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MAJJHIMA NIKAAYA II
II. 1.6. Upaalisutta.m
(56)To the Householder Upaali.
I heard thus.
At one time the Blessed One lived in Nalanda, in the mango orchard of Pavarika. At that
time Niganta Nataputta lived in Nalanda with a large gathering of niganthas. Dighatapassi
the nigantha wandered for alms in Nalanda and returning from the alms round after the meal
was over approached the Blessed One, exchanged friendly greetings and stood on a side. The
Blessed One said, Tapassi, there are seats, if you wish, sit. Then
Dighatapassi taking a certain low seat sat and the Blessed One said to him:
Tapassi, how many actions does Niganthanaataputta declare for doing demerit and
its perpetration?Friend Gotama, it is not the practise to say action, it is
the practise to say punishment.Tapassi, how many punishments does
Niganthanataputta declare for doing demerit and its perpetration? Friend,
Gotama, Niganthanataputta has declared three punishments for doing demerit and its
perpetration. They are bodily punishment, verbal punishment and mental punishment.
Tapassi, is bodily punishment one, verbal punishment another and mental punishment
another? Friend, Gotama, bodily punishment is one, verbal punishment is
another and mental punishment is another. Tapassi these three punishments
different and dissected, which one does Niganthanataputta declare as the most blameworthy?
Is it bodily, verbal or mental punishment? Friend Gotama, of these three
punishments that are different and dissected, Niganthanataputta declares bodily punishment
as the most blameworthy, for doing demerit and its perpetration not so much verbal and
mental punishments. Does Tapassi say bodily punishment? Friend
Gotama, I say bodily punishment. Does Tapassi say bodily punishment?
Friend Gotama, I say bodily punishment. Does Tapassi say bodily
punishment? Friend Gotama, I say bodily punishment. Thus the Blessed One
made Dighatapassi to be established in this argument up to the third time.
Then Dighatapasssi said to the Blessed One: Friend Gotama, how many punishments
do you declare for doing demerit and its perpetration? Friend, Tapassi, it is
not the practise of the Thus Gone One to say punishment, it is the practise to
say,action.Friend Gotama, how many actions do you declare for doing demerit
and its perpetration?. Tapassi, I declare three actions for doing demerit and
its perpetration. They are bodily, verbal and mental actions. Friend, Gotama,
is bodily action one, verbal action another and mental action another? Friend,
Gotama, of these three actions that are different and dissected, which one does good
Gotama declare as most blameworthy? Is it bodily, verbal or mental actions?
Friend Tapassi, of these three actions, I declare mental action as the most
blameworthy, not so much bodily or verbal action. Does friend Gotama say
mental action? Tapassi, I say mental action. Does friend Gotama
say mental action? Tapassi, I say, mental action. Does friend
Gotama say, mental action? Tapassi, I say, mental action.Thus
Dighatapassi made the Blessed One to be established in this argument up to the third time,
got up from his seat and approached Niganthanataputta.
At that time Niganthanataputta was seated with a large gathering of lay followers
headed by foolish Upali. Niganthanaataputta saw Dighatapassi approaching in the distance
and said to him.Tapassi, from where do you come at this time of the day?
Venerable sir, from the presence of the recluse Gotama. Was there any
dispute between you and the recluse Gotama? There was a dispute, between me
and the recluse Gotama. Tapassi, what was the dispute between you and the
recluse Gotama? Then the nigantha Dighatapassi related all the conversation between
himself and the recluse Gotama. When it was related, Niganthanataputta said to the
nigantha Dighatapassi: Good! Tapassi! You are a learned disciple of the Teacher. You
have said the right thing to the recluse Gotama. What is the vile low mental punishment,
when compared to the coarse bodily punishment? Bodily punishment is the most blameworthy
for doing demerit and its perpetration, not so much verbal or mental punishment.
Then the householder Upali said to
Niganthanataputta. Venerable sir, your learned disciple has said the right thing to
the recluse Gotama. What does the vile low mental punishment matter, when compared to the
coarse bodily punishment? Bodily punishment is the most blameworthy for doing demerit and
the perpetration of demerit not so much the verbal punishment or the mental punishment.
Venerable sir now, I will arouse a dispute with the recluse Gotama. If the recluse Gotama
is firm in what good sir Dighatapassi had made him to establish himself. Like a strong man
holding a lamb by its furs would pull it and drag it about. Like a strong brewer of
liqueur would rinse a huge crater in a deep pond and shake it about taking it by the ears.
In the same manner we would pull and drag about the recluse Gotama drawing him to a
dispute. Like an elephant of sixty cubits in a deep pond would enjoy the game of washing
hemp. We would enjoy the game of washing hemp with the recluse Gotama. Venerable sir, now
we will go to dispute this, with the recluse Gotama. Go, householder, and
arouse this dispute with the recluse Gotama, either I should go and dispute it, or you or
good Dighatapasssi should do it.
The niganta Dighatapassi said, to Niganthanataputta. Venerable sir, I do not like
the householder Upaali going to dispute this with the recluse Gotama. He is crafty and
knows how to entice the disciples of other sects. It is not possible Tapassi,
that the householder Upali should become the disciple of the recluse Gotama. It is
possible that the recluse Gotama should become a disciple of the householder Upali. Either
I should go to dispute this, or the householder Upali or the nigantha Diighatapassi should
go. The second, and up to the third time Dighatapassi said to Niganthanataputta. Venerable
sir, I do not like the householder Upaali, going to dispute this with the recluse Gotama.
He is crafty and knows how to entice the disciples of other sects. It is not
possible Tapassi, that the householder Upali should become the disciple of the recluse
Gotama. It is possible that the recluse Gotama should become a disciple of the householder
Upali. Either I or the householder Upali or Dighatapassi, you should go, to dispute
this.
Upali the householder said. Venerable sir, I will go. Got up from his seat,
worshipped and circumambulated Niganthanatapuuta and going to Pavarikas mango
orchard approached the Blessed One, worshipped and sat on a side. Then the householder
Upali said to the Blessed One: Venerable sir, did the nigantha, Dighatapassi come
here? Householder, the nigantha, Dighatapassi came here. Venerable
sir, was there any conversation with the nigantha Dighatapassi? There was a
conversation with the nigantha, Dighatapassi.Venerable sir, what was the
conversation with the nigantha, Dighatapassi? The Blessed One related the whole
discussion that took place between him and the nigantha, Dighataapassi. Good, it is
well said to the Blessed One by venerable Tapassi. He is a learned disciple of the
teacher. What is this vile low mental punishment compared to the coarse bodily punishment?
The bodily punishment is the most blameworthy for doing demerit and for the perpetration
of demerit, not so much this verbal or mental punishment. Householder, if you
establish your self on this truth and take council, there will be a conversation.
Venerable sir, I will be established in the truth and take council, there will be a
discussion on this.
Householder, there is a nigantha gravely ill, rejecting cold water and desiring
warm water, he dies not even gaining cold water. Where would Niganthanataputta declare he
would be born? Venerable sir, there are gods named mental beings, he will be
born with them. What is the reason? Because he will die bound by the
mind..Householder, reflect carefully before you reply. What you said earlier
does not agree with what you say now. Householder, you have said words like these, I will
be established in the truth and take council and there will be a discussion on
this..Venerable sir, whatever the Blessed One says, bodily punishment is the
most blameworthy for doing demerit and for the perpetration of demerit, verbal punishment
and mental punishment is nothing in comparison. Householder, there is a
niganta observing all the restraints, and experiencing the results of those restraints.
When walking to and fro he kills many instects What, are the results that
Niganthanataputta declares to him? When unintentional, venerable sir,
Niganthanataputta says it is not so blameworthy. Householder if it is
intentional? Then it is the most blameworthy. As what does
Niganthanataputta classify intention? Venerable sir, it is classified as
mental punishment. Householder, reflect carefully before you reply. What you
said earlier does not agree with these words. Householder, you have said words like these,
I will be established in the truth and take council and there will be a discussion on
this. Venerable sir, whatever the Blessed One says, bodily punishment is the
most blameworthy for doing demerit and for the perpetration of demerit, not verbal and
mental punishments.
Householder, is Naalandaa densely populated, are the people of Naalandaa rich and
prosperous? Venerable sir, Naalandaa is densely populated and the people are
rich and prosperous. A man with a sword in hand would come along saying, in a
moment I will make the whole of Naalandaa a mass of flesh, a pile of flesh. Would he be
able to do it? Venerable sir, even ten, twenty, thirty, not even forty men
would be able to do it, in a moment. What could one vile man do? Householder,
a recluse or a brahmin, wielding power over his mind, would come, saying, in one moment I
will turn the whole of Naalandaa into ashes, with a single defiled intention. Householder,
would he, wielding power over his mind be able to turn it, into ashes in a moment with a
single defiled intention? Venerable sir, a recluse or brahmin wielding power
over his mind will turn to ashes ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or even fifty such Naalandaas
with a single defiled intention. So what to speak of a single vile Naalandaa?
Householder, reflect carefully before you reply, your earlier words do not agree
with the present word. Householder, you have said words like these, I will be established
in the truth and take council and there will be a discussion on this.
Venerable sir, whatever the Blessed One says, bodily punishment is the most
blameworthy for doing demerit and the perpetration of demerit, verbal and mental
punishments are nothing in comparison. Householder, do you know how these
forests, Dandaka, Kalinga, Mejjha and Mathanga, turned into forests? Venerable
sir, I know. What have you heard about it? On account of a
sages defiled mind, these forests, Dandaka, Kalinga, Mejjha and Mathanga have turned
into forests, I have heard this. Householder, reflect carefully before you
reply, what you said earlier does not agree with what you say, now.Householder, you have
said words like these, I will be established in the truth and take council and there will
be a discussion on this.
Venerable sir, even with the first comparison I was satisfied, desiring to hear
the various explanations of the Blessed One I purposely opposed the Blessed One. Now I
understand venerable sir. It seems as though something. over turned is reinstated. As
something covered is made manifest. It is like the path is told to someone who had lost
his way. Its as though an oil lamp is lighted for the darkness, for those with sight
to see forms. The Teaching is explained in various ways. Now I take refuge in the Blessed
One, in the Teaching and the Community of bhikkhus. May I be remembered as a lay disciple
from today until life lasts.
Householder, think again, before you act, famous people like you, should think
carefully before you act. Venerable sir, I am very much pleased with these
words of the Blessed One.. Householder, think again before you act, famous
people like you should think carefully before you act. If the ascetics of
another sect gained my disciple-ship, they would have carried me about Nalanda saying the
householder Upali has come to our discipleship, Here the Blessed One says Householder,
think again, before you act, famous people like you should think carefully before you act.
Now I take the refuge in the Blessed One, the Teaching and the Community of bhikkhus for
the second time. May I be remembered as a lay disciple who has taken refuge from today
until life lasts.
Householder since long your clan has been a welling spring to the nigantas. I
think morsel food should be offered to those that come. Venerable sir, I am
very much pleased with these words of the Blessed One. Householder, since long your clan
has been a welling spring to the nigantas. I think morsel food should be offered to them
that come. Venerable sir, I have heard this said about you. Offerings should
be given to me only, not to others. Offerings should be, to my disciples not to the
disciples of other sects. Offerings made to my disciples are of great fruit, but not the
offerings made to others. Here, the Blessed One advises me to make offerings to the
nigantas. We would know the time to do it. Now I take refuge in the Blessed One, the
Teaching and the Community of bhikkhus for the third time. May I be remembered as a lay
disciple who has taken refuge from today until life lasts.
Then the Blessed One gave the householder Upali the gradual Teaching starting with
giving gifts, becoming virtuous, about the heavenly states, the dangers of sensuality, the
vileness of defiling things, and benefits of giving up. Then the Blessed One knew that the
mind of the householder Upali was ready, malleable, free of hindrances, lofty and pleased
and the Blessed One gave the special message of the Enlightened Ones: Unpleasantness, its
arising, its cessation and the path to the cessation of unpleasantness. Like a pure, clean
cloth would take a dye evenly. In that same manner, the dustless, stainless eye of the
Teaching arose to the householder Upali, seated there itself. Whatever rises has the
nature of ceasing. The householder Upaali, then and there mastered that Teaching, knew and
penetrated it. Doubts dispelled become self confident attained that state where he did not
want a teacher, any more, in the Dispensation of the Blessed One (* 1). He said.
Venerable sir, we will go now, there is much work to be done.
Househoder, do as you think it fit.
Then the householder Upali delighted and pleased hearing the words of the Blessed One
got up from his seat, worshipped and ciccumambulated the Blessed One and went home. He
addressed his gate- keeper: Friend, gate -keeper, from today the door is closed to
the nigantas and nigantis. It is open to the Blessed One, the bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay
disciples male and female. If any nigantas come, you should tell them: Wait sirs, do not
enter. From today the householder Upali has gone to the discipleship of the recluse
Gotama. The door is closed to nigantas and nigantis. The door is open to the bhikkhus,
bhikkhunis, lay disciples, male and female of the Blessed One. If sirs, you want morsel
food stand here. It will be brought here.The gate-keeper agreed.
The niganta Diighatapassi heard. The householder Upali has become a disciple of the
recluse Gotama. He approached Niganthanataputta and said:Venerable sir, I hear that
the householder Upali has become a disciple of the recluse Gotama. It is not
possible Tapassi, that the householder Upali should become the disciple of the recluse
Gotama. It is possible that the recluse Gotama should become a disciple of the householder
Upali The second time and up to the third time nigantha Dighatapassi said to
Niganthanaataputta Venerable sir, I hear that the householder Upali has become a
disciple of the recluse Gotama.It is not possible Tapassi, that the
householder Upali should become the disciple of the recluse Gotama. It is possible the
recluse Gotama should become a disciple of the householder Upali.Venerable
sir, I will go and see whether the householder Upali has become a disciple of the recluse
Gotama or not.Go Tapassi, know whether the householder Upali is a disciple of
the recluse gotama or not?.
Then the niganta Dighatapassi approached the householder Upalis house. The
gate-keeper saw him coming in the distance, and said.Wait sir. Do not enter. From
today the householder Upali has become a disciple of the recluse Gotama. The door is
closed to nigantas and nigantis. The door is open to the bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay
disciples, male and female of the Blessed One. If sir, you want morsel food stand here. It
will be brought here. He saying, friend, Im not in need of morsel
food, approached Niganthanataputta, and said. Venerable sir, it is the truth.
The householder Upali is a disciple of the recluse Gotama. I told you, venerable sir, that
it was not suitable, that the householder Upali should dispute this with the recluse
Gotama. He is crafty and knows how to entice the disciples of other sects. It
is not possible Tapassi, that the householder Upali should become the disciple of the
recluse Gotama. It is possible that the recluse Gotama should become a disciple of the
householder Upali. The second and up to the third time, niganthaDighatapassi said to
Niganthanataputta. Venerable sir, I did not like the householder Upali going to
dispute this with the recluse Gotama. He is crafty and knows how to entice the disciples
of other sects. It is not possible Tapassi, that the householder Upali should
become the disciple of the recluse Gotama. It is possible that the recluse Gotama should
become a disciple of the householder Upali. I will now go and see whether the householder
Upali has gone to the disciple-ship of the recluse Gotama or not.
Then Niganthanataputta approached the householder upalis house with a large
gathering of nigantas. The gate-keeper saw them approaching in the distance and said.
Wait sirs. Do not enter. From today the householder Upali is a disciple of the
recluse Gotama. The door is closed to nigantas and nigantis. The door is open to the
bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, lay disciples, male and female of the Blessed One. If sirs, you want
morsel food stand here. It will be brought here. Then friend gate-keeper,
approach the houeholder Upali and tell him. Niganthanataputta has come with a large
gathering of nigantas and is standing outside. He likes to meet the householder
Upali. The gate-keeper approached the householder Upali and told him.Sir,
Niganthanataputta has come with a large gathering of nigantas and desires to see
you. Then friend, gate-keeper, prepare seats in the middle hall. The
gate-keeper prepared seats in the middle hall and informed the householder Upali.
The seats are ready in the middle hall, and it is time to do as you think fit.
Then the householder Upali came to the middle hall and choosing the most excellent, seat
sat there and told the gate-keeper. Friend gate-keeper, approach Niganthanataputta
and tell him. Sir, the householder Upali says, if you wish to enter, enter.
Niganthanataputta entered the middle hall with a large gathering of nigantas.
The householder Upali in the past, seeing Niganthanataputta approaching in the distance
would go forward receive him, wiping the best seat, with his over shawl would make him
sit. That day he sat on the best seat and said, to Niganthanaataputta. Sir, seats
are prepared if you wish, sit Householder, are you mad? Are you seized? You
went saying Iwill arouse a dispute with the recluse Gotama. Has returned as though done a
good argument. Householder, it is like a man who has gone to remove his testicles, having
done it has returned. Like one gone to remove his eyes, removing them has returned. In the
same manner you went saying I will arouse a dispute with the recluse Gotama, has returned
as though done a good argument. Householder, you are enticed by the recluse Gotama.
Sir, those enticements are good. My dear ones and blood relations too should be
enticed by those enticements. That will be for their good and welfare for a long time. All
warriors, all brahmins, all householders, all out castes should be enticed by those
enticements. That will be for their good and welfare for a long time. In this world of
gods and men together with its Maras, Brahmas, recluses and brahmins and gods and men, all
should be enticed by those enticements. That will be for their good and welfare, for a
long time. Then sir, I will give you a comparison, for some wise men understand when a
comparison is given.
In the past there was a brahmin, decayed and aged. He had a young wife, about to give
birth. That young wife said to the brahmin: Brahmin, go to the bazaar and buy a young
monkey for my son. Then that brahmin said wait till you give birth, if you give birth to a
boy, I will bring him a male monkey and if you give birth to a girl, I will buy a female
monkey. For the second and up to the third time the young wife said Brahmin, go to the
bazaar and buy a young monkey for my son. Then that brahmin said wait till you give birth,
if you give birth to a boy, I will bring him a male monkey and if you give birth to a
girl, I will buy a female monkey. As the brahmin was very much attached to the young wife,
he bought a male monkey from the bazaar and said. Here is a young monkey for your son.
Sir, then that young wife said, to the brahmin: Brahmin, go to the dyers son
Rattapaani with this monkey and get it dyed into the colour yellow. The colour should be
beaten well, on both sides and should be well polished. As the brahmin was very much
attached to the young wife, he took the monkey, approached the dyers son Rattapani
and said. Friend Rattapani, I desire this monkey dyed into the colour yellow, the colour
should be well beaten in, on both sides and well polished. Then the dyers son said
to him. Sir, the young monkey, will not tolerate the dyeing, the beating in and the
polishing. In the same manner sir, the foolish nigantas dispute is not tolerable to
the wise. It is not tolerant to those who know. Then sir, in the mean time that brahmin
brought a pair of new clothes and approaching the dyers son Rattapani told him:
Friend, Rattapani I desire this pair of clothes dyed into the colour yellow, with the
colour well beaten in on both sides and polished. The dyers son said. Sir,
this pair of new clothes tolerate the dyeing, the beating on both sides and the
polishing. In the same manner, the dispute of the perfect rightfully enlightened one
is tolerant to the wise and not tolerant to the foolish, tolerant to yoking and wise
examination.
Householder, all the people together with the king know you as a disciple of
Niganthanataputta. Whose disciple are you now? When this was said the householder
Upali got up from his seat, arranged his over shawl on one shoulder and clasping hands
towards where the Blessed One was, and said. Listen sir, how I become a disciple of
the Blessed One..
Im the disciple of the non-deluded, the arrow pulled out, victorious one (* 2)
He is appeased, blessed, without worries, virtuous and wise.
Doubts overcome, is a happy one, with vomited worldly matters
Im a disciple of the perfect human, bearing the last body.
The disciplined charioteer has no doubts, about merit.
Im disciple of the rightfully enlightened one, who has no conceit.
He is patient, endowed with knowledge, is a limitlessly deep sage.
Im disciple of the Blessed One, released from bonds.
He is an unbound elephant in the forest, pure, with the flag put down (* 3).
Im disciple of that tamed Blessed One, gone beyond the worlds diffuseness.
He is the seventh sage abiding on the path of Brahmaa. He knows the three vedas.
Im disciple of that Blessed One. He is like Sakka the king of gods.
He is mindful, wise, not interested or disinterested
Im disciple of the undisturbed master of the self.
Neither clinging nor giving up, has the highest secluded mind.
Im disciple of one who has crossed and helps others to cross.
He is thus gone, is without compare.
Im disciple of that appeased, wise, clever, Blessed One,
With the destruction of craving he is enlightened.
Im disciple of that Great Man, without compare.
Householder, when did you compose this praise for the recluse Gotama?
Sir, when there is a great heap of flowers of various kinds, a clever garland maker
would make a beautiful garland. In the same manner, sir, the Blessed One has innumerable
good qualities, thousands of them, when they are suitable why not allude them.
Then Niganthanataputta, not able to
hear the honour accorded to the Blessed One then and there vomited hot blood.
Notes
1. Whatever has the natureof arising, has the nature of ceasing.The householder Upaali
thenand theremastered the Teaching, knewand penetrated it. Doubts dispelled became self
confident and attained that noble state when he did not want a teacher, any more in the
dispensation of the Blessed One. Upaalissa gahapatissa tasmi.m yeva aasane
viraja.m viitamala.m dhammacakkhu.mudapaadi: ya.m kinci samudayadhamma.m sabba.m ta.m
nirodha-Dhamma.m ti. Atha kho upaali gahapati di.t.thadhammo pattadhaamo viditadhammo
pariyogaalhadhammo tinnavicikicco vigatakatha.mkatho vesaa-rajjapatto aparapaccayo
satthusaasane This Pali quotation gives the description of a disciple attaining
the fruits of the stream entry. So many are the good results. He does not need a teacher
any more, he becomes confident of the path, dispels doubts, penetrates the Teaching, and
he loses a lot of his unpleasantness. He knows what he should do and what he should not
do.
2. The non-deluded, the arrow pulled out victorious one. dhiirassa
vigatamohassa pahinnakhiilassa vijita vijayassa The pulling out of the arrow is
the giving up of the self view sakkaayaditthi It is a peculiar feature, in the
dispensation of the Blessed One, that until one sees these good results in him, he does
not see it in a another. When he has attained it he does not think twice to applaud the
Blessed One.
3. With the flag put down. pannaddhajassa Putting down the flag is
putting an end to all conceit, maana is the word for conceit. Conceit bothers
someone a lot on his path to enlightenment.
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