Aṅguttara Nikāya 10.75

Numbered Discourses 10.75

8. Ākaṅkhavagga

8. If You Want

Migasālāsutta

With Migasālā

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho āyasmā ānando pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena migasālāya upāsikāya nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho migasālā upāsikā yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho migasālā upāsikā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca:

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Venerable Ānanda robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the laywoman Migasālā, where he sat on the seat spread out. Then the laywoman Migasālā went up to Ānanda, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

“Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyaṁ. Pitā me, bhante, purāṇo brahmacārī hoti ārācārī virato methunā gāmadhammā. So kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato: ‘sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapanno’ti. Pitāmaho me, bhante, isidatto abrahmacārī ahosi sadārasantuṭṭho. Sopi kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato: ‘sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapanno’ti.

“Honorable Ānanda, how on earth are we supposed to understand the teaching taught by the Buddha, when the chaste and the unchaste are both reborn in exactly the same place in the next life? My father Purāṇa was celibate, set apart, avoiding the vulgar act of sex. When he passed away the Buddha declared that, since he was a once-returner, he was reborn in the host of Joyful Gods. But my uncle Isidatta was not celibate; he lived content with his wife. When he passed away the Buddha also declared that, since he was a once-returner, he was reborn in the host of Joyful Gods.

Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyan”ti?

How on earth are we supposed to understand the teaching taught by the Buddha, when the chaste and the unchaste are both reborn in exactly the same place in the next life?”

“Evaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhagini, bhagavatā byākatan”ti.

“You’re right, sister, but that’s how the Buddha declared it.”

Atha kho āyasmā ānando migasālāya upāsikāya nivesane piṇḍapātaṁ gahetvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkāmi. Atha kho āyasmā ānando pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

Then Ānanda, after receiving almsfood at Migasālā’s home, rose from his seat and left. Then after the meal, on his return from almsround, Ānanda went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

“Idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena migasālāya upāsikāya nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdiṁ. Atha kho, bhante, migasālā upāsikā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho, bhante, migasālā upāsikā maṁ etadavoca:

‘Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyaṁ. Pitā me, bhante, purāṇo brahmacārī ahosi ārācārī virato methunā gāmadhammā. So kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapannoti. Pitāmaho me, bhante, isidatto abrahmacārī ahosi sadārasantuṭṭho. Sopi kālaṅkato bhagavatā byākato—sakadāgāmī satto tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapannoti.

Kathaṁ kathaṁ nāmāyaṁ, bhante ānanda, bhagavatā dhammo desito aññeyyo, yatra hi nāma brahmacārī ca abrahmacārī ca ubho samasamagatikā bhavissanti abhisamparāyan’ti? Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, migasālaṁ upāsikaṁ etadavocaṁ: ‘evaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhagini, bhagavatā byākatan’”ti.

“Kā cānanda, migasālā upāsikā bālā abyattā ammakā ammakapaññā, ke ca purisapuggalaparopariye ñāṇe?

“Ānanda, who is this laywoman Migasālā, a foolish incompetent aunty, with an aunty’s wit? And who is it that knows how to assess individuals?

Dasayime, ānanda, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame dasa? Idhānanda, ekacco puggalo dussīlo hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, yatthassa taṁ dussilyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya; hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.

These ten people are found in the world. What ten? Take a certain person who is unethical. And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that unethical conduct ceases without anything left over. And they’ve not listened or learned or comprehended theoretically or found even temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a lower place, not a higher. They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo dussīlo hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ dussilyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ¹ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya; visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.

Take a certain person who is unethical. But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that unethical conduct ceases without anything left over. And they have listened and learned and comprehended theoretically and found at least temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a higher place, not a lower. They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti: ‘imassapi teva dhammā, aparassapi teva dhammā. Kasmā nesaṁ eko hīno eko paṇīto’ti? Tañhi tesaṁ, ānanda, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya.

Judgmental people compare them, saying: ‘This one has just the same qualities as the other, so why is one worse and one better?’ This will be for their lasting harm and suffering.

Tatrānanda, yvāyaṁ puggalo dussīlo hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ dussilyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati. Ayaṁ, ānanda, puggalo amunā purimena puggalena abhikkantataro ca paṇītataro ca. Taṁ kissa hetu? Imaṁ hānanda, puggalaṁ dhammasoto nibbahati. Tadantaraṁ ko jāneyya, aññatra tathāgatena. Tasmātihānanda, mā puggalesu pamāṇikā ahuvattha, mā puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhittha. Khaññati hānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhanto. Ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.

In this case, the person who is unethical, but truly understands the freedom of heart … and has listened and learned and comprehended theoretically and found at least temporary freedom is better and finer than the other person. Why is that? Because the stream of the teaching carries them along. But who knows the difference between them except a Realized One? So, Ānanda, don’t be judgmental about people. Don’t pass judgment on people. Those who pass judgment on people harm themselves. I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on people.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo sīlavā hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa taṁ sīlaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya; hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.

Take a certain person who is ethical. But they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that ethical conduct ceases without anything left over. And they’ve not listened or learned or comprehended theoretically or found even temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a lower place, not a higher. They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo sīlavā hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ sīlaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya; visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.

Take a certain person who is ethical. And they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that ethical conduct ceases without anything left over. And they’ve listened and learned and comprehended theoretically and found at least temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a higher place, not a lower. They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti …pe… ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.

Judgmental people compare them … I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on people.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo tibbarāgo hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa so rāgo apariseso nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya; hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.

Take a certain person who is very lustful. And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that lust ceases without anything left over. And they’ve not listened or learned or comprehended theoretically or found even temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a lower place, not a higher. They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo tibbarāgo hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa so rāgo apariseso nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya; visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.

Take a certain person who is very lustful. But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that lust ceases without anything left over. And they’ve listened and learned and comprehended theoretically and found at least temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a higher place, not a lower. They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti …pe… ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.

Judgmental people compare them … I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on people.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo kodhano hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa so kodho apariseso nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya; hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.

Take a certain person who is irritable. And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that anger ceases without anything left over. And they’ve not listened or learned or comprehended theoretically or found even temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a lower place, not a higher. They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo kodhano hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa so kodho apariseso nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya; visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.

Take a certain person who is irritable. But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that anger ceases without anything left over. And they’ve listened and learned and comprehended theoretically and found at least temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a higher place, not a lower. They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti …pe… ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.

Judgmental people compare them … I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on people.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo uddhato hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti yatthassa taṁ uddhaccaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi akataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi akataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi appaṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ na labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā hānāya pareti, no visesāya; hānagāmīyeva hoti, no visesagāmī.

Take a certain person who is restless. And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that restlessness ceases without anything left over. And they’ve not listened or learned or comprehended theoretically or found even temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a lower place, not a higher. They’re going to a lower place, not a higher.

Idha panānanda, ekacco puggalo uddhato hoti. Tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ uddhaccaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā visesāya pareti, no hānāya; visesagāmīyeva hoti, no hānagāmī.

Take a certain person who is restless. But they truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where that restlessness ceases without anything left over. And they’ve listened and learned and comprehended theoretically and found at least temporary freedom. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re headed for a higher place, not a lower. They’re going to a higher place, not a lower.

Tatrānanda, pamāṇikā pamiṇanti: ‘imassapi teva dhammā, aparassapi teva dhammā. Kasmā nesaṁ eko hīno eko paṇīto’ti? Tañhi tesaṁ, ānanda, hoti dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya.

Judgmental people compare them, saying: ‘This one has just the same qualities as the other, so why is one worse and one better?’ This will be for their lasting harm and suffering.

Tatrānanda, yvāyaṁ puggalo uddhato hoti tañca cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti yatthassa taṁ uddhaccaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati, tassa savanenapi kataṁ hoti, bāhusaccenapi kataṁ hoti, diṭṭhiyāpi paṭividdhaṁ hoti, sāmāyikampi vimuttiṁ labhati. Ayaṁ, ānanda, puggalo amunā purimena puggalena abhikkantataro ca paṇītataro ca. Taṁ kissa hetu? Imaṁ hānanda, puggalaṁ dhammasoto nibbahati. Tadantaraṁ ko jāneyya aññatra tathāgatena. Tasmātihānanda, mā puggalesu pamāṇikā ahuvattha; mā puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhittha. Khaññati hānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇhanto. Ahaṁ vā, ānanda, puggalesu pamāṇaṁ gaṇheyyaṁ yo vā panassa mādiso.

In this case the person who is restless, but truly understands the freedom of heart … and has listened and learned and comprehended theoretically and found at least temporary freedom is better and finer than the other person. Why is that? Because the stream of the teaching carries them along. But who knows the difference between them except a Realized One? So, Ānanda, don’t be judgmental about people. Don’t pass judgment on people. Those who pass judgment on people harm themselves. I, or someone like me, may pass judgment on people.

Kā cānanda, migasālā upāsikā bālā abyattā ammakā ammakapaññā, ke ca purisapuggalaparopariye ñāṇe. Ime kho, ānanda, dasa puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.

Who is this laywoman Migasālā, a foolish incompetent aunty, with an aunty’s wit? And who is it that knows how to assess individuals? These ten people are found in the world.

Yathārūpena, ānanda, sīlena purāṇo samannāgato ahosi tathārūpena sīlena isidatto samannāgato abhavissa, nayidha purāṇo isidattassa gatimpi aññassa. Yathārūpāya cānanda, paññāya isidatto samannāgato ahosi tathārūpāya paññāya purāṇo samannāgato abhavissa, nayidha isidatto purāṇassa gatimpi aññassa. Iti kho, ānanda, ime puggalā ubho ekaṅgahīnā”ti.

If Isidatta had achieved Purāṇa’s level of ethical conduct, Purāṇa could not have even known Isidatta’s destination. And if Purāṇa had achieved Isidatta’s level of wisdom, Isidatta could not have even known Purāṇa’s destination. So both individuals were lacking in one respect.”

Pañcamaṁ.