| Tipiṭaka / Tipiṭaka (English) / Majjhima Nikāya, English translation |
मज्झिम निकाय ३४
Majjhima Nikāya 34
The Middle-Length Suttas Collection 34
चूळगोपालकसुत्त
Cūḷagopālakasutta
The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd
एवं मे सुतं—एकं समयं भगवा वज्जीसु विहरति उक्कचेलायं गङ्गाय नदिया तीरे। तत्र खो भगवा भिक्खू आमन्तेसि: “भिक्खवो”ति।
Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vajjīsu viharati ukkacelāyaṁ gaṅgāya nadiyā tīre. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Vajjis near Ukkacelā on the bank of the Ganges river. There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhus, “Bhikkhus!”
“भदन्ते”ति ते भिक्खू भगवतो पच्चस्सोसुं। भगवा एतदवोच:
“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:
“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:
“भूतपुब्बं, भिक्खवे, मागधको गोपालको दुप्पञ्ञजातिको, वस्सानं पच्छिमे मासे सरदसमये, असमवेक्खित्वा गङ्गाय नदिया ओरिमं तीरं, असमवेक्खित्वा पारिमं तीरं, अतित्थेनेव गावो पतारेसि उत्तरं तीरं सुविदेहानं।
“Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, māgadhako gopālako duppaññajātiko, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye, asamavekkhitvā gaṅgāya nadiyā orimaṁ tīraṁ, asamavekkhitvā pārimaṁ tīraṁ, atittheneva gāvo patāresi uttaraṁ tīraṁ suvidehānaṁ.
“Once upon a time, bhikkhus, there was an unintelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, without inspecting the near shore or the far shore, he drove his cattle across a place with no ford on the Ganges river to the land of the Suvidehans on the northern shore.
अथ खो, भिक्खवे, गावो मज्झेगङ्गाय नदिया सोते आमण्डलियं करित्वा तत्थेव अनयब्यसनं आपज्जिंसु। तं किस्स हेतु? तथा हि सो, भिक्खवे, मागधको गोपालको दुप्पञ्ञजातिको, वस्सानं पच्छिमे मासे सरदसमये, असमवेक्खित्वा गङ्गाय नदिया ओरिमं तीरं, असमवेक्खित्वा पारिमं तीरं, अतित्थेनेव गावो पतारेसि उत्तरं तीरं सुविदेहानं। एवमेव खो, भिक्खवे, ये हि केचि समणा वा ब्राह्मणा वा अकुसला इमस्स लोकस्स अकुसला परस्स लोकस्स, अकुसला मारधेय्यस्स अकुसला अमारधेय्यस्स, अकुसला मच्चुधेय्यस्स अकुसला अमच्चुधेय्यस्स, तेसं ये सोतब्बं सद्दहातब्बं मञ्ञिस्सन्ति, तेसं तं भविस्सति दीघरत्तं अहिताय दुक्खाय।
Atha kho, bhikkhave, gāvo majjhegaṅgāya nadiyā sote āmaṇḍaliyaṁ karitvā tattheva anayabyasanaṁ āpajjiṁsu. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathā hi so, bhikkhave, māgadhako gopālako duppaññajātiko, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye, asamavekkhitvā gaṅgāya nadiyā orimaṁ tīraṁ, asamavekkhitvā pārimaṁ tīraṁ, atittheneva gāvo patāresi uttaraṁ tīraṁ suvidehānaṁ. Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye hi keci1 samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā akusalā imassa lokassa akusalā parassa lokassa, akusalā māradheyyassa akusalā amāradheyyassa, akusalā maccudheyyassa akusalā amaccudheyyassa, tesaṁ ye sotabbaṁ saddahātabbaṁ maññissanti, tesaṁ taṁ bhavissati dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya.
But the cattle bunched up in mid-stream and came to ruin right there. Why is that? Because the unintelligent cowherd failed to inspect the shores before driving the cattle across at a place with no ford. In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are unskilled in this world and the other world, unskilled in Māra’s domain and its opposite, and unskilled in Death’s domain and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting harm and suffering.
भूतपुब्बं, भिक्खवे, मागधको गोपालको सप्पञ्ञजातिको, वस्सानं पच्छिमे मासे सरदसमये, समवेक्खित्वा गङ्गाय नदिया ओरिमं तीरं, समवेक्खित्वा पारिमं तीरं, तित्थेनेव गावो पतारेसि उत्तरं तीरं सुविदेहानं।
Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, māgadhako gopālako sappaññajātiko, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye, samavekkhitvā gaṅgāya nadiyā orimaṁ tīraṁ, samavekkhitvā pārimaṁ tīraṁ, tittheneva gāvo patāresi uttaraṁ tīraṁ suvidehānaṁ.
Once upon a time, bhikkhus, there was an intelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, after inspecting the near shore and the far shore, he drove his cattle across a ford on the Ganges river to the land of the Suvidehans on the northern shore.
सो पठमं पतारेसि ये ते उसभा गोपितरो गोपरिणायका। ते तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु। अथापरे पतारेसि बलवगावो दम्मगावो। तेपि तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु। अथापरे पतारेसि वच्छतरे वच्छतरियो। तेपि तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु। अथापरे पतारेसि वच्छके किसाबलके। तेपि तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु। भूतपुब्बं, भिक्खवे, वच्छको तरुणको तावदेव जातको मातुगोरवकेन वुय्हमानो, सोपि तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमासि। तं किस्स हेतु? तथा हि सो, भिक्खवे, मागधको गोपालको सप्पञ्ञजातिको, वस्सानं पच्छिमे मासे सरदसमये, समवेक्खित्वा गङ्गाय नदिया ओरिमं तीरं, समवेक्खित्वा पारिमं तीरं, तित्थेनेव गावो पतारेसि उत्तरं तीरं सुविदेहानं।
So paṭhamaṁ patāresi ye te usabhā gopitaro gopariṇāyakā. Te tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu. Athāpare patāresi balavagāvo dammagāvo. Tepi tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu. Athāpare patāresi vacchatare vacchatariyo. Tepi tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu. Athāpare patāresi vacchake kisābalake. Tepi tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu. Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, vacchako taruṇako tāvadeva jātako mātugoravakena vuyhamāno, sopi tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamāsi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Tathā hi so, bhikkhave, māgadhako gopālako sappaññajātiko, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye, samavekkhitvā gaṅgāya nadiyā orimaṁ tīraṁ, samavekkhitvā pārimaṁ tīraṁ, tittheneva gāvo patāresi uttaraṁ tīraṁ suvidehānaṁ.
First he drove across the bulls, the fathers and leaders of the herd. They breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Then he drove across the strong and tractable cattle. They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Then he drove across the bullocks and heifers. They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Then he drove across the calves and weak cattle. They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Once it happened that a baby calf had just been born. Urged on by its mother’s lowing, even it managed to breast the stream of the Ganges and safely reach the far shore. Why is that? Because the intelligent cowherd inspected both shores before driving the cattle across at a ford.
एवमेव खो, भिक्खवे, ये हि केचि समणा वा ब्राह्मणा वा कुसला इमस्स लोकस्स कुसला परस्स लोकस्स, कुसला मारधेय्यस्स कुसला अमारधेय्यस्स, कुसला मच्चुधेय्यस्स कुसला अमच्चुधेय्यस्स, तेसं ये सोतब्बं सद्दहातब्बं मञ्ञिस्सन्ति, तेसं तं भविस्सति दीघरत्तं हिताय सुखाय।
Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye hi keci samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā kusalā imassa lokassa kusalā parassa lokassa, kusalā māradheyyassa kusalā amāradheyyassa, kusalā maccudheyyassa kusalā amaccudheyyassa, tesaṁ ye sotabbaṁ saddahātabbaṁ maññissanti, tesaṁ taṁ bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.
In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s domain and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s domain and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.
सेय्यथापि, भिक्खवे, ये ते उसभा गोपितरो गोपरिणायका ते तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु; एवमेव खो, भिक्खवे, ये ते भिक्खू अरहन्तो खीणासवा वुसितवन्तो कतकरणीया ओहितभारा अनुप्पत्तसदत्था परिक्खीणभवसंयोजना सम्मदञ्ञाविमुत्ता, ते तिरियं मारस्स सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारङ्गता।
Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ye te usabhā gopitaro gopariṇāyakā te tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu; evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye te bhikkhū arahanto khīṇāsavā vusitavanto katakaraṇīyā ohitabhārā anuppattasadatthā parikkhīṇabhavasaṁyojanā sammadaññāvimuttā, te tiriyaṁ mārassa sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṅgatā.
Just like the bulls, fathers and leaders of the herd, who crossed the Ganges to safety are the bhikkhus who are perfected, who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their own goal, utterly ended the fetters of rebirth, and are rightly freed through enlightenment. Having breasted Māra’s stream, they have safely crossed over to the far shore.
सेय्यथापि ते, भिक्खवे, बलवगावो दम्मगावो तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु; एवमेव खो, भिक्खवे, ये ते भिक्खू पञ्चन्नं ओरम्भागियानं संयोजनानं परिक्खया ओपपातिका तत्थ परिनिब्बायिनो अनावत्तिधम्मा तस्मा लोका, तेपि तिरियं मारस्स सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं गमिस्सन्ति।
Seyyathāpi te, bhikkhave, balavagāvo dammagāvo tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu; evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye te bhikkhū pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātikā tattha parinibbāyino anāvattidhammā tasmā lokā, tepi tiriyaṁ mārassa sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ gamissanti.
Just like the strong and tractable cattle who crossed the Ganges to safety are the bhikkhus who, with the ending of the five lower fetters, are reborn spontaneously. They’re extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
सेय्यथापि ते, भिक्खवे, वच्छतरा वच्छतरियो तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु; एवमेव खो, भिक्खवे, ये ते भिक्खू तिण्णं संयोजनानं परिक्खया रागदोसमोहानं तनुत्ता सकदागामिनो सकिदेव इमं लोकं आगन्त्वा दुक्खस्सन्तं करिस्सन्ति, तेपि तिरियं मारस्स सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं गमिस्सन्ति।
Seyyathāpi te, bhikkhave, vacchatarā vacchatariyo tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu; evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye te bhikkhū tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmino sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissanti, tepi tiriyaṁ mārassa sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ gamissanti.
Just like the bullocks and heifers who crossed the Ganges to safety are the bhikkhus who, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, are once-returners. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
सेय्यथापि ते, भिक्खवे, वच्छका किसाबलका तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमंसु; एवमेव खो, भिक्खवे, ये ते भिक्खू तिण्णं संयोजनानं परिक्खया सोतापन्ना अविनिपातधम्मा नियता सम्बोधिपरायना, तेपि तिरियं मारस्स सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं गमिस्सन्ति।
Seyyathāpi te, bhikkhave, vacchakā kisābalakā tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamaṁsu; evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye te bhikkhū tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpannā avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyanā, tepi tiriyaṁ mārassa sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ gamissanti.
Just like the calves and weak cattle who crossed the Ganges to safety are the bhikkhus who, with the ending of three fetters are stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
सेय्यथापि सो, भिक्खवे, वच्छको तरुणको तावदेव जातको मातुगोरवकेन वुय्हमानो तिरियं गङ्गाय सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं अगमासि; एवमेव खो, भिक्खवे, ये ते भिक्खू धम्मानुसारिनो सद्धानुसारिनो, तेपि तिरियं मारस्स सोतं छेत्वा सोत्थिना पारं गमिस्सन्ति।
Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, vacchako taruṇako tāvadeva jātako mātugoravakena vuyhamāno tiriyaṁ gaṅgāya sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ agamāsi; evameva kho, bhikkhave, ye te bhikkhū dhammānusārino saddhānusārino, tepi tiriyaṁ mārassa sotaṁ chetvā sotthinā pāraṁ gamissanti.
Just like the baby calf who had just been born, but, urged on by its mother’s lowing, still managed to cross the Ganges to safety are the bhikkhus who are followers of principles, followers by faith. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
अहं खो पन, भिक्खवे, कुसलो इमस्स लोकस्स कुसलो परस्स लोकस्स, कुसलो मारधेय्यस्स कुसलो अमारधेय्यस्स, कुसलो मच्चुधेय्यस्स कुसलो अमच्चुधेय्यस्स। तस्स मय्हं, भिक्खवे, ये सोतब्बं सद्दहातब्बं मञ्ञिस्सन्ति, तेसं तं भविस्सति दीघरत्तं हिताय सुखाया”ति।
Ahaṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, kusalo imassa lokassa kusalo parassa lokassa, kusalo māradheyyassa kusalo amāradheyyassa, kusalo maccudheyyassa kusalo amaccudheyyassa. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, ye sotabbaṁ saddahātabbaṁ maññissanti, tesaṁ taṁ bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyā”ti.
Bhikkhus, I am skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s domain and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s domain and its opposite. If anyone thinks I am worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.”
इदमवोच भगवा। इदं वत्वा सुगतो अथापरं एतदवोच सत्था:
Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvā sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:
“अयं लोको परो लोको, जानता सुप्पकासितो; यञ्च मारेन सम्पत्तं, अप्पत्तं यञ्च मच्चुना।
“Ayaṁ loko paro loko, jānatā suppakāsito; Yañca mārena sampattaṁ, appattaṁ yañca maccunā.
“This world and the other world have been clearly explained by one who knows; as well as Māra’s reach, and what’s out of Death’s reach.
सब्बं लोकं अभिञ्ञाय, सम्बुद्धेन पजानता; विवटं अमतद्वारं, खेमं निब्बानपत्तिया।
Sabbaṁ lokaṁ abhiññāya, sambuddhena pajānatā; Vivaṭaṁ amatadvāraṁ, khemaṁ nibbānapattiyā.
Directly knowing the whole world, the Buddha who understands has flung open the door of the deathless, for finding the sanctuary, Nibbana.
छिन्नं पापिमतो सोतं, विद्धस्तं विनळीकतं; पामोज्जबहुला होथ, खेमं पत्तत्थ भिक्खवो”ति।
Chinnaṁ pāpimato sotaṁ, Viddhastaṁ vinaḷīkataṁ; Pāmojjabahulā hotha, Khemaṁ pattattha2 bhikkhavo”ti.
The Wicked One’s stream has been cut, it’s blown away and mown down. Be full of joy, bhikkhus, set your heart on the sanctuary!”
चूळगोपालकसुत्तं निट्ठितं चतुत्थं।
Cūḷagopālakasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ catutthaṁ.
The authoritative text of the Majjhima Nikāya is the Pāli text. The English translation is provided as an aid to the study of the original Pāli text. [CREDITS »]
Footnotes:
