Majjhima Nikāya 27

Translators: sujato

Middle Discourses 27

Cūḷahatthipadopamasutta

The Shorter Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Tena kho pana samayena jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo sabbasetena vaḷavābhirathena sāvatthiyā niyyāti divādivassa.
Now at that time the brahmin Jānussoṇi drove out from Sāvatthī in the middle of the day in an all-white chariot drawn by mares.

Addasā kho jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo pilotikaṁ paribbājakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.
He saw the wanderer Pilotika coming off in the distance,

Disvāna pilotikaṁ paribbājakaṁ etadavoca:
and said to him,

“Handa kuto nu bhavaṁ vacchāyano āgacchati divādivassā”ti?
“So, Mister Vacchāyana, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?”

“Ito hi kho ahaṁ, bho, āgacchāmi samaṇassa gotamassa santikā”ti.
“Just now, good sir, I’ve come from the presence of the ascetic Gotama.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññati bhavaṁ vacchāyano samaṇassa gotamassa paññāveyyattiyaṁ paṇḍito maññe”ti.
“What do you think of the ascetic Gotama’s lucidity of wisdom? Do you think he’s astute?”

“Ko cāhaṁ, bho, ko ca samaṇassa gotamassa paññāveyyattiyaṁ jānissāmi.
“My good man, who am I to judge the ascetic Gotama’s lucidity of wisdom?

Sopi nūnassa tādisova yo samaṇassa gotamassa paññāveyyattiyaṁ jāneyyā”ti.
You’d really have to be on the same level to judge his lucidity of wisdom.”

“Uḷārāya khalu bhavaṁ vacchāyano samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ pasaṁsāya pasaṁsatī”ti.
“Mister Vacchāyana praises the ascetic Gotama with lofty praise indeed.”

“Ko cāhaṁ, bho, ko ca samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ pasaṁsissāmi,
“Who am I to praise the ascetic Gotama?

pasatthapasatthova so bhavaṁ gotamo seṭṭho devamanussānan”ti.
He is praised by the praised as the first among gods and humans.”

“Kaṁ pana bhavaṁ vacchāyano atthavasaṁ sampassamāno samaṇe gotame evaṁ abhippasanno”ti?
“But for what reason are you so devoted to the ascetic Gotama?”

“Seyyathāpi, bho, kusalo nāgavaniko nāgavanaṁ paviseyya.
“Suppose that a skilled bull elephant tracker were to enter a bull elephant wood.

So passeyya nāgavane mahantaṁ hatthipadaṁ, dīghato ca āyataṁ, tiriyañca vitthataṁ.
There he’d see a large elephant’s footprint, long and broad.

So niṭṭhaṁ gaccheyya:
He would come to the conclusion,

‘mahā vata bho nāgo’ti.
‘This must be a big bull elephant.’

Evameva kho ahaṁ, bho, yato addasaṁ samaṇe gotame cattāri padāni athāhaṁ niṭṭhamagamaṁ:
In the same way, because I saw four footprints of the ascetic Gotama I came to the conclusion,

‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.
‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

Katamāni cattāri?
What four?

Idhāhaṁ, bho, passāmi ekacce khattiyapaṇḍite nipuṇe kataparappavāde vālavedhirūpe, te bhindantā maññe caranti paññāgatena diṭṭhigatāni.
Firstly, I see some clever aristocrats who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. You’d think they live to demolish convictions with their intellect.

Te suṇanti:
They hear,

‘samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osarissatī’ti.
‘So, gentlemen, that ascetic Gotama will come down to such and such village or town.’

Te pañhaṁ abhisaṅkharonti:
They formulate a question, thinking,

‘imaṁ mayaṁ pañhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchissāma.
‘We’ll approach the ascetic Gotama and ask him this question.

Evañce no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evamassa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāma.
If he answers like this, we’ll refute him like that;

Evañcepi no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evampissa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāmā’ti.
and if he answers like that, we’ll refute him like this.’

Te suṇanti:
When they hear that

‘samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osaṭo’ti.
he has come down

Te yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkamanti.
they approach him.

Te samaṇo gotamo dhammiyā kathāya sandasseti samādapeti samuttejeti sampahaṁseti.
The ascetic Gotama educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires them with a Dhamma talk.

Te samaṇena gotamena dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā na ceva samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ pañhaṁ pucchanti, kutossa vādaṁ āropessanti?
They don’t even get around to asking their question to the ascetic Gotama, so how could they refute his answer?

Aññadatthu samaṇasseva gotamassa sāvakā sampajjanti.
Invariably, they become his disciples.

Yadāhaṁ, bho, samaṇe gotame imaṁ paṭhamaṁ padaṁ addasaṁ athāhaṁ niṭṭhamagamaṁ:
When I saw this first footprint of the ascetic Gotama, I came to the conclusion,

Puna caparāhaṁ, bho, passāmi idhekacce brāhmaṇapaṇḍite …pe…
Furthermore, I see some clever brahmins …

gahapatipaṇḍite …
some clever householders …

pe…
they become his disciples.

samaṇapaṇḍite nipuṇe kataparappavāde vālavedhirūpe te bhindantā maññe caranti paññāgatena diṭṭhigatāni.
Furthermore, I see some clever ascetics who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. …

Te suṇanti:

‘samaṇo khalu bho gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osarissatī’ti.

Te pañhaṁ abhisaṅkharonti ‘imaṁ mayaṁ pañhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchissāma.

Evañce no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evamassa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāma.

Evañcepi no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evampissa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāmā’ti.

Te suṇanti ‘samaṇo khalu bho gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osaṭo’ti.

Te yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkamanti.

Te samaṇo gotamo dhammiyā kathāya sandasseti samādapeti samuttejeti sampahaṁseti.

Aññadatthu samaṇaṁyeva gotamaṁ okāsaṁ yācanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.
Invariably, they ask the ascetic Gotama for the chance to go forth.

Te samaṇo gotamo pabbājeti.
And he gives them the going-forth.

Te tattha pabbajitā samānā vūpakaṭṭhā appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharantā nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti.
Soon after going forth, living withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, they realize the supreme end of the spiritual path in this very life. They live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

Te evamāhaṁsu:
They say,

‘manaṁ vata, bho, anassāma, manaṁ vata, bho, panassāma;
‘We were almost lost! We almost perished!

mayañhi pubbe assamaṇāva samānā samaṇamhāti paṭijānimha, abrāhmaṇāva samānā brāhmaṇamhāti paṭijānimha, anarahantova samānā arahantamhāti paṭijānimha.
For we used to claim that we were ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones, but we were none of these things.

Idāni khomha samaṇā, idāni khomha brāhmaṇā, idāni khomha arahanto’ti.
But now we really are ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones!’

Yadāhaṁ, bho, samaṇe gotame imaṁ catutthaṁ padaṁ addasaṁ athāhaṁ niṭṭhamagamaṁ:
When I saw this fourth footprint of the ascetic Gotama, I came to the conclusion,

Yato kho ahaṁ, bho, samaṇe gotame imāni cattāri padāni addasaṁ athāhaṁ niṭṭhamagamaṁ:
It’s because I saw these four footprints of the ascetic Gotama that I came to the conclusion,

‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’”ti.
‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’”

Evaṁ vutte, jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo sabbasetā vaḷavābhirathā orohitvā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā tikkhattuṁ udānaṁ udānesi:
When he had spoken, Jānussoṇi got down from his chariot, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms toward the Buddha, and expressed this heartfelt sentiment three times:

“Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa;
“Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa;
Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassāti.
Homage to that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

Appeva nāma mayampi kadāci karahaci tena bhotā gotamena saddhiṁ samāgaccheyyāma, appeva nāma siyā kocideva kathāsallāpo”ti.
Hopefully, some time or other I’ll get to meet Mister Gotama, and we can have a discussion.”

Atha kho jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.
Then the brahmin Jānussoṇi went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.
When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side,

Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo yāvatako ahosi pilotikena paribbājakena saddhiṁ kathāsallāpo taṁ sabbaṁ bhagavato ārocesi.
and informed the Buddha of all he had discussed with the wanderer Pilotika.

Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā jāṇussoṇiṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca:
When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him,

“na kho, brāhmaṇa, ettāvatā hatthipadopamo vitthārena paripūro hoti.
“Brahmin, the simile of the elephant’s footprint is not yet completed in detail.

Api ca, brāhmaṇa, yathā hatthipadopamo vitthārena paripūro hoti
As to how it is completed in detail,

taṁ suṇāhi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi, bhāsissāmī”ti.
listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo bhagavato paccassosi.
“Yes sir,” Jānussoṇi replied.

Bhagavā etadavoca:
The Buddha said this:

“Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, nāgavaniko nāgavanaṁ paviseyya.
“Suppose a bull elephant tracker were to enter a bull elephant wood.

So passeyya nāgavane mahantaṁ hatthipadaṁ, dīghato ca āyataṁ, tiriyañca vitthataṁ.
There they’d see a large elephant’s footprint, long and broad.

Yo hoti kusalo nāgavaniko neva tāva niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:
A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,

‘mahā vata bho nāgo’ti.
‘This must be a big bull elephant.’

Taṁ kissa hetu?
Why not?

Santi hi, brāhmaṇa, nāgavane vāmanikā nāma hatthiniyo mahāpadā, tāsaṁ petaṁ padaṁ assāti.
Because in an elephant wood there are dwarf cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.

So tamanugacchati.

Tamanugacchanto passati nāgavane mahantaṁ hatthipadaṁ, dīghato ca āyataṁ, tiriyañca vitthataṁ, uccā ca nisevitaṁ.
They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces high up.

Yo hoti kusalo nāgavaniko neva tāva niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:
A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,

‘mahā vata bho nāgo’ti.
‘This must be a big bull elephant.’

Taṁ kissa hetu?
Why not?

Santi hi, brāhmaṇa, nāgavane uccā kāḷārikā nāma hatthiniyo mahāpadā, tāsaṁ petaṁ padaṁ assāti.
Because in an elephant wood there are tall lofty cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.

So tamanugacchati.

Tamanugacchanto passati nāgavane mahantaṁ hatthipadaṁ, dīghato ca āyataṁ, tiriyañca vitthataṁ, uccā ca nisevitaṁ, uccā ca dantehi ārañjitāni.
They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces and tusk-marks high up.

Yo hoti kusalo nāgavaniko neva tāva niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:
A skilled bull elephant tracker does not yet come to the conclusion,

‘mahā vata bho nāgo’ti.
‘This must be a big bull elephant.’

Taṁ kissa hetu?
Why not?

Santi hi, brāhmaṇa, nāgavane uccā kaṇerukā nāma hatthiniyo mahāpadā, tāsaṁ petaṁ padaṁ assāti.
Because in an elephant wood there are tall matriarch cow elephants with big footprints, and this footprint might be one of theirs.

So tamanugacchati.

Tamanugacchanto passati nāgavane mahantaṁ hatthipadaṁ, dīghato ca āyataṁ, tiriyañca vitthataṁ, uccā ca nisevitaṁ, uccā ca dantehi ārañjitāni, uccā ca sākhābhaṅgaṁ.
They keep following the track until they see a big footprint, long and broad, and traces, tusk-marks, and broken branches high up.

Tañca nāgaṁ passati rukkhamūlagataṁ vā abbhokāsagataṁ vā gacchantaṁ vā tiṭṭhantaṁ vā nisinnaṁ vā nipannaṁ vā.
And they see that bull elephant walking, standing, sitting, or lying down at the root of a tree or in the open.

So niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:
Then they’d come to the conclusion,

‘ayameva so mahānāgo’ti.
‘This is that big bull elephant.’

Evameva kho, brāhmaṇa, idha tathāgato loke uppajjati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā.
In the same way, brahmin, a Realized One arises in the world, 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.

So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti.
He realizes with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras and Brahmās, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others.

So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ; kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti.
He teaches Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely complete and pure.

Taṁ dhammaṁ suṇāti gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā aññatarasmiṁ vā kule paccājāto.
A householder hears that teaching, or a householder’s child, or someone reborn in a good family.

So taṁ dhammaṁ sutvā tathāgate saddhaṁ paṭilabhati.
They gain faith in the Realized One,

So tena saddhāpaṭilābhena samannāgato iti paṭisañcikkhati:
and reflect,

‘sambādho gharāvāso rajopatho, abbhokāso pabbajjā.
‘Life at home is cramped and dirty, life gone forth is wide open.

Nayidaṁ sukaraṁ agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā ekantaparipuṇṇaṁ ekantaparisuddhaṁ saṅkhalikhitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carituṁ.
It’s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell.

Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti.
Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’

So aparena samayena appaṁ vā bhogakkhandhaṁ pahāya mahantaṁ vā bhogakkhandhaṁ pahāya appaṁ vā ñātiparivaṭṭaṁ pahāya mahantaṁ vā ñātiparivaṭṭaṁ pahāya kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati.
After some time they give up a large or small fortune, and a large or small family circle. They shave off hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāsājīvasamāpanno pāṇātipātaṁ pahāya pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, nihitadaṇḍo nihitasattho lajjī dayāpanno sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī viharati.
Once they’ve gone forth, they take up the training and livelihood of the mendicants. They give up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. They’re scrupulous and kind, living full of compassion for all living beings.

Adinnādānaṁ pahāya adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti dinnādāyī dinnapāṭikaṅkhī. Athenena sucibhūtena attanā viharati.
They give up stealing. They take only what’s given, and expect only what’s given. They keep themselves clean by not thieving.

Abrahmacariyaṁ pahāya brahmacārī hoti ārācārī virato methunā gāmadhammā.
They give up unchastity. They are celibate, set apart, avoiding the vulgar act of sex.

Musāvādaṁ pahāya musāvādā paṭivirato hoti saccavādī saccasandho theto paccayiko avisaṁvādako lokassa.
They give up lying. They speak the truth and stick to the truth. They’re honest and trustworthy, and don’t trick the world with their words.

Pisuṇaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti, ito sutvā na amutra akkhātā imesaṁ bhedāya, amutra vā sutvā na imesaṁ akkhātā amūsaṁ bhedāya. Iti bhinnānaṁ vā sandhātā sahitānaṁ vā anuppadātā, samaggārāmo samaggarato samagganandī samaggakaraṇiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up divisive speech. They don’t repeat in one place what they heard in another so as to divide people against each other. Instead, they reconcile those who are divided, supporting unity, delighting in harmony, loving harmony, speaking words that promote harmony.

Pharusaṁ vācaṁ pahāya pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato hoti. Yā sā vācā nelā kaṇṇasukhā pemanīyā hadayaṅgamā porī bahujanakantā bahujanamanāpā tathārūpiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā hoti.
They give up harsh speech. They speak in a way that’s mellow, pleasing to the ear, lovely, going to the heart, polite, likable, and agreeable to the people.

Samphappalāpaṁ pahāya samphappalāpā paṭivirato hoti kālavādī bhūtavādī atthavādī dhammavādī vinayavādī, nidhānavatiṁ vācaṁ bhāsitā kālena sāpadesaṁ pariyantavatiṁ atthasaṁhitaṁ.
They give up talking nonsense. Their words are timely, true, and meaningful, in line with the teaching and training. They say things at the right time which are valuable, reasonable, succinct, and beneficial.

So bījagāmabhūtagāmasamārambhā paṭivirato hoti,
They avoid injuring plants and seeds.

ekabhattiko hoti rattūparato, virato vikālabhojanā,
They eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night and at the wrong time.

naccagītavāditavisūkadassanā paṭivirato hoti,
They avoid seeing shows of dancing, singing, and music.

mālāgandhavilepanadhāraṇamaṇḍanavibhūsanaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti,
They avoid beautifying and adorning themselves with garlands, perfumes, and makeup.

uccāsayanamahāsayanā paṭivirato hoti,
They avoid high and luxurious beds.

jātarūparajatapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
They avoid receiving gold and money,

āmakadhaññapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
raw grains,

āmakamaṁsapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
raw meat,

itthikumārikapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
women and girls,

dāsidāsapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
male and female bondservants,

ajeḷakapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
goats and sheep,

kukkuṭasūkarapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
chickens and pigs,

hatthigavāssavaḷavapaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
elephants, cows, horses, and mares,

khettavatthupaṭiggahaṇā paṭivirato hoti,
and fields and land.

dūteyyapahiṇagamanānuyogā paṭivirato hoti,
They avoid running errands and messages;

kayavikkayā paṭivirato hoti,
buying and selling;

tulākūṭakaṁsakūṭamānakūṭā paṭivirato hoti,
falsifying weights, metals, or measures;

ukkoṭanavañcananikatisāciyogā paṭivirato hoti,
bribery, fraud, cheating, and duplicity;

chedanavadhabandhanaviparāmosaālopasahasākārā paṭivirato hoti.
mutilation, murder, abduction, banditry, plunder, and violence.

So santuṭṭho hoti kāyaparihārikena cīvarena kucchiparihārikena piṇḍapātena. So yena yeneva pakkamati samādāyeva pakkamati.
They’re content with robes to look after the body and almsfood to look after the belly. Wherever they go, they set out taking only these things.

Seyyathāpi nāma pakkhī sakuṇo yena yeneva ḍeti sapattabhārova ḍeti;
They’re like a bird: wherever it flies, wings are its only burden.

evameva bhikkhu santuṭṭho hoti kāyaparihārikena cīvarena kucchiparihārikena piṇḍapātena. So yena yeneva pakkamati samādāyeva pakkamati.
In the same way, a mendicant is content with robes to look after the body and almsfood to look after the belly. Wherever they go, they set out taking only these things.

So iminā ariyena sīlakkhandhena samannāgato ajjhattaṁ anavajjasukhaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.
When they have this entire spectrum of noble ethics, they experience a blameless happiness inside themselves.

So cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā na nimittaggāhī hoti nānubyañjanaggāhī.
When they see 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 …pe…
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.

So iminā ariyena indriyasaṁvarena samannāgato ajjhattaṁ abyāsekasukhaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.
When they have this noble sense restraint, they experience an unsullied bliss inside themselves.

So abhikkante paṭikkante sampajānakārī hoti, ālokite vilokite sampajānakārī hoti, samiñjite pasārite sampajānakārī hoti, saṅghāṭipattacīvaradhāraṇe sampajānakārī hoti, asite pīte khāyite sāyite sampajānakārī hoti, uccārapassāvakamme sampajānakārī hoti, gate ṭhite nisinne sutte jāgarite bhāsite tuṇhībhāve sampajānakārī hoti.
They act with situational awareness when going out and coming back; when looking ahead and aside; when bending and extending the limbs; when bearing the outer robe, bowl and robes; when eating, drinking, chewing, and tasting; when urinating and defecating; when walking, standing, sitting, sleeping, waking, speaking, and keeping silent.

So iminā ca ariyena sīlakkhandhena samannāgato, imāya ca ariyāya santuṭṭhiyā samannāgato iminā ca ariyena indriyasaṁvarena samannāgato, iminā ca ariyena satisampajaññena samannāgato
When they have this entire spectrum of noble ethics, this noble contentment, this noble sense restraint, and this noble mindfulness and situational awareness,

vivittaṁ senāsanaṁ bhajati araññaṁ rukkhamūlaṁ pabbataṁ kandaraṁ giriguhaṁ susānaṁ vanapatthaṁ abbhokāsaṁ palālapuñjaṁ.
they frequent a secluded lodging—a wilderness, the root of a tree, a hill, a ravine, a mountain cave, a charnel ground, a forest, the open air, a heap of straw.

So pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto nisīdati pallaṅkaṁ ābhujitvā, ujuṁ kāyaṁ paṇidhāya, parimukhaṁ satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvā.
After the meal, they return from almsround, sit down cross-legged, set their body straight, and establish mindfulness in front of them.

So abhijjhaṁ loke pahāya vigatābhijjhena cetasā viharati, abhijjhāya cittaṁ parisodheti.
Giving up covetousness for the world, they meditate with a heart rid of covetousness, cleansing the mind of covetousness.

Byāpādapadosaṁ pahāya abyāpannacitto viharati, sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī byāpādapadosā cittaṁ parisodheti.
Giving up ill will and malevolence, they meditate with a mind rid of ill will, full of compassion for all living beings, cleansing the mind of ill will.

Thinamiddhaṁ pahāya vigatathinamiddho viharati ālokasaññī sato sampajāno, thinamiddhā cittaṁ parisodheti.
Giving up dullness and drowsiness, they meditate with a mind rid of dullness and drowsiness, perceiving light, mindful and aware, cleansing the mind of dullness and drowsiness.

Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ pahāya anuddhato viharati, ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto uddhaccakukkuccā cittaṁ parisodheti.
Giving up restlessness and remorse, they meditate without restlessness, their mind peaceful inside, cleansing the mind of restlessness and remorse.

Vicikicchaṁ pahāya tiṇṇavicikiccho viharati akathaṅkathī kusalesu dhammesu, vicikicchāya cittaṁ parisodheti.
Giving up doubt, they meditate having gone beyond doubt, not undecided about skillful qualities, cleansing the mind of doubt.

So ime pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe,
They give up these five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom.

vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Then, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, they enter and remain in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Idampi vuccati, brāhmaṇa, tathāgatapadaṁ itipi, tathāgatanisevitaṁ itipi, tathāgatārañjitaṁ itipi.
This, brahmin, is that which is called ‘a footprint of the Realized One’ and also ‘a trace of the Realized One’ and also ‘a mark of the Realized One’.

Na tveva tāva ariyasāvako niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:
But a noble disciple does not yet come to the conclusion,

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a mendicant enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Idampi vuccati, brāhmaṇa …pe…
This too is what is called ‘a footprint of the Realized One’ …

suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno, sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, with the fading away of rapture, a mendicant enters and remains in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Idampi vuccati, brāhmaṇa …pe…
This too is what is called ‘a footprint of the Realized One’ …

suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

Puna caparaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā, pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā, adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati.
Furthermore, giving up pleasure and pain, and ending former happiness and sadness, a mendicant enters and remains in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

Idampi vuccati, brāhmaṇa, tathāgatapadaṁ itipi, tathāgatanisevitaṁ itipi, tathāgatārañjitaṁ itipi.
This too is what is called ‘a footprint of the Realized One’ …

Na tveva tāva ariyasāvako niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:

‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmeti.
When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it toward recollection of past lives.

So anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati, seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ, dvepi jātiyo …pe… iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarati.
They recollect many kinds of past lives, that is, one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, a hundred, a thousand, a hundred thousand rebirths; many eons of the world contracting, many eons of the world expanding, many eons of the world contracting and expanding. … They recollect their many kinds of past lives, with features and details.

Idampi vuccati, brāhmaṇa, tathāgatapadaṁ itipi, tathāgatanisevitaṁ itipi, tathāgatārañjitaṁ itipi.
This too is what is called ‘a footprint of the Realized One’ …

Na tveva tāva ariyasāvako niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:

‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte sattānaṁ cutūpapātañāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmeti.
When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it toward knowledge of the death and rebirth of sentient beings.

So dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena …pe… yathākammūpage satte pajānāti.
With clairvoyance that is purified and surpasses the human, they understand how sentient beings are reborn according to their deeds.

Idampi vuccati, brāhmaṇa, tathāgatapadaṁ itipi, tathāgatanisevitaṁ itipi, tathāgatārañjitaṁ itipi.
This too is what is called ‘a footprint of the Realized One’ …

Na tveva tāva ariyasāvako niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:

‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.

So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte āsavānaṁ khayañāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmeti.
When their mind has become immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—they extend it toward knowledge of the ending of defilements.

So ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhasamudayo’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodho’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
They truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’

‘Ime āsavā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘ayaṁ āsavasamudayo’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘ayaṁ āsavanirodho’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ‘ayaṁ āsavanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
They truly understand: ‘These are defilements’ … ‘This is the origin of defilements’ … ‘This is the cessation of defilements’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of defilements.’

Idampi vuccati, brāhmaṇa, tathāgatapadaṁ itipi, tathāgatanisevitaṁ itipi, tathāgatārañjitaṁ itipi.
This, brahmin, is what is called ‘a footprint of the Realized One’ and also ‘a trace of the Realized One’ and also ‘a mark of the Realized One’.

Na tveva tāva ariyasāvako niṭṭhaṁ gato hoti, api ca kho niṭṭhaṁ gacchati:
At this point a noble disciple has not yet come to a conclusion, but they are coming to the conclusion,

Tassa evaṁ jānato evaṁ passato kāmāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccati, bhavāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccati, avijjāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccati.
Knowing and seeing like this, their mind is freed from the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

Vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ hoti.
When they’re freed, they know they’re freed.

‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāti.
They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is no return to any state of existence.’

Ettāvatā kho, brāhmaṇa, ariyasāvako niṭṭhaṁ gato hoti:
At this point a noble disciple has come to the conclusion,

Ettāvatā kho, brāhmaṇa, hatthipadopamo vitthārena paripūro hotī”ti.
And it is at this point that the simile of the elephant’s footprint has been completed in detail.”

Evaṁ vutte, jāṇussoṇi brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
When he had spoken, the brahmin Jānussoṇi said to the Buddha,

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.
“Excellent, Mister Gotama! Excellent!

Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.
As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, Mister Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways.

Esāhaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi, dhammañca, bhikkhusaṅghañca.
I go for refuge to Mister Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha.

Upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.
From this day forth, may Mister Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

Cūḷahatthipadopamasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ sattamaṁ.