Mahàkhandhako Home Page Next Section
[I. The First Teachings]
[Dhammacakkappavattanasuttaü]
[9. The Discourse Setting the Dhamma Wheel Rolling] Cf. SN 56, Saccasaüyuttaü, 11. Jà Nid: paÿÿatte Varabuddhàsane nisinno Uttaràsàëhanakkhattayoge vattamàne aññhàrasahi Brahmakoñãhi parivuto Paÿcavaggiye There àmantetvà Dhammacakkappavattanasuttantaü desesi; sitting on the best of Buddha seats that had been prepared, at the conjunction of the Uttaràsàëha constellation, surrounded by 180,000,000 Brahmàs, after addressing the Group-of-Five elders, he taught the Discourse Setting the Dhamma Wheel Rolling.01
Atha kho Bhagavà paÿcavaggiye bhikkhå àmantesi:
Then the Gracious One addressed the group-of-five monks, saying:
ßDveme bhikkhave antà pabbajitena na sevitabbà,
ßThere are these two extremes, monks, that one who has gone forth ought not to associate with,
yo càyaü: kàmesu kàmasukhallikànuyogo,
which is this: devotion and clinging to the pleasure in sense pleasures,
hãno, gammo, pothujjaniko, anariyo, anatthasaühito;
which is low, vulgar, worldly, ignoble, and not connected with the goal;
yo càyaü: attakilamathànuyogo,
and this: devotion to self-mortification,
dukkho, anariyo, anatthasaühito.
which is painful, ignoble, and not connected with the goal.
Ete te bhikkhave ubho ante anupagamma, majjhimà pañipadà
Not having approached either of these two extremes, monks, the middle practice
Tathàgatena abhisambuddhà, cakkhukaraõã, ÿàõakaraõã,
was awakened to by the Realised One, which produces vision, produces knowledge,
upasamàya abhiÿÿàya Sambodhàya Nibbànàya saüvattati.
and which leads to peace, deep knowledge, Complete Awakening, and Emancipation.
Katamà ca sà bhikkhave majjhimà pañipadà,
Now what is this middle practice, monks,
Tathàgatena abhisambuddhà, cakkhukaraõã, ÿàõakaraõã,
that was awakened to by the Realised One, which produces vision, Comm: paÿÿàcakkhuü sandhàyàha; said in reference to the eye of wisdom.02 produces knowledge,
upasamàya abhiÿÿàya Sambodhàya Nibbànàya saüvattati?
and which leads to peace, deep knowledge, Complete Awakening, and Emancipation?
Ayam-eva Ariyo Aññhaïgiko Maggo, seyyathãdam:
It is this Eightfold Noble Path, as follows:
sammàdiññhi
right view
sammàsaïkappo
right thought
sammàvàcà
right speech
sammàkammanto
right action
sammà-àjãvo
right livelihood
sammàvàyàmo
right endeavour
sammàsati
right mindfulness
sammàsamàdhi.
right concentration. The Eightfold Noble Path is sometimes organised into three sections or groups: virtue (sãla): right speech, action and livelihood; mastery of mind (samàdhi): right endeavour, mindfulness and concentration; and wisdom (paÿÿà): right view and thought.03
Ayaü kho sà bhikkhave majjhimà pañipadà,
This is the middle practice, monks,
Tathàgatena abhisambuddhà, cakkhukaraõã, ÿàõakaraõã,
that was awakened to by the Realised One, which produces vision, produces knowledge,
upasamàya abhiÿÿàya Sambodhàya Nibbànàya saüvattati.
and which leads to peace, deep knowledge, Complete Awakening, and Emancipation.
[Cattàri Ariyasaccàni]
[The Four Noble Truths]
Idaü kho pana bhikkhave dukkhaü ariyasaccaü:
Now this, monks, is the noble truth of suffering:
jàti pi dukkhà
birth is suffering
jarà pi dukkhà
also old age is suffering
vyàdhi pi dukkho
also sickness is suffering
maraõam-pi dukkhaü
also death is suffering
appiyehi sampayogo dukkho
being joined to what is not dear is suffering
piyehi vippayogo dukkho
being separated from what is dear is suffering
yam-picchaü na labhati tam-pi dukkhaü
also not to obtain what one longs for is suffering
saïkhittena paÿcupàdànakkhandhà dukkhà.
in brief, the five constituent parts (of mind and body) that provide fuel for attachment are suffering.
Idaü kho pana bhikkhave dukkhasamudayaü ariyasaccaü:
Now this, monks, is the noble truth of the arising of suffering:
yà yaü taõhà ponobhavikà,
it is that craving which leads to continuation in existence,
nandiràgasahagatà, tatratatràbhinandinã, seyyathãdaü:
which is connected with enjoyment and passion, greatly enjoying this and that, as follows:
kàmataõhà
craving for sense pleasures
bhavataõhà
craving for continuation
vibhavataõhà.
craving for discontinuation.
Idaü kho pana bhikkhave dukkhanirodhaü ariyasaccaü:
Now this, monks, is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering:
yo tassà yeva taõhàya asesaviràganirodho -
it is the complete fading away and cessation without remainder of that craving -
càgo, pañinissaggo, mutti, anàlayo.
liberation, letting go, release, and non-adherence.
Idaü kho pana bhikkhave,
Now this, monks,
dukkhanirodhagàminã pañipadà ariyasaccaü,
is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of suffering,
ayam-eva Ariyo Aññhaïgiko Maggo, seyyathãdam:
it is this Eightfold Noble Path, as follows:
sammàdiññhi
right view
sammàsaïkappo
right thought
sammàvàcà
right speech
sammàkammanto
right action
sammà-àjãvo
right livelihood
sammàvàyàmo
right endeavour
sammàsati
right mindfulness
sammàsamàdhi.
right concentration.
[Sacchikiriyà]
[Realisation]
ßIdaü dukkhaü ariyasaccanû-ti -
ßThis is the noble truth of sufferingû -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhaü ariyasaccaüû pariÿÿeyyan-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of sufferingû refers (i.e. suffering itself) ought to be fully known The syntax of this section in Pàëi is very roundabout and not a little awkward. The translation is no better, as to maintain consistency, we have to circumlocute to avoid saying (just below): This noble truth of the arising of suffering ought to be given up, which makes it sound as if the truth ought to be given up, rather than what causes the arising.04 -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhaü ariyasaccaüû pariÿÿàtan-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of sufferingû refers has been fully known -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
ßIdaü dukkhasamudayaü ariyasaccanû-ti -
ßThis is the noble truth of the arising of sufferingû -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhasamudayaü ariyasaccaüû pahàtabban-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of the arising of sufferingû refers (i.e. craving) ought to be given up -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhasamudayaü ariyasaccaüû pahãnan-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of the arising of sufferingû refers has been given up,
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
ßIdaü dukkhanirodhaü ariyasaccanû-ti -
ßThis is the noble truth of the cessation of sufferingû -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhanirodhaü ariyasaccaüû sacchikàtabban-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of the cessation of sufferingû refers (i.e. Emancipation) ought to be experienced -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhanirodhaü ariyasaccaüû sacchikatan-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of the cessation of sufferingû refers has been experienced -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
ßIdaü dukkhanirodhagàminã pañipadà ariyasaccanû-ti -
ßThis is the noble truth of the practice going to the cessation of sufferingû -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhanirodhagàminã pañipadà ariyasaccaüû bhàvetabban-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of sufferingû refers (i.e. the practice itself) ought to be developed -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taü kho pan' ßidaü dukkhanirodhagàminã pañipadà ariyasaccaüû bhàvitan-ti -
Now that to which ßthis is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of sufferingû refers has been developed -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuü udapàdi, ÿàõaü udapàdi, paÿÿà udapàdi, vijjà udapàdi, àloko udapàdi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
[Sambodhipaccaÿÿanaü]
[Declaring the Awakening]
Yàva kãvaÿ-ca me bhikkhave imesu catusu ariyasaccesu
For as long as to me, monks, in regard to these four noble truths
- evaü tiparivaññaü dvàdasàkàraü -
- turned like this, in three ways, twelvefold -
yathàbhåtaü ÿàõadassanaü na suvisuddhaü ahosi,
knowledge and insight as it really is was not quite clear,
neva tàvàhaü bhikkhave sadevake loke Samàrake Sabrahmake,
for that long, monks, I did not declare to the world with its gods, Màra, and Brahmà,
sassamaõabràhmaõiyà pajàya sadevamanussàya,
to this generation, with its ascetics and bràhmaõas, princes and men,
anuttaraü sammàsambodhiü Abhisambuddho paccaÿÿàsiü.
that I was a Full and Perfect Sambuddha with unsurpassed complete awakening.
Yato ca kho me bhikkhave imesu catusu ariyasaccesu
But when to me, monks, in regard to these four noble truths
- evaü tiparivaññaü dvàdasàkàraü -
- turned like this, in three ways, twelvefold -
yathàbhåtaü ÿàõadassanaü suvisuddhaü ahosi,
knowledge and insight as it really is was quite clear
athàhaü bhikkhave sadevake loke Samàrake Sabrahmake,
then, monks, I did declare to the world with its gods, Màra, and Brahmà,
sassamaõabràhmaõiyà pajàya sadevamanussàya,
to this generation, with its ascetics and bràhmaõas, princes and men,
anuttaraü sammàsambodhiü Abhisambuddho paccaÿÿàsiü.
that I was a Full and Perfect Sambuddha with unsurpassed complete awakening.
¥àõaÿ-ca pana me dassanaü udapàdi:
To me knowledge and insight arose:
Akuppà me cetovimutti
Sure is my liberation of mind
ayam-antimà jàti
this is my last birth
natthi dàni punabbhavoû ti.
now there is no continuation of existence.û
[Pañhamàpatti]
[The First Attainment]
Idam-avoca Bhagavà,
The Gracious One said this,
attamanà paÿcavaggiyà bhikkhå Bhagavato bhàsitaü abhinandun-ti.
and the group-of-five monks were uplifted and greatly rejoiced in what was said by the Gracious One.
Imasmiÿ-ca pana veyyàkaraõasmiü bhaÿÿamàne, àyasmato Koõóaÿÿassa
Moreover, as this sermon was being given, to the venerable Koõóaÿÿa
virajaü, vãtamalaü, Dhammacakkhuü udapàdi:
the dust-free, stainless, Vision-of-the-Dhamma arose: Comm: aññhàrasahi devatàkoñãhi saddhiü sotàpattiphale patiññhitassa; together with 180,000,000 divinities he was established in the Fruit of Stream-Entry. Jà Nid and Mahàvastu agree with this number.05
ßYaü kiÿci samudayadhammaü,
ßWhatever has the nature of arising,
sabban-taü nirodhadhammanû-ti.
all that has the nature of ceasing.û
[Devabbhanumodanà]
[The Gods Rejoice]
Pavattite ca pana Bhagavatà Dhammacakke
Now when the Dhamma Wheel was set rolling by the Gracious One
Bhummà devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the Earth gods In the enumeration of the 31 Planes of Existence the Bhummà devà are not normally counted as a separate group, but are included in the realm of the Four Great Kings.06 let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Bhummànaü devànaü saddaü sutvà
Having heard the cry of the Earth gods
Càtummahàràjikà devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the gods called the Four Great Kings let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Càtummahàràjikànaü devànaü saddaü sutvà
Having heard the cry of the gods called the Four Great Kings
Tàvatiüsà devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the Tàvatiüsa gods let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Tàvatiüsànaü devànaü saddaü sutvà
Having heard the cry of the Tàvatiüsa gods
Yàmà devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the Yàma gods let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Yàmànaü devànaü saddaü sutvà
Having heard the cry of the Yàma gods
Tusità devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the Tusita gods let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Tusitànaü devànaü saddaü sutvà
Having heard the cry of the Tusita gods
Nimmàõaratã devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the Nimmàõarati gods let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Nimmàõaratãnaü devànaü saddaü sutvà
Having heard the cry of the Nimmàõarati gods
Paranimmitavasavattino devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the Paranimmitavasavatti gods let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Paranimmitavasavattãnaü devànaü saddaü sutvà
Having heard the cry of the Paranimmitavasavatti gods
Brahmakàyikà devà saddam-anussàvesuü:
the Brahmakàyika gods All the gods so far belong to the Sensual World (Kàma Loka), but the Brahmakàyikà devà, of which there are 16 kinds (all listed separately in the Safeguard version of this discourse), belong to the Form World (Råpa Loka).07 let loose a cry:
ßEtaü Bhagavatà Bàràõasiyaü Isipatane Migadàye,
o ßNear Bàràõasã, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraü Dhammacakkaü pavattitaü,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Gracious One,
appativattiyaü samaõena và bràhmaõena và
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or a bràhmaõa
devena và Màrena và Brahmunà và kenaci và lokasminû-ti.
or by a god or by a Màra or by a Brahmà or by anyone in the world.û
Iti ha tena khaõena tena muhuttena,
Thus at that moment, at that second,
yàva Brahmalokà saddo abbhuggaÿchi,
that cry reached as far as the Brahmà worlds,
ayaÿ-ca dasasahassã lokadhàtu saïkampi, sampakampi, sampavedhi,
and this ten-thousand world-element moved, wavered, and shook,
appamàõo ca uëàro obhàso loke pàtur-ahosi,
and great and measureless light became manifest in the world,
atikkamma devànaü devànubhàvaü.
transcending the godly power of the gods.
Atha kho Bhagavà imaü udànaü udànesi:
Then the Gracious One uttered this inspired utterance:
ßAÿÿàsi vata bho Koõóaÿÿo,
ßKoõóaÿÿa surely knows,
aÿÿàsi vata bho Koõóaÿÿoû ti.
Koõóaÿÿa surely knows.û
Iti hidaü àyasmato Koõóaÿÿassa
Thus to the venerable Koõóaÿÿa
Aÿÿà Koõóaÿÿo tveva nàmaü ahosi.
came the name Aÿÿà Koõóaÿÿa (Koõóaÿÿa, he-who-knows).