Pārāyanavagga | Questions 11-16
11: Jatukaṇṇīmāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Jatukaṇṇī's Questions
“Sutvāna 'haṁ vīram-akāmakāmiṁ, icc-āyasmā Jatukaṇṇī,
“Having heard of a hero who has no desire for sense pleasures, said venerable Jatukaṇṇī,
oghātigaṁ puṭṭhum-akāmam-āgamaṁ,
I came to ask that desireless one who is beyond the flood,
santipadaṁ brūhi sahājanetta,
please speak of the state of peace, conascent-eye,
yathātacchaṁ Bhagavā brūhi me taṁ. [121 11-1]
as it really is, Gracious One, please tell me this.
Bhagavā hi kāme abhibhuyya iriyati,
the Gracious One moves about having vanquished sense desires,
ādicco va paṭhaviṁ teji tejasā.
as the splendid sun (vanquishes) the earth with its splendour.
Parittapaññassa me Bhūripañña,
To me of little wisdom, O One of Great Wisdom,
ācikkha Dhammaṁ yam-ahaṁ vijaññaṁ
explain the Teaching so that I may know
jātijarāya idha vippahānaṁ.” [122 11-2]
the complete giving up of birth and old age here.”
“Kāmesu vinaya gedhaṁ, Jatukaṇṇī ti Bhagavā,
“Remove the greed for sense pleasures, Jatukaṇṇī, said the Gracious One,
nekkhammaṁ daṭṭhu' khemato;
having seen there is safety in renunciation;
uggahītaṁ nirattaṁ vā mā te vijjittha kiñcanaṁ. [123 11-3]
let there be nothing found in you that has been taken up or put down.
Yaṁ pubbe taṁ visosehi, pacchā te māhu kiñcanaṁ.
You should erase that which is past, and have nothing for the future,
Majjhe ce no gahessasi upasanto carissasi. [124 11-4]
if you take up nothing in the present you will live peacefully.
Sabbaso nāmarūpasmiṁ vītagedhassa brāhmaṇa,
For one altogether without greed for mind and body, O brahmin,
āsavā 'ssa na vijjanti yehi Maccuvasaṁ vaje” ti. [125 11-5]
no pollutants are found whereby he can come under Death's control.”
Jatukaṇṇīmāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Jatukaṇṇī's Questions are Finished
12: Bhadrāvudhamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Bhadrāvudha's Questions
“Okañjahaṁ taṇhacchidaṁ anejaṁ, icc-āyasmā Bhadrāvudho,
“The home-leaver, the craving-cutter, the unmoved one, said venerable Bhadrāvudha,
nandiñjahaṁ oghatiṇṇaṁ vimuttaṁ,
the enjoyment-leaver, the flood-crosser, the free one,
kappañjahaṁ abhiyāce sumedhaṁ,
the speculation-leaver, the intelligent one - (him) I beg,
sutvāna Nāgassa apanamissanti ito. [126 12-1]
after hearing the Strong One, they will go away from here.
Nānā janā janapadehi saṅgatā,
Various people have come from the countries,
tava vīra vākyaṁ abhikaṅkhamānā,
and are waiting for your saying, O hero,
tesaṁ tuvaṁ sādhu viyākarohi,
you must explain (the Teaching) properly to them,
tathā hi te vidito esa Dhammo.” [127 12-2]
for this Teaching has been understood by you.”
“Ādānataṇhaṁ vinayetha sabbaṁ, Bhadrāvudhā ti Bhagavā,
“You must remove all attachment to craving, Bhadrāvudha, said the Gracious One,
uddhaṁ adho tiriyañ-cāpi majjhe,
above, below, and across the middle,
yaṁ yaṁ hi lokasmiṁ upādiyanti
for with whatever they are attached to in the world,
ten' eva Māro anveti jantuṁ. [128 12-3]
with just that Māra follows a man.
Tasmā pajānaṁ na upādiyetha
Therefore knowing (this), the mindful monk should
bhikkhu sato kiñcanaṁ sabbaloke,
not be attached to anything in the whole world,
ādānasatte iti pekkhamāno,
seeing that with what is called attachment to clinging,
pajaṁ imaṁ Maccudheyye visattan”-ti. [129 12-4]
these people are clinging to the realm of Death.”
Bhadrāvudhamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Bhadrāvudha's Questions are Finished
13: Udayamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Udaya's Questions
“Jhāyiṁ virajam-āsīnaṁ, icc-āyasmā Udayo,
“To the meditator who sits dust-free, said venerable Udaya,
katakiccaṁ anāsavaṁ,
with duty-done, pollutant-free,
pāraguṁ sabbadhammānaṁ, atthi pañhena āgamaṁ:
who is perfect in all things, I have come in need with a question:
aññāvimokkhaṁ pabrūhi, avijjāya pabhedanaṁ.” [130 13-1]
please tell of freedom through knowledge, the breaking up of ignorance.”
“Pahānaṁ kāmachandānaṁ, Udayā ti Bhagavā,
“The giving up of sensual desire, Udaya, said the Gracious One,
domanassāna' cūbhayaṁ,
and of sorrow, (these) two,
thīnassa ca panūdanaṁ, kukkuccānaṁ nivāraṇaṁ, [131 13-2]
the dispelling of sloth, and the constraint of worry (about wrong-doing),
upekkhāsatisaṁsuddhaṁ, Dhammatakkapurejavaṁ
purity through equanimity and mindfulness,01 preceded by thought of impermanent things,02
aññāvimokkhaṁ pabrūmi, avijjāya pabhedanaṁ.” [132 13-3]
this I call freedom through knowledge, the breaking up of ignorance.”
“Kiṁ su saṁyojano loko? icc-āyasmā Udayo,
“By what is the world fettered? said venerable Udaya,
Kiṁ su tassa vicāraṇaṁ?
By what does it roam about?
Kiss' assa vippahānena Nibbānaṁ iti vuccati?” [133 13-4]
By completely giving up what thing is there what is called Nibbāna?”
“Nandisaṁyojano loko, Udayā ti Bhagavā,
“The world is fettered by enjoyment, Udaya, said the Gracious One,
vitakk' assa vicāraṇā.
it roams about through reflections.
Taṇhāya vippahānena Nibbānaṁ iti vuccati.” [134 13-5]
By completely giving up craving there is what is called Nibbāna.”
“Kathaṁ satassa carato viññāṇaṁ uparujjhati?
For he who lives mindfully, how is it consciousness ceases?
Bhagavantaṁ puṭṭhum-āgamma, taṁ suṇoma vaco tava.” [135 13-6]
We have come to ask the Gracious One, therefore may we hear your word.”
“Ajjhattañ-ca bahiddhā ca vedanaṁ nābhinandato -
“Without rejoicing over feeling on the inside or outside -
evaṁ satassa carato viññāṇaṁ uparujjhatī” ti. [136 13-7]
for he who lives mindfully in this way, consciousness ceases.”03
Udayamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Udaya's Questions are Finished
14: Posālamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Posāla's Questions
“Yo atītaṁ ādisati, icc-āyasmā Posālo,
“(To) the one who points out the past, said venerable Posāla,
anejo chinnasaṁsayo,
the unmoved one, who has cut off doubt,
pāraguṁ sabbadhammānaṁ atthi pañhena āgamaṁ: [137 14-1]
who is perfect in everything, I have come in need with a question:
Vibhūta-rūpa-saññissa, sabba-kāyappahāyino,
For the one in whom perception of form has ended,
ajjhattañ-ca bahiddhā ca n' atthi kiñcī ti passato,
(who), on the inside and outside is seeing ‘there is nothing whatsoever’,
ñāṇaṁ Sakkānupucchāmi, kathaṁ neyyo tathāvidho?” [138 14-2]
I ask about (his) knowledge, Sakyan, how is such a one led further?”
“Viññāṇaṭṭhitiyo sabbā, Posālā ti Bhagavā,
“All the stations of consciousness, Posāla, said the Gracious One,
abhijānaṁ Tathāgato,
the Realised One knows,
tiṭṭhantam-enaṁ jānāti, adhimuttaṁ tapparāyaṇaṁ. [139 14-3]
he knows where that one stands, what he is intent on, what he is going towards.
Ākiñcaññāsambhavaṁ ñatvā, nandi saṁyojanaṁ iti,
Having known the origin of nothingness, and that enjoyment is called a fetter,
evam-etaṁ abhiññāya, tato tattha vipassati:
knowing deeply that it is so, and then having insight into this:
etaṁ ñāṇaṁ tathaṁ tassa, brāhmaṇassa vusīmato” ti. [140 14-4]
this is real knowedge for him, for the brahmin who is accomplished.”
Posālamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Posāla's Questions are Finished
15: Mogharājamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Mogharāja's Questions
“Dvāhaṁ Sakkaṁ apucchissaṁ, icc-āyasmā Mogharājā,
“Twice I asked the Sakyan, said venerable Mogharāja,
na me byākāsi Cakkhumā,
but the Visionary did not answer me,
yāvatatiyañ-ca Devisi byākarotī ti me sutaṁ. [141 15-1]
if (asked) up to a third time the Divine Seer answers, I have heard.
Ayaṁ loko paro loko, Brahmaloko Sadevako:
This world, the other world, the Brahma world with its Gods:
diṭṭhiṁ te nābhijānāmi Gotamassa yasassino. [142 15-2]
one does not know what view of this the reputable Gotama has.
Evaṁ abhikkantadassāviṁ, atthi pañhena āgamaṁ:
So, to the One With Excellent Sight, I have come in need with a question:
Kathaṁ lokaṁ avekkhantaṁ Maccurājā na passati?” [143 15-3]
Looking on the world in what way does the king of Death not see (one)?
“Suññato lokaṁ avekkhassu, Mogharāja sadā sato.
“Look on the world as empty, Mogharāja, being always mindful.
Attānudiṭṭhiṁ ūhacca, evaṁ Maccutaro siyā.
Having removed (wrong) view of self, in this way one will cross beyond Death.
Evaṁ lokaṁ avekkhantaṁ Maccurājā na passatī” ti. [144 15-4]
When looking on the world in this way the king of Death does not see (one).”
Mogharājamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Mogharāja's Questions are Finished
16: Piṅgiyamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Piṅgiya's Questions
“Jiṇṇo 'ham-asmi abalo vītavaṇṇo, icc-āyasmā Pingiyo,
“I am old, without strength, with poor complexion, said venerable Piṅgiya,
nettā na suddhā savaṇaṁ na phāsu -
my eyes are unclear, and hearing is difficult -
mā 'haṁ nassaṁ momuho antarā va!
may I indeed not perish a fool mid-way!
Ācikkha Dhammaṁ yam-ahaṁ vijaññaṁ
Explain the Teaching so that I may know
jātijarāya idha vippahānaṁ.” [145 16-1]
the complete giving up of birth and old age here.”
“Disvāna rūpesu vihaññamāne, Pingiyā ti Bhagavā,
“Having seen (people) being struck down amid forms, Piṅgiya, said the Gracious One,
ruppanti rūpesu janā pamattā -
(and that) heedless people are pained amid forms -
tasmā tuvaṁ Piṅgiya appamatto,
therefore you, Piṅgiya, being heedful,
jahassu rūpaṁ apunabbhavāya.” [146 16-2]
must give up form, and not come into existence again.”
“Disā catasso vidisā catasso, icc-āyasmā Piṅgiyo,
“The four directions, the four intermediate directions, said venerable Piṅgiya,
uddhaṁ adho dasa disā imāyo
above and below: in these ten directions,
na tōyhaṁ adiṭṭhaṁ asutaṁmutaṁ vā
there is nothing for you that is unseen, unheard,
atho aviññātaṁ kiñcinam-atthi loke!
unsensed, or uncognized in the world!
Ācikkha Dhammaṁ yam-ahaṁ vijaññaṁ
Explain the Teaching so that I may know
jātijarāya idha vippahānaṁ.” [147 16-3]
the complete giving up of birth and old age here.”
“Taṇhādhipanne manuje pekkhamāno, Pingiyā ti Bhagavā,
“Seeing human beings, victims of craving, Piṅgiya, said the Gracious One,
santāpajāte jarasā parete -
are tormented, and overcome by old age -
tasmā tuvaṁ Piṅgiya appamatto,
therefore you, Piṅgiya, being heedful,
jahassu taṇhaṁ apunabbhavāyā” ti. [148 16-4]
must give up craving and not come into existence again.”
Piṅgiyamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Piṅgiya's Questions are Finished