长部第 19 经（Sujato 英译）第 2 阅读页 · The Great Steward · 2/4

and the clear rightness of the teaching!’and the clear rightness of the teaching!’That is the topic on which the divinity Sanaṅkumāra spoke.That is the topic on which the divinity Sanaṅkumāra spoke.And while he was speaking on that topic, his voice had eight qualities: it was clear, comprehensible, charming, audible, lucid, undistorted, deep, and resonant.And while he was speaking on that topic, his voice had eight qualities: it was clear, comprehensible, charming, audible, lucid, undistorted, deep, and resonant.

He makes sure his voice is intelligible as far as the assembly goes, but the sound doesn’t extend outside the assembly.He makes sure his voice is intelligible as far as the assembly goes, but the sound doesn’t extend outside the assembly.When someone has a voice like this, they’re said to have the voice of the Divinity.When someone has a voice like this, they’re said to have the voice of the Divinity.Then the gods of the thirty-three said to the divinity Sanaṅkumāra,Then the gods of the thirty-three said to the divinity Sanaṅkumāra,

‘Good, Great Divinity! Having appraised this, we rejoice.‘Good, Great Divinity! Having appraised this, we rejoice.And there are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha spoken by Sakka—And there are the eight genuine praises of the Buddha spoken by Sakka—having appraised them, too, we rejoice.’having appraised them, too, we rejoice.’

4. Eight Genuine Praises4. Eight Genuine Praises

Then the Divinity said to Sakka,Then the Divinity said to Sakka,‘It would be good, lord of gods, if I could also hear the eight genuine praises of the Buddha.’‘It would be good, lord of gods, if I could also hear the eight genuine praises of the Buddha.’Saying, ‘Yes, Great Divinity,’ Sakka repeated the eight genuine praises for him.Saying, ‘Yes, Great Divinity,’ Sakka repeated the eight genuine praises for him.

Hearing them, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra was uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness.Hearing them, the divinity Sanaṅkumāra was uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness.Then the divinity Sanaṅkumāra manifested in a solid life-form, taking on the appearance of the youth Pañcasikha, and appeared to the gods of the thirty-three.Then the divinity Sanaṅkumāra manifested in a solid life-form, taking on the appearance of the youth Pañcasikha, and appeared to the gods of the thirty-three.Rising into the air, he sat cross-legged in the sky,Rising into the air, he sat cross-legged in the sky,

like a strong man might sit cross-legged on a well-appointed couch or on level ground.like a strong man might sit cross-legged on a well-appointed couch or on level ground.There he addressed the gods of the thirty-three:There he addressed the gods of the thirty-three:

5. The Story of the Steward5. The Story of the Steward

‘What do the gods of the thirty-three think about the extent of the Buddha’s great wisdom?‘What do the gods of the thirty-three think about the extent of the Buddha’s great wisdom?Once upon a time, there was a king named Disampati.Once upon a time, there was a king named Disampati.He had a brahmin high priest named the Steward.He had a brahmin high priest named the Steward.

Disampati’s son was the prince named Reṇu,Disampati’s son was the prince named Reṇu,while the Steward’s son was the student named Jotipāla.while the Steward’s son was the student named Jotipāla.There were Reṇu the prince, Jotipāla the student, and six other aristocrats; these eight became friends.There were Reṇu the prince, Jotipāla the student, and six other aristocrats; these eight became friends.

In due course the brahmin Steward passed away.In due course the brahmin Steward passed away.At his passing, King Disampati lamented,At his passing, King Disampati lamented,“At a time when I have relinquished all my duties to the brahmin Steward and amuse myself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, he passes away!”“At a time when I have relinquished all my duties to the brahmin Steward and amuse myself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, he passes away!”

When he said this, Prince Reṇu said to him,When he said this, Prince Reṇu said to him,“Your Majesty, don’t lament too much at the Steward’s passing.“Your Majesty, don’t lament too much at the Steward’s passing.He has a son named Jotipāla, who is even more astute and expert than his father.He has a son named Jotipāla, who is even more astute and expert than his father.

He should manage the affairs that were managed by his father.”He should manage the affairs that were managed by his father.”“Is that so, my prince?”“Is that so, my prince?”“That is so, Your Majesty.”“That is so, Your Majesty.”

6. The Story of the Great Steward6. The Story of the Great Steward

So King Disampati addressed one of his men,So King Disampati addressed one of his men,“Please, my man, go to the student Jotipāla, and say to him,“Please, my man, go to the student Jotipāla, and say to him,‘Best wishes, Jotipāla! You are summoned by King Disampati; he wants to see you.’”‘Best wishes, Jotipāla! You are summoned by King Disampati; he wants to see you.’”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked.“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked.Then Jotipāla went to the king and exchanged greetings with him.Then Jotipāla went to the king and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him,When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him,

“May you, Jotipāla, manage my affairs—please don’t turn me down!“May you, Jotipāla, manage my affairs—please don’t turn me down!I shall appoint you to your father’s position, and anoint you as Steward.”I shall appoint you to your father’s position, and anoint you as Steward.”“Yes, worthy sir,” replied Jotipāla.“Yes, worthy sir,” replied Jotipāla.

So the king anointed him as Steward and appointed him to his father’s position.So the king anointed him as Steward and appointed him to his father’s position.After his appointment, the Steward Jotipāla managed both the affairs that his father had managed, and other affairs that his father had not managed.After his appointment, the Steward Jotipāla managed both the affairs that his father had managed, and other affairs that his father had not managed.He organized both the works that his father had organized, and other works that his father had not organized.He organized both the works that his father had organized, and other works that his father had not organized.

When people noticed this they said,When people noticed this they said,“The brahmin is indeed a Steward, a Great Steward!”“The brahmin is indeed a Steward, a Great Steward!”And that’s how the student Jotipāla came to be known as the Great Steward.And that’s how the student Jotipāla came to be known as the Great Steward.

6.1. Dividing the Realm6.1. Dividing the Realm

Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said,Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said,“King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live?“King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live?It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint Prince Reṇu as king.It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint Prince Reṇu as king.

Come, sirs, go to Prince Reṇu and say,Come, sirs, go to Prince Reṇu and say,‘Prince Reṇu, we are your friends, dear, beloved, and cherished. We have shared your joys and sorrows.‘Prince Reṇu, we are your friends, dear, beloved, and cherished. We have shared your joys and sorrows.King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live?King Disampati is old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. Who knows how long he has to live?

It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint you as king.It’s likely that when he passes away the king-makers will anoint you as king.If you should gain kingship, share it with us.’”If you should gain kingship, share it with us.’”“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to Prince Reṇu and put the proposal to him.“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to Prince Reṇu and put the proposal to him.

The prince replied, “Who else, sirs, in my realm ought to prosper if not you?The prince replied, “Who else, sirs, in my realm ought to prosper if not you?If I gain kingship, I will share it with you all.”If I gain kingship, I will share it with you all.”In due course King Disampati passed away.In due course King Disampati passed away.

At his passing, the king-makers anointed Prince Reṇu as king.At his passing, the king-makers anointed Prince Reṇu as king.But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said,Then the Great Steward went to the six aristocrats and said,

“King Disampati has passed away.“King Disampati has passed away.But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.But after being anointed, King Reṇu amused himself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.Who knows the intoxicating power of sensual pleasures?Who knows the intoxicating power of sensual pleasures?

Come, sirs, go to King Reṇu and say,Come, sirs, go to King Reṇu and say,‘Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?’”‘Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?’”“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to King Reṇu and said,“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the six aristocrats. They went to King Reṇu and said,

“Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?”“Worthy sir, King Disampati has passed away, and you have been anointed as king. Do you remember what you said?”“I remember, sirs.“I remember, sirs.Who is able to neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south?”Who is able to neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south?”

“Who else, sir, if not the Great Steward?”“Who else, sir, if not the Great Steward?”So King Reṇu addressed one of his men,So King Reṇu addressed one of his men,“Please, my man, go to the brahmin Great Steward and say that“Please, my man, go to the brahmin Great Steward and say that

King Reṇu summons him.”King Reṇu summons him.”“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked.“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied that man, and did as he was asked.Then the Great Steward went to the king and exchanged greetings with him.Then the Great Steward went to the king and exchanged greetings with him.

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him,When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the king said to him,“Come, let the good Steward neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south.”“Come, let the good Steward neatly divide into seven equal parts this great land, so broad in the north and narrow as the front of a cart in the south.”“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the Great Steward, and did as he was asked.“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the Great Steward, and did as he was asked.

All were arranged like the fronts of carts,All were arranged like the fronts of carts,and right in the middle was King Reṇu’s nation.and right in the middle was King Reṇu’s nation.Dantapura for the Kaliṅgas;Dantapura for the Kaliṅgas;

Potana for the Assakas;Potana for the Assakas;Māhissatī for the Avantis;Māhissatī for the Avantis;Roruka for the Sovīras;Roruka for the Sovīras;

Mithilā for the Videhas;Mithilā for the Videhas;Campā was laid out for the Aṅgas;Campā was laid out for the Aṅgas;and Varanasi for the Kāsis:and Varanasi for the Kāsis:

these were laid out by the Steward.these were laid out by the Steward.Then those six aristocrats were delighted with their respective gains, having achieved all they wished for,Then those six aristocrats were delighted with their respective gains, having achieved all they wished for,“We have received exactly what we wanted, what we wished for, what we desired, what we yearned for.”“We have received exactly what we wanted, what we wished for, what we desired, what we yearned for.”

Sattabhū and Brahmadatta,Sattabhū and Brahmadatta,Vessabhū and Bharata,Vessabhū and Bharata,Reṇu and the two Dhataraṭṭhas:Reṇu and the two Dhataraṭṭhas:

these were the seven Bhāratas.these were the seven Bhāratas.The first recitation section is complete.The first recitation section is complete.

6.2. A Good Reputation6.2. A Good Reputation

Then the six aristocrats approached the Great Steward and said,Then the six aristocrats approached the Great Steward and said,“Steward, just as you are King Reṇu’s friend, dear, beloved, and cherished,“Steward, just as you are King Reṇu’s friend, dear, beloved, and cherished,you are also our friend.you are also our friend.

Would you manage our affairs? Please don’t turn us down!”Would you manage our affairs? Please don’t turn us down!”“Yes, worthy sirs,” replied the Great Steward.“Yes, worthy sirs,” replied the Great Steward.Then the Great Steward managed the realms of the seven kings. And he taught seven well-to-do brahmins, and seven hundred bathed initiates to recite the hymns.Then the Great Steward managed the realms of the seven kings. And he taught seven well-to-do brahmins, and seven hundred bathed initiates to recite the hymns.

After some time he got this good reputation,After some time he got this good reputation,“The Great Steward sees the Divinity in person! The Great Steward discusses, converses, and consults with the Divinity in person!”“The Great Steward sees the Divinity in person! The Great Steward discusses, converses, and consults with the Divinity in person!”The Great Steward thought,The Great Steward thought,

“I have the reputation“I have the reputationof seeing the Divinity in person, and discussing with him in person.of seeing the Divinity in person, and discussing with him in person.But I don’t.But I don’t.

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:‘Whoever goes on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practices the absorption on compassion sees the Divinity and discusses with him.’‘Whoever goes on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practices the absorption on compassion sees the Divinity and discusses with him.’Why don’t I do that?”Why don’t I do that?”

So the Great Steward went to King Reṇu and told him of the situation, saying,So the Great Steward went to King Reṇu and told him of the situation, saying,“Sir, I wish to go on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practice the absorption on compassion.“Sir, I wish to go on retreat for the four months of the rainy season and practice the absorption on compassion.No one should approach me, except the one who serves my meal.”No one should approach me, except the one who serves my meal.”