sutta » an » an11 » Aṅguttara Nikāya 11.17

Gopālasutta

The Cowherd

“Ekādasahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako abhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.
“Mendicants, a cowherd with eleven factors can’t maintain and expand a herd of cattle.

Katamehi ekādasahi?
What eleven?

Idha, bhikkhave, gopālako na rūpaññū hoti, na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, na titthaṁ jānāti, na pītaṁ jānāti, na vīthiṁ jānāti, na gocarakusalo hoti, anavasesadohī ca hoti, ye te usabhā gopitaro gopariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
It’s when a cowherd doesn’t know form, is unskilled in characteristics, doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs, doesn’t dress wounds, doesn’t spread smoke, doesn’t know the ford, doesn’t know satisfaction, doesn’t know the trail, is not skilled in pastures, milks dry, and doesn’t show extra respect to the bulls who are fathers and leaders of the herd.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako abhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.
A cowherd with these eleven factors can’t maintain and expand a herd of cattle.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ.
In the same way, a mendicant with eleven qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training.

Katamehi ekādasahi?
What eleven?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na rūpaññū hoti, na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, na titthaṁ jānāti, na pītaṁ jānāti, na vīthiṁ jānāti, na gocarakusalo hoti, anavasesadohī ca hoti, ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t know form, is unskilled in characteristics, doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs, doesn’t dress wounds, doesn’t spread smoke, doesn’t know the ford, doesn’t know satisfaction, doesn’t know the trail, is not skilled in pastures, milks dry, and doesn’t show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na rūpaññū hoti?
And how does a mendicant not know form?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yaṁ kiñci rūpaṁ (…) ‘cattāri mahābhūtāni, catunnañca mahābhūtānaṁ upādāyarūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand that all form is the four primary elements, or form derived from the four primary elements.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na rūpaññū hoti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know form.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti?
And how is a mendicant not skilled in characteristics?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘kammalakkhaṇo bālo, kammalakkhaṇo paṇḍito’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t understand that a fool is characterized by their deeds, and an astute person is characterized by their deeds.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti.
That’s how a mendicant isn’t skilled in characteristics.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti?
And how does a mendicant not pick out flies’ eggs?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannaṁ kāmavitakkaṁ adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti, uppannaṁ byāpādavitakkaṁ … uppannaṁ vihiṁsāvitakkaṁ …
It’s when a mendicant tolerates a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought that has arisen. They don’t give it up, get rid of it, eliminate it, and obliterate it.

uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti.
They tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen. They don’t give them up, get rid of them, eliminate them, and obliterate them.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti?
And how does a mendicant not dress wounds?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā nimittaggāhī hoti anubyañjanaggāhī;
When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they get caught up in the features and details.

yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ cakkhundriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ, tassa saṁvarāya na paṭipajjati; na rakkhati cakkhundriyaṁ, cakkhundriye saṁvaraṁ nāpajjati.
Since the faculty of sight is left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure become overwhelming. They don’t practice restraint, they don’t protect the faculty of sight, and they don’t achieve its restraint.

Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …
When they hear a sound with their ears …

ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …
When they smell an odor with their nose …

jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …
When they taste a flavor with their tongue …

kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …
When they feel a touch with their body …

manasā dhammaṁ viññāya nimittaggāhī hoti anubyañjanaggāhī;
When they know an idea with their mind, they get caught up in the features and details.

yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ manindriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ, tassa saṁvarāya na paṭipajjati; na rakkhati manindriyaṁ, manindriye saṁvaraṁ nāpajjati.
Since the faculty of the mind is left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure become overwhelming. They don’t practice restraint, they don’t protect the faculty of the mind, and they don’t achieve its restraint.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t dress wounds.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti?
And how does a mendicant not spread smoke?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ desetā hoti.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t teach others the Dhamma in detail as they learned and memorized it.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t spread smoke.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na titthaṁ jānāti?
And how does a mendicant not know the ford?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā, te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā na paripucchati na paripañhati:
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t from time to time go up to those mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and ask them questions:

‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ, imassa ko attho’ti?
‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’

Tassa te āyasmanto avivaṭañceva na vivaranti, anuttānīkatañca na uttānīkaronti, anekavihitesu ca kaṅkhāṭhāniyesu dhammesu kaṅkhaṁ na paṭivinodenti.
Those venerables don’t clarify what is unclear, reveal what is obscure, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na titthaṁ jānāti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know the ford.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na pītaṁ jānāti?
And how does a mendicant not know satisfaction?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne na labhati atthavedaṁ, na labhati dhammavedaṁ, na labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ.
It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds no inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds no joy connected with the teaching.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na pītaṁ jānāti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know satisfaction.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vīthiṁ jānāti?
And how does a mendicant not know the trail?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the noble eightfold path.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vīthiṁ jānāti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know the trail.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na gocarakusalo hoti?
And how is a mendicant not skilled in pastures?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na gocarakusalo hoti.
That’s how a mendicant is not skilled in pastures.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anavasesadohī hoti?
And how does a mendicant milk dry?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ saddhā gahapatikā abhihaṭṭhuṁ pavārenti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi. Tatra bhikkhu mattaṁ na jānāti paṭiggahaṇāya.
It’s when a mendicant is invited by a householder to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. But they don’t know moderation in accepting.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anavasesadohī hoti.
That’s how a mendicant milks dry.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti?
And how does a mendicant not show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, tesu na mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca, na mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ … na mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t consistently treat senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, na te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ.
A mendicant with these eleven qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training.

Ekādasahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako bhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.
A cowherd with eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle.

Katamehi ekādasahi?
What eleven?

Idha, bhikkhave, gopālako rūpaññū hoti, lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, titthaṁ jānāti, pītaṁ jānāti, vīthiṁ jānāti, gocarakusalo hoti, sāvasesadohī ca hoti, ye te usabhā gopitaro gopariṇāyakā te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti—
It’s when a cowherd knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in pastures, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to the bulls who are fathers and leaders of the herd.

imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako bhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.
A cowherd with these eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ.
In the same way, a mendicant with eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.

Katamehi ekādasahi?
What eleven?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaññū hoti, lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, titthaṁ jānāti, pītaṁ jānāti, vīthiṁ jānāti, gocarakusalo hoti, sāvasesadohī ca hoti, ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
It’s when a mendicant knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in pastures, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaññū hoti?
And how does a mendicant know form?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yaṁ kiñci rūpaṁ ‘cattāri mahābhūtāni, catunnañca mahābhūtānaṁ upādāyarūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant truly understands that all form is the four primary elements, or form derived from the four primary elements.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaññū hoti.
That’s how a mendicant knows form.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu lakkhaṇakusalo hoti?
And how is a mendicant skilled in characteristics?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘kammalakkhaṇo bālo, kammalakkhaṇo paṇḍito’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant understands that a fool is characterized by their deeds, and an astute person is characterized by their deeds.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu lakkhaṇakusalo hoti.
That’s how a mendicant is skilled in characteristics.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti?
And how does a mendicant pick out flies’ eggs?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannaṁ kāmavitakkaṁ nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti, uppannaṁ byāpādavitakkaṁ … uppannaṁ vihiṁsāvitakkaṁ … uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme nādhivāseti pajahati vinodeti byantīkaroti anabhāvaṁ gameti.
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t tolerate a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought that has arisen, but gives it up, gets rid of it, eliminates it, and exterminates it. They don’t tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen, but give them up, get rid of them, eliminate them, and obliterate them.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant picks out flies’ eggs.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti?
And how does a mendicant dress wounds?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā na nimittaggāhī hoti nānubyañjanaggāhī;
When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details.

yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ cakkhundriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ, tassa saṁvarāya paṭipajjati; rakkhati cakkhundriyaṁ, cakkhundriye saṁvaraṁ āpajjati.
If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint.

Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …
When they hear a sound with their ears …

ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …
When they smell an odor with their nose …

jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …
When they taste a flavor with their tongue …

kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …
When they feel a touch with their body …

manasā dhammaṁ viññāya na nimittaggāhī hoti nānubyañjanaggāhī;
When they know an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details.

yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ manindriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ, tassa saṁvarāya paṭipajjati; rakkhati manindriyaṁ, manindriye saṁvaraṁ āpajjati.
If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant dresses wounds.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhūmaṁ kattā hoti?
And how does a mendicant spread smoke?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ desetā hoti.
It’s when a mendicant teaches others the Dhamma in detail as they learned and memorized it.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhūmaṁ kattā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant spreads smoke.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti?
And how does a mendicant know the ford?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā, te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā paripucchati paripañhati:
It’s when from time to time a mendicant goes up to those mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and asks them questions:

‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ, imassa ko attho’ti?
‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’

Tassa te āyasmanto avivaṭañceva vivaranti, anuttānīkatañca uttānīkaronti, anekavihitesu ca kaṅkhāṭhāniyesu dhammesu kaṅkhaṁ paṭivinodenti.
Those venerables clarify what is unclear, reveal what is obscure, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti.
That’s how a mendicant knows the ford.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītaṁ jānāti?
And how does a mendicant know satisfaction?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ.
It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds joy connected with the teaching.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītaṁ jānāti.
That’s how a mendicant knows satisfaction.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīthiṁ jānāti?
And how does a mendicant know the trail?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant truly understands the noble eightfold path.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīthiṁ jānāti.
That’s how a mendicant knows the trail.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gocarakusalo hoti?
And how is a mendicant skilled in pastures?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
It’s when a mendicant truly understands the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gocarakusalo hoti.
That’s how a mendicant is skilled in pastures.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sāvasesadohī hoti?
And how does a mendicant not milk dry?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddhā gahapatikā abhihaṭṭhuṁ pavārenti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi.
It’s when a mendicant is invited by a householder to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

Tatra bhikkhu mattaṁ jānāti paṭiggahaṇāya.
And that mendicant knows moderation in accepting.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sāvasesadohī hoti.
That’s how a mendicant doesn’t milk dry.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti?
And how does a mendicant show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, tesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ … mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca.
It’s when a mendicant consistently treats senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
That’s how a mendicant shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjitun”ti.
A mendicant with these eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training.”

Sattamaṁ.