相应部第 15 相应（Sujato 英译）第 8 阅读页 · SN15.8 · The Ganges

Linked Discourses 15.8Linked Discourses 15.8Chapter OneChapter One

The GangesThe GangesNear Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove.Near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove.Then a certain brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.Then a certain brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and asked the Buddha,When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and asked the Buddha,“Worthy Gotama, how many eons have passed?”“Worthy Gotama, how many eons have passed?”“Brahmin, many eons have passed.“Brahmin, many eons have passed.

It’s not easy to calculateIt’s not easy to calculatehow many eons have passed, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of eons.”how many eons have passed, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of eons.”“But worthy Gotama, can you give a simile?”“But worthy Gotama, can you give a simile?”

“I can,” said the Buddha.“I can,” said the Buddha.“Consider the Ganges River from where it originates to where it meets the ocean. Between these places it’s not easy to calculate“Consider the Ganges River from where it originates to where it meets the ocean. Between these places it’s not easy to calculatehow many grains of sand there are, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of grains of sand.how many grains of sand there are, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of grains of sand.

The eons that have passed are more than this.The eons that have passed are more than this.It’s not easy to calculateIt’s not easy to calculatehow many eons have passed, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of eons.how many eons have passed, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of eons.

Why is that?Why is that?This transmigration has no known beginning.This transmigration has no known beginning.No first point is found of sentient beings roaming and transmigrating, shrouded by ignorance and fettered by craving.No first point is found of sentient beings roaming and transmigrating, shrouded by ignorance and fettered by craving.

For such a long time you have undergone suffering, agony, and disaster, swelling the cemeteries.For such a long time you have undergone suffering, agony, and disaster, swelling the cemeteries.This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.”This is quite enough for you to become disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding all conditions.”When he said this, the brahmin said to the Buddha,When he said this, the brahmin said to the Buddha,

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”