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Mahàparinibbànasuttaü
The Discourse about the Great Emancipation
[Dutiyabhàõavàraü]
[The Second Chapter for Recitation]
[15: Ambapàlã Gaõikà] 01
[The Courtesan Ambapàlã]
Atha kho Bhagavà Nàdike yathàbhirantaü viharitvà,
Then the Gracious One, after living near Nàdika for as long as he liked,
àyasmantaü ânandaü àmantesi:
addressed venerable ânanda, (saying):
ßâyàm' ânanda yena Vesàlã tenupasaïkamissàmà.û ti
ßCome ânanda let us approach Vesàlã.û
ßEvaü Bhante,û ti kho àyasmà ânando Bhagavato paccassosi.
ßVery well, reverend Sir,û venerable ânanda replied to the Gracious One.
Atha kho Bhagavà mahatà bhikkhusaïghena saddhiü yena Vesàlã tad-avasari.
Then the Gracious One together with a great Community of monks entered Vesàlã.
Tatra sudaü Bhagavà Vesàliyaü viharati Ambapàlivane.
There the Gracious One lived near Vesàlã in Ambapàlã's Wood.
Tatra kho Bhagavà bhikkhå àmantesi:
There the Gracious One addressed the monks, (saying):
ßSato bhikkhave bhikkhu vihareyya sampajàno ayaü vo amhàkaü anusàsanã.
ßMindfully and with full awareness, monks, a monk should live, this is our advice to you. 02
Kathaÿ-ca bhikkhave bhikkhu sato hoti?
And how, monks, is a monk mindful? 03
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kàye kàyànupassã viharati,
Here, monks, a monk dwells contemplating (the nature of) the body in the body,
àtàpã sampajàno satimà, vineyya loke abhijjhàdomanassaü;
ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world;
vedanàsu vedanànupassã viharati,
he dwells contemplating (the nature of) feelings in feelings,
àtàpã sampajàno satimà, vineyya loke abhijjhàdomanassaü;
ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world;
citte cittànupassã viharati,
he dwells contemplating (the nature of) the mind in the mind,
àtàpã sampajàno satimà, vineyya loke abhijjhàdomanassaü;
ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world;
dhammesu dhammànupassã viharati,
he dwells contemplating (the nature of) things in (various) things,
àtàpã sampajàno satimà, vineyya loke abhijjhàdomanassaü.
ardent, fully aware, and mindful, after removing avarice and sorrow regarding the world.
Evaü kho bhikkhave bhikkhu sato hoti.
Thus, monks, a monk is mindful.
Kathaÿ-ca bhikkhave bhikkhu sampajàno hoti?
And how, monks, does a monk have full awareness? 04
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu abhikkante pañikkante sampajànakàrã hoti,
Here, monks, a monk in going forwards, in going back, is one who practises with full awareness,
àlokite vilokite sampajànakàrã hoti,
in looking ahead, or in looking around, he is one who practises with full awareness,
sammiÿjite pasàrite sampajànakàrã hoti,
in bending or in stretching, he is one who practises with full awareness,
saïghàñipattacãvaradhàraõe sampajànakàrã hoti,
in bearing his double-robe, bowl, and (other) robes, he is one who practises with full awareness,
asite pãte khàyite sàyite sampajànakàrã hoti,
in eating, in drinking, in chewing, in tasting, he is one who practises with full awareness,
uccàrapassàvakamme sampajànakàrã hoti,
in passing stool and urine, he is one who practises with full awareness,
gate ñhite nisinne, sutte jàgarite, bhàsite tuõhãbhàve sampajànakàrã hoti.
in going, in standing, in sitting, in sleeping, in waking, in talking, and in maintaining silence, he is one who practises with full awareness.
Evaü kho bhikkhave bhikkhu sampajàno hoti.
Thus, monks, a monk has full awareness.
Sato bhikkhave bhikkhu vihareyya sampajàno ayaü vo amhàkaü anusàsanã.û ti
Mindfully and with full awareness, monks, a monk should live, this is our advice to you.û
* * *
Assosi kho Ambapàlã gaõikà: ßBhagavà kira Vesàliü anuppatto
The courtesan Ambapàlã heard: ßThe Gracious One, it seems, has reached Vesàlã
Vesàliyaü viharati mayhaü Ambavane.û ti
and is living near Vesàlã in my Mango Wood.û 05
Atha kho Ambapàlã gaõikà bhaddàni bhaddàni yànàni yojàpetvà,
Then the courtesan Ambapàlã, after having (many) great and august vehicles prepared,
bhaddaü bhaddaü yànaü abhiruhitvà,
and mounting (those) great and august vehicles,
bhaddehi bhaddehi yànehi Vesàliyà niyyàsi,
departed with those great and august vehicles from Vesàlã,
yena sako àràmo tena pàyàsi yàvatikà yànassa bhåmi yànena gantvà,
and after approaching by vehicle to her pleasure garden as far as the ground for vehicles (would allow),
yànà paccorohitvà, pattikà va yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkami,
and descending from the vehicles, she approached the Gracious One by foot,
upasaïkamitvà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà, ekam-antaü nisãdi.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, she sat down on one side.
Ekam-antaü nisinnaü kho Ambapàliü gaõikaü Bhagavà
* While the courtesan Ambapàlã was sitting on one side the Gracious One
Dhammiyà kathàya sandassesi, samàdapesi, samuttejesi, sampahaüsesi.
instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered her with a talk about the Teaching.
Atha kho Ambapàlã gaõikà,
Then the courtesan Ambapàlã,
Bhagavatà Dhammiyà kathàya sandassità samàdapità samuttejità sampahaüsità,
having been instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered by the Gracious One with a talk about the Teaching,
Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
said to the Gracious One:
ßAdhivàsetu me Bhante Bhagavà
ßMay the Gracious One consent, reverend Sir, to me
svàtanàya bhattaü saddhiü bhikkhusaïghenà.û ti
(offering him) a meal on the morrow, together with the Community of monks.û
Adhivàsesi Bhagavà tuõhãbhàvena.
The Gracious One consented by maintaining silence.
Atha kho Ambapàlã gaõikà Bhagavato adhivàsanaü viditvà,
Then the courtesan Ambapàlã, having understood the Gracious One's consent,
uññhàyàsanà, Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà padakkhiõaü katvà pakkàmi.
after rising from her seat, worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, went away.
Assosuü kho Vesàlikà Licchavã: ßBhagavà kira Vesàliü anuppatto
The Licchavãs from Vesàlã heard: ßThe Gracious One, it seems, had reached Vesàlã
Vesàliyaü viharati Ambapàlivane.û ti
and is living near Vesàlã in Ambapàlã's Wood.û
Atha kho te Licchavã, bhaddàni bhaddàni yànàni yojàpetvà,
Then those Licchavãs, after having (many) great and august vehicles prepared,
bhaddaü bhaddaü yànaü abhiruhitvà,
and mounting (those) great and august vehicles,
bhaddehi bhaddehi yànehi Vesàliyà niyyiüsu.
departed with those great and august vehicles from Vesàlã.
Tatra ekacce Licchavã nãlà honti nãlavaõõà nãlavatthà nãlàlaïkàrà,
There some of the Licchavãs were blue, having a blue appearance, with blue clothes and blue decorations,
ekacce Licchavã pãtà honti pãtavaõõà pãtavatthà pãtàlaïkàrà,
some of the Licchavãs were yellow, having a yellow appearance, with yellow clothes and yellow decorations,
ekacce Licchavã lohità honti lohitavaõõà lohitavatthà lohitàlaïkàrà,
some of the Licchavãs were red, having a red appearance, with red clothes and red decorations,
ekacce Licchavã odàtà honti odàtavaõõà odàtavatthà odàtàlaïkàrà.
some of the Licchavãs were white, having a white appearance, with white clothes and white decorations.
Atha kho Ambapàlã gaõikà daharànaü daharànaü Licchavãnaü
Then the courtesan Ambapàlã rolled alongside the Licchavã youths
akkhena akkhaü cakkena cakkaü yugena yugaü pañivaññesi.
axle by axle, wheel by wheel, and yoke by yoke.
Atha kho te Licchavã Ambapàliü gaõikaü etad-avocuü:
Then those Licchavãs said this to the courtesan Ambapàlã:
ßKiü je Ambapàli daharànaü daharànaü Licchavãnaü
ßWhy do you, Ambapàlã, roll alongside the Licchavã youths
akkhena akkhaü cakkena cakkaü yugena yugaü pañivaññesã?û ti
axle by axle, wheel by wheel, and yoke by yoke?û
ßTathà hi pana me ayyaputtà Bhagavà nimantito,
ßBecause I have invited the Gracious One, noble sirs,
svàtanàya bhattaü saddhiü bhikkhusaïghenà.û ti
for a meal on the morrow, together with the Community of monks.û
ßDehi je Ambapàli etaü bhattaü satasahassenà.û ti
ßGive (us) this meal, Ambapàlã, for a hundred thousand (kahapanas).û
ßSace pi me ayyaputtà Vesàliü sàhàraü dassatha
ßIf, noble sirs, you would give Vesàlã and its revenues 06
evam-ahaü taü bhattaü na dassàmã.û ti
still I would not give this meal (to you).û
Atha kho te Licchavã aïgulã poñhesuü:
Then the Licchavãs snapped their fingers, (thinking):
ßJitamhà vata bho Ambakàya, jitamhà vata bho Ambakàyà.û ti
ßWe have surely been defeated, dear Sir, by a woman, we have surely been defeated, dear Sir, by a woman.û 07
Atha kho te Licchavã yena Ambapàlivanaü tena pàyiüsu.
Then the Licchavãs entered Ambapàlã's Wood.
Addasà kho Bhagavà te Licchavã dårato va àgacchante,
The Gracious One saw those Licchavãs coming from afar,
disvà bhikkhå àmantesi:
and having seen (them), he addressed the monks, (saying):
ßYesaü bhikkhave bhikkhånaü devà Tàvatiüsà adiññhà,
* ßLet those monks who have not seen the Tàvatiüsa Divinities, monks,
oloketha bhikkhave Licchaviparisaü,
look at the Licchavã troupe, monks,
apaloketha bhikkhave Licchaviparisaü,
look upon the Licchavã troupe, monks,
upasaüharatha bhikkhave Licchaviparisaü Tàvatiüsasadisan.û-ti
contemplate the Licchavã troupe, monks, who are like the Tàvatiüsa (Divinities).û 08
Atha kho te Licchavã yàvatikà yànassa bhåmi yànena gantvà,
Then after the Licchavãs had gone as far as the ground for vehicles (would allow),
yànà paccorohitvà, pattikà va yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkamiüsu,
and had descended from the vehicles, they approached the Gracious One by foot,
upasaïkamitvà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà, ekam-antaü nisãdiüsu.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, they sat down at one side.
Ekam-antaü nisinne kho te Licchavã Bhagavà
* While the Licchavãs were sitting on one side the Gracious One
Dhammiyà kathàya sandassesi, samàdapesi, samuttejesi, sampahaüsesi.
instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered them with a talk about the Teaching.
Atha kho te Licchavã
Then the Licchavãs,
Bhagavatà Dhammiyà kathàya sandassità samàdapità samuttejità sampahaüsità,
having been instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered by the Gracious One with a talk about the Teaching,
Bhagavantaü etad-avocuü:
said to the Gracious One:
ßAdhivàsetu no Bhante Bhagavà svàtanàya bhattaü saddhiü bhikkhusaïghenà.û ti
ßPlease consent to us (offering) a meal on the morrow, together with the Community of monks.û
ßAdhivutthaü kho me Licchavã svàtanàya Ambapàliyà gaõikàya bhattan.û-ti
ßI have (already) consented to the courtesan Ambapàlã's meal on the morrow.û
Atha kho te Licchavã aïgulã poñhesuü:
Then the Licchavãs snapped their fingers, (thinking):
ßJitamhà vata bho Ambakàya Jitamhà vata bho Ambakàyà.û ti
ßWe have surely been defeated, dear Sir, by a woman, we have surely been defeated, dear Sir, by a woman.û
Atha kho te Licchavã Bhagavato bhàsitaü abhinanditvà anumoditvà,
Then the Licchavãs, after greatly rejoicing and gladly receiving this word of the Gracious One, 09
uññhàyàsanà, Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà padakkhiõaü katvà pakkamiüsu.
rising from their seats, worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, went away.
Atha kho Ambapàlã gaõikà tassà rattiyà accayena,
Then the courtesan Ambapàlã after the night had passed,
sake àràme paõãtaü khàdanãyaü bhojanãyaü pañiyàdàpetvà,
having had excellent foodstuffs made ready in her own pleasure park,
Bhagavato kàlaü àrocàpesi: ßKàlo Bhante niññhitaü bhattan.û-ti
had the time announced to the Gracious One, (saying): ßIt is time, reverend Sir, the meal is ready.û
Atha kho Bhagavà, pubbaõhasamayaü nivàsetvà,
Then the Gracious One, having dressed in the morning time,
pattacãvaram-àdàya, saddhiü Bhikkhusaïghena,
after picking up his bowl and robe, together with the Community of monks,
yena Ambapàliyà gaõikàya nivesanaü tenupasaïkami,
approached the courtesan Ambapàlã's residence,
upasaïkamitvà paÿÿatte àsane nisãdi.
and after approaching he sat down on the prepared seat.
Atha kho Ambapàlã gaõikà Buddhappamukhaü Bhikkhusaïghaü
Then the courtesan Ambapàlã with her own hand served and satisfied the Community of monks
paõãtena khàdanãyena bhojanãyena sahatthà santappesi sampavàresi.
with the Buddha at its head with excellent foodstuffs.
Atha kho Ambapàlã gaõikà Bhagavantaü bhuttàviü onãtapattapàõiü,
Then the courtesan Ambapàlã, when the Gracious One had eaten and washed his hand and bowl,
aÿÿataraü nãcaü àsanaü gahetvà ekam-antaü nisãdi.
having taken a certain low seat, sat down on one side.
Ekam-antaü nisinnà kho Ambapàlã gaõikà Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
While sitting on one side the courtesan Ambapàlã said this to the Gracious One:
ßImàhaü Bhante àràmaü Buddhappamukhassa Bhikkhusaïghassa dammã.û ti
ßI donate this pleasure park, reverend Sir, to the Community of monks with the Buddha at its head.û 10
Pañiggahesi Bhagavà àràmaü.
The Gracious One accepted the pleasure park.
Atha kho Bhagavà Ambapàliü gaõikaü Dhammiyà kathàya
* Then the Gracious One, after instructing, rousing,
sandassetvà samàdapetvà samuttejetvà sampahaüsetvà uññhàyàsanà pakkàmi.
enthusing, and cheering the courtesan Ambapàlã with a talk about the Teaching, having risen from the seat, went away. 11
* * *
Tatra pi sudaü Bhagavà Vesàliyaü viharanto Ambapàlivane,
There also the Gracious One, while living in Vesàlã in Ambapàlã's Wood,
etad-eva bahulaü bhikkhånaü Dhammiü kathaü karoti:
spoke frequently to the monks about the Teaching, (saying):
ßIti sãlaü, iti samàdhi, iti paÿÿà,
ßSuch is virtue, such is concentration, such is wisdom,
sãlaparibhàvito samàdhi mahapphalo hoti mahànisaüso,
when virtue is well-developed it yields great fruit and brings great advantages in regard to concentration,
samàdhiparibhàvità paÿÿà mahapphalà hoti mahànisaüsà,
when concentration is well-developed it yields great fruit and brings great advantages in regard to wisdom,
paÿÿàparibhàvitaü cittaü sammad-eva àsavehi vimuccati,
when wisdom is well-developed the mind is completely liberated from the pollutants,
seyyathãdaü: kàmàsavà bhavàsavà avijjàsavà.û ti
that is to say: the pollutant of sensuality, the pollutant of (craving for) continued existence, the pollutant of ignorance.û