相应部第 11 相应（Sujato 英译）第 4 阅读页 · SN11.4 · With Vepacitti

Linked Discourses 11.4Linked Discourses 11.4Chapter OneChapter One

With VepacittiWith VepacittiAt Sāvatthī.At Sāvatthī.“Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the titans.“Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the titans.

Then Vepacitti, lord of titans, addressed the titans,Then Vepacitti, lord of titans, addressed the titans,‘My good fellows, if the titans defeat the gods in this battle, bind Sakka, the lord of gods, by his limbs and neck and bring him to my presence in the citadel of the titans.’‘My good fellows, if the titans defeat the gods in this battle, bind Sakka, the lord of gods, by his limbs and neck and bring him to my presence in the citadel of the titans.’Meanwhile, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the thirty-three,Meanwhile, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the thirty-three,

‘My good fellows, if the gods defeat the titans in this battle, bind Vepacitti by his limbs and neck and bring him to my presence in the Hall of Clear Right of the gods.’‘My good fellows, if the gods defeat the titans in this battle, bind Vepacitti by his limbs and neck and bring him to my presence in the Hall of Clear Right of the gods.’In that battle the gods won and the titans lost.In that battle the gods won and the titans lost.So the gods of the thirty-three bound Vepacitti by his limbs and neck and brought him to Sakka’s presence in the Hall of Clear Right of the gods.So the gods of the thirty-three bound Vepacitti by his limbs and neck and brought him to Sakka’s presence in the Hall of Clear Right of the gods.

And as Sakka was entering and leaving the hall, Vepacitti abused and insulted him with rude, harsh words.And as Sakka was entering and leaving the hall, Vepacitti abused and insulted him with rude, harsh words.So Mātali the chariot handler addressed Sakka in verse:So Mātali the chariot handler addressed Sakka in verse:‘O Maghavā, O Sakka,‘O Maghavā, O Sakka,

is it from fear or from weaknessis it from fear or from weaknessthat you endure such harsh wordsthat you endure such harsh wordsin the presence of Vepacitti?’in the presence of Vepacitti?’

‘It’s not out of fear or weakness‘It’s not out of fear or weaknessthat I’m patient with Vepacitti.that I’m patient with Vepacitti.For how can a sensible person like meFor how can a sensible person like me

get in a fight with a fool?’get in a fight with a fool?’‘Fools would vent even more‘Fools would vent even moreif there’s no one to put a stop to them.if there’s no one to put a stop to them.

So an attentive one should stopSo an attentive one should stopa fool with forceful punishment.’a fool with forceful punishment.’‘I think that this is the only way‘I think that this is the only way

to put a stop to a fool,to put a stop to a fool,when you know that the other is upset,when you know that the other is upset,be mindful and stay calm.’be mindful and stay calm.’

‘In this mere endurance, Vāsava,‘In this mere endurance, Vāsava,I see a flaw.I see a flaw.When a fool thinks,When a fool thinks,

“He endures me out of fear,”“He endures me out of fear,”the simpleton will go after you even harder,the simpleton will go after you even harder,like a cow chasing someone who runs away.’like a cow chasing someone who runs away.’

‘Let him think this if he wishes, or not—‘Let him think this if he wishes, or not—“He endures me out of fear.”“He endures me out of fear.”For the highest goal, one’s own,For the highest goal, one’s own,

naught better than patience is found.naught better than patience is found.When a strong personWhen a strong personendures a weakling,endures a weakling,

they call that the ultimate patience,they call that the ultimate patience,for a weakling must always be patient.for a weakling must always be patient.The strength of follyThe strength of folly

is really just weakness, they say.is really just weakness, they say.But no one can challenge a personBut no one can challenge a personwho’s strong, guarded by the teaching.who’s strong, guarded by the teaching.

When you get angry at an angry personWhen you get angry at an angry personyou just make things worse for yourself.you just make things worse for yourself.When you don’t get angry at an angry personWhen you don’t get angry at an angry person

you win a battle hard to win.you win a battle hard to win.When you know that the other is angry,When you know that the other is angry,you act for the good of bothyou act for the good of both

yourself and the otheryourself and the otherif you’re mindful and stay calm.if you’re mindful and stay calm.People inexpert in the teachingPeople inexpert in the teaching

consider one who heals bothconsider one who heals bothoneself and the otheroneself and the otherto be a fool.’to be a fool.’

Since, mendicants, even that Sakka, lord of gods—while living off of the fruit of his good deeds, and ruling as sovereign lord over these gods of the thirty-three—will speak in praise of patience and gentleness,Since, mendicants, even that Sakka, lord of gods—while living off of the fruit of his good deeds, and ruling as sovereign lord over these gods of the thirty-three—will speak in praise of patience and gentleness,you can excel at this, for you who have gone forth in such a well explained teaching and training can develop patience and gentleness.”you can excel at this, for you who have gone forth in such a well explained teaching and training can develop patience and gentleness.”