中部第 23 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · The Termite Mound · 1/1

Middle Discourses 23Middle Discourses 23The Termite MoundThe Termite Mound

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.Now at that time Venerable Kassapa the Prince was staying in the Dark Forest.Now at that time Venerable Kassapa the Prince was staying in the Dark Forest.

Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Dark Forest, went up to Kassapa the Prince, stood to one side, and said:Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Dark Forest, went up to Kassapa the Prince, stood to one side, and said:“Monk, monk! This termite mound fumes by night and flames by day.“Monk, monk! This termite mound fumes by night and flames by day.The brahmin said,The brahmin said,

‘Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’‘Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a sticking point:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a sticking point:‘A sticking point, sir!’‘A sticking point, sir!’

The brahmin said,The brahmin said,‘Throw out the sticking point!‘Throw out the sticking point!Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’

Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a bullfrog:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a bullfrog:‘A bullfrog, sir!’‘A bullfrog, sir!’The brahmin said,The brahmin said,

‘Throw out the bullfrog!‘Throw out the bullfrog!Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a forked path:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a forked path:

‘A forked path, sir!’‘A forked path, sir!’The brahmin said,The brahmin said,‘Throw out the forked path!‘Throw out the forked path!

Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a filter of ash:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a filter of ash:‘A filter of ash, sir!’‘A filter of ash, sir!’

The brahmin said,The brahmin said,‘Throw out the filter of ash!‘Throw out the filter of ash!Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’

Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a tortoise:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a tortoise:‘A tortoise, sir!’‘A tortoise, sir!’The brahmin said,The brahmin said,

‘Throw out the tortoise!‘Throw out the tortoise!Dig, clever one, having taken up the sword!’Dig, clever one, having taken up the sword!’Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a butcher’s knife and chopping board:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a butcher’s knife and chopping board:

‘A butcher’s knife and chopping board, sir!’‘A butcher’s knife and chopping board, sir!’The brahmin said,The brahmin said,‘Throw out the butcher’s knife and chopping board!‘Throw out the butcher’s knife and chopping board!

Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a scrap of meat:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a scrap of meat:‘A scrap of meat, sir!’‘A scrap of meat, sir!’

The brahmin said,The brahmin said,‘Throw out the scrap of meat!‘Throw out the scrap of meat!Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’Dig, clever one, having picked up the sword!’

Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a king cobra:Picking up the sword and digging, the clever one saw a king cobra:‘A king cobra, sir!’‘A king cobra, sir!’The brahmin said,The brahmin said,

‘Leave the king cobra! Do not disturb the cobra! Worship the cobra!’‘Leave the king cobra! Do not disturb the cobra! Worship the cobra!’Mendicant, go to the Buddha and ask him about this riddle. You should remember it in line with his answer.Mendicant, go to the Buddha and ask him about this riddle. You should remember it in line with his answer.I don’t see anyone in this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans—who could provide a satisfying answer to this riddle except the Realized One or his disciple or someone who has heard it from them.”I don’t see anyone in this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans—who could provide a satisfying answer to this riddle except the Realized One or his disciple or someone who has heard it from them.”

That is what that deity saidThat is what that deity saidbefore vanishing right there.before vanishing right there.Then, when the night had passed, Kassapa the Prince went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. Then he asked:Then, when the night had passed, Kassapa the Prince went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. Then he asked:

“Sir, what is the termite mound? What is the fuming by night and flaming by day? Who is the brahmin, and who the clever one? What are the sword, the digging, the sticking point, the bullfrog, the forked path, the filter of ash, the tortoise, the butcher’s knife and chopping board, and the scrap of meat? And what is the king cobra?”“Sir, what is the termite mound? What is the fuming by night and flaming by day? Who is the brahmin, and who the clever one? What are the sword, the digging, the sticking point, the bullfrog, the forked path, the filter of ash, the tortoise, the butcher’s knife and chopping board, and the scrap of meat? And what is the king cobra?”“Mendicant, ‘termite mound’ is a term for this body made up of the four principal states, produced by mother and father, built up from rice and porridge, liable to impermanence, to wearing away and erosion, to breaking up and destruction.“Mendicant, ‘termite mound’ is a term for this body made up of the four principal states, produced by mother and father, built up from rice and porridge, liable to impermanence, to wearing away and erosion, to breaking up and destruction.

Thinking and considering all night about what you did during the day—Thinking and considering all night about what you did during the day—this is the fuming at night.this is the fuming at night.The work you apply yourself to during the day by body, speech, and mind after thinking about it all night—The work you apply yourself to during the day by body, speech, and mind after thinking about it all night—

this is the flaming by day.this is the flaming by day.‘Brahmin’ is a term for the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.‘Brahmin’ is a term for the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.‘Clever one’ is a term for the trainee mendicant.‘Clever one’ is a term for the trainee mendicant.

‘Sword’ is a term for noble wisdom.‘Sword’ is a term for noble wisdom.‘Digging’ is a term for rousing energy.‘Digging’ is a term for rousing energy.‘Sticking point’ is a term for ignorance.‘Sticking point’ is a term for ignorance.

‘Throw out the sticking point’ means ‘give up ignorance,‘Throw out the sticking point’ means ‘give up ignorance,dig, clever one, having picked up the sword.’dig, clever one, having picked up the sword.’‘Bullfrog’ is a term for anger and distress.‘Bullfrog’ is a term for anger and distress.

‘Throw out the bullfrog’ means ‘give up anger and distress’ …‘Throw out the bullfrog’ means ‘give up anger and distress’ …‘A forked path’ is a term for doubt.‘A forked path’ is a term for doubt.‘Throw out the forked path’ means ‘give up doubt’ …‘Throw out the forked path’ means ‘give up doubt’ …

‘A filter of ash’ is a term for the five hindrances, that is:‘A filter of ash’ is a term for the five hindrances, that is:the hindrances of sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt.the hindrances of sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt.‘Throw out the filter of ash’ means ‘give up the five hindrances’ …‘Throw out the filter of ash’ means ‘give up the five hindrances’ …

‘Tortoise’ is a term for the five grasping aggregates, that is:‘Tortoise’ is a term for the five grasping aggregates, that is:form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.‘Throw out the tortoise’ means ‘give up the five grasping aggregates’ …‘Throw out the tortoise’ means ‘give up the five grasping aggregates’ …

‘Butcher’s knife and chopping board’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.‘Butcher’s knife and chopping board’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.Sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.Sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.Sounds known by the ear …Sounds known by the ear …

Smells known by the nose …Smells known by the nose …Tastes known by the tongue …Tastes known by the tongue …Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

‘Throw out the butcher’s knife and chopping board’ means ‘give up the five kinds of sensual stimulation’ …‘Throw out the butcher’s knife and chopping board’ means ‘give up the five kinds of sensual stimulation’ …‘Scrap of meat’ is a term for greed and relishing.‘Scrap of meat’ is a term for greed and relishing.‘Throw out the scrap of meat’ means ‘give up greed and relishing’ …‘Throw out the scrap of meat’ means ‘give up greed and relishing’ …

‘King cobra’ is a term for a mendicant who has ended the defilements.‘King cobra’ is a term for a mendicant who has ended the defilements.This is the meaning of: ‘Leave the king cobra! Do not disturb the cobra! Worship the cobra!’”This is the meaning of: ‘Leave the king cobra! Do not disturb the cobra! Worship the cobra!’”That is what the Buddha said.That is what the Buddha said.

Satisfied, Venerable Kassapa the Prince approved what the Buddha said.Satisfied, Venerable Kassapa the Prince approved what the Buddha said.