Aṅguttara Nikāya 8.86
Translators: sujato
Numbered Discourses 8.86
9. Sativagga
9. Mindfulness
Yasasutta
With Nāgita
Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena icchānaṅgalaṁ nāma kosalānaṁ brāhmaṇagāmo tadavasari.
At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants when he arrived at a village of the Kosalan brahmins named Icchānaṅgala.
Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.
He stayed in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.
Assosuṁ kho icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā:
The brahmins and householders of Icchānaṅgala heard:
“samaṇo khalu bho gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito icchānaṅgalaṁ anuppatto icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.
“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Icchānaṅgala. He is staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.
Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:
He has this good reputation:
‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho …pe…
‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ …
sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī’”ti.
It’s good to see such perfected ones.”
Atha kho icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā tassā rattiyā accayena pahutaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ ādāya yena icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bahidvārakoṭṭhake aṭṭhaṁsu uccāsaddā mahāsaddā.
Then, when the night had passed, they took abundant fresh and cooked foods and went to the forest near Icchānaṅgala, where they stood outside the gates making a dreadful racket.
Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā nāgito bhagavato upaṭṭhāko hoti.
Now, at that time Venerable Nāgita was the Buddha’s attendant.
Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nāgitaṁ āmantesi:
Then the Buddha said to Nāgita,
“ke pana te, nāgita, uccāsaddā mahāsaddā kevaṭṭā maññe macchavilope”ti?
“Nāgita, who’s making that dreadful racket? You’d think it was fishermen hauling in a catch!”
“Ete, bhante, icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā pahutaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ ādāya bahidvārakoṭṭhake ṭhitā bhagavantaṁyeva uddissa bhikkhusaṅghañcā”ti.
“Sir, it’s these brahmins and householders of Icchānaṅgala. They’ve brought abundant fresh and cooked foods, and they’re standing outside the gates wanting to offer it specially to the Buddha and the mendicant Saṅgha.”
“Māhaṁ, nāgita, yasena samāgamaṁ, mā ca mayā yaso.
“Nāgita, may I never become famous. May fame not come to me.
Yo kho, nāgita, nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī assa akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī,
There are those who can’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.
so taṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ lābhasakkārasilokasukhaṁ sādiyeyyā”ti.
Let them enjoy the filthy, lazy pleasure of possessions, honor, and popularity.”
“Adhivāsetu dāni, bhante, bhagavā. Adhivāsetu sugato.
“Sir, may the Blessed One please relent now! May the Holy One relent!
Adhivāsanakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato.
Now is the time for the Buddha to relent.
Yena yeneva dāni, bhante, bhagavā gamissati tanninnāva bhavissanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca.
Wherever the Buddha now goes, the brahmins and householders will incline the same way, as will the people of town and country.
Seyyathāpi, bhante, thullaphusitake deve vassante yathāninnaṁ udakāni pavattanti;
It’s like when it rains heavily and the water flows downhill.
evamevaṁ kho, bhante, yena yeneva dāni bhagavā gamissati tanninnāva bhavissanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca.
In the same way, wherever the Buddha now goes, the brahmins and householders will incline the same way, as will the people of town and country.
Taṁ kissa hetu?
Why is that?
Tathā hi, bhante, bhagavato sīlapaññāṇan”ti.
Because of the Buddha’s ethics and wisdom.”
“Māhaṁ, nāgita, yasena samāgamaṁ, mā ca mayā yaso.
“Nāgita, may I never become famous. May fame not come to me.
Yo kho, nāgita, nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī assa akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī,
There are those who can’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.
so taṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ lābhasakkārasilokasukhaṁ sādiyeyya.
Let them enjoy the filthy, lazy pleasure of possessions, honor, and popularity.
devatāpi kho, nāgita, ekaccā nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhiniyo assu akicchalābhiniyo akasiralābhiniyo, yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.
Even some of the deities can’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.
Tumhākampi kho, nāgita, saṅgamma samāgamma saṅgaṇikavihāraṁ anuyuttānaṁ viharataṁ evaṁ hoti:
When you all come together to enjoy each other’s company, I think:
‘na hi nūname āyasmanto imassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhino assu akicchalābhino akasiralābhino. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.
‘These venerables mustn’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.
Tathā hi paname āyasmanto saṅgamma samāgamma saṅgaṇikavihāraṁ anuyuttā viharanti’.
That must be because they come together to enjoy each other’s company.’
Idhāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhū passāmi aññamaññaṁ aṅgulipatodakena sañjagghante saṅkīḷante.
Take mendicants I see poking each other with their fingers, giggling and playing together.
Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:
I think to myself:
‘na hi nūname āyasmanto imassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhino assu akicchalābhino akasiralābhino. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.
‘These venerables mustn’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.
Tathā hi paname āyasmanto aññamaññaṁ aṅgulipatodakena sañjagghanti saṅkīḷanti’.
That must be because they’re poking each other with their fingers, giggling and playing together.’
Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhū passāmi yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyutte viharante.
Take mendicants I see eat as much as they like until their bellies are full, then indulge in the pleasures of sleeping, lying down, and drowsing.
Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:
I think to myself:
‘na hi nūname āyasmanto imassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhino assu akicchalābhino akasiralābhino. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.
‘These venerables mustn’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.
Tathā hi paname āyasmanto yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyuttā viharanti’.
That must be because they eat as much as they like until their bellies are full, then indulge in the pleasures of sleeping, lying down, and drowsing.’
Idhāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi gāmantavihāriṁ samāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.
Take a mendicant living within a village who I see sitting immersed in samādhi.
Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:
I think to myself:
‘idāni imaṁ āyasmantaṁ ārāmiko vā upaṭṭhahissati samaṇuddeso vā. Taṁ tamhā samādhimhā cāvessatī’ti.
‘Now a monastery worker, a novice, or a fellow practitioner will make this venerable fall from immersion.’
Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno na attamano homi gāmantavihārena.
So I’m not pleased that that mendicant is living within a village.
Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe pacalāyamānaṁ nisinnaṁ.
Take a mendicant in the wilderness who I see sitting nodding in meditation.
Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:
I think to myself:
‘idāni ayamāyasmā imaṁ niddākilamathaṁ paṭivinodetvā araññasaññaṁyeva manasi karissati ekattan’ti.
‘Now this venerable, having dispelled that sleepiness and weariness, will focus just on the unified perception of wilderness.’
Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.
So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.
Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe asamāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.
Take a mendicant in the wilderness who I see sitting without being immersed in samādhi.
Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:
I think to myself:
‘idāni ayamāyasmā asamāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ samādahissati, samāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ anurakkhissatī’ti.
‘Now if this venerable’s mind is not immersed in samādhi they will immerse it; or if it is immersed in samādhi, they will preserve it.’
Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.
So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.
Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe samāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.
Take a mendicant in the wilderness who I see sitting immersed in samādhi.
Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:
I think to myself:
‘idāni ayamāyasmā avimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ vimuccissati, vimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ anurakkhissatī’ti.
‘Now this venerable will free the unfreed mind or preserve the freed mind.’
Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.
So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.
Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi gāmantavihāriṁ lābhiṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.
Take a mendicant who I see living within a village receiving robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.
So taṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ nikāmayamāno riñcati paṭisallānaṁ, riñcati araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni;
Enjoying possessions, honor, and popularity they neglect retreat, and they neglect remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.
gāmanigamarājadhāniṁ osaritvā vāsaṁ kappeti.
They come down to villages, towns and capital cities and make their homes there.
Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno na attamano homi gāmantavihārena.
So I’m not pleased that that mendicant is living within a village.
Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ lābhiṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.
Take a mendicant who I see in the wilderness receiving robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.
So taṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ paṭipaṇāmetvā na riñcati paṭisallānaṁ, na riñcati araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni.
Fending off possessions, honor, and popularity they don’t neglect retreat, and they don’t neglect remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.
Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.
So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.
Yasmāhaṁ, nāgita, samaye addhānamaggappaṭipanno na kañci passāmi purato vā pacchato vā, phāsu me, nāgita, tasmiṁ samaye hoti antamaso uccārapassāvakammāyā”ti.
Nāgita, when I’m walking along a road and I don’t see anyone ahead or behind I feel relaxed, even if I need to urinate or defecate.”
Chaṭṭhaṁ.