长部第 29 经（Sujato 英译）第 4 阅读页 · An Impressive Discourse · 4/4

There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:‘The self is healthy after death, and formed …‘The self is healthy after death, and formed …or formless …or formless …

or both formed and formless …or both formed and formless …or neither formed nor formless …or neither formed nor formless …or percipient …or percipient …

or non-percipient …or non-percipient …or neither percipient nor non-percipient …or neither percipient nor non-percipient …or the self is annihilated and destroyed when the body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death. This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’or the self is annihilated and destroyed when the body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death. This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’

Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins whose view is that,Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins whose view is that,‘The self is formed and healthy after death,’‘The self is formed and healthy after death,’and say,and say,

‘Reverends, is this what you say,‘Reverends, is this what you say,“The self is formed and healthy after death”?’“The self is formed and healthy after death”?’But when they say, ‘Yes!But when they say, ‘Yes!

This is the only truth, anything else is futile,’This is the only truth, anything else is futile,’I don’t grant that.I don’t grant that.Why is that?Why is that?

Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic.Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic.I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior.I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior.Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.

Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins who assert all the other views as described above.Regarding this, I go up to the ascetics and brahmins who assert all the other views as described above.And in each case, I don’t grant that.And in each case, I don’t grant that.Why is that?Why is that?

Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic.Because there are beings who have different opinions on this topic.I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior.I don’t see any such expositions that are equal to my own, still less superior.Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.Rather, I am the one who is superior when it comes to the higher exposition.

These are the views that some rely on regarding the final end, which I have explained to you as they should be explained.These are the views that some rely on regarding the final end, which I have explained to you as they should be explained.Shall I explain them to you in the wrong way?Shall I explain them to you in the wrong way?I have taught and pointed out the four kinds of mindfulness meditation for giving up and going beyond all these views of the first beginning and the final end.I have taught and pointed out the four kinds of mindfulness meditation for giving up and going beyond all these views of the first beginning and the final end.

What four?What four?It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …

mind …mind …principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.These are the four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I have taught for giving up and going beyond all these views of the first beginning and the final end.”These are the four kinds of mindfulness meditation that I have taught for giving up and going beyond all these views of the first beginning and the final end.”

Now at that time Venerable Upavāṇa was standing behind the Buddha fanning him.Now at that time Venerable Upavāṇa was standing behind the Buddha fanning him.He said to the Buddha,He said to the Buddha,“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing!“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing!

This exposition of the teaching is impressive, sir,This exposition of the teaching is impressive, sir,it is very impressive. Sir, what is the name of this exposition of the teaching?”it is very impressive. Sir, what is the name of this exposition of the teaching?”“Well then, Upavāṇa, you may remember this exposition of the teaching as ‘The Impressive Discourse’.”“Well then, Upavāṇa, you may remember this exposition of the teaching as ‘The Impressive Discourse’.”

That is what the Buddha said.That is what the Buddha said.Satisfied, Venerable Upavāṇa approved what the Buddha said.Satisfied, Venerable Upavāṇa approved what the Buddha said.