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MN 31PTS MN 1.2058 min read

The Shorter Discourse at Gosiṅga

Cūḷagosiṅgasutta

The Buddha comes across three mendicants practicing diligently and harmoniously, and asks them how they do it. Reluctant to disclose their higher attainments, they explain how they deal with the practical affairs of living together. But when pressed by the Buddha, they reveal their meditation attainments.

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

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 31Middle Discourses 31

0.2CūḷagosiṅgasuttaThe Shorter Discourse at Gosiṅga

1.1Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.11.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā nātike viharati giñjakāvasathe.At one time the Buddha was staying at Ñātika in the brick house.2

2.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo gosiṅgasālavanadāye viharanti.Now at that time the venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila were staying in the sal forest park at Gosiṅga.3

3.1Atha kho bhagavā sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena gosiṅgasālavanadāyo tenupasaṅkami.Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat and went to that park.3.2Addasā kho dāyapālo bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.The park keeper saw the Buddha coming off in the distance43.3Disvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:and said to him,3.4“mā, samaṇa, etaṁ dāyaṁ pāvisi.“Don’t come into this park, ascetic.3.5Santettha tayo kulaputtā attakāmarūpā viharanti.There are three gentlemen staying here whose nature is to desire self-knowledge.53.6Mā tesaṁ aphāsumakāsī”ti.Do not disturb them.”

4.1PTS 1.206Assosi kho āyasmā anuruddho dāyapālassa bhagavatā saddhiṁ mantayamānassa.Anuruddha heard the park keeper conversing with the Buddha,4.2Sutvāna dāyapālaṁ etadavoca:and said to him,4.3“mā, āvuso dāyapāla, bhagavantaṁ vāresi.“Don’t keep the Buddha out, good park keeper!4.4Satthā no bhagavā anuppatto”ti.Our Teacher, the Blessed One, has arrived.”4.5Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho yenāyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantañca nandiyaṁ āyasmantañca kimilaṁ etadavoca:Then Anuruddha went to Nandiya and Kimbila, and said to them,4.6“abhikkamathāyasmanto, abhikkamathāyasmanto, satthā no bhagavā anuppatto”ti.“Come forth, venerables, come forth! Our Teacher, the Blessed One, has arrived!”

5.1Atha kho āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo bhagavantaṁ paccuggantvā—Then Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila came out to greet the Buddha.5.2eko bhagavato pattacīvaraṁ paṭiggahesi, eko āsanaṁ paññapesi, eko pādodakaṁ upaṭṭhāpesi.One received his bowl and robe, one spread out a seat, and one set out water for washing his feet.5.3Nisīdi bhagavā paññatte āsane.The Buddha sat down on the seat spread out,5.4Nisajja kho bhagavā pāde pakkhālesi.and washed his feet.5.5Tepi kho āyasmanto bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.Those venerables bowed and sat down to one side.

5.6Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:The Buddha said to Anuruddha,5.7“Kacci vo, anuruddhā, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyaṁ, kacci piṇḍakena na kilamathā”ti?“I hope you’re keeping well, Anuruddha and friends, I hope you’re all right. And I hope you’re having no trouble getting almsfood.”6

5.8“Khamanīyaṁ, bhagavā, yāpanīyaṁ, bhagavā; na ca mayaṁ, bhante, piṇḍakena kilamāmā”ti.“We’re keeping well, Blessed One, we’re getting by. And we have no trouble getting almsfood.”

6.1“Kacci pana vo, anuruddhā, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharathā”ti?“I hope you’re living in harmony, appreciating each other, without quarreling, blending like milk and water, and regarding each other with kindly eyes?”7

6.2“Taggha mayaṁ, bhante, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharāmā”ti.“Indeed, sir, we live in harmony as you say.”

6.3“Yathā kathaṁ pana tumhe, anuruddhā, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharathā”ti?“But how do you live this way?”

7.1“Idha mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti:“In this case, sir, I think:7.2‘lābhā vata me, suladdhaṁ vata me,‘I’m fortunate, so very fortunate,7.3yohaṁ evarūpehi sabrahmacārīhi saddhiṁ viharāmī’ti.to live together with spiritual companions such as these.’7.4Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, imesu āyasmantesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca;I consistently treat these venerables with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private.87.5mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca;7.6mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca.7.7Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti:I think,7.8‘yannūnāhaṁ sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vatteyyan’ti.‘Why don’t I set aside my own ideas and just go along with these venerables’ ideas?’7.9So kho ahaṁ, bhante, sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vattāmi.And that’s what I do.7.10Nānā hi kho no, bhante, kāyā ekañca pana maññe cittan”ti.Though we’re different in body, sir, we’re one in mind, it seems to me.”

7.11PTS 1.207Āyasmāpi kho nandiyo …pe…And the venerables Nandiya and Kimbila spoke likewise, and they added:7.12āyasmāpi kho kimilo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:7.13“mayhampi, bhante, evaṁ hoti:7.14‘lābhā vata me, suladdhaṁ vata me,7.15yohaṁ evarūpehi sabrahmacārīhi saddhiṁ viharāmī’ti.7.16Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, imesu āyasmantesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca,7.17mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca,7.18mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ āvi ceva raho ca.7.19Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, evaṁ hoti:7.20‘yannūnāhaṁ sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vatteyyan’ti.7.21So kho ahaṁ, bhante, sakaṁ cittaṁ nikkhipitvā imesaṁyeva āyasmantānaṁ cittassa vasena vattāmi.7.22Nānā hi kho no, bhante, kāyā ekañca pana maññe cittan”ti.7.23“Evaṁ kho mayaṁ, bhante, samaggā sammodamānā avivadamānā khīrodakībhūtā aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassantā viharāmā”ti.“That’s how we live in harmony, appreciating each other, without quarreling, blending like milk and water, and regarding each other with kindly eyes.”

8.1“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good, Anuruddha and friends!8.2Kacci pana vo, anuruddhā, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharathā”ti?But I hope you’re living diligently, keen, and resolute?”9

9.1“Taggha mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharāmā”ti.“Indeed, sir, we live diligently.”

9.2“Yathā kathaṁ pana tumhe, anuruddhā, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharathā”ti?“But how do you live this way?”

9.3“Idha, bhante, amhākaṁ yo paṭhamaṁ gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamati so āsanāni paññapeti, pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ upaṭṭhāpeti, avakkārapātiṁ upaṭṭhāpeti.“In this case, sir, whoever returns first from almsround prepares the seats, and puts out the drinking water and the rubbish bin.9.4Yo pacchā gāmato piṇḍāya paṭikkamati, sace hoti bhuttāvaseso sace ākaṅkhati bhuñjati, no ce ākaṅkhati appaharite vā chaḍḍeti, appāṇake vā udake opilāpeti.If there’s remainder, whoever returns last eats it if they like. Otherwise they throw it out where there is little that grows, or drop it into water that has no living creatures.9.5So āsanāni paṭisāmeti, pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ paṭisāmeti, avakkārapātiṁ paṭisāmeti, bhattaggaṁ sammajjati.Then they put away the seats, drinking water, and rubbish bin, and sweep the refectory.9.6Yo passati pānīyaghaṭaṁ vā paribhojanīyaghaṭaṁ vā vaccaghaṭaṁ vā rittaṁ tucchaṁ so upaṭṭhāpeti.If someone sees that the pot of water for washing, drinking, or the toilet is empty they set it up.9.7Sacassa hoti avisayhaṁ, hatthavikārena dutiyaṁ āmantetvā hatthavilaṅghakena upaṭṭhāpema, na tveva mayaṁ, bhante, tappaccayā vācaṁ bhindāma.If he can’t do it, he summons another with a wave of the hand, and they set it up by lending each other a hand to lift. But we don’t break into speech for that reason.109.8Pañcāhikaṁ kho pana mayaṁ, bhante, sabbarattikaṁ dhammiyā kathāya sannisīdāma.And every five days we sit together for the whole night and discuss the teachings.119.9Evaṁ kho mayaṁ, bhante, appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharāmā”ti.That’s how we live diligently, keen, and resolute.”12

10.1“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good, Anuruddha and friends!10.2Atthi pana vo, anuruddhā, evaṁ appamattānaṁ ātāpīnaṁ pahitattānaṁ viharantānaṁ uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?But as you live diligently like this, have you achieved any superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, a comfortable meditation?”

10.3“Kiñhi no siyā, bhante.“How could we not, sir?10.4Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yāvadeva ākaṅkhāma vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāma.Whenever we want, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, we enter and remain in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.1310.5Ayaṁ kho no, bhante, amhākaṁ appamattānaṁ ātāpīnaṁ pahitattānaṁ viharantānaṁ uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti.This is a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, a comfortable meditation, that we have achieved while living diligent, keen, and resolute.”

11-13.1PTS 1.208“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good!11-13.2Etassa pana vo, anuruddhā, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā atthañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?But have you achieved any other superhuman distinction for going beyond and stilling that meditation?”14

11-13.3“Kiñhi no siyā, bhante.“How could we not, sir?11-13.4Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yāvadeva ākaṅkhāma vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāma.Whenever we want, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, we enter and remain 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.11-13.5Etassa, bhante, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā ayamañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti.This is another superhuman distinction that we have achieved for going beyond and stilling that meditation.”

14.1“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good!14.2Etassa pana vo, anuruddhā, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā atthañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?But have you achieved any other superhuman distinction for going beyond and stilling that meditation?”

14.3“Kiñhi no siyā, bhante.“How could we not, sir?14.4Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yāvadeva ākaṅkhāma pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhakā ca viharāma, satā ca sampajānā, sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedema, yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti: ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāma.Whenever we want, with the fading away of rapture, we enter and remain in the third absorption, where we meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, experiencing for themselves the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’14.5Etassa, bhante, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā ayamañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti.This is another superhuman distinction that we have achieved for going beyond and stilling that meditation.”

15.1“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good!15.2Etassa pana vo, anuruddhā, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā atthañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?But have you achieved any other superhuman distinction for going beyond and stilling that meditation?”

15.3“Kiñhi no siyā, bhante.“How could we not, sir?15.4Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yāvadeva ākaṅkhāma sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā, pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā, adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharāma.Whenever we want, with the giving up of pleasure and pain, and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, we enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.15.5Etassa, bhante, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā ayamañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti.This is another superhuman distinction that we have achieved for going beyond and stilling that meditation.”

16.1PTS 1.209“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good!16.2Etassa pana vo, anuruddhā, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā atthañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?But have you achieved any other superhuman distinction for going beyond and stilling that meditation?”

16.3“Kiñhi no siyā, bhante.“How could we not, sir?16.4Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yāvadeva ākaṅkhāma sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā ‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharāma.Whenever we want, going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, we enter and remain in the dimension of infinite space.16.5Etassa, bhante, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā ayamañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti.This is another superhuman distinction that we have achieved for going beyond and stilling that meditation.”

17.1“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good!17.2Etassa pana vo, anuruddhā, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā atthañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?But have you achieved any other superhuman distinction for going beyond and stilling that meditation?”

17.3“Kiñhi no siyā, bhante.“How could we not, sir?17.4Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yāvadeva ākaṅkhāma sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘anantaṁ viññāṇan’ti viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharāma …pe…Whenever we want, going totally beyond the dimension of infinite space, aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, we enter and remain in the dimension of infinite consciousness. …17.5sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma ‘natthi kiñcī’ti ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharāma …pe…going totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness, aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, we enter and remain in the dimension of nothingness. …17.6sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharāma.going totally beyond the dimension of nothingness, we enter and remain in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception.17.7Etassa, bhante, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā ayamañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti.This is another superhuman distinction that we have achieved for going beyond and stilling that meditation.”

18.1“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good!18.2Etassa pana vo, anuruddhā, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā atthañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro”ti?But have you achieved any other superhuman distinction for going beyond and stilling that meditation?”

18.3“Kiñhi no siyā, bhante.“How could we not, sir?18.4Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yāvadeva ākaṅkhāma sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharāma, paññāya ca no disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā.Whenever we want, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, we enter and remain in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, our defilements have come to an end.18.5Etassa, bhante, vihārassa samatikkamāya etassa vihārassa paṭippassaddhiyā ayamañño uttari manussadhammā alamariyañāṇadassanaviseso adhigato phāsuvihāro.This is another superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, a comfortable meditation, that we have achieved for going beyond and stilling that meditation.18.6Imamhā ca mayaṁ, bhante, phāsuvihārā aññaṁ phāsuvihāraṁ uttaritaraṁ vā paṇītataraṁ vā na samanupassāmā”ti.And we don’t see any better or finer way of meditating comfortably than this.”

18.7“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā.“Good, good!18.8Imamhā phāsuvihārā uttaritaro vā paṇītataro vā phāsuvihāro natthī”ti.There is no better or finer way of meditating comfortably than this.”

19.1PTS 1.210Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantañca anuruddhaṁ āyasmantañca nandiyaṁ āyasmantañca kimilaṁ dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi.Then the Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired the venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila with a Dhamma talk, after which he rose from his seat and left.

20.1Atha kho āyasmā ca anuruddho āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo bhagavantaṁ anusaṁyāyitvā tato paṭinivattitvā āyasmā ca nandiyo āyasmā ca kimilo āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavocuṁ:The venerables then accompanied the Buddha for a little way before turning back. Nandiya and Kimbila said to Anuruddha,20.2“kiṁ nu kho mayaṁ āyasmato anuruddhassa evamārocimha:“Did we ever tell you that we had20.3‘imāsañca imāsañca vihārasamāpattīnaṁ mayaṁ lābhino’ti, yaṁ no āyasmā anuruddho bhagavato sammukhā yāva āsavānaṁ khayā pakāsetī”ti?gained such and such meditations and attainments, up to the ending of defilements, as you revealed to the Buddha?”15

20.4“Na kho me āyasmanto evamārocesuṁ:“The venerables did not tell me that they had20.5‘imāsañca imāsañca vihārasamāpattīnaṁ mayaṁ lābhino’ti, api ca me āyasmantānaṁ cetasā ceto paricca vidito:gained such meditations and attainments. But I discovered it by encompassing your minds,20.6‘imāsañca imāsañca vihārasamāpattīnaṁ ime āyasmanto lābhino’ti.20.7Devatāpi me etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ:and deities also told me.20.8‘imāsañca imāsañca vihārasamāpattīnaṁ ime āyasmanto lābhino’ti.20.9Tamenaṁ bhagavatā pañhābhipuṭṭhena byākatan”ti.I answered when the Buddha directly asked about it.”

21.1Atha kho dīgho parajano yakkho yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho dīgho parajano yakkho bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then the native spirit Dīgha Parajana went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,1621.2“lābhā vata, bhante, vajjīnaṁ, suladdhalābhā vajjipajāya,“The Vajjis are lucky! The Vajjian people are so very lucky1721.3yattha tathāgato viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho, ime ca tayo kulaputtā—that the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha stays there, as well as these three gentlemen,21.4āyasmā ca anuruddho, āyasmā ca nandiyo, āyasmā ca kimilo”ti.the venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila.”

21.5Dīghassa parajanassa yakkhassa saddaṁ sutvā bhummā devā saddamanussāvesuṁ:Hearing the cry of Dīgha Parajana, the earth gods raised the cry …21.6“lābhā vata, bho, vajjīnaṁ, suladdhalābhā vajjipajāya,21.7yattha tathāgato viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho, ime ca tayo kulaputtā—21.8āyasmā ca anuruddho, āyasmā ca nandiyo, āyasmā ca kimilo”ti.

21.9Bhummānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā cātumahārājikā devā …pe…Hearing the cry of the earth gods, the gods of the four great kings …21.10tāvatiṁsā devā …pe…the gods of the thirty-three …21.11yāmā devā …pe…the gods of Yama …21.12tusitā devā …pe…the joyful gods …21.13nimmānaratī devā …pe…the gods who love to create …21.14paranimmitavasavattī devā …pe…the gods who control what is created by others …21.15brahmakāyikā devā saddamanussāvesuṁ:the gods of the Divinity’s host raised the cry,21.16“lābhā vata, bho, vajjīnaṁ, suladdhalābhā vajjipajāya,“The Vajjis are lucky! The Vajjian people are so very lucky21.17yattha tathāgato viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho, ime ca tayo kulaputtā—that the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha stays there, as well as these three gentlemen,21.18āyasmā ca anuruddho, āyasmā ca nandiyo, āyasmā ca kimilo”ti.the venerables Anuruddha, Nandiya, and Kimbila.”

21.19Itiha te āyasmanto tena khaṇena tena layena tena muhuttena yāva brahmalokā viditā ahesuṁ.And so at that moment, that second, that hour, those venerables were known as far as the realm of divinity.

22.1PTS 1.211“Evametaṁ, dīgha, evametaṁ, dīgha.“That’s so true, Dīgha! That’s so true!22.2Yasmāpi, dīgha, kulā ete tayo kulaputtā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, tañcepi kulaṁ ete tayo kulaputte pasannacittaṁ anussareyya, tassapāssa kulassa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.If the family from which those three gentlemen went forth from the lay life to homelessness were to recollect those venerables with confident heart, that would be for that family’s lasting welfare and happiness.22.3Yasmāpi, dīgha, kulaparivaṭṭā ete tayo kulaputtā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, so cepi kulaparivaṭṭo ete tayo kulaputte pasannacitto anussareyya, tassapāssa kulaparivaṭṭassa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.If the family circle …22.4Yasmāpi, dīgha, gāmā ete tayo kulaputtā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, so cepi gāmo ete tayo kulaputte pasannacitto anussareyya, tassapāssa gāmassa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.village …22.5Yasmāpi, dīgha, nigamā ete tayo kulaputtā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, so cepi nigamo ete tayo kulaputte pasannacitto anussareyya, tassapāssa nigamassa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.town …22.6Yasmāpi, dīgha, nagarā ete tayo kulaputtā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, tañcepi nagaraṁ ete tayo kulaputte pasannacittaṁ anussareyya, tassapāssa nagarassa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.city …22.7Yasmāpi, dīgha, janapadā ete tayo kulaputtā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, so cepi janapado ete tayo kulaputte pasannacitto anussareyya, tassapāssa janapadassa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.country …22.8Sabbe cepi, dīgha, khattiyā ete tayo kulaputte pasannacittā anussareyyuṁ, sabbesānampāssa khattiyānaṁ dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.all the aristocrats …22.9Sabbe cepi, dīgha, brāhmaṇā …pe…all the brahmins …22.10sabbe cepi, dīgha, vessā …pe…all the peasants …22.11sabbe cepi, dīgha, suddā ete tayo kulaputte pasannacittā anussareyyuṁ, sabbesānampāssa suddānaṁ dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.all the workers were to recollect those venerables with confident heart, that would be for all those menials’ lasting welfare and happiness.

22.12Sadevako cepi, dīgha, loko samārako sabrahmako sassamaṇabrāhmaṇī pajā sadevamanussā ete tayo kulaputte pasannacittā anussareyya, sadevakassapāssa lokassa samārakassa sabrahmakassa sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.If the whole world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—were to recollect those venerables with confident heart, that would be for the whole world’s lasting welfare and happiness.

22.13Passa, dīgha, yāva ete tayo kulaputtā bahujanahitāya paṭipannā bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya, atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan”ti.See, Dīgha, how those three gentlemen are practicing for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans!”

22.14Idamavoca bhagavā.That is what the Buddha said.22.15Attamano dīgho parajano yakkho bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.Satisfied, the native spirit Dīgha Parajana approved what the Buddha said.

22.16Cūḷagosiṅgasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. This discourse is a favorite among monastics, depicting an ideal life of simplicity and friendship. The introduction recurs at Kd 10:4.2.1 and, with a different teaching portion, at MN 128:8.1. In both those cases it is set after the Buddha left the quarreling monks of Kosambī.

    This discourse and MN 128 appear to be influenced by Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.3, a famous dialogue where an unusually reluctant Yājñavalkya is repeatedly pressed by King Janaka to reveal the true nature of a person’s light. At SN 7.9:14.4 this passage is alluded to directly.

    ↩ mn31:1.1
  2. Ñātika (also spelled nātika, or nādika; Sanskrit jñātṛka; Prākrit nāyika) was the clan to which the Jain leader Mahāvīra (called Nāṭaputta, i.e. Ñātiputta) belonged. This is the chief town of the clan. It was part of the Vajjian Federation (See DN 16:2.5.1).

    Over a millennium previously, the Indus Valley Civilization had built cities of fired brick with standardized size and construction methods, but in the Buddha’s day most buildings were wood. This is the only brick building mentioned in the suttas, although brick construction is also discussed in the Vinaya.

    ↩ mn31:1.2
  3. Anuruddha was the brother of Ānanda and Mahānāma (Kd 17:1.1.3) which, according to the commentary, makes the Buddha his cousin. He was an exponent of mindfulness meditation (SN 52.1, etc.) and master of clairvoyance (AN 1.192:1.1).

    Kimbila was one of the seven leading Sakyans, including Anuruddha and Ānanda, who went forth together (Kd 17:1.4.1).

    Several Nandiyas are known in the suttas, one of whom was a Sakyan (SN 55.40, AN 11.13; the root nand (“joy”) was a popular choice for Sakyan names: Ānanda, Nanda, Upananda). While Nandiya is not mentioned as having gone forth with the seven, Kimbila refers to their group as the “Sakyan friends” in his verses at Thag 2.18, so it seems likely he was indeed the Sakyan Nandiya; perhaps he went forth later than his friends.

    ↩ mn31:2.1
  4. This is one of several instances showing that the Buddha looked like an ordinary ascetic (see also DN 2:11.2, MN 140:5.11).

    ↩ mn31:3.2
  5. Attakāmarūpa is glossed by the commentary as “those whose nature is to desire their own welfare”. In the Vinaya (attakāma) means to serve “one’s own desires” (Bu Ss 4). But here it draws on Yājnavalkya’s description of one whose form is such that, having attained their only desire, the Self, they have become without desire (ātmakāmam āptakāmam akāmaṁ rūpaṁ, Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 14.7.1.21, Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.3.21. Cf. niṣkāma āptakāma ātmakāmo, Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa 14.7.2.8, Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.4.6. In both cases the Bṛhadāraṇyaka reverses the sequence of āpta … ātma.) This describes a sage who is fully immersed in the realization of Brahman in death or dreamless sleep. Such realization is a form of “knowledge” (veda). Here the suffix -rūpa does not mean “seemingly”, nor is it to be discarded as a mere idiom, but has the sense given in the commentary, a person’s true form or true nature (sabhāva). This is, of course, not a Buddhist concept. But it is spoken by the keeper of a park (not a monastery) who fails to even recognize the Buddha. There is no reason he should be Buddhist. To this day, Buddhist monastics are received with kindness and unhesitatingly supported by Hindus, who readily interpret and describe the monastics’ practice in their own terms.

    ↩ mn31:3.5
  6. The text refers to “Anuruddhas” in plural, referring to the group via their most senior member.

    ↩ mn31:5.7
  7. The emphasis on harmonious living fits the accounts in Kd 10:4.2.1 and MN 128, where the Buddha had just left the quarreling community of Kosambī. This suggests that the introduction belongs there, when the three friends were practicing together in the Eastern Bamboo Park near Kosambī. The current sutta is set around 400 km to the east near Vesālī, and it is hardly likely that the Buddha went straight there after leaving Kosambī. In addition, in MN 128 the three friends are still developing their meditation, whereas in the current sutta they have already achieved arahantship. Also, the location there is said to be the site of a hall for Vedic rituals, which suits the evidently non-Buddhist park keeper. It seems that the popular introduction of MN 128 was reused to frame a later conversation with the three friends, despite the implausibility of the same events happening in the same way twice.

    ↩ mn31:6.1
  8. These are three of the six “warm-hearted qualities” of MN 48:6.2 and AN 6.11:1.1.

    ↩ mn31:7.4
  9. Normally I render viharati in such instances as “meditate”. But Anuruddha’s response avoids talking about meditation. I think he is deliberately avoiding the topic, skirting the obvious intended meaning by seizing on an ambiguity. His reticence echoes Yājñavalkya’s reticence to answer Janaka on the topic of a person’s light (Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.3.1).

    ↩ mn31:8.2
  10. For hatthavilaṅghaka (“lending a hand up”) see MN 125:9.2.

    The Chinese parallels (MA 128 at T i 729c9 and EA 24.8 at T ii 629a23) both add that they then retire for meditation.

    ↩ mn31:9.7
  11. That is, three times in each uposatha period lasting a fortnight.

    The Chinese parallels add that they might also sit in noble silence (in accord with MN 26:4.13).

    ↩ mn31:9.8
  12. Here the Vinaya account ends, as it is concerned with the settlement of the quarrel among the monks of Kosambī.

    ↩ mn31:9.9
  13. The first absorption is defined at Bu Pj 4:4.1.3.1 as the most basic “superhuman distinction”. Thus Anuruddha is answering the question directly but humbly, revealing as little as possible.

    ↩ mn31:10.4
  14. Samatikkamāya (“for going beyond”) is used in a similar sense at MN 10:47.1.

    ↩ mn31:11-13.2
  15. Even such close monks did not reveal their attainments to each other, a testament to their character. This is a reminder of the virtue of discretion when speaking of such subtle matters. They are not things to be bandied about in common conversation.

    ↩ mn31:20.3
  16. Parajana means “stranger” (Mil 6.3.1:13.2) or “strange spirit” (MN 25:5.20). The commentary identifies him with the Dīgha of DN 32:10.18. He must have been the deity of a local shrine. This passage shows how the intercession of even such a humble spirit can resound among all the gods.

    ↩ mn31:21.1
  17. The praise that follows is unusually effusive and can be compared with the equally unusual recounting of the enlightened devotees of Ñātika (DN 16:2.5.1). Both passages serve to extol Buddhism in the home of Mahāvīra, the Buddha’s elder rival.

    ↩ mn31:21.2