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MN 24PTS MN 1.1458 min read

Prepared Chariots

Rathavinītasutta

Venerable Sāriputta seeks a dialog with an esteemed monk, Venerable Puṇṇa Mantāniputta, and they discuss the stages of purification.

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

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 24Middle Discourses 24

0.2RathavinītasuttaChariots at the Ready

1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.1

2.1Atha kho sambahulā jātibhūmakā bhikkhū jātibhūmiyaṁ vassaṁvuṭṭhā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho te bhikkhū bhagavā etadavoca:Then several mendicants who had completed the rainy season residence in their native land went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to them:2

2.2PTS 1.146“Ko nu kho, bhikkhave, jātibhūmiyaṁ jātibhūmakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ evaṁ sambhāvito:“In your native land, mendicants, which of the native mendicants is esteemed in this way:2.3‘attanā ca appiccho appicchakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca santuṭṭho santuṭṭhikathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca pavivitto pavivekakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca asaṁsaṭṭho asaṁsaggakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca āraddhavīriyo vīriyārambhakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca sīlasampanno sīlasampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca samādhisampanno samādhisampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca paññāsampanno paññāsampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca vimuttisampanno vimuttisampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca vimuttiñāṇadassanasampanno vimuttiñāṇadassanasampadākathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, ovādako viññāpako sandassako samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnan’”ti?‘Personally having few wishes, they speak to the mendicants on having few wishes. Personally having contentment, seclusion, aloofness, energy, ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and the knowledge and vision of freedom, they speak to the mendicants on all these things. They’re an adviser and counselor, one who educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires their spiritual companions.’”

2.4“Puṇṇo nāma, bhante, āyasmā mantāṇiputto jātibhūmiyaṁ jātibhūmakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ sabrahmacārīnaṁ evaṁ sambhāvito:“Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī, sir, is esteemed in this way in our native land.”32.5‘attanā ca appiccho appicchakathañca bhikkhūnaṁ kattā, attanā ca santuṭṭho …pe… ovādako viññāpako sandassako samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnan’”ti.

3.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā sāriputto bhagavato avidūre nisinno hoti.Now at that time Venerable Sāriputta was sitting not far from the Buddha.3.2Atha kho āyasmato sāriputtassa etadahosi:Then he thought:

3.3“lābhā āyasmato puṇṇassa mantāṇiputtassa, suladdhalābhā āyasmato puṇṇassa mantāṇiputtassa,“Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī is fortunate, so very fortunate,3.4yassa viññū sabrahmacārī satthu sammukhā anumassa anumassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsanti, tañca satthā abbhanumodati.in that his sensible spiritual companions praise him point by point in the presence of the Teacher, and that the Teacher seconds that appreciation.3.5Appeva nāma mayampi kadāci karahaci āyasmatā puṇṇena mantāṇiputtena saddhiṁ samāgaccheyyāma, appeva nāma siyā kocideva kathāsallāpo”ti.Hopefully, some time or other I’ll get to meet Venerable Puṇṇa, and we can have a discussion.”

4.1Atha kho bhagavā rājagahe yathābhirantaṁ viharitvā yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.When the Buddha had stayed in Rājagaha as long as he pleased, he set out for Sāvatthī.4.2Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi tadavasari.Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Sāvatthī,4.3Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.where he stayed in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.4.4Assosi kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto: “bhagavā kira sāvatthiṁ anuppatto; sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme”ti.Puṇṇa heard that the Buddha had arrived at Sāvatthī.

5.1Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.Then he set his lodgings in order and, taking his bowl and robe, set out for Sāvatthī.5.2Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi jetavanaṁ anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāmo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.Eventually he came to Sāvatthī and Jeta’s Grove. He went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.5.3Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ bhagavā dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi.The Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired him with a Dhamma talk.5.4Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassito samādapito samuttejito sampahaṁsito bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya.Then, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, Puṇṇa rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right. Then he went to the Dark Forest for the day’s meditation.

6.1PTS 1.147Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca:Then a certain mendicant went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and said to him,6.2“yassa kho tvaṁ, āvuso sāriputta, puṇṇassa nāma bhikkhuno mantāṇiputtassa abhiṇhaṁ kittayamāno ahosi, so bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassito samādapito samuttejito sampahaṁsito bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena andhavanaṁ tena pakkanto divāvihārāyā”ti.“Reverend Sāriputta, the mendicant named Puṇṇa, of whom you have often spoken so highly, after being inspired by a talk of the Buddha’s, left for the Dark Forest for the day’s meditation.”

7.1Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto taramānarūpo nisīdanaṁ ādāya āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubandhi sīsānulokī.Sāriputta quickly grabbed his sitting cloth and followed behind Puṇṇa, keeping sight of his head.47.2Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto andhavanaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.Puṇṇa plunged deep into the Dark Forest and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation.7.3Āyasmāpi kho sāriputto andhavanaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.And Sāriputta did likewise.

8.1Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yenāyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā puṇṇena mantāṇiputtena saddhiṁ sammodi.Then in the late afternoon, Sāriputta came out of retreat, went to Puṇṇa, and exchanged greetings with him.8.2Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ etadavoca:When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to Puṇṇa:5

9.1“Bhagavati no, āvuso, brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Reverend, is our spiritual life lived under the Buddha?”6

9.2“Evamāvuso”ti.“Yes, reverend.”

9.3“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of ethics?”7

9.4“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

9.5“Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Well, is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of mind?”8

9.6“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

9.7“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of view?”9

9.8“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

9.9“Kiṁ panāvuso, kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Well, is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification by traversing doubt?”10

9.10“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

9.11“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path?”11

9.12“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

9.13“Kiṁ panāvuso, paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Well, is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of the practice?”12

9.14“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

9.15“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?“Is the spiritual life lived under the Buddha for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision?”13

9.16“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

10.1PTS 1.148“‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi.“When asked each of these questions, you answered, ‘Certainly not.’10.2‘Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi.10.3‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhatthaṁ …pe…10.4kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhatthaṁ …pe…10.5maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ …pe…10.6paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ …pe…10.7kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhatthaṁ bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ āvuso’ti vadesi.10.8Kimatthaṁ carahāvuso, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti?Then what exactly is the goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha?”

10.9“Anupādāparinibbānatthaṁ kho, āvuso, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti.“The goal of leading the spiritual life under the Buddha is complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.”14

11.1“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?“Reverend, is purification of ethics complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping?”

11.2“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not, reverend.”

11.3“Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?“Is purification of mind …

11.4“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

11.5“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?purification of view …

11.6“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

11.7“Kiṁ panāvuso, kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?purification by traversing doubt …

11.8“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

11.9“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?purification of knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path …

11.10“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

11.11“Kiṁ panāvuso, paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?purification of knowledge and vision of the practice …

11.12“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.

11.13“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?Is purification of knowledge and vision complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping?”

11.14“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

11.15“Kiṁ panāvuso, aññatra imehi dhammehi anupādāparinibbānan”ti?“Then is complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping something apart from these things?”

11.16“No hidaṁ, āvuso”.“Certainly not.”

12.1“‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi.“When asked each of these questions, you answered, ‘Certainly not.’12.2‘Kiṁ panāvuso, cittavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi.12.3‘Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, diṭṭhivisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti …pe…12.4kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhi …12.5maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhi …12.6paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhi …12.7‘kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, ñāṇadassanavisuddhi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi.12.8‘Kiṁ panāvuso, aññatra imehi dhammehi anupādāparinibbānan’ti iti puṭṭho samāno ‘no hidaṁ, āvuso’ti vadesi.12.9Yathākathaṁ panāvuso, imassa bhāsitassa attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?How then should we see the meaning of this statement?”

13.1“Sīlavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya.“If the Buddha had asserted purification of ethics to be complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping, he would have asserted that which grasps fuel to be complete extinguishment without grasping fuel.1513.2Cittavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya.If the Buddha had asserted purification of mind …13.3Diṭṭhivisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya.purification of view …13.4Kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya.purification by traversing doubt …13.5Maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya.purification of knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path …13.6Paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya.purification of knowledge and vision of the practice …13.7Ñāṇadassanavisuddhiñce, āvuso, bhagavā anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya, saupādānaṁyeva samānaṁ anupādāparinibbānaṁ paññapeyya.If the Buddha had asserted purification of knowledge and vision to be complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping, he would have asserted that which grasps fuel to be complete extinguishment without grasping fuel.13.8Aññatra ce, āvuso, imehi dhammehi anupādāparinibbānaṁ abhavissa, puthujjano parinibbāyeyya.But if complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping was something apart from these things, an ordinary person would become extinguished.1613.9Puthujjano hi, āvuso, aññatra imehi dhammehi.For an ordinary person lacks these things.

14.1Tena hāvuso, upamaṁ te karissāmi;Well then, reverend, I shall give you a simile.14.2upamāyapidhekacce viññū purisā bhāsitassa atthaṁ ājānanti.For by means of a simile some sensible people understand the meaning of what is said.

14.3PTS 1.149Seyyathāpi, āvuso, rañño pasenadissa kosalassa sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasantassa sākete kiñcideva accāyikaṁ karaṇīyaṁ uppajjeyya.Suppose that, while staying in Sāvatthī, King Pasenadi of Kosala had some urgent business come up in Sāketa.14.4Tassa antarā ca sāvatthiṁ antarā ca sāketaṁ satta rathavinītāni upaṭṭhapeyyuṁ.Now, between Sāvatthī and Sāketa seven chariots were stationed at the ready for him.1714.5Atha kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sāvatthiyā nikkhamitvā antepuradvārā paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya, paṭhamena rathavinītena dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya.Then Pasenadi, exiting Sāvatthī, mounted the first chariot at the ready by the gate of the royal compound. The first chariot at the ready would bring him to the second, where he’d dismount and mount the second chariot.14.6Dutiyena rathavinītena tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya.The second chariot at the ready would bring him to the third …14.7Tatiyena rathavinītena catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya.The third chariot at the ready would bring him to the fourth …14.8Catutthena rathavinītena pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya.The fourth chariot at the ready would bring him to the fifth …14.9Pañcamena rathavinītena chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya.The fifth chariot at the ready would bring him to the sixth …14.10Chaṭṭhena rathavinītena sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇeyya, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjeyya, sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruheyya.The sixth chariot at the ready would bring him to the seventh, where he’d dismount and mount the seventh chariot.14.11Sattamena rathavinītena sāketaṁ anupāpuṇeyya antepuradvāraṁ.The seventh chariot at the ready would bring him to the gate of the royal compound of Sāketa.1814.12Tamenaṁ antepuradvāragataṁ samānaṁ mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā evaṁ puccheyyuṁ:And when he was at the gate, friends and colleagues, relatives and kin would ask him:14.13‘iminā tvaṁ, mahārāja, rathavinītena sāvatthiyā sāketaṁ anuppatto antepuradvāran’ti?‘Great king, did you come to Sāketa from Sāvatthī by this chariot at the ready?’14.14Kathaṁ byākaramāno nu kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sammā byākaramāno byākareyyā”ti?If asked this, how should King Pasenadi rightly reply?”

14.15“Evaṁ byākaramāno kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sammā byākaramāno byākareyya:“The king should reply:14.16‘idha me sāvatthiyaṁ paṭivasantassa sākete kiñcideva accāyikaṁ karaṇīyaṁ uppajji.‘Well, while staying in Sāvatthī, I had some urgent business come up in Sāketa.14.17Tassa me antarā ca sāvatthiṁ antarā ca sāketaṁ satta rathavinītāni upaṭṭhapesuṁ.Now, between Sāvatthī and Sāketa seven chariots were stationed at the ready for me.14.18Atha khvāhaṁ sāvatthiyā nikkhamitvā antepuradvārā paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ.Then, exiting Sāvatthī, I mounted the first chariot at the ready by the gate of the royal compound.14.19Paṭhamena rathavinītena dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, paṭhamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ.The first chariot at the ready brought me to the second, where I dismounted and mounted the second chariot. …14.20Dutiyena rathavinītena tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, dutiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ.The second chariot brought me to the third …14.21Tatiyena rathavinītena catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, tatiyaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ.the fourth …14.22Catutthena rathavinītena pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, catutthaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ.the fifth …14.23Pañcamena rathavinītena chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, pañcamaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ.the sixth …14.24Chaṭṭhena rathavinītena sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ pāpuṇiṁ, chaṭṭhaṁ rathavinītaṁ vissajjiṁ, sattamaṁ rathavinītaṁ abhiruhiṁ.The sixth chariot at the ready brought me to the seventh, where I dismounted and mounted the seventh chariot.14.25Sattamena rathavinītena sāketaṁ anuppatto antepuradvāran’ti.The seventh chariot at the ready brought me to the gate of the royal compound of Sāketa.’14.26Evaṁ byākaramāno kho, āvuso, rājā pasenadi kosalo sammā byākaramāno byākareyyā”ti.That’s how King Pasenadi should rightly reply.”

15.1PTS 1.150“Evameva kho, āvuso, sīlavisuddhi yāvadeva cittavisuddhatthā, cittavisuddhi yāvadeva diṭṭhivisuddhatthā, diṭṭhivisuddhi yāvadeva kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhatthā, kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhi yāvadeva maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhatthā, maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhi yāvadeva paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhatthā, paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhi yāvadeva ñāṇadassanavisuddhatthā, ñāṇadassanavisuddhi yāvadeva anupādāparinibbānatthā.“In the same way, reverend, purification of ethics is only for the sake of purification of mind. Purification of mind is only for the sake of purification of view. Purification of view is only for the sake of purification by traversing doubt. Purification by traversing doubt is only for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path. Purification of knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path is only for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision of the practice. Purification of knowledge and vision of the practice is only for the sake of purification of knowledge and vision. Purification of knowledge and vision is only for the sake of extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.15.2Anupādāparinibbānatthaṁ kho, āvuso, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ vussatī”ti.The spiritual life is lived under the Buddha for the sake of complete extinguishment with no fuel for grasping.”

16.1Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ etadavoca:When he said this, Sāriputta said to Puṇṇa,16.2“konāmo āyasmā, kathañca panāyasmantaṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti?“What is the venerable’s name? And how are you known among your spiritual companions?”

16.3“Puṇṇoti kho me, āvuso, nāmaṁ;“Reverend, my name is Puṇṇa.16.4mantāṇiputtoti ca pana maṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti.And I am known as ‘son of Mantāṇī’ among my spiritual companions.”

16.5“Acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso.“It’s incredible, reverend, it’s amazing!16.6Yathā taṁ sutavatā sāvakena sammadeva satthusāsanaṁ ājānantena, evameva āyasmatā puṇṇena mantāṇiputtena gambhīrā gambhīrapañhā anumassa anumassa byākatā.Venerable Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī has answered each deep question point by point, as a learned disciple who rightly understands the Teacher’s instructions.16.7Lābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ, suladdhalābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ,It is fortunate for his spiritual companions, so very fortunate,16.8ye āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ labhanti dassanāya, labhanti payirūpāsanāya.that they get to see Venerable Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī and pay homage to him.16.9Celaṇḍukena cepi sabrahmacārī āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ muddhanā pariharantā labheyyuṁ dassanāya, labheyyuṁ payirūpāsanāya, tesampi lābhā tesampi suladdhaṁ, amhākampi lābhā amhākampi suladdhaṁ, ye mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ puṇṇaṁ mantāṇiputtaṁ labhāma dassanāya, labhāma payirūpāsanāyā”ti.Even if they only got to see him and pay respects to him by carrying him around on their heads on a roll of cloth, it would still be very fortunate for them! And it’s fortunate for me, so very fortunate, that I get to see the venerable and pay homage to him.”19

17.1PTS 1.151Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā puṇṇo mantāṇiputto āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca:When he said this, Puṇṇa said to Sāriputta,17.2“ko nāmo āyasmā, kathañca panāyasmantaṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti?“What is the venerable’s name? And how are you known among your spiritual companions?”

17.3“Upatissoti kho me, āvuso, nāmaṁ;“Reverend, my name is Upatissa.17.4sāriputtoti ca pana maṁ sabrahmacārī jānantī”ti.And I am known as Sāriputta among my spiritual companions.”

17.5“Satthukappena vata kira, bho, sāvakena saddhiṁ mantayamānā na jānimha:“Goodness! I had no idea I was consulting with <em>the</em> Venerable Sāriputta, the disciple who is fit to be compared with the Teacher himself!2017.6‘āyasmā sāriputto’ti.17.7Sace hi mayaṁ jāneyyāma ‘āyasmā sāriputto’ti, ettakampi no nappaṭibhāseyya.If I’d known, I would not have said so much.17.8Acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso.It’s incredible, reverend, it’s amazing!17.9Yathā taṁ sutavatā sāvakena sammadeva satthusāsanaṁ ājānantena, evameva āyasmatā sāriputtena gambhīrā gambhīrapañhā anumassa anumassa pucchitā.Venerable Sāriputta has asked each deep question point by point, as a learned disciple who rightly understands the Teacher’s instructions.2117.10Lābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ suladdhalābhā sabrahmacārīnaṁ,It is fortunate for his spiritual companions, so very fortunate,17.11ye āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ labhanti dassanāya, labhanti payirūpāsanāya.that they get to see Venerable Sāriputta and pay homage to him.17.12Celaṇḍukena cepi sabrahmacārī āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ muddhanā pariharantā labheyyuṁ dassanāya, labheyyuṁ payirūpāsanāya, tesampi lābhā tesampi suladdhaṁ, amhākampi lābhā amhākampi suladdhaṁ, ye mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ labhāma dassanāya, labhāma payirūpāsanāyā”ti.Even if they only got to see him and pay respects to him by carrying him around on their heads on a roll of cloth, it would still be very fortunate for them! And it’s fortunate for me, so very fortunate, that I get to see the venerable and pay homage to him.”

17.13Itiha te ubhopi mahānāgā aññamaññassa subhāsitaṁ samanumodiṁsūti.And so these two spiritual giants agreed with each other’s fine words.22

17.14Rathavinītasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ catutthaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. The Bamboo Grove was a major monastery near Rājagaha. According to Kd 1:22.16.1, it was offered by King Bimbisāra as the very first monastery dedicated to the Saṅgha.

    ↩ mn24:1.2
  2. The commentary says jātibhūmi means the Buddha’s native land, but the word occurs at AN 6.54, Pvr 14:2.1, Ja 537:26.1, and Ja 546:43.1, where it always means “one’s native land”. Given that Puṇṇa, the most famous teacher of their land, was unknown by Sāriputta, it seems likely that it was somewhat remote. One of the Chinese parallels (MA 9) describes him as of light skin and prominent nose, a description that might befit someone from the north-west of India.

    ↩ mn24:2.1
  3. Although said to be the foremost Dhamma speaker (AN 1.196:1.1, see SN 14.15:2.14), few of his teachings are recorded. At SN 22.83, Ānanda attributes his initial breakthrough to Puṇṇa, while a single verse is attributed to him at Thag 1.4.

    Puṇṇa was evidently from the same maternal clan as Aṅgulimāla (MN 86:12.12). This name does not seem to occur in Sanskrit texts, but Mahāvastu 3.377 spells it as Maitrāyaṇī, a name shared with the Maitrāyaṇī Saṁhitā, the oldest ritual text of the Black Yajurveda.

    ↩ mn24:2.4
  4. While similar actions are found elsewhere, they are not said to be done “quickly” (taramānarūpo). Sāriputta’s urgency here reinforces the impression that Puṇṇa lived somewhere distant and visited the central regions only occasionally.

    ↩ mn24:7.1
  5. The following seven “purifications” became one of the primary textual sources for the commentarial system of “insight knowledges” (vipassanañāṇa) that became central to later Theravada meditation. It would be a mistake, however, to interpret this sutta in light of the insight knowledges, which were developed over a thousand years.

    ↩ mn24:8.2
  6. Puṇṇa was a stranger, so Sāriputta begins by establishing common ground before asking a series of questions to which he expects a negative answer.

    ↩ mn24:9.1
  7. The questions are framed in an unusual paired syntax: kiṁ nu kho, āvuso alternates with kiṁ panāvuso.

    ↩ mn24:9.3
  8. “Purification of mind” is the development of absorption to abandon the hindrances (AN 4.194:4.1).

    ↩ mn24:9.5
  9. “Purified view” is the right view of the stream-enterer who has seen the four noble truths (AN 4.194:5.1) and rejected the fetter of views of a self (sakkāyadiṭṭhi).

    Likewise, the five items from here down to “knowledge and vision” all refer to stream-entry. This sutta departs from other early presentations in presenting these as a sequence, whereas normally they are different facets of the experience of stream-entry.

    ↩ mn24:9.7
  10. Doubt is one of the fetters overcome by the stream-enterer (eg. MN 64:6.4), since they have the confidence born of direct experience of the four noble truths.

    At Ud 5.7 “purification by traversing doubt” is said to be achieved by the practice of jhāna.

    ↩ mn24:9.9
  11. From their own experience, a stream-enterer knows what leads to the goal and what does not, hence they give up the fetter of “misapprehension of precepts and observances”.

    For maggāmagga, see the debate between brahmin students at DN 13:3.1, which shows that this term is not unique to Buddhism. There is, however, no evidence that the sequence of purifications is found outside of Buddhism.

    ↩ mn24:9.11
  12. A stream-enterer not only understands what the correct path is, they have actually practiced it (SN 55.5:3.3).

    ↩ mn24:9.13
  13. This is the vision of the four noble truths at stream-entry (SN 25.1:2.4).

    ↩ mn24:9.15
  14. In other words, for arahantship not stream-entry.

    ↩ mn24:10.9
  15. Compare the simile of the raft at MN 22:13.1.

    ↩ mn24:13.1
  16. That is to say, the goal is not the same as the path, but it cannot be attained without the path.

    ↩ mn24:13.8
  17. Rathavinīta, which lends the sutta its title, is explained by the commentary as “seven chariots with horses at the ready”, where vinīta has its usual sense of “trained, readied”. While the series of chariots forms a relay, the word vinīta does not mean “relay”. The term and the simile are unique to this sutta.

    ↩ mn24:14.4
  18. Sāketa was one of the great cities (DN 17:1.2.4), a former capital of Kosala, and a regular stop on the road near Sāvatthī (SN 44.1:1.2, Snp 5.1:37.1). Situated on the banks of the Sarabhū (modern Sarayu), it had several forests nearby where ascetics would stay. It is identified with the modern city of Ayodhya, about 95 km south of Sāvatthī. See also note on SN 22.95:1.1.

    If the distance traveled by each chariot was one “yoking” (yojana, “league”), this gives us a league of approximately 14 km.

    ↩ mn24:14.11
  19. “A roll of cloth” (celaṇḍuka) is a unique term, and these are unique words of praise.

    ↩ mn24:16.9
  20. “Fit to be compared with the Teacher” (satthukappa) is another term that is unique in early Pali.

    ↩ mn24:17.5
  21. “Point by point” (anumassa anumassa), found several times above, is yet another phrasing unique to this sutta.

    This sutta has several features that, taken together, indicate that it is later than the bulk of the four nikāyas: many unique phrases; the hints that Puṇṇa is from a distant land; and most of all, the doctrine. The text here takes the set of four purifications at AN 4.194 and expands “view” into five to make the seven of the current sutta. Now, AN 4.194 lacks any mention of where the Buddha was at the time and hence was likely taught by Ānanda after the Buddha’s death. Then the set is expanded to nine (plus wisdom and freedom) at DN 34:2.2.6, one of the latest suttas in the nikāyas. Most importantly, the five items pertaining to stream-entry are presented here as a linear sequence, anticipating the detailed analysis of stages of insight in later Theravada. Thus not only are the associated suttas late, this sutta is developed further than them.

    ↩ mn24:17.9
  22. ↩ mn24:17.13