中部第 27 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · The Shorter Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint · 1/2

Middle Discourses 27Middle Discourses 27The Shorter Simile of the Elephant’s FootprintThe Shorter Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint

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 the brahmin Jānussoṇi drove out from Sāvatthī in the middle of the day in an all-white chariot drawn by mares.Now at that time the brahmin Jānussoṇi drove out from Sāvatthī in the middle of the day in an all-white chariot drawn by mares.

He saw the wanderer Pilotika coming off in the distance,He saw the wanderer Pilotika coming off in the distance,and said to him,and said to him,“So, worthy Vacchāyana, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?”“So, worthy Vacchāyana, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?”

“Just now, worthy sir, I’ve come from the presence of the ascetic Gotama.”“Just now, worthy sir, I’ve come from the presence of the ascetic Gotama.”“What do you think of the ascetic Gotama’s lucidity of wisdom? Do you think he’s astute?”“What do you think of the ascetic Gotama’s lucidity of wisdom? Do you think he’s astute?”“Worthy sir, who am I to judge the ascetic Gotama’s lucidity of wisdom?“Worthy sir, who am I to judge the ascetic Gotama’s lucidity of wisdom?

You’d really have to be on the same level to judge his lucidity of wisdom.”You’d really have to be on the same level to judge his lucidity of wisdom.”“Worthy Vacchāyana praises the ascetic Gotama with high praise indeed.”“Worthy Vacchāyana praises the ascetic Gotama with high praise indeed.”“Who am I to praise the ascetic Gotama?“Who am I to praise the ascetic Gotama?

He is praised by the praised as the first among gods and humans.”He is praised by the praised as the first among gods and humans.”“But for what reason are you so devoted to the ascetic Gotama?”“But for what reason are you so devoted to the ascetic Gotama?”“Suppose that a skilled bull elephant tracker were to enter a bull elephant wood.“Suppose that a skilled bull elephant tracker were to enter a bull elephant wood.

There he’d see a large elephant’s footprint, long and broad.There he’d see a large elephant’s footprint, long and broad.He would come to the conclusion,He would come to the conclusion,‘This must be a big bull elephant.’‘This must be a big bull elephant.’

In the same way, because I saw four footprints of the ascetic Gotama I came to the conclusion,In the same way, because I saw four footprints of the ascetic Gotama I came to the conclusion,‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’What four?What four?

Firstly, I see some astute aristocrats who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. You’d think they live to demolish convictions with their intellect.Firstly, I see some astute aristocrats who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. You’d think they live to demolish convictions with their intellect.They hear,They hear,‘So, worthy sir, that ascetic Gotama will come down to such-and-such village or town.’‘So, worthy sir, that ascetic Gotama will come down to such-and-such village or town.’

They formulate a question, thinking,They formulate a question, thinking,‘We’ll approach the ascetic Gotama and ask him this question.‘We’ll approach the ascetic Gotama and ask him this question.If he answers like this, we’ll refute him like that;If he answers like this, we’ll refute him like that;

and if he answers like that, we’ll refute him like this.’and if he answers like that, we’ll refute him like this.’When they hear thatWhen they hear thathe has come downhe has come down

they approach him.they approach him.The ascetic Gotama educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires them with a Dhamma talk.The ascetic Gotama educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires them with a Dhamma talk.They don’t even get around to asking their question to the ascetic Gotama, so how could they refute his answer?They don’t even get around to asking their question to the ascetic Gotama, so how could they refute his answer?

Invariably, they become his disciples.Invariably, they become his disciples.When I saw this first footprint of the ascetic Gotama, I came to the conclusion,When I saw this first footprint of the ascetic Gotama, I came to the conclusion,‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

Furthermore, I see some astute brahmins …Furthermore, I see some astute brahmins …some astute householders …some astute householders …they become his disciples.they become his disciples.

Furthermore, I see some astute ascetics who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. …Furthermore, I see some astute ascetics who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. …They don’t even get around to asking their question to the ascetic Gotama, so how could they refute his answer?They don’t even get around to asking their question to the ascetic Gotama, so how could they refute his answer?Invariably, they ask the ascetic Gotama for the chance to go forth.Invariably, they ask the ascetic Gotama for the chance to go forth.

And he gives them the going-forth.And he gives them the going-forth.Soon after going forth, living withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, they realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. They live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.Soon after going forth, living withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, they realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. They live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.They say,They say,

‘We were almost lost! We almost perished!‘We were almost lost! We almost perished!For we used to claim that we were ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones, but we were none of these things.For we used to claim that we were ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones, but we were none of these things.But now we really are ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones!’But now we really are ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones!’

When I saw this fourth footprint of the ascetic Gotama, I came to the conclusion,When I saw this fourth footprint of the ascetic Gotama, I came to the conclusion,‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’It’s because I saw these four footprints of the ascetic Gotama that I came to the conclusion,It’s because I saw these four footprints of the ascetic Gotama that I came to the conclusion,

‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’”‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’”When he had spoken, Jānussoṇi got down from his chariot, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his cupped palms toward the Buddha, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment three times:When he had spoken, Jānussoṇi got down from his chariot, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his cupped palms toward the Buddha, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment three times:“Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!“Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!Hopefully, some time or other I’ll get to meet the worthy Gotama, and we can have a discussion.”Hopefully, some time or other I’ll get to meet the worthy Gotama, and we can have a discussion.”

Then the brahmin Jānussoṇi went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.Then the brahmin Jānussoṇi went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,and informed the Buddha of all he had discussed with the wanderer Pilotika.and informed the Buddha of all he had discussed with the wanderer Pilotika.

When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him,When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him,“Brahmin, the simile of the elephant’s footprint is not yet completed in detail.“Brahmin, the simile of the elephant’s footprint is not yet completed in detail.As to how it is completed in detail,As to how it is completed in detail,

listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”“Yes, worthy sir,” Jānussoṇi replied.“Yes, worthy sir,” Jānussoṇi replied.The Buddha said this:The Buddha said this:

“Suppose a bull elephant tracker were to enter a bull elephant wood.“Suppose a bull elephant tracker were to enter a bull elephant wood.There they’d see a large elephant’s footprint, long and broad.There they’d see a large elephant’s footprint, long and broad.A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,

‘This must be a big bull elephant.’‘This must be a big bull elephant.’Why not?Why not?Because in an elephant wood there are dwarf cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.Because in an elephant wood there are dwarf cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.

They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces high up.They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces high up.A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,‘This must be a big bull elephant.’‘This must be a big bull elephant.’

Why not?Why not?Because in an elephant wood there are tall lofty cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.Because in an elephant wood there are tall lofty cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces and tusk-marks high up.They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces and tusk-marks high up.

A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,‘This must be a big bull elephant.’‘This must be a big bull elephant.’Why not?Why not?

Because in an elephant wood there are tall matriarch cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.Because in an elephant wood there are tall matriarch cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces, tusk-marks, and broken branches high up.They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces, tusk-marks, and broken branches high up.And they see that bull elephant walking, standing, sitting, or lying down at the root of a tree or in the open.And they see that bull elephant walking, standing, sitting, or lying down at the root of a tree or in the open.

Then they’d come to the conclusion,Then they’d come to the conclusion,‘This is that big bull elephant.’‘This is that big bull elephant.’In the same way, brahmin, a Realized One arises in the world, 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.In the same way, brahmin, a Realized One arises in the world, 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 realizes 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 realizes 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 complete 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 complete and pure.

A householder hears that teaching, or a householder’s child, or someone reborn in a good family.A householder hears that teaching, or a householder’s child, or someone reborn in a good family.They gain faith in the Realized One,They gain faith in the Realized One,and reflect:and reflect:

‘Life at home is cramped and dirty, life gone forth is wide open.‘Life at home is cramped and dirty, life gone forth is wide open.It’s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell.It’s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell.Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’

After some time they give up a large or small fortune, and a large or small family circle. They shave off hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.After some time they give up a large or small fortune, and a large or small family circle. They shave off hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.Once they’ve gone forth, they take up the training and livelihood of the mendicants. They give up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. They’re scrupulous and kind, living full of sympathy for all living beings.Once they’ve gone forth, they take up the training and livelihood of the mendicants. They give up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. They’re scrupulous and kind, living full of sympathy for all living beings.

They give up stealing. They take only what’s given, and expect only what’s given. They keep themselves clean by not thieving.They give up stealing. They take only what’s given, and expect only what’s given. They keep themselves clean by not thieving.They give up unchastity. They are chaste, set apart, refraining from the vulgar act of sex.They give up unchastity. They are chaste, set apart, refraining from the vulgar act of sex.They give up lying. They speak the truth and stick to the truth. They’re honest and dependable, and don’t trick the world with their words.They give up lying. They speak the truth and stick to the truth. They’re honest and dependable, and don’t trick the world with their words.

They give up backbiting. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided and support those who are united, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.They give up backbiting. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided and support those who are united, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.They give up harsh speech. They speak in a way that’s mellow, pleasing to the ear, endearing, going to the heart, polite, likable, and agreeable to the people.They give up harsh speech. They speak in a way that’s mellow, pleasing to the ear, endearing, going to the heart, polite, likable, and agreeable to the people.

They give up talking nonsense. Their words are timely, true, and meaningful, in line with the teaching and training. They say things at the right time which are valuable, reasonable, succinct, and beneficial.They give up talking nonsense. Their words are timely, true, and meaningful, in line with the teaching and training. They say things at the right time which are valuable, reasonable, succinct, and beneficial.They refrain from injuring plants and seeds.They refrain from injuring plants and seeds.They eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night and at the wrong time.They eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night and at the wrong time.

They refrain from seeing shows of dancing, singing, and music.They refrain from seeing shows of dancing, singing, and music.They refrain from attiring and adorning themselves with garlands, fragrance, and makeup.They refrain from attiring and adorning themselves with garlands, fragrance, and makeup.They refrain from high and luxurious beds.They refrain from high and luxurious beds.

They refrain from receiving gold and currency,They refrain from receiving gold and currency,raw grains,raw grains,raw meat,raw meat,

women and girls,women and girls,male and female bondservants,male and female bondservants,goats and sheep,goats and sheep,

chickens and pigs,chickens and pigs,elephants, cows, horses, and mares,elephants, cows, horses, and mares,and fields and land.and fields and land.

They refrain from running errands and messages;They refrain from running errands and messages;