AN 10.28 The Great Questions (2nd) – Dutiyamahāpañhāsutta

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AN 10.28 The Great Questions (2nd) – Dutiyamahāpañhāsutta

Numbered Discourses 10.28 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 10.28

3. The Great Chapter – 3. Mahāvagga

AN 10.28 The Great Questions (2nd) – Dutiyamahāpañhāsutta

 

1.1

At one time the Buddha was staying near Kajaṅgalā in a bamboo grove.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kajaṅgalāyaṁ viharati veḷuvane.

1.2

Then several lay followers of Kajaṅgalā went to the nun Kajaṅgalikā, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to her:

Atha kho sambahulā kajaṅgalakā upāsakā yena kajaṅgalikā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā kajaṅgalikaṁ bhikkhuniṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho kajaṅgalakā upāsakā kajaṅgalikaṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavocuṁ:

2.1

“Ma’am, this was said by the Buddha in ‘The Great Questions’:

“Vuttamidaṁ, ayye, bhagavatā mahāpañhesu:

2.2

‘One thing: question, passage for recitation, and answer. Two … three … four … five … six … seven … eight … nine … ten things: question, passage for recitation, and answer.’

‘eko pañho eko uddeso ekaṁ veyyākaraṇaṁ, dve pañhā dve uddesā dve veyyākaraṇāni, tayo pañhā tayo uddesā tīṇi veyyākaraṇāni, cattāro pañhā cattāro uddesā cattāri veyyākaraṇāni, pañca pañhā pañcuddesā pañca veyyākaraṇāni, cha pañhā cha uddesā cha veyyākaraṇāni, satta pañhā sattuddesā satta veyyākaraṇāni, aṭṭha pañhā aṭṭhuddesā aṭṭha veyyākaraṇāni, nava pañhā navuddesā nava veyyākaraṇāni, dasa pañhā dasuddesā dasa veyyākaraṇānī’ti.

2.3

How should we see the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement?”

Imassa nu kho, ayye, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa kathaṁ vitthārena attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?

3.1

“Good people, I haven’t heard and learned this in the presence of the Buddha or from esteemed bhikkhū.

“Na kho panetaṁ, āvuso, bhagavato sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ, napi manobhāvanīyānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ;

3.2

But as to how it seems to me,

api ca yathā mettha khāyati

3.3

listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”

taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

3.4

“Yes, ma’am,” replied the lay followers.

“Evaṁ, ayye”ti, kho kajaṅgalakā upāsakā kajaṅgalikāya bhikkhuniyā paccassosuṁ.

3.5

The nun Kajaṅgalikā said this:

Kajaṅgalikā bhikkhunī etadavoca:

4.1

“‘One thing: question, passage for recitation, and answer.’ That’s what the Buddha said,

“‘Eko pañho eko uddeso ekaṁ veyyākaraṇan’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā.

4.2

but why did he say it?

Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?

4.3

Becoming completely disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding one thing, seeing its limits and fully comprehending its meaning, a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life.

Ekadhamme, āvuso, bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

4.4

What one thing?

Katamasmiṁ ekadhamme?

4.5

‘All sentient beings are sustained by food.’

Sabbe sattā āhāraṭṭhitikā—

4.6

Becoming completely disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding this one thing, seeing its limits and fully comprehending its meaning, a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life.

imasmiṁ kho, āvuso, ekadhamme bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

4.7

‘One thing: question, passage for recitation, and answer.’ That’s what the Buddha said, and this is why he said it.

‘Eko pañho eko uddeso ekaṁ veyyākaraṇan’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

5.1

‘Dve pañhā dve uddesā dve veyyākaraṇānī’ti iti, kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā.

5.2

Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?

5.3

Dvīsu, āvuso, dhammesu bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

5.4

What two?

Katamesu dvīsu?

5.5

Name and form. …

Nāme ca rūpe ca …pe…

5.6

What three?

katamesu tīsu?

5.7

Three feelings. …

Tīsu vedanāsu—

5.8

imesu kho, āvuso, tīsu dhammesu bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

5.9

‘Tayo pañhā tayo uddesā tīṇi veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

6.1

‘Cattāro pañhā cattāro uddesā cattāri veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā.

6.2

Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?

6.3

With a mind well developed in four things—seeing their limits and fully comprehending their meaning—a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life.

Catūsu, āvuso, dhammesu bhikkhu sammā subhāvitacitto sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

6.4

What four?

Katamesu catūsu?

6.5

The four kinds of mindfulness meditation. …

Catūsu satipaṭṭhānesu—

6.6

With a mind well developed in these four things—seeing their limits and fully fathoming their meaning—a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life. …

imesu kho, āvuso, catūsu dhammesu bhikkhu sammā subhāvitacitto sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

6.7

‘Cattāro pañhā cattāro uddesā cattāri veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

7.1

‘Pañca pañhā pañcuddesā pañca veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā.

7.2

Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?

7.3

Pañcasu, āvuso, dhammesu bhikkhu sammā subhāvitacitto sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

7.4

What five?

Katamesu pañcasu?

7.5

The five faculties. …

Pañcasu indriyesu …pe…

7.6

What six?

katamesu chasu?

7.7

The six elements of escape. …

Chasu nissaraṇīyāsu dhātūsu …pe…

7.8

What seven?

katamesu sattasu?

7.9

The seven awakening factors. …

Sattasu bojjhaṅgesu …pe…

7.10

What eight?

katamesu aṭṭhasu?

7.11

The noble eightfold path. …

Aṭṭhasu ariyaaṭṭhaṅgikamaggesu—

7.12

imesu kho, āvuso, aṭṭhasu dhammesu bhikkhu sammā subhāvitacitto sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

7.13

‘Aṭṭha pañhā aṭṭhuddesā aṭṭha veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

8.1

‘Nava pañhā navuddesā nava veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā.

8.2

Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?

8.3

Becoming completely disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding nine things, seeing their limits and fully comprehending their meaning, a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life.

Navasu, āvuso, dhammesu bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

8.4

What nine?

Katamesu navasu?

8.5

The nine abodes of sentient beings.

Navasu sattāvāsesu—

8.6

Becoming completely disillusioned, dispassionate, and freed regarding these nine things, seeing their limits and fully comprehending their meaning, a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life.

imesu kho, āvuso, navasu dhammesu bhikkhu sammā nibbindamāno sammā virajjamāno sammā vimuccamāno sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

8.7

‘Nava pañhā navuddesā nava veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

9.1

‘Ten things: question, passage for recitation, and answer.’ That’s what the Buddha said,

‘Dasa pañhā dasuddesā dasa veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā.

9.2

but why did he say it?

Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?

9.3

Becoming well developed in ten things—seeing their limits and fully fathoming their meaning—a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life.

Dasasu, āvuso, dhammesu bhikkhu sammā subhāvitacitto sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

9.4

What ten?

Katamesu dasasu?

9.5

The ten ways of performing skillful deeds.

Dasasu kusalesu kammapathesu—

9.6

With a mind well developed in these ten things—seeing their limits and fully fathoming their meaning—a bhikkhu makes an end of suffering in this very life.

imesu kho, āvuso, dasasu dhammesu bhikkhu sammā subhāvitacitto sammā pariyantadassāvī sammadatthaṁ abhisamecca diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhassantakaro hoti.

9.7

‘Ten things: question, passage for recitation, and answer.’ That’s what the Buddha said, and this is why he said it.

‘Dasa pañhā dasuddesā dasa veyyākaraṇānī’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

10.1

That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of what the Buddha said in brief in ‘The Great Questions’.

Iti kho, āvuso, yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitāsu mahāpañhāsu:

10.2

‘eko pañho eko uddeso ekaṁ veyyākaraṇaṁ …pe…

10.3

dasa pañhā dasuddesā dasa veyyākaraṇānī’ti, imassa kho ahaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi.

10.4

If you wish, you may go to the Buddha and ask him about this.

Ākaṅkhamānā ca pana tumhe, āvuso, bhagavantaññeva upasaṅkamitvā etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyātha.

10.5

You should remember it in line with the Buddha’s answer.”

Yathā vo bhagavā byākaroti tathā naṁ dhāreyyāthā”ti.

10.6

“Yes, ma’am,” replied those lay followers, approving and agreeing with what the nun Kajaṅgalikā said. Then they got up from their seat, bowed, and respectfully circled her, keeping her on their right. Then they went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side,

“Evaṁ, ayye”ti kho kajaṅgalakā upāsakā kajaṅgalikāya kho bhikkhuniyā bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā kajaṅgalikaṁ bhikkhuniṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

10.7

and informed the Buddha of all they had discussed.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho kajaṅgalakā upāsakā yāvatako ahosi kajaṅgalikāya bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ kathāsallāpo, taṁ sabbaṁ bhagavato ārocesuṁ.

11.1

“Good, good, householders.

“Sādhu sādhu, gahapatayo.

11.2

The nun Kajaṅgalikā is astute, she has great wisdom.

Paṇḍitā, gahapatayo, kajaṅgalikā bhikkhunī. Mahāpaññā, gahapatayo, kajaṅgalikā bhikkhunī.

11.3

If you came to me and asked this question, I would answer it in exactly the same way as the nun Kajaṅgalikā.

Mañcepi tumhe, gahapatayo, upasaṅkamitvā etamatthaṁ paṭipuccheyyātha, ahampi cetaṁ evamevaṁ byākareyyaṁ yathā taṁ kajaṅgalikāya bhikkhuniyā byākataṁ.

11.4

That is what it means, and that’s how you should remember it.”

Eso ceva tassa attho. Evañca naṁ dhāreyyāthā”ti.

11.5

Aṭṭhamaṁ.