长部第 4 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · With Soṇadaṇḍa · 1/3

Long Discourses 4Long Discourses 4With SoṇadaṇḍaWith Soṇadaṇḍa1. The Brahmins and Householders of Campā1. The Brahmins and Householders of Campā

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Aṅgas together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants when he arrived at Campā,At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Aṅgas together with a large Saṅgha of five hundred mendicants when he arrived at Campā,where he stayed by the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.where he stayed by the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.

Now at that time the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa was living in Campā. It was a crown property given by King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, teeming with living creatures, full of hay, wood, water, and grain, a royal park endowed to a brahmin.Now at that time the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa was living in Campā. It was a crown property given by King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, teeming with living creatures, full of hay, wood, water, and grain, a royal park endowed to a brahmin.The brahmins and householders of Campā heard:The brahmins and householders of Campā heard:“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Campā and is staying on the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Campā and is staying on the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.

He has this good reputation:He has this good reputation:‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others.He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others.

He teaches Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.He teaches Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.It’s good to see such perfected ones.”It’s good to see such perfected ones.”Then, exiting Campā, they formed into companies and headed to the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.Then, exiting Campā, they formed into companies and headed to the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.

Now at that time the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa had retired to the upper floor of his stilt longhouse for his midday nap.Now at that time the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa had retired to the upper floor of his stilt longhouse for his midday nap.He saw the brahmins and householders heading for the lotus pond,He saw the brahmins and householders heading for the lotus pond,and addressed his butler,and addressed his butler,

“My butler, why are the brahmins and householders headed for the Gaggarā Lotus Pond?”“My butler, why are the brahmins and householders headed for the Gaggarā Lotus Pond?”“The ascetic Gotama has arrived at Campā and is staying on the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.“The ascetic Gotama has arrived at Campā and is staying on the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.He has this good reputation:He has this good reputation:

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’They’re going to see that worthy Gotama.”They’re going to see that worthy Gotama.”“Well then, go to the brahmins and householders and say to them:“Well then, go to the brahmins and householders and say to them:

‘Sirs, the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa asks‘Sirs, the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa asksyou to wait, as he will also go to see the ascetic Gotama.’”you to wait, as he will also go to see the ascetic Gotama.’”“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the butler, and did as he was asked.“Yes, worthy sir,” replied the butler, and did as he was asked.

2. The Qualities of Soṇadaṇḍa2. The Qualities of Soṇadaṇḍa

Now at that time around five hundred brahmins from abroad were residing in Campā on some business.Now at that time around five hundred brahmins from abroad were residing in Campā on some business.They heard thatThey heard thatthe brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa was going to see the ascetic Gotama.the brahmin Soṇadaṇḍa was going to see the ascetic Gotama.

They approached Soṇadaṇḍa and said to him,They approached Soṇadaṇḍa and said to him,“Is it really true that you are going to see the ascetic Gotama?”“Is it really true that you are going to see the ascetic Gotama?”“Yes, gentlemen, it is true.”“Yes, gentlemen, it is true.”

“Please don’t, worthy Soṇadaṇḍa!“Please don’t, worthy Soṇadaṇḍa!It’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama.It’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama.For if you do so, your reputation will diminish and his will increase.For if you do so, your reputation will diminish and his will increase.

For this reason it’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama;For this reason it’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama;it’s appropriate that he comes to see you.it’s appropriate that he comes to see you.You are well born on both your mother’s and father’s side, stemming from a pure vessel, with irrefutable and impeccable genealogy back to the seventh paternal generation.You are well born on both your mother’s and father’s side, stemming from a pure vessel, with irrefutable and impeccable genealogy back to the seventh paternal generation.

For this reason it’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama;For this reason it’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama;it’s appropriate that he comes to see you.it’s appropriate that he comes to see you.You’re rich, affluent, and wealthy. …You’re rich, affluent, and wealthy. …

You recite and remember the hymns, and have mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies and ritual performance, their phonology and word classification, and the testaments as fifth. You know them word-by-word, and their grammar. You are well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man. …You recite and remember the hymns, and have mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies and ritual performance, their phonology and word classification, and the testaments as fifth. You know them word-by-word, and their grammar. You are well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man. …You are attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. You have divine looks and lustre, remarkable to behold. …You are attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. You have divine looks and lustre, remarkable to behold. …

You are ethical, mature in ethical conduct. …You are ethical, mature in ethical conduct. …You’re a good speaker who enunciates well, with a polished, clear, and articulate voice that expresses the meaning. …You’re a good speaker who enunciates well, with a polished, clear, and articulate voice that expresses the meaning. …You’re the tutor of tutors for many, and teach three hundred young students to recite the hymns. Many students come from various districts and countries for the sake of the hymns, wishing to learn the hymns. …You’re the tutor of tutors for many, and teach three hundred young students to recite the hymns. Many students come from various districts and countries for the sake of the hymns, wishing to learn the hymns. …

You’re old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and have reached the final stage of life.You’re old, elderly and senior, advanced in years, and have reached the final stage of life.The ascetic Gotama is young, and has newly gone forth. …The ascetic Gotama is young, and has newly gone forth. …You’re honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by King Bimbisāra of Magadha …You’re honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by King Bimbisāra of Magadha …

and the brahmin Pokkharasāti. …and the brahmin Pokkharasāti. …You live in Campā, a crown property given by King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, teeming with living creatures, full of hay, wood, water, and grain, a royal park endowed to a brahmin.You live in Campā, a crown property given by King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, teeming with living creatures, full of hay, wood, water, and grain, a royal park endowed to a brahmin.For this reason, too, it’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama;For this reason, too, it’s not appropriate for you to go to see the ascetic Gotama;

it’s appropriate that he comes to see you.”it’s appropriate that he comes to see you.”

3. The Qualities of the Buddha3. The Qualities of the Buddha

When they had spoken, Soṇadaṇḍa said to those brahmins:When they had spoken, Soṇadaṇḍa said to those brahmins:“Well then, gentlemen, listen to why it’s appropriate for me to go to see the ascetic Gotama,“Well then, gentlemen, listen to why it’s appropriate for me to go to see the ascetic Gotama,and it’s not appropriate for him to come to see me.and it’s not appropriate for him to come to see me.

He is well born on both his mother’s and father’s side, stemming from a clean vessel, with irrefutable and impeccable genealogy back to the seventh paternal generation.He is well born on both his mother’s and father’s side, stemming from a clean vessel, with irrefutable and impeccable genealogy back to the seventh paternal generation.For this reason it’s not appropriate for the ascetic Gotama to come to see me;For this reason it’s not appropriate for the ascetic Gotama to come to see me;rather, it’s appropriate for me to go to see him.rather, it’s appropriate for me to go to see him.

When he went forth he abandoned a large family circle. …When he went forth he abandoned a large family circle. …When he went forth he abandoned abundant gold, both coined and uncoined, stored above and below ground. …When he went forth he abandoned abundant gold, both coined and uncoined, stored above and below ground. …He went forth from the lay life to homelessness while still a youth, young, with pristine black hair, blessed with youth, in the prime of life. …He went forth from the lay life to homelessness while still a youth, young, with pristine black hair, blessed with youth, in the prime of life. …

Though his mother and father wished otherwise, weeping with tearful faces, he shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness. …Though his mother and father wished otherwise, weeping with tearful faces, he shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness. …He is attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. He has divine looks and lustre, remarkable to behold. …He is attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. He has divine looks and lustre, remarkable to behold. …He is ethical, possessing ethical conduct that is noble and skillful. …He is ethical, possessing ethical conduct that is noble and skillful. …

He’s a good speaker who enunciates well, with a polished, clear, and articulate voice that expresses the meaning. …He’s a good speaker who enunciates well, with a polished, clear, and articulate voice that expresses the meaning. …He’s a tutor of tutors. …He’s a tutor of tutors. …He has ended sensual desire, and is rid of caprice. …He has ended sensual desire, and is rid of caprice. …

He teaches the efficacy of deeds and action. He doesn’t wish any harm upon the community of brahmins. …He teaches the efficacy of deeds and action. He doesn’t wish any harm upon the community of brahmins. …He went forth from an eminent family of unbroken aristocratic lineage. …He went forth from an eminent family of unbroken aristocratic lineage. …He went forth from a rich, affluent, and wealthy family. …He went forth from a rich, affluent, and wealthy family. …

People come from distant lands and distant countries to question him. …People come from distant lands and distant countries to question him. …Many thousands of deities have gone for refuge for life to him. …Many thousands of deities have gone for refuge for life to him. …He has this good reputation:He has this good reputation:

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ …‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ …He has the thirty-two marks of a great man. …He has the thirty-two marks of a great man. …He is welcoming, congenial, polite, smiling, open, the first to speak. …He is welcoming, congenial, polite, smiling, open, the first to speak. …

He’s honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by the four assemblies. …He’s honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by the four assemblies. …Many gods and humans are devoted to him. …Many gods and humans are devoted to him. …While he is residing in a village or town, non-human entities do not harass them. …While he is residing in a village or town, non-human entities do not harass them. …

He leads an order and a community, and tutors a community, and is said to be the best of the various religious founders. He didn’t come by his fame in the same ways as those other ascetics and brahmins.He leads an order and a community, and tutors a community, and is said to be the best of the various religious founders. He didn’t come by his fame in the same ways as those other ascetics and brahmins.Rather, he came by his fame due to his supreme knowledge and conduct. …Rather, he came by his fame due to his supreme knowledge and conduct. …King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha and his wives and children have gone for refuge for life to the ascetic Gotama. …King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha and his wives and children have gone for refuge for life to the ascetic Gotama. …

King Pasenadi of Kosala and his wives and children have gone for refuge for life to the ascetic Gotama. …King Pasenadi of Kosala and his wives and children have gone for refuge for life to the ascetic Gotama. …The brahmin Pokkharasāti and his wives and children have gone for refuge for life to the ascetic Gotama. …The brahmin Pokkharasāti and his wives and children have gone for refuge for life to the ascetic Gotama. …He’s honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by King Bimbisāra of Magadha …He’s honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed by King Bimbisāra of Magadha …

King Pasenadi of Kosala …King Pasenadi of Kosala …and the brahmin Pokkharasāti.and the brahmin Pokkharasāti.The ascetic Gotama has arrived at Campā and is staying at the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.The ascetic Gotama has arrived at Campā and is staying at the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.

Any ascetic or brahmin who comes to stay in our village district is our guest,Any ascetic or brahmin who comes to stay in our village district is our guest,and should be honored and respected as such.and should be honored and respected as such.For this reason, too, it’s not appropriate for the worthy Gotama to come to see me;For this reason, too, it’s not appropriate for the worthy Gotama to come to see me;

rather, it’s appropriate for me to go to see him.rather, it’s appropriate for me to go to see him.This is the extent of the worthy Gotama’s praise that I have memorized. But his praises are not confined to this,This is the extent of the worthy Gotama’s praise that I have memorized. But his praises are not confined to this,for the praise of the worthy Gotama is limitless.”for the praise of the worthy Gotama is limitless.”

When he had spoken, those brahmins said to him,When he had spoken, those brahmins said to him,“According to Soṇadaṇḍa’s praises, if the worthy Gotama were staying within a hundred leagues, it’d be worthwhile for a faithful gentleman to go to see him, even if he had to carry his own provisions in a knapsack.”“According to Soṇadaṇḍa’s praises, if the worthy Gotama were staying within a hundred leagues, it’d be worthwhile for a faithful gentleman to go to see him, even if he had to carry his own provisions in a knapsack.”“Well then, gentlemen, let’s all go to see the ascetic Gotama.”“Well then, gentlemen, let’s all go to see the ascetic Gotama.”

4. Soṇadaṇḍa Has Second Thoughts4. Soṇadaṇḍa Has Second Thoughts

Then Soṇadaṇḍa together with a large group of brahmins approached the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.Then Soṇadaṇḍa together with a large group of brahmins approached the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.But as he reached the far side of the forest, this thought came to mind,But as he reached the far side of the forest, this thought came to mind,“Suppose I was to ask the ascetic Gotama a question.“Suppose I was to ask the ascetic Gotama a question.

He might say to me:He might say to me:‘Brahmin, you shouldn’t ask your question like that. This is how you should ask it.’ And the assembly might disparage me for that:‘Brahmin, you shouldn’t ask your question like that. This is how you should ask it.’ And the assembly might disparage me for that:‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s not able to ask the ascetic Gotama a rational question.’‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s not able to ask the ascetic Gotama a rational question.’

And when you’re disparaged by the assembly, your reputation diminishes.And when you’re disparaged by the assembly, your reputation diminishes.When your reputation diminishes, your wealth also diminishes.When your reputation diminishes, your wealth also diminishes.But my wealth relies on my reputation.But my wealth relies on my reputation.

Or if the ascetic Gotama asks me a question, I might not satisfy him with my answer.Or if the ascetic Gotama asks me a question, I might not satisfy him with my answer.He might say to me:He might say to me:‘Brahmin, you shouldn’t answer the question like that. This is how you should answer it.’ And the assembly might disparage me for that:‘Brahmin, you shouldn’t answer the question like that. This is how you should answer it.’ And the assembly might disparage me for that:

‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s not able to satisfy the ascetic Gotama’s mind with his answer.’‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s not able to satisfy the ascetic Gotama’s mind with his answer.’And when you’re disparaged by the assembly, your reputation diminishes.And when you’re disparaged by the assembly, your reputation diminishes.When your reputation diminishes, your wealth also diminishes.When your reputation diminishes, your wealth also diminishes.

But my wealth relies on my reputation.But my wealth relies on my reputation.On the other hand, if I were to turn back after having come so far without having seen the ascetic Gotama, the assembly might disparage me for that:On the other hand, if I were to turn back after having come so far without having seen the ascetic Gotama, the assembly might disparage me for that:‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s stuck-up and scared. He doesn’t dare to go and see the ascetic Gotama. For how on earth can he turn back after having come so far without having seen the ascetic Gotama!’‘Soṇadaṇḍa is foolish and incompetent. He’s stuck-up and scared. He doesn’t dare to go and see the ascetic Gotama. For how on earth can he turn back after having come so far without having seen the ascetic Gotama!’