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AN 8.86PTS AN 4.340Yasa4 min read

With Nāgita

Yasasutta

When the householders of Icchānaṅgala make a racket in the monastery, the Buddha asks his attendant Nāgita what is going on. The Buddha speaks strongly of his dislike for material gains, and his love of seclusion.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Aṅguttara Nikāya 8.86Numbered Discourses 8.86
  • 0.29. Sativagga9. Mindfulness

0.3YasasuttaWith Nāgita

1.1PTS 4.341Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena icchānaṅgalaṁ nāma kosalānaṁ brāhmaṇagāmo tadavasari.At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants when he arrived at a village of the Kosalan brahmins named Icchānaṅgala.1.2Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.He stayed in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.1.3Assosuṁ kho icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā:The brahmins and householders of Icchānaṅgala heard:

1.4“samaṇo khalu bho gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito icchānaṅgalaṁ anuppatto icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Icchānaṅgala. He is staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.1.5Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:He has this good reputation:1.6‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho …pe…‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ …1.7sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī’”ti.It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

2.1Atha kho icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā tassā rattiyā accayena pahutaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ ādāya yena icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bahidvārakoṭṭhake aṭṭhaṁsu uccāsaddā mahāsaddā.Then, when the night had passed, they took abundant fresh and cooked foods and went to the forest near Icchānaṅgala, where they stood outside the gates making a colossal racket.

2.2Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā nāgito bhagavato upaṭṭhāko hoti.Now, at that time Venerable Nāgita was the Buddha’s attendant.2.3Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nāgitaṁ āmantesi:Then the Buddha said to Nāgita,2.4“ke pana te, nāgita, uccāsaddā mahāsaddā kevaṭṭā maññe macchavilope”ti?“Nāgita, who’s making that colossal racket? You’d think it was fishermen hauling in a catch!”

2.5“Ete, bhante, icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā pahutaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ ādāya bahidvārakoṭṭhake ṭhitā bhagavantaṁyeva uddissa bhikkhusaṅghañcā”ti.“Sir, it’s these brahmins and householders of Icchānaṅgala. They’ve brought abundant fresh and cooked foods, and they’re standing outside the gates wanting to offer it specially to the Buddha and the mendicant Saṅgha.”

2.6“Māhaṁ, nāgita, yasena samāgamaṁ, mā ca mayā yaso.“Nāgita, may I never become famous. May fame not come to me.2.7Yo kho, nāgita, nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī assa akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī,There are those who can’t get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.2.8so taṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ lābhasakkārasilokasukhaṁ sādiyeyyā”ti.Let them enjoy the filthy, lazy pleasure of possessions, honor, and popularity.”

3.1PTS 4.342“Adhivāsetu dāni, bhante, bhagavā. Adhivāsetu sugato.“Sir, may the Blessed One please relent now! May the Holy One relent!3.2Adhivāsanakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato.Now is the time for the Buddha to relent.3.3Yena yeneva dāni, bhante, bhagavā gamissati tanninnāva bhavissanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca.Wherever the Buddha now goes, the brahmins and householders, and people of town and country will incline the same way.3.4Seyyathāpi, bhante, thullaphusitake deve vassante yathāninnaṁ udakāni pavattanti;It’s like when the heavens rain heavily and the water flows downhill.3.5evamevaṁ kho, bhante, yena yeneva dāni bhagavā gamissati tanninnāva bhavissanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca.In the same way, wherever the Buddha now goes, the brahmins and householders, and people of town and country will incline the same way.3.6Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?3.7Tathā hi, bhante, bhagavato sīlapaññāṇan”ti.Because of the Buddha’s ethics and wisdom.”

4.1“Māhaṁ, nāgita, yasena samāgamaṁ, mā ca mayā yaso.“Nāgita, may I never become famous. May fame not come to me.4.2Yo kho, nāgita, nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī assa akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī,There are those who can’t get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.4.3so taṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ lābhasakkārasilokasukhaṁ sādiyeyya.Let them enjoy the filthy, lazy pleasure of possessions, honor, and popularity.

5.1PTS 4.343devatāpi kho, nāgita, ekaccā nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhiniyo assu akicchalābhiniyo akasiralābhiniyo, yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.Even some of the deities can’t get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.5.2Tumhākampi kho, nāgita, saṅgamma samāgamma saṅgaṇikavihāraṁ anuyuttānaṁ viharataṁ evaṁ hoti:When you all come together to enjoy each other’s company, I think:5.3‘na hi nūname āyasmanto imassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhino assu akicchalābhino akasiralābhino. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.‘These venerables mustn’t get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.5.4Tathā hi paname āyasmanto saṅgamma samāgamma saṅgaṇikavihāraṁ anuyuttā viharanti’.That must be because they come together to enjoy each other’s company.’

6.1Idhāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhū passāmi aññamaññaṁ aṅgulipatodakena sañjagghante saṅkīḷante.Take mendicants I see poking each other with their fingers, giggling and playing together.6.2Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:I think to myself:6.3‘na hi nūname āyasmanto imassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhino assu akicchalābhino akasiralābhino. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.‘These venerables mustn’t get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.6.4Tathā hi paname āyasmanto aññamaññaṁ aṅgulipatodakena sañjagghanti saṅkīḷanti’.That must be because they’re poking each other with their fingers, giggling and playing together.’

7.1Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhū passāmi yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyutte viharante.Take mendicants I see eat as much as they like until their bellies are full, then indulge in the pleasures of sleeping, lying down, and drowsing.7.2Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:I think to myself:7.3‘na hi nūname āyasmanto imassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhino assu akicchalābhino akasiralābhino. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.‘These venerables mustn’t get the pleasure of renunciation, the pleasure of seclusion, the pleasure of peace, the pleasure of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.7.4Tathā hi paname āyasmanto yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyuttā viharanti’.That must be because they eat as much as they like until their bellies are full, then indulge in the pleasures of sleeping, lying down, and drowsing.’

8.1PTS 4.344Idhāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi gāmantavihāriṁ samāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.Take a mendicant living within a village who I see sitting immersed in samādhi.8.2Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:I think to myself:8.3‘idāni imaṁ āyasmantaṁ ārāmiko vā upaṭṭhahissati samaṇuddeso vā. Taṁ tamhā samādhimhā cāvessatī’ti.‘Now a monastery worker, a novice, or a fellow practitioner will make this venerable fall from immersion.’8.4Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno na attamano homi gāmantavihārena.So I’m not pleased that that mendicant is living within a village.

9.1Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe pacalāyamānaṁ nisinnaṁ.Take a mendicant in the wilderness who I see sitting nodding in meditation.9.2Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:I think to myself:9.3‘idāni ayamāyasmā imaṁ niddākilamathaṁ paṭivinodetvā araññasaññaṁyeva manasi karissati ekattan’ti.‘Now this venerable, having dispelled that sleepiness and weariness, will focus just on the unified perception of wilderness.’9.4Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.

10.1Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe asamāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.Take a mendicant in the wilderness who I see sitting without being immersed in samādhi.10.2Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:I think to myself:10.3‘idāni ayamāyasmā asamāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ samādahissati, samāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ anurakkhissatī’ti.‘Now if this venerable’s mind is not immersed in samādhi they will immerse it; or if it is immersed in samādhi, they will preserve it.’10.4Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.

11.1Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe samāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.Take a mendicant in the wilderness who I see sitting immersed in samādhi.11.2Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:I think to myself:11.3‘idāni ayamāyasmā avimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ vimuccissati, vimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ anurakkhissatī’ti.‘Now this venerable will free the unfreed mind or preserve the freed mind.’11.4Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.

12.1Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi gāmantavihāriṁ lābhiṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.Take a mendicant who I see living within a village receiving robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.12.2So taṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ nikāmayamāno riñcati paṭisallānaṁ, riñcati araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni;Enjoying possessions, honor, and popularity they neglect retreat, and they neglect remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.12.3gāmanigamarājadhāniṁ osaritvā vāsaṁ kappeti.They come down to villages, towns, and capital cities and make their home there.12.4Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno na attamano homi gāmantavihārena.So I’m not pleased that that mendicant is living within a village.

13.1Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ lābhiṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.Take a mendicant who I see in the wilderness receiving robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.13.2So taṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ paṭipaṇāmetvā na riñcati paṭisallānaṁ, na riñcati araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni.Fending off possessions, honor, and popularity they don’t neglect retreat, and they don’t neglect remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.13.3Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.So I’m pleased that that mendicant is living in the wilderness.

14.1Yasmāhaṁ, nāgita, samaye addhānamaggappaṭipanno na kañci passāmi purato vā pacchato vā, phāsu me, nāgita, tasmiṁ samaye hoti antamaso uccārapassāvakammāyā”ti.Nāgita, when I’m walking along a road and I don’t see anyone ahead or behind I feel relaxed, even if I need to urinate or defecate.”

14.2Chaṭṭhaṁ.