长部第 16 经（Sujato 英译）第 11 阅读页 · The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment · 11/14

When he said this, Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha:When he said this, Venerable Ānanda said to the Buddha:“Sir, please don’t be fully extinguished in this little hamlet, this jungle hamlet, this branch hamlet.“Sir, please don’t be fully extinguished in this little hamlet, this jungle hamlet, this branch hamlet.There are other great cities such asThere are other great cities such as

Campā, Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Sāketa, Kosambī, and Varanasi.Campā, Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Sāketa, Kosambī, and Varanasi.Let the Buddha be fully extinguished there.Let the Buddha be fully extinguished there.There are many well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders there who are devoted to the Buddha.There are many well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders there who are devoted to the Buddha.

They will perform the rites of venerating the Realized One’s corpse.”They will perform the rites of venerating the Realized One’s corpse.”“Don’t say that Ānanda! Don’t say that“Don’t say that Ānanda! Don’t say thatthis is a little hamlet, a jungle hamlet, a branch hamlet.this is a little hamlet, a jungle hamlet, a branch hamlet.

Once upon a time, there was a king named Mahāsudassana who was a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king. His dominion extended to all four sides, he achieved stability in the country, and he possessed the seven treasures.Once upon a time, there was a king named Mahāsudassana who was a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king. His dominion extended to all four sides, he achieved stability in the country, and he possessed the seven treasures.His capital was this Kusinārā, which at the time was named Kusāvatī.His capital was this Kusinārā, which at the time was named Kusāvatī.It stretched for twelve leagues from east to west, and seven leagues from north to south.It stretched for twelve leagues from east to west, and seven leagues from north to south.

The royal capital of Kusāvatī was successful and prosperous, populous and full of people, with plenty of food.The royal capital of Kusāvatī was successful and prosperous, populous and full of people, with plenty of food.It was just like Āḷakamandā, the royal capital of the gods, which is successful and prosperous, populous and full of spirits, with plenty of food.It was just like Āḷakamandā, the royal capital of the gods, which is successful and prosperous, populous and full of spirits, with plenty of food.Kusāvatī was never free of ten sounds by day or night, namely:Kusāvatī was never free of ten sounds by day or night, namely:

the sound of elephants, horses, chariots, drums, clay drums, arched harps, singing, horns, gongs, and handbells; and the cry: ‘Eat, drink, be merry!’ as the tenth.the sound of elephants, horses, chariots, drums, clay drums, arched harps, singing, horns, gongs, and handbells; and the cry: ‘Eat, drink, be merry!’ as the tenth.Go, Ānanda, into Kusinārā and inform the Mallas:Go, Ānanda, into Kusinārā and inform the Mallas:‘This very day, Vāseṭṭhas, in the last watch of the night, the Realized One will be fully extinguished.‘This very day, Vāseṭṭhas, in the last watch of the night, the Realized One will be fully extinguished.

Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas! Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas!Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas! Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas!Don’t regret it later, thinking:Don’t regret it later, thinking:“The Realized One became fully extinguished in our own village district, but we didn’t get a chance to see him in his final hour.”’”“The Realized One became fully extinguished in our own village district, but we didn’t get a chance to see him in his final hour.”’”

“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. Then he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kusinārā with a companion.“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. Then he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kusinārā with a companion.

33. The Mallas Pay Homage33. The Mallas Pay Homage

Now at that time the Mallas of Kusinārā were sitting together at the town hall on some business.Now at that time the Mallas of Kusinārā were sitting together at the town hall on some business.Ānanda went up to them, and announced:Ānanda went up to them, and announced:“This very day, Vāseṭṭhas, in the last watch of the night, the Realized One will be fully extinguished.“This very day, Vāseṭṭhas, in the last watch of the night, the Realized One will be fully extinguished.

Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas! Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas!Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas! Come forth, Vāseṭṭhas!Don’t regret it later, thinking:Don’t regret it later, thinking:‘The Realized One became fully extinguished in our own village district, but we didn’t get a chance to see him in his final hour.’”‘The Realized One became fully extinguished in our own village district, but we didn’t get a chance to see him in his final hour.’”

When they heard what Ānanda had to say, the Mallas, their sons, daughters-in-law, and wives became distraught, saddened, and grief-stricken. And some, with hair disheveled and arms raised, falling down like their feet were chopped off, rolling back and forth, lamented,When they heard what Ānanda had to say, the Mallas, their sons, daughters-in-law, and wives became distraught, saddened, and grief-stricken. And some, with hair disheveled and arms raised, falling down like their feet were chopped off, rolling back and forth, lamented,“Too soon the Blessed One will be fully extinguished! Too soon the Holy One will be fully extinguished! Too soon the Eye of the World will vanish!”“Too soon the Blessed One will be fully extinguished! Too soon the Holy One will be fully extinguished! Too soon the Eye of the World will vanish!”

Then the Mallas, their sons, daughters-in-law, and wives, distraught, saddened, and grief-stricken went to the Mallian sal grove at Upavattana and approached Ānanda.Then the Mallas, their sons, daughters-in-law, and wives, distraught, saddened, and grief-stricken went to the Mallian sal grove at Upavattana and approached Ānanda.Then Ānanda thought,Then Ānanda thought,“If I have the Mallas pay homage to the Buddha one by one, they won’t be finished before first light.“If I have the Mallas pay homage to the Buddha one by one, they won’t be finished before first light.

I’d better separate them family by family and then have them pay homage, saying:I’d better separate them family by family and then have them pay homage, saying:‘Sir, the Malla named so-and-so with children, wives, retinue, and ministers bows with his head to your feet.’”‘Sir, the Malla named so-and-so with children, wives, retinue, and ministers bows with his head to your feet.’”And so that’s what he did.And so that’s what he did.

So by this means Ānanda got the Mallas to finish paying homage to the Buddha in the first watch of the night.So by this means Ānanda got the Mallas to finish paying homage to the Buddha in the first watch of the night.

34. On Subhadda the Wanderer34. On Subhadda the Wanderer

Now at that time a wanderer named Subhadda was residing near Kusinārā.Now at that time a wanderer named Subhadda was residing near Kusinārā.He heard thatHe heard thaton that very day, in the last watch of the night, will be the full extinguishment of the ascetic Gotama.on that very day, in the last watch of the night, will be the full extinguishment of the ascetic Gotama.

He thought:He thought:“I have heard that brahmins of the past who were elderly and senior, the tutors of tutors, said:“I have heard that brahmins of the past who were elderly and senior, the tutors of tutors, said:‘Only rarely do Realized Ones arise in the world, perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas.’‘Only rarely do Realized Ones arise in the world, perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas.’

And this very day, in the last watch of the night, will be the full extinguishment of the ascetic Gotama.And this very day, in the last watch of the night, will be the full extinguishment of the ascetic Gotama.This state of uncertainty has come up in me.This state of uncertainty has come up in me.I am quite confident that the Buddha is capable of teaching me so that I can give up this state of uncertainty.”I am quite confident that the Buddha is capable of teaching me so that I can give up this state of uncertainty.”

Then Subhadda went to the Mallian sal grove at Upavattana, approached Ānanda, and said to him,Then Subhadda went to the Mallian sal grove at Upavattana, approached Ānanda, and said to him,“Worthy Ānanda, I have heard that brahmins of the past who were elderly and senior, the tutors of tutors, said:“Worthy Ānanda, I have heard that brahmins of the past who were elderly and senior, the tutors of tutors, said:‘Only rarely do Realized Ones arise in the world, perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas.’‘Only rarely do Realized Ones arise in the world, perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas.’

And this very day, in the last watch of the night, will be the full extinguishment of the ascetic Gotama.And this very day, in the last watch of the night, will be the full extinguishment of the ascetic Gotama.This state of uncertainty has come up in me.This state of uncertainty has come up in me.I am quite confident that the Buddha is capable of teaching me so that I can give up this state of uncertainty.I am quite confident that the Buddha is capable of teaching me so that I can give up this state of uncertainty.

Worthy Ānanda, please let me see the ascetic Gotama.”Worthy Ānanda, please let me see the ascetic Gotama.”When he had spoken, Ānanda said,When he had spoken, Ānanda said,“Enough, Reverend Subhadda, do not trouble the Realized One. He is tired.”“Enough, Reverend Subhadda, do not trouble the Realized One. He is tired.”

For a second time …For a second time …For a third time, Subhadda asked Ānanda, and a third time Ānanda refused.For a third time, Subhadda asked Ānanda, and a third time Ānanda refused.The Buddha heard that discussion between Ānanda and Subhadda.The Buddha heard that discussion between Ānanda and Subhadda.

He said to Ānanda,He said to Ānanda,“Enough, Ānanda, don’t obstruct Subhadda; let him see the Realized One.“Enough, Ānanda, don’t obstruct Subhadda; let him see the Realized One.For whatever he asks me, he will only be looking to understand, not to trouble me.For whatever he asks me, he will only be looking to understand, not to trouble me.

And he will quickly understand any answer I give to his question.”And he will quickly understand any answer I give to his question.”So Ānanda said to the wanderer Subhadda,So Ānanda said to the wanderer Subhadda,“Go, Reverend Subhadda, the Buddha is making time for you.”“Go, Reverend Subhadda, the Buddha is making time for you.”

Then the wanderer Subhadda went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:Then the wanderer Subhadda went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:“Worthy Gotama, there are those ascetics and brahmins who lead an order and a community, and tutor a community. They’re well-known and famous religious founders, deemed holy by many people.“Worthy Gotama, there are those ascetics and brahmins who lead an order and a community, and tutor a community. They’re well-known and famous religious founders, deemed holy by many people.

Namely: Pūraṇa Kassapa, the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla, Ajita of the hair blanket, Pakudha Kaccāyana, Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta, and the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan.Namely: Pūraṇa Kassapa, the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla, Ajita of the hair blanket, Pakudha Kaccāyana, Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta, and the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan.According to their own claims, did all of them have direct knowledge, or none of them, or only some?”According to their own claims, did all of them have direct knowledge, or none of them, or only some?”“Enough, Subhadda, let that be.“Enough, Subhadda, let that be.

I shall teach you the Dhamma.I shall teach you the Dhamma.Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”“Yes, sir,” Subhadda replied.“Yes, sir,” Subhadda replied.

The Buddha said this:The Buddha said this:“Subhadda, in whatever teaching and training the noble eightfold path is not found, there is no ascetic found, no second ascetic, no third ascetic, and no fourth ascetic.“Subhadda, in whatever teaching and training the noble eightfold path is not found, there is no ascetic found, no second ascetic, no third ascetic, and no fourth ascetic.In whatever teaching and training the noble eightfold path is found, there is an ascetic found, a second ascetic, a third ascetic, and a fourth ascetic.In whatever teaching and training the noble eightfold path is found, there is an ascetic found, a second ascetic, a third ascetic, and a fourth ascetic.

In this teaching and training the noble eightfold path is found. Only here is there an ascetic, here a second ascetic, here a third ascetic, and here a fourth ascetic. Other sects are empty of ascetics.In this teaching and training the noble eightfold path is found. Only here is there an ascetic, here a second ascetic, here a third ascetic, and here a fourth ascetic. Other sects are empty of ascetics.Were these mendicants to practice well, the world would not be empty of perfected ones.Were these mendicants to practice well, the world would not be empty of perfected ones.I was twenty-nine years of age, Subhadda,I was twenty-nine years of age, Subhadda,

when I went forth to discover what is skillful.when I went forth to discover what is skillful.It’s been over fifty yearsIt’s been over fifty yearssince I went forth.since I went forth.

Teacher of the references for the systematic teaching:Teacher of the references for the systematic teaching:outside of here there is no ascetic,outside of here there is no ascetic,no second ascetic,no second ascetic,

no third ascetic,no third ascetic,and no fourth ascetic.and no fourth ascetic.Other sects are empty of ascetics.Other sects are empty of ascetics.

Were these mendicants to practice well, the world would not be empty of perfected ones.”Were these mendicants to practice well, the world would not be empty of perfected ones.”When he had spoken, Subhadda said to the Buddha,When he had spoken, Subhadda said to the Buddha,“Excellent, sir! Excellent!“Excellent, sir! Excellent!

As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways.As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways.I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence?”Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence?”

“Subhadda, if someone formerly ordained in another sect wishes to take the going forth, the ordination in this teaching and training, they must spend four months on probation. When four months have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, they’ll give the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.“Subhadda, if someone formerly ordained in another sect wishes to take the going forth, the ordination in this teaching and training, they must spend four months on probation. When four months have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, they’ll give the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.However, I have recognized individual differences in this matter.”However, I have recognized individual differences in this matter.”

“Sir, if four months probation are required in such a case, I’ll spend four years on probation. When four years have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, let them give me the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.”“Sir, if four months probation are required in such a case, I’ll spend four years on probation. When four years have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, let them give me the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.”Then the Buddha said to Ānanda,Then the Buddha said to Ānanda,“Well then, Ānanda, give Subhadda the going forth.”“Well then, Ānanda, give Subhadda the going forth.”

“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.Then Subhadda said to Ānanda,Then Subhadda said to Ānanda,“You’re so fortunate, Reverand Ānanda, so very fortunate,“You’re so fortunate, Reverand Ānanda, so very fortunate,

to be anointed here in the Teacher’s presence as his pupil!”to be anointed here in the Teacher’s presence as his pupil!”And the wanderer Subhadda received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence.And the wanderer Subhadda received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence.Not long after his ordination, Venerable Subhadda, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.Not long after his ordination, Venerable Subhadda, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.”He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.”And Venerable Subhadda became one of the perfected.And Venerable Subhadda became one of the perfected.He was the last personal disciple of the Buddha.He was the last personal disciple of the Buddha.

The fifth recitation section.The fifth recitation section.

35. The Buddha’s Last Words35. The Buddha’s Last Words

Then the Buddha addressed Venerable Ānanda:Then the Buddha addressed Venerable Ānanda:“Now, Ānanda, some of you might think:“Now, Ānanda, some of you might think:‘The teacher’s dispensation has passed. Now we have no Teacher.’‘The teacher’s dispensation has passed. Now we have no Teacher.’

But you should not see it like this.But you should not see it like this.The teaching and training that I have taught and pointed out for you shall be your Teacher after my passing.The teaching and training that I have taught and pointed out for you shall be your Teacher after my passing.After my passing, mendicants ought not address each other as ‘reverend’, as they do today.After my passing, mendicants ought not address each other as ‘reverend’, as they do today.

A more senior mendicant ought to address a more junior mendicant by name or clan, or by saying ‘reverend’.A more senior mendicant ought to address a more junior mendicant by name or clan, or by saying ‘reverend’.A more junior mendicant ought to address a more senior mendicant using ‘sir’ or ‘venerable’.A more junior mendicant ought to address a more senior mendicant using ‘sir’ or ‘venerable’.If it wishes, after my passing the Saṅgha may abolish the lesser and minor training rules.If it wishes, after my passing the Saṅgha may abolish the lesser and minor training rules.