长部第 17 经（Sujato 英译）第 3 阅读页 · King Mahāsudassana · 3/3

And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.When the palace and its lotus pond were finished, King Mahāsudassana served those who were deemed true ascetics and brahmins with all they desired. Then he ascended the Palace of Principle.When the palace and its lotus pond were finished, King Mahāsudassana served those who were deemed true ascetics and brahmins with all they desired. Then he ascended the Palace of Principle.The first recitation section.The first recitation section.

5. Attaining Absorption5. Attaining Absorption

Then King Mahāsudassana thought,Then King Mahāsudassana thought,‘Of what deed of mine is this the fruit and result, that I am now so mighty and powerful?’‘Of what deed of mine is this the fruit and result, that I am now so mighty and powerful?’Then King Mahāsudassana thought,Then King Mahāsudassana thought,

‘It is the fruit and result of three kinds of deeds:‘It is the fruit and result of three kinds of deeds:giving, self-control, and restraint.’giving, self-control, and restraint.’Then he went to the Chamber of the Grand Tower, stood at the door, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment:Then he went to the Chamber of the Grand Tower, stood at the door, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

‘Stop here, sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts—‘Stop here, sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts—no further!’no further!’Then he entered the Chamber of the Grand Tower and sat on the golden couch. Quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, he entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.Then he entered the Chamber of the Grand Tower and sat on the golden couch. Quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, he entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected were stilled, he entered and remained in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected were stilled, he entered and remained in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.And with the fading away of rapture, he entered and remained in the third absorption, where he meditated with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’And with the fading away of rapture, he entered and remained in the third absorption, where he meditated with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, he entered and remained in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, he entered and remained in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.Then King Mahāsudassana left the Chamber of the Grand Tower and entered the golden chamber, where he sat on the golden couch.Then King Mahāsudassana left the Chamber of the Grand Tower and entered the golden chamber, where he sat on the golden couch.He meditated spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way he spread a heart full of love above, below, across, everywhere, all around, to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.He meditated spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way he spread a heart full of love above, below, across, everywhere, all around, to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.

He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion …He meditated spreading a heart full of compassion …He meditated spreading a heart full of rejoicing …He meditated spreading a heart full of rejoicing …He meditated spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.He meditated spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, he spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.

6. Of All Cities6. Of All Cities

King Mahāsudassana had 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī the foremost.King Mahāsudassana had 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī the foremost.He had 84,000 palaces, with the Palace of Principle the foremost.He had 84,000 palaces, with the Palace of Principle the foremost.He had 84,000 chambers, with the Chamber of the Grand Tower the foremost.He had 84,000 chambers, with the Chamber of the Grand Tower the foremost.

He had 84,000 couches made of gold, silver, ivory, and hardwood. They were spread with woollen covers—shag-piled, pure white, or embroidered with flowers—and spread with a fine deer hide, with a canopy above and red pillows at both ends.He had 84,000 couches made of gold, silver, ivory, and hardwood. They were spread with woollen covers—shag-piled, pure white, or embroidered with flowers—and spread with a fine deer hide, with a canopy above and red pillows at both ends.He had 84,000 bull elephants with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal bull elephant named Sabbath foremost.He had 84,000 bull elephants with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal bull elephant named Sabbath foremost.

He had 84,000 horses with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal steed named Thundercloud foremost.He had 84,000 horses with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the royal steed named Thundercloud foremost.He had 84,000 chariots upholstered with the hide of lions, tigers, and leopards, and cream rugs, with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the chariot named Triumph foremost.He had 84,000 chariots upholstered with the hide of lions, tigers, and leopards, and cream rugs, with gold adornments and banners, covered with snow gold netting, with the chariot named Triumph foremost.He had 84,000 jewels, with the jewel-treasure foremost.He had 84,000 jewels, with the jewel-treasure foremost.

He had 84,000 women, with Queen Subhaddā foremost.He had 84,000 women, with Queen Subhaddā foremost.He had 84,000 householders, with the householder-treasure foremost.He had 84,000 householders, with the householder-treasure foremost.He had 84,000 aristocrat vassals, with the commander-treasure foremost.He had 84,000 aristocrat vassals, with the commander-treasure foremost.

He had 84,000 milk-cows with silken halter and bronze pails.He had 84,000 milk-cows with silken halter and bronze pails.He had 8,400,000,000 cloths of delicate linen, cotton, silk, and wool.He had 8,400,000,000 cloths of delicate linen, cotton, silk, and wool.He had 84,000 servings of food, which were presented to him as offerings at daybreak and dusk.He had 84,000 servings of food, which were presented to him as offerings at daybreak and dusk.

Now at that time his 84,000 royal elephants came to attend on him at daybreak and dusk.Now at that time his 84,000 royal elephants came to attend on him at daybreak and dusk.Then King Mahāsudassana thought,Then King Mahāsudassana thought,‘What if instead half of the elephants took turns to attend on me at the end of each century?’‘What if instead half of the elephants took turns to attend on me at the end of each century?’

He instructed the commander-treasure to do this, and so it was done.He instructed the commander-treasure to do this, and so it was done.

7. The Visit of Queen Subhaddā7. The Visit of Queen Subhaddā

Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, Queen Subhaddā thought,Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, Queen Subhaddā thought,‘It is long since I have seen the king. Why don’t I go to see him?’‘It is long since I have seen the king. Why don’t I go to see him?’So the queen addressed the ladies of the harem,So the queen addressed the ladies of the harem,

‘Come, bathe your heads and dress in yellow.‘Come, bathe your heads and dress in yellow.It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’‘Yes, ma’am,’ replied the ladies of the harem. They did as she asked and returned to the queen.‘Yes, ma’am,’ replied the ladies of the harem. They did as she asked and returned to the queen.

Then the queen addressed the commander-treasure,Then the queen addressed the commander-treasure,‘Dear commander-treasure, please ready the army of four divisions. It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’‘Dear commander-treasure, please ready the army of four divisions. It is long since we saw the king, and we shall go to see him.’‘Yes, my queen,’ he replied, and did as he was asked. He informed the queen,‘Yes, my queen,’ he replied, and did as he was asked. He informed the queen,

‘My queen, the army of four divisions is ready,‘My queen, the army of four divisions is ready,please go at your convenience.’please go at your convenience.’Then Queen Subhaddā together with the ladies of the harem went with the army to the Palace of Principle. She ascended the palace and went to the Chamber of the Grand Tower,Then Queen Subhaddā together with the ladies of the harem went with the army to the Palace of Principle. She ascended the palace and went to the Chamber of the Grand Tower,

where she stood leaning against a door-post.where she stood leaning against a door-post.Hearing them, the king thought,Hearing them, the king thought,‘What’s that, it sounds like a big crowd!’ Coming out of the chamber he saw Queen Subhaddā leaning against a door-post and said to her,‘What’s that, it sounds like a big crowd!’ Coming out of the chamber he saw Queen Subhaddā leaning against a door-post and said to her,

‘Please stay there, my queen, don’t enter in here.’‘Please stay there, my queen, don’t enter in here.’Then he addressed a certain man,Then he addressed a certain man,‘Come, my man, bring the golden couch from the Chamber of the Grand Tower and set it up in the golden palm grove.’‘Come, my man, bring the golden couch from the Chamber of the Grand Tower and set it up in the golden palm grove.’

‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ that man replied, and did as he was asked.‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ that man replied, and did as he was asked.The king laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware.The king laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware.Then Queen Subhaddā thought,Then Queen Subhaddā thought,

‘The king’s faculties are so very clear, and the complexion of his skin is pure and bright. Let him not pass away!’ She said to him,‘The king’s faculties are so very clear, and the complexion of his skin is pure and bright. Let him not pass away!’ She said to him,‘Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.‘Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.Arouse desire for these! Take an interest in life!’Arouse desire for these! Take an interest in life!’

And she likewise urged the king to live on by taking an interest in all his possessions as described above.And she likewise urged the king to live on by taking an interest in all his possessions as described above.When the queen had spoken, the king said to her,When the queen had spoken, the king said to her,‘For a long time, my queen, you have spoken to me with words that are welcome, desirable, agreeable, and pleasant.‘For a long time, my queen, you have spoken to me with words that are welcome, desirable, agreeable, and pleasant.

And yet in my final hour, your words are unwelcome, undesirable, disagreeable, and unpleasant!’And yet in my final hour, your words are unwelcome, undesirable, disagreeable, and unpleasant!’‘So how then, Your Majesty, am I to speak to you?’‘So how then, Your Majesty, am I to speak to you?’‘Like this, my queen:‘Like this, my queen:

“Your Majesty, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.“Your Majesty, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!”’Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!”’

And so on for all the king’s possessions.And so on for all the king’s possessions.When the king had spoken, Queen Subhaddā cried and burst out in tears.When the king had spoken, Queen Subhaddā cried and burst out in tears.Wiping away her tears, the queen said to the king:Wiping away her tears, the queen said to the king:

‘Your Majesty, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.‘Your Majesty, we must be parted and separated from all we hold dear and beloved. Don’t pass away with concerns. Such concern is suffering, and it’s criticized.Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.Your Majesty, you have 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost.Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!’Give up desire for these! Take no interest in life!’

And she continued, listing all the king’s possessions.And she continued, listing all the king’s possessions.

8. Rebirth in the Realm of Divinity8. Rebirth in the Realm of Divinity

Not long after that, King Mahāsudassana passed away.Not long after that, King Mahāsudassana passed away.And the feeling he had close to death was like a householder or their child falling asleep after eating a satisfying meal.And the feeling he had close to death was like a householder or their child falling asleep after eating a satisfying meal.When he passed away King Mahāsudassana was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity.When he passed away King Mahāsudassana was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity.

Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana played children’s games for 84,000 years.Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana played children’s games for 84,000 years.He ruled as viceroy for 84,000 years.He ruled as viceroy for 84,000 years.He ruled as king for 84,000 years.He ruled as king for 84,000 years.

He led the spiritual life as a layman in the Palace of Principle for 84,000 years.He led the spiritual life as a layman in the Palace of Principle for 84,000 years.And having developed the four divine meditations, when his body broke up, after death, he was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity.And having developed the four divine meditations, when his body broke up, after death, he was reborn in a good place, a realm of divinity.Now, Ānanda, you might think:Now, Ānanda, you might think:

‘Surely King Mahāsudassana must have been someone else at that time?’‘Surely King Mahāsudassana must have been someone else at that time?’But you should not see it like that. I myself was King Mahāsudassana at that time.But you should not see it like that. I myself was King Mahāsudassana at that time.Mine were the 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. And mine were all the other possessions.Mine were the 84,000 cities, with the royal capital of Kusāvatī foremost. And mine were all the other possessions.

Of those 84,000 cities, I only stayed in one, the capital Kusāvatī.Of those 84,000 cities, I only stayed in one, the capital Kusāvatī.Of those 84,000 palaces, I only dwelt in one, the Palace of Principle.Of those 84,000 palaces, I only dwelt in one, the Palace of Principle.Of those 84,000 chambers, I only dwelt in the Chamber of the Grand Tower.Of those 84,000 chambers, I only dwelt in the Chamber of the Grand Tower.

Of those 84,000 couches, I only used one, made of gold or silver or ivory or heartwood.Of those 84,000 couches, I only used one, made of gold or silver or ivory or heartwood.Of those 84,000 bull elephants, I only rode one, the royal bull elephant named Sabbath.Of those 84,000 bull elephants, I only rode one, the royal bull elephant named Sabbath.Of those 84,000 horses, I only rode one, the royal horse named Thundercloud.Of those 84,000 horses, I only rode one, the royal horse named Thundercloud.

Of those 84,000 chariots, I only rode one, the chariot named Triumph.Of those 84,000 chariots, I only rode one, the chariot named Triumph.Of those 84,000 women, I was only served by one, an aristocrat maiden or a coquette.Of those 84,000 women, I was only served by one, an aristocrat maiden or a coquette.Of those 8,400,000,000 cloths, I only wore one pair, made of delicate linen, cotton, silk, or wool.Of those 8,400,000,000 cloths, I only wore one pair, made of delicate linen, cotton, silk, or wool.

Of those 84,000 servings of food, I only had one, eating at most a cup of rice with suitable sauce.Of those 84,000 servings of food, I only had one, eating at most a cup of rice with suitable sauce.See, Ānanda! All those conditioned phenomena have passed, ceased, and perished.See, Ānanda! All those conditioned phenomena have passed, ceased, and perished.So impermanent are conditions,So impermanent are conditions,

so unstable are conditions,so unstable are conditions,so unreliable are conditions.so unreliable are conditions.This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.

Six times, Ānanda, I recall having laid down my body at this place. And the seventh time was as a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king, at which time my dominion extended to all four sides, I achieved stability in the country, and I possessed the seven treasures.Six times, Ānanda, I recall having laid down my body at this place. And the seventh time was as a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king, at which time my dominion extended to all four sides, I achieved stability in the country, and I possessed the seven treasures.But Ānanda, I do not see any place in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans where the Realized One would lay down his body for the eighth time.”But Ānanda, I do not see any place in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans where the Realized One would lay down his body for the eighth time.”

That is what the Buddha said.That is what the Buddha said.Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:“Oh! Conditions are impermanent,“Oh! Conditions are impermanent,

their nature is to rise and fall;their nature is to rise and fall;having arisen, they cease;having arisen, they cease;their settling is such bliss.”their settling is such bliss.”