中部第 60 经（Sujato 英译）第 2 阅读页 · A Sure Bet · 2/3

For they are praised by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.For they are praised by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.They have rightly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of both sides, leaving out the unskillful premise.They have rightly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of both sides, leaving out the unskillful premise.There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:

‘There is no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings.‘There is no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings.Sentient beings are corrupted without cause or reason.Sentient beings are corrupted without cause or reason.There’s no cause or reason for the purification of sentient beings.There’s no cause or reason for the purification of sentient beings.

Sentient beings are purified without cause or reason.Sentient beings are purified without cause or reason.There is no power, no energy, no human strength or vigor.There is no power, no energy, no human strength or vigor.All sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy. Molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.’All sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy. Molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.’

And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.They say:They say:‘There is a cause and reason for the corruption of sentient beings.‘There is a cause and reason for the corruption of sentient beings.

Sentient beings are corrupted with cause and reason.Sentient beings are corrupted with cause and reason.There is a cause and reason for the purification of sentient beings.There is a cause and reason for the purification of sentient beings.Sentient beings are purified with cause and reason.Sentient beings are purified with cause and reason.

There is power, energy, human strength and vigor.There is power, energy, human strength and vigor.It is not the case that all sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy, or that, molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.’It is not the case that all sentient beings, all living creatures, all beings, all souls lack control, power, and energy, or that, molded by destiny, circumstance, and nature, they experience pleasure and pain in the six classes of rebirth.’What do you think, householders?What do you think, householders?

Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”“Yes, sir.”“Yes, sir.”“Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that“Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that

there’s no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings, etc.there’s no cause or reason for the corruption of sentient beings, etc.You can expect that they will shun good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.You can expect that they will shun good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.Why is that?Why is that?

Because those ascetics and brahmins don’t see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, or that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.Because those ascetics and brahmins don’t see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, or that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.Moreover, since there actually is causality, their view that there is no causality is wrong view.Moreover, since there actually is causality, their view that there is no causality is wrong view.Since there actually is causality, their thought that there is no causality is wrong purpose.Since there actually is causality, their thought that there is no causality is wrong purpose.

Since there actually is causality, their speech that there is no causality is wrong speech.Since there actually is causality, their speech that there is no causality is wrong speech.Since there actually is causality, in saying that there is no causality they contradict those perfected ones who teach that there is causality.Since there actually is causality, in saying that there is no causality they contradict those perfected ones who teach that there is causality.Since there actually is causality, in persuading another that there is no causality they are persuading them to accept an untrue teaching.Since there actually is causality, in persuading another that there is no causality they are persuading them to accept an untrue teaching.

And on account of that they glorify themselves and put others down.And on account of that they glorify themselves and put others down.So they give up their former ethical conduct and are established in unethical conduct.So they give up their former ethical conduct and are established in unethical conduct.And that is how these many bad, unskillful qualities come to be with wrong view as condition—wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept untrue teachings, and glorifying oneself and putting others down.And that is how these many bad, unskillful qualities come to be with wrong view as condition—wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept untrue teachings, and glorifying oneself and putting others down.

A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:‘If there is no causality, when this individual’s body breaks up they will keep themselves safe.‘If there is no causality, when this individual’s body breaks up they will keep themselves safe.And if there is causality, when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.And if there is causality, when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

But let us grant that those who say that there is no causality are correct.But let us grant that those who say that there is no causality are correct.Regardless, that individual is still criticized by sensible people in this very life as being an immoral individual of wrong view, one who denies causality.’Regardless, that individual is still criticized by sensible people in this very life as being an immoral individual of wrong view, one who denies causality.’But if there really is causality, they hold a losing hand on both counts.But if there really is causality, they hold a losing hand on both counts.

For they are criticized by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.For they are criticized by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.They have wrongly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of one side only, leaving out the skillful premise.They have wrongly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of one side only, leaving out the skillful premise.Since this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is thatSince this is so, consider those ascetics and brahmins whose view is that

there is a cause and reason for the corruption of sentient beings, etc.there is a cause and reason for the corruption of sentient beings, etc.You can expect that they will shun bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.You can expect that they will shun bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and undertake and implement good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.Why is that?Why is that?

Because those ascetics and brahmins see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, and that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.Because those ascetics and brahmins see that unskillful qualities are full of drawbacks, sordidness, and corruption, and that skillful qualities have the benefit and cleansing power of renunciation.Moreover, since there actually is causality, their view that there is causality is right view.Moreover, since there actually is causality, their view that there is causality is right view.Since there actually is causality, their thought that there is causality is right purpose.Since there actually is causality, their thought that there is causality is right purpose.

Since there actually is causality, their speech that there is causality is right speech.Since there actually is causality, their speech that there is causality is right speech.Since there actually is causality, in saying that there is causality they don’t contradict those perfected ones who teach that there is causality.Since there actually is causality, in saying that there is causality they don’t contradict those perfected ones who teach that there is causality.Since there actually is causality, in persuading another that there is causality they are persuading them to accept a true teaching.Since there actually is causality, in persuading another that there is causality they are persuading them to accept a true teaching.

And on account of that they don’t glorify themselves or put others down.And on account of that they don’t glorify themselves or put others down.So they give up their former unethical conduct and are established in ethical conduct.So they give up their former unethical conduct and are established in ethical conduct.And that is how these many skillful qualities come to be with right view as condition—right view, right purpose, right speech, not contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept true teachings, and not glorifying oneself or putting others down.And that is how these many skillful qualities come to be with right view as condition—right view, right purpose, right speech, not contradicting the noble ones, persuading others to accept true teachings, and not glorifying oneself or putting others down.

A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way: ‘If there is causality, when this individual’s body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way: ‘If there is causality, when this individual’s body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.But let us grant that those who say that there is no causality are correct.But let us grant that those who say that there is no causality are correct.Regardless, that individual is still praised by sensible people in this very life as being a moral individual of right view, who affirms causality.’Regardless, that individual is still praised by sensible people in this very life as being a moral individual of right view, who affirms causality.’

So if there really is causality, they hold a winning hand on both counts.So if there really is causality, they hold a winning hand on both counts.For they are praised by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.For they are praised by sensible people in this very life, and when their body breaks up, after death, they will be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.They have rightly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of both sides, leaving out the unskillful premise.They have rightly undertaken this sure bet teaching in such a way that it encompasses the positive outcomes of both sides, leaving out the unskillful premise.

There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:‘There are no totally formless states of meditation.’‘There are no totally formless states of meditation.’And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.

They say:They say:‘There are totally formless states of meditation.’‘There are totally formless states of meditation.’What do you think, householders?What do you think, householders?

Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”“Yes, sir.”“Yes, sir.”“A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:“A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:

‘Some ascetics and brahmins say that‘Some ascetics and brahmins say thatthere are no totally formless meditations, but I have not seen that.there are no totally formless meditations, but I have not seen that.Some ascetics and brahmins say thatSome ascetics and brahmins say that

there are totally formless meditations, but I have not known that.there are totally formless meditations, but I have not known that.Without knowing or seeing, it would not be appropriate for me to take one side and declare,Without knowing or seeing, it would not be appropriate for me to take one side and declare,‘This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’‘This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’

If those ascetics and brahmins who say thatIf those ascetics and brahmins who say thatthere are no totally formless meditations are correct, it is possiblethere are no totally formless meditations are correct, it is possiblethat it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formed and made of mind.that it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formed and made of mind.

If those ascetics and brahmins who say thatIf those ascetics and brahmins who say thatthere are totally formless meditations are correct, it is possiblethere are totally formless meditations are correct, it is possiblethat it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formless and made of perception.that it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formless and made of perception.

Now, owing to form, bad things are seen: taking up the rod and the sword, quarrels, arguments, and disputes, accusations, backbiting, and lies.Now, owing to form, bad things are seen: taking up the rod and the sword, quarrels, arguments, and disputes, accusations, backbiting, and lies.But those things don’t exist where it is totally formless.’But those things don’t exist where it is totally formless.’Reflecting like this, they simply practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding forms.Reflecting like this, they simply practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding forms.

There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:There are some ascetics and brahmins who have this doctrine and view:‘There is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence.’‘There is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence.’And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.And there are some ascetics and brahmins whose doctrine directly contradicts this.

They say:They say:‘There is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence.’‘There is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence.’What do you think, householders?What do you think, householders?

Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”Don’t these doctrines directly contradict each other?”“Yes, sir.”“Yes, sir.”“A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:“A sensible person reflects on this matter in this way:

‘Some ascetics and brahmins say that‘Some ascetics and brahmins say thatthere is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence, but I have not seen that.there is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence, but I have not seen that.Some ascetics and brahmins say thatSome ascetics and brahmins say that

there is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence, but I have not known that.there is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence, but I have not known that.Without knowing or seeing, it would not be appropriate for me to take one side and declare,Without knowing or seeing, it would not be appropriate for me to take one side and declare,‘This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’‘This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’

If those ascetics and brahmins who say thatIf those ascetics and brahmins who say thatthere is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence are correct, it is possiblethere is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence are correct, it is possiblethat it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formless and made of perception.that it’s a sure bet I will be reborn among the gods who are formless and made of perception.

If those ascetics and brahmins who say thatIf those ascetics and brahmins who say thatthere is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence are correct, it is possiblethere is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence are correct, it is possiblethat I will be fully extinguished in this very life.that I will be fully extinguished in this very life.

The view of those ascetics and brahmins who say thatThe view of those ascetics and brahmins who say thatthere is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence is close to greed, yoking, relishing, attachment, and grasping.there is no such thing as the total cessation of continued existence is close to greed, yoking, relishing, attachment, and grasping.The view of those ascetics and brahmins who say thatThe view of those ascetics and brahmins who say that

there is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence is close to non-greed, non-yoking, non-relishing, non-attachment, and non-grasping.’there is such a thing as the total cessation of continued existence is close to non-greed, non-yoking, non-relishing, non-attachment, and non-grasping.’Reflecting like this, they simply practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding future lives.Reflecting like this, they simply practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding future lives.Householders, these four individuals are found in the world.Householders, these four individuals are found in the world.

What four?What four?One individual mortifies themselves, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves.One individual mortifies themselves, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves.One individual mortifies others, committed to the practice of mortifying others.One individual mortifies others, committed to the practice of mortifying others.

One individual mortifies themselves and others, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves and others.One individual mortifies themselves and others, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves and others.One individual doesn’t mortify either themselves or others, committed to the practice of not mortifying themselves or others.One individual doesn’t mortify either themselves or others, committed to the practice of not mortifying themselves or others.They live without wishes in this very life, quenched, cooled, experiencing bliss, with self become divine.They live without wishes in this very life, quenched, cooled, experiencing bliss, with self become divine.

And what individual mortifies themselves, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves?And what individual mortifies themselves, committed to the practice of mortifying themselves?It’s when a person goes naked, ignoring conventions. …It’s when a person goes naked, ignoring conventions. …And so they live committed to practicing these various ways of mortifying and tormenting the body.And so they live committed to practicing these various ways of mortifying and tormenting the body.