中部第 28 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · The Longer Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint · 1/2

Middle Discourses 28Middle Discourses 28The Longer Simile of the Elephant’s FootprintThe Longer 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.There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants,There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants,

“Reverends, mendicants!”“Reverends, mendicants!”“Reverend,” they replied.“Reverend,” they replied.Sāriputta said this:Sāriputta said this:

“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint, so an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint, so an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.In the same way, all skillful qualities are included in the four noble truths.In the same way, all skillful qualities are included in the four noble truths.What four?What four?

The noble truths of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.The noble truths of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.And what is the noble truth of suffering?And what is the noble truth of suffering?Rebirth is suffering; old age is suffering; death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are suffering; not getting what you wish for is suffering. In brief, the five grasping aggregates are suffering.Rebirth is suffering; old age is suffering; death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are suffering; not getting what you wish for is suffering. In brief, the five grasping aggregates are suffering.

And what are the five grasping aggregates?And what are the five grasping aggregates?They are as follows: the grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.They are as follows: the grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.And what is the grasping aggregate of form?And what is the grasping aggregate of form?

The four principal states, and form derived from the four principal states.The four principal states, and form derived from the four principal states.And what are the four principal states?And what are the four principal states?The elements of earth, water, fire, and air.The elements of earth, water, fire, and air.

And what is the earth element?And what is the earth element?The earth element may be interior or exterior.The earth element may be interior or exterior.And what is the interior earth element?And what is the interior earth element?

Anything internal, personal, that’s hard, solid, and appropriated. This includes:Anything internal, personal, that’s hard, solid, and appropriated. This includes:head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces; or anything else internal, personal, that’s hard, solid, and appropriated.head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces; or anything else internal, personal, that’s hard, solid, and appropriated.This is called the interior earth element.This is called the interior earth element.

The interior earth element and the exterior earth element are just the earth element.The interior earth element and the exterior earth element are just the earth element.This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the earth element, detaching the mind from the earth element.When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the earth element, detaching the mind from the earth element.

There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.At that time the exterior earth element vanishes.At that time the exterior earth element vanishes.So for all its great age, the earth element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.So for all its great age, the earth element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.

What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things.What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things.If others abuse, attack, harass, and trouble that mendicant, they understand:If others abuse, attack, harass, and trouble that mendicant, they understand:‘This painful feeling born of ear contact has arisen in me.‘This painful feeling born of ear contact has arisen in me.

That’s dependent, not independent.That’s dependent, not independent.Dependent on what?Dependent on what?Dependent on contact.’Dependent on contact.’

They see that contact, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are impermanent.They see that contact, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are impermanent.Based on that element alone, their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided.Based on that element alone, their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided.Others might treat that mendicant with disliking, loathing, and detestation,Others might treat that mendicant with disliking, loathing, and detestation,

striking them with fists, stones, sticks, and swords.striking them with fists, stones, sticks, and swords.They understand:They understand:‘This body is such that fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike it.‘This body is such that fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike it.

But the Buddha has said in the Advice on the Simile of the Saw:But the Buddha has said in the Advice on the Simile of the Saw:“Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb with a two-handed saw, anyone who had a malevolent thought on that account would not be following my instructions.”“Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb with a two-handed saw, anyone who had a malevolent thought on that account would not be following my instructions.”My energy shall be roused up and unflagging, my mindfulness established and lucid, my body tranquil and undisturbed, and my mind immersed and unified in samādhi.My energy shall be roused up and unflagging, my mindfulness established and lucid, my body tranquil and undisturbed, and my mind immersed and unified in samādhi.

Gladly now, let fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike this body! For this is how the instructions of the Buddhas are followed.’Gladly now, let fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike this body! For this is how the instructions of the Buddhas are followed.’While recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful may not become stabilized in them.While recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful may not become stabilized in them.In that case they stir up a sense of urgency:In that case they stir up a sense of urgency:

‘It’s my loss, my misfortune,‘It’s my loss, my misfortune,that while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does not become stabilized in me.’that while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does not become stabilized in me.’They’re like a daughter-in-law who stirs up a sense of urgency when they see their father-in-law.They’re like a daughter-in-law who stirs up a sense of urgency when they see their father-in-law.

But if, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.But if, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.And what is the water element?And what is the water element?

The water element may be interior or exterior.The water element may be interior or exterior.And what is the interior water element?And what is the interior water element?Anything internal, personal, that’s water, watery, and appropriated. This includes:Anything internal, personal, that’s water, watery, and appropriated. This includes:

bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine; or anything else internal, personal, that’s water, watery, and appropriated.bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine; or anything else internal, personal, that’s water, watery, and appropriated.This is called the interior water element.This is called the interior water element.The interior water element and the exterior water element are just the water element.The interior water element and the exterior water element are just the water element.

This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the water element, detaching the mind from the water element.When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the water element, detaching the mind from the water element.There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.

It sweeps away villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions.It sweeps away villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions.There comes a time when the water in the ocean sinks down a hundred leagues, or two, three, four, five, six, up to seven hundred leagues.There comes a time when the water in the ocean sinks down a hundred leagues, or two, three, four, five, six, up to seven hundred leagues.There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just seven palm trees deep, or six, five, four, three, two, or even just one palm tree deep.There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just seven palm trees deep, or six, five, four, three, two, or even just one palm tree deep.

There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just seven fathoms deep, or six, five, four, three, two, or even just one fathom deep.There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just seven fathoms deep, or six, five, four, three, two, or even just one fathom deep.There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just half a fathom deep, or waist deep, or knee deep, or even just ankle deep.There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just half a fathom deep, or waist deep, or knee deep, or even just ankle deep.There comes a time when there’s not even enough water left in the great ocean to wet the tip of the toe.There comes a time when there’s not even enough water left in the great ocean to wet the tip of the toe.

So for all its great age, the water element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.So for all its great age, the water element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things. …What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things. …If, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.If, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.

At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.And what is the fire element?And what is the fire element?The fire element may be interior or exterior.The fire element may be interior or exterior.

And what is the interior fire element?And what is the interior fire element?Anything internal, pertaining to an individual that’s fire, fiery, and appropriated. This includes:Anything internal, pertaining to an individual that’s fire, fiery, and appropriated. This includes:that which warms, that which ages, that which heats you up when feverish, that which properly digests food and drink; or anything else internal, personal, that’s fire, fiery, and appropriated.that which warms, that which ages, that which heats you up when feverish, that which properly digests food and drink; or anything else internal, personal, that’s fire, fiery, and appropriated.

This is called the interior fire element.This is called the interior fire element.The interior fire element and the exterior fire element are just the fire element.The interior fire element and the exterior fire element are just the fire element.This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the fire element, detaching the mind from the fire element.When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the fire element, detaching the mind from the fire element.There comes a time when the exterior fire element flares up.There comes a time when the exterior fire element flares up.It burns up villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions untilIt burns up villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions until

it reaches a green field, a roadside, a cliff’s edge, a body of water, or cleared parkland, where it’s extinguished due to not being fed.it reaches a green field, a roadside, a cliff’s edge, a body of water, or cleared parkland, where it’s extinguished due to not being fed.There comes a time when they go looking for a fire, taking just a chicken feather or a scrap of sinew as kindling.There comes a time when they go looking for a fire, taking just a chicken feather or a scrap of sinew as kindling.So for all its great age, the fire element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.So for all its great age, the fire element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.

What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things. …What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things. …If, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.If, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.

And what is the air element?And what is the air element?The air element may be interior or exterior.The air element may be interior or exterior.And what is the interior air element?And what is the interior air element?

Anything internal, personal, that’s air, airy, and appropriated. This includes:Anything internal, personal, that’s air, airy, and appropriated. This includes:winds that go up or down, winds in the belly or the bowels, winds that flow through the limbs, in-breaths and out-breaths; or anything else internal, personal, that’s air, airy, and appropriated.winds that go up or down, winds in the belly or the bowels, winds that flow through the limbs, in-breaths and out-breaths; or anything else internal, personal, that’s air, airy, and appropriated.This is called the interior air element.This is called the interior air element.

The interior air element and the exterior air element are just the air element.The interior air element and the exterior air element are just the air element.This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the air element, detaching the mind from the air element.When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the air element, detaching the mind from the air element.

There comes a time when the exterior air element flares up.There comes a time when the exterior air element flares up.It sweeps away villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions.It sweeps away villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions.There comes a time, in the last month of summer, when they look for wind by using a palm-leaf or fan, and even the grasses in the drip-fringe of a thatch roof don’t stir.There comes a time, in the last month of summer, when they look for wind by using a palm-leaf or fan, and even the grasses in the drip-fringe of a thatch roof don’t stir.

So for all its great age, the air element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.So for all its great age, the air element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things.What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things.If others abuse, attack, harass, and trouble that mendicant, they understand:If others abuse, attack, harass, and trouble that mendicant, they understand:

‘This painful feeling born of ear contact has arisen in me.‘This painful feeling born of ear contact has arisen in me.That’s dependent, not independent.That’s dependent, not independent.Dependent on what?Dependent on what?

Dependent on contact.’Dependent on contact.’They see that contact, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are impermanent.They see that contact, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are impermanent.Based on that element alone, their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided.Based on that element alone, their mind leaps forth, gains confidence, settles down, and becomes decided.

Others might treat that mendicant with disliking, loathing, and detestation, striking them with fists, stones, sticks, and swords.Others might treat that mendicant with disliking, loathing, and detestation, striking them with fists, stones, sticks, and swords.They understand: ‘This body is such that fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike it.They understand: ‘This body is such that fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike it.But the Buddha has said in the Advice on the Simile of the Saw: “Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb with a two-handed saw, anyone who had a thought of hate on that account would not be following my instructions.”But the Buddha has said in the Advice on the Simile of the Saw: “Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb with a two-handed saw, anyone who had a thought of hate on that account would not be following my instructions.”

My energy shall be roused up and unflagging, my mindfulness established and lucid, my body tranquil and undisturbed, and my mind immersed and unified in samādhi.My energy shall be roused up and unflagging, my mindfulness established and lucid, my body tranquil and undisturbed, and my mind immersed and unified in samādhi.Gladly now, let fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike this body! For this is how the instructions of the Buddhas are followed.’Gladly now, let fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike this body! For this is how the instructions of the Buddhas are followed.’While recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful may not become stabilized in them.While recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful may not become stabilized in them.

In that case they stir up a sense of urgency:In that case they stir up a sense of urgency: