Majjhima Nikāya 48

The Middle-Length Suttas Collection 48

Kosambiyasutta

The Bhikkhus of Kosambī

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosambiyaṁ viharati ghositārāme.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kosambī, in Ghosita’s Monastery.

Tena kho pana samayena kosambiyaṁ bhikkhū bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharanti. Te na ceva aññamaññaṁ saññāpenti na ca saññattiṁ upenti, na ca aññamaññaṁ nijjhāpenti, na ca nijjhattiṁ upenti.

Now at that time the bhikkhus of Kosambī were arguing, quarreling, and disputing, continually wounding each other with barbed words. They couldn’t persuade each other or be persuaded, nor could they convince each other or be convinced.

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idha, bhante, kosambiyaṁ bhikkhū bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharanti, te na ceva aññamaññaṁ saññāpenti, na ca saññattiṁ upenti, na ca aññamaññaṁ nijjhāpenti, na ca nijjhattiṁ upentī”ti.

Then a bhikkhu went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.

Atha kho bhagavā aññataraṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mama vacanena te bhikkhū āmantehi: ‘satthā vo āyasmante āmantetī’”ti.

So the Buddha addressed a certain monk, “Please, monk, in my name tell those bhikkhus that the teacher summons them.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho so bhikkhu bhagavato paṭissutvā yena te bhikkhū tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te bhikkhū etadavoca: “satthā āyasmante āmantetī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to those monks and said, “Venerables, the teacher summons you.”

“Evamāvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū tassa bhikkhuno paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho te bhikkhū bhagavā etadavoca:

“Yes, friend,” those monks replied. They went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to them,

“saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharatha, te na ceva aññamaññaṁ saññāpetha, na ca saññattiṁ upetha, na ca aññamaññaṁ nijjhāpetha, na ca nijjhattiṁ upethā”ti?

“Is it really true, bhikkhus, that you have been arguing, quarreling, and disputing, continually wounding each other with barbed words? And that you can’t persuade each other or be persuaded, nor can you convince each other or be convinced?”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Yes, sir,” they said.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ tumhe samaye bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharatha, api nu tumhākaṁ tasmiṁ samaye mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ hoti sabrahmacārīsu āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ …pe… mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ hoti sabrahmacārīsu āvi ceva raho cā”ti?

“What do you think, bhikkhus? When you’re arguing, quarreling, and disputing, continually wounding each other with barbed words, are you treating your spiritual companions with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“No, sir.”

“Iti kira, bhikkhave, yasmiṁ tumhe samaye bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharatha, neva tumhākaṁ tasmiṁ samaye mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ hoti sabrahmacārīsu āvi ceva raho ca, na mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ …pe… na mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ hoti sabrahmacārīsu āvi ceva raho ca. Atha kiñcarahi tumhe, moghapurisā, kiṁ jānantā kiṁ passantā bhaṇḍanajātā kalahajātā vivādāpannā aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudantā viharatha, te na ceva aññamaññaṁ saññāpetha, na ca saññattiṁ upetha, na ca aññamaññaṁ nijjhāpetha, na ca nijjhattiṁ upetha? Tañhi tumhākaṁ, moghapurisā, bhavissati dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāyā”ti.

“So it seems that when you’re arguing you are not treating each other with kindness. So what exactly do you know and see, you foolish men, that you behave in such a way? This will be for your lasting harm and suffering.”

Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

Then the Buddha said to the bhikkhus:

“chayime, bhikkhave, dhammā sāraṇīyā piyakaraṇā garukaraṇā saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattanti. Katame cha? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ hoti sabrahmacārīsu āvi ceva raho ca. Ayampi dhammo sāraṇīyo piyakaraṇo garukaraṇo saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

“Bhikkhus, these six warm-hearted qualities make for fondness and respect, conducing to inclusion, harmony, and unity, without quarreling. What six? Firstly, a bhikkhu consistently treats their spiritual companions with bodily kindness, both in public and in private. This warm-hearted quality makes for fondness and respect, conducing to inclusion, harmony, and unity, without quarreling.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ hoti sabrahmacārīsu āvi ceva raho ca. Ayampi dhammo sāraṇīyo piyakaraṇo garukaraṇo saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Furthermore, a bhikkhu consistently treats their spiritual companions with verbal kindness …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhitaṁ hoti sabrahmacārīsu āvi ceva raho ca. Ayampi dhammo sāraṇīyo piyakaraṇo garukaraṇo saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Furthermore, a bhikkhu consistently treats their spiritual companions with mental kindness …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te lābhā dhammikā dhammaladdhā antamaso pattapariyāpannamattampi, tathārūpehi lābhehi appaṭivibhattabhogī hoti sīlavantehi sabrahmacārīhi sādhāraṇabhogī. Ayampi dhammo sāraṇīyo piyakaraṇo garukaraṇo saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Furthermore, a bhikkhu shares without reservation any material possessions they have gained by legitimate means, even the food placed in the alms-bowl, using them in common with their ethical spiritual companions …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yāni tāni sīlāni akhaṇḍāni acchiddāni asabalāni akammāsāni bhujissāni viññuppasatthāni aparāmaṭṭhāni samādhisaṁvattanikāni tathārūpesu sīlesu sīlasāmaññagato viharati sabrahmacārīhi āvi ceva raho ca. Ayampi dhammo sāraṇīyo piyakaraṇo garukaraṇo saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Furthermore, a bhikkhu lives according to the precepts shared with their spiritual companions, both in public and in private. Those precepts are unbroken, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion. …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yāyaṁ diṭṭhi ariyā niyyānikā niyyāti takkarassa sammā dukkhakkhayāya tathārūpāya diṭṭhiyā diṭṭhisāmaññagato viharati sabrahmacārīhi āvi ceva raho ca. Ayampi dhammo sāraṇīyo piyakaraṇo garukaraṇo saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattati.

Furthermore, a bhikkhu lives according to the view shared with their spiritual companions, both in public and in private. That view is noble and emancipating, and leads one who practices it to the complete ending of suffering. This warm-hearted quality makes for fondness and respect, conducing to inclusion, harmony, and unity, without quarreling.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha sāraṇīyā dhammā piyakaraṇā garukaraṇā saṅgahāya avivādāya sāmaggiyā ekībhāvāya saṁvattanti.

These six warm-hearted qualities make for fondness and respect, conducing to inclusion, harmony, and unity, without quarreling.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, channaṁ sāraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ etaṁ aggaṁ etaṁ saṅgāhikaṁ¹ etaṁ saṅghāṭanikaṁ—yadidaṁ yāyaṁ diṭṭhi ariyā niyyānikā niyyāti takkarassa sammā dukkhakkhayāya. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kūṭāgārassa etaṁ aggaṁ etaṁ saṅgāhikaṁ etaṁ saṅghāṭanikaṁ yadidaṁ kūṭaṁ; evameva kho, bhikkhave, imesaṁ channaṁ sāraṇīyānaṁ dhammānaṁ etaṁ aggaṁ etaṁ saṅgāhikaṁ etaṁ saṅghāṭanikaṁ yadidaṁ yāyaṁ diṭṭhi ariyā niyyānikā niyyāti takkarassa sammā dukkhakkhayāya.

Of these six warm-hearted qualities, the chief is the view that is noble and emancipating, and leads one who practices it to the complete ending of suffering. It holds and binds everything together. It’s like a bungalow. The roof-peak is the chief point, which holds and binds everything together. In the same way, of these six warm-hearted qualities, the chief is the view that is noble and emancipating, and leads one who practices it to the complete ending of suffering. It holds and binds everything together.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, yāyaṁ diṭṭhi ariyā niyyānikā niyyāti takkarassa sammā dukkhakkhayāya? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu araññagato vā rukkhamūlagato vā suññāgāragato vā iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘atthi nu kho me taṁ pariyuṭṭhānaṁ ajjhattaṁ appahīnaṁ, yenāhaṁ pariyuṭṭhānena pariyuṭṭhitacitto yathābhūtaṁ nappajāneyyaṁ na passeyyan’ti? Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāmarāgapariyuṭṭhito hoti, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu byāpādapariyuṭṭhito hoti, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu thinamiddhapariyuṭṭhito hoti, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uddhaccakukkuccapariyuṭṭhito hoti, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vicikicchāpariyuṭṭhito hoti, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu idhalokacintāya pasuto hoti, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu paralokacintāya pasuto hoti, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. Sace, bhikkhave, bhikkhu bhaṇḍanajāto kalahajāto vivādāpanno aññamaññaṁ mukhasattīhi vitudanto viharati, pariyuṭṭhitacittova hoti. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘natthi kho me taṁ pariyuṭṭhānaṁ ajjhattaṁ appahīnaṁ, yenāhaṁ pariyuṭṭhānena pariyuṭṭhitacitto yathābhūtaṁ nappajāneyyaṁ na passeyyaṁ. Suppaṇihitaṁ me mānasaṁ saccānaṁ bodhāyā’ti. Idamassa paṭhamaṁ ñāṇaṁ adhigataṁ hoti ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ asādhāraṇaṁ puthujjanehi.

And how does the view that is noble and emancipating lead one who practices it to the complete ending of suffering? It’s when a bhikkhu has gone to a wilderness, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, and reflects like this, ‘Is there anything that I’m overcome with internally and haven’t given up, because of which I might not accurately know and see?’ If a bhikkhu is overcome with sensual desire, it’s their mind that’s overcome. If a bhikkhu is overcome with ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, pursuing speculation about this world, pursuing speculation about the next world, or arguing, quarreling, and disputing, continually wounding others with barbed words, it’s their mind that’s overcome. They understand, ‘There is nothing that I’m overcome with internally and haven’t given up, because of which I might not accurately know and see. My mind is properly disposed for awakening to the truths.’ This is the first knowledge they have achieved that is noble and transcendent, and is not shared with ordinary people.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘imaṁ nu kho ahaṁ diṭṭhiṁ āsevanto bhāvento bahulīkaronto labhāmi paccattaṁ samathaṁ, labhāmi paccattaṁ nibbutin’ti? So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘imaṁ kho ahaṁ diṭṭhiṁ āsevanto bhāvento bahulīkaronto labhāmi paccattaṁ samathaṁ, labhāmi paccattaṁ nibbutin’ti. Idamassa dutiyaṁ ñāṇaṁ adhigataṁ hoti ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ asādhāraṇaṁ puthujjanehi.

Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects, ‘When I develop, cultivate, and make much of this view, do I personally gain serenity and quenching?’ They understand, ‘When I develop, cultivate, and make much of this view, I personally gain serenity and quenching.’ This is their second knowledge …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘yathārūpāyāhaṁ diṭṭhiyā samannāgato, atthi nu kho ito bahiddhā añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā tathārūpāya diṭṭhiyā samannāgato’ti? So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yathārūpāyāhaṁ diṭṭhiyā samannāgato, natthi ito bahiddhā añño samaṇo vā brāhmaṇo vā tathārūpāya diṭṭhiyā samannāgato’ti. Idamassa tatiyaṁ ñāṇaṁ adhigataṁ hoti ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ asādhāraṇaṁ puthujjanehi.

Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects, ‘Are there any ascetics or brahmins outside of the Buddhist community who have the same kind of view that I have?’ They understand, ‘There are no ascetics or brahmins outside of the Buddhist community who have the same kind of view that I have.’ This is their third knowledge …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘yathārūpāya dhammatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya dhammatāya samannāgato’ti. Kathaṁrūpāya ca, bhikkhave, dhammatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato? Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa: ‘kiñcāpi tathārūpiṁ āpattiṁ āpajjati, yathārūpāya āpattiyā vuṭṭhānaṁ paññāyati, atha kho naṁ khippameva satthari vā viññūsu vā sabrahmacārīsu deseti vivarati uttānīkaroti; desetvā vivaritvā uttānīkatvā āyatiṁ saṁvaraṁ āpajjati’. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, daharo kumāro mando uttānaseyyako hatthena vā pādena vā aṅgāraṁ akkamitvā khippameva paṭisaṁharati; evameva kho, bhikkhave, dhammatā esā diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa: ‘kiñcāpi tathārūpiṁ āpattiṁ āpajjati yathārūpāya āpattiyā vuṭṭhānaṁ paññāyati, atha kho naṁ khippameva satthari vā viññūsu vā sabrahmacārīsu deseti vivarati uttānīkaroti; desetvā vivaritvā uttānīkatvā āyatiṁ saṁvaraṁ āpajjati’. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yathārūpāya dhammatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya dhammatāya samannāgato’ti. Idamassa catutthaṁ ñāṇaṁ adhigataṁ hoti ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ asādhāraṇaṁ puthujjanehi.

Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects, ‘Do I have the same nature as a person accomplished in view?’ And what, bhikkhus, is the nature of a person accomplished in view? This is the nature of a person accomplished in view. Though they may fall into a kind of offense for which rehabilitation has been laid down, they quickly disclose, clarify, and reveal it to the Teacher or a sensible spiritual companion. And having revealed it they restrain themselves in the future. Suppose there was a little baby boy. If he puts his hand or foot on a burning coal, he quickly pulls it back. In the same way, this is the nature of a person accomplished in view. Though they may still fall into a kind of offense for which rehabilitation has been laid down, they quickly reveal it to the Teacher or a sensible spiritual companion. And having revealed it they restrain themselves in the future. They understand, ‘I have the same nature as a person accomplished in view.’ This is their fourth knowledge …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘yathārūpāya dhammatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya dhammatāya samannāgato’ti. Kathaṁrūpāya ca, bhikkhave, dhammatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato? Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa: ‘kiñcāpi yāni tāni sabrahmacārīnaṁ uccāvacāni kiṅkaraṇīyāni tattha ussukkaṁ āpanno hoti, atha khvāssa tibbāpekkhā hoti adhisīlasikkhāya adhicittasikkhāya adhipaññāsikkhāya’. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gāvī taruṇavacchā thambañca ālumpati vacchakañca apacinati; evameva kho, bhikkhave, dhammatā esā diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa: ‘kiñcāpi yāni tāni sabrahmacārīnaṁ uccāvacāni kiṅkaraṇīyāni tattha ussukkaṁ āpanno hoti, atha khvāssa tibbāpekkhā hoti adhisīlasikkhāya adhicittasikkhāya adhipaññāsikkhāya’. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yathārūpāya dhammatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya dhammatāya samannāgato’ti. Idamassa pañcamaṁ ñāṇaṁ adhigataṁ hoti ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ asādhāraṇaṁ puthujjanehi.

Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects, ‘Do I have the same nature as a person accomplished in view?’ And what, bhikkhus, is the nature of a person accomplished in view? This is the nature of a person accomplished in view. Though they might manage a diverse spectrum of duties for their spiritual companions, they still feel a keen regard for the training in higher ethics, higher mind, and higher wisdom. Suppose there was a cow with a baby calf. She keeps the calf close as she grazes. In the same way, this is the nature of a person accomplished in view. Though they might manage a diverse spectrum of duties for their spiritual companions, they still feel a keen regard for the training in higher ethics, higher mind, and higher wisdom. They understand, ‘I have the same nature as a person accomplished in view.’ This is their fifth knowledge …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘yathārūpāya balatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya balatāya samannāgato’ti. Kathaṁrūpāya ca, bhikkhave, balatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato? Balatā esā, bhikkhave, diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa yaṁ tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne aṭṭhiṁ katvā² manasikatvā sabbacetasā samannāharitvā ohitasoto dhammaṁ suṇāti. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yathārūpāya balatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya balatāya samannāgato’ti. Idamassa chaṭṭhaṁ ñāṇaṁ adhigataṁ hoti ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ asādhāraṇaṁ puthujjanehi.

Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects, ‘Do I have the same strength as a person accomplished in view?’ And what, bhikkhus, is the strength of a person accomplished in view? The strength of a person accomplished in view is that, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, they pay attention, apply the mind, concentrate wholeheartedly, and actively listen. They understand, ‘I have the same strength as a person accomplished in view.’ This is their sixth knowledge …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘yathārūpāya balatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya balatāya samannāgato’ti. Kathaṁrūpāya ca, bhikkhave, balatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato? Balatā esā, bhikkhave, diṭṭhisampannassa puggalassa yaṁ tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘yathārūpāya balatāya diṭṭhisampanno puggalo samannāgato, ahampi tathārūpāya balatāya samannāgato’ti. Idamassa sattamaṁ ñāṇaṁ adhigataṁ hoti ariyaṁ lokuttaraṁ asādhāraṇaṁ puthujjanehi.

Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects, ‘Do I have the same strength as a person accomplished in view?’ And what, bhikkhus, is the strength of a person accomplished in view? The strength of a person accomplished in view is that, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, they find inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and find joy connected with the teaching. They understand, ‘I have the same strength as a person accomplished in view.’ This is the seventh knowledge they have achieved that is noble and transcendent, and is not shared with ordinary people.

Evaṁ sattaṅgasamannāgatassa kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvakassa dhammatā susamanniṭṭhā hoti sotāpattiphalasacchikiriyāya. Evaṁ sattaṅgasamannāgato kho, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako sotāpattiphalasamannāgato hotī”ti.

When a noble disciple has these seven factors, they have properly investigated their own nature with respect to the realization of the fruit of stream-entry. A noble disciple with these seven factors has the fruit of stream-entry.”

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the bhikkhus approved what the Buddha said.

Kosambiyasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.