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Chapter 10 : Connected Discourses with Bhikkhus (Bhikkhusamyutta) {Samyutta-21}[]
235. Kolita (Mahamoggallana)[]
Thus have I heard(from Lord Buddha, says Ananda). On one occasion the Lord (Buddha) was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's-Grove(Jetvana), Anathapindika's Park. There the Venerable Mahamoggallana addressed the bhikkhus thus:
"Friends, bhikkhus!"
"Friend!" those bhikkhus replied. The Venerable Mahamoggallana said this:
"Here, friends, while I was alone in seclusion, a thought arose in my mind thus: 'It is said, "noble silence, noble silence." What now is noble silence ?' 379
"Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here, with the subsiding of thought and examination, a bhikkhu(monk) enters and dwells in the second jhana, which has internal confidence and singularity-of-mind(ekodibhavam), is without thought and examination, and has bliss(piti/preeti) and happiness(sukh) born of samadhi(trance)state. This is called noble silence.'
"Then, friends, with the subsiding of thought and examination, I entered and dwelt in the second jhana, which ... has bliss and happiness born of samadhi(trance)state. While I dwelt therein, perception(sanna sans. sangya) and mindset accompanied by thought assailed me.
"Then, friends, the Lord (Buddha) came to me by means of spiritual-power(iddhi\riddhi) and said this: 'Moggallana, Moggallana, do not be slothful(in pamada) regarding noble silence, brahmin. Steady your mind in noble silence, unify your mind in noble silence, samadhify(in trance) your mind on noble silence.' Then, friends, on a later occasion, with the subsiding of thought and examination, I entered and dwelt in the second jhana, which has internal confidence and singularity-of-mind(ekodibhavam), is without thought and examination, and has bliss(piti/preeti) and happiness born of samadhi(trance)state.
"If, friends, one speaking rightly could say of anyone: 'He is a disciple who attained to greatness of divine-knowledge(abhinna) with the assistance of the Teacher,' it is of me that one could rightly say this." 380
236. Upatissa 381 (Sariputta)[]
At Savatthi. There the Venerable Sariputta addressed the bhikkhus thus: "Friends, bhikkhus!"
"Friend!" those bhikkhus replied. The Venerable Sariputta said this:
"Here, friends, when I was alone in seclusion, a thought arose in my mind thus: 'Is there anything in the world through the change and alteration of which sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair might arise in me?' Then it occurred to me:
'There is nothing in the world through the change and alteration of which sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair might arise in me."
When this was said, the Venerable Ananda said to the Venerable Sariputta: "Friend Sariputta, even if the Teacher himself were to undergo change and alteration, wouldn't sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair arise in you?"
"Friend, 382 even if the Teacher himself were to undergo change and alteration, still sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair would not arise in me. However, it would occur to me:
'The Teacher, so influential, so powerful and mighty, has passed away. If the Lord (Buddha) had lived for a long time, that would have been for the welfare and happiness(sukh) of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of devas(angels) and humans.'"
"It must be because I-making, mine-making, and the underlying-tendency(anusaya) to conceit have been thoroughly uprooted in the Venerable Sariputta for a long time 383 that even if the Teacher himself were to undergo change and alteration, still sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair would not arise in him."
237. The Barrel[]
Thus have I heard(from Lord Buddha, says Ananda). On one occasion the Lord (Buddha) was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's-Grove(Jetvana), Anathapindika's Park. Now on that occasion the Venerable Sariputta and the Venerable Mahamoggallana were dwelling at Rajagaha in a single dwelling in the Bamboo-Grove(Veluvan), the Squirrel-Sanctuary(Kalandak-Nivap). Then, in the evening, the Venerable Sariputta emerged from seclusion and approached the Venerable Mahamoggallana. He exchanged greetings with the Venerable Mahamoggallana and, when they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, he sat down to one side and said to him:
"Friend Moggallana, your faculties are serene, your facial complexion is pure and bright. Has the Venerable Mahamoggallana spent the day in a peaceful dwelling?"
"I spent the day in a gross dwelling, friend, but I did have some dhamma(path,law) talk." 384
"With whom did the Venerable Mahamoggallana have some Dhamma talk?"
"I had some Dhamma talk with the Lord (Buddha), friend."
"But the Lord (Buddha) is far away, friend. He is now dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's-Grove(Jetvana), Anathapindika's Park. Did the Venerable Mahamoggallana approach the Lord (Buddha) by means of spiritual-power(iddhi\riddhi), or did the Lord (Buddha) approach the Venerable Mahamoggallana by means of spiritual-power(iddhi\riddhi)?"
"I didn't approach the Lord (Buddha) by means of spiritual-power(iddhi\riddhi), friend, nor did the Lord (Buddha) approach me by means of spiritual power. Rather, the Lord (Buddha) cleared his divine eye and divine ear element(dhatu) to communicate with me, and I cleared my divine eye and divine ear element to communicate with the Lord (Buddha)." 385
"What kind of Dhamma talk did the Venerable Mahamoggallana have with the Lord (Buddha)?"
"Here, friend, I said to the Lord (Buddha): 'Venerable sir, it is said, "one with energetic-strength(viriya) aroused, one with energetic-strength aroused." In what way, venerable sir, does one have energetic-strength aroused?' The Lord (Buddha) then said to me: 'Here, Moggallana, a bhikkhu(monk) with energetic-strength aroused dwells thus: "Willingly, let only my skin, sinews, and bones remain, and let the flesh and blood dry up in my body, but I will not relax my energetic-strength so long as I have not attained what can be attained by manly strength, by manly energetic-strength, by manly exertion." 386 It is in such a way, Moggallana, that one has aroused energetic-strength.' Such, friend, is the Dhamma talk that I had with the Lord (Buddha)."
"Friend, compared to the Venerable Mahamoggallana we are like a few grains of gravel compared to the Himalayas, the king of mountains. For the Venerable Mahamoggallana is of such great spiritual power and might that if so he wished he could live on for an aeon(kappa\kalpa)." 387
"Friend, compared to the Venerable Sariputta we are like a few grains of salt compared to a barrel of salt. For the Venerable Sariputta has been extolled, lauded, and praised in many ways by the Lord (Buddha):
'"As Sariputta is supreme; In illuminated-insight(panna), virtue(sheel), and peace.
So a bhikkhu who has gone beyond; At best can only equal him.'"
In this manner both these great nagas rejoiced in what was well stated and well declared by the other. 388
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At Savatthi. Now on that occasion a certain newly ordained bhikkhu(monk), after returning from the alms round, would enter his dwelling after the meal and pass the time living at ease and keeping silent. He did not render service to the bhikkhus at the time of making robes. Then a number of bhikkhus approached the Lord (Buddha), paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and reported this matter to him. Then the Lord (Buddha) addressed a certain bhikkhu thus: "Come, bhikkhu, tell that bhikkhu in my name that the Teacher calls him."
"Yes, venerable sir," that bhikkhu replied, and he went to that bhikkhu and told him: "The Teacher calls you, friend."
"Yes, friend," that bhikkhu replied, and he approached the Lord (Buddha), paid homage to him, and sat down to one side.
The Lord (Buddha) then said to him: "Is it true, bhikkhu, that after returning from the alms round you enter your dwelling after the meal and pass the time living at ease and keeping silent, and you do not render service to the bhikkhus at the time of making robes?"
"I am doing my own duty, venerable sir."
Then the Lord (Buddha), having known with his own mind the thought in that bhikkhu's mind, addressed the bhikkhus thus:
"Bhikkhus(Monks), do not find fault with this bhikkhu. This bhikkhu is one who gains at will, without trouble or difficulty, the four jhanas that constitute the higher mind and provide a pleasant dwelling in this very life. And he is one who, by realizing it for himself with divine-knowledge(abhinna), in this very life enters and dwells in that unsurpassed goal of the holy celibate life(brahmacariya) for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from the household life into hermit life."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said. Having said this, the Fortunate One(Sugato), the Teacher(Sattha), further said this:
"Not by means of slack endeavour; Not by means of feeble effort,
Is this Nibbana to be achieved; release(mokkha/moksha) from all suffering.
"This young bhikkhu(monk) [by my side]; Is a supreme man indeed:
He carries about his final body; Having conquered Mara(Satan) and his mount."
239. Sujata[]
At Savatthi. Then the Venerable Sujata approached the Lord (Buddha). The Lord (Buddha) saw him coming in the distance and addressed the bhikkhus thus: "Bhikkhus(monks), this clansman is beautiful in both respects. He is handsome, good-looking, pleasing to look at, possessing supreme beauty of complexion. And he is one who, by realizing it for himself with divine-knowledge(abhinna), in this very life enters and dwells in that unsurpassed goal of the holy celibate life(brahmacariya) for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from the household life into hermit life."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said .. . [who] further said this:
"This bhikkhu(monk) shines with sublime beauty; Having a mind utterly straight.
Attained to Nibbana by nonclinging; Detached is he, removed all sorrow ; .
He carries about his final body; Having conquered Mara(Satan) and his mount."
240. Lakundaka Bhaddiya[]
At Savatthi. Then the Venerable Lakundaka Bhaddiya approached the Lord (Buddha). The Lord (Buddha) saw him coming in the distance and addressed the bhikkhus thus: "Bhikkhus(monks), do you see that bhikkhu(monk) coming, ugly, unsightly, deformed, despised among the bhikkhus?"
"Yes, venerable sir."
"That bhikkhu is of great spiritual-power(iddhi\riddhi) and might. It is not easy to find an attainment which that bhikkhu has not already attained. And he is one who, by realizing it for himself with divine-knowledge(abhinna), in this very life enters and dwells in that unsurpassed goal of the holy celibate life(brahmacariya) for the sake of which clansmen rightly, go forth from the household life into hermit life."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said ... [who] further said this:
"Swans, herons, and peacocks; Elephants, and spotted deer.
All are frightened of the lion; Regardless of their bodies' size.
"In the same way among human beings; The small one endowed with illuminated-insight(panna)
He is the one that is truly great; Not the childish(unwise) with a well-built body."
241. Visakha[]
Thus have I heard(from Lord Buddha, says Ananda). On one occasion the Lord (Buddha) was dwelling at Vesali in the Great Wood in the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Now on that occasion the Venerable Visakha Pancaliputta was instructing, instructing, inspiring, and gladdening the bhikkhus in the assembly hall with a dhamma(path,law) talk, [spoken] with speech that was polished, clear, articulate, expressing well the meaning, comprehensive, unattached. 391
Then, in the evening, the Lord (Buddha) emerged from seclusion and approached the assembly hall. He sat down in the appointed seat and addressed the bhikkhus thus: "Bhikkhus(monks), who has been instructing, instructing, inspiring, and gladdening the bhikkhus in the assembly hall with a Dhamma talk, [spoken] with speech that is polished, clear, articulate, expressing well the meaning, comprehensive, unattached?"
"It was this Venerable Visakha Pancaliputta, venerable sir."
Then the Lord (Buddha) addressed the Venerable Visakha Pancaliputta thus: "Good, good, Visakha! It is good that you thus instruct the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said ... [who] further said this:
"When the wise man is in the midst of childish(unwise)
They do not know him if he does not speak, 392
But they know him when he speaks.
Pointing out the deathless-state(nirvana).
"He should speak and explain the Dhamma; He should raise high the saints'(ishis sans. rishis) banner.
Well-spoken words are the saints(ishis sans. rishis) banner; For the Dhamma is the banner of saints(ishis sans. rishis)."
242. Nanda[]
At Savatthi. Then the Venerable Nanda, the Lord (Buddha)'s maternal cousin, put on well-pressed and well-ironed robes, painted his eyes (with kajal), took a glazed bowl, and approached the Lord (Buddha). 393 Having paid homage to the Lord (Buddha), he sat down to one side, and the Lord (Buddha) said to him:
"Nanda, this is not proper for you, a clansman who has gone-forth(initiated,pabajjit) out of faith from the household life into hermit life, that you wear well-pressed and well-ironed robes, paint your eyes, and carry a glazed bowl. This is proper for you, Nanda, a clansman who has gone-forth(initiated,pabajjit) out of faith from the household life into hermit life, that you be a forest dweller, an almsfood eater, a rag-robes wearer, and that you dwell indifferent to sensual pleasures."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said ... [who] further said this:
"When shall I see Nanda as a forest dweller; Wearing robes stitched from rags.
Subsisting on the scraps of strangers, 394 ; Indifferent towards sensual pleasures?"
Then, some time later, the Venerable Nanda became a forest dweller, an almsfood eater, a rag-robes wearer, and he dwelt indifferent to sensual pleasures.
243. Tissa[]
At Savatthi. Then the Venerable Tissa, the Lord (Buddha)'s paternal cousin, 395 approached the Lord (Buddha), paid homage to him, and sat down to one side - miserable, sorrowful, with tears streaming down. Then the Lord (Buddha) said to him:
"Tissa, why are you sitting there, miserable, sorrowful, with tears streaming down?"
"Because, venerable sir, the bhikkhus have attacked me on all sides with sharp words." 396
"That, Tissa, is because you admonish others but cannot bear being admonished yourself. Tissa, this is not proper for you, a clansman who has gone-forth(initiated,pabajjit) out of faith from the household life into hermit life, that you admonish others but cannot accept admonition in turn. This is proper for you, Tissa, a clansman who has gone-forth(initiated,pabajjit) out of faith from the household life into hermit life, that you admonish others and accept admonition in turn."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said. Having said this, the Fortunate One(Sugato), the Teacher(Sattha), further said this:
"Why are you angry? Don't be angry! Nonanger is better for you, Tissa. It is to remove anger, conceit, and scorn; That the holy celibate life(brahmacariya) is lived, O Tissa."
244. A Bhikkhu Named Elder (Theranamaka)[]
On one occasion the Lord (Buddha) was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Bamboo-Grove(Veluvan), the Squirrel-Sanctuary(Kalandak-Nivap). Now on that occasion a certain bhikkhu(monk) named Elder 397 was a lone dweller and spoke in praise of dwelling alone. He entered the village for alms alone, he returned alone, he sat alone in private, he undertook walking meditation alone.
Then a number of bhikkhus approached the Lord (Buddha), paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him:
"Here, venerable sir, there is a certain bhikkhu named Elder who is a lone dweller and who speaks in praise of dwelling alone."
Then the Lord (Buddha) addressed a certain bhikkhu thus:
"Come, bhikkhu, tell the bhikkhu Elder in my name that the Teacher calls him."
"Yes, venerable sir," that bhikkhu replied, and he went to the Venerable Elder and told him: "The Teacher calls you, friend Elder."
"Yes, friend," the Venerable Elder replied, and he approached the Lord (Buddha), paid homage to him, and sat down to one side. The Lord (Buddha) then said to him: "Is it true. Elder, that you are a lone dweller and speak in praise of dwelling alone?"
"Yes, venerable sir."
"But how. Elder, are you a lone dweller and how do you speak in praise of dwelling alone?"
"Here, venerable sir, I enter the village for alms alone, I return alone, I sit alone in private, and I undertake walking meditation alone. It is in such a way that I am a lone dweller and speak in praise of dwelling alone."
"That is a way of dwelling alone. Elder, I do not deny this. But as to how dwelling alone is fulfilled in detail, listen to that and be mindful(manasikaro), I will speak."
"Yes, venerable sir."
"And how. Elder, is dwelling alone fulfilled in detail? Here, Elder, what lies in the past has been abandoned, what lies in the future has been relinquished, and desire(chand) & lust(raag) for present forms of individual existence has been thoroughly removed. 398 It is in such a way. Elder, that dwelling alone is fulfilled in detail."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said. Having said this, the Fortunate One(Sugato), the Teacher(Sattha), further said this:
"The wise one, all-conqueror, all-knower;
Among all dhammas(path,law) unsullied, with all cast off.
liberated(vimutta sans. vimukt) in the destruction(khaya\kshaya) of craving(tanha sans. trishna);
I call that person 'one who dwells alone."' 399
245. Mahakappina[]
At Savatthi. Then the Venerable Mahakappina approached the Lord (Buddha). 400 The Lord (Buddha) saw him coming in the distance and addressed the bhikkhus thus: "Bhikkhus(monks), do you see that bhikkhu(monk) coming, fair-skinned, thin, with a prominent nose?"
"Yes, venerable sir."
"That bhikkhu is of great spiritual-power(iddhi\riddhi) and might. It is not easy to find an attainment which that bhikkhu has not already attained. And he is one who, by realizing it for himself with divine-knowledge(abhinna), in this very life enters and dwells in that unsurpassed goal of the holy celibate life(brahmacariya) for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from the household life into hermit life."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said. Having said this, the Fortunate One(Sugato), the Teacher(Sattha), further said this:
"The khattiya is the best among people
For those whose sign is the clan.
But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct
Is best among devas(angels) and humans.
"The sun shines by day,
The moon glows at night.
The khattiya shines clad in armour,
The meditative brahmin shines.
But all the time, day and night,
The Buddha shines with glory."
246. Companions (Sahayaka)[]
At Savatthi. Then two bhikkhus who were companions, pupils of the Venerable Mahakappina, approached the Lord (Buddha). The Lord (Buddha) saw them coming in the distance and addressed the bhikkhus thus: "Bhikkhus(monks), do you see those two bhikkhus who are companions coming, pupils of Kappina?"
"Yes, venerable sir."
"Those bhikkhus are of great spiritual-power(iddhi\riddhi) and might. It is not easy to find an attainment that those bhikkhus have not already attained. And they are ones who, by realizing it for themselves with divine-knowledge(abhinna), in this very life enter and dwell in that unsurpassed goal of the holy celibate life(brahmacariya) for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from the household life into hermit life."
This is what the Lord (Buddha) said. Having said this, the Fortunate One(Sugato), the Teacher(Sattha), further said this:
"These [two] companion bhikkhus; Have been united for a very long time. 401
The true dhamma(path,law) has united them;In the Dhamma proclaimed by the Buddha.
"They have been disciplined well by Kappina;In the Dhamma proclaimed by the Noble One.
They carry about their final bodies;Having conquered Mara(Satan) and his mount."
The Book of Causation (Nidanavagga) of Samyutta Nikaya is finished.
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