中部第 93 经（Sujato 英译）第 1 阅读页 · With Assalāyana · 1/2

Middle Discourses 93Middle Discourses 93With AssalāyanaWith Assalāyana

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.Now at that time around five hundred brahmins from abroad were residing in Sāvatthī on some business.Now at that time around five hundred brahmins from abroad were residing in Sāvatthī on some business.

Then those brahmins thought,Then those brahmins thought,“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.Who is capable of debating with him about this?”Who is capable of debating with him about this?”

Now at that time the student Assalāyana was residing in Sāvatthī. He was young, tonsured, and sixteen years old. He had mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies and ritual performance, their phonology and word classification, and the testaments as fifth. He knew them word-by-word, and their grammar. He was well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man.Now at that time the student Assalāyana was residing in Sāvatthī. He was young, tonsured, and sixteen years old. He had mastered the three Vedas, together with their vocabularies and ritual performance, their phonology and word classification, and the testaments as fifth. He knew them word-by-word, and their grammar. He was well versed in cosmology and the marks of a great man.

Then those brahmins thought,Then those brahmins thought,“This Assalāyana is capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama about this.”“This Assalāyana is capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama about this.”So they approached Assalāyana and said to him,So they approached Assalāyana and said to him,

“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.Please, worthy Assalāyana, debate with the ascetic Gotama about this.”Please, worthy Assalāyana, debate with the ascetic Gotama about this.”When they said this, Assalāyana said to them,When they said this, Assalāyana said to them,

“They say that the ascetic Gotama is a speaker of principle.“They say that the ascetic Gotama is a speaker of principle.But speakers of principle are hard to debate.But speakers of principle are hard to debate.I’m not capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama about this.”I’m not capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama about this.”

For a second time, those brahmins said to himFor a second time, those brahmins said to him“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.Please, worthy Assalāyana, debate with the ascetic Gotama about this.Please, worthy Assalāyana, debate with the ascetic Gotama about this.

For you have lived as a wanderer.”For you have lived as a wanderer.”And for a second time, Assalāyana refused.And for a second time, Assalāyana refused.For a third time, those brahmins said to him,For a third time, those brahmins said to him,

“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.“This ascetic Gotama advocates purification for all four classes.Please, worthy Assalāyana, debate with the ascetic Gotama about this.Please, worthy Assalāyana, debate with the ascetic Gotama about this.For you have lived as a wanderer.For you have lived as a wanderer.

Don’t admit defeat before going into battle!”Don’t admit defeat before going into battle!”When they said this, Assalāyana said to them,When they said this, Assalāyana said to them,“Clearly, worthy sirs, I’m not getting through to you when I say:“Clearly, worthy sirs, I’m not getting through to you when I say:

‘They say that the ascetic Gotama is a speaker of principle.‘They say that the ascetic Gotama is a speaker of principle.But speakers of principle are hard to debate.But speakers of principle are hard to debate.I’m not capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama about this.’I’m not capable of debating with the ascetic Gotama about this.’

Nevertheless, I shall go at your bidding.”Nevertheless, I shall go at your bidding.”Then Assalāyana together with a large group of brahmins went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.Then Assalāyana together with a large group of brahmins went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him.When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

“Worthy Gotama, the brahmins say:“Worthy Gotama, the brahmins say:‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.

Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’What do you say about this?”What do you say about this?”

“But Assalāyana, brahmin women are seen menstruating, being pregnant, giving birth, and breastfeeding.“But Assalāyana, brahmin women are seen menstruating, being pregnant, giving birth, and breastfeeding.Yet even though they’re born from a brahmin womb they say:Yet even though they’re born from a brahmin womb they say:‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.‘Only brahmins are the best class; other classes are inferior.

Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.Only brahmins are the light class; other classes are dark.Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are purified, not others.Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’”Only brahmins are the Divinity’s bosom sons, born from his mouth, born of the Divinity, created by the Divinity, heirs of the Divinity.’”

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?Have you heard that in Greece and Persia and other foreign lands there are only two classes, masters and bonded servants; and that masters may become servants, and servants masters?”Have you heard that in Greece and Persia and other foreign lands there are only two classes, masters and bonded servants; and that masters may become servants, and servants masters?”

“Yes, I have heard that.”“Yes, I have heard that.”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?Suppose an aristocrat were to kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct; to use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and to be covetous, malicious, with wrong view. When their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. Would this happen only to an aristocrat, and not to a brahmin?Suppose an aristocrat were to kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct; to use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and to be covetous, malicious, with wrong view. When their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell. Would this happen only to an aristocrat, and not to a brahmin?

Or suppose a peasant,Or suppose a peasant,or a menial were to act in the same way. Would that result befall only a peasant or a menial, and not to a brahmin?”or a menial were to act in the same way. Would that result befall only a peasant or a menial, and not to a brahmin?”“No, worthy Gotama.“No, worthy Gotama.

If they acted the same way, the same result would befall an aristocrat, a brahmin, a peasant, or a menial.If they acted the same way, the same result would befall an aristocrat, a brahmin, a peasant, or a menial.For if any of the four classes were to kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct; to use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and to be covetous, malicious, with wrong view, then, when their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.”For if any of the four classes were to kill living creatures, steal, and commit sexual misconduct; to use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and to be covetous, malicious, with wrong view, then, when their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.”

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?

Suppose a brahmin were to refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct; from using speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and from covetousness, malice, and wrong view. When their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. Would this happen only to a brahmin, and not to an aristocrat, a peasant, or a menial?”Suppose a brahmin were to refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct; from using speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and from covetousness, malice, and wrong view. When their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. Would this happen only to a brahmin, and not to an aristocrat, a peasant, or a menial?”

“No, worthy Gotama.“No, worthy Gotama.If they acted the same way, the same result would befall an aristocrat, a brahmin, a peasant, or a menial.If they acted the same way, the same result would befall an aristocrat, a brahmin, a peasant, or a menial.For if any of the four classes were to refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct; from using speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and from covetousness, malice, and wrong view, then, when their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.”For if any of the four classes were to refrain from killing living creatures, stealing, and sexual misconduct; from using speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and from covetousness, malice, and wrong view, then, when their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.”

“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?

Is only a brahmin capable of developing a heart of love, free of enmity and ill will for this region, and not an aristocrat, peasant, or menial?”Is only a brahmin capable of developing a heart of love, free of enmity and ill will for this region, and not an aristocrat, peasant, or menial?”“No, worthy Gotama.“No, worthy Gotama.Aristocrats, brahmins, peasants, and menials can all do so.Aristocrats, brahmins, peasants, and menials can all do so.

For all four classes are capable of developing a heart of love, free of enmity and ill will for this region.”For all four classes are capable of developing a heart of love, free of enmity and ill will for this region.”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?Is only a brahmin capable of taking some bathing cleanser, going to the river, and rinsing off dust and dirt, and not an aristocrat, peasant, or menial?”Is only a brahmin capable of taking some bathing cleanser, going to the river, and rinsing off dust and dirt, and not an aristocrat, peasant, or menial?”“No, worthy Gotama.“No, worthy Gotama.

All four classes are capable of doing this.”All four classes are capable of doing this.”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”

“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?Suppose an anointed aristocratic king were to gather a hundred people of various births and say to them:Suppose an anointed aristocratic king were to gather a hundred people of various births and say to them:‘Please worthy sirs, let anyone here who was born in a family of aristocrats, brahmins, or chieftains take a drill-stick made of teak, sal, salaḷa, sandalwood, or cherry wood, light a fire and produce heat.‘Please worthy sirs, let anyone here who was born in a family of aristocrats, brahmins, or chieftains take a drill-stick made of teak, sal, salaḷa, sandalwood, or cherry wood, light a fire and produce heat.

And let anyone here who was born in a family of corpse-workers, hunters, bamboo-workers, chariot-makers, or scavengers take a drill-stick made from a mutt’s drinking trough, a pig’s trough, a dustbin, or castor-oil wood, light a fire and produce heat.’And let anyone here who was born in a family of corpse-workers, hunters, bamboo-workers, chariot-makers, or scavengers take a drill-stick made from a mutt’s drinking trough, a pig’s trough, a dustbin, or castor-oil wood, light a fire and produce heat.’What do you think, Assalāyana?What do you think, Assalāyana?Would only the fire produced by the high class people with good quality wood have flames, color, and radiance, and be usable as fire,Would only the fire produced by the high class people with good quality wood have flames, color, and radiance, and be usable as fire,

and not the fire produced by the low class people with poor quality wood?”and not the fire produced by the low class people with poor quality wood?”“No, worthy Gotama.“No, worthy Gotama.The fire produced by the high class people with good quality wood would have flames, color, and radiance, and be usable as fire,The fire produced by the high class people with good quality wood would have flames, color, and radiance, and be usable as fire,

and so would the fire produced by the low class people with poor quality wood.and so would the fire produced by the low class people with poor quality wood.For all fire has flames, color, and radiance, and is usable as fire.”For all fire has flames, color, and radiance, and is usable as fire.”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”“Then what is the source of the brahmins’ certainty and forcefulness in this matter that they make this claim?”

“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“Even though you say this, still the brahmins maintain their belief.”“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?Suppose an aristocrat boy was to sleep with a brahmin girl, and they had a child.Suppose an aristocrat boy was to sleep with a brahmin girl, and they had a child.

Would that child be called an aristocrat after the father or a brahmin after the mother?”Would that child be called an aristocrat after the father or a brahmin after the mother?”“They could be called either.”“They could be called either.”“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?

Suppose a brahmin boy was to sleep with an aristocrat girl, and they had a child.Suppose a brahmin boy was to sleep with an aristocrat girl, and they had a child.Would that child be called an aristocrat after the mother or a brahmin after the father?”Would that child be called an aristocrat after the mother or a brahmin after the father?”“They could be called either.”“They could be called either.”

“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?Suppose a mare were to couple with a donkey, and she gave birth to a mule.Suppose a mare were to couple with a donkey, and she gave birth to a mule.Would that mule be called a horse after the mother or a donkey after the father?”Would that mule be called a horse after the mother or a donkey after the father?”

“It’s a mule, as it is a crossbreed.“It’s a mule, as it is a crossbreed.I see the difference in this case,I see the difference in this case,but not in the previous cases.”but not in the previous cases.”

“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?Suppose there were two young students who were brothers who had shared a womb. One was an educated reciter, while the other was not an educated reciter.Suppose there were two young students who were brothers who had shared a womb. One was an educated reciter, while the other was not an educated reciter.Who would the brahmins feed first at an offering of food for ancestors, an offering of a dish of milk-rice, a sacrifice, or a feast for guests?”Who would the brahmins feed first at an offering of food for ancestors, an offering of a dish of milk-rice, a sacrifice, or a feast for guests?”

“They’d first feed the young student who was an educated reciter.“They’d first feed the young student who was an educated reciter.For how could an offering to someone who is not an educated reciter be very fruitful?”For how could an offering to someone who is not an educated reciter be very fruitful?”“What do you think, Assalāyana?“What do you think, Assalāyana?

Suppose there were two young students who were brothers who had shared a womb. One was an educated reciter, but was unethical, of bad character, while the other was not an educated reciter, but was ethical and of good character.Suppose there were two young students who were brothers who had shared a womb. One was an educated reciter, but was unethical, of bad character, while the other was not an educated reciter, but was ethical and of good character.Who would the brahmins feed first?”Who would the brahmins feed first?”“They’d first feed the young student who was not an educated reciter, but was ethical and of good character.“They’d first feed the young student who was not an educated reciter, but was ethical and of good character.

For how could an offering to someone who is unethical and of bad character be very fruitful?”For how could an offering to someone who is unethical and of bad character be very fruitful?”