长部第 19 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · The Great Steward · 1/4

Long Discourses 19Long Discourses 19The Great StewardThe Great Steward

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.Then, late at night, the centaur Pañcasikha, lighting up the entire Vulture’s Peak, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,Then, late at night, the centaur Pañcasikha, lighting up the entire Vulture’s Peak, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,

“Sir, I would tell you of what I heard and learned directly from the gods of the thirty-three.”“Sir, I would tell you of what I heard and learned directly from the gods of the thirty-three.”“Tell me, Pañcasikha,” said the Buddha.“Tell me, Pañcasikha,” said the Buddha.

1. The Council of the Gods1. 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 invitation to admonish held at the end of 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 invitation to admonish held at the end of 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 outshine 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 outshine 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, full of rapture and happiness, saying,The gods of the thirty-three became even more 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!’

2. Eight Genuine Praises2. Eight Genuine Praises

Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed them,Seeing the joy of those gods, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed them,‘Gentlemen, would you like to hear eight genuine praises of the Buddha?’‘Gentlemen, would you like to hear eight genuine praises of the Buddha?’‘Indeed we would, sir.’‘Indeed we would, sir.’

Then Sakka proffered these eight genuine praises of the Buddha:Then Sakka proffered these eight genuine praises of the Buddha:‘What do the good gods of the thirty-three think?‘What do the good gods of the thirty-three think?How the Buddha has acted for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!How the Buddha has acted for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!

I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has such sympathy for the world, apart from the Buddha.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has such sympathy for the world, apart from the Buddha.Also, the Buddha has explained the teaching well—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.Also, the Buddha has explained the teaching well—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who explains such a relevant teaching, apart from the Buddha.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who explains such a relevant teaching, apart from the Buddha.

Also, the Buddha has well described what is skillful and what is unskillful,Also, the Buddha has well described what is skillful and what is unskillful,what is blameworthy and what is blameless, what should be cultivated and what should not be cultivated, what is inferior and what is superior, and what has a portion of dark or bright.what is blameworthy and what is blameless, what should be cultivated and what should not be cultivated, what is inferior and what is superior, and what has a portion of dark or bright.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes all these things, apart from the Buddha.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes all these things, apart from the Buddha.

Also, the Buddha has well described the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples. And extinguishment converges with the practice,Also, the Buddha has well described the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples. And extinguishment converges with the practice,as the waters of the Ganges join together and converge with the waters of the Yamunā.as the waters of the Ganges join together and converge with the waters of the Yamunā.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples, apart from the Buddha.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so clearly describes the practice that leads to extinguishment for his disciples, apart from the Buddha.

Also, possessions and popularity have accrued to the Buddha, so much that you’d think it would thrill even the aristocrats. But he takes his food free of vanity.Also, possessions and popularity have accrued to the Buddha, so much that you’d think it would thrill even the aristocrats. But he takes his food free of vanity.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who takes their food so free of vanity, apart from the Buddha.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who takes their food so free of vanity, apart from the Buddha.Also, the Buddha has gained companions, both trainees who are practicing, and those with defilements ended who have completed their journey.Also, the Buddha has gained companions, both trainees who are practicing, and those with defilements ended who have completed their journey.

The Buddha is committed to the joy of solitude, but doesn’t send them away.The Buddha is committed to the joy of solitude, but doesn’t send them away.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, so committed to the joy of solitude, apart from the Buddha.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, so committed to the joy of solitude, apart from the Buddha.Also, the Buddha does as he says, and says as he does, thus: he does as he says, and says as he does.Also, the Buddha does as he says, and says as he does, thus: he does as he says, and says as he does.

I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so practices in line with the teaching, apart from the Buddha.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who so practices in line with the teaching, apart from the Buddha.Also, the Buddha has gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision. He has achieved all he wished for regarding the fundamental goal of the spiritual life.Also, the Buddha has gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision. He has achieved all he wished for regarding the fundamental goal of the spiritual life.I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has achieved these things, apart from the Buddha.’I don’t see any Teacher, past or present, who has achieved these things, apart from the Buddha.’

These are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha proffered by Sakka.These are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha proffered by Sakka.Hearing them, the gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed.Hearing them, the gods of the thirty-three became even more uplifted and overjoyed.Then some gods thought,Then some gods thought,

‘If only four fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One!‘If only four fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One!That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’Other gods thought,Other gods thought,

‘Let alone four fully awakened Buddhas; if only three fully awakened Buddhas,‘Let alone four fully awakened Buddhas; if only three fully awakened Buddhas,or two fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One!or two fully awakened Buddhas might arise in the world and teach the Dhamma, just like the Blessed One!That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’

When they said this, Sakka said,When they said this, Sakka said,‘It is impossible, gentlemen, for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.‘It is impossible, gentlemen, for two perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas to arise in the same solar system at the same time.May that Blessed One be healthy and well, and remain with us for a long time!May that Blessed One be healthy and well, and remain with us for a long time!

That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!’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.

3. On Sanaṅkumāra3. 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.’When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he does so after manifesting in a solid life-form.When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he does so after manifesting in a solid life-form.

For a Divinity’s normal appearance is imperceptible in the visual range of the gods of the thirty-three.For a Divinity’s normal appearance is imperceptible in the visual range of the gods of the thirty-three.When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he outshines the other gods in beauty and glory,When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, he outshines the other gods in beauty and glory,as a golden statue outshines the human form.as a golden statue outshines the human form.

When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, not a single god in that assembly greets him by bowing down or rising up or inviting him to a seat.When the divinity Sanaṅkumāra appears to the gods of the thirty-three, not a single god in that assembly greets him by bowing down or rising up or inviting him to a seat.They all sit silently on their couches with their cupped palms raised, thinking,They all sit silently on their couches with their cupped palms raised, thinking,‘Now the divinity Sanaṅkumāra will sit on the couch of whatever god he chooses.’‘Now the divinity Sanaṅkumāra will sit on the couch of whatever god he chooses.’

And the god on whose couch the Divinity sits is overjoyed and brimming with happiness,And the god on whose couch the Divinity sits is overjoyed and brimming with happiness,like a king on the day of his coronation.like a king on the day of his coronation.Seeing the joy of those gods, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra celebrated with these verses:Seeing the joy of those gods, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra 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,