中部第 53 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · A Trainee · 1/1

Middle Discourses 53Middle Discourses 53A TraineeA Trainee

So I have heard.So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery.Now at that time a new town hall had recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It had not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any human at all.Now at that time a new town hall had recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It had not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any human at all.

Then the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:Then the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:“Sir, a new town hall has recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It has not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any human at all.“Sir, a new town hall has recently been constructed for the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu. It has not yet been occupied by an ascetic or brahmin or any human at all.May the Buddha be the first to use it, and only then will the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu use it.May the Buddha be the first to use it, and only then will the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu use it.

That would be for the lasting welfare and happiness of the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu.”That would be for the lasting welfare and happiness of the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu.”The Buddha consented with silence.The Buddha consented with silence.Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, the Sakyans got up from their seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right. Then they went to the new town hall, where they spread carpets all over, prepared seats, set up a water jar, and placed an oil lamp. Then they went back to the Buddha,Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, the Sakyans got up from their seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right. Then they went to the new town hall, where they spread carpets all over, prepared seats, set up a water jar, and placed an oil lamp. Then they went back to the Buddha,

bowed, stood to one side,bowed, stood to one side,and told him of their preparations, saying,and told him of their preparations, saying,“Please, sir, come at your convenience.”“Please, sir, come at your convenience.”

Then the Buddha robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the new town hall together with the Saṅgha of mendicants. Having washed his feet, he entered the town hall and sat against the central column facing east.Then the Buddha robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the new town hall together with the Saṅgha of mendicants. Having washed his feet, he entered the town hall and sat against the central column facing east.The Saṅgha of mendicants also washed their feet, entered the town hall, and sat against the west wall facing east, with the Buddha right in front of them.The Saṅgha of mendicants also washed their feet, entered the town hall, and sat against the west wall facing east, with the Buddha right in front of them.

The Sakyans of Kapilavatthu also washed their feet, entered the town hall, and sat against the east wall facing west, with the Buddha right in front of them.The Sakyans of Kapilavatthu also washed their feet, entered the town hall, and sat against the east wall facing west, with the Buddha right in front of them.The Buddha spent much of the night educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the Sakyans with a Dhamma talk. Then he addressed Venerable Ānanda,The Buddha spent much of the night educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the Sakyans with a Dhamma talk. Then he addressed Venerable Ānanda,“Ānanda, speak about the practicing trainee to the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu as you feel inspired.“Ānanda, speak about the practicing trainee to the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu as you feel inspired.

My back is sore,My back is sore,I’ll stretch it.”I’ll stretch it.”“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.

And then the Buddha spread out his outer robe folded in four and laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up.And then the Buddha spread out his outer robe folded in four and laid down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up.Then Ānanda addressed Mahānāma the Sakyan:Then Ānanda addressed Mahānāma the Sakyan:“Mahānāma, a noble disciple is accomplished in ethics, guards the sense doors, eats in moderation, and is dedicated to wakefulness. They have seven good qualities, and they get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.“Mahānāma, a noble disciple is accomplished in ethics, guards the sense doors, eats in moderation, and is dedicated to wakefulness. They have seven good qualities, and they get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.

And how is a noble disciple accomplished in ethics?And how is a noble disciple accomplished in ethics?It’s when a noble disciple is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.It’s when a noble disciple is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.That’s how a noble disciple is ethical.That’s how a noble disciple is ethical.

And how does a noble disciple guard the sense doors?And how does a noble disciple guard the sense doors?When a noble disciple sees a sight with their eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details.When a noble disciple sees a sight with their eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details.If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint.If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint.

When they hear a sound with their ears …When they hear a sound with their ears …When they smell an odor with their nose …When they smell an odor with their nose …When they taste a flavor with their tongue …When they taste a flavor with their tongue …

When they feel a touch with their body …When they feel a touch with their body …When they know an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details.When they know an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details.If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint.If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint.

That’s how a noble disciple guards the sense doors.That’s how a noble disciple guards the sense doors.And how does a noble disciple eat in moderation?And how does a noble disciple eat in moderation?It’s when a noble disciple reflects rationally on the food that they eat:It’s when a noble disciple reflects rationally on the food that they eat:

‘Not for fun, indulgence, adornment, or decoration, but only to sustain this body, to avoid harm, and to support spiritual practice. In this way, I shall put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and I will have the means to keep going, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.’‘Not for fun, indulgence, adornment, or decoration, but only to sustain this body, to avoid harm, and to support spiritual practice. In this way, I shall put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and I will have the means to keep going, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.’That’s how a noble disciple eats in moderation.That’s how a noble disciple eats in moderation.And how is a noble disciple dedicated to wakefulness?And how is a noble disciple dedicated to wakefulness?

It’s when a noble disciple practices walking and sitting meditation by day, purifying their mind from obstacles.It’s when a noble disciple practices walking and sitting meditation by day, purifying their mind from obstacles.In the first watch of the night, they continue to practice walking and sitting meditation.In the first watch of the night, they continue to practice walking and sitting meditation.In the middle watch, they lie down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up.In the middle watch, they lie down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware, and focused on the time of getting up.

In the last watch, they get up and continue to practice walking and sitting meditation, purifying their mind from obstacles.In the last watch, they get up and continue to practice walking and sitting meditation, purifying their mind from obstacles.That’s how a noble disciple is dedicated to wakefulness.That’s how a noble disciple is dedicated to wakefulness.And how does a noble disciple have seven good qualities?And how does a noble disciple have seven good qualities?

It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening:It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening:‘That Blessed One is 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.’‘That Blessed One is 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.’They have a conscience. They’re conscientious about bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and conscientious about having any bad, unskillful qualities.They have a conscience. They’re conscientious about bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and conscientious about having any bad, unskillful qualities.

They exercise prudence. They’re prudent when it comes to bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and prudent when it comes to acquiring any bad, unskillful qualities.They exercise prudence. They’re prudent when it comes to bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and prudent when it comes to acquiring any bad, unskillful qualities.They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, rehearsing them, mentally scrutinizing them, and penetrating them theoretically.They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, rehearsing them, mentally scrutinizing them, and penetrating them theoretically.

They live with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They’re strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities.They live with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They’re strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities.They’re mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They’re mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago.They’re wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering.They’re wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering.

That’s how a noble disciple has seven good qualities.That’s how a noble disciple has seven good qualities.And how does a noble disciple get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty?And how does a noble disciple get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty?It’s when a noble disciple, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption …It’s when a noble disciple, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption …

second absorption …second absorption …third absorption …third absorption …fourth absorption.fourth absorption.

That’s how a noble disciple gets the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.That’s how a noble disciple gets the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.When a noble disciple is accomplished in ethics, guards the sense doors, eats in moderation, and is dedicated to wakefulness; and they have seven good qualities, and they get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty, they are called a noble disciple who is a practicing trainee. Their eggs are unspoiled, and they are capable of breaking out of their shell, becoming awakened, and achieving the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.When a noble disciple is accomplished in ethics, guards the sense doors, eats in moderation, and is dedicated to wakefulness; and they have seven good qualities, and they get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty, they are called a noble disciple who is a practicing trainee. Their eggs are unspoiled, and they are capable of breaking out of their shell, becoming awakened, and achieving the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.

Suppose there was a chicken with eight or ten or twelve eggs. And she properly sat on them to keep them warm and incubated. Even if that chicken doesn’t wish,Suppose there was a chicken with eight or ten or twelve eggs. And she properly sat on them to keep them warm and incubated. Even if that chicken doesn’t wish,‘If only my chicks could break out of the eggshell with their claws and beak and hatch safely!’‘If only my chicks could break out of the eggshell with their claws and beak and hatch safely!’Still they can break out and hatch safely.Still they can break out and hatch safely.

In the same way, when a noble disciple is practicing all these things they are called a noble disciple who is a practicing trainee. Their eggs are unspoiled, and they are capable of breaking out of their shell, becoming awakened, and achieving the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.In the same way, when a noble disciple is practicing all these things they are called a noble disciple who is a practicing trainee. Their eggs are unspoiled, and they are capable of breaking out of their shell, becoming awakened, and achieving the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple recollects their many kinds of past lives.Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple recollects their many kinds of past lives.

That is: one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand rebirths; many eons of the world contracting, many eons of the world expanding, many eons of the world contracting and expanding. … And so they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details.That is: one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand rebirths; many eons of the world contracting, many eons of the world expanding, many eons of the world contracting and expanding. … And so they recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details.This is their first breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell.This is their first breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell.

Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, sees sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. … They understand how sentient beings pass on according to their deeds.Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple, with clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, sees sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. … They understand how sentient beings pass on according to their deeds.This is their second breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell.This is their second breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell.

Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.Relying on this supreme purity of mindfulness and equanimity, that noble disciple realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.This is their third breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell.This is their third breaking out, like a chick from an eggshell.A noble disciple’s conduct includes the following: being accomplished in ethics,A noble disciple’s conduct includes the following: being accomplished in ethics,

guarding the sense doors,guarding the sense doors,moderation in eating,moderation in eating,being dedicated to wakefulness,being dedicated to wakefulness,

having seven good qualities,having seven good qualities,and getting the four absorptions when they want, without trouble or difficulty.and getting the four absorptions when they want, without trouble or difficulty.A noble disciple’s knowledge includes the following: recollecting their past lives,A noble disciple’s knowledge includes the following: recollecting their past lives,

clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman,clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman,and realizing the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.and realizing the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.This noble disciple is said to be ‘accomplished in knowledge’, and also ‘accomplished in conduct’, and also ‘accomplished in knowledge and conduct’.This noble disciple is said to be ‘accomplished in knowledge’, and also ‘accomplished in conduct’, and also ‘accomplished in knowledge and conduct’.

And the divinity Sanaṅkumāra also spoke this verse:And the divinity Sanaṅkumāra also spoke this verse:‘The aristocrat is best among people‘The aristocrat is best among peoplewho take clan as the standard.who take clan as the standard.

But one accomplished in knowledge and conductBut one accomplished in knowledge and conductis best among gods and humans.’is best among gods and humans.’And that verse was well sung by the Divinity Sanaṅkumāra, not poorly sung; well spoken, not poorly spoken, beneficial, not harmful, and it was approved by the Buddha.”And that verse was well sung by the Divinity Sanaṅkumāra, not poorly sung; well spoken, not poorly spoken, beneficial, not harmful, and it was approved by the Buddha.”

Then the Buddha got up and said to Venerable Ānanda,Then the Buddha got up and said to Venerable Ānanda,“Good, good, Ānanda!“Good, good, Ānanda!It’s good that you spoke to the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu about the practicing trainee.”It’s good that you spoke to the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu about the practicing trainee.”

That is what Venerable Ānanda said,That is what Venerable Ānanda said,and the Teacher concurred.and the Teacher concurred.Satisfied, the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu approved what Venerable Ānanda said.Satisfied, the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu approved what Venerable Ānanda said.