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Mahàparinibbànasuttaü
The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

[Paÿcamabhàõavàraü]
[The Fifth Chapter for Recitation]

[39: Subhaddo Pacchimo Sakkhisàvako]
[Subhaddha, the Last Direct Disciple]

Tena kho pana samayena Subhaddo nàma paribbàjako Kusinàràyaü pañivasati.
Now at that time a wanderer named Subhadda ⁰¹ had arrived at Kusinàrà.

Assosi kho Subhaddo paribbàjako:
The wanderer Subhadda heard:

ßAjja kira rattiyà pacchime yàme,
ßToday, it seems, in the last watch of the night,

samaõassa Gotamassa Parinibbànaü bhavissatã.û ti
will be the ascetic Gotama's attainment of Final Emancipation.û

Atha kho Subhaddassa paribbàjakassa etad-ahosi:
Then this occurred to the wanderer Subhadda:

ßSutaü kho pana metaü paribbàjakànaü vuóóhànaü mahallakànaü,
ßI have heard this from old, elderly wanderers,

àcariyapàcariyànaü bhàsamànànaü:
who are teachers and teachers' teachers, when they said:

`Kadàci karahaci Tathàgatà loke uppajjanti Arahanto Sammàsambuddhà.' ti
`Only occasionally, rarely, do Realised Ones, Worthy Ones, Perfect Sambuddhas arise in the world.'

Ajjeva rattiyà pacchime yàme samaõassa Gotamassa Parinibbànaü bhavissati.
Today, in the last watch of the night, will be the ascetic Gotama's attainment of Final Emancipation.

Atthi ca me ayaü kaïkhàdhammo uppanno,
There is a doubt that has arisen for me,

evaü pasanno ahaü samaõe Gotame:
and I have confidence in the ascetic Gotama thus:

`Pahoti me samaõo Gotamo tathà Dhammaü desetuü
`The ascetic Gotama is able to teach the Teaching

yathàhaü imaü kaïkhàdhammaü pajaheyyan.'û-ti
in such a way that I will be able to abandon that doubt.'û

Atha kho Subhaddo paribbàjako yena Upavattanaü Mallànaü Sàlavanaü,
Then the wanderer Subhadda approached the Mallas' Sal Wood at Upavattana,

yen' âyasmà ânando tenupasaïkami,
and approached venerable ânanda,

upasaïkamitvà àyasmantaü ânandaü etad-avoca:
and after approaching he said to venerable ânanda:

ßSutaü metaü bho ânanda paribbàjakànaü vuóóhànaü mahallakànaü,
ßI have heard this from old, elderly wanderers, dear ânanda,

àcariyapàcariyànaü bhàsamànànaü:
who are teachers and teachers' teachers, when they said:

`Kadàci karahaci Tathàgatà loke uppajjanti Arahanto Sammàsambuddhà.' ti
`Only occasionally, rarely, do Realised Ones, Worthy Ones, Perfect Sambuddhas arise in the world.'

Ajjeva rattiyà pacchime yàme samaõassa Gotamassa Parinibbànaü bhavissati.
Today, in the last watch of the night, will be the ascetic Gotama's attainment of Final Emancipation.

Atthi ca me ayaü kaïkhàdhammo uppanno,
There is a doubt that has arisen for me,

evaü pasanno ahaü samaõe Gotame:
and I have confidence in the ascetic Gotama thus:

`Pahoti me samaõo Gotamo tathà Dhammaü desetuü
`The ascetic Gotama is able to teach the Teaching

yathàhaü imaü kaïkhàdhammaü pajaheyyaü'.
in such a way that I will be able to abandon that doubt'.

Sàdhàhaü bho ânanda labheyyaü samaõaü Gotamaü dassanàyà.û ti
It would be well, dear ânanda, if I was allowed to see the ascetic Gotama.û

Evaü vutte àyasmà ânando Subhaddaü paribbàjakaü etad-avoca:
After this was said, venerable ânanda said this to the wanderer Subhadda:

ßAlaü àvuso Subhadda mà Tathàgataü viheñhesi kilanto Bhagavà.û ti
ßEnough, friend Subhadda, do not trouble the Realised One, the Gracious One is exhausted.û

Dutiyam-pi kho Subhaddo paribbàjako àyasmantaü ânandaü etad-avoca:
For a second time the wanderer Subhadda said this to venerable ânanda:

ßSutaü metaü bho ânanda paribbàjakànaü vuóóhànaü mahallakànaü,
ßI have heard this from old, elderly wanderers, dear ânanda,

àcariyapàcariyànaü bhàsamànànaü:
who are teachers and teachers' teachers, when they said:

`Kadàci karahaci Tathàgatà loke uppajjanti Arahanto Sammàsambuddhà.'
`Only occasionally, rarely, do Realised Ones, Worthy Ones, Perfect Sambuddhas arise in the world.'

Ajjeva rattiyà pacchime yàme samaõassa Gotamassa Parinibbànaü bhavissati.
Today, in the last watch of the night, will be the Realised One's attainment of Final Emancipation.

Atthi ca me ayaü kaïkhàdhammo uppanno,
There is a doubt that has arisen for me,

evaü pasanno ahaü samaõe Gotame:
and I have confidence in the ascetic Gotama thus:

`Pahoti me samaõo Gotamo tathà Dhammaü desetuü
`The ascetic Gotama is able to teach the Teaching

yathàhaü imaü kaïkhàdhammaü pajaheyyaü'.
in such a way that I will be able to abandon that doubt'.

Sàdhàhaü bho ânanda labheyyaü samaõaü Gotamaü dassanàyà.û ti
It would be well, dear ânanda, if I was allowed to see the ascetic Gotama.

Dutiyam-pi kho àyasmà ânando Subhaddaü paribbàjakaü etad-avoca:
For a second time venerable ânanda said this to the wanderer Subhadda:

ßAlaü àvuso Subhadda mà Tathàgataü viheñhesi kilanto Bhagavà.û ti
ßEnough, friend Subhadda, do not trouble the Realised One, the Gracious One is exhausted.û

Tatiyam-pi kho Subhaddo paribbàjako àyasmantaü ânandaü etad-avoca:
For a third time the wanderer Subhadda said this to venerable ânanda:

ßSutaü metaü bho ânanda paribbàjakànaü vuóóhànaü mahallakànaü,
ßI have heard this from old, elderly wanderers, dear ânanda,

àcariyapàcariyànaü bhàsamànànaü:
who are teachers and teachers' teachers, when they said:

`Kadàci karahaci Tathàgatà loke uppajjanti Arahanto Sammàsambuddhà.' ti
`Only occasionally, rarely, do Realised Ones, Worthy Ones, Perfect Sambuddhas arise in the world.'

Ajjeva rattiyà pacchime yàme samaõassa Gotamassa Parinibbànaü bhavissati.
Today, in the last watch of the night, will be the ascetic Gotama's attainment of Final Emancipation.

Atthi ca me ayaü kaïkhàdhammo uppanno,
There is a doubt that has arisen for me,

evaü pasanno ahaü samaõe Gotame:
and I have confidence in the ascetic Gotama thus:

`Pahoti me samaõo Gotamo tathà Dhammaü desetuü
`The ascetic Gotama is able to teach the Teaching

yathàhaü imaü kaïkhàdhammaü pajaheyyaü'.
in such a way that I will be able to abandon that doubt'.

Sàdhàhaü bho ânanda labheyyaü samaõaü Gotamaü dassanàyà.û ti
It would be well, dear ânanda, if I was allowed to see the ascetic Gotama.û

Tatiyam-pi kho àyasmà ânando Subhaddaü paribbàjakaü etad-avoca:
For a third time venerable ânanda said this to the wanderer Subhadda:

ßAlaü àvuso Subhadda mà Tathàgataü viheñhesi kilanto Bhagavà.û ti
ßEnough, friend Subhadda, do not trouble the Realised One, the Gracious One is exhausted.û

Assosi kho Bhagavà àyasmato ânandassa
The Gracious One heard venerable ânanda

Subhaddena paribbàjakena saddhiü imaü kathàsallàpaü.
having this conversation with the wanderer Subhadda.

Atha kho Bhagavà àyasmantaü ânandaü àmantesi:
Then the Gracious One said this to venerable ânanda:

ßAlaü ânanda mà Subhaddaü vàresi
ßEnough, ânanda, do not obstruct Subhadda

labhataü ânanda Subhaddo Tathàgataü dassanàya.
allow Subhadda to see the Realised One. ⁰²

Yaü kiÿci maü Subhaddo pucchissati
Whatever Subhadda will ask of me

sabbaü taü aÿÿàpekkho va maü pucchissati no vihesàpekkho.
all of it he will ask of me seeking for deep knowledge, and not to trouble me.

Yaÿ-cassàhaü puññho byàkarissàmi, taü khippam-eva àjànissatã.û ti
Whatever question is put I will answer, and he will quickly understand it.û

Atha kho àyasmà ânando Subhaddaü paribbàjakaü etad-avoca:
Then venerable ânanda said this to the wanderer Subhadda:

ßGacchàvuso Subhadda karoti te Bhagavà okàsan.û-ti
ßGo, friend Subhadda, the Gracious One has given you permission.û

Atha kho Subhaddo paribbàjako yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkami,
Then the wanderer Subhadda approached the Gracious One,

upasaïkamitvà Bhagavatà saddhiü sammodi,
and after approaching, he exchanged greetings with the Gracious One,

sammodanãyaü kathaü sàràõãyaü vãtisàretvà, ekam-antaü nisãdi.
and after exchanging courteous talk and greetings, he sat down on one side.

Ekam-antaü nisinno kho Subhaddo paribbàjako Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
While sitting on one side the wanderer Subhadda said this to the Gracious One:

ßYeme bho Gotama samaõabràhmaõà saïghino gaõino gaõàcariyà,
ßThose ascetics and brahmins, dear Gotama, who have a community, a group, who teach a group,

ÿàtà yasassino titthakarà sàdhusammatà bahujanassa,
well-known, famous, religious founders, agreed upon as good for the people,

seyyathãdaü: Påraõo Kassapo, Makkhali Gosàlo, Ajito Kesakambalo,
such as: Påraõa Kassapa, Makkhali Gosàla, Ajita Kesakambala,

Pakudho Kaccàyano, Saÿjayo Belaññhaputto, Nigaõñho Nàñaputto,
Pakudha Kaccàyana, Saÿjaya Belaññhaputta, Nigaõñha Nàñaputta, ⁰³

sabbe te sakàya pañiÿÿàya abbhaÿÿiüsu?
have they all understood, according to their own avowal?

Sabbeva na abbhaÿÿiüsu?
Have they all not understood?

Udàhu ekacce abbhaÿÿiüsu?
Or, have some understood?

Udàhu ekacce na abbhaÿÿiüså?û ti
Or, have some not understood?û

ßAlaü Subhadda tiññhatetaü:
ßEnough, Subhadda, stop this: ⁰⁴

`Sabbe te sakàya pañiÿÿàya abbhaÿÿiüsu?
`Have they all understood, according to their own avowal?

Sabbeva na abbhaÿÿiüsu?
Have they all not understood?

Udàhu ekacce abbhaÿÿiüsu?
Or, have some understood?

Udàhu ekacce na abbhaÿÿiüsu?' ti
Or, have some not understood?'

Dhammaü te Subhadda desissàmi,
I will teach the Teaching to you, Subhadda,

taü suõàhi sàdhukaü manasikarohi bhàsissàmã.û ti
listen to it, apply your mind well, and I will speak.û

ßEvaü Bhante,û ti kho Subhaddo paribbàjako Bhagavato paccassosi,
ßVery well, reverend Sir,û the wanderer Subhadda replied to the Gracious One,

Bhagavà etad-avoca:
and the Gracious One said this:

ßYasmiü kho Subhadda Dhammavinaye Ariyo Aññhaïgiko Maggo na upalabbhati
ßWherever, Subhadda, the Noble Eightfold Path is not found in a Teaching and Discipline

samaõo pi tattha na upalabbhati,
there a (true) ascetic is not found, ⁰⁵

dutiyo pi tattha samaõo na upalabbhati,
there a second (true) ascetic is not found,

tatiyo pi tattha samaõo na upalabbhati,
there a third (true) ascetic is not found,

catuttho pi tattha samaõo na upalabbhati.
there a fourth (true) ascetic is not found.

Yasmiÿ-ca kho Subhadda Dhammavinaye Ariyo Aññhaïgiko Maggo upalabbhati
But wherever, Subhadda, the Noble Eightfold Path is found in a Teaching and Discipline

samaõo pi tattha upalabbhati,
there a (true) ascetic is found,

dutiyo pi tattha samaõo upalabbhati,
there a second (true) ascetic is found,

tatiyo pi tattha samaõo upalabbhati,
there a third (true) ascetic is found,

catuttho pi tattha samaõo upalabbhati.
there a fourth (true) ascetic is found.

Imasmiü kho Subhadda Dhammavinaye Ariyo Aññhaïgiko Maggo upalabbhati,
In this Teaching and Discipline, Subhadda, the Noble Eightfold Path is found,

idheva Subhadda samaõo,
here a (true) ascetic is found,

idha dutiyo samaõo,
here a second (true) ascetic is found,

idha tatiyo samaõo,
here a third (true) ascetic is found,

idha catuttho samaõo.
here a fourth (true) ascetic is found.

Suÿÿà parappavàdà samaõebhi aÿÿehi ime ca Subhadda,
Void are the outside doctrines of these other ascetics, ⁰⁶ Subhadda,

bhikkhå sammà vihareyyuü asuÿÿo loko Arahantehi assa.
(but) if monks should live well, ⁰⁷ the world will not be void of Worthy Ones.

dutiyo pi samaõo natthi,
a second (true) ascetic is not found,

tatiyo pi samaõo natthi,
a third (true) ascetic is not found,

catuttho pi samaõo natthi.
a fourth (true) ascetic is not found.

Suÿÿà parappavàdà samaõebhi aÿÿehi ime ca Subhadda,
Void are the outside doctrines of these other ascetics, Subhadda,

bhikkhå sammà vihareyyuü asuÿÿo loko Arahantehi assà.û ti
(but) if monks should live well, the world will not be void of Worthy Ones.û

Evaü vutte Subhaddo paribbàjako Bhagavantaü etad-avoca:
After this was said, the wanderer Subhadda said this to the Gracious One:

ßAbhikkantaü Bhante! Abhikkantaü Bhante!
ßExcellent, reverend Sir! Excellent, reverend Sir!

Seyyathà pi Bhante nikkujjitaü và ukkujjeyya,
Just as, reverend Sir, one might set upright what has been overturned,

pañicchannaü và vivareyya, måëhassa và maggaü àcikkheyya,
or open up what has been closed, or show a path to one who is lost,

andhakàre và telapajjotaü dhàreyya,
or bear an oil lamp in the darkness,

cakkhumanto råpàni dakkhinti,
so that one who has eyes can see forms,

evam-evaü Bhagavatà anekapariyàyena Dhammo pakàsito.
just so has the Teaching been made clear by the Gracious One in more than one way.

Esàhaü Bhante Bhagavantaü saraõaü gacchàmi,
I go to the Gracious One for refuge, reverend Sir,

Dhammaÿ-ca Bhikkhusaïghaÿ-ca.
and to the Teaching, and to the Community of monks.

Labheyyàhaü Bhante Bhagavato santike pabbajjaü
May I receive the going-forth, reverend Sir, in the presence of the Gracious One,

labheyyaü upasampadan.û-ti
may I receive the full ordination.û

ßYo kho Subhadda aÿÿatitthiyapubbo imasmiü Dhammavinaye
ßThose who were formerly of another sect who in this Teaching and Discipline

àkaïkhati pabbajjaü àkaïkhati upasampadaü so cattàro màse parivasati,
desire the going-forth, who desire full ordination, live on probation for four months,

catunnaü màsànaü accayena,
and at the end of four months,

àraddhacittà bhikkhå pabbàjenti upasampàdenti bhikkhubhàvàya.
the minds of the monks being satisfied, they give the going-forth and the full ordination into the monkhood.

Api ca-m-ettha puggalavemattatà vidità.û ti
But I understand there is a distinction between persons in this case.û

ßSace Bhante aÿÿatitthiyapubbà imasmiü Dhammavinaye,
ßIf, reverend Sir, those who were formerly of another sect who in this Teaching and Discipline,

àkaïkhantà pabbajjaü àkaïkhantà upasampadaü cattàro màse parivasanti,
desire the going-forth, who desire full ordination, live on probation for four months,

catunnaü màsànaü accayena,
and at the end of four months,

àraddhacittà bhikkhå pabbàjenti upasampàdenti bhikkhubhàvàya,
the minds of the monks being satisfied, they give the going-forth and the full ordination into the monkhood,

ahaü cattàri vassàni parivasissàmi, catunnaü vassànaü accayena,
then I will live on probation for four years, and at the end of four years,

àraddhacittà bhikkhå pabbàjentu upasampàdentu bhikkhubhàvàyà.û ti
the minds of the monks being satisfied, they can give the going-forth and the full ordination into the monkhood.û

Atha kho Bhagavà àyasmantaü ânandaü àmantesi:
Then the Gracious One said this to venerable ânanda:

ßTena h' ânanda Subhaddaü pabbàjehã.û ti
ßThen, ânanda, give the going-forth to Subhadda.û

ßEvaü Bhante,û ti kho àyasmà ânando Bhagavato paccassosi.
ßVery well, reverend Sir,û venerable ânanda replied to the Gracious One.

Atha kho Subhaddo paribbàjako àyasmantaü ânandaü etad-avoca:
Then the wanderer Subhadda said this to venerable ânanda:

ßLàbhà te àvuso ânanda suladdhaü te àvuso ânanda,
ßThere are certainly gains for you, friend ânanda, it is certainly a good gain for you, friend ânanda,

ye ettha Satthàrà sammukhà antevàsikàbhisekena abhisittà.û ti
that here, face to face with the Teacher, you have been consecrated with an attendant's consecration.û ¹²

Alattha kho Subhaddo paribbàjako
The wanderer Subhadda received

Bhagavato santike pabbajjaü, alattha upasampadaü.
the going forth in the presence of the Gracious One, received full ordination.

Aciråpasampanno kho pan' âyasmà Subhaddo,
Then not long after ordination, venerable Subhadda,

eko våpakaññho appamatto àtàpã pahitatto viharanto,
while dwelling solitary, secluded, heedful, ardent, and resolute,

na cirasseva yassatthàya kulaputtà sammad-eva
after no long time (attained) that good for which young gentlemen

agàrasmà anagàriyaü pabbajanti,
rightly go forth from the house to the houseless life,

tad-anuttaraü brahmacariyapariyosànaü,
that unsurpassed conclusion to the spiritual life,

diññhe va dhamme sayaü abhiÿÿà sacchikatvà upasampajja vihàsi.
and dwelt having known, experienced, and attained it himself in this very life.

Aÿÿataro kho pan' âyasmà Subhaddo Arahataü ahosi.
And venerable Subhadda became another of the Worthy Ones.

So Bhagavato pacchimo sakkhisàvako ahosã ti.
He was the last direct disciple of the Gracious One. ¹³

Paÿcamabhàõavàraü
The Fifth Chapter for Recital (is Finished)