相应部第 56 相应（Sujato 英译）第 41 阅读页 · SN56.41 · Speculation About the World

Linked Discourses 56.41Linked Discourses 56.415. A Cliff5. A Cliff

Speculation About the WorldSpeculation About the WorldAt one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.There the Buddha addressed the mendicants:There the Buddha addressed the mendicants:

“Once upon a time, mendicants, a certain person left Rājagaha, thinking ‘I’ll speculate about the world.’ They went to the Sumāgadhā lotus pond and sat down on the bank speculating about the world.“Once upon a time, mendicants, a certain person left Rājagaha, thinking ‘I’ll speculate about the world.’ They went to the Sumāgadhā lotus pond and sat down on the bank speculating about the world.Then that person saw an army of four divisions enter a lotus stalk.Then that person saw an army of four divisions enter a lotus stalk.When he saw this he thought,When he saw this he thought,

‘I’ve gone mad, really, I’ve lost my mind!‘I’ve gone mad, really, I’ve lost my mind!I’m seeing things that don’t exist in the world.’I’m seeing things that don’t exist in the world.’Then that person entered the city and informed a large crowd,Then that person entered the city and informed a large crowd,

‘I’ve gone mad, really, I’ve lost my mind!‘I’ve gone mad, really, I’ve lost my mind!I’m seeing things that don’t exist in the world.’I’m seeing things that don’t exist in the world.’‘But how is it that you’re mad? How have you lost your mind?‘But how is it that you’re mad? How have you lost your mind?

And what have you seen that doesn’t exist in the world?’And what have you seen that doesn’t exist in the world?’‘Sirs, I left Rājagaha, thinking “I’ll speculate about the world.” I went to the Sumāgadhā lotus pond and sat down on the bank speculating about the world.‘Sirs, I left Rājagaha, thinking “I’ll speculate about the world.” I went to the Sumāgadhā lotus pond and sat down on the bank speculating about the world.Then I saw an army of four divisions enter a lotus stalk.Then I saw an army of four divisions enter a lotus stalk.

That’s why I’m mad, that’s why I’ve lost my mind.That’s why I’m mad, that’s why I’ve lost my mind.And that’s what I’ve seen that doesn’t exist in the world.’And that’s what I’ve seen that doesn’t exist in the world.’‘Well, my man, you’re definitely mad, you’ve definitely lost your mind.‘Well, my man, you’re definitely mad, you’ve definitely lost your mind.

And you’re seeing things that don’t exist in the world.’And you’re seeing things that don’t exist in the world.’But what that person saw was in fact real, not unreal.But what that person saw was in fact real, not unreal.Once upon a time, a battle was fought between the gods and the titans.Once upon a time, a battle was fought between the gods and the titans.

In that battle the gods won and the titans lost.In that battle the gods won and the titans lost.The defeated and terrified titans entered the citadel of the titans through the lotus stalk only to confuse the gods.The defeated and terrified titans entered the citadel of the titans through the lotus stalk only to confuse the gods.So mendicants, don’t speculate about the world.So mendicants, don’t speculate about the world.

For example: the cosmos is eternal, or not eternal, or finite, or infinite; the soul and the body are one and the same, or the soul is one thing, the body another; after death, a realized one still exists, or no longer exists, or both still exists and no longer exists, or neither still exists nor no longer exists.For example: the cosmos is eternal, or not eternal, or finite, or infinite; the soul and the body are one and the same, or the soul is one thing, the body another; after death, a realized one still exists, or no longer exists, or both still exists and no longer exists, or neither still exists nor no longer exists.Why is that?Why is that?Because those thoughts aren’t beneficial or relevant to the fundamentals of the spiritual life. They don’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.Because those thoughts aren’t beneficial or relevant to the fundamentals of the spiritual life. They don’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.

When you think something up, you should think: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’.When you think something up, you should think: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’.Why is that?Why is that?Because those thoughts are beneficial and relevant to the fundamentals of the spiritual life. They lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.Because those thoughts are beneficial and relevant to the fundamentals of the spiritual life. They lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”That’s why you should practice meditation …”