中部第 34 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd · 1/1

Middle Discourses 34Middle Discourses 34The Shorter Discourse on the CowherdThe Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Vajjis near Ukkacelā on the bank of the Ganges River.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Vajjis near Ukkacelā on the bank of the Ganges River.There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,

“Mendicants!”“Mendicants!”“Venerable sir,” they replied.“Venerable sir,” they replied.The Buddha said this:The Buddha said this:

“Once upon a time, mendicants, there was an unintelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, without inspecting the near shore or the far shore, he drove his cattle across a place with no ford on the Ganges River to the northern shore among the Suvidehans.“Once upon a time, mendicants, there was an unintelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, without inspecting the near shore or the far shore, he drove his cattle across a place with no ford on the Ganges River to the northern shore among the Suvidehans.But the cattle bunched up in mid-stream and came to ruin right there.But the cattle bunched up in mid-stream and came to ruin right there.Why is that?Why is that?

Because the unintelligent cowherd failed to inspect the shores before driving the cattle across at a place with no ford.Because the unintelligent cowherd failed to inspect the shores before driving the cattle across at a place with no ford.In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are unskilled in this world and the other world, unskilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and unskilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting harm and suffering.In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are unskilled in this world and the other world, unskilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and unskilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting harm and suffering.

Once upon a time, mendicants, there was an intelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, after inspecting the near shore and the far shore, he drove his cattle across a ford on the Ganges River to the northern shore among the Suvidehans.Once upon a time, mendicants, there was an intelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, after inspecting the near shore and the far shore, he drove his cattle across a ford on the Ganges River to the northern shore among the Suvidehans.First he drove across the bulls, the fathers and captains of the herd.First he drove across the bulls, the fathers and captains of the herd.They breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.They breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.

Then he drove across the strong and tractable cattle.Then he drove across the strong and tractable cattle.They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.Then he drove across the bullocks and heifers.Then he drove across the bullocks and heifers.

They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.Then he drove across the calves and weak cattle.Then he drove across the calves and weak cattle.They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore.

Once it happened that a baby calf had just been born. Urged on by its mother’s lowing, even it managed to breast the stream of the Ganges and safely reach the far shore.Once it happened that a baby calf had just been born. Urged on by its mother’s lowing, even it managed to breast the stream of the Ganges and safely reach the far shore.Why is that?Why is that?Because the intelligent cowherd inspected both shores before driving the cattle across at a ford.Because the intelligent cowherd inspected both shores before driving the cattle across at a ford.

In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.Just like the bulls, fathers and captains of the herd, who crossed the Ganges to safetyJust like the bulls, fathers and captains of the herd, who crossed the Ganges to safety

are the mendicants who are perfected, who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and are rightly freed through enlightenment. Having breasted Māra’s stream, they have safely crossed over to the far shore.are the mendicants who are perfected, who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and are rightly freed through enlightenment. Having breasted Māra’s stream, they have safely crossed over to the far shore.Just like the strong and tractable cattle who crossed the Ganges to safetyJust like the strong and tractable cattle who crossed the Ganges to safety

are the mendicants who, with the ending of the five lower fetters, are reborn spontaneously. They’re extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.are the mendicants who, with the ending of the five lower fetters, are reborn spontaneously. They’re extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.Just like the bullocks and heifers who crossed the Ganges to safetyJust like the bullocks and heifers who crossed the Ganges to safetyare the mendicants who, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, are once-returners. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.are the mendicants who, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, are once-returners. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.

Just like the calves and weak cattle who crossed the Ganges to safetyJust like the calves and weak cattle who crossed the Ganges to safetyare the mendicants who, with the ending of three fetters are stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.are the mendicants who, with the ending of three fetters are stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.Just like the baby calf who had just been born, but, urged on by its mother’s lowing, still managed to cross the Ganges to safetyJust like the baby calf who had just been born, but, urged on by its mother’s lowing, still managed to cross the Ganges to safety

are the mendicants who are followers of teachings, followers by faith. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.are the mendicants who are followers of teachings, followers by faith. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.Mendicants, I am skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks I am worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.”Mendicants, I am skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks I am worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.”

That is what the Buddha said.That is what the Buddha said.Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:“This world and the other world“This world and the other world

have been clearly explained by one who knows;have been clearly explained by one who knows;as well as Māra’s reach,as well as Māra’s reach,and what’s out of Death’s reach.and what’s out of Death’s reach.

Directly knowing the whole world,Directly knowing the whole world,the Buddha who understandsthe Buddha who understandshas opened the door to freedom from death,has opened the door to freedom from death,

for finding the sanctuary, extinguishment.for finding the sanctuary, extinguishment.The Wicked One’s stream has been cut,The Wicked One’s stream has been cut,it’s blown away and mown down.it’s blown away and mown down.

Be full of joy, mendicants,Be full of joy, mendicants,set your heart on sanctuary!”set your heart on sanctuary!”