Majjhima Nikāya 36

Translators: sujato

Middle Discourses 36

Mahāsaccakasutta

The Longer Discourse With Saccaka

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vesāliyaṁ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ sunivattho hoti pattacīvaramādāya vesāliṁ piṇḍāya pavisitukāmo.
Now at that time in the morning the Buddha, being properly dressed, took his bowl and robe, wishing to enter Vesālī for alms.

Atha kho saccako nigaṇṭhaputto jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamamāno anuvicaramāno yena mahāvanaṁ kūṭāgārasālā tenupasaṅkami.
Then as Saccaka, the son of Jain parents, was going for a walk he approached the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood.

Addasā kho āyasmā ānando saccakaṁ nigaṇṭhaputtaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.
Venerable Ānanda saw him coming off in the distance,

Disvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
and said to the Buddha,

“ayaṁ, bhante, saccako nigaṇṭhaputto āgacchati bhassappavādako paṇḍitavādo sādhusammato bahujanassa.
“Sir, Saccaka, the son of Jain parents, is coming. He’s a debater and clever speaker deemed holy by many people.

Eso kho, bhante, avaṇṇakāmo buddhassa, avaṇṇakāmo dhammassa, avaṇṇakāmo saṅghassa.
He wants to discredit the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha.

Sādhu, bhante, bhagavā muhuttaṁ nisīdatu anukampaṁ upādāyā”ti.
Please, sir, sit for an hour out of sympathy.”

Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane.
The Buddha sat on the seat spread out.

Atha kho saccako nigaṇṭhaputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho saccako nigaṇṭhaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
Then Saccaka went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha,

“Santi, bho gotama, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā kāyabhāvanānuyogamanuyuttā viharanti, no cittabhāvanaṁ.
“Mister Gotama, there are some ascetics and brahmins who live committed to the practice of developing physical endurance, without developing the mind.

Phusanti hi te, bho gotama, sārīrikaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ.
They suffer painful physical feelings.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bho gotama, sārīrikāya dukkhāya vedanāya phuṭṭhassa sato ūrukkhambhopi nāma bhavissati, hadayampi nāma phalissati, uṇhampi lohitaṁ mukhato uggamissati, ummādampi pāpuṇissati cittakkhepaṁ.
This happened to someone once. Their thighs became paralyzed, their heart burst, hot blood gushed from their mouth, and they went mad and lost their mind.

Tassa kho etaṁ, bho gotama, kāyanvayaṁ cittaṁ hoti, kāyassa vasena vattati.
Their mind was subject to the body, and the body had power over it.

Taṁ kissa hetu?
Why is that?

Abhāvitattā cittassa.
Because their mind was not developed.

Santi pana, bho gotama, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā cittabhāvanānuyogamanuyuttā viharanti, no kāyabhāvanaṁ.
There are some ascetics and brahmins who live committed to the practice of developing the mind, without developing physical endurance.

Phusanti hi te, bho gotama, cetasikaṁ dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ.
They suffer painful mental feelings.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bho gotama, cetasikāya dukkhāya vedanāya phuṭṭhassa sato ūrukkhambhopi nāma bhavissati, hadayampi nāma phalissati, uṇhampi lohitaṁ mukhato uggamissati, ummādampi pāpuṇissati cittakkhepaṁ.
This happened to someone once. Their thighs became paralyzed, their heart burst, hot blood gushed from their mouth, and they went mad and lost their mind.

Tassa kho eso, bho gotama, cittanvayo kāyo hoti, cittassa vasena vattati.
Their body was subject to the mind, and the mind had power over it.

Taṁ kissa hetu?
Why is that?

Abhāvitattā kāyassa.
Because their physical endurance was not developed.

Tassa mayhaṁ, bho gotama, evaṁ hoti:
It occurs to me that

‘addhā bhoto gotamassa sāvakā cittabhāvanānuyogamanuyuttā viharanti, no kāyabhāvanan’”ti.
Mister Gotama’s disciples must live committed to the practice of developing the mind, without developing physical endurance.”

“Kinti pana te, aggivessana, kāyabhāvanā sutā”ti?
“But Aggivessana, what have you heard about the development of physical endurance?”

“Seyyathidaṁ—
“Take, for example,

nando vaccho, kiso saṅkicco, makkhali gosālo—
Nanda Vaccha, Kisa Saṅkicca, and the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla.

etehi, bho gotama, acelakā muttācārā hatthāpalekhanā naehibhaddantikā natiṭṭhabhaddantikā na abhihaṭaṁ na uddissakataṁ na nimantanaṁ sādiyanti,
They go naked, ignoring conventions. They lick their hands, and don’t come or wait when called. They don’t consent to food brought to them, or food prepared on their behalf, or an invitation for a meal.

te na kumbhimukhā paṭiggaṇhanti na kaḷopimukhā paṭiggaṇhanti na eḷakamantaraṁ na daṇḍamantaraṁ na musalamantaraṁ na dvinnaṁ bhuñjamānānaṁ na gabbhiniyā na pāyamānāya na purisantaragatāya na saṅkittīsu na yattha sā upaṭṭhito hoti na yattha makkhikā saṇḍasaṇḍacārinī, na macchaṁ na maṁsaṁ na suraṁ na merayaṁ na thusodakaṁ pivanti.
They don’t receive anything from a pot or bowl; or from someone who keeps sheep, or who has a weapon or a shovel in their home; or where a couple is eating; or where there is a woman who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or who has a man in her home; or where there’s a dog waiting or flies buzzing. They accept no fish or meat or beer or wine, and drink no fermented gruel.

Te ekāgārikā vā honti ekālopikā, dvāgārikā vā honti dvālopikā …pe… sattāgārikā vā honti sattālopikā.
They go to just one house for alms, taking just one mouthful, or two houses and two mouthfuls, up to seven houses and seven mouthfuls.

Ekissāpi dattiyā yāpenti, dvīhipi dattīhi yāpenti …pe… sattahipi dattīhi yāpenti.
They feed on one saucer a day, two saucers a day, up to seven saucers a day.

Ekāhikampi āhāraṁ āhārenti, dvīhikampi āhāraṁ āhārenti …pe… sattāhikampi āhāraṁ āhārenti. Iti evarūpaṁ addhamāsikampi pariyāyabhattabhojanānuyogamanuyuttā viharantī”ti.
They eat once a day, once every second day, up to once a week, and so on, even up to once a fortnight. They live committed to the practice of eating food at set intervals.”

“Kiṁ pana te, aggivessana, tāvatakeneva yāpentī”ti?
“But Aggivessana, do they get by on so little?”

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama.
“No, Mister Gotama.

Appekadā, bho gotama, uḷārāni uḷārāni khādanīyāni khādanti, uḷārāni uḷārāni bhojanāni bhuñjanti, uḷārāni uḷārāni sāyanīyāni sāyanti, uḷārāni uḷārāni pānāni pivanti.
Sometimes they eat luxury fresh and cooked foods and drink a variety of luxury beverages.

Te imaṁ kāyaṁ balaṁ gāhenti nāma, brūhenti nāma, medenti nāmā”ti.
They gather their body’s strength, build it up, and get fat.”

“Yaṁ kho te, aggivessana, purimaṁ pahāya pacchā upacinanti, evaṁ imassa kāyassa ācayāpacayo hoti.
“What they earlier gave up, they later got back. That is how there is the increase and decrease of this body.

Kinti pana te, aggivessana, cittabhāvanā sutā”ti?
But Aggivessana, what have you heard about development of the mind?”

Cittabhāvanāya kho saccako nigaṇṭhaputto bhagavatā puṭṭho samāno na sampāyāsi.
When Saccaka was questioned by the Buddha about development of the mind, he was stumped.

Atha kho bhagavā saccakaṁ nigaṇṭhaputtaṁ etadavoca:
So the Buddha said to Saccaka,

“yāpi kho te esā, aggivessana, purimā kāyabhāvanā bhāsitā sāpi ariyassa vinaye no dhammikā kāyabhāvanā.
“The development of physical endurance that you have described is not the legitimate development of physical endurance in the noble one’s training.

Kāyabhāvanampi kho tvaṁ, aggivessana, na aññāsi, kuto pana tvaṁ cittabhāvanaṁ jānissasi?
And since you don’t even understand the development of physical endurance, how can you possibly understand the development of the mind?

Api ca, aggivessana, yathā abhāvitakāyo ca hoti abhāvitacitto ca, bhāvitakāyo ca hoti bhāvitacitto ca.
Still, as to how someone is undeveloped in physical endurance and mind, and how someone is developed in physical endurance and mind,

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

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho saccako nigaṇṭhaputto bhagavato paccassosi.
“Yes, sir,” replied Saccaka.

Bhagavā etadavoca:
The Buddha said this:

“Kathañca, aggivessana, abhāvitakāyo ca hoti abhāvitacitto ca?
“And how is someone undeveloped in physical endurance and mind?

Idha, aggivessana, assutavato puthujjanassa uppajjati sukhā vedanā.
Take an unlearned ordinary person who has a pleasant feeling.

So sukhāya vedanāya phuṭṭho samāno sukhasārāgī ca hoti sukhasārāgitañca āpajjati.
When they experience a pleasant feeling they become full of lust for it.

Tassa sā sukhā vedanā nirujjhati.
Then that pleasant feeling ceases.

Sukhāya vedanāya nirodhā uppajjati dukkhā vedanā.
And when it ceases, a painful feeling arises.

So dukkhāya vedanāya phuṭṭho samāno socati kilamati paridevati urattāḷiṁ kandati sammohaṁ āpajjati.
When they suffer painful feeling, they sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion.

Tassa kho esā, aggivessana, uppannāpi sukhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati abhāvitattā kāyassa, uppannāpi dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati abhāvitattā cittassa.
Because their physical endurance is undeveloped, pleasant feelings occupy the mind. And because their mind is undeveloped, painful feelings occupy the mind.

Yassa kassaci, aggivessana, evaṁ ubhatopakkhaṁ uppannāpi sukhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati abhāvitattā kāyassa, uppannāpi dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati abhāvitattā cittassa, evaṁ kho, aggivessana, abhāvitakāyo ca hoti abhāvitacitto ca.
Anyone whose mind is occupied by both pleasant and painful feelings like this is undeveloped both in physical endurance and in mind.

Kathañca, aggivessana, bhāvitakāyo ca hoti bhāvitacitto ca?
And how is someone developed in physical endurance and mind?

Idha, aggivessana, sutavato ariyasāvakassa uppajjati sukhā vedanā.
Take a learned noble disciple who has a pleasant feeling.

So sukhāya vedanāya phuṭṭho samāno na sukhasārāgī ca hoti, na sukhasārāgitañca āpajjati.
When they experience a pleasant feeling they don’t become full of lust for it.

Tassa sā sukhā vedanā nirujjhati.
Then that pleasant feeling ceases.

Sukhāya vedanāya nirodhā uppajjati dukkhā vedanā.
And when it ceases, painful feeling arises.

So dukkhāya vedanāya phuṭṭho samāno na socati na kilamati na paridevati na urattāḷiṁ kandati na sammohaṁ āpajjati.
When they suffer painful feelings they don’t sorrow or wail or lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion.

Tassa kho esā, aggivessana, uppannāpi sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati bhāvitattā kāyassa, uppannāpi dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati bhāvitattā cittassa.
Because their physical endurance is developed, pleasant feelings don’t occupy the mind. And because their mind is developed, painful feelings don’t occupy the mind.

Yassa kassaci, aggivessana, evaṁ ubhatopakkhaṁ uppannāpi sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati bhāvitattā kāyassa, uppannāpi dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati bhāvitattā cittassa. Evaṁ kho, aggivessana, bhāvitakāyo ca hoti bhāvitacitto cā”ti.
Anyone whose mind is not occupied by both pleasant and painful feelings like this is developed both in physical endurance and in mind.”

“Evaṁ pasanno ahaṁ bhoto gotamassa.
“I am quite confident that Mister Gotama

Bhavañhi gotamo bhāvitakāyo ca hoti bhāvitacitto cā”ti.
is developed in physical endurance and in mind.”

“Addhā kho te ayaṁ, aggivessana, āsajja upanīya vācā bhāsitā,
“Your words are clearly invasive and intrusive, Aggivessana.

api ca te ahaṁ byākarissāmi.
Nevertheless, I will answer you.

Yato kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito, taṁ vata me uppannā vā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassati, uppannā vā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassatīti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjatī”ti.
Ever since I shaved off my hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness, it has not been possible for any pleasant or painful feeling to occupy my mind.”

“Na hi nūna bhoto gotamassa uppajjati tathārūpā sukhā vedanā yathārūpā uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭheyya; na hi nūna bhoto gotamassa uppajjati tathārūpā dukkhā vedanā yathārūpā uppannā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭheyyā”ti.
“Mister Gotama mustn’t have experienced the kind of pleasant or painful feelings that would occupy the mind.”

“Kiñhi no siyā, aggivessana?
“How could I not, Aggivessana?

Idha me, aggivessana, pubbeva sambodhā anabhisambuddhassa bodhisattasseva sato etadahosi:
Before my awakening—when I was still unawakened but intent on awakening—I thought:

‘sambādho gharāvāso rajāpatho, 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 kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, aparena samayena daharova samāno, susukāḷakeso bhadrena yobbanena samannāgato paṭhamena vayasā, akāmakānaṁ mātāpitūnaṁ assumukhānaṁ rudantānaṁ, kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajiṁ.
Some time later, while still with pristine black hair, blessed with youth, in the prime of life—though my mother and father wished otherwise, weeping with tearful faces—I shaved off my hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness.

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno kiṅkusalagavesī anuttaraṁ santivarapadaṁ pariyesamāno yena āḷāro kālāmo tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā āḷāraṁ kālāmaṁ etadavocaṁ:
Once I had gone forth I set out to discover what is skillful, seeking the supreme state of sublime peace. I approached Āḷāra Kālāma and said to him,

‘icchāmahaṁ, āvuso kālāma, imasmiṁ dhammavinaye brahmacariyaṁ caritun’ti.
‘Reverend Kālāma, I wish to lead the spiritual life in this teaching and training.’

Evaṁ vutte, aggivessana, āḷāro kālāmo maṁ etadavoca:
Āḷāra Kālāma replied,

‘viharatāyasmā,
‘Stay, venerable.

tādiso ayaṁ dhammo yattha viññū puriso nacirasseva sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyā’ti.
This teaching is such that a sensible person can soon realize their own tradition with their own insight and live having achieved it.’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, nacirasseva khippameva taṁ dhammaṁ pariyāpuṇiṁ.
I quickly memorized that teaching.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, tāvatakeneva oṭṭhapahatamattena lapitalāpanamattena ñāṇavādañca vadāmi theravādañca, ‘jānāmi passāmī’ti ca paṭijānāmi, ahañceva aññe ca.
As far as lip-recital and verbal repetition went, I spoke the doctrine of knowledge, the elder doctrine. I claimed to know and see, and so did others.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘na kho āḷāro kālāmo imaṁ dhammaṁ kevalaṁ saddhāmattakena sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharāmīti pavedeti,
‘It is not solely by mere faith that Āḷāra Kālāma declares: “I realize this teaching with my own insight, and live having achieved it.”

addhā āḷāro kālāmo imaṁ dhammaṁ jānaṁ passaṁ viharatī’ti.
Surely he meditates knowing and seeing this teaching.’

Atha khvāhaṁ, aggivessana, yena āḷāro kālāmo tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā āḷāraṁ kālāmaṁ etadavocaṁ:
So I approached Āḷāra Kālāma and said to him,

‘kittāvatā no, āvuso kālāma, imaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharāmīti pavedesī’ti?
‘Reverend Kālāma, to what extent do you say you’ve realized this teaching with your own insight?’

Evaṁ vutte, aggivessana, āḷāro kālāmo ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ pavedesi.
When I said this, he declared the dimension of nothingness.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘na kho āḷārasseva kālāmassa atthi saddhā, mayhampatthi saddhā;
‘It’s not just Āḷāra Kālāma who has faith,

na kho āḷārasseva kālāmassa atthi vīriyaṁ, mayhampatthi vīriyaṁ;
energy,

na kho āḷārasseva kālāmassa atthi sati, mayhampatthi sati;
mindfulness,

na kho āḷārasseva kālāmassa atthi samādhi, mayhampatthi samādhi;
immersion,

na kho āḷārasseva kālāmassa atthi paññā, mayhampatthi paññā;
and wisdom; I too have these things.

yannūnāhaṁ yaṁ dhammaṁ āḷāro kālāmo sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharāmīti pavedeti tassa dhammassa sacchikiriyāya padaheyyan’ti.
Why don’t I make an effort to realize the same teaching that Āḷāra Kālāma says he has realized with his own insight?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, nacirasseva khippameva taṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsiṁ.
I quickly realized that teaching with my own insight, and lived having achieved it.

Atha khvāhaṁ, aggivessana, yena āḷāro kālāmo tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā āḷāraṁ kālāmaṁ etadavocaṁ:
So I approached Āḷāra Kālāma and said to him,

‘ettāvatā no, āvuso kālāma, imaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedesī’ti?
‘Reverend Kālāma, is it up to this point that you realized this teaching with your own insight, and declare having achieved it?’

‘Ettāvatā kho ahaṁ, āvuso, imaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedemī’ti.
‘I have, reverend.’

‘Ahampi kho, āvuso, ettāvatā imaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharāmī’ti.
‘I too have realized this teaching with my own insight up to this point, and live having achieved it.’

‘Lābhā no, āvuso, suladdhaṁ no, āvuso,
‘We are fortunate, reverend, so very fortunate

ye mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ tādisaṁ sabrahmacāriṁ passāma.
to see a venerable such as yourself as one of our spiritual companions!

Iti yāhaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedemi taṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharasi;
So the teaching that I’ve realized with my own insight, and declare having achieved it, you’ve realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it.

yaṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharasi tamahaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedemi.
The teaching that you’ve realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it, I’ve realized with my own insight, and declare having achieved it.

Iti yāhaṁ dhammaṁ jānāmi taṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ jānāsi; yaṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ jānāsi tamahaṁ dhammaṁ jānāmi.
So the teaching that I know, you know, and the teaching you know, I know.

Iti yādiso ahaṁ tādiso tuvaṁ, yādiso tuvaṁ tādiso ahaṁ.
I am like you and you are like me.

Ehi dāni, āvuso, ubhova santā imaṁ gaṇaṁ pariharāmā’ti.
Come now, reverend! We should both lead this community together.’

Iti kho, aggivessana, āḷāro kālāmo ācariyo me samāno attano antevāsiṁ maṁ samānaṁ attanā samasamaṁ ṭhapesi, uḷārāya ca maṁ pūjāya pūjesi.
And that is how my tutor Āḷāra Kālāma placed me, his pupil, on the same position as him, and honored me with lofty praise.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘nāyaṁ dhammo nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, yāvadeva ākiñcaññāyatanūpapattiyā’ti.
‘This teaching doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. It only leads as far as rebirth in the dimension of nothingness.’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, taṁ dhammaṁ analaṅkaritvā tasmā dhammā nibbijja apakkamiṁ.
Realizing that this teaching was inadequate, I left disappointed.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, kiṅkusalagavesī anuttaraṁ santivarapadaṁ pariyesamāno yena udako rāmaputto tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā udakaṁ rāmaputtaṁ etadavocaṁ:
I set out to discover what is skillful, seeking the supreme state of sublime peace. I approached Uddaka son of Rāma and said to him,

‘icchāmahaṁ, āvuso, imasmiṁ dhammavinaye brahmacariyaṁ caritun’ti.
‘Reverend, I wish to lead the spiritual life in this teaching and training.’

Evaṁ vutte, aggivessana, udako rāmaputto maṁ etadavoca:
Uddaka replied,

‘viharatāyasmā,
‘Stay, venerable.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, nacirasseva khippameva taṁ dhammaṁ pariyāpuṇiṁ.
I quickly memorized that teaching.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘na kho rāmo imaṁ dhammaṁ kevalaṁ saddhāmattakena sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharāmīti pavedesi.
‘It is not solely by mere faith that Rāma declared: “I realize this teaching with my own insight, and live having achieved it.”

Addhā rāmo imaṁ dhammaṁ jānaṁ passaṁ vihāsī’ti.
Surely he meditated knowing and seeing this teaching.’

Atha khvāhaṁ, aggivessana, yena udako rāmaputto tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā udakaṁ rāmaputtaṁ etadavocaṁ:
So I approached Uddaka son of Rāma and said to him,

‘kittāvatā no āvuso rāmo imaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharāmīti pavedesī’ti?
‘Reverend, to what extent did Rāma say he’d realized this teaching with his own insight?’

Evaṁ vutte, aggivessana, udako rāmaputto nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ pavedesi.
When I said this, Uddaka son of Rāma declared the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘na kho rāmasseva ahosi saddhā, mayhampatthi saddhā;
‘It’s not just Rāma who had faith,

na kho rāmasseva ahosi vīriyaṁ, mayhampatthi vīriyaṁ;
energy,

na kho rāmasseva ahosi sati, mayhampatthi sati;
mindfulness,

na kho rāmasseva ahosi samādhi, mayhampatthi samādhi;
immersion,

na kho rāmasseva ahosi paññā, mayhampatthi paññā;
and wisdom; I too have these things.

yannūnāhaṁ yaṁ dhammaṁ rāmo sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharāmīti pavedesi tassa dhammassa sacchikiriyāya padaheyyan’ti.
Why don’t I make an effort to realize the same teaching that Rāma said he had realized with his own insight?’

Atha khvāhaṁ, aggivessana, yena udako rāmaputto tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā udakaṁ rāmaputtaṁ etadavocaṁ:
So I approached Uddaka son of Rāma and said to him,

‘ettāvatā no āvuso rāmo imaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedesī’ti?
‘Reverend, had Rāma realized this teaching with his own insight up to this point, and declared having achieved it?’

‘Ettāvatā kho āvuso rāmo imaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedesī’ti.
‘He had, reverend.’

‘Lābhā no, āvuso, suladdhaṁ no, āvuso,
‘We are fortunate, reverend, so very fortunate

ye mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ tādisaṁ sabrahmacāriṁ passāma.
to see a venerable such as yourself as one of our spiritual companions!

Iti yaṁ dhammaṁ rāmo sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedesi, taṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharasi; yaṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharasi, taṁ dhammaṁ rāmo sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja pavedesi.
The teaching that Rāma had realized with his own insight, and declared having achieved it, you have realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it. The teaching that you’ve realized with your own insight, and dwell having achieved it, Rāma had realized with his own insight, and declared having achieved it.

Iti yaṁ dhammaṁ rāmo abhiññāsi taṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ jānāsi; yaṁ tvaṁ dhammaṁ jānāsi taṁ dhammaṁ rāmo abhiññāsi.
So the teaching that Rāma directly knew, you know, and the teaching you know, Rāma directly knew.

Iti yādiso rāmo ahosi tādiso tuvaṁ; yādiso tuvaṁ tādiso rāmo ahosi.
Rāma was like you and you are like Rāma.

Ehi dāni, āvuso, tuvaṁ imaṁ gaṇaṁ pariharā’ti.
Come now, reverend! You should lead this community.’

Iti kho, aggivessana, udako rāmaputto sabrahmacārī me samāno ācariyaṭṭhāne ca maṁ ṭhapesi, uḷārāya ca maṁ pūjāya pūjesi.
And that is how my spiritual companion Uddaka son of Rāma placed me in the position of a tutor and honored me with lofty praise.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘nāyaṁ dhammo nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati, yāvadeva nevasaññānāsaññāyatanūpapattiyā’ti.
‘This teaching doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment. It only leads as far as rebirth in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, taṁ dhammaṁ analaṅkaritvā tasmā dhammā nibbijja apakkamiṁ.
Realizing that this teaching was inadequate, I left disappointed.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, kiṅkusalagavesī anuttaraṁ santivarapadaṁ pariyesamāno magadhesu anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena uruvelā senānigamo tadavasariṁ.
I set out to discover what is skillful, seeking the supreme state of sublime peace. Traveling stage by stage in the Magadhan lands, I arrived at Senānigama in Uruvelā.

Tatthaddasaṁ ramaṇīyaṁ bhūmibhāgaṁ, pāsādikañca vanasaṇḍaṁ, nadiñca sandantiṁ setakaṁ supatitthaṁ ramaṇīyaṁ, samantā ca gocaragāmaṁ.
There I saw a delightful park, a lovely grove with a flowing river that was clean and charming, with smooth banks. And nearby was a village to go for alms.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘ramaṇīyo vata bho bhūmibhāgo, pāsādiko ca vanasaṇḍo, nadī ca sandati setakā supatitthā ramaṇīyā, samantā ca gocaragāmo.
‘This park is truly delightful, a lovely grove with a flowing river that’s clean and charming, with smooth banks. And nearby there’s a village to go for alms.

Alaṁ vatidaṁ kulaputtassa padhānatthikassa padhānāyā’ti.
This is good enough for striving for a gentleman wanting to strive.’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, tattheva nisīdiṁ
So I sat down right there, thinking:

‘alamidaṁ padhānāyā’ti.
‘This is good enough for striving.’

Apissumaṁ, aggivessana, tisso upamā paṭibhaṁsu anacchariyā pubbe assutapubbā.
And then these three similes, which were neither supernaturally inspired, nor learned before in the past, occurred to me.

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ udake nikkhittaṁ.
Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying in water.

Atha puriso āgaccheyya uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya:
Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinking

‘aggiṁ abhinibbattessāmi, tejo pātukarissāmī’ti.
to light a fire and produce heat.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, aggivessana,
What do you think, Aggivessana?

api nu so puriso amuṁ allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ, udake nikkhittaṁ, uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya abhimanthento aggiṁ abhinibbatteyya, tejo pātukareyyā”ti?
By drilling the stick against that green, sappy log lying in the water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.
“No, Mister Gotama.

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?
Why not?

“Aduñhi, bho gotama, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ, tañca pana udake nikkhittaṁ.
Because it’s a green, sappy log, and it’s lying in the water.

Yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.
That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

“Evameva kho, aggivessana, ye hi keci samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā kāyena ceva cittena ca kāmehi avūpakaṭṭhā viharanti, yo ca nesaṁ kāmesu kāmacchando kāmasneho kāmamucchā kāmapipāsā kāmapariḷāho, so ca ajjhattaṁ na suppahīno hoti, na suppaṭippassaddho, opakkamikā cepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayanti, abhabbāva te ñāṇāya dassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya.
“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who don’t live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. They haven’t internally given up or stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they feel painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to overexertion, they are incapable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.

No cepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā opakkamikā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayanti, abhabbāva te ñāṇāya dassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya.

Ayaṁ kho maṁ, aggivessana, paṭhamā upamā paṭibhāsi anacchariyā pubbe assutapubbā.
This was the first example that occurred to me.

Aparāpi kho maṁ, aggivessana, dutiyā upamā paṭibhāsi anacchariyā pubbe assutapubbā.
Then a second example occurred to me.

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ, ārakā udakā thale nikkhittaṁ.
Suppose there was a green, sappy log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.

Atha puriso āgaccheyya uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya:
Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinking

‘aggiṁ abhinibbattessāmi, tejo pātukarissāmī’ti.
to light a fire and produce heat.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, aggivessana,
What do you think, Aggivessana?

api nu so puriso amuṁ allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ, ārakā udakā thale nikkhittaṁ, uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya abhimanthento aggiṁ abhinibbatteyya tejo pātukareyyā”ti?
By drilling the stick against that green, sappy log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”

“No hidaṁ, bho gotama”.
“No, Mister Gotama.

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?
Why not?

“Aduñhi, bho gotama, allaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ sasnehaṁ, kiñcāpi ārakā udakā thale nikkhittaṁ.
Because it’s still a green, sappy log, despite the fact that it’s lying on dry land far from water.

Yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.
That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

“Evameva kho, aggivessana, ye hi keci samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā kāyena ceva cittena ca kāmehi vūpakaṭṭhā viharanti, yo ca nesaṁ kāmesu kāmacchando kāmasneho kāmamucchā kāmapipāsā kāmapariḷāho so ca ajjhattaṁ na suppahīno hoti, na suppaṭippassaddho, opakkamikā cepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayanti, abhabbāva te ñāṇāya dassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya. No cepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā opakkamikā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayanti, abhabbāva te ñāṇāya dassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya.
“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. But they haven’t internally given up or stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to overexertion, they are incapable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.

Ayaṁ kho maṁ, aggivessana, dutiyā upamā paṭibhāsi anacchariyā pubbe assutapubbā
This was the second example that occurred to me.

Aparāpi kho maṁ, aggivessana, tatiyā upamā paṭibhāsi anacchariyā pubbe assutapubbā.
Then a third example occurred to me.

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, sukkhaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ koḷāpaṁ, ārakā udakā thale nikkhittaṁ.
Suppose there was a dried up, withered log, and it was lying on dry land far from the water.

Atha puriso āgaccheyya uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya:
Then a person comes along with a drill-stick, thinking

‘aggiṁ abhinibbattessāmi, tejo pātukarissāmī’ti.
to light a fire and produce heat.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, aggivessana,
What do you think, Aggivessana?

api nu so puriso amuṁ sukkhaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ koḷāpaṁ, ārakā udakā thale nikkhittaṁ, uttarāraṇiṁ ādāya abhimanthento aggiṁ abhinibbatteyya, tejo pātukareyyā”ti?
By drilling the stick against that dried up, withered log on dry land far from water, could they light a fire and produce heat?”

“Evaṁ, bho gotama”.
“Yes, Mister Gotama.

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?
Why is that?

“Aduñhi, bho gotama, sukkhaṁ kaṭṭhaṁ koḷāpaṁ, tañca pana ārakā udakā thale nikkhittan”ti.
Because it’s a dried up, withered log, and it’s lying on dry land far from water.”

“Evameva kho, aggivessana, ye hi keci samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā kāyena ceva cittena ca kāmehi vūpakaṭṭhā viharanti, yo ca nesaṁ kāmesu kāmacchando kāmasneho kāmamucchā kāmapipāsā kāmapariḷāho, so ca ajjhattaṁ suppahīno hoti suppaṭippassaddho, opakkamikā cepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayanti, bhabbāva te ñāṇāya dassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya. No cepi te bhonto samaṇabrāhmaṇā opakkamikā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayanti, bhabbāva te ñāṇāya dassanāya anuttarāya sambodhāya.
“In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who live withdrawn in body and mind from sensual pleasures. And they have internally given up and stilled desire, affection, infatuation, thirst, and passion for sensual pleasures. Regardless of whether or not they suffer painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to overexertion, they are capable of knowledge and vision, of supreme awakening.

Ayaṁ kho maṁ, aggivessana, tatiyā upamā paṭibhāsi anacchariyā pubbe assutapubbā.
This was the third example that occurred to me.

Imā kho maṁ, aggivessana, tisso upamā paṭibhaṁsu anacchariyā pubbe assutapubbā.
These are the three similes, which were neither supernaturally inspired, nor learned before in the past, that occurred to me.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ dantebhi dantamādhāya, jivhāya tāluṁ āhacca, cetasā cittaṁ abhiniggaṇheyyaṁ abhinippīḷeyyaṁ abhisantāpeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I, with teeth clenched and tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, squeeze, squash, and scorch mind with mind?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, dantebhi dantamādhāya, jivhāya tāluṁ āhacca, cetasā cittaṁ abhiniggaṇhāmi abhinippīḷemi abhisantāpemi.
So that’s what I did,

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, dantebhi dantamādhāya jivhāya tāluṁ āhacca cetasā cittaṁ abhiniggaṇhato abhinippīḷayato abhisantāpayato kacchehi sedā muccanti.
until sweat ran from my armpits.

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, balavā puriso dubbalataraṁ purisaṁ sīse vā gahetvā khandhe vā gahetvā abhiniggaṇheyya abhinippīḷeyya abhisantāpeyya;
It was like when a strong man grabs a weaker man by the head or throat or shoulder and squeezes, squashes, and crushes them.

evameva kho me, aggivessana, dantebhi dantamādhāya, jivhāya tāluṁ āhacca, cetasā cittaṁ abhiniggaṇhato abhinippīḷayato abhisantāpayato kacchehi sedā muccanti.
In the same way, with teeth clenched and tongue pressed against the roof of my mouth, I squeezed, squashed, and crushed mind with mind until sweat ran from my armpits.

Āraddhaṁ kho pana me, aggivessana, vīriyaṁ hoti asallīnaṁ, upaṭṭhitā sati asammuṭṭhā, sāraddho ca pana me kāyo hoti appaṭippassaddho teneva dukkhappadhānena padhānābhitunnassa sato.
My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ appāṇakaṁyeva jhānaṁ jhāyeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I practice the breathless absorption?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca assāsapassāse uparundhiṁ.
So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu kaṇṇasotehi vātānaṁ nikkhamantānaṁ adhimatto saddo hoti.
But then winds came out my ears making a loud noise,

Seyyathāpi nāma kammāragaggariyā dhamamānāya adhimatto saddo hoti;
like the puffing of a blacksmith’s bellows.

evameva kho me, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu kaṇṇasotehi vātānaṁ nikkhamantānaṁ adhimatto saddo hoti.

Āraddhaṁ kho pana me, aggivessana, vīriyaṁ hoti asallīnaṁ upaṭṭhitā sati asammuṭṭhā. Sāraddho ca pana me kāyo hoti appaṭippassaddho teneva dukkhappadhānena padhānābhitunnassa sato.
My energy was roused up and unflagging, and my mindfulness was established and lucid, but my body was disturbed, not tranquil, because I’d pushed too hard with that painful striving.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ appāṇakaṁyeva jhānaṁ jhāyeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāse uparundhiṁ.
So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimattā vātā muddhani ūhananti.
But then strong winds ground my head,

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, balavā puriso tiṇhena sikharena muddhani abhimattheyya;
like a strong man was drilling into my head with a sharp point.

evameva kho me, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimattā vātā muddhani ūhananti.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ appāṇakaṁyeva jhānaṁ jhāyeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāse uparundhiṁ.
So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimattā sīse sīsavedanā honti.
But then I got a severe headache,

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, balavā puriso daḷhena varattakkhaṇḍena sīse sīsaveṭhaṁ dadeyya;
like a strong man was tightening a tough leather strap around my head.

evameva kho me, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimattā sīse sīsavedanā honti.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ appāṇakaṁyeva jhānaṁ jhāyeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāse uparundhiṁ.
So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimattā vātā kucchiṁ parikantanti.
But then strong winds carved up my belly,

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā tiṇhena govikantanena kucchiṁ parikanteyya;
like a deft butcher or their apprentice was slicing my belly open with a sharp meat cleaver.

evameva kho me, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimattā vātā kucchiṁ parikantanti.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ appāṇakaṁyeva jhānaṁ jhāyeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I keep practicing the breathless absorption?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāse uparundhiṁ.
So I cut off my breathing through my mouth and nose and ears.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimatto kāyasmiṁ ḍāho hoti.
But then there was an intense burning in my body,

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, dve balavanto purisā dubbalataraṁ purisaṁ nānābāhāsu gahetvā aṅgārakāsuyā santāpeyyuṁ samparitāpeyyuṁ;
like two strong men grabbing a weaker man by the arms to burn and scorch him on a pit of glowing coals.

evameva kho me, aggivessana, mukhato ca nāsato ca kaṇṇato ca assāsapassāsesu uparuddhesu adhimatto kāyasmiṁ ḍāho hoti.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā dukkhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such painful feeling did not occupy my mind.

Apissu maṁ, aggivessana, devatā disvā evamāhaṁsu:
Then some deities saw me and said,

‘kālaṅkato samaṇo gotamo’ti.
‘The ascetic Gotama is dead.’

Ekaccā devatā evamāhaṁsu:
Others said,

‘na kālaṅkato samaṇo gotamo, api ca kālaṁ karotī’ti.
‘He’s not dead, but he’s dying.’

Ekaccā devatā evamāhaṁsu:
Others said,

‘na kālaṅkato samaṇo gotamo, napi kālaṁ karoti, arahaṁ samaṇo gotamo, vihāro tveva so arahato evarūpo hotī’ti.
‘He’s not dead or dying. The ascetic Gotama is a perfected one, for that is how the perfected ones live.’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ sabbaso āhārupacchedāya paṭipajjeyyan’ti.
‘Why don’t I practice completely cutting off food?’

Atha kho maṁ, aggivessana, devatā upasaṅkamitvā etadavocuṁ:
But deities came to me and said,

‘mā kho tvaṁ, mārisa, sabbaso āhārupacchedāya paṭipajji.
‘Good sir, don’t practice totally cutting off food.

Sace kho tvaṁ, mārisa, sabbaso āhārupacchedāya paṭipajjissasi, tassa te mayaṁ dibbaṁ ojaṁ lomakūpehi ajjhohāressāma, tāya tvaṁ yāpessasī’ti.
If you do, we’ll infuse heavenly nectar into your pores and you will live on that.’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then I thought,

‘ahañceva kho pana sabbaso ajajjitaṁ paṭijāneyyaṁ, imā ca me devatā dibbaṁ ojaṁ lomakūpehi ajjhohāreyyuṁ, tāya cāhaṁ yāpeyyaṁ, taṁ mamassa musā’ti.
‘If I claim to be completely fasting while these deities are infusing heavenly nectar in my pores, that would be a lie on my part.’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, tā devatā paccācikkhāmi, ‘halan’ti vadāmi.
So I dismissed those deities, saying, ‘There’s no need.’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘yannūnāhaṁ thokaṁ thokaṁ āhāraṁ āhāreyyaṁ, pasataṁ pasataṁ, yadi vā muggayūsaṁ, yadi vā kulatthayūsaṁ, yadi vā kaḷāyayūsaṁ, yadi vā hareṇukayūsan’ti.
‘Why don’t I just take a little bit of food each time, a handful of broth made from mung beans, horse gram, chickpeas, or green gram?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, thokaṁ thokaṁ āhāraṁ āhāresiṁ, pasataṁ pasataṁ, yadi vā muggayūsaṁ, yadi vā kulatthayūsaṁ, yadi vā kaḷāyayūsaṁ, yadi vā hareṇukayūsaṁ.
So that’s what I did,

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, thokaṁ thokaṁ āhāraṁ āhārayato, pasataṁ pasataṁ, yadi vā muggayūsaṁ, yadi vā kulatthayūsaṁ, yadi vā kaḷāyayūsaṁ, yadi vā hareṇukayūsaṁ, adhimattakasimānaṁ patto kāyo hoti.
until my body became extremely emaciated.

Seyyathāpi nāma āsītikapabbāni vā kāḷapabbāni vā; evamevassu me aṅgapaccaṅgāni bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, my major and minor limbs became like the joints of an eighty-year-old or a dying man,

Seyyathāpi nāma oṭṭhapadaṁ; evamevassu me ānisadaṁ hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
my bottom became like a camel’s hoof,

Seyyathāpi nāma vaṭṭanāvaḷī; evamevassu me piṭṭhikaṇṭako uṇṇatāvanato hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
my vertebrae stuck out like beads on a string,

Seyyathāpi nāma jarasālāya gopānasiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti; evamevassu me phāsuḷiyo oluggaviluggā bhavanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
and my ribs were as gaunt as the broken-down rafters on an old barn.

Seyyathāpi nāma gambhīre udapāne udakatārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti; evamevassu me akkhikūpesu akkhitārakā gambhīragatā okkhāyikā dissanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, the gleam of my eyes sank deep in their sockets, like the gleam of water sunk deep down a well.

Seyyathāpi nāma tittakālābu āmakacchinno vātātapena samphuṭito hoti sammilāto; evamevassu me sīsacchavi samphuṭitā hoti sammilātā tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, my scalp shriveled and withered like a green bitter-gourd in the wind and sun.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, udaracchaviṁ parimasissāmīti piṭṭhikaṇṭakaṁyeva pariggaṇhāmi, piṭṭhikaṇṭakaṁ parimasissāmīti udaracchaviṁyeva pariggaṇhāmi, yāvassu me, aggivessana, udaracchavi piṭṭhikaṇṭakaṁ allīnā hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, the skin of my belly stuck to my backbone, so that when I tried to rub the skin of my belly I grabbed my backbone, and when I tried to rub my backbone I rubbed the skin of my belly.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, vaccaṁ vā muttaṁ vā karissāmīti tattheva avakujjo papatāmi tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, when I tried to urinate or defecate I fell face down right there.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, imameva kāyaṁ assāsento pāṇinā gattāni anumajjāmi. Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, pāṇinā gattāni anumajjato pūtimūlāni lomāni kāyasmā papatanti tāyevappāhāratāya.
Due to eating so little, when I tried to relieve my body by rubbing my limbs with my hands, the hair, rotted at its roots, fell out.

Apissu maṁ, aggivessana, manussā disvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘kāḷo samaṇo gotamo’ti.
Then some people saw me and said: ‘The ascetic Gotama is black.’

Ekacce manussā evamāhaṁsu: ‘na kāḷo samaṇo gotamo, sāmo samaṇo gotamo’ti.
Some said: ‘He’s not black, he’s brown.’

Ekacce manussā evamāhaṁsu: ‘na kāḷo samaṇo gotamo, napi sāmo, maṅguracchavi samaṇo gotamo’ti.
Some said: ‘He’s neither black nor brown. The ascetic Gotama has tawny skin.’

Yāvassu me, aggivessana, tāva parisuddho chavivaṇṇo pariyodāto upahato hoti tāyevappāhāratāya.
That’s how far the pure, bright complexion of my skin had been ruined by taking so little food.

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then I thought,

‘ye kho keci atītamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā opakkamikā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayiṁsu, etāvaparamaṁ, nayito bhiyyo.
‘Whatever ascetics and brahmins have experienced painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings due to overexertion—whether in the past, future, or present—this is as far as it goes, no-one has done more than this.

Yepi hi keci anāgatamaddhānaṁ samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā opakkamikā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayissanti, etāvaparamaṁ, nayito bhiyyo.

Yepi hi keci etarahi samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā opakkamikā dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedayanti, etāvaparamaṁ, nayito bhiyyo.

Na kho panāhaṁ imāya kaṭukāya dukkarakārikāya adhigacchāmi uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ.
But I have not achieved any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones by this severe, grueling work.

Siyā nu kho añño maggo bodhāyā’ti?
Could there be another path to awakening?’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘abhijānāmi kho panāhaṁ pitu sakkassa kammante sītāya jambucchāyāya nisinno vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharitā.
‘I recall sitting in the cool shade of a black plum tree while my father the Sakyan was off working. Quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, I entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Siyā nu kho eso maggo bodhāyā’ti?
Could that be the path to awakening?’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, satānusāri viññāṇaṁ ahosi:
Stemming from that memory came the realization:

‘eseva maggo bodhāyā’ti.
‘<em>That</em> is the path to awakening!’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then it occurred to me,

‘kiṁ nu kho ahaṁ tassa sukhassa bhāyāmi, yaṁ taṁ sukhaṁ aññatreva kāmehi aññatra akusalehi dhammehī’ti?
‘Why am I afraid of that pleasure, for it has nothing to do with sensual pleasures or unskillful qualities?’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then I thought,

‘na kho ahaṁ tassa sukhassa bhāyāmi, yaṁ taṁ sukhaṁ aññatreva kāmehi aññatra akusalehi dhammehī’ti.
‘I’m not afraid of that pleasure, for it has nothing to do with sensual pleasures or unskillful qualities.’

Tassa mayhaṁ, aggivessana, etadahosi:
Then I thought,

‘na kho taṁ sukaraṁ sukhaṁ adhigantuṁ evaṁ adhimattakasimānaṁ pattakāyena, yannūnāhaṁ oḷārikaṁ āhāraṁ āhāreyyaṁ odanakummāsan’ti.
‘I can’t achieve that pleasure with a body so excessively emaciated. Why don’t I eat some solid food, some rice and porridge?’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, oḷārikaṁ āhāraṁ āhāresiṁ odanakummāsaṁ.
So I ate some solid food.

Tena kho pana maṁ, aggivessana, samayena pañca bhikkhū paccupaṭṭhitā honti:
Now at that time the five mendicants were attending on me, thinking,

‘yaṁ kho samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ adhigamissati, taṁ no ārocessatī’ti.
‘The ascetic Gotama will tell us of any truth that he realizes.’

Yato kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, oḷārikaṁ āhāraṁ āhāresiṁ odanakummāsaṁ, atha me te pañca bhikkhū nibbijja pakkamiṁsu:
But when I ate some solid food, they left disappointed in me, saying,

‘bāhulliko samaṇo gotamo, padhānavibbhanto, āvatto bāhullāyā’ti.
‘The ascetic Gotama has become indulgent; he has strayed from the struggle and returned to indulgence.’

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, oḷārikaṁ āhāraṁ āhāretvā, balaṁ gahetvā, vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsiṁ.
After eating solid food and gathering my strength, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, I entered and remained in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such pleasant feeling did not occupy my mind.

Vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsiṁ.
As the placing of the mind and keeping it connected were stilled, I entered and remained 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.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such pleasant feeling did not occupy my mind.

Pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca vihāsiṁ, sato ca sampajāno. Sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedesiṁ yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsiṁ.
And with the fading away of rapture, I entered and remained in the third absorption, where I meditated with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such pleasant feeling did not occupy my mind.

Sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā, pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā, adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja vihāsiṁ.
With the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the ending of former happiness and sadness, I entered and remained in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such pleasant feeling did not occupy my mind.

So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmesiṁ.
When my mind had immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—I extended it toward recollection of past lives.

So anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarāmi, seyyathidaṁ—ekampi jātiṁ …pe… iti sākāraṁ sauddesaṁ anekavihitaṁ pubbenivāsaṁ anussarāmi.
I recollected my many kinds of past lives, with features and details.

Ayaṁ kho me, aggivessana, rattiyā paṭhame yāme paṭhamā vijjā adhigatā;
This was the first knowledge, which I achieved in the first watch of the night.

avijjā vihatā, vijjā uppannā; tamo vihato, āloko uppanno; yathā taṁ appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato.
Ignorance was destroyed and knowledge arose; darkness was destroyed and light arose, as happens for a meditator who is diligent, keen, and resolute.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such pleasant feeling did not occupy my mind.

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

So dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena satte passāmi cavamāne upapajjamāne hīne paṇīte suvaṇṇe dubbaṇṇe sugate duggate yathākammūpage satte pajānāmi …pe…
With clairvoyance that is purified and superhuman, I saw sentient beings passing away and being reborn—inferior and superior, beautiful and ugly, in a good place or a bad place. I understood how sentient beings are reborn according to their deeds.

ayaṁ kho me, aggivessana, rattiyā majjhime yāme dutiyā vijjā adhigatā;
This was the second knowledge, which I achieved in the middle watch of the night.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such pleasant feeling did not occupy my mind.

So evaṁ samāhite citte parisuddhe pariyodāte anaṅgaṇe vigatūpakkilese mudubhūte kammaniye ṭhite āneñjappatte āsavānaṁ khayañāṇāya cittaṁ abhininnāmesiṁ.
When my mind had immersed in samādhi like this—purified, bright, flawless, rid of corruptions, pliable, workable, steady, and imperturbable—I extended it toward knowledge of the ending of defilements.

So ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ abbhaññāsiṁ, ‘ayaṁ dukkhasamudayo’ti yathābhūtaṁ abbhaññāsiṁ, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodho’ti yathābhūtaṁ abbhaññāsiṁ, ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ abbhaññāsiṁ.
I truly understood: ‘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 abbhaññāsiṁ, ‘ayaṁ āsavasamudayo’ti yathābhūtaṁ abbhaññāsiṁ, ‘ayaṁ āsavanirodho’ti yathābhūtaṁ abbhaññāsiṁ, ‘ayaṁ āsavanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ abbhaññāsiṁ.
I truly understood: ‘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.’

Tassa me evaṁ jānato evaṁ passato kāmāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccittha, bhavāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccittha, avijjāsavāpi cittaṁ vimuccittha.
Knowing and seeing like this, my mind was freed from the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.

Vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ ahosi.
When it was freed, I knew it was freed.

‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti abbhaññāsiṁ.
I understood: ‘Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.’

Ayaṁ kho me, aggivessana, rattiyā pacchime yāme tatiyā vijjā adhigatā;
This was the third knowledge, which I achieved in the last watch of the night.

Evarūpāpi kho me, aggivessana, uppannā sukhā vedanā cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati.
But even such pleasant feeling did not occupy my mind.

Abhijānāmi kho panāhaṁ, aggivessana, anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ desetā.
Aggivessana, I recall teaching the Dhamma to an assembly of many hundreds,

Apissu maṁ ekameko evaṁ maññati:
and each person thought

‘mamevārabbha samaṇo gotamo dhammaṁ desetī’ti.
that I was teaching the Dhamma especially for them.

Na kho panetaṁ, aggivessana, evaṁ daṭṭhabbaṁ;
But it should not be seen like this.

yāvadeva viññāpanatthāya tathāgato paresaṁ dhammaṁ deseti.
The Realized One teaches others only so that they can understand.

So kho ahaṁ, aggivessana, tassāyeva kathāya pariyosāne, tasmiṁyeva purimasmiṁ samādhinimitte ajjhattameva cittaṁ saṇṭhapemi sannisādemi ekodiṁ karomi samādahāmi, yena sudaṁ niccakappaṁ viharāmī”ti.
When that talk was finished, I stilled, settled, unified, and immersed my mind in samādhi internally, using the same meditation subject as a basis of immersion that I used before, which I regularly use to meditate.”

“Okappaniyametaṁ bhoto gotamassa yathā taṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa.
“I’d believe that of Mister Gotama, just like a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha.

Abhijānāti kho pana bhavaṁ gotamo divā supitā”ti?
But do you ever recall sleeping during the day?”

“Abhijānāmahaṁ, aggivessana, gimhānaṁ pacchime māse pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto catugguṇaṁ saṅghāṭiṁ paññapetvā dakkhiṇena passena sato sampajāno niddaṁ okkamitā”ti.
“I do recall that in the last month of the summer, I have spread out my outer robe folded in four and lain down in the lion’s posture—on the right side, placing one foot on top of the other—mindful and aware.”

“Etaṁ kho, bho gotama, eke samaṇabrāhmaṇā sammohavihārasmiṁ vadantī”ti?
“Some ascetics and brahmins call that a deluded abiding.”

“Na kho, aggivessana, ettāvatā sammūḷho vā hoti asammūḷho vā.
“That’s not how to define whether someone is deluded or not.

Api ca, aggivessana, yathā sammūḷho ca hoti asammūḷho ca,
But as to how to define whether someone is deluded or not,

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

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho saccako nigaṇṭhaputto bhagavato paccassosi.
“Yes, sir,” replied Saccaka.

Bhagavā etadavoca:
The Buddha said this:

“Yassa kassaci, aggivessana, ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā appahīnā, tamahaṁ ‘sammūḷho’ti vadāmi.
“Anyone who has not given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death is deluded, I say.

Āsavānañhi, aggivessana, appahānā sammūḷho hoti.
For it’s not giving up the defilements that makes you deluded.

Yassa kassaci, aggivessana, ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā pahīnā, tamahaṁ ‘asammūḷho’ti vadāmi.
Anyone who has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death—is not deluded, I say.

Āsavānañhi, aggivessana, pahānā asammūḷho hoti.
For it’s giving up the defilements that makes you not deluded.

Tathāgatassa kho, aggivessana, ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā pahīnā ucchinnamūlā tālāvatthukatā anabhāvaṅkatā āyatiṁ anuppādadhammā.
The Realized One has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them so they are unable to arise in the future.

Seyyathāpi, aggivessana, tālo matthakacchinno abhabbo puna virūḷhiyā;
Just as a palm tree with its crown cut off is incapable of further growth,

evameva kho, aggivessana, tathāgatassa ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā pahīnā ucchinnamūlā tālāvatthukatā anabhāvaṅkatā āyatiṁ anuppādadhammā”ti.
in the same way, the Realized One has given up the defilements so they are unable to arise in the future.”

Evaṁ vutte, saccako nigaṇṭhaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
When he had spoken, Saccaka said to him,

“acchariyaṁ, bho gotama, abbhutaṁ, bho gotama.
“It’s incredible, Mister Gotama, it’s amazing!

Yāvañcidaṁ bhoto gotamassa evaṁ āsajja āsajja vuccamānassa, upanītehi vacanappathehi samudācariyamānassa, chavivaṇṇo ceva pariyodāyati, mukhavaṇṇo ca vippasīdati, yathā taṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa.
How when Mister Gotama is repeatedly attacked with inappropriate and intrusive criticism, the complexion of his skin brightens and the color of his face becomes clear, just like a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha!

Abhijānāmahaṁ, bho gotama, pūraṇaṁ kassapaṁ vādena vādaṁ samārabhitā.
I recall taking on Pūraṇa Kassapa in debate.

Sopi mayā vādena vādaṁ samāraddho aññenaññaṁ paṭicari, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmesi, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātvākāsi.
He dodged the issue, distracting the discussion with irrelevant points, and displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness.

Bhoto pana gotamassa evaṁ āsajja āsajja vuccamānassa, upanītehi vacanappathehi samudācariyamānassa, chavivaṇṇo ceva pariyodāyati, mukhavaṇṇo ca vippasīdati, yathā taṁ arahato sammāsambuddhassa.
But when Mister Gotama is repeatedly attacked with inappropriate and intrusive criticism, the complexion of his skin brightens and the color of his face becomes clear, just like a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha.

Abhijānāmahaṁ, bho gotama, makkhaliṁ gosālaṁ …pe…
I recall taking on the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla,

ajitaṁ kesakambalaṁ …
Ajita of the hair blanket,

pakudhaṁ kaccāyanaṁ …
Pakudha Kaccāyana,

sañjayaṁ belaṭṭhaputtaṁ …
Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta,

nigaṇṭhaṁ nāṭaputtaṁ vādena vādaṁ samārabhitā.
and the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan in debate.

Sopi mayā vādena vādaṁ samāraddho aññenaññaṁ paṭicari, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmesi, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātvākāsi.
They all dodged the issue, distracting the discussion with irrelevant points, and displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness.

Handa ca dāni mayaṁ, bho gotama, gacchāma.
Well, now, Mister Gotama, I must go.

Bahukiccā mayaṁ, bahukaraṇīyā”ti.
I have many duties, and much to do.”

“Yassadāni tvaṁ, aggivessana, kālaṁ maññasī”ti.
“Please, Aggivessana, go at your convenience.”

Atha kho saccako nigaṇṭhaputto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmīti.
Then Saccaka, the son of Jain parents, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, got up from his seat and left.

Mahāsaccakasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.