MN 21 The Simile of the Saw – Kakacūpamasutta

Medium Discourses Collection 21 – Majjhima Nikāya 21

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

2.1

Now at that time, Venerable Phagguna of the Top-Knot was mixing too closely together with the nuns.

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho viharati.

2.2

So much so that

Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharati—

2.3

if any bhikkhu criticized those nuns in his presence, Phagguna of the Top-Knot got angry and upset, and even instigated disciplinary proceedings.

sace koci bhikkhu āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karoti.

2.4

And if any bhikkhu criticized Phagguna of the Top-Knot in their presence, those nuns got angry and upset, and even instigated disciplinary proceedings.

Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ sammukhā āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti.

2.5

That’s how much Phagguna of the Top-Knot was mixing too closely together with the nuns.

Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharati.

3.1

Then a bhikkhu went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was going on.

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

3.2

“āyasmā, bhante, moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho viharati.

3.3

Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho, bhante, āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharati—

3.4

sace koci bhikkhu āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karoti.

3.5

Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ sammukhā āyasmato moḷiyaphaggunassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti.

3.6

Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho, bhante, āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharatī”ti.

4.1

So the Buddha addressed a certain monk,

Atha kho bhagavā aññataraṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantesi:

4.2

“Please, monk, in my name tell the bhikkhu Phagguna of the Top-Knot that

“ehi tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mama vacanena moḷiyaphaggunaṁ bhikkhuṁ āmantehi:

4.3

the teacher summons him.”

‘satthā taṁ, āvuso phagguna, āmantetī’”ti.

4.4

“Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to Phagguna of the Top-Knot and said to him,

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho so bhikkhu bhagavato paṭissutvā yenāyasmā moḷiyaphagguno tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ moḷiyaphaggunaṁ etadavoca:

4.5

“Reverend Phagguna, the teacher summons you.”

“satthā taṁ, āvuso phagguna, āmantetī”ti.

4.6

“Yes, reverend,” Phagguna replied. He went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

“Evamāvuso”ti kho āyasmā moḷiyaphagguno tassa bhikkhuno paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ moḷiyaphaggunaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

5.1

“Is it really true, Phagguna, that you’ve been mixing overly closely together with the nuns?

“Saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho viharasi?

5.2

So much so that

Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho kira tvaṁ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharasi—

5.3

if any bhikkhu criticizes those nuns in your presence, you get angry and upset, and even instigate disciplinary proceedings?

sace koci bhikkhu tuyhaṁ sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tvaṁ kupito anattamano adhikaraṇampi karosi.

5.4

And if any bhikkhu criticizes you in those nuns’ presence, they get angry and upset, and even instigate disciplinary proceedings?

Sace pana koci bhikkhu tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ sammukhā tuyhaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, tena tā bhikkhuniyo kupitā anattamanā adhikaraṇampi karonti.

5.5

Is that how much you’re mixing overly closely together with the nuns?”

Evaṁ saṁsaṭṭho kira tvaṁ, phagguna, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ viharasī”ti?

5.6

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti.

5.7

“Phagguna, are you not a gentleman who has gone forth from the lay life to homelessness?”

“Nanu tvaṁ, phagguna, kulaputto saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti?

5.8

“Yes, sir.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti.

6.1

“As such, it’s not appropriate for you to mix so closely with the nuns.

“Na kho te etaṁ, phagguna, patirūpaṁ kulaputtassa saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitassa, yaṁ tvaṁ bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ ativelaṁ saṁsaṭṭho vihareyyāsi.

6.2

So if anyone criticizes those nuns in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life.

Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ avaṇṇaṁ bhāseyya, tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.

6.3

If that happens, you should train like this:

Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:

6.4

‘My mind will be unaffected. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’

‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.

6.5

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṁ.

6.6

So even if someone strikes those nuns with fists, stones, rods, and swords in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life.

Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ pāṇinā pahāraṁ dadeyya, leḍḍunā pahāraṁ dadeyya, daṇḍena pahāraṁ dadeyya, satthena pahāraṁ dadeyya. Tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.

6.7

If that happens, you should train like this:

Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ

6.8

‘My mind will be unaffected. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’

‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.

6.9

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṁ.

6.10

So if anyone criticizes you in your presence, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life.

Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci sammukhā avaṇṇaṁ bhāseyya, tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.

6.11

If that happens, you should train like this: ‘My mind will be unaffected. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’

Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ ‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.

6.12

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabbaṁ.

6.13

So Phagguṇa, even if someone strikes you with fists, stones, rods, and swords, you should give up any desires or thoughts of the lay life.

Tasmātiha, phagguna, tava cepi koci pāṇinā pahāraṁ dadeyya, leḍḍunā pahāraṁ dadeyya, daṇḍena pahāraṁ dadeyya, satthena pahāraṁ dadeyya, tatrāpi tvaṁ, phagguna, ye gehasitā chandā ye gehasitā vitakkā te pajaheyyāsi.

6.14

If that happens, you should train like this: ‘My mind will be unaffected. I will blurt out no bad words. I will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.’

Tatrāpi te, phagguna, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ ‘na ceva me cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāmi, hitānukampī ca viharissāmi mettacitto, na dosantaro’ti.

6.15

That’s how you should train.”

Evañhi te, phagguna, sikkhitabban”ti.

7.1

Then the Buddha said to the bhikkhū:

Atha kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

7.2

“Bhikkhū, I used to be satisfied with the bhikkhū.

“ārādhayiṁsu vata me, bhikkhave, bhikkhū ekaṁ samayaṁ cittaṁ.

7.3

Once, I addressed them:

Idhāhaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū āmantesiṁ—

7.4

‘I eat my food in one sitting per day.

ahaṁ kho, bhikkhave, ekāsanabhojanaṁ bhuñjāmi.

7.5

Doing so, I find that I’m healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.

Ekāsanabhojanaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, bhuñjamāno appābādhatañca sañjānāmi appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañca.

7.6

You too should eat your food in one sitting per day.

Etha tumhepi, bhikkhave, ekāsanabhojanaṁ bhuñjatha.

7.7

Doing so, you’ll find that you’re healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.’

Ekāsanabhojanaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tumhepi bhuñjamānā appābādhatañca sañjānissatha appātaṅkatañca lahuṭṭhānañca balañca phāsuvihārañcāti.

7.8

I didn’t have to keep on instructing those bhikkhū;

Na me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu anusāsanī karaṇīyā ahosi;

7.9

I just had to prompt their mindfulness.

satuppādakaraṇīyameva me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu ahosi.

7.10

Suppose a chariot stood harnessed to thoroughbreds at a level crossroads, with a goad ready.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, subhūmiyaṁ catumahāpathe ājaññaratho yutto assa ṭhito odhastapatodo.

7.11

Then a deft horse trainer, a master charioteer, might mount the chariot, taking the reins in his right hand and goad in the left. He’d drive out and back wherever he wishes, whenever he wishes.

Tamenaṁ dakkho yoggācariyo assadammasārathi abhiruhitvā, vāmena hatthena rasmiyo gahetvā, dakkhiṇena hatthena patodaṁ gahetvā, yenicchakaṁ yadicchakaṁ sāreyyapi paccāsāreyyapi.

7.12

In the same way, I didn’t have to keep on instructing those bhikkhū;

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, na me tesu bhikkhūsu anusāsanī karaṇīyā ahosi,

7.13

I just had to prompt their mindfulness.

satuppādakaraṇīyameva me, bhikkhave, tesu bhikkhūsu ahosi.

7.14

So, bhikkhū, you too should give up what’s unskillful and devote yourselves to skillful qualities.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, tumhepi akusalaṁ pajahatha, kusalesu dhammesu āyogaṁ karotha.

7.15

In this way you’ll achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.

Evañhi tumhepi imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatha.

8.1

Suppose that not far from a town or village there was a large grove of sal trees

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gāmassa vā nigamassa vā avidūre mahantaṁ sālavanaṁ.

8.2

that was choked with castor-oil weeds.

Tañcassa eḷaṇḍehi sañchannaṁ.

8.3

Then along comes a person who wants to help protect and nurture that grove.

Tassa kocideva puriso uppajjeyya atthakāmo hitakāmo yogakkhemakāmo.

8.4

They’d cut down the crooked sal saplings that were robbing the sap, and throw them out. They’d clean up the interior of the grove,

So yā tā sālalaṭṭhiyo kuṭilā ojāpaharaṇiyo tā chetvā bahiddhā nīhareyya, antovanaṁ suvisodhitaṁ visodheyya.

8.5

and properly care for the straight, well-formed sal saplings.

Yā pana tā sālalaṭṭhiyo ujukā sujātā tā sammā parihareyya.

8.6

In this way, in due course, that sal grove would grow, increase, and mature.

Evañhetaṁ, bhikkhave, sālavanaṁ aparena samayena vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjeyya.

8.7

In the same way, bhikkhū, you too should give up what’s unskillful and devote yourselves to skillful qualities.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, tumhepi akusalaṁ pajahatha, kusalesu dhammesu āyogaṁ karotha.

8.8

In this way you’ll achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.

Evañhi tumhepi imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatha.

9.1

Once upon a time, bhikkhū, right here in Sāvatthī there was a housewife named Vedehikā.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, imissāyeva sāvatthiyā vedehikā nāma gahapatānī ahosi.

9.2

She had this good reputation:

Vedehikāya, bhikkhave, gahapatāniyā evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:

9.3

‘The housewife Vedehikā is sweet, even-tempered, and calm.’

‘soratā vedehikā gahapatānī, nivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, upasantā vedehikā gahapatānī’ti.

9.4

Now, Vedehikā had a bonded maid named Kāḷī who was skilled, tireless, and well-organized in her work.

Vedehikāya kho pana, bhikkhave, gahapatāniyā kāḷī nāma dāsī ahosi dakkhā analasā susaṁvihitakammantā.

9.5

Then Kāḷī thought,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi:

9.6

‘My mistress has a good reputation as being

‘mayhaṁ kho ayyāya evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:

9.7

sweet, even-tempered, and calm.

“soratā vedehikā gahapatānī, nivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, upasantā vedehikā gahapatānī”ti.

9.8

But does she actually have anger in her and just not show it? Or does she have no anger?

Kiṁ nu kho me ayyā santaṁyeva nu kho ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti udāhu asantaṁ

9.9

Or is it just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside?

udāhu mayhamevete kammantā susaṁvihitā yena me ayyā santaṁyeva ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ?

9.10

Why don’t I test my mistress?’

Yannūnāhaṁ ayyaṁ vīmaṁseyyan’ti.

9.11

So Kāḷī got up during the day.

Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divā uṭṭhāsi.

9.12

Vedehikā said to her,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṁ dāsiṁ etadavoca:

9.13

‘What the hell, Kāḷī!’

‘he je kāḷī’ti.

9.14

‘What is it, madam?’

‘Kiṁ, ayye’ti?

9.15

‘You’re getting up in the day—what’s up with you, girl?’

‘Kiṁ, je, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti?

9.16

‘Nothing, madam.’

‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti.

9.17

‘Nothing’s up, you bad girl, but you get up in the day!’ Angry and upset, she scowled.

‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā bhākuṭiṁ akāsi.

9.18

Then Kāḷī thought,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi:

9.19

‘My mistress actually has anger in her and just doesn’t show it; it’s not that she has no anger.

‘santaṁyeva kho me ayyā ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ;

9.20

It’s just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside.

mayhamevete kammantā susaṁvihitā, yena me ayyā santaṁyeva ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ.

9.21

Why don’t I test my mistress further?’

Yannūnāhaṁ bhiyyoso mattāya ayyaṁ vīmaṁseyyan’ti.

9.22

So Kāḷī got up later in the day.

Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divātaraṁyeva uṭṭhāsi.

9.23

Vedehikā said to her,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṁ dāsiṁ etadavoca:

9.24

‘What the hell, Kāḷī!’

‘he je kāḷī’ti.

9.25

‘What is it, madam?’

‘Kiṁ, ayye’ti?

9.26

‘You’re getting up later in the day—what’s up with you, girl?’

‘Kiṁ, je, divātaraṁ uṭṭhāsī’ti?

9.27

‘Nothing, madam.’

‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti.

9.28

‘Nothing’s up, you bad girl, but you get up later in the day!’ Angry and upset, she blurted out angry words.

‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divātaraṁ uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā anattamanavācaṁ nicchāresi.

9.29

Then Kāḷī thought,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷiyā dāsiyā etadahosi:

9.30

‘My mistress actually has anger in her and just doesn’t show it; it’s not that she has no anger.

‘santaṁyeva kho me ayyā ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ.

9.31

It’s just because my work is well-organized that she doesn’t show anger, even though she still has it inside.

Mayhamevete kammantā susaṁvihitā, yena me ayyā santaṁyeva ajjhattaṁ kopaṁ na pātukaroti, no asantaṁ.

9.32

Why don’t I test my mistress further?’

Yannūnāhaṁ bhiyyoso mattāya ayyaṁ vīmaṁseyyan’ti.

9.33

So Kāḷī got up even later in the day.

Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī divātaraṁyeva uṭṭhāsi.

9.34

Vedehikā said to her,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikā gahapatānī kāḷiṁ dāsiṁ etadavoca:

9.35

‘What the hell, Kāḷī!’

‘he je kāḷī’ti.

9.36

‘What is it, madam?’

‘Kiṁ, ayye’ti?

9.37

‘You’re getting up even later in the day—what’s up with you, girl?’

‘Kiṁ, je, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti?

9.38

‘Nothing, madam.’

‘Na khvayye, kiñcī’ti.

9.39

‘Nothing’s up, you bad girl, but you get up even later in the day!’ Angry and upset, she grabbed a rolling-pin and hit Kāḷī on the head, cracking it open.

‘No vata re kiñci, pāpi dāsi, divā uṭṭhāsī’ti kupitā anattamanā aggaḷasūciṁ gahetvā sīse pahāraṁ adāsi, sīsaṁ vobhindi.

9.40

Then Kāḷī, with blood pouring from her cracked skull, denounced her mistress to the neighbors,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, kāḷī dāsī bhinnena sīsena lohitena galantena paṭivissakānaṁ ujjhāpesi:

9.41

‘See, ladies, what the sweet one did!

‘passathayye, soratāya kammaṁ;

9.42

See what the even-tempered one did! See what the calm one did!

passathayye, nivātāya kammaṁ, passathayye, upasantāya kammaṁ.

9.43

How on earth can she grab a rolling-pin and hit her only maid on the head, cracking it open, just for getting up late?’

Kathañhi nāma ekadāsikāya divā uṭṭhāsīti kupitā anattamanā aggaḷasūciṁ gahetvā sīse pahāraṁ dassati, sīsaṁ vobhindissatī’ti.

9.44

Then after some time the housewife Vedehikā got this bad reputation:

Atha kho, bhikkhave, vedehikāya gahapatāniyā aparena samayena evaṁ pāpako kittisaddo abbhuggacchi:

9.45

‘The housewife Vedehikā is fierce, ill-tempered, and not calm at all.’

‘caṇḍī vedehikā gahapatānī, anivātā vedehikā gahapatānī, anupasantā vedehikā gahapatānī’ti.

10.1

In the same way, a bhikkhu may be the sweetest of the sweet, the most even-tempered of the even-tempered, the calmest of the calm, so long as they don’t encounter any disagreeable criticism.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco bhikkhu tāvadeva soratasorato hoti nivātanivāto hoti upasantūpasanto hoti yāva na amanāpā vacanapathā phusanti.

10.2

But it’s when they encounter disagreeable criticism that you’ll know whether they’re really sweet, even-tempered, and calm.

Yato ca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ amanāpā vacanapathā phusanti, atha bhikkhu ‘sorato’ti veditabbo, ‘nivāto’ti veditabbo, ‘upasanto’ti veditabbo.

10.3

I don’t say that a bhikkhu is easy to admonish if they make themselves easy to admonish only for the sake of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

Nāhaṁ taṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ ‘suvaco’ti vadāmi yo cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārahetu suvaco hoti, sovacassataṁ āpajjati.

10.4

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

10.5

Because when they don’t get robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, they’re no longer easy to admonish.

Tañhi so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ alabhamāno na suvaco hoti, na sovacassataṁ āpajjati.

10.6

But when a bhikkhu is easy to admonish purely because they honor, respect, revere, worship, and venerate the teaching, then I say that they’re easy to admonish.

Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammaṁyeva sakkaronto, dhammaṁ garuṁ karonto, dhammaṁ mānento, dhammaṁ pūjento, dhammaṁ apacāyamāno suvaco hoti, sovacassataṁ āpajjati, tamahaṁ ‘suvaco’ti vadāmi.

10.7

So, bhikkhū, you should train yourselves: ‘We will be easy to admonish purely because we honor, respect, revere, worship, and venerate the teaching.’

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘dhammaṁyeva sakkarontā, dhammaṁ garuṁ karontā, dhammaṁ mānentā, dhammaṁ pūjentā, dhammaṁ apacāyamānā suvacā bhavissāma, sovacassataṁ āpajjissāmā’ti.

10.8

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

11.1

Bhikkhū, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ—

11.2

Their speech may be timely or untimely,

kālena vā akālena vā;

11.3

true or false,

bhūtena vā abhūtena vā;

11.4

gentle or harsh,

saṇhena vā pharusena vā;

11.5

beneficial or harmful,

atthasaṁhitena vā anatthasaṁhitena vā;

11.6

from a heart of love or from secret hate.

mettacittā vā dosantarā vā.

11.7

When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways.

Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ akālena vā;

11.8

bhūtena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ abhūtena vā;

11.9

saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ pharusena vā;

11.10

atthasaṁhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ anatthasaṁhitena vā;

11.11

mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ dosantarā vā.

11.12

If that happens, you should train like this:

Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:

11.13

‘Our minds will remain unaffected. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.

‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma, hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā, na dosantarā.

11.14

We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that person. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart full of love to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’

Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cittena vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.

11.15

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

12.1

Suppose a person was to come along carrying a spade and basket

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya kudālapiṭakaṁ ādāya.

12.2

and say,

So evaṁ vadeyya:

12.3

‘I shall make this great earth be without earth!’

‘ahaṁ imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ apathaviṁ karissāmī’ti.

12.4

And they’d dig all over, scatter all over, spit all over, and urinate all over, saying,

So tatra tatra vikhaṇeyya, tatra tatra vikireyya, tatra tatra oṭṭhubheyya, tatra tatra omutteyya:

12.5

‘Be without earth! Be without earth!’

‘apathavī bhavasi, apathavī bhavasī’ti.

12.6

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

12.7

Could that person make this great earth be without earth?”

api nu so puriso imaṁ mahāpathaviṁ apathaviṁ kareyyā”ti?

12.8

“No, sir.

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

12.9

Why is that?

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?

12.10

Because this great earth is deep and limitless.

“Ayañhi, bhante, mahāpathavī gambhīrā appameyyā.

12.11

It’s not easy to make it be without earth.

Sā na sukarā apathavī kātuṁ;

12.12

That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.

13.1

“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ—

13.2

Their speech may be timely or untimely,

kālena vā akālena vā;

13.3

true or false,

bhūtena vā abhūtena vā;

13.4

gentle or harsh,

saṇhena vā pharusena vā;

13.5

beneficial or harmful,

atthasaṁhitena vā anatthasaṁhitena vā;

13.6

from a heart of love or from secret hate.

mettacittā vā dosantarā vā.

13.7

When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways.

Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ akālena vā;

13.8

bhūtena vā bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ abhūtena vā;

13.9

saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ pharusena vā;

13.10

atthasaṁhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ anatthasaṁhitena vā;

13.11

mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ dosantarā vā.

13.12

If that happens, you should train like this:

Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:

13.13

‘Our minds will remain unaffected. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.

‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma, hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā na dosantarā.

13.14

We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that person. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart like the earth to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’

Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ pathavisamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.

13.15

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

14.1

Suppose a person was to come along with dye such as red lac, turmeric, indigo, or rose madder,

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya lākhaṁ vā haliddiṁ vā nīlaṁ vā mañjiṭṭhaṁ vā ādāya.

14.2

and say,

So evaṁ vadeyya:

14.3

‘I shall draw pictures on the sky, making pictures appear there.’

‘ahaṁ imasmiṁ ākāse rūpaṁ likhissāmi, rūpapātubhāvaṁ karissāmī’ti.

14.4

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

14.5

Could that person draw pictures on the sky?”

api nu so puriso imasmiṁ ākāse rūpaṁ likheyya, rūpapātubhāvaṁ kareyyā”ti?

14.6

“No, sir.

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

14.7

Why is that?

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?

14.8

Because the sky is formless and invisible.

“Ayañhi, bhante, ākāso arūpī anidassano.

14.9

It’s not easy to draw pictures there.

Tattha na sukaraṁ rūpaṁ likhituṁ, rūpapātubhāvaṁ kātuṁ;

14.10

That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.

15.1

“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you …

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ kālena vā akālena vā …pe…

15.2

tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ ākāsasamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.

15.3

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

16.1

Suppose a person was to come along carrying a blazing grass torch,

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso āgaccheyya ādittaṁ tiṇukkaṁ ādāya.

16.2

and say,

So evaṁ vadeyya:

16.3

‘I shall burn and scorch the river Ganges with this blazing grass torch.’

‘ahaṁ imāya ādittāya tiṇukkāya gaṅgaṁ nadiṁ santāpessāmi samparitāpessāmī’ti.

16.4

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

16.5

Could that person burn and scorch the river Ganges with a blazing grass torch?”

api nu so puriso ādittāya tiṇukkāya gaṅgaṁ nadiṁ santāpeyya samparitāpeyyā”ti?

16.6

“No, sir.

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

16.7

Why is that?

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?

16.8

Because the river Ganges is deep and limitless.

“Gaṅgā hi, bhante, nadī gambhīrā appameyyā.

16.9

It’s not easy to burn and scorch it with a blazing grass torch.

Sā na sukarā ādittāya tiṇukkāya santāpetuṁ samparitāpetuṁ;

16.10

That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.

17.1

“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you …

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ kālena vā akālena vā …pe…

17.2

tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ gaṅgāsamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.

17.3

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

18.1

Suppose there was a catskin bag that was rubbed, well-rubbed, very well-rubbed, soft, silky, rid of rustling and crackling.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, biḷārabhastā madditā sumadditā suparimadditā, mudukā tūlinī chinnasassarā chinnabhabbharā.

18.2

Then a person comes along carrying a stick or a stone,

Atha puriso āgaccheyya kaṭṭhaṁ vā kathalaṁ vā ādāya.

18.3

and says,

So evaṁ vadeyya:

18.4

‘I shall make this soft catskin bag rustle and crackle with this stick or stone.’

‘ahaṁ imaṁ biḷārabhastaṁ madditaṁ sumadditaṁ suparimadditaṁ, mudukaṁ tūliniṁ, chinnasassaraṁ chinnabhabbharaṁ kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṁ karissāmi bharabharaṁ karissāmī’ti.

18.5

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

18.6

Could that person make that soft catskin bag rustle and crackle with that stick or stone?”

api nu so puriso amuṁ biḷārabhastaṁ madditaṁ sumadditaṁ suparimadditaṁ, mudukaṁ tūliniṁ, chinnasassaraṁ chinnabhabbharaṁ kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṁ kareyya, bharabharaṁ kareyyā”ti?

18.7

“No, sir.

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

18.8

Why is that?

“Taṁ kissa hetu”?

18.9

Because that catskin bag is rubbed, well-rubbed, very well-rubbed, soft, silky, rid of rustling and crackling.

“Amu hi, bhante, biḷārabhastā madditā sumadditā suparimadditā, mudukā tūlinī, chinnasassarā chinnabhabbharā.

18.10

It’s not easy to make it rustle or crackle with a stick or stone.

Sā na sukarā kaṭṭhena vā kathalena vā sarasaraṁ kātuṁ bharabharaṁ kātuṁ;

18.11

That person will eventually get weary and frustrated.”

yāvadeva ca pana so puriso kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.

19.1

“In the same way, there are these five ways in which others might criticize you.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime vacanapathā yehi vo pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ

19.2

Their speech may be timely or untimely,

kālena vā akālena vā;

19.3

true or false,

bhūtena vā abhūtena vā;

19.4

gentle or harsh,

saṇhena vā pharusena vā;

19.5

beneficial or harmful,

atthasaṁhitena vā anatthasaṁhitena vā;

19.6

from a heart of love or from secret hate.

mettacittā vā dosantarā vā.

19.7

When others criticize you, they may do so in any of these ways.

Kālena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ akālena vā;

19.8

bhūtena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ abhūtena vā;

19.9

saṇhena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ pharusena vā;

19.10

atthasaṁhitena vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ anatthasaṁhitena vā;

19.11

mettacittā vā, bhikkhave, pare vadamānā vadeyyuṁ dosantarā vā.

19.12

If that happens, you should train like this:

Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:

19.13

‘Our minds will remain unaffected. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.

‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā na dosantarā.

19.14

We will meditate spreading a heart of love to that person. And with them as a basis, we will meditate spreading a heart like a catskin bag to everyone in the world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.’

Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma, tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ biḷārabhastāsamena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.

19.15

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

20.1

Even if low-down bandits were to sever you limb from limb, anyone who had a malevolent thought on that account would not be following my instructions.

Ubhatodaṇḍakena cepi, bhikkhave, kakacena corā ocarakā aṅgamaṅgāni okanteyyuṁ, tatrāpi yo mano padūseyya, na me so tena sāsanakaro.

20.2

If that happens, you should train like this:

Tatrāpi vo, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:

20.3

‘Our minds will remain unaffected. We will blurt out no bad words. We will remain full of compassion, with a heart of love and no secret hate.

‘na ceva no cittaṁ vipariṇataṁ bhavissati, na ca pāpikaṁ vācaṁ nicchāressāma, hitānukampī ca viharissāma mettacittā na dosantarā.

20.4

Tañca puggalaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā pharitvā viharissāma tadārammaṇañca sabbāvantaṁ lokaṁ mettāsahagatena cetasā vipulena mahaggatena appamāṇena averena abyābajjhena pharitvā viharissāmā’ti.

20.5

That’s how you should train.

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabbaṁ.

21.1

If you frequently reflect on this advice—the simile of the saw—

Imañca tumhe, bhikkhave, kakacūpamaṁ ovādaṁ abhikkhaṇaṁ manasi kareyyātha.

21.2

do you see any criticism, large or small, that you could not endure?”

Passatha no tumhe, bhikkhave, taṁ vacanapathaṁ, aṇuṁ vā thūlaṁ vā, yaṁ tumhe nādhivāseyyāthā”ti?

21.3

“No, sir.”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

21.4

“So, bhikkhū, you should frequently reflect on this advice, the simile of the saw.

“Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, imaṁ kakacūpamaṁ ovādaṁ abhikkhaṇaṁ manasikarotha.

21.5

This will be for your lasting welfare and happiness.”

Taṁ vo bhavissati dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyā”ti.

21.6

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

21.7

Satisfied, the bhikkhū were happy with what the Buddha said.

Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

21.8

Kakacūpamasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.