中部第 5 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · Unblemished · 1/2

Middle Discourses 5Middle Discourses 5UnblemishedUnblemished

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:

“Reverends, these four individuals are found in the world.“Reverends, these four individuals are found in the world.What four?What four?One individual with a blemish doesn’t truly understand: ‘There is a blemish in me.’One individual with a blemish doesn’t truly understand: ‘There is a blemish in me.’

But another individual with a blemish does truly understand: ‘There is a blemish in me.’But another individual with a blemish does truly understand: ‘There is a blemish in me.’One individual without a blemish doesn’t truly understand: ‘There is no blemish in me.’One individual without a blemish doesn’t truly understand: ‘There is no blemish in me.’But another individual without a blemish does truly understand: ‘There is no blemish in me.’But another individual without a blemish does truly understand: ‘There is no blemish in me.’

In this case, of the two individuals with a blemish, the one who doesn’t understand is said to be worse,In this case, of the two individuals with a blemish, the one who doesn’t understand is said to be worse,while the one who does understand is better.while the one who does understand is better.And of the two individuals without a blemish, the one who doesn’t understand is said to be worse,And of the two individuals without a blemish, the one who doesn’t understand is said to be worse,

while the one who does understand is better.”while the one who does understand is better.”When he said this, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to him:When he said this, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to him:“What is the cause, Reverend Sāriputta, what is the reason why, of the two individuals with a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better?“What is the cause, Reverend Sāriputta, what is the reason why, of the two individuals with a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better?

And what is the cause, what is the reason why, of the two individuals without a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better?”And what is the cause, what is the reason why, of the two individuals without a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better?”“Reverends, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that they won’t generate enthusiasm, make an effort, or rouse up energy to give up that blemish.“Reverends, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that they won’t generate enthusiasm, make an effort, or rouse up energy to give up that blemish.And they will die with greed, hate, and delusion, blemished, with a corrupted mind.And they will die with greed, hate, and delusion, blemished, with a corrupted mind.

Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy enveloped with dirt or stains.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy enveloped with dirt or stains.And the owners neither used it or had it cleaned, but kept it in a dirty place.And the owners neither used it or had it cleaned, but kept it in a dirty place.Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get even dirtier and more stained?”Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get even dirtier and more stained?”

“Yes, reverend.”“Yes, reverend.”“In the same way, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that …“In the same way, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that …they will die with a corrupted mind.they will die with a corrupted mind.

Take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that they will generate enthusiasm, make an effort, and rouse up energy to give up that blemish.Take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that they will generate enthusiasm, make an effort, and rouse up energy to give up that blemish.And they will die without greed, hate, and delusion, unblemished, with an uncorrupted mind.And they will die without greed, hate, and delusion, unblemished, with an uncorrupted mind.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy enveloped with dirt or stains.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy enveloped with dirt or stains.

But the owners used it and had it cleaned, and didn’t keep it in a dirty place.But the owners used it and had it cleaned, and didn’t keep it in a dirty place.Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get cleaner and brighter?”Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get cleaner and brighter?”“Yes, reverend.”“Yes, reverend.”

“In the same way, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that …“In the same way, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that …they will die with an uncorrupted mind.they will die with an uncorrupted mind.Take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish but does not understand it. You can expect that they will focus on the feature of beauty, and because of that, lust will infect their mind.Take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish but does not understand it. You can expect that they will focus on the feature of beauty, and because of that, lust will infect their mind.

And they will die with greed, hate, and delusion, blemished, with a corrupted mind.And they will die with greed, hate, and delusion, blemished, with a corrupted mind.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.And the owners neither used it or had it cleaned, but kept it in a dirty place.And the owners neither used it or had it cleaned, but kept it in a dirty place.

Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get dirtier and more stained?”Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get dirtier and more stained?”“Yes, reverend.”“Yes, reverend.”“In the same way, take the case of the individual who has no blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that …“In the same way, take the case of the individual who has no blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that …

they will die with a corrupted mind.they will die with a corrupted mind.Take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that they won’t focus on the feature of beauty, and because of that, lust won’t infect their mind.Take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that they won’t focus on the feature of beauty, and because of that, lust won’t infect their mind.And they will die without greed, hate, and delusion, unblemished, with an uncorrupted mind.And they will die without greed, hate, and delusion, unblemished, with an uncorrupted mind.

Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.And the owners used it and had it cleaned, and didn’t keep it in a dirty place.And the owners used it and had it cleaned, and didn’t keep it in a dirty place.Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get cleaner and brighter?”Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get cleaner and brighter?”

“Yes, reverend.”“Yes, reverend.”“In the same way, take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that …“In the same way, take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that …they will die with an uncorrupted mind.they will die with an uncorrupted mind.

This is the cause, this is the reason why, of the two individuals with a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better.This is the cause, this is the reason why, of the two individuals with a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better.And this is the cause, this is the reason why, of the two individuals without a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better.”And this is the cause, this is the reason why, of the two individuals without a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better.”“Reverend, the word ‘blemish’ is spoken of.“Reverend, the word ‘blemish’ is spoken of.

But what is ‘blemish’ a term for?”But what is ‘blemish’ a term for?”“Reverend, ‘blemish’ is a term for the spheres of bad, unskillful wishes.“Reverend, ‘blemish’ is a term for the spheres of bad, unskillful wishes.It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:

‘If I commit an offense, I hope the mendicants don’t find out!’‘If I commit an offense, I hope the mendicants don’t find out!’But it’s possible that the mendicants do find out that that mendicantBut it’s possible that the mendicants do find out that that mendicanthas committed an offense.has committed an offense.

Thinking, ‘The mendicants have found out about my offense,’Thinking, ‘The mendicants have found out about my offense,’they get angry and bitter.they get angry and bitter.And that anger and that bitternessAnd that anger and that bitterness

are both blemishes.are both blemishes.It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘If I commit an offense, I hope the mendicants accuse me in private, not in the middle of the Saṅgha.’‘If I commit an offense, I hope the mendicants accuse me in private, not in the middle of the Saṅgha.’

But it’s possible that the mendicants do accuse that mendicant in the middle of the Saṅgha …But it’s possible that the mendicants do accuse that mendicant in the middle of the Saṅgha …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘If I commit an offense, I hope I’m accused by a peer, not by someone who is not a peer.’‘If I commit an offense, I hope I’m accused by a peer, not by someone who is not a peer.’

But it’s possible that someone who is not a peer accuses that mendicant …But it’s possible that someone who is not a peer accuses that mendicant …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘Oh, I hope the Teacher will teach the mendicants by repeatedly questioning me alone, not some other mendicant.’‘Oh, I hope the Teacher will teach the mendicants by repeatedly questioning me alone, not some other mendicant.’

But it’s possible that the Teacher will teach the mendicants by repeatedly questioning some other mendicant …But it’s possible that the Teacher will teach the mendicants by repeatedly questioning some other mendicant …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘Oh, I hope the mendicants will enter the village for the meal putting me at the very front, not some other mendicant.’‘Oh, I hope the mendicants will enter the village for the meal putting me at the very front, not some other mendicant.’

But it’s possible that the mendicants will enter the village for the meal putting some other mendicant at the very front …But it’s possible that the mendicants will enter the village for the meal putting some other mendicant at the very front …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘Oh, I hope that I alone get the best seat, the best drink, and the best almsfood in the refectory, not some other mendicant.’‘Oh, I hope that I alone get the best seat, the best drink, and the best almsfood in the refectory, not some other mendicant.’

But it’s possible that some other mendicant gets the best seat, the best drink, and the best almsfood in the refectory …But it’s possible that some other mendicant gets the best seat, the best drink, and the best almsfood in the refectory …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘I hope that I alone give the verses of appreciation after eating in the refectory, not some other mendicant.’‘I hope that I alone give the verses of appreciation after eating in the refectory, not some other mendicant.’

But it’s possible that some other mendicant gives the verses of appreciation after eating in the refectory …But it’s possible that some other mendicant gives the verses of appreciation after eating in the refectory …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘Oh, I hope that I might teach the Dhamma to the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen in the monastery, not some other mendicant.’‘Oh, I hope that I might teach the Dhamma to the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen in the monastery, not some other mendicant.’

But it’s possible that some other mendicant teaches the Dhamma …But it’s possible that some other mendicant teaches the Dhamma …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘Oh, I hope that the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen will honor, respect, revere, and venerate me alone, not some other mendicant.’‘Oh, I hope that the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen will honor, respect, revere, and venerate me alone, not some other mendicant.’

But it’s possible that some other mendicant is honored, respected, revered, and venerated …But it’s possible that some other mendicant is honored, respected, revered, and venerated …It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:It’s possible that some mendicant might wish:‘I hope I get the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, not some other mendicant.’‘I hope I get the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, not some other mendicant.’

But it’s possible that some other mendicant gets the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick …But it’s possible that some other mendicant gets the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick …Thinking, ‘Some other mendicant has got the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick’,Thinking, ‘Some other mendicant has got the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick’,they get angry and bitter.they get angry and bitter.

And that anger and that bitternessAnd that anger and that bitternessare both blemishes.are both blemishes.‘Blemish’ is a term for these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes.‘Blemish’ is a term for these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes.

Suppose these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by a mendicant. Even though they dwell in the wilderness, in remote lodgings, eat only almsfood, wander indiscriminately for almsfood, wear rag robes, and wear shabby robes, their spiritual companions don’t honor, respect, revere, and venerate them.Suppose these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by a mendicant. Even though they dwell in the wilderness, in remote lodgings, eat only almsfood, wander indiscriminately for almsfood, wear rag robes, and wear shabby robes, their spiritual companions don’t honor, respect, revere, and venerate them.Why is that?Why is that?It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by that venerable.It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by that venerable.

Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.The owners were to prepare it with the carcass of a snake, a dog, or a human, cover it with a bronze lid, and parade it through the market-place.The owners were to prepare it with the carcass of a snake, a dog, or a human, cover it with a bronze lid, and parade it through the market-place.When people saw it they’d say:When people saw it they’d say:

‘Oh my, what is it that you’re carrying like a precious treasure?’‘Oh my, what is it that you’re carrying like a precious treasure?’So they’d open up the lid for people to look inside.So they’d open up the lid for people to look inside.But as soon as they saw it they were filled with loathing, revulsion, and disgust.But as soon as they saw it they were filled with loathing, revulsion, and disgust.

Not even those who were hungry wanted to eat it, let alone those who were replete.Not even those who were hungry wanted to eat it, let alone those who were replete.In the same way, when these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by a mendicant … their spiritual companions don’t honor, respect, revere, and venerate them.In the same way, when these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by a mendicant … their spiritual companions don’t honor, respect, revere, and venerate them.Why is that?Why is that?

It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by that venerable.It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by that venerable.Suppose these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by a mendicant. Even though they dwell within a village, accept invitations to a meal, and wear robes offered by householders, their spiritual companions honor, respect, revere, and venerate them.Suppose these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by a mendicant. Even though they dwell within a village, accept invitations to a meal, and wear robes offered by householders, their spiritual companions honor, respect, revere, and venerate them.

Why is that?Why is that?It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by that venerable.It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by that venerable.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright.

The owners were to prepare it with boiled fine rice with the dark grains picked out and served with many soups and sauces, cover it with a bronze lid, and parade it through the market-place.The owners were to prepare it with boiled fine rice with the dark grains picked out and served with many soups and sauces, cover it with a bronze lid, and parade it through the market-place.When people saw it they’d say:When people saw it they’d say:‘Oh my, what is it that you’re carrying like a precious treasure?’‘Oh my, what is it that you’re carrying like a precious treasure?’

So they’d open up the lid for people to look inside.So they’d open up the lid for people to look inside.And as soon as they saw it they were filled with liking, attraction, and relish.And as soon as they saw it they were filled with liking, attraction, and relish.