Majjhima Nikāya 68

The Middle-Length Suttas Collection 68

Naḷakapānasutta

At Naḷakapāna

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu viharati naḷakapāne palāsavane.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans near Naḷakapāna in the grove of flame-of-the-forest trees.

Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā abhiññātā abhiññātā kulaputtā bhagavantaṁ uddissa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā honti—āyasmā ca anuruddho, āyasmā ca bhaddiyo, āyasmā ca kimilo, āyasmā ca bhagu, āyasmā ca koṇḍañño, āyasmā ca revato, āyasmā ca ānando, aññe ca abhiññātā abhiññātā kulaputtā.

Now at that time several very well-known gentlemen had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness out of faith in the Buddha—The venerables Anuruddha, Bhaddiya, Kimbila, Bhagu, Koṇḍañña, Revata, Ānanda, and other very well-known gentlemen.

Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā bhikkhusaṅghaparivuto abbhokāse nisinno hoti. Atha kho bhagavā te kulaputte ārabbha bhikkhū āmantesi: “ye te, bhikkhave, kulaputtā mamaṁ uddissa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, kacci te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū abhiratā brahmacariye”ti? Evaṁ vutte, te bhikkhū tuṇhī ahesuṁ.

Now at that time the Buddha was sitting in the open, surrounded by the bhikkhu Saṅgha. Then the Buddha spoke to the bhikkhus about those gentlemen: “Bhikkhus, those gentlemen who have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness out of faith in me—I trust they’re satisfied with the spiritual life?” When this was said, the bhikkhus kept silent.

Dutiyampi kho bhagavā te kulaputte ārabbha bhikkhū āmantesi: “ye te, bhikkhave, kulaputtā mamaṁ uddissa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, kacci te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū abhiratā brahmacariye”ti? Dutiyampi kho te bhikkhū tuṇhī ahesuṁ. Tatiyampi kho bhagavā te kulaputte ārabbha bhikkhū āmantesi: “ye te, bhikkhave, kulaputtā mamaṁ uddissa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, kacci te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū abhiratā brahmacariye”ti? Tatiyampi kho te bhikkhū tuṇhī ahesuṁ.

For a second and a third time the Buddha asked the same question. For a third time, the bhikkhus kept silent.

Atha kho bhagavato etadahosi: “yannūnāhaṁ te kulaputte puccheyyan”ti. Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ āmantesi: “kacci tumhe, anuruddhā, abhiratā brahmacariye”ti?

Then it occurred to the Buddha, “Why don’t I question just those gentlemen?” Then the Buddha said to Venerable Anuruddha, “Anuruddha and friends, I hope you’re satisfied with the spiritual life?”

“Taggha mayaṁ, bhante, abhiratā brahmacariye”ti.

“Indeed, sir, we are satisfied with the spiritual life.”

“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā. Etaṁ kho, anuruddhā, tumhākaṁ patirūpaṁ kulaputtānaṁ saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitānaṁ yaṁ tumhe abhirameyyātha brahmacariye. Yena tumhe, anuruddhā, bhadrena yobbanena samannāgatā paṭhamena vayasā susukāḷakesā kāme paribhuñjeyyātha tena tumhe, anuruddhā, bhadrenapi yobbanena samannāgatā paṭhamena vayasā susukāḷakesā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā. Te ca kho pana tumhe, anuruddhā, neva rājābhinītā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na corābhinītā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na iṇaṭṭā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, na bhayaṭṭā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, nājīvikāpakatā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā. Api ca khomhi otiṇṇo jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi, dukkhotiṇṇo dukkhapareto; appeva nāma imassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa antakiriyā paññāyethāti—nanu tumhe, anuruddhā, evaṁ saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā”ti?

“Good, good, Anuruddha and friends! It’s appropriate for gentlemen like yourselves, who have gone forth in faith from the lay life to homelessness, to be satisfied with the spiritual life. Since you’re blessed with youth, in the prime of life, black-haired, you could have enjoyed sensual pleasures; yet you have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness. But you didn’t go forth because you were forced to by kings or bandits, or because you’re in debt or threatened, or to earn a living. Rather, didn’t you go forth thinking: ‘I’m swamped by rebirth, old age, and death; by sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress. I’m swamped by suffering, mired in suffering. Hopefully I can find an end to this entire mass of suffering’?”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ pabbajitena ca pana, anuruddhā, kulaputtena kimassa karaṇīyaṁ? Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ nādhigacchati aññaṁ vā¹ tato santataraṁ, tassa abhijjhāpi cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, byāpādopi cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, thinamiddhampi² cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati uddhaccakukkuccampi cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, vicikicchāpi cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, aratīpi cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, tandīpi cittaṁ pariyādāya tiṭṭhati. Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ nādhigacchati aññaṁ vā tato santataraṁ.

“But, Anuruddha and friends, when a gentleman has gone forth like this, what should he do? Take someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Their mind is still occupied by desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, discontent, and sloth. That’s someone who doesn’t achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that.

Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ adhigacchati aññaṁ vā tato santataraṁ, tassa abhijjhāpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, byāpādopi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, thinamiddhampi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, uddhaccakukkuccampi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, vicikicchāpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, aratīpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati, tandīpi cittaṁ na pariyādāya tiṭṭhati. Vivekaṁ, anuruddhā, kāmehi vivekaṁ akusalehi dhammehi pītisukhaṁ adhigacchati aññaṁ vā tato santataraṁ.

Take someone who does achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that. Their mind is not occupied by desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, doubt, discontent, and sloth. That’s someone who does achieve the rapture and bliss that are secluded from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, or something even more peaceful than that.

Kinti vo, anuruddhā, mayi hoti: ‘ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā³ sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā, appahīnā te tathāgatassa; tasmā tathāgato saṅkhāyekaṁ paṭisevati, saṅkhāyekaṁ adhivāseti, saṅkhāyekaṁ parivajjeti, saṅkhāyekaṁ vinodetī’”ti?

Is this what you think of me? ‘The Realized One has not given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and gets rid of some things.’”

“Na kho no, bhante, bhagavati evaṁ hoti: ‘ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā, appahīnā te tathāgatassa; tasmā tathāgato saṅkhāyekaṁ paṭisevati, saṅkhāyekaṁ adhivāseti, saṅkhāyekaṁ parivajjeti, saṅkhāyekaṁ vinodetī’ti. Evaṁ kho no, bhante, bhagavati hoti: ‘ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā, pahīnā te tathāgatassa; tasmā tathāgato saṅkhāyekaṁ paṭisevati, saṅkhāyekaṁ adhivāseti, saṅkhāyekaṁ parivajjeti, saṅkhāyekaṁ vinodetī’”ti.

“No sir, we don’t think of you that way. We think of you this way: ‘The Realized One has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and gets rid of some things.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, anuruddhā. Tathāgatassa, anuruddhā, ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā, pahīnā te ucchinnamūlā tālāvatthukatā anabhāvaṅkatā āyatiṁ anuppādadhammā. Seyyathāpi, anuruddhā, tālo matthakacchinno abhabbo punavirūḷhiyā; evameva kho, anuruddhā, tathāgatassa ye āsavā saṅkilesikā ponobbhavikā sadarā dukkhavipākā āyatiṁ jātijarāmaraṇiyā, pahīnā te ucchinnamūlā tālāvatthukatā anabhāvaṅkatā āyatiṁ anuppādadhammā; tasmā tathāgato saṅkhāyekaṁ paṭisevati, saṅkhāyekaṁ adhivāseti, saṅkhāyekaṁ parivajjeti, saṅkhāyekaṁ vinodeti.

“Good, good, Anuruddha and friends! The Realized One has given up the defilements that are corrupting, leading to future lives, hurtful, resulting in suffering and future rebirth, old age, and death. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them so they are unable to arise in the future. Just as a palm tree with its crown cut off is incapable of further growth, in the same way, the Realized One has given up the defilements so they are unable to arise in the future. That’s why, after appraisal, he uses some things, endures some things, avoids some things, and gets rid of some things.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, anuruddhā, kaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno tathāgato sāvake abbhatīte kālaṅkate upapattīsu byākaroti: ‘asu amutra upapanno; asu amutra upapanno’”ti?

What do you think, Anuruddha and friends? What advantage does the Realized One see in declaring the rebirth of his disciples who have passed away: ‘This one is reborn here, while that one is reborn there’?”

“Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā bhagavaṁnettikā bhagavaṁpaṭisaraṇā. Sādhu vata, bhante, bhagavantaṁyeva paṭibhātu etassa bhāsitassa attho. Bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti.

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. He is our guide and our refuge. Sir, may the Buddha himself please clarify the meaning of this. The bhikkhus will listen and remember it.”

“Na kho, anuruddhā, tathāgato janakuhanatthaṁ na janalapanatthaṁ na lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsatthaṁ na ‘iti maṁ jano jānātū’ti sāvake abbhatīte kālaṅkate upapattīsu byākaroti: ‘asu amutra upapanno, asu amutra upapanno’ti. Santi ca kho, anuruddhā, kulaputtā saddhā uḷāravedā uḷārapāmojjā. Te taṁ sutvā tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharanti. Tesaṁ taṁ, anuruddhā, hoti dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya.

“The Realized One does not declare such things for the sake of deceiving people or flattering them, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’ Rather, there are gentlemen of faith who are full of sublime joy and gladness. When they hear that, they focus their minds to that end. That is for their lasting welfare and happiness.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhu suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo bhikkhu kālaṅkato; so bhagavatā byākato—aññāya saṇṭhahī’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁpañño so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārī so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti. So tassa saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussaranto tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuno phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, he was enlightened.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That’s how a monk lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhu suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo bhikkhu kālaṅkato; so bhagavatā byākato—pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo …pe… evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti. So tassa saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussaranto tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuno phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, he’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhu suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo bhikkhu kālaṅkato; so bhagavatā byākato—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo …pe… evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti. So tassa saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussaranto tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuno phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, he’s a once-returner. He’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhu suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo bhikkhu kālaṅkato; so bhagavatā byākato—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo …pe… evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti. So tassa saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussaranto tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuno phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a monk who hears this: ‘The monk named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters he’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that monk’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a monk lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhunī suṇāti: ‘itthannāmā bhikkhunī kālaṅkatā; sā bhagavatā byākatā—aññāya saṇṭhahī’ti. Sā kho panassā bhaginī sāmaṁ diṭṭhā vā hoti anussavassutā vā: ‘evaṁsīlā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁpaññā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārinī sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁvimuttā sā bhaginī ahosi itipī’ti. Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuniyā phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, she was enlightened.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That’s how a nun lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhunī suṇāti: ‘itthannāmā bhikkhunī kālaṅkatā; sā bhagavatā byākatā—pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātikā tattha parinibbāyinī anāvattidhammā tasmā lokā’ti. Sā kho panassā bhaginī sāmaṁ diṭṭhā vā hoti anussavassutā vā: ‘evaṁsīlā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammā …pe… evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārinī … evaṁvimuttā sā bhaginī ahosi itipī’ti. Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuniyā phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, she’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhunī suṇāti: ‘itthannāmā bhikkhunī kālaṅkatā; sā bhagavatā byākatā—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāminī sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. Sā kho panassā bhaginī sāmaṁ diṭṭhā vā hoti anussavassutā vā: ‘evaṁsīlā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammā …pe… evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārinī … evaṁvimuttā sā bhaginī ahosi itipī’ti. Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuniyā phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, she’s a once-returner. She’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, bhikkhunī suṇāti: ‘itthannāmā bhikkhunī kālaṅkatā; sā bhagavatā byākatā—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpannā avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā’ti. Sā kho panassā bhaginī sāmaṁ diṭṭhā vā hoti anussavassutā vā: ‘evaṁsīlā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārinī … evaṁvimuttā sā bhaginī ahosi itipī’ti. Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, bhikkhuniyā phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a nun who hears this: ‘The nun named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters she’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that nun’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a nun lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, upāsako suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo upāsako kālaṅkato; so bhagavatā byākato—pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātiko tattha parinibbāyī anāvattidhammo tasmā lokā’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁpañño so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārī so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti. So tassa saddhañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussaranto tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, upāsakassa phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, he’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That’s how a layman lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, upāsako suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo upāsako kālaṅkato; so bhagavatā byākato—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāmī sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti. So tassa saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussaranto tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, upāsakassa phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, he’s a once-returner. He’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a layman lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, upāsako suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo upāsako kālaṅkato; so bhagavatā byākato—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo’ti. So kho panassa āyasmā sāmaṁ diṭṭho vā hoti anussavassuto vā: ‘evaṁsīlo so āyasmā ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammo … evaṁpañño … evaṁvihārī … evaṁvimutto so āyasmā ahosi itipī’ti. So tassa saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussaranto tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā upāsakassa phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a layman who hears this: ‘The layman named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters he’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.’ And he’s either seen for himself, or heard from someone else, that that venerable had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that layman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, he applies his mind to that end. That too is how a layman lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, upāsikā suṇāti: ‘itthannāmā upāsikā kālaṅkatā; sā bhagavatā byākatā—pañcannaṁ orambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā opapātikā tattha parinibbāyinī anāvattidhammā tasmā lokā’ti. Sā kho panassā bhaginī sāmaṁ diṭṭhā vā hoti anussavassutā vā: ‘evaṁsīlā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārinī … evaṁvimuttā sā bhaginī ahosi itipī’ti. Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, upāsikāya phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of the five lower fetters, she’s been reborn spontaneously and will become extinguished there, not liable to return from that world.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That’s how a laywoman lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, upāsikā suṇāti: ‘itthannāmā upāsikā kālaṅkatā; sā bhagavatā byākatā—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā rāgadosamohānaṁ tanuttā sakadāgāminī sakideva imaṁ lokaṁ āgantvā dukkhassantaṁ karissatī’ti. Sā kho panassā bhaginī sāmaṁ diṭṭhā vā hoti anussavassutā vā: ‘evaṁsīlā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammā … evaṁpaññā … evaṁvihārinī … evaṁvimuttā sā bhaginī ahosi itipī’ti. Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, upāsikāya phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, she’s a once-returner. She’ll come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a laywoman lives at ease.

Idhānuruddhā, upāsikā suṇāti: ‘itthannāmā upāsikā kālaṅkatā; sā bhagavatā byākatā—tiṇṇaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ parikkhayā sotāpannā avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyaṇā’ti. Sā kho panassā bhaginī sāmaṁ diṭṭhā vā hoti anussavassutā vā: ‘evaṁsīlā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁdhammā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁpaññā sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁvihārinī sā bhaginī ahosi itipi, evaṁvimuttā sā bhaginī ahosi itipī’ti. Sā tassā saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarantī tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati. Evampi kho, anuruddhā, upāsikāya phāsuvihāro hoti.

Take a laywoman who hears this: ‘The laywoman named so-and-so has passed away. The Buddha has declared that, with the ending of three fetters she’s a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.’ And she’s either seen for herself, or heard from someone else, that that sister had such ethics, such qualities, such wisdom, such meditation, or such freedom. Recollecting that laywoman’s faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom, she applies her mind to that end. That too is how a laywoman lives at ease.

Iti kho, anuruddhā, tathāgato na janakuhanatthaṁ na janalapanatthaṁ na lābhasakkārasilokānisaṁsatthaṁ na ‘iti maṁ jano jānātū’ti sāvake abbhatīte kālaṅkate upapattīsu byākaroti: ‘asu amutra upapanno, asu amutra upapanno’ti. Santi ca kho, anuruddhā, kulaputtā saddhā uḷāravedā uḷārapāmojjā. Te taṁ sutvā tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharanti. Tesaṁ taṁ, anuruddhā, hoti dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyā”ti.

So it’s not for the sake of deceiving people or flattering them, nor for the benefit of possessions, honor, or popularity, nor thinking, ‘So let people know about me!’ that the Realized One declares the rebirth of his disciples who have passed away: ‘This one is reborn here, while that one is reborn there.’ Rather, there are gentlemen of faith who are full of joy and gladness. When they hear that, they focus their minds to that end. That is for their lasting welfare and happiness.”

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamano āyasmā anuruddho bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandīti.

That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, Venerable Anuruddha and friends approved what the Buddha said.

Naḷakapānasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.