- 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 21Middle Discourses 21
0.2KakacūpamasuttaThe Simile of the Saw
1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
2.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho viharati.Now at that time, Venerable Phagguna of the Top-Knot was spending too long mixing closely with some nuns.12.2Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharati—So much so that2.3sace koci bhikkhu āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karoti.if any mendicant criticized those nuns in his presence, Phagguna of the Top-Knot got angry and upset, and even instigated disciplinary proceedings.22.4Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ sammukhā āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti.And if any mendicant criticized Phagguna of the Top-Knot in their presence, those nuns got angry and upset, and even instigated disciplinary proceedings.2.5Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharati.That’s how close Phagguna of the Top-Knot was with those nuns.
3.1Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was going on.3.2“āyasmā, bhante, moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho viharati.3.3Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho, bhante, āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharati—3.4sace koci bhikkhu āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karoti.3.5Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ sammukhā āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti.3.6Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho, bhante, āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharatī”ti.
4.1PTS 1.123Atha kho bhagavā aññataraṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantesi:So the Buddha addressed one of the monks,4.2“ehi tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mama vacanena moḷiyaphaggunaṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantehi:“Please, monk, in my name tell the mendicant Phagguna of the Top-Knot that4.3‘satthā taṁ, āvuso phagguna, āmantetī’”ti.the Teacher summons him.”
4.4“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho so bhikkhu bhagavato paṭissutvā yenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ moḷiyaphaggunaṁ etadavoca:“Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to Phagguna of the Top-Knot and said to him,4.5“satthā taṁ, āvuso phagguna, āmantetī”ti.“Reverend Phagguna, the Teacher summons you.”
4.6“Evamāvuso”ti kho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno tassa bhikkhuno paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ moḷiyaphaggunaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:“Yes, reverend,” Phagguna replied. He went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:
5.1“Saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho viharasi?“Is it really true, Phagguna, that you’ve been spending too long mixing closely with some nuns?5.2Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho kira tvaṁ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharasi—So much so that5.3sace koci bhikkhu tuyhaṁ sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tvaṁ kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karosi.if any mendicant criticizes those nuns in your presence, you get angry and upset, and even instigate disciplinary proceedings?5.4Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ sammukhā tuyhaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti.And if any mendicant criticizes you in those nuns’ presence, they get angry and upset, and even instigate disciplinary proceedings?5.5Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho kira tvaṁ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharasī”ti?Is that how close you’ve become with those nuns?”
5.6“Evaṁ, bhante”ti.“Yes, sir.”
5.7“Nanu tvaṁ, phagguna, kulaputto saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti?“Phagguna, are you not a gentleman who has gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness?”
5.8“Evaṁ, bhante”ti.“Yes, sir.”
6.1“Na kho te etaṁ, phagguna, patirūpaṁ kulaputtassa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitassa, yaṁ tvaṁ bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho vihareyyāsi.“As such, it’s not appropriate for you to mix so closely with those nuns.6.2Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāseyya, tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.So if anyone criticizes those nuns in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of domestic life.6.3Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:If that happens, you should train like this:6.4‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.‘My mind will not degenerate. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’6.5Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
6.6Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ pāṇinā pahāraṁ dadeyya, leḍḍunā pahāraṁ dadeyya, daṇḍena pahāraṁ dadeyya, satthena pahāraṁ dadeyya. Tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.So even if someone strikes those nuns with fists, stones, rods, and swords in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of domestic life.36.7Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁIf that happens, you should train like this:6.8‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.‘My mind will not degenerate. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’6.9Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
6.10Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā avaṇṇaṁ bhāseyya, tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.So if anyone criticizes you in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of domestic life.46.11Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ ‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.If that happens, you should train like this: ‘My mind will not degenerate. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’6.12Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
6.13PTS 1.124Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci pāṇinā pahāraṁ dadeyya, leḍḍunā pahāraṁ dadeyya, daṇḍena pahāraṁ dadeyya, satthena pahāraṁ dadeyya, tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.So Phagguna, even if someone strikes you with fists, stones, rods, and swords, you should give up any desires or thoughts of domestic life.56.14Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ ‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.If that happens, you should train like this: ‘My mind will not degenerate. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’6.15Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabban”ti.That’s how you should train.”
7.1Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:Then the Buddha said to the mendicants:
7.2“ārādhayiṁsu vata me, bhikkhave, bhikkhū ekaṁ samayaṁ cittaṁ.“Mendicants, I used to be satisfied with the mendicants.7.3Idhāhaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū āmantesiṁ—Once, I addressed them:7.4ahaṁ kho, bhikkhave, ekāsanabhojanaṁ bhuñjāmi.‘I eat my food in one sitting per day.67.5Ekāsanabhojanaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhuñjamāno appābādhatañca sañjānāmi appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca.Doing so, I find that I’m healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.7.6Etha tumhepi, bhikkhave, ekāsanabhojanaṁ bhuñjatha.You too should eat your food in one sitting per day.7.7Ekāsanabhojanaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tumhepi bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānissatha appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañcāti.Doing so, you’ll find that you’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.’7.8Na me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu anusāsanī karaṇīyā ahosi;I didn’t have to keep on instructing those mendicants;7.9satuppādakaraṇīyameva me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu ahosi.I just had to prompt their mindfulness.7
7.10Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, subhūmiyaṁ catumahāpathe ājaññaratho yutto assa ṭhito odhastapatodo.Suppose a chariot stood harnessed to thoroughbreds at a level crossroads, with a goad ready.87.11Tamenaṁ dakkho yoggācariyo assadammasārathi abhiruhitvā, vāmena hatthena rasmiyo gahetvā, dakkhiṇena hatthena patodaṁ gahetvā, yenicchakaṁ yadicchakaṁ sāreyyapi paccāsāreyyapi.A deft horse trainer, a master charioteer, might mount the chariot, taking the reins in his right hand and goad in the left. He’d drive out and back wherever he wishes, whenever he wishes.
7.12Evameva kho, bhikkhave, na me tesu bhikkhūsu anusāsanī karaṇīyā ahosi,In the same way, I didn’t have to keep on instructing those mendicants;7.13satuppādakaraṇīyameva me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu ahosi.I just had to prompt their mindfulness.7.14Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, tumhepi akusalaṁ pajahatha, kusalesu dhammesu āyogaṁ karotha.So, mendicants, you too should give up what’s unskillful and devote yourselves to skillful qualities.7.15Evañhi tumhepi imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatha.In this way you’ll achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.
8.1PTS 1.125Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gāmassa vā nigamassa vā avidūre mahantaṁ sālavanaṁ.Suppose that not far from a town or village there was a large grove of sal trees98.2Tañcassa eḷaṇḍehi sañchannaṁ.that was choked with castor-oil weeds.8.3Tassa kocideva puriso uppajjeyya atthakāmo hitakāmo yogakkhemakāmo.Then along comes a person who wants to help protect and nurture that grove.8.4So yā tā sālalaṭṭhiyo kuṭilā ojāpaharaṇiyo tā chetvā bahiddhā nīhareyya, antovanaṁ suvisodhitaṁ visodheyya.They’d cut down the crooked sal saplings that were robbing the sap, and throw them out. They’d clean up the interior of the grove,8.5Yā pana tā sālalaṭṭhiyo ujukā sujātā tā sammā parihareyya.and properly care for the straight, well-formed sal saplings.8.6Evañhetaṁ, bhikkhave, sālavanaṁ aparena samayena vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjeyya.In this way, in due course, that sal grove would grow, increase, and mature.
8.7Evameva kho, bhikkhave, tumhepi akusalaṁ pajahatha, kusalesu dhammesu āyogaṁ karotha.In the same way, mendicants, you too should give up what’s unskillful and devote yourselves to skillful qualities.8.8Evañhi tumhepi imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatha.In this way you’ll achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.
9.1Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, imissāyeva sāvatthiyā vedehikā nāma gahapatānī ahosi.Once upon a time, mendicants, right here in Sāvatthī there was a housewife named Vedehikā.109.2Vedehikāya, bhikkhave, gahapatāniyā evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:She had this good reputation:9.3‘soratā vedehikā gahapatānī, nivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, upasantā vedehikā gahapatānī’ti.‘The housewife Vedehikā is gentle, placid, and calm.’119.4Vedehikāya kho pana, bhikkhave, gahapatāniyā kāḷī nāma dāsī ahosi dakkhā analasā susaṁvihitakammantā.Now, Vedehikā had a bonded maid named Kāḷī who was deft, tireless, and well-organized in her work.12
9.5Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi:Then Kāḷī thought,9.6‘mayhaṁ kho ayyāya evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:‘My mistress has a good reputation as being9.7“soratā vedehikā gahapatānī, nivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, upasantā vedehikā gahapatānī”ti.gentle, placid, and calm.9.8Kiṁ nu kho me ayyā santaṁyeva nu kho ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti udāhu asantaṁBut does she actually have anger in her and just not show it? Or does she have no anger?9.9udāhu mayhamevete kammantā susaṁvihitā yena me ayyā santaṁyeva ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ?Or is it just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside?9.10Yannūnāhaṁ ayyaṁ vīmaṁseyyan’ti.Why don’t I test my mistress?’13
9.11Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divā uṭṭhāsi.So Kāḷī got up during the day.9.12Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṁ dāsiṁ etadavoca:Vedehikā said to her,9.13‘he je kāḷī’ti.‘Oi wench, Kāḷī!’14
9.14‘Kiṁ, ayye’ti?‘What is it, ma’am?’15
9.15‘Kiṁ, je, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti?‘You’re getting up in the day—what’s up with you, wench?’
9.16‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti.‘Nothing, ma’am.’
9.17‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā bhākuṭiṁ akāsi.‘Oh, so nothing’s up, you naughty maid, but you get up in the day!’ Angry and upset, she scowled.
9.18Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi:Then Kāḷī thought,9.19‘santaṁyeva kho me ayyā ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ;‘My mistress actually has anger in her and just doesn’t show it; it’s not that she has no anger.9.20mayhamevete kammantā susaṁvihitā, yena me ayyā santaṁyeva ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ.It’s just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside.9.21Yannūnāhaṁ bhiyyoso mattāya ayyaṁ vīmaṁseyyan’ti.Why don’t I test my mistress further?’
9.22Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divātaraṁyeva uṭṭhāsi.So Kāḷī got up later in the day.9.23Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṁ dāsiṁ etadavoca:Vedehikā said to her,9.24‘he je kāḷī’ti.‘Oi wench, Kāḷī!’
9.25‘Kiṁ, ayye’ti?‘What is it, ma’am?’
9.26‘Kiṁ, je, divātaraṁ uṭṭhāsī’ti?‘You’re getting up later in the day—what’s up with you, wench?’
9.27‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti.‘Nothing, ma’am.’
9.28‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divātaraṁ uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā anattamanavācaṁ nicchāresi.‘Oh, so nothing’s up, you naughty maid, but you get up later in the day!’ Angry and upset, she blurted out angry words.
9.29Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi:Then Kāḷī thought,9.30‘santaṁyeva kho me ayyā ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ.‘My mistress actually has anger in her and just doesn’t show it; it’s not that she has no anger.9.31Mayhamevete kammantā susaṁvihitā, yena me ayyā santaṁyeva ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ.It’s just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside.9.32Yannūnāhaṁ bhiyyoso mattāya ayyaṁ vīmaṁseyyan’ti.Why don’t I test my mistress further?’
9.33PTS 1.126Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divātaraṁyeva uṭṭhāsi.So Kāḷī got up even later in the day.169.34Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṁ dāsiṁ etadavoca:Vedehikā said to her,9.35‘he je kāḷī’ti.‘Oi wench, Kāḷī!’
9.36‘Kiṁ, ayye’ti?‘What is it, ma’am?’
9.37‘Kiṁ, je, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti?‘You’re getting up even later in the day—what’s up with you, wench?’
9.38‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti.‘Nothing, ma’am.’
9.39‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā aggaḷasūciṁ gahetvā sīse pahāraṁ adāsi, sīsaṁ vobhindi.‘Oh, so nothing’s up, you naughty maid, but you get up even later in the day!’ Angry and upset, she grabbed a door-pin and hit Kāḷī on the head, cracking it open.17
9.40Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī bhinnena sīsena lohitena galantena paṭivissakānaṁ ujjhāpesi:Then Kāḷī, with blood pouring from her cracked skull, denounced her mistress to the neighbors,9.41‘passathayye, soratāya kammaṁ;‘See, ladies, what the gentle one did!9.42passathayye, nivātāya kammaṁ, passathayye, upasantāya kammaṁ.See what the placid one did! See what the calm one did!9.43Kathañhi nāma ekadāsikāya divā uṭṭhāsīti kupitā anattamanā aggaḷasūciṁ gahetvā sīse pahāraṁ dassati, sīsaṁ vobhindissatī’ti.How on earth can she grab a door-pin and hit her only maid on the head, cracking it open, just for getting up late?’18
9.44Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikāya gahapatāniyā aparena samayena evaṁ pāpako kittisaddo abbhuggacchi:Then after some time the housewife Vedehikā got this bad reputation:9.45‘caṇḍī vedehikā gahapatānī, anivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, anupasantā vedehikā gahapatānī’ti.‘The housewife Vedehikā is fierce, ill-tempered, and not calm at all.’19
10.1Evameva kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco bhikkhu tāvadeva soratasorato hoti nivātanivāto hoti upasantūpasanto hoti yāva na amanāpā vacanapathā phusanti.In the same way, a mendicant may be the gentlest of the gentle, the most placid of the placid, the calmest of the calm, so long as they don’t encounter any disagreeable criticism.10.2Yato ca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ amanāpā vacanapathā phusanti, atha bhikkhu ‘sorato’ti veditabbo, ‘nivāto’ti veditabbo, ‘upasanto’ti veditabbo.But it’s when they encounter disagreeable criticism that you’ll know whether they’re really gentle, placid, and calm.10.3Nāhaṁ taṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ ‘suvaco’ti vadāmi yo cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārahetu suvaco hoti, sovacassataṁ āpajjati.I don’t say that a mendicant is easy to admonish if they make themselves easy to admonish only for the sake of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.10.4Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?10.5Tañhi so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ alabhamāno na suvaco hoti, na sovacassataṁ āpajjati.Because when they don’t get robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, they’re no longer easy to admonish.10.6Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammaṁyeva sakkaronto, dhammaṁ garuṁ karonto, dhammaṁ mānento, dhammaṁ pūjento, dhammaṁ apacāyamāno suvaco hoti, sovacassataṁ āpajjati, tamahaṁ ‘suvaco’ti vadāmi.But when a mendicant is easy to admonish purely because they honor, respect, revere, worship, and venerate the teaching, then I say that they’re easy to admonish.10.7Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘dhammaṁyeva sakkarontā, dhammaṁ garuṁ karontā, dhammaṁ mānentā, dhammaṁ pūjentā, dhammaṁ apacāyamānā suvacā bhavissāma, sovacassataṁ āpajjissāmā’ti.So, mendicants, you should train yourselves: ‘We will be easy to admonish purely because we honor, respect, revere, worship, and venerate the teaching.’10.8Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
11.1PTS 1.127Pañcime, bhikkhave, vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ—Mendicants, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you.2011.2kālena vā akālena vā;Their speech may be timely or untimely,11.3bhūtena vā abhūtena vā;true or false,11.4saṇhena vā pharusena vā;gentle or harsh,11.5atthasaṁhitena vā anatthasaṁhitena vā;beneficial or harmful,11.6mettacittā vā dosantarā vā.from a heart of love or from secret hate.11.7Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ akālena vā;When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways.11.8bhūtena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ abhūtena vā;11.9saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ pharusena vā;11.10atthasaṁhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ anatthasaṁhitena vā;11.11mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ dosantarā vā.11.12Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:If that happens, you should train like this:11.13‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma, hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā, na dosantarā.‘Our minds will not degenerate. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.11.14Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cittena vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that individual. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart full of love to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’2111.15Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
12.1Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya kudālapiṭakaṁ ādāya.Suppose a person was to come along carrying a spade and basket12.2So evaṁ vadeyya:and say,12.3‘ahaṁ imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ apathaviṁ karissāmī’ti.‘I shall make this great earth be without earth!’12.4So tatra tatra vikhaṇeyya, tatra tatra vikireyya, tatra tatra oṭṭhubheyya, tatra tatra omutteyya:And they’d dig all over, scatter all over, spit all over, and urinate all over, saying,12.5‘apathavī bhavasi, apathavī bhavasī’ti.‘Be without earth! Be without earth!’
12.6Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,What do you think, mendicants?12.7api nu so puriso imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ apathaviṁ kareyyā”ti?Could that person make this great earth be without earth?”
12.8“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.12.9“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?12.10“Ayañhi, bhante, mahāpathavī gambhīrā appameyyā.Because this great earth is deep and limitless.12.11Sā na sukarā apathavī kātuṁ;It’s not easy to make it be without earth.12.12yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”
13.1“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ—“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you.13.2kālena vā akālena vā;Their speech may be timely or untimely,13.3bhūtena vā abhūtena vā;true or false,13.4saṇhena vā pharusena vā;gentle or harsh,13.5atthasaṁhitena vā anatthasaṁhitena vā;beneficial or harmful,13.6mettacittā vā dosantarā vā.from a heart of love or from secret hate.13.7Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ akālena vā;When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways.13.8bhūtena vā bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ abhūtena vā;13.9saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ pharusena vā;13.10atthasaṁhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ anatthasaṁhitena vā;13.11mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ dosantarā vā.13.12Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:If that happens, you should train like this:13.13‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma, hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā na dosantarā.‘Our minds will not degenerate. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.13.14Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ pathavisamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that individual. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart like the earth to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’13.15Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
14.1PTS 1.128Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya lākhaṁ vā haliddiṁ vā nīlaṁ vā mañjiṭṭhaṁ vā ādāya.Suppose a person was to come along with dye such as red lac, turmeric, indigo, or rose madder,14.2So evaṁ vadeyya:and say,14.3‘ahaṁ imasmiṁ ākāse rūpaṁ likhissāmi, rūpapātubhāvaṁ karissāmī’ti.‘I shall draw pictures in space, making pictures appear there.’
14.4Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,What do you think, mendicants?14.5api nu so puriso imasmiṁ ākāse rūpaṁ likheyya, rūpapātubhāvaṁ kareyyā”ti?Could that person draw pictures in space?”
14.6“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.14.7“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?14.8“Ayañhi, bhante, ākāso arūpī anidassano.Because space has no form or appearance.2214.9Tattha na sukaraṁ rūpaṁ likhituṁ, rūpapātubhāvaṁ kātuṁ;It’s not easy to draw pictures there.14.10yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”
15.1“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ kālena vā akālena vā …pe…“In the same way, if others criticize you in any of these five ways … you should train like this:15.2tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ ākāsasamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.‘… We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that person. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart like space to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’15.3Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
16.1Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya ādittaṁ tiṇukkaṁ ādāya.Suppose a person was to come along carrying a blazing grass torch,16.2So evaṁ vadeyya:and say,16.3‘ahaṁ imāya ādittāya tiṇukkāya gaṅgaṁ nadiṁ santāpessāmi samparitāpessāmī’ti.‘I shall burn and scorch the Ganges River with this blazing grass torch.’
16.4Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,What do you think, mendicants?16.5api nu so puriso ādittāya tiṇukkāya gaṅgaṁ nadiṁ santāpeyya samparitāpeyyā”ti?Could that person burn and scorch the Ganges River with a blazing grass torch?”
16.6“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.16.7“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?16.8“Gaṅgā hi, bhante, nadī gambhīrā appameyyā.Because the Ganges River is deep and limitless.16.9Sā na sukarā ādittāya tiṇukkāya santāpetuṁ samparitāpetuṁ;It’s not easy to burn and scorch it with a blazing grass torch.16.10yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”
17.1“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ kālena vā akālena vā …pe…“In the same way, if others criticize you in any of these five ways … you should train like this:17.2tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ gaṅgāsamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.‘… We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that individual. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart like the Ganges to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’17.3Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
18.1PTS 1.129Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, biḷārabhastā madditā sumadditā suparimadditā, mudukā tūlinī chinnasassarā chinnabhabbharā.Suppose there was a catskin bag that was rubbed, well-rubbed, very well-rubbed, soft, silky, rid of rustling and crackling.18.2Atha puriso āgaccheyya kaṭṭhaṁ vā kathalaṁ vā ādāya.Then a person comes along carrying a stick or a stone,18.3So evaṁ vadeyya:and says,18.4‘ahaṁ imaṁ biḷārabhastaṁ madditaṁ sumadditaṁ suparimadditaṁ, mudukaṁ tūliniṁ, chinnasassaraṁ chinnabhabbharaṁ kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṁ karissāmi bharabharaṁ karissāmī’ti.‘I shall make this soft catskin bag rustle and crackle with this stick or stone.’
18.5Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,What do you think, mendicants?18.6api nu so puriso amuṁ biḷārabhastaṁ madditaṁ sumadditaṁ suparimadditaṁ, mudukaṁ tūliniṁ, chinnasassaraṁ chinnabhabbharaṁ kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṁ kareyya, bharabharaṁ kareyyā”ti?Could that person make that soft catskin bag rustle and crackle with that stick or stone?”
18.7“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.18.8“Taṁ kissa hetu”?Why is that?18.9“Amu hi, bhante, biḷārabhastā madditā sumadditā suparimadditā, mudukā tūlinī, chinnasassarā chinnabhabbharā.Because that catskin bag is rubbed, well-rubbed, very well-rubbed, soft, silky, rid of rustling and crackling.18.10Sā na sukarā kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṁ kātuṁ bharabharaṁ kātuṁ;It’s not easy to make it rustle or crackle with a stick or stone.18.11yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”
19.1“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you.19.2kālena vā akālena vā;Their speech may be timely or untimely,19.3bhūtena vā abhūtena vā;true or false,19.4saṇhena vā pharusena vā;gentle or harsh,19.5atthasaṁhitena vā anatthasaṁhitena vā;beneficial or harmful,19.6mettacittā vā dosantarā vā.from a heart of love or from secret hate.19.7Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ akālena vā;When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways.19.8bhūtena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ abhūtena vā;19.9saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ pharusena vā;19.10atthasaṁhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ anatthasaṁhitena vā;19.11mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ dosantarā vā.19.12Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:If that happens, you should train like this:19.13‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā na dosantarā.‘Our minds will not degenerate. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.19.14Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ biḷārabhastāsamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that individual. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart like a catskin bag to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’19.15Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
20.1Ubhatodaṇḍakena cepi, bhikkhave, kakacena corā ocarakā aṅgamaṅgāni okanteyyuṁ, tatrāpi yo mano padūseyya, na me so tena sāsanakaro.Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb with a two-handed saw, anyone who had a malevolent thought on that account would not be following my instructions.2320.2Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:If that happens, you should train like this:20.3‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma, hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā na dosantarā.‘Our minds will not degenerate. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of sympathy, with a heart of love and no secret hate.20.4Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that individual. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart full of love to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’20.5Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.That’s how you should train.
21.1Imañca tumhe, bhikkhave, kakacūpamaṁ ovādaṁ abhikkhaṇaṁ manasi kareyyātha.If you frequently reflect on this advice on the simile of the saw,2421.2Passatha no tumhe, bhikkhave, taṁ vacanapathaṁ, aṇuṁ vā thūlaṁ vā, yaṁ tumhe nādhivāseyyāthā”ti?do you see any criticism, large or small, that you could not endure?”
21.3“No hetaṁ, bhante”.“No, sir.”
21.4“Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, imaṁ kakacūpamaṁ ovādaṁ abhikkhaṇaṁ manasikarotha.“So, mendicants, you should frequently reflect on this advice on the simile of the saw.21.5Taṁ vo bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyā”ti.This will be for your lasting welfare and happiness.”
21.6Idamavoca bhagavā.That is what the Buddha said.21.7Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.
21.8Kakacūpamasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.