AN 8.14 A Wild Colt – Assakhaḷuṅkasutta

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AN 8.14 A Wild Colt – Assakhaḷuṅkasutta

Numbered Discourses 8.14 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 8.14

2. The Great Chapter – 2. Mahāvagga

AN 8.14 A Wild Colt – Assakhaḷuṅkasutta

 

1.1

Bhikkhū, I will teach you about eight wild colts and eight defects in horses, and about eight wild people and eight defects in people.

“Aṭṭha ca, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅke desessāmi aṭṭha ca assadose, aṭṭha ca purisakhaḷuṅke aṭṭha ca purisadose.

1.2

Listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”

Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

1.3

“Yes, sir,” they replied.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

1.4

The Buddha said this:

Bhagavā etadavoca:

2.1

“And what, bhikkhū, are the eight wild colts and eight defects in horses?

“Katame ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭha assakhaḷuṅkā aṭṭha ca assadosā?

2.2

Firstly, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts back right up and spin the chariot behind them.

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā pacchato paṭikkamati, piṭṭhito rathaṁ pavatteti.

2.3

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

2.4

This is the first defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo assadoso.

3.1

Furthermore, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts jump back, wreck the hub, and break the triple rod.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā pacchā laṅghati, kubbaraṁ hanati, tidaṇḍaṁ bhañjati.

3.2

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

3.3

This is the second defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo assadoso.

4.1

Furthermore, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts shake the cart-pole off their thigh and trample it.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā rathīsāya satthiṁ ussajjitvā rathīsaṁyeva ajjhomaddati.

4.2

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

4.3

This is the third defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo assadoso.

5.1

Furthermore, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts take a wrong turn, sending the chariot off track.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā ummaggaṁ gaṇhati, ubbaṭumaṁ rathaṁ karoti.

5.2

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

5.3

This is the fourth defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho assadoso.

6.1

Furthermore, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts rear up and strike out with their fore-legs.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā laṅghati purimakāyaṁ paggaṇhati purime pāde.

6.2

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

6.3

This is the fifth defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamo assadoso.

7.1

Furthermore, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts ignore the trainer and the goad, spit out the bit, and go wherever they want.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā anādiyitvā sārathiṁ anādiyitvā patodalaṭṭhiṁ dantehi mukhādhānaṁ vidhaṁsitvā yena kāmaṁ pakkamati.

7.2

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

7.3

This is the sixth defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, chaṭṭho assadoso.

8.1

Furthermore, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts don’t step forward or turn back but stand right there still as a post.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā neva abhikkamati no paṭikkamati tattheva khīlaṭṭhāyī ṭhito hoti.

8.2

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

8.3

This is the seventh defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamo assadoso.

9.1

Furthermore, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, some wild colts tuck in their fore-legs and hind-legs, and sit right down on their four legs.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā purime ca pāde saṁharitvā pacchime ca pāde saṁharitvā tattheva cattāro pāde abhinisīdati.

9.2

Some wild colts are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco assakhaḷuṅko hoti.

9.3

This is the eighth defect of a horse.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, aṭṭhamo assadoso.

9.4

These are the eight wild colts and the eight defects in horses.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha assakhaḷuṅkā aṭṭha ca assadosā.

10.1

And what are the eight wild people and eight defects in people?

Katame ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭha purisakhaḷuṅkā aṭṭha ca purisadosā?

10.2

Firstly, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

10.3

But the accused bhikkhu evades it by saying they don’t remember.

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno ‘na sarāmī’ti asatiyā nibbeṭheti.

10.4

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, back right up and spin the chariot behind them.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā pacchato paṭikkamati, piṭṭhito rathaṁ vatteti;

10.5

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

10.6

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

10.7

This is the first defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo purisadoso.

11.1

Furthermore, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

11.2

But the accused bhikkhu objects to the accuser:

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno codakaṁyeva paṭippharati:

11.3

‘What has an incompetent fool like you got to say?

‘kiṁ nu kho tuyhaṁ bālassa abyattassa bhaṇitena.

11.4

How on earth could you imagine you’ve got something worth saying!’

Tvampi nāma bhaṇitabbaṁ maññasī’ti.

11.5

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, jump back, wreck the hub, and break the triple rod.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā pacchā laṅghati, kubbaraṁ hanati, tidaṇḍaṁ bhañjati;

11.6

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

11.7

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

11.8

This is the second defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo purisadoso.

12.1

Furthermore, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

12.2

But the accused bhikkhu retorts to the accuser:

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno codakasseva paccāropeti:

12.3

‘Well, you’ve fallen into such-and-such an offense. You should deal with that first.’

‘tvaṁ khosi itthannāmaṁ āpattiṁ āpanno, tvaṁ tāva paṭhamaṁ paṭikarohī’ti.

12.4

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, shake the cart-pole off their thigh and trample it.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā rathīsāya satthiṁ ussajjitvā rathīsaṁyeva ajjhomaddati;

12.5

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

12.6

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

12.7

This is the third defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo purisadoso.

13.1

Furthermore, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

13.2

But the accused bhikkhu dodges the issue, distracts the discussion with irrelevant points, and displays annoyance, hate, and bitterness.

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno aññenāññaṁ paṭicarati, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmeti, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti.

13.3

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, take a wrong turn, sending the chariot off track.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā ummaggaṁ gaṇhati, ubbaṭumaṁ rathaṁ karoti;

13.4

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

13.5

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

13.6

This is the fourth defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho purisadoso.

14.1

Furthermore, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

14.2

But the accused bhikkhu gesticulates while speaking in the middle of the Saṅgha.

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno saṅghamajjhe bāhuvikkhepaṁ karoti.

14.3

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, rear up and strike out with their fore-legs.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā laṅghati, purimakāyaṁ paggaṇhati purime pāde;

14.4

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

14.5

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

14.6

This is the fifth defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamo purisadoso.

15.1

Furthermore, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

15.2

But the accused bhikkhu ignores the Saṅgha and the accusation and, though still guilty of the offense, they go wherever they want.

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno anādiyitvā saṅghaṁ anādiyitvā codakaṁ sāpattikova yena kāmaṁ pakkamati.

15.3

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, ignore the trainer and the goad, spit out the bit, and go wherever they want.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā anādiyitvā sārathiṁ anādiyitvā patodalaṭṭhiṁ dantehi mukhādhānaṁ vidhaṁsitvā yena kāmaṁ pakkamati;

15.4

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

15.5

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

15.6

This is the sixth defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, chaṭṭho purisadoso.

16.1

Furthermore, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

16.2

But the accused bhikkhu neither confesses to the offense nor denies it, but frustrates the Saṅgha by staying silent.

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno ‘nevāhaṁ āpannomhi, na panāhaṁ āpannomhī’ti so tuṇhībhāvena saṅghaṁ viheṭheti.

16.3

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, don’t step forward or turn back but stand right there still as a post.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā neva abhikkamati no paṭikkamati tattheva khīlaṭṭhāyī ṭhito hoti;

16.4

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

16.5

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

16.6

This is the seventh defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sattamo purisadoso.

17.1

Furthermore, the bhikkhū accuse a bhikkhu of an offense.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū bhikkhuṁ āpattiyā codenti.

17.2

But the accused bhikkhu says this:

So bhikkhu bhikkhūhi āpattiyā codiyamāno evamāha:

17.3

‘Why are you venerables making so much of an issue over me? Now I’ll resign the training and return to a lesser life.’

‘kiṁ nu kho tumhe āyasmanto atibāḷhaṁ mayi byāvaṭā yāva idānāhaṁ sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattissāmī’ti.

17.4

When they have resigned the training, they say:

So sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattitvā evamāha:

17.5

‘Well, venerables, are you happy now?’

‘idāni kho tumhe āyasmanto attamanā hothā’ti?

17.6

I say that this person is comparable to the wild colts who, when the trainer says ‘giddyup!’ and spurs and goads them on, tuck in their fore-legs and hind-legs, and sit right down on their four legs.

Seyyathāpi so, bhikkhave, assakhaḷuṅko ‘pehī’ti vutto, viddho samāno codito sārathinā purime ca pāde saṁharitvā pacchime ca pāde saṁharitvā tattheva cattāro pāde abhinisīdati;

17.7

tathūpamāhaṁ, bhikkhave, imaṁ puggalaṁ vadāmi.

17.8

Some wild people are like that.

Evarūpopi, bhikkhave, idhekacco purisakhaḷuṅko hoti.

17.9

This is the eighth defect of a person.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, aṭṭhamo purisadoso.

17.10

These are the eight wild people and eight defects in people.”

Ime kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha purisakhaḷuṅkā aṭṭha ca purisadosā”ti.

17.11

Catutthaṁ.