长部第 27 经（Sujato 英译）第 2 阅读页 · What Came First · 2/3

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 ground-fungus vanish.And the vanity of the beautiful ones made the ground-fungus vanish.

5. Bursting Pods5. Bursting Pods

When the ground-fungus had vanished, bursting pods appeared, like the fruit of the kadam tree.When the ground-fungus had vanished, bursting pods appeared, like the fruit of the kadam tree.They were beautiful, fragrant, and delicious, like ghee or butter.They were beautiful, fragrant, and delicious, like ghee or butter.And they were as sweet as pure dwarf-bee honey.And they were as sweet as pure dwarf-bee honey.

Then those beings started to eat the bursting pods.Then those beings started to eat the bursting pods.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 those bursting pods, their bodies became more solid and they diverged in appearance;But so long as they ate those bursting pods, 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 bursting pods vanish.And the vanity of the beautiful ones made the bursting pods vanish.They gathered together and bemoaned,They gathered together and bemoaned,‘Oh, what we’ve lost! Oh, what we’ve lost—those bursting pods!’‘Oh, what we’ve lost! Oh, what we’ve lost—those bursting pods!’

And even today when people experience suffering they say:And even today when people experience suffering they say:‘Oh, what we’ve lost! Oh, what we’ve lost!’‘Oh, what we’ve lost! Oh, what we’ve lost!’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.

6. Ripe Untilled Rice6. Ripe Untilled Rice

When the bursting pods had vanished, ripe untilled rice appeared to those beings. It had no powder or husk, pure and fragrant, with only the rice-grain.When the bursting pods had vanished, ripe untilled rice appeared to those beings. It had no powder or husk, pure and fragrant, with only the rice-grain.What they took for supper at dusk, by daybreak had grown back and ripened.What they took for supper at dusk, by daybreak had grown back and ripened.And what they took for breakfast at daybreak had grown back and ripened by the evening,And what they took for breakfast at daybreak had grown back and ripened by the evening,

leaving no trace showing.leaving no trace showing.Then those beings eating the ripe untilled rice, with that as their food and nourishment, remained for a very long time.Then those beings eating the ripe untilled rice, with that as their food and nourishment, remained for a very long time.

7. Sex Appears7. Sex Appears

But so long as they ate that ripe untilled rice, their bodies became more solid and they diverged in appearance. And female characteristics appeared on women, while male characteristics appeared on men.But so long as they ate that ripe untilled rice, their bodies became more solid and they diverged in appearance. And female characteristics appeared on women, while male characteristics appeared on men.Women spent too much time gazing at men, and men at women.Women spent too much time gazing at men, and men at women.They became lustful, and their bodies burned with fever.They became lustful, and their bodies burned with fever.

Due to this fever they had sex with each other.Due to this fever they had sex with each other.Those who saw them having sex pelted them with dirt, clods, or cow-dung, saying,Those who saw them having sex pelted them with dirt, clods, or cow-dung, saying,‘Get lost, filth! Get lost, filth!‘Get lost, filth! Get lost, filth!

How on earth can one being do that to another?’How on earth can one being do that to another?’And even today people in some countries, when carrying a bride off, pelt her with dirt, clods, or cow-dung.And even today people in some countries, when carrying a bride off, pelt her with dirt, clods, or cow-dung.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.

8. Sexual Intercourse8. Sexual Intercourse

What was deemed as unprincipled at that time, these days is deemed as principled.What was deemed as unprincipled at that time, these days is deemed as principled.The beings who had sex together weren’t allowed to enter a village or town for one or two months.The beings who had sex together weren’t allowed to enter a village or town for one or two months.Ever since they excessively threw themselves into immorality,Ever since they excessively threw themselves into immorality,

they started to make buildings to hide their immoral deeds.they started to make buildings to hide their immoral deeds.Then one of those beings of idle disposition thought,Then one of those beings of idle disposition thought,‘Oh my, why should I be bothered to gather rice at dusk for supper, and at daybreak for breakfast?‘Oh my, why should I be bothered to gather rice at dusk for supper, and at daybreak for breakfast?

Why don’t I gather rice for supper and breakfast all at once?’Why don’t I gather rice for supper and breakfast all at once?’So that’s what he did.So that’s what he did.Then one of the other beings approached that being and said,Then one of the other beings approached that being and said,

‘Come, good being, we shall go to gather rice.’‘Come, good being, we shall go to gather rice.’‘There’s no need, good being! I gathered rice for supper and breakfast all at once.’‘There’s no need, good being! I gathered rice for supper and breakfast all at once.’So that being, following their example, gathered rice for two days all at once, thinking: ‘This seems fine.’So that being, following their example, gathered rice for two days all at once, thinking: ‘This seems fine.’

Then one of the other beings approached that being and said,Then one of the other beings approached that being and said,‘Come, good being, we shall go to gather rice.’‘Come, good being, we shall go to gather rice.’‘There’s no need, good being! I gathered rice for two days all at once.’‘There’s no need, good being! I gathered rice for two days all at once.’

So that being, following their example, gathered rice for four days all at once, thinking: ‘This seems fine.’So that being, following their example, gathered rice for four days all at once, thinking: ‘This seems fine.’Then one of the other beings approached that being and said,Then one of the other beings approached that being and said,‘Come, good being, we shall go to gather rice.’‘Come, good being, we shall go to gather rice.’

‘There’s no need, good being! I gathered rice for four days all at once.’‘There’s no need, good being! I gathered rice for four days all at once.’So that being, following their example, gathered rice for eight days all at once, thinking: ‘This seems fine.’So that being, following their example, gathered rice for eight days all at once, thinking: ‘This seems fine.’But when they started to store up rice to eat,But when they started to store up rice to eat,

the rice grains became wrapped in powder and husk,the rice grains became wrapped in powder and husk,it didn’t grow back after reaping, leaving a trace showing, and the rice stood in clumps.it didn’t grow back after reaping, leaving a trace showing, and the rice stood in clumps.

9. Dividing the Rice9. Dividing the Rice

Then those beings gathered together and bemoaned,Then those beings gathered together and bemoaned,‘Oh, how wicked things have appeared among beings!‘Oh, how wicked things have appeared among beings!For we used to be mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and we remained like that for a very long time.For we used to be mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and we remained like that for a very long time.

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.But due to bad, unskillful things among us, the earth’s nectar vanished,But due to bad, unskillful things among us, the earth’s nectar vanished,then the ground-fungus vanished,then the ground-fungus vanished,

the bursting pods vanished,the bursting pods vanished,and now the rice grains have become wrapped in powder and husk, it doesn’t grow back after reaping, traces are left showing, and the rice stands in clumps.and now the rice grains have become wrapped in powder and husk, it doesn’t grow back after reaping, traces are left showing, and the rice stands in clumps.We’d better divide up the rice and lay down boundaries.’We’d better divide up the rice and lay down boundaries.’

So that’s what they did.So that’s what they did.Now, one of those beings was reckless. While guarding their own share they took another’s share without it being given, and ate it.Now, one of those beings was reckless. While guarding their own share they took another’s share without it being given, and ate it.They grabbed the one who had done this and said,They grabbed the one who had done this and said,

‘You have done a bad thing, good being, in that while guarding your own share you took another’s share without it being given, and ate it.‘You have done a bad thing, good being, in that while guarding your own share you took another’s share without it being given, and ate it.Do not do such a thing again.’Do not do such a thing again.’‘Yes, worthy sirs,’ replied that being.‘Yes, worthy sirs,’ replied that being.

But for a second time …But for a second time …For a third time they did the same thing, and were told not to continue.For a third time they did the same thing, and were told not to continue.And then they struck that being, some with fists, others with stones, and still others with rods.And then they struck that being, some with fists, others with stones, and still others with rods.

From that day on stealing was found, and blame, and lying, and the taking up of rods.From that day on stealing was found, and blame, and lying, and the taking up of rods.

10. The Elected King10. The Elected King

Then those beings gathered together and bemoaned,Then those beings gathered together and bemoaned,‘Oh, how wicked things have appeared among beings, in that stealing is found, and blaming and lying and the taking up of rods!‘Oh, how wicked things have appeared among beings, in that stealing is found, and blaming and lying and the taking up of rods!Why don’t we elect one being who would rightly accuse those who deserve it, blame those who deserve it, and expel those who deserve it?Why don’t we elect one being who would rightly accuse those who deserve it, blame those who deserve it, and expel those who deserve it?

We shall pay them with a share of rice.’We shall pay them with a share of rice.’Then those beings approached the being among them who was most attractive, good-looking, lovely, and illustrious, and said,Then those beings approached the being among them who was most attractive, good-looking, lovely, and illustrious, and said,‘Come, good being, rightly accuse those who deserve it, blame those who deserve it, and banish those who deserve it.‘Come, good being, rightly accuse those who deserve it, blame those who deserve it, and banish those who deserve it.

We shall pay you with a share of rice.’We shall pay you with a share of rice.’‘Yes, worthy sirs,’ replied that being. They acted accordingly,‘Yes, worthy sirs,’ replied that being. They acted accordingly,and were paid with a share of rice.and were paid with a share of rice.

‘Elected by the populace’, Vāseṭṭha, is the meaning of ‘popularly elected’, the first term applied to them.‘Elected by the populace’, Vāseṭṭha, is the meaning of ‘popularly elected’, the first term applied to them.‘Lord of the fields’ is the meaning of ‘aristocrat’, the second term applied to them.‘Lord of the fields’ is the meaning of ‘aristocrat’, the second term applied to them.‘They please others with principle’ is the meaning of ‘king’, the third term applied to them.‘They please others with principle’ is the meaning of ‘king’, the third term applied to them.

And that, Vāseṭṭha, is how the ancient primordial terms for the circle of aristocrats were created; for those very beings, not others; for those like them, not unlike; by virtue of principle, not against principle.And that, Vāseṭṭha, is how the ancient primordial terms for the circle of aristocrats were created; for those very beings, not others; for those like them, not unlike; 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.

11. The Circle of Brahmins11. The Circle of Brahmins

Then some of those same beings thought,Then some of those same beings thought,‘Oh, how wicked things have appeared among beings, in that stealing is found, and blaming and lying and the taking up of rods and banishment!‘Oh, how wicked things have appeared among beings, in that stealing is found, and blaming and lying and the taking up of rods and banishment!Why don’t we set aside bad, unskillful things?’Why don’t we set aside bad, unskillful things?’

So that’s what they did.So that’s what they did.‘They set aside bad, unskillful things’ is the meaning of ‘brahmin’, the first term applied to them.‘They set aside bad, unskillful things’ is the meaning of ‘brahmin’, the first term applied to them.They built leaf huts in a wilderness region where they meditated pure and bright, without lighting cooking fires or digging the soil. They came down at daybreak for breakfast and at dusk for supper to the village, town, or royal capital seeking a meal.They built leaf huts in a wilderness region where they meditated pure and bright, without lighting cooking fires or digging the soil. They came down at daybreak for breakfast and at dusk for supper to the village, town, or royal capital seeking a meal.

When they had obtained food they continued to meditate in the leaf huts.When they had obtained food they continued to meditate in the leaf huts.When people noticed this they said,When people noticed this they said,‘These beings build leaf huts in a wilderness region where they meditate pure and bright, without lighting cooking fires or digging the soil. They come down at daybreak for breakfast and at dusk for supper to the village, town, or royal capital seeking a meal.‘These beings build leaf huts in a wilderness region where they meditate pure and bright, without lighting cooking fires or digging the soil. They come down at daybreak for breakfast and at dusk for supper to the village, town, or royal capital seeking a meal.

When they have obtained food they continue to meditate in the leaf huts.’When they have obtained food they continue to meditate in the leaf huts.’‘They meditate’ is the meaning of ‘meditator’, the second term applied to them.‘They meditate’ is the meaning of ‘meditator’, the second term applied to them.But some of those beings were unable to keep up with their meditation in the leaf huts in the wilderness. They came down to the neighborhood of a village or town where they dwelt compiling texts.But some of those beings were unable to keep up with their meditation in the leaf huts in the wilderness. They came down to the neighborhood of a village or town where they dwelt compiling texts.

When people noticed this they said,When people noticed this they said,‘These beings were unable to keep up with their meditation in the leaf huts in the wilderness. They came down to the neighborhood of a village or town where they dwelt compiling texts. Now they don’t meditate.’‘These beings were unable to keep up with their meditation in the leaf huts in the wilderness. They came down to the neighborhood of a village or town where they dwelt compiling texts. Now they don’t meditate.’‘Now they don’t meditate’ is the meaning of ‘reciter’, the third term applied to them.‘Now they don’t meditate’ is the meaning of ‘reciter’, the third term applied to them.

What was deemed as worse at that time, these days is deemed as best.What was deemed as worse at that time, these days is deemed as best.And that, Vāseṭṭha, is how the ancient primordial terms for the circle of brahmins were created; for those very beings, not others; for those like them, not unlike; by virtue of principle, not against principle.And that, Vāseṭṭha, is how the ancient primordial terms for the circle of brahmins were created; for those very beings, not others; for those like them, not unlike; 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.

12. The Circle of Peasants12. The Circle of Peasants

Some of those same beings, taking up an active sex life, applied themselves to various jobs.Some of those same beings, taking up an active sex life, applied themselves to various jobs.‘Having taken up an active sex life, they apply themselves to various jobs’ is the meaning of ‘peasant’, the term applied to them.‘Having taken up an active sex life, they apply themselves to various jobs’ is the meaning of ‘peasant’, the term applied to them.And that, Vāseṭṭha, is how the ancient primordial term for the circle of peasants was created; for those very beings, not others; for those like them, not unlike; by virtue of principle, not against principle.And that, Vāseṭṭha, is how the ancient primordial term for the circle of peasants was created; for those very beings, not others; for those like them, not unlike; 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.

13. The Circle of Menials13. The Circle of Menials

The remaining beings lived by venal hunting and minor tasks.The remaining beings lived by venal hunting and minor tasks.