中部第 36 经（Sujato 英译）第 2 阅读页 · The Longer Discourse With Saccaka · 2/3

Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,‘It is not solely by mere faith that Rāma declared: “I realize this teaching with my own insight, and live having achieved it.”‘It is not solely by mere faith that Rāma declared: “I realize this teaching with my own insight, and live having achieved it.”Surely he meditated knowing and seeing this teaching.’Surely he meditated knowing and seeing this teaching.’

So I approached Uddaka son of Rāma and said to him,So I approached Uddaka son of Rāma and said to him,‘Reverend, to what extent did Rāma say he’d realized this teaching with his own insight?’‘Reverend, to what extent did Rāma say he’d realized this teaching with his own insight?’When I said this, Uddaka son of Rāma declared the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.When I said this, Uddaka son of Rāma declared the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,‘It’s not just Rāma who had faith,‘It’s not just Rāma who had faith,energy,energy,

mindfulness,mindfulness,immersion,immersion,and wisdom; I too have these things.and wisdom; I too have these things.

Why don’t I make an effort to realize the same teaching that Rāma said he had realized with his own insight?’Why don’t I make an effort to realize the same teaching that Rāma said he had realized with his own insight?’I quickly realized that teaching with my own insight, and lived having achieved it.I quickly realized that teaching with my own insight, and lived having achieved it.So I approached Uddaka son of Rāma and said to him,So I approached Uddaka son of Rāma and said to him,

‘Reverend, had Rāma realized this teaching with his own insight up to this point, and declared having achieved it?’‘Reverend, had Rāma realized this teaching with his own insight up to this point, and declared having achieved it?’‘He had, reverend.’‘He had, reverend.’‘I too have realized this teaching with my own insight up to this point, and live having achieved it.’‘I too have realized this teaching with my own insight up to this point, and live having achieved it.’

‘We are fortunate, reverend, so very fortunate‘We are fortunate, reverend, so very fortunateto see a venerable such as yourself as one of our spiritual companions!to see a venerable such as yourself as one of our spiritual companions!So the teaching that Rāma had realized with his own insight, and declared having achieved it, you’ve realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it. The teaching that you’ve realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it, Rāma had realized with his own insight, and declared having achieved it.So the teaching that Rāma had realized with his own insight, and declared having achieved it, you’ve realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it. The teaching that you’ve realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it, Rāma had realized with his own insight, and declared having achieved it.

So the teaching that Rāma directly knew, you know, and the teaching you know, Rāma directly knew.So the teaching that Rāma directly knew, you know, and the teaching you know, Rāma directly knew.Rāma was like you and you are like Rāma.Rāma was like you and you are like Rāma.Come now, reverend! You should lead this community.’Come now, reverend! You should lead this community.’

And that is how my spiritual companion Uddaka son of Rāma placed me in the position of a tutor and honored me with high praise.And that is how my spiritual companion Uddaka son of Rāma placed me in the position of a tutor and honored me with high praise.Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,‘This teaching doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. It only leads as far as rebirth in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.’‘This teaching doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. It only leads as far as rebirth in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.’

Realizing that this teaching was inadequate, I left disappointed.Realizing that this teaching was inadequate, I left disappointed.I set out to discover what is skillful, seeking the supreme state of sublime peace. Traveling stage by stage in the Magadhan lands, I arrived at the town of Senā in Uruvelā.I set out to discover what is skillful, seeking the supreme state of sublime peace. Traveling stage by stage in the Magadhan lands, I arrived at the town of Senā in Uruvelā.There I saw a delightful park, a lovely grove with a flowing river that was clean and charming, with smooth banks. And nearby was a village to resort to for alms.There I saw a delightful park, a lovely grove with a flowing river that was clean and charming, with smooth banks. And nearby was a village to resort to for alms.

Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,‘This park is truly delightful, a lovely grove with a flowing river that’s clean and charming, with smooth banks. And nearby there’s a village to resort to for alms.‘This park is truly delightful, a lovely grove with a flowing river that’s clean and charming, with smooth banks. And nearby there’s a village to resort to for alms.This is good enough for striving for a gentleman wanting to strive.’This is good enough for striving for a gentleman wanting to strive.’

So I sat down right there, thinking:So I sat down right there, thinking:‘This is good enough for striving.’‘This is good enough for striving.’And then these three similes, which were neither supernaturally inspired, nor learned before in the past, occurred to me.And then these three similes, which were neither supernaturally inspired, nor learned before in the past, occurred to me.

Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying in water.Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying in water.Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinkingThen a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinkingto light a fire and produce heat.to light a fire and produce heat.

What do you think, Aggivessana?What do you think, Aggivessana?By drilling the stick against that green, sappy log lying in water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”By drilling the stick against that green, sappy log lying in water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”“No, worthy Gotama.“No, worthy Gotama.

Why is that?Why is that?Because it’s a green, sappy log, and it’s lying in the water.Because it’s a green, sappy log, and it’s lying in the water.That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who don’t live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. They haven’t internally given up or stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to exertion, they are incapable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who don’t live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. They haven’t internally given up or stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to exertion, they are incapable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.

This was the first example that occurred to me.This was the first example that occurred to me.Then a second example occurred to me.Then a second example occurred to me.Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.

Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinkingThen a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinkingto light a fire and produce heat.to light a fire and produce heat.What do you think, Aggivessana?What do you think, Aggivessana?

By drilling the stick against that green, sappy log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”By drilling the stick against that green, sappy log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”“No, worthy Gotama.“No, worthy Gotama.Why not?Why not?

Because it’s still a green, sappy log, despite the fact that it’s lying on dry land far from water.Because it’s still a green, sappy log, despite the fact that it’s lying on dry land far from water.That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. But they haven’t internally given up or stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to exertion, they are incapable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. But they haven’t internally given up or stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to exertion, they are incapable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.

This was the second example that occurred to me.This was the second example that occurred to me.Then a third example occurred to me.Then a third example occurred to me.Suppose there was a dried up, withered log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.Suppose there was a dried up, withered log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.

Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinkingThen a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinkingto light a fire and produce heat.to light a fire and produce heat.What do you think, Aggivessana?What do you think, Aggivessana?

By drilling the stick against that dried up, withered log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”By drilling the stick against that dried up, withered log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”“Yes, worthy Gotama.“Yes, worthy Gotama.Why is that?Why is that?

Because it’s a dried up, withered log, and it’s lying on dry land far from water.”Because it’s a dried up, withered log, and it’s lying on dry land far from water.”“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. And they have internally given up and stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to exertion, they are capable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. And they have internally given up and stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to exertion, they are capable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.

This was the third example that occurred to me.This was the third example that occurred to me.These are the three similes, which were neither supernaturally inspired, nor learned before in the past, that occurred to me.These are the three similes, which were neither supernaturally inspired, nor learned before in the past, that occurred to me.Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,

‘Why don’t I, with teeth clenched and tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, squeeze, squash, and scorch mind with mind?’‘Why don’t I, with teeth clenched and tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, squeeze, squash, and scorch mind with mind?’So that’s what I did,So that’s what I did,until sweat ran from my armpits.until sweat ran from my armpits.

It was like when a strong man grabs a weaker man by the head or throat or shoulder and squeezes, squashes, and crushes them.It was like when a strong man grabs a weaker man by the head or throat or shoulder and squeezes, squashes, and crushes them.In the same way, with teeth clenched and tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, I squeezed, squashed, and crushed mind with mind until sweat ran from my armpits.In the same way, with teeth clenched and tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, I squeezed, squashed, and crushed mind with mind until sweat ran from my armpits.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.

But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,‘Why don’t I practice the breathless absorption?’‘Why don’t I practice the breathless absorption?’

So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose.So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose.But then winds came out my ears making a loud noise,But then winds came out my ears making a loud noise,like the puffing of a blacksmith’s bellows.like the puffing of a blacksmith’s bellows.

My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,

‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.But then strong winds ground my head,But then strong winds ground my head,

like a strong man was drilling into my head with a sharp point.like a strong man was drilling into my head with a sharp point.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.

But then I got a severe headache,But then I got a severe headache,like a strong man was tightening a strong leather strap around my head.like a strong man was tightening a strong leather strap around my head.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.

But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’

So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.But then strong winds carved up my belly,But then strong winds carved up my belly,like a deft butcher or their apprentice was slicing my belly open with a sharp meat cleaver.like a deft butcher or their apprentice was slicing my belly open with a sharp meat cleaver.

My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.Then it occurred to me,Then it occurred to me,

‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.But then there was a severe burning in my body,But then there was a severe burning in my body,

like two strong men grabbing a weaker man by the arms to burn and scorch him on a pit of glowing coals.like two strong men grabbing a weaker man by the arms to burn and scorch him on a pit of glowing coals.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Then some deities saw me and said,Then some deities saw me and said,‘The ascetic Gotama is dead.’‘The ascetic Gotama is dead.’Others said,Others said,

‘He’s not dead, but he’s dying.’‘He’s not dead, but he’s dying.’Others said,Others said,‘He’s not dead or dying. The ascetic Gotama is a perfected one, for that is how the perfected ones live.’‘He’s not dead or dying. The ascetic Gotama is a perfected one, for that is how the perfected ones live.’