经集（Sujato 英译）第 75 阅读页 · SNP5.5 · The Questions of Mettagū

Anthology of Discourses 5.5Anthology of Discourses 5.5The Questions of MettagūThe Questions of Mettagū

“I ask you, Blessed One; please tell me this,”“I ask you, Blessed One; please tell me this,”said Venerable Mettagū,said Venerable Mettagū,“for I think you are a knowledge master, evolved.“for I think you are a knowledge master, evolved.

Where do all these sufferings come from,Where do all these sufferings come from,in all their countless forms in the world?”in all their countless forms in the world?”“You have rightly asked me of the origin of suffering,”“You have rightly asked me of the origin of suffering,”

replied the Buddha,replied the Buddha,“I shall tell you as I understand it.“I shall tell you as I understand it.Attachment is the source of sufferingAttachment is the source of suffering

in all its countless forms in the world.in all its countless forms in the world.When an ignorant person builds up attachments,When an ignorant person builds up attachments,that dullard returns to suffering again and again.that dullard returns to suffering again and again.

So let one who understands not build up attachments,So let one who understands not build up attachments,contemplating the inception of suffering and rebirth.”contemplating the inception of suffering and rebirth.”“Whatever I asked you have explained to me.“Whatever I asked you have explained to me.

I ask you once more, please tell me this:I ask you once more, please tell me this:How do the attentive cross the floodHow do the attentive cross the floodof rebirth, old age, sorrow, and lamenting?of rebirth, old age, sorrow, and lamenting?

Please, sage, answer me clearly,Please, sage, answer me clearly,for truly you understand this matter.”for truly you understand this matter.”“I shall extol a teaching to you,”“I shall extol a teaching to you,”

replied the Buddha,replied the Buddha,“that is apparent in the present, not relying on legends.“that is apparent in the present, not relying on legends.Having understood it, one who lives mindfullyHaving understood it, one who lives mindfully

may cross over clinging in the world.”may cross over clinging in the world.”“And I rejoice, great seer,“And I rejoice, great seer,in that supreme teaching,in that supreme teaching,

having understood which, one who lives mindfullyhaving understood which, one who lives mindfullymay cross over clinging in the world.”may cross over clinging in the world.”“Once you’ve expelled relishing and dogmatism,”“Once you’ve expelled relishing and dogmatism,”

replied the Buddha,replied the Buddha,“regarding everything you are aware of—“regarding everything you are aware of—above, below, all round, between—above, below, all round, between—

having cast aside consciousness, don’t continue in existence.having cast aside consciousness, don’t continue in existence.A mendicant who wanders meditating like this,A mendicant who wanders meditating like this,diligent and mindful, calling nothing their own,diligent and mindful, calling nothing their own,

would, being wise, give up the sufferingwould, being wise, give up the sufferingof rebirth, old age, sorrow and lamenting right here.”of rebirth, old age, sorrow and lamenting right here.”“I rejoice in the words of the great seer!“I rejoice in the words of the great seer!

You have expounded non-attachment well, Gotama.You have expounded non-attachment well, Gotama.Clearly the Buddha has given up suffering,Clearly the Buddha has given up suffering,for truly you understand this matter.for truly you understand this matter.

Surely, sage, those you’d regularly instructSurely, sage, those you’d regularly instructwould also give up suffering.would also give up suffering.Having met, I bow especially to you, O spiritual giant;Having met, I bow especially to you, O spiritual giant;

hopefully the Buddha may regularly instruct me.”hopefully the Buddha may regularly instruct me.”“Any brahmin recognized as a knowledge master,“Any brahmin recognized as a knowledge master,who has nothing, unattached to sensual life,who has nothing, unattached to sensual life,

clearly has crossed this flood,clearly has crossed this flood,crossed to the far shore, kind, wishless.crossed to the far shore, kind, wishless.And a wise person here, a knowledge master,And a wise person here, a knowledge master,

having untied the bond to life after life,having untied the bond to life after life,free of craving, untroubled, with no need for hope,free of craving, untroubled, with no need for hope,has crossed over rebirth and old age, I declare.”has crossed over rebirth and old age, I declare.”