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

‘They live by venal hunting and minor tasks’ is the meaning of ‘menial’, the term applied to them.‘They live by venal hunting and minor tasks’ is the meaning of ‘menial’, the term applied to them.And that, Vāseṭṭha, is how the ancient primordial term for the circle of menials 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 menials 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.

There came a time when an aristocrat,There came a time when an aristocrat,brahmin,brahmin,peasant,peasant,

or menial, deprecating their own vocation, went forth from the lay life to homelessness, thinking,or menial, deprecating their own vocation, went forth from the lay life to homelessness, thinking,‘I will be an ascetic.’‘I will be an ascetic.’From these four circles, Vāseṭṭha, the circle of ascetics was created; for those very beings, not others; for those like them, not unlike; by virtue of principle, not against principle.From these four circles, Vāseṭṭha, the circle of ascetics 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.

14. On Bad Conduct14. On Bad Conduct

An aristocrat,An aristocrat,brahmin,brahmin,peasant,peasant,

menial,menial,or ascetic may do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind. They have wrong view, and they act out of that wrong view. And because of that, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.or ascetic may do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind. They have wrong view, and they act out of that wrong view. And because of that, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.An aristocrat,An aristocrat,

brahmin,brahmin,peasant,peasant,menial,menial,

or ascetic may do good things by way of body, speech, and mind. They have right view, and they act out of that right view. And because of that, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.or ascetic may do good things by way of body, speech, and mind. They have right view, and they act out of that right view. And because of that, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.An aristocrat,An aristocrat,brahmin,brahmin,

peasant,peasant,menial,menial,or ascetic may do mixed things by way of body, speech, and mind. They have mixed view, and they act out of that mixed view. And because of that, when their body breaks up, after death, they experience both pleasure and pain.or ascetic may do mixed things by way of body, speech, and mind. They have mixed view, and they act out of that mixed view. And because of that, when their body breaks up, after death, they experience both pleasure and pain.

15. The Qualities on the Side of Awakening15. The Qualities on the Side of Awakening

An aristocrat,An aristocrat,brahmin,brahmin,peasant,peasant,

menial,menial,or ascetic who is restrained in body, speech, and mind, and develops the seven qualities on the side of awakening, becomes extinguished in this very life.or ascetic who is restrained in body, speech, and mind, and develops the seven qualities on the side of awakening, becomes extinguished in this very life.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 the foremost by virtue of principle, not against principle.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 the 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.The divinity Sanaṅkumāra also spoke this verse:The divinity Sanaṅkumāra also spoke this verse:‘The aristocrat is best among people‘The aristocrat is best among people

who take clan as the standard.who take clan as the standard.But one accomplished in knowledge and conductBut one accomplished in knowledge and conductis first among gods and humans.’is first among gods and humans.’

That verse was well sung by the Divinity Sanaṅkumāra, not poorly sung; well spoken, not poorly spoken; beneficial, not harmful, and I agree with it.That verse was well sung by the Divinity Sanaṅkumāra, not poorly sung; well spoken, not poorly spoken; beneficial, not harmful, and I agree with it.I also say:I also say:The aristocrat is best among peopleThe aristocrat is best among people

who take clan as the standard.who take clan as the standard.But one accomplished in knowledge and conductBut one accomplished in knowledge and conductis first among gods and humans.”is first among gods and humans.”

That is what the Buddha said.That is what the Buddha said.Satisfied, Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja approved what the Buddha said.Satisfied, Vāseṭṭha and Bhāradvāja approved what the Buddha said.