Majjhima Nikāya 28

Translators: sujato

Middle Discourses 28

Mahāhatthipadopamasutta

The Longer 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.

Tatra kho āyasmā sāriputto bhikkhū āmantesi:
There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants,

“āvuso bhikkhave”ti.
“Reverends, mendicants!”

“Āvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato sāriputtassa paccassosuṁ.
“Reverend,” they replied.

Āyasmā sāriputto etadavoca:
Sāriputta said this:

“Seyyathāpi, āvuso, yāni kānici jaṅgalānaṁ pāṇānaṁ padajātāni sabbāni tāni hatthipade samodhānaṁ gacchanti, hatthipadaṁ tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati yadidaṁ mahantattena;
“The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint, so an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.

evameva kho, āvuso, ye keci kusalā dhammā sabbete catūsu ariyasaccesu saṅgahaṁ gacchanti.
In the same way, all skillful qualities are included in the four noble truths.

Katamesu catūsu?
What four?

Dukkhe ariyasacce, dukkhasamudaye ariyasacce, dukkhanirodhe ariyasacce, dukkhanirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya ariyasacce.
The noble truths of suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.

Katamañcāvuso, dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ?
And what is the noble truth of suffering?

Jātipi dukkhā, jarāpi dukkhā, maraṇampi dukkhaṁ, sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsāpi dukkhā, yampicchaṁ na labhati tampi dukkhaṁ; saṅkhittena, pañcupādānakkhandhā dukkhā.
Rebirth is suffering; old age is suffering; death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are suffering; not getting what you wish for is suffering. In brief, the five grasping aggregates are suffering.

Katame cāvuso, pañcupādānakkhandhā?
And what are the five grasping aggregates?

Seyyathidaṁ—rūpupādānakkhandho, vedanupādānakkhandho, saññupādānakkhandho, saṅkhārupādānakkhandho, viññāṇupādānakkhandho.
They are as follows: the grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.

Katamo cāvuso, rūpupādānakkhandho?
And what is the grasping aggregate of form?

Cattāri ca mahābhūtāni, catunnañca mahābhūtānaṁ upādāya rūpaṁ.
The four primary elements, and form derived from the four primary elements.

Katamā cāvuso, cattāro mahābhūtā?
And what are the four primary elements?

Pathavīdhātu, āpodhātu, tejodhātu, vāyodhātu.
The elements of earth, water, fire, and air.

Katamā cāvuso, pathavīdhātu?
And what is the earth element?

Pathavīdhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The earth element may be interior or exterior.

Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu?
And what is the interior earth element?

Yaṁ ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ kakkhaḷaṁ kharigataṁ upādinnaṁ, seyyathidaṁ—
Anything hard, solid, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual. This includes:

kesā lomā nakhā dantā taco maṁsaṁ nhāru aṭṭhi aṭṭhimiñjaṁ vakkaṁ hadayaṁ yakanaṁ kilomakaṁ pihakaṁ papphāsaṁ antaṁ antaguṇaṁ udariyaṁ karīsaṁ, yaṁ vā panaññampi kiñci ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ kakkhaḷaṁ kharigataṁ upādinnaṁ.
head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys, heart, liver, diaphragm, spleen, lungs, intestines, mesentery, undigested food, feces, or anything else hard, solid, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual.

Ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu.
This is called the interior earth element.

Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā pathavīdhātu, yā ca bāhirā pathavīdhātu, pathavīdhāturevesā.
The interior earth element and the exterior earth element are just the earth element.

‘Taṁ netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti—evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.
This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā pathavīdhātuyā nibbindati, pathavīdhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the earth element, detaching the mind from the earth element.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā āpodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.

Antarahitā tasmiṁ samaye bāhirā pathavīdhātu hoti.
At that time the exterior earth element vanishes.

Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya pathavīdhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the earth element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.

Kiṁ panimassa mattaṭṭhakassa kāyassa taṇhupādinnassa ‘ahanti vā mamanti vā asmī’ti vā? Atha khvāssa notevettha hoti.
What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things.

Tañce, āvuso, bhikkhuṁ pare akkosanti paribhāsanti rosenti vihesenti, so evaṁ pajānāti:
If others abuse, attack, harass, and trouble that mendicant, they understand:

‘uppannā kho me ayaṁ sotasamphassajā dukkhavedanā.
‘This painful feeling born of ear contact has arisen in me.

Sā ca kho paṭicca, no apaṭicca.
That’s dependent, not independent.

Kiṁ paṭicca?
Dependent on what?

Phassaṁ paṭicca’.
Dependent on contact.’

So phasso aniccoti passati, vedanā aniccāti passati, saññā aniccāti passati, saṅkhārā aniccāti passati, viññāṇaṁ aniccanti passati.
They see that contact, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are impermanent.

Tassa dhātārammaṇameva cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.
Based on that element alone, their mind becomes secure, confident, settled, and decided.

Tañce, āvuso, bhikkhuṁ pare aniṭṭhehi akantehi amanāpehi samudācaranti—
Others might treat that mendicant with disliking, loathing, and detestation,

pāṇisamphassenapi leḍḍusamphassenapi daṇḍasamphassenapi satthasamphassenapi.
striking them with fists, stones, sticks, and swords.

So evaṁ pajānāti:
They understand:

‘tathābhūto kho ayaṁ kāyo yathābhūtasmiṁ kāye pāṇisamphassāpi kamanti, leḍḍusamphassāpi kamanti, daṇḍasamphassāpi kamanti, satthasamphassāpi kamanti.
‘This body is such that fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike it.

Vuttaṁ kho panetaṁ bhagavatā kakacūpamovāde:
But the Buddha has said in the Advice on the Simile of the Saw:

“ubhatodaṇḍakena cepi, bhikkhave, kakacena corā ocarakā aṅgamaṅgāni okanteyyuṁ, tatrāpi yo mano padūseyya na me so tena sāsanakaro”ti.
“Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb, anyone who had a malevolent thought on that account would not be following my instructions.”

Āraddhaṁ kho pana me vīriyaṁ bhavissati asallīnaṁ, upaṭṭhitā sati asammuṭṭhā, passaddho kāyo asāraddho, samāhitaṁ cittaṁ ekaggaṁ.
My energy shall be roused up and unflagging, my mindfulness established and lucid, my body tranquil and undisturbed, and my mind immersed in samādhi.

Kāmaṁ dāni imasmiṁ kāye pāṇisamphassāpi kamantu, leḍḍusamphassāpi kamantu, daṇḍasamphassāpi kamantu, satthasamphassāpi kamantu, karīyati hidaṁ buddhānaṁ sāsanan’ti.
Gladly now, let fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike this body! For this is how the instructions of the Buddhas are followed.’

Tassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhāti.
While recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful may not become stabilized in them.

So tena saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati:
In that case they stir up a sense of urgency:

‘alābhā vata me, na vata me lābhā; dulladdhaṁ vata me, na vata me suladdhaṁ,
‘It’s my loss, my misfortune,

yassa me evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato, upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhātī’ti.
that while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does not become stabilized in me.’

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, suṇisā sasuraṁ disvā saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati;
They’re like a daughter-in-law who stirs up a sense of urgency when they see their father-in-law.

evameva kho, āvuso, tassa ce bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato, upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhāti, so tena saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati:

‘alābhā vata me, na vata me lābhā; dulladdhaṁ vata me, na vata me suladdhaṁ, yassa me evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato, upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhātī’ti.

Tassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato upekkhā kusalanissitā saṇṭhāti, so tena attamano hoti.
But if, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno bahukataṁ hoti.
At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.

Katamā cāvuso, āpodhātu?
And what is the water element?

Āpodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The water element may be interior or exterior.

Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā āpodhātu?
And what is the interior water element?

Yaṁ ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ āpo āpogataṁ upādinnaṁ, seyyathidaṁ—
Anything that’s water, watery, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual. This includes:

pittaṁ semhaṁ pubbo lohitaṁ sedo medo assu vasā kheḷo siṅghāṇikā lasikā muttaṁ, yaṁ vā panaññampi kiñci ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ āpo āpogataṁ upādinnaṁ—
bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, grease, saliva, snot, synovial fluid, urine, or anything else that’s water, watery, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual.

ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā āpodhātu.
This is called the interior water element.

Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā āpodhātu yā ca bāhirā āpodhātu, āpodhāturevesā.
The interior water element and the exterior water element are just the water element.

‘Taṁ netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.
This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā āpodhātuyā nibbindati, āpodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the water element, detaching the mind from the water element.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā āpodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior water element flares up.

Sā gāmampi vahati, nigamampi vahati, nagarampi vahati, janapadampi vahati, janapadapadesampi vahati.
It sweeps away villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ mahāsamudde yojanasatikānipi udakāni ogacchanti, dviyojanasatikānipi udakāni ogacchanti, tiyojanasatikānipi udakāni ogacchanti, catuyojanasatikānipi udakāni ogacchanti, pañcayojanasatikānipi udakāni ogacchanti, chayojanasatikānipi udakāni ogacchanti, sattayojanasatikānipi udakāni ogacchanti.
There comes a time when the water in the ocean sinks down a hundred leagues, or two, three, four, five, six, up to seven hundred leagues.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ mahāsamudde sattatālampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, chattālampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, pañcatālampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, catuttālampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, titālampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, dvitālampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, tālamattampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti.
There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just seven palm trees deep, or six, five, four, three, two, or even just one palm tree deep.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ mahāsamudde sattaporisampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, chapporisampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, pañcaporisampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, catupporisampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, tiporisampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, dviporisampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, porisamattampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti.
There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just seven fathoms deep, or six, five, four, three, two, or even just one fathom deep.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ mahāsamudde aḍḍhaporisampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, kaṭimattampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, jāṇukamattampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti, gopphakamattampi udakaṁ saṇṭhāti.
There comes a time when the water in the ocean stands just half a fathom deep, or waist deep, or knee deep, or even just ankle deep.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo, yaṁ mahāsamudde aṅgulipabbatemanamattampi udakaṁ na hoti.
There comes a time when there isn’t enough water in the ocean even to wet the tip of your finger.

Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya āpodhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the water element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.

Kiṁ panimassa mattaṭṭhakassa kāyassa taṇhupādinnassa ‘ahanti vā mamanti vā asmī’ti vā? Atha khvāssa notevettha hoti …pe…
What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things. …

tassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato upekkhā kusalanissitā saṇṭhāti. So tena attamano hoti.
If, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno bahukataṁ hoti.
At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.

Katamā cāvuso, tejodhātu?
And what is the fire element?

Tejodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The fire element may be interior or exterior.

Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā tejodhātu?
And what is the interior fire element?

Yaṁ ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ tejo tejogataṁ upādinnaṁ, seyyathidaṁ—
Anything that’s fire, fiery, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual. This includes:

yena ca santappati, yena ca jīrīyati, yena ca pariḍayhati, yena ca asitapītakhāyitasāyitaṁ sammā pariṇāmaṁ gacchati, yaṁ vā panaññampi kiñci ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ tejo tejogataṁ upādinnaṁ—
that which warms, that which ages, that which heats you up when feverish, that which properly digests food and drink, or anything else that’s fire, fiery, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual.

ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā tejodhātu.
This is called the interior fire element.

Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā tejodhātu yā ca bāhirā tejodhātu, tejodhāturevesā.
The interior fire element and the exterior fire element are just the fire element.

Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā tejodhātuyā nibbindati, tejodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you grow disillusioned with the fire element, detaching the mind from the fire element.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā tejodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior fire element flares up.

Sā gāmampi dahati, nigamampi dahati, nagarampi dahati, janapadampi dahati, janapadapadesampi dahati.
It burns up villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions until

Sā haritantaṁ vā panthantaṁ vā selantaṁ vā udakantaṁ vā ramaṇīyaṁ vā bhūmibhāgaṁ āgamma anāhārā nibbāyati.
it reaches a green field, a roadside, a cliff’s edge, a body of water, or cleared parkland, where it’s extinguished for lack of fuel.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ kukkuṭapattenapi nhārudaddulenapi aggiṁ gavesanti.
There comes a time when they go looking for a fire, taking just a chicken feather or a scrap of sinew as kindling.

Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya tejodhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the fire element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.

Kiṁ panimassa mattaṭṭhakassa kāyassa taṇhupādinnassa ‘ahanti vā mamanti vā asmī’ti vā?
What then of this ephemeral body appropriated by craving? Rather than ‘I’ or ‘mine’ or ‘I am’, they consider it to be none of these things. …

Atha khvāssa notevettha hoti …pe… tassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato upekkhā kusalanissitā saṇṭhāti, so tena attamano hoti.
If, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno bahukataṁ hoti.
At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.

Katamā cāvuso, vāyodhātu?
And what is the air element?

Vāyodhātu siyā ajjhattikā, siyā bāhirā.
The air element may be interior or exterior.

Katamā cāvuso, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu?
And what is the interior air element?

Yaṁ ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ vāyo vāyogataṁ upādinnaṁ, seyyathidaṁ—
Anything that’s air, airy, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual. This includes:

uddhaṅgamā vātā, adhogamā vātā, kucchisayā vātā, koṭṭhāsayā vātā, aṅgamaṅgānusārino vātā, assāso passāso iti, yaṁ vā panaññampi kiñci ajjhattaṁ paccattaṁ vāyo vāyogataṁ upādinnaṁ—
winds that go up or down, winds in the belly or the bowels, winds that flow through the limbs, in-breaths and out-breaths, or anything else that’s air, airy, and appropriated that’s internal, pertaining to an individual.

ayaṁ vuccatāvuso, ajjhattikā vāyodhātu.
This is called the interior air element.

Yā ceva kho pana ajjhattikā vāyodhātu, yā ca bāhirā vāyodhātu, vāyodhāturevesā.
The interior air element and the exterior air element are just the air element.

‘Taṁ netaṁ mama nesohamasmi na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.
This should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya disvā vāyodhātuyā nibbindati vāyodhātuyā cittaṁ virājeti.
When you truly see with right understanding, you reject the air element, detaching the mind from the air element.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ bāhirā vāyodhātu pakuppati.
There comes a time when the exterior air element flares up.

Sā gāmampi vahati, nigamampi vahati, nagarampi vahati, janapadampi vahati, janapadapadesampi vahati.
It sweeps away villages, towns, cities, countries, and regions.

Hoti kho so, āvuso, samayo yaṁ gimhānaṁ pacchime māse tālavaṇṭenapi vidhūpanenapi vātaṁ pariyesanti, ossavanepi tiṇāni na icchanti.
There comes a time, in the last month of summer, when they look for wind by using a palm-leaf or fan, and even the grasses in the drip-fringe of a thatch roof don’t stir.

Tassā hi nāma, āvuso, bāhirāya vāyodhātuyā tāva mahallikāya aniccatā paññāyissati, khayadhammatā paññāyissati, vayadhammatā paññāyissati, vipariṇāmadhammatā paññāyissati.
So for all its great age, the air element will be revealed as impermanent, liable to end, vanish, and perish.

Tañce, āvuso, bhikkhuṁ pare akkosanti paribhāsanti rosenti vihesenti.
If others abuse, attack, harass, and trouble that mendicant, they understand:

So evaṁ pajānāti, uppannā kho me ayaṁ sotasamphassajā dukkhā vedanā.
‘This painful feeling born of ear contact has arisen in me.

Sā ca kho paṭicca, no apaṭicca.
That’s dependent, not independent.

Kiṁ paṭicca?
Dependent on what?

Phassaṁ paṭicca.
Dependent on contact.

Sopi phasso aniccoti passati, vedanā aniccāti passati, saññā aniccāti passati, saṅkhārā aniccāti passati, viññāṇaṁ aniccanti passati.
They see that contact, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are impermanent.

Tassa dhātārammaṇameva cittaṁ pakkhandati pasīdati santiṭṭhati adhimuccati.
Based on that element alone, their mind becomes secure, confident, settled, and decided.

Tañce, āvuso, bhikkhuṁ pare aniṭṭhehi akantehi amanāpehi samudācaranti, pāṇisamphassenapi leḍḍusamphassenapi daṇḍasamphassenapi satthasamphassenapi.
Others might treat that mendicant with disliking, loathing, and detestation, striking them with fists, stones, sticks, and swords.

So evaṁ pajānāti ‘tathābhūto kho ayaṁ kāyo yathābhūtasmiṁ kāye pāṇisamphassāpi kamanti, leḍḍusamphassāpi kamanti, daṇḍasamphassāpi kamanti, satthasamphassāpi kamanti.
They understand: ‘This body is such that fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike it.

Vuttaṁ kho panetaṁ bhagavatā kakacūpamovāde “ubhatodaṇḍakena cepi, bhikkhave, kakacena corā ocarakā aṅgamaṅgāni okanteyyuṁ. Tatrāpi yo mano padūseyya, na me so tena sāsanakaro”ti.
But the Buddha has said in the Advice on the Simile of the Saw: “Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb, anyone who had a thought of hate on that account would not be following my instructions.”

Kāmaṁ dāni imasmiṁ kāye pāṇisamphassāpi kamantu, leḍḍusamphassāpi kamantu, daṇḍasamphassāpi kamantu, satthasamphassāpi kamantu. Karīyati hidaṁ buddhānaṁ sāsanan’ti.
Gladly now, let fists, stones, sticks, and swords strike this body! For this is how the instructions of the Buddhas are followed.’

Tassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhāti.
While recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful may not become stabilized in them.

So tena saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati:
In that case they stir up a sense of urgency:

‘alābhā vata me, na vata me lābhā; dulladdhaṁ vata me, na vata me suladdhaṁ.
‘It’s my loss, my misfortune,

Yassa me evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhātī’ti.
that while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does not become stabilized in me.’

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, suṇisā sasuraṁ disvā saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati;
They’re like a daughter-in-law who stirs up a sense of urgency when they see their father-in-law.

evameva kho, āvuso, tassa ce bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato, upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhāti.

So tena saṁvijjati saṁvegaṁ āpajjati:

‘alābhā vata me, na vata me lābhā; dulladdhaṁ vata me, na vata me suladdhaṁ.

Yassa me evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato, upekkhā kusalanissitā na saṇṭhātī’ti.

Tassa ce, āvuso, bhikkhuno evaṁ buddhaṁ anussarato, evaṁ dhammaṁ anussarato, evaṁ saṅghaṁ anussarato, upekkhā kusalanissitā saṇṭhāti, so tena attamano hoti.
But if, while recollecting the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha in this way, equanimity based on the skillful does become stabilized in them, they’re happy with that.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno bahukataṁ hoti.
At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṭṭhañca paṭicca valliñca paṭicca tiṇañca paṭicca mattikañca paṭicca ākāso parivārito agārantveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati;
When a space is enclosed by sticks, creepers, grass, and mud it becomes known as a ‘building’.

evameva kho, āvuso, aṭṭhiñca paṭicca nhāruñca paṭicca maṁsañca paṭicca cammañca paṭicca ākāso parivārito rūpantveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.
In the same way, when a space is enclosed by bones, sinews, flesh, and skin it becomes known as a ‘form’.

Ajjhattikañceva, āvuso, cakkhuṁ aparibhinnaṁ hoti, bāhirā ca rūpā na āpāthaṁ āgacchanti, no ca tajjo samannāhāro hoti, neva tāva tajjassa viññāṇabhāgassa pātubhāvo hoti.
Reverends, though the eye is intact internally, so long as exterior sights don’t come into range and there’s no corresponding engagement, there’s no manifestation of the corresponding type of consciousness.

Ajjhattikañceva, āvuso, cakkhuṁ aparibhinnaṁ hoti bāhirā ca rūpā āpāthaṁ āgacchanti, no ca tajjo samannāhāro hoti, neva tāva tajjassa viññāṇabhāgassa pātubhāvo hoti.
Though the eye is intact internally and exterior sights come into range, so long as there’s no corresponding engagement, there’s no manifestation of the corresponding type of consciousness.

Yato ca kho, āvuso, ajjhattikañceva cakkhuṁ aparibhinnaṁ hoti, bāhirā ca rūpā āpāthaṁ āgacchanti, tajjo ca samannāhāro hoti. Evaṁ tajjassa viññāṇabhāgassa pātubhāvo hoti.
But when the eye is intact internally and exterior sights come into range and there is corresponding engagement, there is the manifestation of the corresponding type of consciousness.

Yaṁ tathābhūtassa rūpaṁ taṁ rūpupādānakkhandhe saṅgahaṁ gacchati, yā tathābhūtassa vedanā sā vedanupādānakkhandhe saṅgahaṁ gacchati, yā tathābhūtassa saññā sā saññupādānakkhandhe saṅgahaṁ gacchati, ye tathābhūtassa saṅkhārā te saṅkhārupādānakkhandhe saṅgahaṁ gacchanti, yaṁ tathābhūtassa viññāṇaṁ taṁ viññāṇupādānakkhandhe saṅgahaṁ gacchati.
The form produced in this way is included in the grasping aggregate of form. The feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness produced in this way are each included in the corresponding grasping aggregate.

So evaṁ pajānāti:
They understand:

‘evañhi kira imesaṁ pañcannaṁ upādānakkhandhānaṁ saṅgaho sannipāto samavāyo hoti.
‘So this is how there comes to be inclusion, gathering together, and joining together into these five grasping aggregates.

Vuttaṁ kho panetaṁ bhagavatā:
But the Buddha has said:

“yo paṭiccasamuppādaṁ passati so dhammaṁ passati;
“One who sees dependent origination sees the teaching.

yo dhammaṁ passati so paṭiccasamuppādaṁ passatī”ti.
One who sees the teaching sees dependent origination.”

Paṭiccasamuppannā kho panime yadidaṁ pañcupādānakkhandhā.
And these five grasping aggregates are indeed dependently originated.

Yo imesu pañcasu upādānakkhandhesu chando ālayo anunayo ajjhosānaṁ so dukkhasamudayo.
The desire, clinging, attraction, and attachment for these five grasping aggregates is the origin of suffering.

Yo imesu pañcasu upādānakkhandhesu chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ, so dukkhanirodho’ti.
Giving up and getting rid of desire and greed for these five grasping aggregates is the cessation of suffering.’

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno bahukataṁ hoti.
At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.

Ajjhattikañceva, āvuso, sotaṁ aparibhinnaṁ hoti …pe…
Though the ear …

ghānaṁ aparibhinnaṁ hoti …
nose …

jivhā aparibhinnā hoti …
tongue …

kāyo aparibhinno hoti …
body …

mano aparibhinno hoti, bāhirā ca dhammā na āpāthaṁ āgacchanti no ca tajjo samannāhāro hoti, neva tāva tajjassa viññāṇabhāgassa pātubhāvo hoti.
mind is intact internally, so long as exterior ideas don’t come into range and there’s no corresponding engagement, there’s no manifestation of the corresponding type of consciousness.

Ajjhattiko ceva, āvuso, mano aparibhinno hoti, bāhirā ca dhammā āpāthaṁ āgacchanti, no ca tajjo samannāhāro hoti, neva tāva tajjassa viññāṇabhāgassa pātubhāvo hoti.
Though the mind is intact internally and exterior ideas come into range, so long as there’s no corresponding engagement, there’s no manifestation of the corresponding type of consciousness.

Yato ca kho, āvuso, ajjhattiko ceva mano aparibhinno hoti, bāhirā ca dhammā āpāthaṁ āgacchanti, tajjo ca samannāhāro hoti, evaṁ tajjassa viññāṇabhāgassa pātubhāvo hoti.
But when the mind is intact internally and exterior ideas come into range and there is corresponding engagement, there is the manifestation of the corresponding type of consciousness.

So evaṁ pajānāti:
They understand:

Vuttaṁ kho panetaṁ bhagavatā:
But the Buddha has also said:

“yo paṭiccasamuppādaṁ passati so dhammaṁ passati;
“One who sees dependent origination sees the teaching.

yo dhammaṁ passati so paṭiccasamuppādaṁ passatī”ti.
One who sees the teaching sees dependent origination.”

Paṭiccasamuppannā kho panime yadidaṁ pañcupādānakkhandhā.
And these five grasping aggregates are indeed dependently originated.

Yo imesu pañcasu upādānakkhandhesu chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ so dukkhanirodho’ti.
Giving up and getting rid of desire and greed for these five grasping aggregates is the cessation of suffering.’

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, bhikkhuno bahukataṁ hotī”ti.
At this point, much has been done by that mendicant.”

Idamavoca āyasmā sāriputto.
That’s what Venerable Sāriputta said.

Attamanā te bhikkhū āyasmato sāriputtassa bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.
Satisfied, the mendicants approved what Sāriputta said.

Mahāhatthipadopamasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.