长部第 21 经（Sujato 英译）第 2 阅读页 · Sakka’s Questions · 2/4

But at that time the Buddha was sitting immersed in some kind of meditation. And a divine maiden of Great King Vessavaṇa named Bhūjati was attending on the Buddha, standing there paying homage to him with cupped palms.But at that time the Buddha was sitting immersed in some kind of meditation. And a divine maiden of Great King Vessavaṇa named Bhūjati was attending on the Buddha, standing there paying homage to him with cupped palms.So I said to her,So I said to her,‘Sister, please bow to the Buddha for me, saying:‘Sister, please bow to the Buddha for me, saying:

“Sir, Sakka, lord of gods, with his ministers and retinue, bows with his head at your feet.”’“Sir, Sakka, lord of gods, with his ministers and retinue, bows with his head at your feet.”’When I said this, she said to me,When I said this, she said to me,‘It’s the wrong time to see the Buddha,‘It’s the wrong time to see the Buddha,

as he’s in retreat.’as he’s in retreat.’‘Well then, sister, please convey my message when the Buddha emerges from that immersion.’‘Well then, sister, please convey my message when the Buddha emerges from that immersion.’I hope that sister bowed to you?I hope that sister bowed to you?

Do you remember what she said?”Do you remember what she said?”“She did bow, lord of gods, and I remember what she said.“She did bow, lord of gods, and I remember what she said.I also remember that it was the sound of your chariot wheels that pulled me out of that immersion.”I also remember that it was the sound of your chariot wheels that pulled me out of that immersion.”

“Sir, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the gods who were reborn in the host of the thirty-three before me:“Sir, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the gods who were reborn in the host of the thirty-three before me:‘When a Realized One arises in the world, perfected and fully awakened, the heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle.’‘When a Realized One arises in the world, perfected and fully awakened, the heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle.’And I have seen this with my own eyes.And I have seen this with my own eyes.

2.1. The Story of Gopikā2.1. The Story of Gopikā

Right here in Kapilavatthu there was a Sakyan lady named Gopikā who had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled her ethics.Right here in Kapilavatthu there was a Sakyan lady named Gopikā who had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled her ethics.Losing her attachment to femininity, she developed masculinity. When her body broke up, after death, she was reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.Losing her attachment to femininity, she developed masculinity. When her body broke up, after death, she was reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.In the company of the gods of the thirty-three she became one of my sons.In the company of the gods of the thirty-three she became one of my sons.

There they knew him asThere they knew him asthe godling Gopaka.the godling Gopaka.Meanwhile three others, mendicants who had led the spiritual life under the Buddha, were reborn in the inferior centaur realm.Meanwhile three others, mendicants who had led the spiritual life under the Buddha, were reborn in the inferior centaur realm.

There they amused themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, and became my servants and attendants.There they amused themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, and became my servants and attendants.At that, Gopaka scolded them,At that, Gopaka scolded them,‘Where on earth were you at, good fellows, when you heard the Buddha’s teaching!‘Where on earth were you at, good fellows, when you heard the Buddha’s teaching!

For while I was still a woman I had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled my ethics. I lost my attachment to femininity and developed masculinity. When my body broke up, after death, I was reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. In the company of the gods of the thirty-three I became one of Sakka’s sons.For while I was still a woman I had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled my ethics. I lost my attachment to femininity and developed masculinity. When my body broke up, after death, I was reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. In the company of the gods of the thirty-three I became one of Sakka’s sons.Here they know me asHere they know me as

the godling Gopaka.the godling Gopaka.But you, having led the spiritual life under the Buddha, were reborn in the inferior centaur realm.But you, having led the spiritual life under the Buddha, were reborn in the inferior centaur realm.It is a sad sight indeed to see fellow practitioners reborn in the inferior centaur realm.’It is a sad sight indeed to see fellow practitioners reborn in the inferior centaur realm.’

When scolded by Gopaka, two of those gods regained their memory right away. They went to the host of the priests of Divinity, but one god remained attached to sensual pleasures.When scolded by Gopaka, two of those gods regained their memory right away. They went to the host of the priests of Divinity, but one god remained attached to sensual pleasures.‘“I was a laywoman disciple of the Clear-eyed One,‘“I was a laywoman disciple of the Clear-eyed One,and my name was Gopikā.and my name was Gopikā.

I was devoted to the Buddha and the teaching,I was devoted to the Buddha and the teaching,and I faithfully served the Saṅgha.and I faithfully served the Saṅgha.Because of the clear rightness of the Buddha’s teaching,Because of the clear rightness of the Buddha’s teaching,

I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,reborn in the Third Heaven.reborn in the Third Heaven.And here they know me as Gopaka.And here they know me as Gopaka.

Then I saw some mendicants who I’d seen before,Then I saw some mendicants who I’d seen before,dwelling in the host of centaurs.dwelling in the host of centaurs.They were disciples of GotamaThey were disciples of Gotama

when I used to be a human.when I used to be a human.I served them with food and drink,I served them with food and drink,and clasped their feet in my own home.and clasped their feet in my own home.

Where on earth were these good fellows atWhere on earth were these good fellows atwhen they learned the Buddha’s teachings?when they learned the Buddha’s teachings?For each must know for themselves the teachingFor each must know for themselves the teaching

so well-taught, realized by the Clear-eyed One.so well-taught, realized by the Clear-eyed One.I was one who followed you,I was one who followed you,having heard the fine words of the noble ones.having heard the fine words of the noble ones.

I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,reborn in the Third Heaven.reborn in the Third Heaven.But you followed the best of men,But you followed the best of men,

and led the supreme spiritual life,and led the supreme spiritual life,but still you’re born in this lesser realm,but still you’re born in this lesser realm,a rebirth unbefitting.a rebirth unbefitting.

It’s a sad sight I see, good fellows,It’s a sad sight I see, good fellows,fellow practitioners in a lesser realm.fellow practitioners in a lesser realm.Reborn in the host of centaurs,Reborn in the host of centaurs,

only to wait upon the gods.only to wait upon the gods.Meanwhile, I dwelt in a house—Meanwhile, I dwelt in a house—but see my distinction now!but see my distinction now!

Having been a woman now I’m a male god,Having been a woman now I’m a male god,blessed with heavenly sensual pleasures.”blessed with heavenly sensual pleasures.”Scolded by that disciple of Gotama,Scolded by that disciple of Gotama,

comprehending Gopaka, they were struck with urgency.comprehending Gopaka, they were struck with urgency.“Let’s strive, let’s try hard—“Let’s strive, let’s try hard—we won’t serve others any more!”we won’t serve others any more!”

Two of them roused up energy,Two of them roused up energy,recalling the Buddha’s instructions.recalling the Buddha’s instructions.Right away they became dispassionate,Right away they became dispassionate,

seeing the drawbacks in sensual pleasures.seeing the drawbacks in sensual pleasures.The fetters and bonds of sensual pleasures—The fetters and bonds of sensual pleasures—the ties of the Wicked One so hard to break—the ties of the Wicked One so hard to break—

they burst them like a bull elephant his ropes,they burst them like a bull elephant his ropes,and passed right over the thirty-three.and passed right over the thirty-three.The gods with Indra and the ProgenitorThe gods with Indra and the Progenitor

were all gathered in the Hall of Clear Right.were all gathered in the Hall of Clear Right.As they sat there, they passed over them,As they sat there, they passed over them,the heroes desireless, practicing purity.the heroes desireless, practicing purity.

Seeing them, Vāsava was struck with urgency;Seeing them, Vāsava was struck with urgency;the master of gods in the midst of the group said,the master of gods in the midst of the group said,“These were born in the lesser centaur realm,“These were born in the lesser centaur realm,

but now they pass us by!”but now they pass us by!”Heeding the speech of one so moved,Heeding the speech of one so moved,Gopaka addressed Vāsava,Gopaka addressed Vāsava,

“There is a Buddha, a lord of men, in the world.“There is a Buddha, a lord of men, in the world.Known as the Sakyan Sage, he’s mastered the senses.Known as the Sakyan Sage, he’s mastered the senses.Those sons of his lost their memory;Those sons of his lost their memory;

but when scolded by me they gained it back.but when scolded by me they gained it back.Of the three, there is one who remainsOf the three, there is one who remainsdwelling in the host of centaurs.dwelling in the host of centaurs.

But two, recollecting the path to awakening,But two, recollecting the path to awakening,serene, spurn even the gods.serene, spurn even the gods.Such is the explanation of the teaching here:Such is the explanation of the teaching here:

not a single disciple doubts that.not a single disciple doubts that.We venerate the Buddha, the victor, lord of men,We venerate the Buddha, the victor, lord of men,who has crossed the flood and cut off doubt.who has crossed the flood and cut off doubt.

They attained distinction to the extentThey attained distinction to the extentthey understood the teaching here;they understood the teaching here;two of them distinguishedtwo of them distinguished

in the host of the priests of Divinity.”’in the host of the priests of Divinity.”’We have come here, dear sir,We have come here, dear sir,to realize this same teaching.to realize this same teaching.

If the Buddha would give me a chance,If the Buddha would give me a chance,I would ask a question, dear sir.”I would ask a question, dear sir.”Then it occurred to the Buddha,Then it occurred to the Buddha,

“For a long time now this spirit has led a pure life. Any question he asks me will be beneficial, not unbeneficial.“For a long time now this spirit has led a pure life. Any question he asks me will be beneficial, not unbeneficial.And he will quickly understand any answer I give to his question.”And he will quickly understand any answer I give to his question.”So the Buddha addressed Sakka in verse:So the Buddha addressed Sakka in verse:

“Ask me your question, Vāsava,“Ask me your question, Vāsava,whatever you want.whatever you want.I’ll solve each and everyI’ll solve each and every

question you have.”question you have.”The first recitation section is complete.The first recitation section is complete.Having been granted an opportunity by the Buddha, Sakka asked the first question.Having been granted an opportunity by the Buddha, Sakka asked the first question.

“Good fellow, what fetters bind the gods, humans, titans, dragons, centaurs—and any of the other diverse creatures—“Good fellow, what fetters bind the gods, humans, titans, dragons, centaurs—and any of the other diverse creatures—so that, though they wish to be free of enmity, violence, hostility, and hate, they still have enmity, violence, hostility, and hate?”so that, though they wish to be free of enmity, violence, hostility, and hate, they still have enmity, violence, hostility, and hate?”Such was Sakka’s question to the Buddha.Such was Sakka’s question to the Buddha.