长部第 27 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · What Came First · 1/3

Long Discourses 27Long Discourses 27What Came FirstWhat Came First

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery.Now at that time Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were living on probation among the mendicants in hopes of being ordained.Now at that time Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja were living on probation among the mendicants in hopes of being ordained.

Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came downstairs from the longhouse and was walking mindfully in the open air, beneath the shade of the longhouse.Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came downstairs from the longhouse and was walking mindfully in the open air, beneath the shade of the longhouse.Vāseṭṭha saw himVāseṭṭha saw himand said to Bhāradvāja,and said to Bhāradvāja,

“Reverend Bhāradvāja, the Buddha is walking mindfully in the open air, beneath the shade of the longhouse.“Reverend Bhāradvāja, the Buddha is walking mindfully in the open air, beneath the shade of the longhouse.Come, reverend, let’s go to the Buddha.Come, reverend, let’s go to the Buddha.Hopefully we’ll get to hear a Dhamma talk from him.”Hopefully we’ll get to hear a Dhamma talk from him.”

“Yes, reverend,” replied Bhāradvāja.“Yes, reverend,” replied Bhāradvāja.So they went to the Buddha, bowed, and walked beside him.So they went to the Buddha, bowed, and walked beside him.Then the Buddha said to Vāseṭṭha,Then the Buddha said to Vāseṭṭha,

“Vāseṭṭha, you are both brahmins by birth and family, and have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness from a brahmin family. I hope you don’t have to suffer abuse and insults from the brahmins.”“Vāseṭṭha, you are both brahmins by birth and family, and have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness from a brahmin family. I hope you don’t have to suffer abuse and insults from the brahmins.”“Actually, sir, the brahmins do insult and abuse us with their typical insults to the fullest extent, holding nothing back.”“Actually, sir, the brahmins do insult and abuse us with their typical insults to the fullest extent, holding nothing back.”“But how do the brahmins insult you?”“But how do the brahmins insult you?”

“Sir, the brahmins say:“Sir, the brahmins say:‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.

Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.You’ve both abandoned the best class to join an inferior class, namely these shavelings, fake ascetics, primitives, black spawn from the feet of our kinsman.You’ve both abandoned the best class to join an inferior class, namely these shavelings, fake ascetics, primitives, black spawn from the feet of our kinsman.

This is not right, it’s not proper!’This is not right, it’s not proper!’That’s how the brahmins insult us.”That’s how the brahmins insult us.”“Actually, Vāseṭṭha, the brahmins are forgetting their tradition when they say this to you.“Actually, Vāseṭṭha, the brahmins are forgetting their tradition when they say this to you.

For brahmin women are seen menstruating, being pregnant, giving birth, and breast-feeding.For brahmin women are seen menstruating, being pregnant, giving birth, and breast-feeding.Yet even though they’re born from a brahmin womb they say:Yet even though they’re born from a brahmin womb they say:‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.

Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’

They misrepresent the brahmins, speak falsely, and brim with much wickedness.They misrepresent the brahmins, speak falsely, and brim with much wickedness.

1. Purification in the Four Classes1. Purification in the Four Classes

Vāseṭṭha, there are these four classes:Vāseṭṭha, there are these four classes:aristocrats, brahmins, peasants, and menials.aristocrats, brahmins, peasants, and menials.Some aristocrats kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, and nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view.Some aristocrats kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, and nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view.

These things are unskillful, blameworthy, not to be cultivated, unworthy of the noble ones—and are reckoned as such. They are dark deeds with dark results, criticized by sensible people. Such things are exhibited in some aristocrats.These things are unskillful, blameworthy, not to be cultivated, unworthy of the noble ones—and are reckoned as such. They are dark deeds with dark results, criticized by sensible people. Such things are exhibited in some aristocrats.And they are also seen among some brahmins,And they are also seen among some brahmins,peasants,peasants,

and menials.and menials.But some aristocrats refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct. They refrain from speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, and nonsensical. And they’re content, kind-hearted, with right view.But some aristocrats refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct. They refrain from speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, and nonsensical. And they’re content, kind-hearted, with right view.These things are skillful, blameless, to be cultivated, worthy of the noble ones—and are reckoned as such. They are bright deeds with bright results, praised by sensible people. Such things are exhibited in some aristocrats.These things are skillful, blameless, to be cultivated, worthy of the noble ones—and are reckoned as such. They are bright deeds with bright results, praised by sensible people. Such things are exhibited in some aristocrats.

And they are also seen among some brahmins,And they are also seen among some brahmins,peasants,peasants,and menials.and menials.

Both these things occur like this, mixed up in these four classes—the dark and the bright, that which is praised and that which is criticized by sensible people. Yet of this the brahmins say:Both these things occur like this, mixed up in these four classes—the dark and the bright, that which is praised and that which is criticized by sensible people. Yet of this the brahmins say:‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.

Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’Sensible people don’t grant this.Sensible people don’t grant this.

Why is that?Why is that?Because any mendicant from these four classes who is perfected—with defilements ended, who has completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and is rightly freed through enlightenment—is said to be foremost by virtue of principle, not against principle.Because any mendicant from these four classes who is perfected—with defilements ended, who has completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and is rightly freed through enlightenment—is said to be foremost by virtue of principle, not against principle.

For principle, Vāseṭṭha, is the best thing for people in both this life and the next.For principle, Vāseṭṭha, is the best thing for people in both this life and the next.And here’s a way to understand how this is so.And here’s a way to understand how this is so.King Pasenadi of Kosala knows thatKing Pasenadi of Kosala knows that

the ascetic Gotama has gone forth from the neighboring clan of the Sakyans.the ascetic Gotama has gone forth from the neighboring clan of the Sakyans.And the Sakyans are his vassals.And the Sakyans are his vassals.The Sakyans show deference to King Pasenadi by bowing down, rising up, greeting him with cupped palms, and observing proper etiquette for him.The Sakyans show deference to King Pasenadi by bowing down, rising up, greeting him with cupped palms, and observing proper etiquette for him.

Now, King Pasenadi shows the same kind of deference to the Realized One. But he doesn’t think: ‘The ascetic Gotama is well-born, I am ill-born.Now, King Pasenadi shows the same kind of deference to the Realized One. But he doesn’t think: ‘The ascetic Gotama is well-born, I am ill-born.He is powerful, I am weak.He is powerful, I am weak.He is handsome, I am ugly.He is handsome, I am ugly.

He is illustrious, I am insignificant.’He is illustrious, I am insignificant.’Rather, in showing such deference to the Realized One he is only honoring, respecting, and venerating principle.Rather, in showing such deference to the Realized One he is only honoring, respecting, and venerating principle.And here’s another way to understand how principle is the best thing for people in both this life and the next.And here’s another way to understand how principle is the best thing for people in both this life and the next.

Vāseṭṭha, you have different births, names, clans, and families, yet have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness.Vāseṭṭha, you have different births, names, clans, and families, yet have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness.When they ask you what you are, you claim to be ascetics who follow the Sakyan.When they ask you what you are, you claim to be ascetics who follow the Sakyan.But only when someone has faith in the Realized One—settled, rooted, and planted deep, strong, not to be shifted by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or divinity or by anyone in the world—is it appropriate for them to say:But only when someone has faith in the Realized One—settled, rooted, and planted deep, strong, not to be shifted by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or divinity or by anyone in the world—is it appropriate for them to say:

‘I am the Buddha’s bosom son, born from his mouth, born of principle, created by principle, heir to principle.’‘I am the Buddha’s bosom son, born from his mouth, born of principle, created by principle, heir to principle.’Why is that?Why is that?For these are terms for the Realized One: ‘the embodiment of principle’, and ‘the embodiment of divinity’, and ‘the manifestation of principle’, and ‘the manifestation of divinity’.For these are terms for the Realized One: ‘the embodiment of principle’, and ‘the embodiment of divinity’, and ‘the manifestation of principle’, and ‘the manifestation of divinity’.

There comes a time when, Vāseṭṭha, after a very long period has passed, this cosmos contracts.There comes a time when, Vāseṭṭha, after a very long period has passed, this cosmos contracts.As the cosmos contracts, sentient beings are mostly headed for the realm of sublime luminosity.As the cosmos contracts, sentient beings are mostly headed for the realm of sublime luminosity.There they are mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and they remain like that for a very long time.There they are mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and they remain like that for a very long time.

There comes a time when, after a very long period has passed, this cosmos expands.There comes a time when, after a very long period has passed, this cosmos expands.As the cosmos expands, sentient beings mostly pass away from that host of radiant deities and come back to this realm.As the cosmos expands, sentient beings mostly pass away from that host of radiant deities and come back to this realm.Here they are mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and they remain like that for a very long time.Here they are mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and they remain like that for a very long time.

2. The Earth’s Nectar Appears2. The Earth’s Nectar Appears

But the single mass of water at that time was utterly dark.But the single mass of water at that time was utterly dark.The moon and sun were not found, nor were stars and constellations, day and night, months and fortnights, years and seasons, or male and female. Beings were simply known as ‘beings’.The moon and sun were not found, nor were stars and constellations, day and night, months and fortnights, years and seasons, or male and female. Beings were simply known as ‘beings’.After a very long period had passed, the earth’s nectar curdled in the water.After a very long period had passed, the earth’s nectar curdled in the water.

It appeared just like the curd on top of hot milk-rice as it cools.It appeared just like the curd on top of hot milk-rice as it cools.It was beautiful, fragrant, and delicious, like ghee or butter.It was beautiful, fragrant, and delicious, like ghee or butter.And it was as sweet as pure dwarf-bee honey.And it was as sweet as pure dwarf-bee honey.

Now, one of those beings was reckless.Now, one of those beings was reckless.Thinking, ‘Oh my, what might this be?’ they tasted the earth’s nectar with their finger.Thinking, ‘Oh my, what might this be?’ they tasted the earth’s nectar with their finger.They enjoyed it, and craving was born in them.They enjoyed it, and craving was born in them.

And other beings, following that being’s example, tasted the earth’s nectar with their fingers.And other beings, following that being’s example, tasted the earth’s nectar with their fingers.They too enjoyed it, and craving was born in them.They too enjoyed it, and craving was born in them.

3. The Moon and Sun Appear3. The Moon and Sun Appear

Then those beings started to eat the earth’s nectar, breaking it into lumps.Then those beings started to eat the earth’s nectar, breaking it into lumps.But when they did thisBut when they did thistheir radiance vanished.their radiance vanished.

And with the vanishing of their radiance the moon and sun appeared,And with the vanishing of their radiance the moon and sun appeared,stars and constellations appeared,stars and constellations appeared,days and nights were distinguished,days and nights were distinguished,

and so were months and fortnights,and so were months and fortnights,and years and seasons.and years and seasons.So far had the world evolved once more.So far had the world evolved once more.

Then those beings eating the earth’s nectar, with that as their food and nourishment, remained for a very long time.Then those beings eating the earth’s nectar, with that as their food and nourishment, remained for a very long time.But so long as they ate that earth’s nectar, their bodies became more solid and they diverged in appearance;But so long as they ate that earth’s nectar, their bodies became more solid and they diverged in appearance;some beautiful, some ugly.some beautiful, some ugly.

And the beautiful beings looked down on the ugly ones:And the beautiful beings looked down on the ugly ones:‘We’re more beautiful, they’re the ugly ones!’‘We’re more beautiful, they’re the ugly ones!’And the vanity of the beautiful ones made the earth’s nectar vanish.And the vanity of the beautiful ones made the earth’s nectar vanish.

They gathered together and bemoaned,They gathered together and bemoaned,‘Oh, what a taste! Oh, what a taste!’‘Oh, what a taste! Oh, what a taste!’And even today when people get something tasty they say:And even today when people get something tasty they say:

‘Oh, what a taste! Oh, what a taste!’‘Oh, what a taste! Oh, what a taste!’They’re just remembering an ancient primordial saying, but they don’t understand what it means.They’re just remembering an ancient primordial saying, but they don’t understand what it means.

4. Ground-Fungus4. Ground-Fungus

When the earth’s nectar had vanished, ground-fungus appeared to those beings.When the earth’s nectar had vanished, ground-fungus appeared to those beings.It appeared just like a mushroom.It appeared just like a mushroom.It was beautiful, fragrant, and delicious, like ghee or butter.It was beautiful, fragrant, and delicious, like ghee or butter.

And it was as sweet as pure dwarf-bee honey.And it was as sweet as pure dwarf-bee honey.Then those beings started to eat the ground-fungus.Then those beings started to eat the ground-fungus.With that as their food and nourishment, they remained for a very long time.With that as their food and nourishment, they remained for a very long time.

But so long as they ate that ground-fungus, their bodies became more solid and they diverged in appearance;But so long as they ate that ground-fungus, their bodies became more solid and they diverged in appearance;some beautiful, some ugly.some beautiful, some ugly.