AN 6 The Book of the Sixes – Chakkanipāta > AN 6.57 The Six Classes of Rebirth

Numbered Discourses 6.57 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 6.57

6. The Great Chapter – 6. Mahāvagga

AN 6.57 The Six Classes of Rebirth – Chaḷabhijātisutta

1.1

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate.

1.2

Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

1.3

“Sir, Pūraṇa Kassapa describes six classes of rebirth:

“pūraṇena, bhante, kassapena chaḷabhijātiyo paññattā—

1.4

black, blue, red, yellow, white, and ultimate white.

kaṇhābhijāti paññattā, nīlābhijāti paññattā, lohitābhijāti paññattā, haliddābhijāti paññattā, sukkābhijāti paññattā, paramasukkābhijāti paññattā.

2.1

The black class of rebirth consists of slaughterers of sheep, pigs, poultry, or deer, hunters or fishers, bandits, executioners, butchers of cattle, jailers, and any others with a cruel livelihood.

Tatridaṁ, bhante, pūraṇena kassapena kaṇhābhijāti paññattā, orabbhikā sūkarikā sākuṇikā māgavikā luddā macchaghātakā corā coraghātakā bandhanāgārikā ye vā panaññepi keci kurūrakammantā.

3.1

The blue class of rebirth consists of bhikkhū who live on thorns, and any others who teach the efficacy of deeds and action.

Tatridaṁ, bhante, pūraṇena kassapena nīlābhijāti paññattā, bhikkhū kaṇṭakavuttikā ye vā panaññepi keci kammavādā kriyavādā.

4.1

The red class of rebirth consists of the Jain ascetics who wear one cloth.

Tatridaṁ, bhante, pūraṇena kassapena lohitābhijāti paññattā, nigaṇṭhā ekasāṭakā.

5.1

The yellow class of rebirth consists of the lay people dressed in white who are disciples of the naked ascetics.

Tatridaṁ, bhante, pūraṇena kassapena haliddābhijāti paññattā, gihī odātavasanā acelakasāvakā.

6.1

The white class of rebirth consists of male and female Ājīvaka ascetics.

Tatridaṁ, bhante, pūraṇena kassapena sukkābhijāti paññattā, ājīvakā ājīvakiniyo.

7.1

And the ultimate white class of rebirth consists of Nanda Vaccha, Kisa Saṅkicca, and Makkhali Gosāla.

Tatridaṁ, bhante, pūraṇena kassapena paramasukkābhijāti paññattā, nando vaccho kiso saṅkicco makkhali gosālo.

8.1

These are the six classes of rebirth that Pūraṇa Kassapa describes.”

Pūraṇena, bhante, kassapena imā chaḷabhijātiyo paññattā”ti.

9.1

“But Ānanda, did the whole world authorize Pūraṇa Kassapa to describe these six classes of rebirth?”

“Kiṁ panānanda, pūraṇassa kassapassa sabbo loko etadabbhanujānāti imā chaḷabhijātiyo paññāpetun”ti?

9.2

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante.

9.3

“It’s as if they were to force a steak on a poor, penniless person, telling them they must eat it and then pay for it.

Seyyathāpi, ānanda, puriso daliddo assako anāḷhiko, tassa akāmakassa bilaṁ olaggeyyuṁ: ‘idaṁ te, ambho purisa, maṁsañca khāditabbaṁ, mūlañca anuppadātabban’ti.

9.4

In the same way, Pūraṇa Kassapa has described these six classes of rebirth without the consent of those ascetics and brahmins. And he has done so in a foolish, incompetent, unskilled way, lacking common sense.

Evamevaṁ kho, ānanda, pūraṇena kassapena appaṭiññāya etesaṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ imā chaḷabhijātiyo paññattā, yathā taṁ bālena abyattena akhettaññunā akusalena.

10.1

I, however, also describe six classes of rebirth.

Ahaṁ kho panānanda, chaḷabhijātiyo paññāpemi.

10.2

Listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”

Taṁ suṇāhi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi; bhāsissāmī”ti.

10.3

“Yes, sir,” Ānanda replied.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā ānando bhagavato paccassosi.

10.4

The Buddha said this:

Bhagavā etadavoca:

10.5

“And what, Ānanda, are the six classes of rebirth?

“katamā cānanda, chaḷabhijātiyo?

10.6

Someone born into a dark class gives rise to a dark result.

Idhānanda, ekacco kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

10.7

Someone born into a dark class gives rise to a bright result.

Idha panānanda, ekacco kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno sukkaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

10.8

Someone born into a dark class gives rise to extinguishment, which is neither dark nor bright.

Idha panānanda, ekacco kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno akaṇhaṁ asukkaṁ nibbānaṁ abhijāyati.

10.9

Someone born into a bright class gives rise to a dark result.

Idha panānanda, ekacco sukkābhijātiyo samāno kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

10.10

Someone born into a bright class gives rise to a bright result.

Idha panānanda, ekacco sukkābhijātiyo samāno sukkaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

10.11

Someone born into a bright class gives rise to extinguishment, which is neither dark nor bright.

Idha panānanda, ekacco sukkābhijātiyo samāno akaṇhaṁ asukkaṁ nibbānaṁ abhijāyati.

11.1

And how does someone born into a dark class give rise to a dark result?

Kathañcānanda, kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati?

11.2

It’s when someone is reborn in a low family—a family of outcastes, bamboo-workers, hunters, chariot-makers, or waste-collectors—poor, with little to eat or drink, where life is tough, and food and shelter are hard to find.

Idhānanda, ekacco nīce kule paccājāto hoti—caṇḍālakule vā nesādakule vā venakule vā rathakārakule vā pukkusakule vā, dalidde appannapānabhojane kasiravuttike, yattha kasirena ghāsacchādo labbhati.

11.3

And they’re ugly, unsightly, deformed, chronically ill—one-eyed, crippled, lame, or half-paralyzed. They don’t get to have food, drink, clothes, and vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; or bed, house, and lighting.

So ca hoti dubbaṇṇo duddasiko okoṭimako bavhābādho kāṇo vā kuṇī vā khañjo vā pakkhahato vā, na lābhī annassa pānassa vatthassa yānassa mālāgandhavilepanassa seyyāvasathapadīpeyyassa.

11.4

And they do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind.

So kāyena duccaritaṁ carati, vācāya duccaritaṁ carati, manasā duccaritaṁ carati.

11.5

When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

So kāyena duccaritaṁ caritvā, vācāya duccaritaṁ caritvā, manasā duccaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

11.6

That’s how someone born into a dark class gives rise to a dark result.

Evaṁ kho, ānanda, kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

12.1

And how does someone born into a dark class give rise to a bright result?

Kathañcānanda, kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno sukkaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati?

12.2

It’s when some person is reborn in a low family …

Idhānanda, ekacco nīce kule paccājāto hoti—caṇḍālakule vā …pe…

12.3

seyyāvasathapadīpeyyassa.

12.4

But they do good things by way of body, speech, and mind.

So kāyena sucaritaṁ carati, vācāya sucaritaṁ carati, manasā sucaritaṁ carati.

12.5

When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

So kāyena sucaritaṁ caritvā, vācāya sucaritaṁ caritvā, manasā sucaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

12.6

That’s how someone born into a dark class gives rise to a bright result.

Evaṁ kho, ānanda, kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno sukkaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

13.1

And how does someone born into a dark class give rise to extinguishment, which is neither dark nor bright?

Kathañcānanda, kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno akaṇhaṁ asukkaṁ nibbānaṁ abhijāyati?

13.2

It’s when some person is reborn in a low family …

Idhānanda, ekacco nīce kule paccājāto hoti—caṇḍālakule vā …pe…

13.3

so ca hoti dubbaṇṇo duddasiko okoṭimako.

13.4

They shave off their hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

So kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati.

13.5

They give up the five hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom. They firmly establish their mind in the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. They truly develop the seven awakening factors. And then they give rise to extinguishment, which is neither dark nor bright.

So evaṁ pabbajito samāno pañca nīvaraṇe pahāya cetaso upakkilese paññāya dubbalīkaraṇe, catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu suppatiṭṭhitacitto, satta bojjhaṅge yathābhūtaṁ bhāvetvā akaṇhaṁ asukkaṁ nibbānaṁ abhijāyati.

13.6

That’s how someone born in a dark class gives rise to extinguishment, which is neither dark nor bright.

Evaṁ kho, ānanda, kaṇhābhijātiyo samāno akaṇhaṁ asukkaṁ nibbānaṁ abhijāyati.

14.1

And how does someone born into a bright class give rise to a dark result?

Kathañcānanda, sukkābhijātiyo samāno kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati?

14.2

It’s when some person is reborn in an eminent family—a well-to-do family of aristocrats, brahmins, or householders—rich, affluent, and wealthy, with lots of gold and silver, lots of property and assets, and lots of money and grain.

Idhānanda, ekacco ucce kule paccājāto hoti—khattiyamahāsālakule vā brāhmaṇamahāsālakule vā gahapatimahāsālakule vā, aḍḍhe mahaddhane mahābhoge pahūtajātarūparajate pahūtavittūpakaraṇe pahūtadhanadhaññe.

14.3

And they’re attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. They get to have food, drink, clothes, and vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.

So ca hoti abhirūpo dassanīyo pāsādiko paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgato, lābhī annassa pānassa vatthassa yānassa mālāgandhavilepanassa seyyāvasathapadīpeyyassa.

14.4

But they do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind.

So kāyena duccaritaṁ carati, vācāya duccaritaṁ carati, manasā duccaritaṁ carati.

14.5

When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

So kāyena duccaritaṁ caritvā, vācāya duccaritaṁ caritvā, manasā duccaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

14.6

That’s how someone born into a bright class gives rise to a dark result.

Evaṁ kho, ānanda, sukkābhijātiyo samāno kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

15.1

And how does someone born into a bright class give rise to a bright result?

Kathañcānanda, sukkābhijātiyo samāno sukkaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati?

15.2

It’s when some person is reborn in an eminent family …

Idhānanda, ekacco ucce kule paccājāto hoti—khattiyamahāsālakule vā …pe…

15.3

seyyāvasathapadīpeyyassa.

15.4

And they do good things by way of body, speech, and mind.

So kāyena sucaritaṁ carati, vācāya sucaritaṁ carati, manasā sucaritaṁ carati.

15.5

When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

So kāyena sucaritaṁ caritvā, vācāya sucaritaṁ caritvā, manasā sucaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

15.6

That’s how someone born into a bright class give rise to a bright result.

Evaṁ kho, ānanda, sukkābhijātiyo samāno sukkaṁ dhammaṁ abhijāyati.

16.1

And how does someone born into a bright class give rise to extinguishment, which is neither dark nor bright?

Kathañcānanda, sukkābhijātiyo samāno akaṇhaṁ asukkaṁ nibbānaṁ abhijāyati?

16.2

It’s when some person is reborn in an eminent family …

16.3

So ca hoti abhirūpo dassanīyo pāsādiko paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgato, lābhī annassa pānassa vatthassa yānassa mālāgandhavilepanassa seyyāvasathapadīpeyyassa.

16.4

They shave off their hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

So kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati.

16.5

16.6

That’s how someone born into a bright class gives rise to extinguishment, which is neither dark nor bright.

Evaṁ kho, ānanda, sukkābhijātiyo samāno akaṇhaṁ asukkaṁ nibbānaṁ abhijāyati.

17.1

These are the six classes of rebirth.”

Imā kho, ānanda, chaḷabhijātiyo”ti.

17.2

Tatiyaṁ.