长部第 2 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · The Fruits of the Ascetic Life · 1/5

Long Discourses 2Long Discourses 2The Fruits of the Ascetic LifeThe Fruits of the Ascetic Life1. A Discussion With the King’s Ministers1. A Discussion With the King’s Ministers

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Mango Grove of Jīvaka Komārabhacca, together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Mango Grove of Jīvaka Komārabhacca, together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants.Now, at that time it was the sabbath—the Komudī full moon on the fifteenth day of the fourth month—and King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, was sitting upstairs in the royal longhouse surrounded by his ministers.Now, at that time it was the sabbath—the Komudī full moon on the fifteenth day of the fourth month—and King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, was sitting upstairs in the royal longhouse surrounded by his ministers.

Then Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, expressed this heartfelt sentiment,Then Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, expressed this heartfelt sentiment,“Oh, sirs, this moonlit night is so very delightful, so beautiful, so glorious, so lovely, so striking.“Oh, sirs, this moonlit night is so very delightful, so beautiful, so glorious, so lovely, so striking.Now, what ascetic or brahmin might I pay homage to today, paying homage to whom my mind might find peace?”Now, what ascetic or brahmin might I pay homage to today, paying homage to whom my mind might find peace?”

When he had spoken, one of the king’s ministers said to him,When he had spoken, one of the king’s ministers said to him,“Your Majesty, this Pūraṇa Kassapa leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.“Your Majesty, this Pūraṇa Kassapa leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.

Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.Another of the king’s ministers said to him,Another of the king’s ministers said to him,

“Your Majesty, this bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.“Your Majesty, this bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”

But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.Another of the king’s ministers said to him,Another of the king’s ministers said to him,“Your Majesty, this Ajita of the hair blanket leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.“Your Majesty, this Ajita of the hair blanket leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.

Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.

Another of the king’s ministers said to him,Another of the king’s ministers said to him,“Your Majesty, this Pakudha Kaccāyana leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.“Your Majesty, this Pakudha Kaccāyana leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.

Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.Another of the king’s ministers said to him,Another of the king’s ministers said to him,

“Your Majesty, this Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.“Your Majesty, this Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”

But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.Another of the king’s ministers said to him,Another of the king’s ministers said to him,“Your Majesty, this Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.“Your Majesty, this Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan leads an order and a community, and tutors a community. He’s a well-known and famous religious founder, deemed holy by many people. He is of long standing, long gone forth; he is advanced in years and has reached the final stage of life.

Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.But when he had spoken, the king kept silent.

2. A Discussion With Jīvaka Komārabhacca2. A Discussion With Jīvaka Komārabhacca

Now at that time Jīvaka Komārabhacca was sitting silently not far from the king.Now at that time Jīvaka Komārabhacca was sitting silently not far from the king.Then the king said to him,Then the king said to him,“But my dear Jīvaka, why are you silent?”“But my dear Jīvaka, why are you silent?”

“Your Majesty, this Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is staying in my mango grove together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants.“Your Majesty, this Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is staying in my mango grove together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants.He has this good reputation:He has this good reputation:‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’

Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Let Your Majesty pay homage to him.Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”Hopefully in so doing your mind will find peace.”“Well then, my dear Jīvaka, have the elephants readied.”“Well then, my dear Jīvaka, have the elephants readied.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Jīvaka. He had around five hundred female elephants readied, in addition to the king’s bull elephant for riding. Then he informed the king,“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Jīvaka. He had around five hundred female elephants readied, in addition to the king’s bull elephant for riding. Then he informed the king,“The elephants are ready, Your Majesty.“The elephants are ready, Your Majesty.Please go at your convenience.”Please go at your convenience.”

Then King Ajātasattu had women mounted on each of the five hundred female elephants, while he mounted his bull elephant. With attendants carrying torches, he set out in full royal pomp from Rājagaha to Jīvaka’s Mango Grove.Then King Ajātasattu had women mounted on each of the five hundred female elephants, while he mounted his bull elephant. With attendants carrying torches, he set out in full royal pomp from Rājagaha to Jīvaka’s Mango Grove.But as he drew near the mango grove, the king became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end.But as he drew near the mango grove, the king became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end.He said to Jīvaka,He said to Jīvaka,

“My dear Jīvaka, I hope you’re not deceiving me!“My dear Jīvaka, I hope you’re not deceiving me!I hope you’re not betraying me!I hope you’re not betraying me!I hope you’re not turning me over to my enemies!I hope you’re not turning me over to my enemies!

For how on earth can there be no sound of coughing or clearing throats or any noise in such a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants?”For how on earth can there be no sound of coughing or clearing throats or any noise in such a large Saṅgha of 1,250 mendicants?”“Do not fear, Great King, do not fear!“Do not fear, Great King, do not fear!I am not deceiving you,I am not deceiving you,

or betraying you,or betraying you,or turning you over to your enemies.or turning you over to your enemies.Go forward, Great King, go forward! Those are lamps shining in the pavilion.”Go forward, Great King, go forward! Those are lamps shining in the pavilion.”

3. The Question About the Fruits of the Ascetic Life3. The Question About the Fruits of the Ascetic Life

Then King Ajātasattu rode on the elephant as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and approached the pavilion door on foot, where he asked Jīvaka,Then King Ajātasattu rode on the elephant as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and approached the pavilion door on foot, where he asked Jīvaka,“But my dear Jīvaka, where is the Buddha?”“But my dear Jīvaka, where is the Buddha?”“That is the Buddha, Great King, that is the Buddha!“That is the Buddha, Great King, that is the Buddha!

He’s sitting against the central column facing east, in front of the Saṅgha of mendicants.”He’s sitting against the central column facing east, in front of the Saṅgha of mendicants.”Then the king went up to the Buddha and stood to one side.Then the king went up to the Buddha and stood to one side.He looked around the Saṅgha of mendicants, who were so very silent, like a still, clear lake, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment,He looked around the Saṅgha of mendicants, who were so very silent, like a still, clear lake, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment,

“May my son, Prince Udāyibhadda, be blessed with such peace as the Saṅgha of mendicants now enjoys!”“May my son, Prince Udāyibhadda, be blessed with such peace as the Saṅgha of mendicants now enjoys!”“Has your mind gone to one you love, Great King?”“Has your mind gone to one you love, Great King?”“I love my son, sir, Prince Udāyibhadda.“I love my son, sir, Prince Udāyibhadda.

May he be blessed with such peace as the Saṅgha of mendicants now enjoys!”May he be blessed with such peace as the Saṅgha of mendicants now enjoys!”Then the king bowed to the Buddha, raised his cupped palms toward the Saṅgha, and sat down to one side.Then the king bowed to the Buddha, raised his cupped palms toward the Saṅgha, and sat down to one side.He said to the Buddha,He said to the Buddha,

“Sir, I’d like to ask you about a certain point, if you’d take the time to answer.”“Sir, I’d like to ask you about a certain point, if you’d take the time to answer.”“Ask what you wish, Great King.”“Ask what you wish, Great King.”“Sir, there are many different professional fields.“Sir, there are many different professional fields.

These include elephant marshals, cavalry, charioteers, archers, bannermen, adjutants, food servers, warrior-chiefs, princes, chargers, great warriors, heroes, leather-clad soldiers, and sons of bondservants.These include elephant marshals, cavalry, charioteers, archers, bannermen, adjutants, food servers, warrior-chiefs, princes, chargers, great warriors, heroes, leather-clad soldiers, and sons of bondservants.They also include bakers, barbers, bathroom attendants, cooks, garland-makers, dyers, embroiderers, basket-makers, potters, accountants, finger-talliers, or those following any similar professions. All these live off the fruits of their profession which are apparent in this very life.They also include bakers, barbers, bathroom attendants, cooks, garland-makers, dyers, embroiderers, basket-makers, potters, accountants, finger-talliers, or those following any similar professions. All these live off the fruits of their profession which are apparent in this very life.

With that they make themselves happy and pleased. They make their parents, their children and partners, and their friends and colleagues happy and pleased. And they establish an uplifting religious donation for ascetics and brahmins that’s conducive to heaven, ripens in happiness, and leads to heaven.With that they make themselves happy and pleased. They make their parents, their children and partners, and their friends and colleagues happy and pleased. And they establish an uplifting religious donation for ascetics and brahmins that’s conducive to heaven, ripens in happiness, and leads to heaven.Sir, can you point out a fruit of the ascetic life that’s likewise apparent in this very life?”Sir, can you point out a fruit of the ascetic life that’s likewise apparent in this very life?”

“Great king, do you recall having asked this question of other ascetics and brahmins?”“Great king, do you recall having asked this question of other ascetics and brahmins?”“I do, sir.”“I do, sir.”“If you wouldn’t mind, Great King, tell me how they answered.”“If you wouldn’t mind, Great King, tell me how they answered.”

“It’s no trouble when someone such as the Blessed One is sitting here.”“It’s no trouble when someone such as the Blessed One is sitting here.”“Well, speak then, Great King.”“Well, speak then, Great King.”

3.1. The Doctrine of Pūraṇa Kassapa3.1. The Doctrine of Pūraṇa Kassapa

“This one time, sir, I approached Pūraṇa Kassapa and exchanged greetings with him.“This one time, sir, I approached Pūraṇa Kassapa and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, I sat down to one side, and asked him the same question.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, I sat down to one side, and asked him the same question.He said to me:He said to me:

‘Great king, the one who acts does nothing wrong when they punish, mutilate, torture, aggrieve, oppress, intimidate, or when they encourage others to do the same. They do nothing wrong when they kill, steal, break into houses, plunder wealth, steal from isolated buildings, commit highway robbery, commit adultery, and lie. If you were to reduce all the living creatures of this earth to one heap and mass of flesh with a razor-edged chakram, no evil comes of that, and no outcome of evil.‘Great king, the one who acts does nothing wrong when they punish, mutilate, torture, aggrieve, oppress, intimidate, or when they encourage others to do the same. They do nothing wrong when they kill, steal, break into houses, plunder wealth, steal from isolated buildings, commit highway robbery, commit adultery, and lie. If you were to reduce all the living creatures of this earth to one heap and mass of flesh with a razor-edged chakram, no evil comes of that, and no outcome of evil.

If you were to go along the south bank of the Ganges killing, mutilating, and torturing, and encouraging others to do the same, no evil comes of that, and no outcome of evil.If you were to go along the south bank of the Ganges killing, mutilating, and torturing, and encouraging others to do the same, no evil comes of that, and no outcome of evil.If you were to go along the north bank of the Ganges giving and sacrificing and encouraging others to do the same, no merit comes of that, and no outcome of merit.If you were to go along the north bank of the Ganges giving and sacrificing and encouraging others to do the same, no merit comes of that, and no outcome of merit.In giving, self-control, restraint, and truthfulness there is no merit or outcome of merit.’In giving, self-control, restraint, and truthfulness there is no merit or outcome of merit.’

And so, when I asked Pūraṇa Kassapa about the fruits of the ascetic life apparent in the present life, he answered with the doctrine of inaction.And so, when I asked Pūraṇa Kassapa about the fruits of the ascetic life apparent in the present life, he answered with the doctrine of inaction.It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.I thought:I thought:

‘How on earth could one such as I presume to rebuke an ascetic or brahmin living in my realm?’‘How on earth could one such as I presume to rebuke an ascetic or brahmin living in my realm?’So I neither approved nor rejected that statement of Pūraṇa Kassapa.So I neither approved nor rejected that statement of Pūraṇa Kassapa.I was displeased, but did not express my displeasure. Neither accepting what he said nor contradicting it, I rose from my seat and left.I was displeased, but did not express my displeasure. Neither accepting what he said nor contradicting it, I rose from my seat and left.

3.2. The Doctrine of the Bamboo-staffed Ascetic Gosāla3.2. The Doctrine of the Bamboo-staffed Ascetic Gosāla

This one time, sir, I approached the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla and exchanged greetings with him.This one time, sir, I approached the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, I sat down to one side, and asked him the same question.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, I sat down to one side, and asked him the same question.He said:He said:

‘Great king, there is no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings. Sentient beings are corrupted without cause or reason.‘Great king, there is no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings. Sentient beings are corrupted without cause or reason.There’s no cause or reason for the purification of sentient beings.There’s no cause or reason for the purification of sentient beings.Sentient beings are purified without cause or reason.Sentient beings are purified without cause or reason.

One does not act of one’s own volition, one does not act of another’s volition, one does not act from a person’s volition. There is no power, no energy, no human strength or vigor.One does not act of one’s own volition, one does not act of another’s volition, one does not act from a person’s volition. There is no power, no energy, no human strength or vigor.All sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy. Molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.All sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy. Molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.

There are 1.4 million main wombs, and 6,000, and 600; 500 deeds, and five, and three; deeds and half-deeds; 62 paths of practice, 62 sub-eons, six classes of rebirth, and eight stages in a person’s life; 4,900 Ājīvaka ascetics, 4,900 wanderers, and 4,900 dragon abodes; 2,000 lordships, 3,000 hells, and 36 realms of dusky sky; seven percipient embryos, seven non-percipient embryos, seven knotless embryos, seven gods, seven mental heavens, seven goblins, seven streams, seven castoff incarnations and 700 castoff incarnations, seven downfalls and 700 downfalls, seven dreams and 700 dreams, and 8.4 million great eons—through all of which the foolish and the astute transmigrate before making an end of suffering.There are 1.4 million main wombs, and 6,000, and 600; 500 deeds, and five, and three; deeds and half-deeds; 62 paths of practice, 62 sub-eons, six classes of rebirth, and eight stages in a person’s life; 4,900 Ājīvaka ascetics, 4,900 wanderers, and 4,900 dragon abodes; 2,000 lordships, 3,000 hells, and 36 realms of dusky sky; seven percipient embryos, seven non-percipient embryos, seven knotless embryos, seven gods, seven mental heavens, seven goblins, seven streams, seven castoff incarnations and 700 castoff incarnations, seven downfalls and 700 downfalls, seven dreams and 700 dreams, and 8.4 million great eons—through all of which the foolish and the astute transmigrate before making an end of suffering.

And here there is no such thing as this: “By this precept or observance or fervent austerity or spiritual practice I shall force unripened deeds to bear their fruit, or eliminate old deeds by experiencing their results little by little,” for that cannot be.And here there is no such thing as this: “By this precept or observance or fervent austerity or spiritual practice I shall force unripened deeds to bear their fruit, or eliminate old deeds by experiencing their results little by little,” for that cannot be.Pleasure and pain are allotted. Transmigration lasts only for a limited period, so there’s no increase or decrease, no getting better or worse.Pleasure and pain are allotted. Transmigration lasts only for a limited period, so there’s no increase or decrease, no getting better or worse.

It’s like how, when you toss a ball of string, it rolls away unraveling.It’s like how, when you toss a ball of string, it rolls away unraveling.In the same way, after transmigrating the foolish and the astute will make an end of suffering.’In the same way, after transmigrating the foolish and the astute will make an end of suffering.’And so, when I asked the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla about the fruits of the ascetic life apparent in the present life, he answered with the doctrine of purification through transmigration.And so, when I asked the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla about the fruits of the ascetic life apparent in the present life, he answered with the doctrine of purification through transmigration.

It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.It was like someone who, when asked about a mango, answered with a breadfruit, or when asked about a breadfruit, answered with a mango.I thought:I thought: