AN 8 The Book of the Eights – Aṭṭhakanipāta > AN 8.86 With Nāgita

Numbered Discourses 8.86 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 8.86

9. Mindfulness – 9. Sativagga

AN 8.86 With Nāgita – Yasasutta

1.1

At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of bhikkhū when he arrived at a village of the Kosalan brahmins named Icchānaṅgala.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena icchānaṅgalaṁ nāma kosalānaṁ brāhmaṇagāmo tadavasari.

1.2

He stayed in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.

Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.

1.3

The brahmins and householders of Icchānaṅgala heard:

Assosuṁ kho icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā:

1.4

“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Icchānaṅgala. He is staying in a forest near Icchānaṅgala.

“samaṇo khalu bho gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito icchānaṅgalaṁ anuppatto icchānaṅgale viharati icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍe.

1.5

He has this good reputation:

Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:

1.6

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ …

‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho …pe…

1.7

It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī’”ti.

2.1

Then, when the night had passed, they took many different foods and went to the forest near Icchānaṅgala, where they stood outside the gates making a dreadful racket.

Atha kho icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā tassā rattiyā accayena pahutaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ ādāya yena icchānaṅgalavanasaṇḍo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bahidvārakoṭṭhake aṭṭhaṁsu uccāsaddā mahāsaddā.

2.2

Now, at that time Venerable Nāgita was the Buddha’s attendant.

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā nāgito bhagavato upaṭṭhāko hoti.

2.3

Then the Buddha said to Nāgita,

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nāgitaṁ āmantesi:

2.4

“Nāgita, who’s making that dreadful racket? You’d think it was fishermen hauling in a catch!”

“ke pana te, nāgita, uccāsaddā mahāsaddā kevaṭṭā maññe macchavilope”ti?

2.5

“Sir, it’s these brahmins and householders of Icchānaṅgala. They’ve brought many different foods, and they’re standing outside the gates wanting to offer it specially to the Buddha and the bhikkhu Saṅgha.”

“Ete, bhante, icchānaṅgalakā brāhmaṇagahapatikā pahutaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ ādāya bahidvārakoṭṭhake ṭhitā bhagavantaṁyeva uddissa bhikkhusaṅghañcā”ti.

2.6

“Nāgita, may I never become famous. May fame not come to me.

“Māhaṁ, nāgita, yasena samāgamaṁ, mā ca mayā yaso.

2.7

There are those who can’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.

Yo kho, nāgita, nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī assa akicchalābhī akasiralābhī. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī,

2.8

Let them enjoy the filthy, lazy pleasure of possessions, honor, and popularity.”

so taṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ lābhasakkārasilokasukhaṁ sādiyeyyā”ti.

3.1

“Sir, may the Blessed One please relent now! May the Holy One relent!

“Adhivāsetu dāni, bhante, bhagavā. Adhivāsetu sugato.

3.2

Now is the time for the Buddha to relent.

Adhivāsanakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato.

3.3

Wherever the Buddha now goes, the brahmins and householders will incline the same way, as will the people of town and country.

Yena yeneva dāni, bhante, bhagavā gamissati tanninnāva bhavissanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca.

3.4

It’s like when it rains heavily and the water flows downhill.

Seyyathāpi, bhante, thullaphusitake deve vassante yathāninnaṁ udakāni pavattanti;

3.5

In the same way, wherever the Buddha now goes, the brahmins and householders will incline the same way, as will the people of town and country.

evamevaṁ kho, bhante, yena yeneva dāni bhagavā gamissati tanninnāva bhavissanti brāhmaṇagahapatikā negamā ceva jānapadā ca.

3.6

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

3.7

Because of the Buddha’s ethics and wisdom.”

Tathā hi, bhante, bhagavato sīlapaññāṇan”ti.

4.1

“Nāgita, may I never become famous. May fame not come to me.

“Māhaṁ, nāgita, yasena samāgamaṁ, mā ca mayā yaso.

4.2

There are those who can’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.

4.3

Let them enjoy the filthy, lazy pleasure of possessions, honor, and popularity.

so taṁ mīḷhasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ lābhasakkārasilokasukhaṁ sādiyeyya.

5.1

Even some of the deities can’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.

devatāpi kho, nāgita, ekaccā nayimassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhiniyo assu akicchalābhiniyo akasiralābhiniyo, yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.

5.2

When you all come together to enjoy each other’s company, I think:

Tumhākampi kho, nāgita, saṅgamma samāgamma saṅgaṇikavihāraṁ anuyuttānaṁ viharataṁ evaṁ hoti:

5.3

‘These venerables mustn’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.

‘na hi nūname āyasmanto imassa nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhino assu akicchalābhino akasiralābhino. Yassāhaṁ nekkhammasukhassa pavivekasukhassa upasamasukhassa sambodhasukhassa nikāmalābhī akicchalābhī akasiralābhī.

5.4

That must be because they come together to enjoy each other’s company.’

Tathā hi paname āyasmanto saṅgamma samāgamma saṅgaṇikavihāraṁ anuyuttā viharanti’.

6.1

Take bhikkhū I see poking each other with their fingers, giggling and playing together.

Idhāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhū passāmi aññamaññaṁ aṅgulipatodakena sañjagghante saṅkīḷante.

6.2

I think to myself:

Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:

6.3

‘These venerables mustn’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.

6.4

That must be because they’re poking each other with their fingers, giggling and playing together.’

Tathā hi paname āyasmanto aññamaññaṁ aṅgulipatodakena sañjagghanti saṅkīḷanti’.

7.1

Take bhikkhū I see eat as much as they like until their bellies are full, then indulge in the pleasures of sleeping, lying down, and drowsing.

Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhū passāmi yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyutte viharante.

7.2

I think to myself:

Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:

7.3

‘These venerables mustn’t get the bliss of renunciation, the bliss of seclusion, the bliss of peace, the bliss of awakening when they want, without trouble or difficulty like I can.

7.4

That must be because they eat as much as they like until their bellies are full, then indulge in the pleasures of sleeping, lying down, and drowsing.’

Tathā hi paname āyasmanto yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyuttā viharanti’.

8.1

Take a bhikkhu living within a village who I see sitting immersed in samādhi.

Idhāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi gāmantavihāriṁ samāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.

8.2

I think to myself:

Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:

8.3

‘Now a monastery worker, a novice, or a fellow practitioner will make this venerable fall from samādhi.’

‘idāni imaṁ āyasmantaṁ ārāmiko vā upaṭṭhahissati samaṇuddeso vā. Taṁ tamhā samādhimhā cāvessatī’ti.

8.4

So I’m not pleased that that bhikkhu is living within a village.

Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno na attamano homi gāmantavihārena.

9.1

Take a bhikkhu in the wilderness who I see sitting nodding in meditation.

Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe pacalāyamānaṁ nisinnaṁ.

9.2

I think to myself:

Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:

9.3

‘Now this venerable, having dispelled that sleepiness and weariness, will focus just on the unified perception of wilderness.’

‘idāni ayamāyasmā imaṁ niddākilamathaṁ paṭivinodetvā araññasaññaṁyeva manasi karissati ekattan’ti.

9.4

So I’m pleased that that bhikkhu is living in the wilderness.

Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.

10.1

Take a bhikkhu in the wilderness who I see sitting without being immersed in samādhi.

Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe asamāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.

10.2

I think to myself:

Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:

10.3

‘Now if this venerable’s mind is not immersed in samādhi they will immerse it; or if it is immersed in samādhi, they will preserve it.’

‘idāni ayamāyasmā asamāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ samādahissati, samāhitaṁ vā cittaṁ anurakkhissatī’ti.

10.4

So I’m pleased that that bhikkhu is living in the wilderness.

Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.

11.1

Take a bhikkhu in the wilderness who I see sitting immersed in samādhi.

Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ araññe samāhitaṁ nisinnaṁ.

11.2

I think to myself:

Tassa mayhaṁ, nāgita, evaṁ hoti:

11.3

‘Now this venerable will free the unfreed mind or preserve the freed mind.’

‘idāni ayamāyasmā avimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ vimuccissati, vimuttaṁ vā cittaṁ anurakkhissatī’ti.

11.4

So I’m pleased that that bhikkhu is living in the wilderness.

Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.

12.1

Take a bhikkhu who I see living within a village receiving robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi gāmantavihāriṁ lābhiṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.

12.2

Enjoying possessions, honor, and popularity they neglect retreat, and they neglect remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.

So taṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ nikāmayamāno riñcati paṭisallānaṁ, riñcati araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni;

12.3

They come down to villages, towns and capital cities and make their homes there.

gāmanigamarājadhāniṁ osaritvā vāsaṁ kappeti.

12.4

So I’m not pleased that that bhikkhu is living within a village.

Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno na attamano homi gāmantavihārena.

13.1

Take a bhikkhu who I see in the wilderness receiving robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

Idha panāhaṁ, nāgita, bhikkhuṁ passāmi āraññikaṁ lābhiṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.

13.2

Fending off possessions, honor, and popularity they don’t neglect retreat, and they don’t neglect remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.

So taṁ lābhasakkārasilokaṁ paṭipaṇāmetvā na riñcati paṭisallānaṁ, na riñcati araññavanapatthāni pantāni senāsanāni.

13.3

So I’m pleased that that bhikkhu is living in the wilderness.

Tenāhaṁ, nāgita, tassa bhikkhuno attamano homi araññavihārena.

14.1

Nāgita, when I’m walking along a road and I don’t see anyone ahead or behind I feel relaxed, even if I need to urinate or defecate.”

Yasmāhaṁ, nāgita, samaye addhānamaggappaṭipanno na kañci passāmi purato vā pacchato vā, phāsu me, nāgita, tasmiṁ samaye hoti antamaso uccārapassāvakammāyā”ti.

14.2

Chaṭṭhaṁ.