4-42 §7 Gāmaṇisamyutta | Samyutta

7 The Simile of the Field

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Nālanda in Pāvārika’s Mango Grove.

Then Asibandhakaputta the headman approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Venerable sir, doesn’t the Blessed One dwell compassionate towards all living beings?

Yes, headman, the Tathāgata dwells compassionate towards all living beings.

Then why is it, venerable sir, that the Blessed One teaches the Dhamma thoroughly to some, yet not so thoroughly to others?

 Well then, headman, I will question you about this. Answer as you see fit.

What do you think, headman?

Suppose a farmer here had 3 fields: one excellent, one of middling quality, and one inferior—rough, salty, with bad ground.

What do you think, headman?

If that farmer wishes to sow seed, where would he sow it first:

- in the excellent field, in the field of middling quality, or in the field that was inferior, the one that was rough, salty, with bad ground?

If, venerable sir, that farmer wishes to sow seed, he would sow it in the excellent field. Having sown seed there, he would next sow seed in the field of middling quality.

Having sown seed there, he might or might not sow seed in the field that was inferior, the one that was rough, salty, with bad ground.

For what reason? Because at least it can be used as fodder for the cattle.

Headman, just like the field that is excellent are the Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunīs to me:

I teach them the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is perfectly complete and pure.

For what reason? Because they dwell with me as their island, with me as their shelter, with me as their protector, with me as their refuge.

Then, headmen, just like the field of middling quality are the male and female lay followers to me.

To them too I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is perfectly complete and pure.

For what reason? Because they dwell with me as their island, with me as their shelter, with me as their protector, with me as their refuge.

Then, headmen, just like that field that is inferior - rough, salty, with bad ground - are the ascetics, Brahmins, and wanderers of other sects to me.

Yet to them too I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is perfectly complete and pure.

For what reason? Because if they understand even a single sentence, that will lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time.

Suppose, headman, a man had 3 water-pots:

one without cracks, which does not let water seep through and escape;
one without cracks, but which lets water seep through and escape;
and one with cracks, which lets water seep through and escape.

What do you think, headman?

If that man wants to store water, where he would store it first:

in the water-pot that is without cracks, which does not let water seep through and escape; or in the water-pot that is without cracks, but which lets water seep through and escape; or in the water-pot that has cracks, which lets water seep through and escape?

If, venerable sir, that man wants to store water, he would store it in the water-pot that is without cracks, which does not let water seep through and escape.

Having stored water there, he would next store it in the water-pot that is without cracks, but which lets water seep through and escape.

Having stored it there, he might or might not store it in the water-pot that has cracks, which lets water seep through and escape.

For what reason? Because it can at least be used for washing dishes.

Headman, just like the water-pot that is without cracks, which does not let water seep through and escape, are the Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunīs to me:

I teach them the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is perfectly complete and pure.

For what reason? Because they dwell with me as their island, with me as their shelter, with me as their protector, with me as their refuge.

Then, headman, just like the water-pot that is without cracks, but which lets water seep through and escape, are the male and female lay followers to me:

To them too I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is perfectly complete and pure.

For what reason? Because they dwell with me as their island, with me as their shelter, with me as their protector, with me as their refuge.

Then, headman, just like the water-pot that has cracks, which lets water seep through and escape, are the ascetics, Brahmins, and wanderers of other sects to me.

Yet to them too I teach the Dhamma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is perfectly complete and pure.

For what reason? Because if they understand even a single sentence, that will lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time.

When this was said, Asibandhakaputta the headman said to the Blessed One:

Magnificent, venerable sir!…

From today let the Blessed One remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.