Pārāyanavagga | Questions 1-5
1: Ajitamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Ajita's Questions
“Kenassu nivuto loko? icc-āyasmā Ajito,
“By what is the world enveloped? said venerable Ajita,
Kenassu nappakāsati?
Why does it not become clear?
Kissābhilepanaṁ brūsi? Kiṁ su tassa mahabbhayaṁ?” [57 1-1]
What do you say is its defilement? What is (the world's) great fear?”
“Avijjāya nivuto loko, Ajitā ti Bhagavā,
“The world is enveloped by ignorance, Ajita, said the Gracious One,
vevicchā pamādā nappakāsati.
because of heedlessness and meanness it does not become clear.
Jappābhilepanaṁ brūmi dukkham-assa mahabbhayaṁ” [58 1-2]
Hunger is its defilement, I say; suffering is (the world's) great fear.”
“Savanti sabbadhi sotā, icc-āyasmā Ajito,
“Streams are flowing everywhere, said venerable Ajita,
sotānaṁ kiṁ nivāraṇaṁ?
what is the constraint for streams?
Sotānaṁ saṁvaraṁ brūhi, kena sotā pithiyyare?” [59 1-3]
Tell me the restraint for streams; by what are the streams shut off?”
“Yāni sotāni lokasmiṁ, Ajitā ti Bhagavā,
“Whatever streams there are in the world, Ajita, said the Gracious One,
sati tesaṁ nivāraṇaṁ.
mindfulness is the constraint for them.
Sotānaṁ saṁvaraṁ brūmi, paññāy' ete pithiyyare.” [60 1-4]
That is the restraint for streams, I say; by wisdom they are shut off.”
“Paññā c' eva sati cāpi, icc-āyasmā Ajito,
“Wisdom and also mindfulness, said venerable Ajita,
nāmarūpañ-ca mārisa,
and mind and body, dear Sir,
etaṁ me puṭṭhŏ pabrūhi: katth' etaṁ uparujjhati?” [61 1-5]
please tell me this when asked: where does this cease?”
“Yam-etaṁ pañhaṁ apucchi Ajita taṁ vadāmi te!
“This question that was asked, Ajita, I can answer it!
Yattha nāmañ-ca rūpañ-ca asesaṁ uparujjhati:
As to where mind and body ceases without remainder:
viññāṇassa nirodhena, etth' etaṁ uparujjhati.” [62 1-6]
with the cessation of consciousness, in this place it ceases.”
“Ye ca saṅkhātadhammāse, ye ca sekhā puthū idha,
“Those who have discerned the Teaching, and the many in training here,
tesaṁ me nipako iriyaṁ puṭṭho pabrūhi mārisa.” [63 1-7]
when I ask the prudent one, please tell me their conduct, dear Sir.”
“Kāmesu nābhigijjheyya, manasānāvilo siyā.
“He should not be greedy for sense pleasures, or be disturbed in mind.
Kusalo sabbadhammānaṁ sato bhikkhu paribbaje” ti. [64 1-8]
Skilful in all things, the monk should wander mindfully.”
Ajita-māṇava-pucchā Niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Ajita's Questions are Finished
2: Tissametteyyamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Tissa Metteyya's Questions
“Ko 'dha santusito loke? icc-āyasmā Tissametteyyo,
“Who is satisfied here in the world? said venerable Tissa Metteyya,
Kassa no santi iñjitā?
For whom is there no turmoil?
Ko ubh' antam-abhiññāya, majjhe mantā na lippati?
Who is the wise man, who has known both ends, and is undefiled in the middle?
Kaṁ brūsi Mahāpuriso ti? Ko 'dha sibbanim-accagā?” [65 2-1]
Who do you say is a Great Man? Who has gone beyond the seamstress here?”
“Kāmesu brahmacariyavā, Metteyyā ti Bhagavā,
“He who is chaste in regard to sense pleasures, Metteyya, said the Gracious One,
vītataṇho sadā sato,
free from craving, always mindful,
saṅkhāya nibbuto bhikkhu, tassa no santi iñjitā. [66 2-2]
having discernment the monk is emancipated, for him there is no turmoil.
So ubh' anta-m-abhiññāya, majjhe mantā na lippati.
He is the wise man, who has known both ends, and is undefiled in the middle.
Taṁ brūmi Mahāpuriso ti, so 'dha sibbanim-accagā” ti. [67 2-3]
He, I say, is a Great Man, he has gone beyond the seamstress here.”
Tissametteyyamāṇāvapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Tissa Metteyya's Questions are Finished
3: Puṇṇakamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Puṇṇaka's Questions
“Anejaṁ mūladassāviṁ, icc-āyasmā Puṇṇako,
“To the one who is unmoved, who sees the root, said venerable Puṇṇaka,
atthi pañhena āgamaṁ:
I have come in need with a question:
Kiṁ nissitā isayo manujā,
On account of what did the seers and men,
khattiyā brāhmaṇā devatānaṁ
nobles, and brahmins, here in the world
yaññam-akappayiṁsu puthūdha loke?
offer many sacrifices to the gods?
Pucchāmi taṁ Bhagavā brūhi me taṁ.” [68 3-1]
I ask you, Gracious One, please tell this to me.”
“Ye kec' ime isayo manujā, Puṇṇakā ti Bhagavā,
“Whoever of those seers and men, Puṇṇaka, said the Gracious One,
khattiyā brāhmaṇā devatānaṁ,
nobles, and brahmins, here in the world,
yaññam-akappayiṁsu puthūdha loke
offered many sacrifices to the gods,
āsiṁsamānā Puṇṇaka itthabhāvaṁ
they did so yearning, Puṇṇaka, for mundane existence,
jaraṁ sitā yaññam-akappayiṁsu.” [69 3-2]
on account of old age, they offered sacrifices.”
“Ye kec' ime isayo manujā, icc-āyasmā Puṇṇako,
“Whoever of those seers and men, said venerable Puṇṇaka,
khattiyā brāhmaṇā devatānaṁ,
nobles, and brahmins, here in the world
yaññam-akappayiṁsu puthūdha loke,
offered many sacrifices to the gods,
kaccissu te Bhagavā yaññapathe appamattā
O Gracious One, perhaps those heedful of the path of sacrifice
atāruṁ jātiñ-ca jarañ-ca mārisa?
have crossed over birth and old age, dear Sir?
Pucchāmi taṁ Bhagavā brūhi me taṁ.” [70 3-3]
I ask you, Gracious One, please tell this to me.”
“Āsiṁsanti thomayanti, abhijappanti juhanti, Puṇṇakā ti Bhagavā,
“They yearn and they praise, they hunger, and they offer, said the Gracious One to Puṇṇaka,
Kāmābhijappanti paṭicca lābhaṁ,
They hunger for sense pleasures, because of gain
te yājayogā bhavarāgarattā.
they engage in sacrifice, excited by the passion for existence.
Nātariṁsu jātijaran-ti brūmi.” [71 3-4]
They have not crossed over birth and old age, I say.”
“Te ce nātariṁsu yājayogā icc-āyasmā Puṇṇako,
“If those engaged in sacrifice have not crossed over, said venerable Puṇṇaka,
yaññehi jātiñ-ca jarañ-ca mārisa,
birth and old age by their sacrifices, dear Sir,
atha ko carahi Devamanussaloke
then just who in the world of the Gods and men
atāri jātiñ-ca jarañ-ca mārisa?
has crossed over birth and old age, dear Sir?
Pucchāmi taṁ Bhagavā brūhi me taṁ.” [72 3-5]
I ask you, Gracious One, please tell this to me.”
“Saṅkhāya lokasmiṁ paroparāni, Puṇṇakā ti Bhagavā,
“The one who has discerned far and near in the world, said the Gracious One to Puṇṇaka,
yass' iñjitaṁ n' atthi kuhiñci loke,
who has no turmoil anywhere in the world,
santo vidhūmo anīgho nirāso,
who is peaceful, not incensed, not troubled, not yearning,
atāri so jātijaran-ti brūmī” ti [73 3-6]
he has crossed over birth and old age, I say”
Puṇṇakamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Puṇṇaka's Questions are Finished
4: Mettagūmāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Mettagū's Questions
“Pucchāmi taṁ Bhagavā brūhi me taṁ, icc-āyasmā Mettagū,
“I ask you, Gracious One, please tell this to me, said venerable Mettagū,
maññāmi taṁ vedaguṁ bhāvitattaṁ -
I think you have true understanding, and a developed self -
kuto nu dukkhā samudāgatā ime
how have these countless kinds of suffering
ye keci lokasmiṁ anekarūpā?” [74 4-1]
arisen for whoever is in the world?”
“Dukkhassa ve maṁ pabhavaṁ apucchasi, Mettagū ti Bhagavā,
“You asked me about the origin of suffering, Mettagū said the Gracious One,
taṁ te pavakkhāmi yathā pajānaṁ:
as I know it I will declare it to you:
Upadhīnidānā pabhavanti dukkhā
Because of clinging to a basis countless kinds
ye keci lokasmiṁ anekarūpā. [75 4-2]
of suffering originate for whoever is in the world.
Yo ve avidvā upadhiṁ karoti
The foolish one, without wisdom, clings to a basis,
punappunaṁ dukkham-upeti mando.
and comes to suffering again and again, the fool.
Tasmā pajānaṁ upadhiṁ na kayirā,
Therefore knowing this, do not cling to a basis,
dukkhassa jātippabhavānupassī.” [76 4-3]
seeing the birth and origin of suffering.”
“Yan-taṁ apucchimha akittayī no, icc-āyasmā Mettagū,
“You have proclaimed to us what we asked you about, said venerable Mettagū,
aññaṁ taṁ pucchāma tad-iṅgha brūhi:
another thing we ask, come on, please answer it:
Kathan-nu dhīrā vitaranti oghaṁ
How do the wise ones cross over the flood
jātiṁ jaraṁ sokapariddavañ-ca?
of birth, old age, grief, and lamentation?
Taṁ me muni sādhu viyākarohi,
Please explain this to me, O sage,
tathā hi te vidito esa Dhammo.” [77 4-4]
for this Teaching has been understood by you.”
“Kittayissāmi te Dhammaṁ, Mettagū ti Bhagavā,
“I shall proclaim the Teaching to you, Mettagū said the Gracious One,
diṭṭhe dhamme anītihaṁ,
which is not hearsay in this world,
yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, tare loke visattikaṁ.” [78 4-5]
which, having understood, and living mindfully, one can cross over clinging to the world.”
“Tañ-cāhaṁ abhinandāmi mahesi Dhammam-uttamaṁ,
“I greatly rejoice in that supreme Teaching, great seer,
yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, tare loke visattikaṁ.” [79 4-6]
which, having understood, and living mindfully, one can cross over clinging to the world.”
“Yaṁ kiñci sampajānāsi, Mettagū ti Bhagavā,
“Whatever you know, Mettagū said the Gracious One,
uddhaṁ adho tiriyañ-cāpi majjhe,
above, below, and across the middle,
etesu nandiñ-ca nivesanañ-ca
dispel the enjoyment of, and settling on, these things,
panujja viññāṇaṁ bhave na tiṭṭhe. [80 4-7]
and consciousness, and one will not remain in existence.
Evaṁvihārī sato appamatto,
Living in this way, mindful, and heedful,
bhikkhu caraṁ hitvā mamāyitāni,
the monk who lives on after giving up loved things,
jātiṁ jaraṁ sokapariddavañ-ca
can, being wise, give up birth, old age,
idh' eva vidvā pajaheyya dukkhaṁ.” [81 4-8]
grief, lamentation, and suffering right here.”
“Etābhinandāmi vaco Mahesino, icc-āyasmā Mettagū,
“I greatly rejoice in this, the Great Seer's word, said venerable Mettagū,
Sukittitaṁ Gotam' anūpadhīkaṁ.
O Gotama, well proclaimed is freedom from cleaving.
Addhā hi Bhagavā pahāsi dukkhaṁ,
Surely the Gracious One gave up suffering,
tathā hi te vidito esa Dhammo. [82 4-9]
for this Teaching has been understood by you.
Te cāpi nūna pajaheyyu dukkhaṁ,
Surely they too can give up suffering,
ye tvaṁ Munī aṭṭhitaṁ ovadeyya,
whomever you would continually advise, O Sage,
taṁ taṁ namassāmi samecca Nāgaṁ,
therefore having met the Strong One, I revere him,
appeva maṁ Bhagavā aṭṭhitaṁ ovadeyya!” [83 4-10]
perhaps the Gracious One could continuously advise me!”
“Yaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ vedaguṁ ābhijaññā, Mettagū ti Bhagavā,
“You should know the brāhmin who has true understanding, Mettagū, said the Gracious One,
akiñcanaṁ kāmabhave asattaṁ,
who has nothing, and is not clinging to sense existence,
addhā hi so ogham-imaṁ atāri,
for he has surely crossed over the flood,
tiṇṇo ca pāraṁ akhilo akaṅkho. [84 4-11]
without hindrance or doubt, he has crossed beyond.
Vidvā ca so vedagū naro idha,
That man here who is wise, and has true understanding,
bhavābhave saṅgam-imaṁ visajja,
who has released the shackle of repeated existence,
so vītataṇho anīgho nirāso -
he is craving-free, not troubled, not yearning -
atāri so jātijaran-ti brūmī” ti [85 4-12]
he has crossed over birth and old age, I say.”
Mettagūmāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Mettagū's Questions are Finished
5: Dhotakamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Dhotaka's Questions
“Pucchāmi taṁ Bhagavā brūhi me taṁ, icc-āyasmā Dhotako,
“I ask you, Gracious One, please tell this to me, said venerable Dhotaka,
vācābhikaṅkhāmi Mahesi tuyhaṁ,
I am waiting for a word of yours, Great Seer,
tava sutvāna nigghosaṁ sikkhe Nibbānam-attano.” [86 5-1]
having heard your utterance I could train for my own Nibbāna.”
“Tena h' ātappaṁ karohi, Dhotakā ti Bhagavā,
“Then you must become ardent, Dhotaka said the Gracious One,
idh' eva nipako sato,
being prudent and mindful right here,
ito sutvāna nigghosaṁ, sikkhe Nibbānam-attano.” [87 5-2]
henceforth, after hearing this utterance you should train for your own Nibbāna.”
“Passām' ahaṁ devamanussaloke, icc-āyasmā Dhotako,
“I see in the world with its gods and men, said venerable Dhotaka,
akiñcanaṁ brāhmaṇam-iriyamānaṁ,
a brahmin who moves about having nothing,
taṁ taṁ namassāmi Samantacakkhu,
therefore I revere you, All-Seeing Visionary,
pamuñca maṁ Sakka kathaṅkathāhi.” [88 5-3]
O Sakyan, please free me from my doubts.”
“Nāhaṁ sahissāmi pamocanāya,
“I will not be able to free
kathaṅkathiṁ Dhotaka kañci loke,
anyone in the world who is having doubts, Dhotaka,
dhammañ-ca seṭṭhaṁ ājānamāno,
but knowing (Nibbāna), the best thing,
evaṁ tuvaṁ ogham-imaṁ taresi.” [89 5-4]
in this way you can cross over the flood.”
“Anusāsa brahme karuṇāyamāno, icc-āyasmā Dhotako,
“Brahmin! Being compassionate teach, said venerable Dhotaka,
vivekadhammaṁ yam-ahaṁ vijaññaṁ,
the state of detachment that I should know,
yathā 'ham-ākāso va abyāpajjamāno,
then I, being undisturbed, just like the sky,
idh' eva santo asito careyyaṁ.” [90 5-5]
may live peaceful and independent right here.”
“Kittiyissāmi te santiṁ, Dhotakā ti Bhagavā,
“I shall proclaim the peace to you, Dhotaka, said the Gracious One,
diṭṭhe dhamme anītihaṁ,
which is not hearsay here in the world,
yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, tare loke visattikaṁ.” [91 5-6]
which, having understood, and living mindfully, one can cross over clinging to the world.”
“Tañ-cāhaṁ abhinandāmi Mahesi santim-uttamaṁ
“I greatly rejoice in that supreme peace, Great Seer,
yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, tare loke visattikaṁ.” [92 5-7]
which, having understood, and living mindfully, one can cross over clinging to the world.”
“Yaṁ kiñci sampajānāsi, Dhotakā ti Bhagavā,
“Whatever you know, Dhotaka, said the Gracious One,
uddhaṁ adho tiriyañ-cāpi majjhe,
above, below, and across the middle,
etaṁ viditvā ‘saṅgo’ ti loke,
having understood this is called a shackle in the world,
bhavābhavāya mākāsi taṇhan”-ti. [93 5-8]
you must not have craving for repeated existence.”
Dhotakamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Dhotaka's Questions are Finished