长部第 18 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · With Janavasabha · 1/3

Long Discourses 18Long Discourses 18With JanavasabhaWith Janavasabha1. Declaring the Rebirths of People From Ñātika and Elsewhere1. Declaring the Rebirths of People From Ñātika and Elsewhere

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying at Ñātika in the brick house.At one time the Buddha was staying at Ñātika in the brick house.Now at that time the Buddha was explaining the rebirths of devotees all over the nations; the Kāsis and Kosalans, Vajjis and Mallas, Cetīs and Vacchas, Kurus and Pañcālas, Macchas and Sūrasenas:Now at that time the Buddha was explaining the rebirths of devotees all over the nations; the Kāsis and Kosalans, Vajjis and Mallas, Cetīs and Vacchas, Kurus and Pañcālas, Macchas and Sūrasenas:

“This one was reborn here, while that one was reborn there.“This one was reborn here, while that one was reborn there.Over fifty devotees in Ñātika have passed away having ended the five lower fetters. They’ve been reborn spontaneously, and will be extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.Over fifty devotees in Ñātika have passed away having ended the five lower fetters. They’ve been reborn spontaneously, and will be extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.More than ninety devotees in Ñātika have passed away having ended three fetters, and weakened greed, hate, and delusion. They’re once-returners, who will come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.More than ninety devotees in Ñātika have passed away having ended three fetters, and weakened greed, hate, and delusion. They’re once-returners, who will come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.

More than five hundred devotees in Ñātika have passed away having ended three fetters. They’re stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”More than five hundred devotees in Ñātika have passed away having ended three fetters. They’re stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”When the devotees of Ñātika heard about the Buddha’sWhen the devotees of Ñātika heard about the Buddha’sanswers to those questions, they became uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness.answers to those questions, they became uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness.

Venerable Ānanda heard of the Buddha’s statements and the Ñātikans’ happiness.Venerable Ānanda heard of the Buddha’s statements and the Ñātikans’ happiness.

2. Ānanda’s Suggestion2. Ānanda’s Suggestion

Then Venerable Ānanda thought,Then Venerable Ānanda thought,“But there were also Magadhan devotees—many, and of long standing too—who have passed away.“But there were also Magadhan devotees—many, and of long standing too—who have passed away.You’d think that Aṅga and Magadha were empty of devotees who have passed away!You’d think that Aṅga and Magadha were empty of devotees who have passed away!

But they too had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled their ethics.But they too had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled their ethics.The Buddha hasn’t declared their passing.The Buddha hasn’t declared their passing.It would be good to do so, for many people would gain confidence, and so be reborn in a good place.It would be good to do so, for many people would gain confidence, and so be reborn in a good place.

That King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha was a just and principled king who benefited the brahmins and householders, and people of town and country.That King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha was a just and principled king who benefited the brahmins and householders, and people of town and country.People still sing his praises:People still sing his praises:‘That just and principled king, who made us so happy, has passed away. Life was good under his dominion.’‘That just and principled king, who made us so happy, has passed away. Life was good under his dominion.’

He too had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled his ethics.He too had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled his ethics.People say:People say:‘Until his dying day, King Bimbisāra sang the Buddha’s praises!’‘Until his dying day, King Bimbisāra sang the Buddha’s praises!’

The Buddha hasn’t declared his passing.The Buddha hasn’t declared his passing.It would be good to do so, for many people would gain confidence, and so be reborn in a good place.It would be good to do so, for many people would gain confidence, and so be reborn in a good place.Besides, the Buddha was awakened in Magadha;Besides, the Buddha was awakened in Magadha;

so why hasn’t he declared the rebirth of the Magadhan devotees?so why hasn’t he declared the rebirth of the Magadhan devotees?If he fails to do so, they will be disheartened.”If he fails to do so, they will be disheartened.”After pondering the fate of the Magadhan devotees alone in private, Ānanda rose at the crack of dawn and went to the Buddha. He bowed, sat down to one side, and told the Buddha of his concerns, finishing by saying,After pondering the fate of the Magadhan devotees alone in private, Ānanda rose at the crack of dawn and went to the Buddha. He bowed, sat down to one side, and told the Buddha of his concerns, finishing by saying,

“Why hasn’t the Buddha declared the rebirth of the Magadhan devotees? If he fails to do so, they will be disheartened.”“Why hasn’t the Buddha declared the rebirth of the Magadhan devotees? If he fails to do so, they will be disheartened.”Then Ānanda, after making this suggestion regarding the Magadhan devotees, rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.Then Ānanda, after making this suggestion regarding the Magadhan devotees, rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.Soon after Ānanda had left, the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Ñātika for alms.Soon after Ānanda had left, the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Ñātika for alms.

He wandered for alms in Ñātika. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he washed his feet and entered the brick house. He paid attention, applied the mind, and concentrated wholeheartedly on the fate of Magadhan devotees, and sat down on the seat spread out, thinking,He wandered for alms in Ñātika. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he washed his feet and entered the brick house. He paid attention, applied the mind, and concentrated wholeheartedly on the fate of Magadhan devotees, and sat down on the seat spread out, thinking,“I shall know their destiny, where they are reborn in the next life.”“I shall know their destiny, where they are reborn in the next life.”And he saw where they had been reborn.And he saw where they had been reborn.

Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat. Emerging from the brick house, he sat down on the seat spread out in the shade of the porch.Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat. Emerging from the brick house, he sat down on the seat spread out in the shade of the porch.Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,“Sir, you look so serene; your face seems to shine owing to the clarity of your faculties.“Sir, you look so serene; your face seems to shine owing to the clarity of your faculties.

Have you been abiding in a peaceful meditation today, sir?”Have you been abiding in a peaceful meditation today, sir?”The Buddha then recounted what had happened since speaking to Ānanda, revealing that he had seen the destiny of the Magadhan devotees. He continued:The Buddha then recounted what had happened since speaking to Ānanda, revealing that he had seen the destiny of the Magadhan devotees. He continued:

3. Janavasabha the Spirit3. Janavasabha the Spirit

“Then, Ānanda, an invisible spirit called out:“Then, Ānanda, an invisible spirit called out:‘I am Janavasabha, Blessed One!‘I am Janavasabha, Blessed One!I am Janavasabha, Holy One!’I am Janavasabha, Holy One!’

Ānanda, do you recall having previously heard such a name as Janavasabha?”Ānanda, do you recall having previously heard such a name as Janavasabha?”“No, worthy sir. But when I heard the word, I got goosebumps!“No, worthy sir. But when I heard the word, I got goosebumps!I thought,I thought,

‘This must be no ordinary spirit to bear such an exalted name as Janavasabha.’”‘This must be no ordinary spirit to bear such an exalted name as Janavasabha.’”“After making himself heard while invisible, Ānanda, an exceptionally beautiful spirit appeared in front of me.“After making himself heard while invisible, Ānanda, an exceptionally beautiful spirit appeared in front of me.And for a second time he called out:And for a second time he called out:

‘I am Bimbisāra, Blessed One!‘I am Bimbisāra, Blessed One!I am Bimbisāra, Holy One!I am Bimbisāra, Holy One!This is the seventh time I am reborn in the company of the Great King Vessavaṇa. When I pass away from here, I can become a king of men.This is the seventh time I am reborn in the company of the Great King Vessavaṇa. When I pass away from here, I can become a king of men.

Seven from here, seven from there—Seven from here, seven from there—fourteen transmigrations in all.fourteen transmigrations in all.I remember these livesI remember these lives

where I lived before.where I lived before.For a long time I’ve known that I won’t be reborn in the underworld, but that I still hope to become a once-returner.’For a long time I’ve known that I won’t be reborn in the underworld, but that I still hope to become a once-returner.’‘It’s incredible and amazing that you, the venerable spirit Janavasabha, should say:‘It’s incredible and amazing that you, the venerable spirit Janavasabha, should say:

“For a long time I’ve been aware that I won’t be reborn in the underworld” and also “But I still hope to become a once-returner.” But from what source do you know that you’ve achieved such a high distinction?’“For a long time I’ve been aware that I won’t be reborn in the underworld” and also “But I still hope to become a once-returner.” But from what source do you know that you’ve achieved such a high distinction?’‘None other than the Blessed One’s instruction! None other than the Holy One’s instruction!‘None other than the Blessed One’s instruction! None other than the Holy One’s instruction!From the day I had absolute devotion to the Buddha I have known that I won’t be reborn in the underworld, but that I still hope to become a once-returner.From the day I had absolute devotion to the Buddha I have known that I won’t be reborn in the underworld, but that I still hope to become a once-returner.

Just now, sir, I had been sent out by the great king Vessavaṇa to the great king Virūḷhaka’s presence on some business, and on the way I saw the Buddha giving his attention to the fate of the Magadhan devotees.Just now, sir, I had been sent out by the great king Vessavaṇa to the great king Virūḷhaka’s presence on some business, and on the way I saw the Buddha giving his attention to the fate of the Magadhan devotees.But it comes as no surprise that I have heard and learned the fate of the Magadhan devotees in the presence of the great king Vessavaṇa as he was speaking to his assembly.But it comes as no surprise that I have heard and learned the fate of the Magadhan devotees in the presence of the great king Vessavaṇa as he was speaking to his assembly.

It occurred to me,It occurred to me,“I shall see the Buddha and inform him of this.”“I shall see the Buddha and inform him of this.”These are the two reasons I’ve come to see the Buddha.These are the two reasons I’ve come to see the Buddha.

4. The Council of the Gods4. The Council of the Gods

Sir, it was more than a few days ago—on the fifteenth day sabbath on the full moon day at the entry to the rainy season—when all the gods of the thirty-three were sitting together in the Hall of Clear Right.Sir, it was more than a few days ago—on the fifteenth day sabbath on the full moon day at the entry to the rainy season—when all the gods of the thirty-three were sitting together in the Hall of Clear Right.A large assembly of gods was sitting all around, and the four great kings were seated at the four quarters.A large assembly of gods was sitting all around, and the four great kings were seated at the four quarters.The Great King Dhataraṭṭha was seated to the east, facing west, in front of his gods.The Great King Dhataraṭṭha was seated to the east, facing west, in front of his gods.

The Great King Virūḷhaka was seated to the south, facing north, in front of his gods.The Great King Virūḷhaka was seated to the south, facing north, in front of his gods.The Great King Virūpakkha was seated to the west, facing east, in front of his gods.The Great King Virūpakkha was seated to the west, facing east, in front of his gods.The Great King Vessavaṇa was seated to the north, facing south, in front of his gods.The Great King Vessavaṇa was seated to the north, facing south, in front of his gods.

When the gods of the thirty-three have a gathering like this, that is how they are seated.When the gods of the thirty-three have a gathering like this, that is how they are seated.After that come our seats.After that come our seats.Sir, those gods who had been recently reborn in the company of the thirty-three after leading the spiritual life under the Buddha outshone the other gods in beauty and glory.Sir, those gods who had been recently reborn in the company of the thirty-three after leading the spiritual life under the Buddha outshone the other gods in beauty and glory.

The gods of the thirty-three became uplifted and overjoyed at that, full of rapture and happiness, saying,The gods of the thirty-three became uplifted and overjoyed at that, full of rapture and happiness, saying,“The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!”“The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!”Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, celebrated with these verses:Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, celebrated with these verses:

“The gods rejoice—“The gods rejoice—the thirty-three with their Lord—the thirty-three with their Lord—revering the Realized One,revering the Realized One,

and the clear rightness of the teaching;and the clear rightness of the teaching;and seeing the new gods,and seeing the new gods,so beautiful and glorious,so beautiful and glorious,

who have come here after leadingwho have come here after leadingthe spiritual life under the Buddha!the spiritual life under the Buddha!They outshine the othersThey outshine the others

in beauty, glory, and lifespan.in beauty, glory, and lifespan.Here are the distinguished disciplesHere are the distinguished disciplesof he whose wisdom is vast.of he whose wisdom is vast.

Seeing this, they delight—Seeing this, they delight—the thirty-three with their Lord—the thirty-three with their Lord—revering the Realized One,revering the Realized One,

and the clear rightness of the teaching.”and the clear rightness of the teaching.”The gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed at that, saying:The gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed at that, saying:“The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!”“The heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle!”

Then the gods of the thirty-three, having considered and deliberated on the matter for which they were seated together in the Hall of Clear Right, advised and instructed the four great kings on the subject.Then the gods of the thirty-three, having considered and deliberated on the matter for which they were seated together in the Hall of Clear Right, advised and instructed the four great kings on the subject.Each one, having been advised, stood at his own seat without leaving.Each one, having been advised, stood at his own seat without leaving.The Kings were instructed,The Kings were instructed,

and heeded good advice.and heeded good advice.With clear and peaceful minds,With clear and peaceful minds,they stood by their own seats.they stood by their own seats.

Then in the northern quarter a magnificent light arose and radiance appeared, surpassing the glory of the gods.Then in the northern quarter a magnificent light arose and radiance appeared, surpassing the glory of the gods.Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the thirty-three,Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the thirty-three,“As indicated by the signs—light arising and radiance appearing—The Divinity will appear. For this is the harbinger for the appearance of the Divinity, namely light arising and radiance appearing.”“As indicated by the signs—light arising and radiance appearing—The Divinity will appear. For this is the harbinger for the appearance of the Divinity, namely light arising and radiance appearing.”

As indicated by the signs,As indicated by the signs,The Divinity will appear.The Divinity will appear.For this is the sign of the Divinity:For this is the sign of the Divinity:

a light vast and great.a light vast and great.

5. On Sanaṅkumāra5. On Sanaṅkumāra

Then the gods of the thirty-three sat in their own seats, saying,Then the gods of the thirty-three sat in their own seats, saying,“We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.”“We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.”And the four great kings did likewise.And the four great kings did likewise.

Hearing that, the gods of the thirty-three agreed in unison,Hearing that, the gods of the thirty-three agreed in unison,“We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.”“We shall find out what has caused that light, and only when we have realized it shall we go to it.”