, such is wisdom.When immersion is imbued with ethics it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When immersion is imbued with ethics it’s very fruitful and beneficial.

When wisdom is imbued with immersion it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When wisdom is imbued with immersion it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When the mind is imbued with wisdom it is rightly freed from the defilements, namely,When the mind is imbued with wisdom it is rightly freed from the defilements, namely,the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.”the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.”

When the Buddha had stayed in Ambalaṭṭhikā as long as he pleased, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,When the Buddha had stayed in Ambalaṭṭhikā as long as he pleased, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to Nāḷandā.”“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to Nāḷandā.”“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.

Then the Buddha together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants arrived at Nāḷandā,Then the Buddha together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants arrived at Nāḷandā,where he stayed in Pāvārika’s Mango Grove.where he stayed in Pāvārika’s Mango Grove.

4. Sāriputta’s Lion’s Roar4. Sāriputta’s Lion’s Roar

Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,Then Sāriputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,“Sir, I have such confidence in the Buddha that“Sir, I have such confidence in the Buddha thatI believe there’s no other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening.”I believe there’s no other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening.”

“That’s a grand and bold statement, Sāriputta. You’ve roared a definitive, categorical lion’s roar, saying:“That’s a grand and bold statement, Sāriputta. You’ve roared a definitive, categorical lion’s roar, saying:‘I have such confidence in the Buddha that‘I have such confidence in the Buddha thatI believe there’s no other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening.’I believe there’s no other ascetic or brahmin—whether past, future, or present—whose direct knowledge is superior to the Buddha when it comes to awakening.’

What about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who lived in the past? Have you encompassed their minds to know thatWhat about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who lived in the past? Have you encompassed their minds to know thatthose Buddhas had such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”those Buddhas had such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”“No, sir.”“No, sir.”

“And what about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who will live in the future? Have you encompassed their minds to know that“And what about all the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas who will live in the future? Have you encompassed their minds to know thatthose Buddhas will have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”those Buddhas will have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”“No, sir.”“No, sir.”

“And what about me, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha at present? Have you encompassed my mind to know that“And what about me, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha at present? Have you encompassed my mind to know thatI have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”I have such ethics, or such qualities, or such wisdom, or such meditation, or such freedom?”“No, sir.”“No, sir.”

“In that case, Sāriputta, given that you don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, or present,“In that case, Sāriputta, given that you don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, or present,what then are you doing, making such a grand and bold statement, roaring such a definitive, categorical lion’s roar?”what then are you doing, making such a grand and bold statement, roaring such a definitive, categorical lion’s roar?”“Sir, though I don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, and present,“Sir, though I don’t encompass the minds of Buddhas past, future, and present,

still I understand this by inference from the teaching.still I understand this by inference from the teaching.Suppose there was a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and a single gate.Suppose there was a king’s frontier citadel with fortified embankments, ramparts, and arches, and a single gate.And it has a gatekeeper who is astute, competent, and intelligent. He keeps strangers out and lets known people in.And it has a gatekeeper who is astute, competent, and intelligent. He keeps strangers out and lets known people in.

As he walks around the patrol path, he doesn’t see a hole or cleft in the wall, not even one big enough for a cat to slip out.As he walks around the patrol path, he doesn’t see a hole or cleft in the wall, not even one big enough for a cat to slip out.He thinks,He thinks,‘Whatever sizable creatures enter or leave the citadel, all of them do so via this gate.’‘Whatever sizable creatures enter or leave the citadel, all of them do so via this gate.’

In the same way, I understand this by inference from the teaching:In the same way, I understand this by inference from the teaching:‘All the perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas—whether past, future, or present—give up the five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom. Their mind is firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. They correctly develop the seven awakening factors. And they awaken to the supreme perfect awakening.’”‘All the perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas—whether past, future, or present—give up the five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom. Their mind is firmly established in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. They correctly develop the seven awakening factors. And they awaken to the supreme perfect awakening.’”

And while staying at Nāḷandā, too, the Buddha often gave this Dhamma talk to the mendicants:And while staying at Nāḷandā, too, the Buddha often gave this Dhamma talk to the mendicants:“Such is ethics, such is immersion, such is wisdom.“Such is ethics, such is immersion, such is wisdom.When immersion is imbued with ethics it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When immersion is imbued with ethics it’s very fruitful and beneficial.

When wisdom is imbued with immersion it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When wisdom is imbued with immersion it’s very fruitful and beneficial.When the mind is imbued with wisdom it is rightly freed from the defilements, namely,When the mind is imbued with wisdom it is rightly freed from the defilements, namely,the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.”the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.”

5. The Drawbacks of Unethical Conduct5. The Drawbacks of Unethical Conduct

When the Buddha had stayed in Nāḷandā as long as he pleased, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,When the Buddha had stayed in Nāḷandā as long as he pleased, he addressed Venerable Ānanda,“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to Pāṭali Village.”“Come, Ānanda, let’s go to Pāṭali Village.”“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.

Then the Buddha together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants arrived at Pāṭali Village.Then the Buddha together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants arrived at Pāṭali Village.The lay followers of Pāṭali Village heard that he had arrived.The lay followers of Pāṭali Village heard that he had arrived.So they went to see him, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,So they went to see him, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

“Sir, please consent to come to our guest house.”“Sir, please consent to come to our guest house.”The Buddha consented with silence.The Buddha consented with silence.Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, the lay followers of Pāṭali Village rose from their seats, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right. Then they went to the guest house, where they spread carpets all over, prepared seats, set up a water jar, and placed an oil lamp. Then they went back to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and told him of their preparations, saying:Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, the lay followers of Pāṭali Village rose from their seats, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right. Then they went to the guest house, where they spread carpets all over, prepared seats, set up a water jar, and placed an oil lamp. Then they went back to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and told him of their preparations, saying:

“Please, sir, come at your convenience.”“Please, sir, come at your convenience.”In the morning, the Buddha robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the guest house together with the Saṅgha of mendicants. Having washed his feet, he entered the guest house and sat against the central column facing east.In the morning, the Buddha robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the guest house together with the Saṅgha of mendicants. Having washed his feet, he entered the guest house and sat against the central column facing east.The Saṅgha of mendicants also washed their feet, entered the guest house, and sat against the west wall facing east, with the Buddha right in front of them.The Saṅgha of mendicants also washed their feet, entered the guest house, and sat against the west wall facing east, with the Buddha right in front of them.

The lay followers of Pāṭali Village also washed their feet, entered the guest house, and sat against the east wall facing west, with the Buddha right in front of them.The lay followers of Pāṭali Village also washed their feet, entered the guest house, and sat against the east wall facing west, with the Buddha right in front of them.Then the Buddha addressed them:Then the Buddha addressed them:“Householders, there are these five drawbacks for an unethical person because of their failure in ethics.“Householders, there are these five drawbacks for an unethical person because of their failure in ethics.

What five?What five?Firstly, an unethical person loses great wealth on account of negligence.Firstly, an unethical person loses great wealth on account of negligence.This is the first drawback for an unethical person because of their failure in ethics.This is the first drawback for an unethical person because of their failure in ethics.

Furthermore, an unethical person gets a bad reputation.Furthermore, an unethical person gets a bad reputation.This is the second drawback.This is the second drawback.Furthermore, an unethical person enters any kind of assembly unconfident and embarrassed, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics.Furthermore, an unethical person enters any kind of assembly unconfident and embarrassed, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics.

This is the third drawback.This is the third drawback.Furthermore, an unethical person feels lost when they die.Furthermore, an unethical person feels lost when they die.This is the fourth drawback.This is the fourth drawback.

Furthermore, an unethical person, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.Furthermore, an unethical person, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.This is the fifth drawback.This is the fifth drawback.These are the five drawbacks for an unethical person because of their failure in ethics.These are the five drawbacks for an unethical person because of their failure in ethics.

6. The Benefits of Ethical Conduct6. The Benefits of Ethical Conduct

There are these five benefits for an ethical person because of their accomplishment in ethics.There are these five benefits for an ethical person because of their accomplishment in ethics.What five?What five?Firstly, an ethical person gains great wealth on account of diligence.Firstly, an ethical person gains great wealth on account of diligence.

This is the first benefit.This is the first benefit.Furthermore, an ethical person gets a good reputation.Furthermore, an ethical person gets a good reputation.This is the second benefit.This is the second benefit.

Furthermore, an ethical person enters any kind of assembly bold and self-assured, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics.Furthermore, an ethical person enters any kind of assembly bold and self-assured, whether it’s an assembly of aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics.This is the third benefit.This is the third benefit.Furthermore, an ethical person dies not feeling lost.Furthermore, an ethical person dies not feeling lost.

This is the fourth benefit.This is the fourth benefit.Furthermore, when an ethical person’s body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.Furthermore, when an ethical person’s body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.This is the fifth benefit.This is the fifth benefit.

These are the five benefits for an ethical person because of their accomplishment in ethics.”These are the five benefits for an ethical person because of their accomplishment in ethics.”The Buddha spent much of the night educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the lay followers of Pāṭali Village with a Dhamma talk. Then he sent them off,The Buddha spent much of the night educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the lay followers of Pāṭali Village with a Dhamma talk. Then he sent them off,“The night is getting late, householders. Please go at your convenience.”“The night is getting late, householders. Please go at your convenience.”

“Yes, sir,” replied the lay followers of Pāṭali Village. They got up from their seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before leaving.“Yes, sir,” replied the lay followers of Pāṭali Village. They got up from their seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before leaving.Soon after they left the Buddha entered a private cubicle.Soon after they left the Buddha entered a private cubicle.

7. Building a Citadel7. Building a Citadel

Now at that time the Magadhan chief ministers Sunidha and Vassakāra were building a citadel at Pāṭali Village to keep the Vajjis out.Now at that time the Magadhan chief ministers Sunidha and Vassakāra were building a citadel at Pāṭali Village to keep the Vajjis out.At that time thousands of deities were taking possession of building sites in Pāṭali Village.At that time thousands of deities were taking possession of building sites in Pāṭali Village.Illustrious rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by illustrious deities.Illustrious rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by illustrious deities.

Middling rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by middling deities.Middling rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by middling deities.Lesser rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by lesser deities.Lesser rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by lesser deities.With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha saw those deities taking possession of building sites in Pāṭali Village.With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha saw those deities taking possession of building sites in Pāṭali Village.

The Buddha rose at the crack of dawn and addressed Ānanda,The Buddha rose at the crack of dawn and addressed Ānanda,“Ānanda, who is building a citadel at Pāṭali Village?”“Ānanda, who is building a citadel at Pāṭali Village?”“Sir, the Magadhan ministers Sunidha and Vassakāra are building a citadel to keep the Vajjis out.”“Sir, the Magadhan ministers Sunidha and Vassakāra are building a citadel to keep the Vajjis out.”

“It’s as if they were building the citadel in consultation with the gods of the thirty-three.“It’s as if they were building the citadel in consultation with the gods of the thirty-three.With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, I saw those deities taking possession of building sites.With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, I saw those deities taking possession of building sites.Illustrious rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by illustrious deities.Illustrious rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by illustrious deities.

Middling rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by middling deities.Middling rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by middling deities.Lesser rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by lesser deities.Lesser rulers or royal ministers inclined to build houses at sites possessed by lesser deities.As far as the civilized region extends, as far as the trading zone extends, this will be the chief city: the Pāṭaliputta trade center.As far as the civilized region extends, as far as the trading zone extends, this will be the chief city: the Pāṭaliputta trade center.

But Pāṭaliputta will face three threats:But Pāṭaliputta will face three threats:from fire, flood, and dissension.”from fire, flood, and dissension.”