经集（Sujato 英译）第 33 阅读页 · SNP3.2 · Striving

Anthology of Discourses 3.2Anthology of Discourses 3.2StrivingStriving

“During my time of resolute striving“During my time of resolute strivingback on the bank of the Nerañjara River,back on the bank of the Nerañjara River,I was meditating very hardI was meditating very hard

for the sake of sanctuary from the yoke.for the sake of sanctuary from the yoke.Namucī approached,Namucī approached,speaking words of kindness:speaking words of kindness:

‘You’re thin, discolored,‘You’re thin, discolored,on the verge of death.on the verge of death.Death has a thousand parts of you,Death has a thousand parts of you,

one fraction is left to life.one fraction is left to life.Live, worthy sir! Life is better!Live, worthy sir! Life is better!Living, you can make merits.Living, you can make merits.

While leading the spiritual lifeWhile leading the spiritual lifeand serving the sacred flame,and serving the sacred flame,you can pile up abundant merit—you can pile up abundant merit—

so what will striving do for you?so what will striving do for you?Hard to walk is the path of striving,Hard to walk is the path of striving,hard to do, a hard challenge to win.’”hard to do, a hard challenge to win.’”

These are the verses Māra spokeThese are the verses Māra spokeas he stood beside the Buddha.as he stood beside the Buddha.When Māra had spoken in this way,When Māra had spoken in this way,

the Buddha said this:the Buddha said this:“O Wicked One, kinsman of the negligent,“O Wicked One, kinsman of the negligent,you’re here for your own purpose.you’re here for your own purpose.

I have no need forI have no need forthe slightest bit of merit.the slightest bit of merit.Those with need for meritThose with need for merit

are fit for Māra to address.are fit for Māra to address.I have faith and energy too,I have faith and energy too,and wisdom is found in me.and wisdom is found in me.

When I am so resolute,When I am so resolute,why do you beg me to live?why do you beg me to live?The rivers and streamsThe rivers and streams

might be dried by the wind,might be dried by the wind,so why, when I am resolute,so why, when I am resolute,should it not dry up my blood?should it not dry up my blood?

And while the blood is drying up,And while the blood is drying up,the bile and phlegm dry too.the bile and phlegm dry too.And as my muscles waste away,And as my muscles waste away,

my mind grows more serene.my mind grows more serene.And all the stronger grow mindfulnessAnd all the stronger grow mindfulnessand wisdom and immersion.and wisdom and immersion.

As I meditate like this,As I meditate like this,having attained the supreme feeling,having attained the supreme feeling,my mind has no interest in sensual pleasures:my mind has no interest in sensual pleasures:

behold a being’s purity!behold a being’s purity!Sensual pleasures are your first army,Sensual pleasures are your first army,the second is called discontent,the second is called discontent,

hunger and thirst are the third,hunger and thirst are the third,and the fourth is said to be craving.and the fourth is said to be craving.Your fifth is dullness and drowsiness,Your fifth is dullness and drowsiness,

the sixth is said to be cowardice,the sixth is said to be cowardice,your seventh is doubt,your seventh is doubt,contempt and obstinacy are your eighth.contempt and obstinacy are your eighth.

Profit, praise, and honor,Profit, praise, and honor,and misbegotten fame;and misbegotten fame;the extolling of oneselfthe extolling of oneself

while scorning others.while scorning others.This is your army, Namucī,This is your army, Namucī,the strike force of the Dark One.the strike force of the Dark One.

Only a hero can defeat it,Only a hero can defeat it,but in victory there lies bliss.but in victory there lies bliss.Let me gird myself—Let me gird myself—

curse my life!curse my life!I’d rather die in battleI’d rather die in battlethan live on in defeat.than live on in defeat.

Here some ascetics and brahminsHere some ascetics and brahminsare swallowed up, not to be seen again.are swallowed up, not to be seen again.And they do not know the pathAnd they do not know the path

traveled by those true to their vows.traveled by those true to their vows.Seeing Māra ready with his legions,Seeing Māra ready with his legions,surrounded by his bannered forces,surrounded by his bannered forces,

I shall meet them in battle—I shall meet them in battle—they’ll never make me retreat!they’ll never make me retreat!That army of yours has never been beatenThat army of yours has never been beaten

by the world with all its gods.by the world with all its gods.Yet I shall smash it with wisdom,Yet I shall smash it with wisdom,like an unfired pot with a stone.like an unfired pot with a stone.

Having brought my thoughts under control,Having brought my thoughts under control,and established mindfulness well,and established mindfulness well,I shall wander from country to country,I shall wander from country to country,

guiding many disciples.guiding many disciples.Diligent and resolute,Diligent and resolute,following my instructions,following my instructions,

they will proceed despite your will,they will proceed despite your will,to where there is no sorrow.”to where there is no sorrow.”“For seven years I followed“For seven years I followed

step by step behind the Blessed One.step by step behind the Blessed One.I found no vulnerabilityI found no vulnerabilityin the mindful Awakened One.in the mindful Awakened One.

A crow once circled a stoneA crow once circled a stonethat looked like a lump of fat.that looked like a lump of fat.‘Perhaps I’ll find something tender,’ it thought,‘Perhaps I’ll find something tender,’ it thought,

‘perhaps there’s something tasty.’‘perhaps there’s something tasty.’But finding nothing tasty,But finding nothing tasty,the crow left that place.the crow left that place.

Like the crow that pecked the stone,Like the crow that pecked the stone,I leave Gotama disappointed.”I leave Gotama disappointed.”So stricken with sorrowSo stricken with sorrow

that his harp dropped from his armpit,that his harp dropped from his armpit,that spirit, downcast,that spirit, downcast,vanished right there.vanished right there.