MN 129 The Foolish and the Astute – Bālapaṇḍitasutta

Medium Discourses Collection 129 – Majjhima Nikāya 129

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.

1.3

There the Buddha addressed the bhikkhū,

Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

1.4

“Bhikkhū!”

“bhikkhavo”ti.

1.5

“Venerable sir,” they replied.

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

1.6

The Buddha said this:

Bhagavā etadavoca:

2.1

“These are the three characteristics, signs, and manifestations of a fool.

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, bālassa bālalakkhaṇāni bālanimittāni bālāpadānāni.

2.2

What three?

Katamāni tīṇi?

2.3

A fool thinks poorly, speaks poorly, and acts poorly.

Idha, bhikkhave, bālo duccintitacintī ca hoti dubbhāsitabhāsī ca dukkaṭakammakārī ca.

2.4

If a fool didn’t think poorly, speak poorly, and act poorly, then how would the astute know of them,

No cetaṁ, bhikkhave, bālo duccintitacintī ca abhavissa dubbhāsitabhāsī ca dukkaṭakammakārī ca kena naṁ paṇḍitā jāneyyuṁ:

2.5

‘This fellow is a fool, a bad person’?

‘bālo ayaṁ bhavaṁ asappuriso’ti?

2.6

But since a fool does think poorly, speak poorly, and act poorly, then the astute do know of them,

Yasmā ca kho, bhikkhave, bālo duccintitacintī ca hoti dubbhāsitabhāsī ca dukkaṭakammakārī ca tasmā naṁ paṇḍitā jānanti:

2.7

‘This fellow is a fool, a bad person’.

‘bālo ayaṁ bhavaṁ asappuriso’ti.

3.1

A fool experiences three kinds of suffering and sadness in the present life.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo tividhaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

3.2

Suppose a fool is sitting in a council hall, a street, or a crossroad,

Sace, bhikkhave, bālo sabhāyaṁ vā nisinno hoti, rathikāya vā nisinno hoti, siṅghāṭake vā nisinno hoti;

3.3

where people are discussing what is proper and fitting.

tatra ce jano tajjaṁ tassāruppaṁ kathaṁ manteti.

3.4

And suppose that fool is someone who kills living creatures, steals, commits sexual misconduct, lies, and uses alcoholic drinks that cause negligence.

Sace, bhikkhave, bālo pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhāyī hoti.

3.5

Then that fool thinks,

Tatra, bhikkhave, bālassa evaṁ hoti:

3.6

‘These people are discussing what is proper and fitting.

‘yaṁ kho jano tajjaṁ tassāruppaṁ kathaṁ manteti,

3.7

But those bad things are found in me and I am seen in them!’

saṁvijjanteva te dhammā mayi, ahañca tesu dhammesu sandissāmī’ti.

3.8

This is the first kind of suffering and sadness that a fool experiences in the present life.

Idaṁ, bhikkhave, bālo paṭhamaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

4.1

Furthermore, a fool sees that the kings have arrested a bandit, a criminal, and subjected them to various punishments—

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bālo passati rājāno coraṁ āgucāriṁ gahetvā vividhā kammakāraṇā kārente—

4.2

whipping, caning, and clubbing; cutting off hands or feet, or both; cutting off ears or nose, or both; the ‘porridge pot’, the ‘shell-shave’, the ‘demon’s mouth’, the ‘garland of fire’, the ‘burning hand’, the ‘grass blades’, the ‘bark dress’, the ‘antelope’, the ‘meat hook’, the ‘coins’, the ‘caustic pickle’, the ‘twisting bar’, the ‘straw mat’; being splashed with hot oil, being fed to the dogs, being impaled alive, and being beheaded.

kasāhipi tāḷente vettehipi tāḷente addhadaṇḍakehipi tāḷente hatthampi chindante pādampi chindante hatthapādampi chindante kaṇṇampi chindante nāsampi chindante kaṇṇanāsampi chindante bilaṅgathālikampi karonte saṅkhamuṇḍikampi karonte rāhumukhampi karonte jotimālikampi karonte hatthapajjotikampi karonte erakavattikampi karonte cīrakavāsikampi karonte eṇeyyakampi karonte baḷisamaṁsikampi karonte kahāpaṇikampi karonte khārāpatacchikampi karonte palighaparivattikampi karonte palālapīṭhakampi karonte tattenapi telena osiñcante sunakhehipi khādāpente jīvantampi sūle uttāsente asināpi sīsaṁ chindante.

4.3

Then that fool thinks,

Tatra, bhikkhave, bālassa evaṁ hoti:

4.4

‘The kinds of deeds for which the kings inflict such punishments—

‘yathārūpānaṁ kho pāpakānaṁ kammānaṁ hetu rājāno coraṁ āgucāriṁ gahetvā vividhā kammakāraṇā kārenti—

4.5

kasāhipi tāḷenti …pe… asināpi sīsaṁ chindanti;

4.6

those things are found in me and I am seen in them!

saṁvijjanteva te dhammā mayi, ahañca tesu dhammesu sandissāmi.

4.7

If the kings find out about me, they will inflict the same kinds of punishments on me!’

Mañcepi rājāno jāneyyuṁ, mampi rājāno gahetvā vividhā kammakāraṇā kāreyyuṁ—

4.8

kasāhipi tāḷeyyuṁ …pe… jīvantampi sūle uttāseyyuṁ, asināpi sīsaṁ chindeyyun’ti.

4.9

This is the second kind of suffering and sadness that a fool experiences in the present life.

Idampi, bhikkhave, bālo dutiyaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

5.1

Furthermore, when a fool is resting on a chair or a bed or on the ground, their past bad deeds—misconduct of body, speech, and mind—settle down upon them, rest down upon them, and lay down upon them.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bālaṁ pīṭhasamārūḷhaṁ vā mañcasamārūḷhaṁ vā chamāyaṁ vā semānaṁ, yānissa pubbe pāpakāni kammāni katāni kāyena duccaritāni vācāya duccaritāni manasā duccaritāni tānissa tamhi samaye olambanti ajjholambanti abhippalambanti.

5.2

It is like the shadow of a great mountain peak in the evening as it settles down, rests down, and lays down upon the earth.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahataṁ pabbatakūṭānaṁ chāyā sāyanhasamayaṁ pathaviyā olambanti ajjholambanti abhippalambanti;

5.3

In the same way, when a fool is resting on a chair or a bed or on the ground, their past bad deeds—misconduct of body, speech, and mind—settle down upon them, rest down upon them, and lay down upon them.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, bālaṁ pīṭhasamārūḷhaṁ vā mañcasamārūḷhaṁ vā chamāyaṁ vā semānaṁ, yānissa pubbe pāpakāni kammāni katāni kāyena duccaritāni vācāya duccaritāni manasā duccaritāni tānissa tamhi samaye olambanti ajjholambanti abhippalambanti.

5.4

Then that fool thinks,

Tatra, bhikkhave, bālassa evaṁ hoti:

5.5

‘Well, I haven’t done good and skillful things that keep me safe.

‘akataṁ vata me kalyāṇaṁ, akataṁ kusalaṁ, akataṁ bhīruttāṇaṁ;

5.6

And I have done bad, violent, and depraved things.

kataṁ pāpaṁ, kataṁ luddaṁ, kataṁ kibbisaṁ.

5.7

When I depart, I’ll go to the place where people who’ve done such things go.’

Yāvatā, bho, akatakalyāṇānaṁ akatakusalānaṁ akatabhīruttāṇānaṁ katapāpānaṁ kataluddānaṁ katakibbisānaṁ gati taṁ gatiṁ pecca gacchāmī’ti.

5.8

They sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breasts and falling into confusion.

So socati kilamati paridevati urattāḷiṁ kandati sammohaṁ āpajjati.

5.9

This is the third kind of suffering and sadness that a fool experiences in the present life.

Idampi, bhikkhave, bālo tatiyaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

6.1

Having done bad things by way of body, speech, and mind, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo kāyena duccaritaṁ caritvā vācāya duccaritaṁ caritvā manasā duccaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

7.1

And if there’s anything of which it may be rightly said that

Yaṁ kho taṁ, bhikkhave, sammā vadamāno vadeyya:

7.2

it is utterly unlikable, undesirable, and disagreeable, it is of hell that this should be said.

‘ekantaṁ aniṭṭhaṁ ekantaṁ akantaṁ ekantaṁ amanāpan’ti, nirayameva taṁ sammā vadamāno vadeyya:

7.3

‘ekantaṁ aniṭṭhaṁ ekantaṁ akantaṁ ekantaṁ amanāpan’ti.

7.4

So much so that it’s not easy to give a simile for how painful hell is.”

Yāvañcidaṁ, bhikkhave, upamāpi na sukarā yāva dukkhā nirayā”ti.

7.5

When he said this, one of the bhikkhū asked the Buddha,

Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

7.6

“But sir, is it possible to give a simile?”

“sakkā pana, bhante, upamaṁ kātun”ti?

8.1

“It’s possible,” said the Buddha.

“Sakkā, bhikkhū”ti bhagavā avoca.

8.2

“Suppose they arrest a bandit, a criminal and present him to the king, saying,

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhu, coraṁ āgucāriṁ gahetvā rañño dasseyyuṁ:

8.3

‘Your Majesty, this is a bandit, a criminal. Punish him as you will.’

‘ayaṁ kho, deva, coro āgucārī, imassa yaṁ icchasi taṁ daṇḍaṁ paṇehī’ti.

8.4

The king would say,

Tamenaṁ rājā evaṁ vadeyya:

8.5

‘Go, my men, and strike this man in the morning with a hundred spears!’

‘gacchatha, bho, imaṁ purisaṁ pubbaṇhasamayaṁ sattisatena hanathā’ti.

8.6

The king’s men did as they were told.

Tamenaṁ pubbaṇhasamayaṁ sattisatena haneyyuṁ.

8.7

Then at midday the king would say,

Atha rājā majjhanhikasamayaṁ evaṁ vadeyya:

8.8

‘My men, how is that man?’

‘ambho, kathaṁ so puriso’ti?

8.9

‘He’s still alive, Your Majesty.’

‘Tatheva, deva, jīvatī’ti.

8.10

The king would say,

Tamenaṁ rājā evaṁ vadeyya:

8.11

‘Go, my men, and strike this man in the midday with a hundred spears!’

‘gacchatha, bho, taṁ purisaṁ majjhanhikasamayaṁ sattisatena hanathā’ti.

8.12

The king’s men did as they were told.

Tamenaṁ majjhanhikasamayaṁ sattisatena haneyyuṁ.

8.13

Then late in the afternoon the king would say,

Atha rājā sāyanhasamayaṁ evaṁ vadeyya:

8.14

‘My men, how is that man?’

‘ambho, kathaṁ so puriso’ti?

8.15

‘He’s still alive, Your Majesty.’

‘Tatheva, deva, jīvatī’ti.

8.16

The king would say,

Tamenaṁ rājā evaṁ vadeyya:

8.17

‘Go, my men, and strike this man in the late afternoon with a hundred spears!’

‘gacchatha, bho, taṁ purisaṁ sāyanhasamayaṁ sattisatena hanathā’ti.

8.18

The king’s men did as they were told.

Tamenaṁ sāyanhasamayaṁ sattisatena haneyyuṁ.

8.19

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

8.20

Would that man experience pain and distress from being struck with three hundred spears?”

api nu so puriso tīhi sattisatehi haññamāno tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvediyethā”ti?

8.21

“Sir, that man would experience pain and distress from being struck with one spear, let alone three hundred spears!”

“Ekissāpi, bhante, sattiyā haññamāno so puriso tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvediyetha, ko pana vādo tīhi sattisatehī”ti?

9.1

Then the Buddha, picking up a stone the size of his palm, addressed the bhikkhū,

Atha kho bhagavā parittaṁ pāṇimattaṁ pāsāṇaṁ gahetvā bhikkhū āmantesi:

9.2

“What do you think, bhikkhū?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

9.3

Which is bigger: the stone the size of my palm that I’ve picked up, or the Himalayas, the king of mountains?”

katamo nu kho mahantataro—yo cāyaṁ mayā paritto pāṇimatto pāsāṇo gahito, yo ca himavā pabbatarājā”ti?

9.4

“Sir, the stone you’ve picked up is tiny. Compared to the Himalayas, it doesn’t count, it’s not worth a fraction, there’s no comparison.”

“Appamattako ayaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā paritto pāṇimatto pāsāṇo gahito, himavantaṁ pabbatarājānaṁ upanidhāya saṅkhampi na upeti, kalabhāgampi na upeti, upanidhampi na upe”ti.

9.5

“In the same way, compared to the suffering in hell, the pain and distress experienced by that man due to being struck with three hundred spears doesn’t count, it’s not worth a fraction, there’s no comparison.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yaṁ so puriso tīhi sattisatehi haññamāno tatonidānaṁ dukkhaṁ domanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti taṁ nirayakassa dukkhassa upanidhāya saṅkhampi na upeti, kalabhāgampi na upeti, upanidhampi na upeti.

10.1

The wardens of hell punish them with the five-fold crucifixion.

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayapālā pañcavidhabandhanaṁ nāma kammakāraṇaṁ karonti—

10.2

They drive red-hot stakes through the hands and feet, and another in the middle of the chest.

tattaṁ ayokhilaṁ hatthe gamenti, tattaṁ ayokhilaṁ dutiye hatthe gamenti, tattaṁ ayokhilaṁ pāde gamenti, tattaṁ ayokhilaṁ dutiye pāde gamenti, tattaṁ ayokhilaṁ majjhe urasmiṁ gamenti.

10.3

And there they feel painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings—but they don’t die until that bad deed is eliminated.

So tattha dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedeti, na ca tāva kālaṁ karoti yāva na taṁ pāpakammaṁ byantīhoti.

11.1

The wardens of hell throw them down and hack them with axes. …

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayapālā saṁvesetvā kuṭhārīhi tacchanti.

11.2

So tattha dukkhā tibbā …pe… byantīhoti.

12.1

They hang them upside-down and hack them with hatchets. …

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayapālā uddhampādaṁ adhosiraṁ gahetvā vāsīhi tacchanti.

12.2

So tattha dukkhā tibbā …pe… byantīhoti.

13.1

They harness them to a chariot, and drive them back and forth across burning ground, blazing and glowing. …

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayapālā rathe yojetvā ādittāya pathaviyā sampajjalitāya sajotibhūtāya sārentipi paccāsārentipi.

13.2

So tattha dukkhā tibbā …pe… byantīhoti.

14.1

They make them climb up and down a huge mountain of burning coals, blazing and glowing. …

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayapālā mahantaṁ aṅgārapabbataṁ ādittaṁ sampajjalitaṁ sajotibhūtaṁ āropentipi oropentipi.

14.2

So tattha dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedeti, na ca tāva kālaṁ karoti yāva na taṁ pāpakammaṁ byantīhoti.

15.1

The wardens of hell turn them upside down and throw them into a red-hot copper pot, burning, blazing, and glowing.

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayapālā uddhampādaṁ adhosiraṁ gahetvā tattāya lohakumbhiyā pakkhipanti ādittāya sampajjalitāya sajotibhūtāya.

15.2

So tattha pheṇuddehakaṁ paccati.

15.3

There they’re seared in boiling scum, and they’re swept up and down and round and round.

So tattha pheṇuddehakaṁ paccamāno sakimpi uddhaṁ gacchati, sakimpi adho gacchati, sakimpi tiriyaṁ gacchati.

15.4

And there they feel painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings—but they don’t die until that bad deed is eliminated.

So tattha dukkhā tibbā kharā kaṭukā vedanā vedeti, na ca tāva kālaṁ karoti yāva na taṁ pāpakammaṁ byantīhoti.

16.1

The wardens of hell toss them in the Great Hell.

Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayapālā mahāniraye pakkhipanti.

16.2

Now, about that Great Hell:

So kho pana, bhikkhave, mahānirayo—

16.3

‘Four are its corners, four its doors,

Catukkaṇṇo catudvāro,

16.4

neatly divided in equal parts.

vibhatto bhāgaso mito;

16.5

Surrounded by an iron wall,

Ayopākārapariyanto,

16.6

of iron is its roof.

ayasā paṭikujjito.

16.7

The ground is even made of iron,

Tassa ayomayā bhūmi,

16.8

it burns with fierce fire.

jalitā tejasā yutā;

16.9

The heat forever radiates

Samantā yojanasataṁ,

16.10

a hundred leagues around.’

pharitvā tiṭṭhati sabbadā.

17.1

I could tell you many different things about hell.

Anekapariyāyenapi kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, nirayakathaṁ katheyyaṁ;

17.2

So much so that it’s not easy to completely describe the suffering in hell.

yāvañcidaṁ, bhikkhave, na sukarā akkhānena pāpuṇituṁ yāva dukkhā nirayā.

18.1

There are, bhikkhū, animals that feed on grass.

Santi, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā tiṇabhakkhā.

18.2

They eat by cropping fresh or dried grass with their teeth.

Te allānipi tiṇāni sukkhānipi tiṇāni dantullehakaṁ khādanti.

18.3

And what animals feed on grass?

Katame ca, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā tiṇabhakkhā?

18.4

Elephants, horses, cattle, donkeys, goats, deer, and various others.

Hatthī assā goṇā gadrabhā ajā migā, ye vā panaññepi keci tiracchānagatā pāṇā tiṇabhakkhā.

18.5

A fool who used to be a glutton here and did bad deeds here, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of those sentient beings who feed on grass.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo idha pubbe rasādo idha pāpāni kammāni karitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tesaṁ sattānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati ye te sattā tiṇabhakkhā.

19.1

There are animals that feed on dung.

Santi, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā gūthabhakkhā.

19.2

When they catch a whiff of dung they run to it, thinking,

Te dūratova gūthagandhaṁ ghāyitvā dhāvanti:

19.3

‘There we’ll eat! There we’ll eat!’

‘ettha bhuñjissāma, ettha bhuñjissāmā’ti.

19.4

It’s like when brahmins smell a burnt offering, they run to it, thinking,

Seyyathāpi nāma brāhmaṇā āhutigandhena dhāvanti:

19.5

‘There we’ll eat! There we’ll eat!’

‘ettha bhuñjissāma, ettha bhuñjissāmā’ti;

19.6

In the same way, there are animals that feed on dung.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, santi tiracchānagatā pāṇā gūthabhakkhā,

19.7

When they catch a whiff of dung they run to it, thinking,

te dūratova gūthagandhaṁ ghāyitvā dhāvanti:

19.8

‘There we’ll eat! There we’ll eat!’

‘ettha bhuñjissāma, ettha bhuñjissāmā’ti.

19.9

And what animals feed on dung?

Katame ca, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā gūthabhakkhā?

19.10

Chickens, pigs, dogs, jackals, and various others.

Kukkuṭā sūkarā soṇā siṅgālā, ye vā panaññepi keci tiracchānagatā pāṇā gūthabhakkhā.

19.11

A fool who used to be a glutton here and did bad deeds here, after death is reborn in the company of those sentient beings who feed on dung.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo idha pubbe rasādo idha pāpāni kammāni karitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tesaṁ sattānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati ye te sattā gūthabhakkhā.

20.1

There are animals who are born, live, and die in darkness.

Santi, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā andhakāre jāyanti andhakāre jīyanti andhakāre mīyanti.

20.2

And what animals are born, live, and die in darkness?

Katame ca, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā andhakāre jāyanti andhakāre jīyanti andhakāre mīyanti?

20.3

Moths, maggots, earthworms, and various others.

Kīṭā puḷavā gaṇḍuppādā, ye vā panaññepi keci tiracchānagatā pāṇā andhakāre jāyanti andhakāre jīyanti andhakāre mīyanti.

20.4

A fool who used to be a glutton here and did bad deeds here, after death is reborn in the company of those sentient beings who are born, live, and die in darkness.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo idha pubbe rasādo, idha pāpāni kammāni karitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tesaṁ sattānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati ye te sattā andhakāre jāyanti andhakāre jīyanti andhakāre mīyanti.

21.1

There are animals who are born, live, and die in water.

Santi, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā udakasmiṁ jāyanti udakasmiṁ jīyanti udakasmiṁ mīyanti.

21.2

And what animals are born, live, and die in water?

Katame ca, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā udakasmiṁ jāyanti udakasmiṁ jīyanti udakasmiṁ mīyanti?

21.3

Fish, turtles, crocodiles, and various others.

Macchā kacchapā susumārā, ye vā panaññepi keci tiracchānagatā pāṇā udakasmiṁ jāyanti udakasmiṁ jīyanti udakasmiṁ mīyanti.

21.4

A fool who used to be a glutton here and did bad deeds here, after death is reborn in the company of those sentient beings who are born, live, and die in water.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo idha pubbe rasādo idha pāpāni kammāni karitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tesaṁ sattānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati ye te sattā udakasmiṁ jāyanti udakasmiṁ jīyanti udakasmiṁ mīyanti.

22.1

There are animals who are born, live, and die in filth.

Santi, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā asucismiṁ jāyanti asucismiṁ jīyanti asucismiṁ mīyanti.

22.2

And what animals are born, live, and die in filth?

Katame ca, bhikkhave, tiracchānagatā pāṇā asucismiṁ jāyanti asucismiṁ jīyanti asucismiṁ mīyanti?

22.3

Those animals that are born, live, and die in a rotten fish, a rotten corpse,

Ye te, bhikkhave, sattā pūtimacche vā jāyanti pūtimacche vā jīyanti pūtimacche vā mīyanti pūtikuṇape vā …pe…

22.4

rotten porridge,

pūtikummāse vā …

22.5

or a sewer.

candanikāya vā …

22.6

oligalle vā jāyanti, ye vā panaññepi keci tiracchānagatā pāṇā asucismiṁ jāyanti asucismiṁ jīyanti asucismiṁ mīyanti.

22.7

A fool who used to be a glutton here and did bad deeds here, after death is reborn in the company of those sentient beings who are born, live, and die in filth.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo idha pubbe rasādo idha pāpāni kammāni karitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tesaṁ sattānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati ye te sattā asucismiṁ jāyanti asucismiṁ jīyanti asucismiṁ mīyanti.

23.1

I could tell you many different things about the animal realm.

Anekapariyāyenapi kho ahaṁ, bhikkhave, tiracchānayonikathaṁ katheyyaṁ;

23.2

So much so that it’s not easy to completely describe the suffering in the animal realm.

yāvañcidaṁ, bhikkhave, na sukaraṁ akkhānena pāpuṇituṁ yāva dukkhā tiracchānayoni.

24.1

Bhikkhū, suppose a person were to throw a yoke with a single hole into the ocean.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, puriso ekacchiggalaṁ yugaṁ mahāsamudde pakkhipeyya.

24.2

The east wind wafts it west; the west wind wafts it east; the north wind wafts it south; and the south wind wafts it north.

Tamenaṁ puratthimo vāto pacchimena saṁhareyya, pacchimo vāto puratthimena saṁhareyya, uttaro vāto dakkhiṇena saṁhareyya, dakkhiṇo vāto uttarena saṁhareyya.

24.3

And there was a one-eyed turtle who popped up once every hundred years.

Tatrāssa kāṇo kacchapo, so vassasatassa vassasatassa accayena sakiṁ ummujjeyya.

24.4

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

24.5

Would that one-eyed turtle still poke its neck through the hole in that yoke?”

api nu so kāṇo kacchapo amusmiṁ ekacchiggale yuge gīvaṁ paveseyyā”ti?

24.6

“No, sir.

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

24.7

Only after a very long time, sir, if ever.”

“Yadi pana, bhante, kadāci karahaci dīghassa addhuno accayenā”ti.

24.8

“That one-eyed turtle would poke its neck through the hole in that yoke sooner than a fool who has fallen to the underworld would be reborn as a human being, I say.

“Khippataraṁ kho so, bhikkhave, kāṇo kacchapo amusmiṁ ekacchiggale yuge gīvaṁ paveseyya, ato dullabhatarāhaṁ, bhikkhave, manussattaṁ vadāmi sakiṁ vinipātagatena bālena.

24.9

Why is that?

Taṁ kissa hetu?

24.10

Because in that place there’s no principled or moral conduct, and no doing what is good and skillful.

Na hettha, bhikkhave, atthi dhammacariyā samacariyā kusalakiriyā puññakiriyā.

24.11

There they just prey on each other, preying on the weak.

Aññamaññakhādikā ettha, bhikkhave, vattati dubbalakhādikā.

25.1

And suppose that fool, after a very long time, returned to the human realm.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, bālo sace kadāci karahaci dīghassa addhuno accayena manussattaṁ āgacchati, yāni tāni nīcakulāni—

25.2

They’d be reborn in a low class family—a family of outcastes, hunters, bamboo-workers, chariot-makers, or waste-collectors.

caṇḍālakulaṁ vā nesādakulaṁ vā venakulaṁ vā rathakārakulaṁ vā pukkusakulaṁ vā.

25.3

Such families are poor, with little to eat or drink, where life is tough, and food and shelter are hard to find.

Tathārūpe kule paccājāyati dalidde appannapānabhojane kasiravuttike, yattha kasirena ghāsacchādo labbhati.

25.4

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

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

25.5

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

So kāyena duccaritaṁ carati vācāya duccaritaṁ carati manasā duccaritaṁ carati.

25.6

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.

26.1

Suppose a gambler on the first unlucky throw were to lose his wife and child, all his property, and then get thrown in jail.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, akkhadhutto paṭhameneva kaliggahena puttampi jīyetha, dārampi jīyetha, sabbaṁ sāpateyyampi jīyetha, uttaripi adhibandhaṁ nigaccheyya.

26.2

But such an unlucky throw is trivial compared to

Appamattako so, bhikkhave, kaliggaho yaṁ so akkhadhutto paṭhameneva kaliggahena puttampi jīyetha, dārampi jīyetha, sabbaṁ sāpateyyampi jīyetha, uttaripi adhibandhaṁ nigaccheyya.

26.3

the unlucky throw whereby a fool, having done bad things by way of body, speech, and mind, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

Atha kho ayameva tato mahantataro kaliggaho yaṁ so bālo kāyena duccaritaṁ caritvā vācāya duccaritaṁ caritvā manasā duccaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

26.4

This is the total fulfillment of the fool’s level.

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, kevalā paripūrā bālabhūmīti.

27.1

There are these three characteristics, signs, and manifestations of an astute person.

Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, paṇḍitassa paṇḍitalakkhaṇāni paṇḍitanimittāni paṇḍitāpadānāni.

27.2

What three?

Katamāni tīṇi?

27.3

An astute person thinks well, speaks well, and acts well.

Idha, bhikkhave, paṇḍito sucintitacintī ca hoti subhāsitabhāsī ca sukatakammakārī ca.

27.4

If an astute person didn’t think well, speak well, and act well, then how would the astute know of them,

No cetaṁ, bhikkhave, paṇḍito sucintitacintī ca abhavissa subhāsitabhāsī ca sukatakammakārī ca, kena naṁ paṇḍitā jāneyyuṁ:

27.5

‘This fellow is astute, a noble person’?

‘paṇḍito ayaṁ bhavaṁ sappuriso’ti?

28.1

But since an astute person does think well, speak well, and act well, then the astute do know of them,

Yasmā ca kho, bhikkhave, paṇḍito sucintitacintī ca hoti subhāsitabhāsī ca sukatakammakārī ca tasmā naṁ paṇḍitā jānanti:

28.2

‘This fellow is astute, a noble person’.

‘paṇḍito ayaṁ bhavaṁ sappuriso’ti.

28.3

An astute person experiences three kinds of pleasure and happiness in the present life.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, paṇḍito tividhaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

28.4

Suppose an astute person is sitting in a council hall, a street, or a crossroad,

Sace, bhikkhave, paṇḍito sabhāyaṁ vā nisinno hoti, rathikāya vā nisinno hoti, siṅghāṭake vā nisinno hoti;

28.5

where people are discussing about what is proper and fitting.

tatra ce jano tajjaṁ tassāruppaṁ kathaṁ manteti.

28.6

And suppose that astute person is someone who refrains from killing living creatures, stealing, committing sexual misconduct, lying, and alcoholic drinks that cause negligence.

Sace, bhikkhave, paṇḍito pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti;

28.7

Then that astute person thinks,

tatra, bhikkhave, paṇḍitassa evaṁ hoti:

28.8

‘These people are discussing what is proper and fitting.

‘yaṁ kho jano tajjaṁ tassāruppaṁ kathaṁ manteti;

28.9

And those good things are found in me and I am seen in them.’

saṁvijjanteva te dhammā mayi, ahañca tesu dhammesu sandissāmī’ti.

28.10

This is the first kind of pleasure and happiness that an astute person experiences in the present life.

Idaṁ, bhikkhave, paṇḍito paṭhamaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

29.1

Furthermore, an astute person sees that the kings have arrested a bandit, a criminal, and subjected them to various punishments—

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, paṇḍito passati rājāno coraṁ āgucāriṁ gahetvā vividhā kammakāraṇā kārente—

29.2

kasāhipi tāḷente vettehipi tāḷente addhadaṇḍakehipi tāḷente hatthampi chindante pādampi chindante hatthapādampi chindante kaṇṇampi chindante nāsampi chindante kaṇṇanāsampi chindante bilaṅgathālikampi karonte saṅkhamuṇḍikampi karonte rāhumukhampi karonte jotimālikampi karonte hatthapajjotikampi karonte erakavattikampi karonte cīrakavāsikampi karonte eṇeyyakampi karonte balisamaṁsikampi karonte kahāpaṇikampi karonte khārāpatacchikampi karonte palighaparivattikampi karonte palālapīṭhakampi karonte tattenapi telena osiñcante sunakhehipi khādāpente jīvantampi sūle uttāsente asināpi sīsaṁ chindante.

29.3

Then that astute person thinks,

Tatra, bhikkhave, paṇḍitassa evaṁ hoti:

29.4

‘The kinds of deeds for which the kings inflict such punishments—those things are not found in me and I am not seen in them!’

‘yathārūpānaṁ kho pāpakānaṁ kammānaṁ hetu rājāno coraṁ āgucāriṁ gahetvā vividhā kammakāraṇā kārenti kasāhipi tāḷenti, vettehipi tāḷenti, addhadaṇḍakehipi tāḷenti, hatthampi chindanti, pādampi chindanti, hatthapādampi chindanti, kaṇṇampi chindanti, nāsampi chindanti, kaṇṇanāsampi chindanti, bilaṅgathālikampi karonti, saṅkhamuṇḍikampi karonti, rāhumukhampi karonti, jotimālikampi karonti, hatthapajjotikampi karonti, erakavattikampi karonti, cīrakavāsikampi karonti, eṇeyyakampi karonti, balisamaṁsikampi karonti, kahāpaṇikampi karonti, khārāpatacchikampi karonti, palighaparivattikampi karonti, palālapīṭhakampi karonti, tattenapi telena osiñcanti, sunakhehipi khādāpenti, jīvantampi sūle uttāsenti, asināpi sīsaṁ chindanti, na te dhammā mayi saṁvijjanti, ahañca na tesu dhammesu sandissāmī’ti.

29.5

This is the second kind of pleasure and happiness that an astute person experiences in the present life.

Idampi, bhikkhave, paṇḍito dutiyaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

30.1

Furthermore, when an astute person is resting on a chair or a bed or on the ground, their past good deeds—good conduct of body, speech, and mind—settle down upon them, rest down upon them, and lay down upon them.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, paṇḍitaṁ pīṭhasamārūḷhaṁ vā mañcasamārūḷhaṁ vā chamāyaṁ vā semānaṁ, yānissa pubbe kalyāṇāni kammāni katāni kāyena sucaritāni vācāya sucaritāni manasā sucaritāni tānissa tamhi samaye olambanti …pe…

30.2

It is like the shadow of a great mountain peak in the evening as it settles down, rests down, and lays down upon the earth.

seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahataṁ pabbatakūṭānaṁ chāyā sāyanhasamayaṁ pathaviyā olambanti ajjholambanti abhippalambanti;

30.3

In the same way, when an astute person is resting on a chair or a bed or on the ground, their past good deeds—good conduct of body, speech, and mind—settle down upon them, rest down upon them, and lay down upon them.

evameva kho, bhikkhave, paṇḍitaṁ pīṭhasamārūḷhaṁ vā mañcasamārūḷhaṁ vā chamāyaṁ vā semānaṁ yānissa pubbe kalyāṇāni kammāni katāni kāyena sucaritāni vācāya sucaritāni manasā sucaritāni tānissa tamhi samaye olambanti ajjholambanti abhippalambanti.

30.4

Then that astute person thinks,

Tatra, bhikkhave, paṇḍitassa evaṁ hoti:

30.5

‘Well, I haven’t done bad, violent, and depraved things.

‘akataṁ vata me pāpaṁ, akataṁ luddaṁ, akataṁ kibbisaṁ;

30.6

And I have done good and skillful deeds that keep me safe.

kataṁ kalyāṇaṁ, kataṁ kusalaṁ, kataṁ bhīruttāṇaṁ.

30.7

When I pass away, I’ll go to the place where people who’ve done such things go.’

Yāvatā, bho, akatapāpānaṁ akataluddānaṁ akatakibbisānaṁ katakalyāṇānaṁ katakusalānaṁ katabhīruttāṇānaṁ gati taṁ gatiṁ pecca gacchāmī’ti.

30.8

So they don’t sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion.

So na socati, na kilamati, na paridevati, na urattāḷiṁ kandati, na sammohaṁ āpajjati.

30.9

This is the third kind of pleasure and happiness that an astute person experiences in the present life.

Idampi, bhikkhave, paṇḍito tatiyaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

31.1

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

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, paṇḍito kāyena sucaritaṁ caritvā vācāya sucaritaṁ caritvā manasā sucaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

32.1

And if there’s anything of which it may be rightly said that

Yaṁ kho taṁ, bhikkhave, sammā vadamāno vadeyya:

32.2

it is utterly likable, desirable, and agreeable, it is of heaven that this should be said.

‘ekantaṁ iṭṭhaṁ ekantaṁ kantaṁ ekantaṁ manāpan’ti, saggameva taṁ sammā vadamāno vadeyya:

32.3

‘ekantaṁ iṭṭhaṁ ekantaṁ kantaṁ ekantaṁ manāpan’ti.

32.4

So much so that it’s not easy to give a simile for how pleasurable heaven is.”

Yāvañcidaṁ, bhikkhave, upamāpi na sukarā yāva sukhā saggā”ti.

32.5

When he said this, one of the bhikkhū asked the Buddha,

Evaṁ vutte, aññataro bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

32.6

“But sir, is it possible to give a simile?”

“sakkā pana, bhante, upamaṁ kātun”ti?

33.1

“It’s possible,” said the Buddha.

“Sakkā, bhikkhū”ti bhagavā avoca.

33.2

“Suppose there was a king, a wheel-turning monarch who possessed seven treasures and four blessings, and experienced pleasure and happiness because of them.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī sattahi ratanehi samannāgato catūhi ca iddhīhi tatonidānaṁ sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti.

34.1

What seven?

Katamehi sattahi?

34.2

It’s when, on the fifteenth day sabbath, an anointed aristocratic king has bathed his head and gone upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath. And the heavenly wheel-treasure appears to him, with a thousand spokes, with rim and hub, complete in every detail.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ.

34.3

Seeing this, the king thinks,

Taṁ disvāna rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa evaṁ hoti:

34.4

‘I have heard that when the heavenly wheel-treasure appears to a king in this way, he becomes a wheel-turning monarch.

‘sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ yassa rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ, so hoti rājā cakkavattīti.

34.5

Am I then a wheel-turning monarch?’

Assaṁ nu kho ahaṁ rājā cakkavattī’ti?

35.1

Then the anointed aristocratic king, taking a ceremonial vase in his left hand, besprinkled the wheel-treasure with his right hand, saying,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto vāmena hatthena bhiṅkāraṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena cakkaratanaṁ abbhukkirati:

35.2

‘Roll forth, O wheel-treasure! Triumph, O wheel-treasure!’

‘pavattatu bhavaṁ cakkaratanaṁ, abhivijinātu bhavaṁ cakkaratanan’ti.

35.3

Then the wheel-treasure rolls towards the east. And the king follows it together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stands still, there the king comes to stay together with his army.

Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ disaṁ pavattati. Anvadeva rājā cakkavattī saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Yasmiṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāti tattha rājā cakkavattī vāsaṁ upeti saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.

35.4

And any opposing rulers of the eastern quarter come to the wheel-turning monarch and say,

Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno te rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:

35.5

‘Come, great king! Welcome, great king! We are yours, great king, instruct us.’

‘ehi kho, mahārāja. Svāgataṁ te, mahārāja. Sakaṁ te, mahārāja. Anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.

35.6

The wheel-turning monarch says,

Rājā cakkavattī evamāha:

35.7

‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink alcohol. Maintain the current level of taxation.’

‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ nādātabbaṁ, kāmesumicchā na caritabbā, musā na bhāsitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti.

35.8

And so the opposing rulers of the eastern quarter become his vassals.

Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno te rañño cakkavattissa anuyantā bhavanti.

35.9

Then the wheel-treasure, having plunged into the eastern ocean and emerged again, rolls towards the south. …

Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pavattati …pe…

35.10

Having plunged into the southern ocean and emerged again, it rolls towards the west. …

dakkhiṇaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā pacchimaṁ disaṁ pavattati …pe…

35.11

Having plunged into the western ocean and emerged again, it rolls towards the north, followed by the king together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stands still, there the king comes to stay together with his army.

pacchimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā uttaraṁ disaṁ pavattati anvadeva rājā cakkavattī saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Yasmiṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāti tattha rājā cakkavattī vāsaṁ upeti saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.

35.12

And any opposing rulers of the northern quarter come to the wheel-turning monarch and say,

Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno te rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:

35.13

‘Come, great king! Welcome, great king! We are yours, great king, instruct us.’

‘ehi kho, mahārāja. Svāgataṁ te, mahārāja. Sakaṁ te, mahārāja. Anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.

35.14

The wheel-turning monarch says,

Rājā cakkavattī evamāha:

35.15

‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink alcohol. Maintain the current level of taxation.’

‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ nādātabbaṁ, kāmesumicchā na caritabbā, musā na bhāsitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ; yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti.

35.16

And so the rulers of the northern quarter become his vassals.

Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno te rañño cakkavattissa anuyantā bhavanti.

35.17

And then the wheel-treasure, having triumphed over this land surrounded by ocean, returns to the royal capital. There it stands still at the gate to the royal compound as if fixed to an axle, illuminating the royal compound.

Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, cakkaratanaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ abhivijinitvā tameva rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā rañño cakkavattissa antepuradvāre akkhāhataṁ maññe tiṭṭhati rañño cakkavattissa antepuradvāraṁ upasobhayamānaṁ.

35.18

Such is the wheel-treasure that appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Rañño, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa evarūpaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati.

36.1

Next, the elephant-treasure appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rañño cakkavattissa hatthiratanaṁ pātubhavati—

36.2

It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, touching the ground in seven places, a king of elephants named Sabbath.

sabbaseto sattappatiṭṭho iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo uposatho nāma nāgarājā.

36.3

Seeing him, the king was impressed,

Taṁ disvāna rañño cakkavattissa cittaṁ pasīdati:

36.4

‘This would truly be a fine elephant vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’

‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho hatthiyānaṁ, sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti.

36.5

Then the elephant-treasure submitted to taming, as if he were a fine thoroughbred elephant that had been tamed for a long time.

Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, hatthiratanaṁ seyyathāpi nāma bhaddo hatthājānīyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto evameva damathaṁ upeti.

36.6

Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same elephant-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī tameva hatthiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anusaṁyāyitvā tameva rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi.

36.7

Such is the elephant-treasure that appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Rañño, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa evarūpaṁ hatthiratanaṁ pātubhavati.

37.1

Next, the horse-treasure appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rañño cakkavattissa assaratanaṁ pātubhavati—

37.2

It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, with head of black and mane like woven reeds, a royal steed named Thundercloud.

sabbaseto kāḷasīso muñjakeso iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo valāhako nāma assarājā.

37.3

Seeing him, the king was impressed,

Taṁ disvāna rañño cakkavattissa cittaṁ pasīdati:

37.4

‘This would truly be a fine horse vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’

‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho assayānaṁ, sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti.

37.5

Then the horse-treasure submitted to taming, as if he were a fine thoroughbred horse that had been tamed for a long time.

Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, assaratanaṁ seyyathāpi nāma bhaddo assājānīyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto evameva damathaṁ upeti.

37.6

Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same horse-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī tameva assaratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anusaṁyāyitvā tameva rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi.

37.7

Such is the horse-treasure that appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Rañño, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa evarūpaṁ assaratanaṁ pātubhavati.

38.1

Next, the jewel-treasure appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rañño cakkavattissa maṇiratanaṁ pātubhavati.

38.2

It is a beryl gem that’s naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked.

So hoti maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato.

38.3

And the radiance of that jewel spreads all-round for a league.

Tassa kho pana, bhikkhave, maṇiratanassa ābhā samantā yojanaṁ phuṭā hoti.

38.4

Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same jewel-treasure, mobilized his army of four divisions and, with the jewel hoisted on his banner, set out in the dark of the night.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī tameva maṇiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ sannayhitvā maṇiṁ dhajaggaṁ āropetvā rattandhakāratimisāya pāyāsi.

38.5

Then the villagers around them set off to work, thinking that it was day.

Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, samantā gāmā ahesuṁ te tenobhāsena kammante payojesuṁ ‘divā’ti maññamānā.

38.6

Such is the jewel-treasure that appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Rañño, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa evarūpaṁ maṇiratanaṁ pātubhavati.

39.1

Next, the woman-treasure appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rañño cakkavattissa itthiratanaṁ pātubhavati.

39.2

She is attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. She’s neither too tall nor too short; neither too thin nor too fat; neither too dark nor too light. She outdoes human beauty without reaching divine beauty.

Sā abhirūpā dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā nātidīghā nātirassā nātikisā nātithūlā nātikāḷikā nāccodātā, atikkantā mānusaṁ vaṇṇaṁ, appattā dibbaṁ vaṇṇaṁ.

39.3

And her touch is like a tuft of cotton-wool or kapok.

Tassa kho pana, bhikkhave, itthiratanassa evarūpo kāyasamphasso hoti, seyyathāpi nāma tūlapicuno vā kappāsapicuno vā.

39.4

When it’s cool her limbs are warm, and when it’s warm her limbs are cool.

Tassa kho pana, bhikkhave, itthiratanassa sīte uṇhāni gattāni honti, uṇhe sītāni gattāni honti.

39.5

The fragrance of sandal floats from her body, and lotus from her mouth.

Tassa kho pana, bhikkhave, itthiratanassa kāyato candanagandho vāyati, mukhato uppalagandho vāyati.

39.6

She gets up before the king and goes to bed after him, and is obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely.

Taṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, itthiratanaṁ rañño cakkavattissa pubbuṭṭhāyinī hoti pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī.

39.7

The woman-treasure does not betray the wheel-turning monarch even in thought, still less in deed.

Taṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, itthiratanaṁ rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ manasāpi no aticarati, kuto pana kāyena?

39.8

Such is the woman-treasure who appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Rañño, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa evarūpaṁ itthiratanaṁ pātubhavati.

40.1

Next, the householder-treasure appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rañño cakkavattissa gahapatiratanaṁ pātubhavati.

40.2

The power of clairvoyance manifests in him as a result of past deeds, by which he sees hidden treasure, both owned and ownerless.

Tassa kammavipākajaṁ dibbacakkhu pātubhavati, yena nidhiṁ passati sassāmikampi assāmikampi.

40.3

He approaches the wheel-turning monarch and says,

So rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha:

40.4

‘Relax, sire. I will take care of the treasury.’

‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi. Ahaṁ te dhanena dhanakaraṇīyaṁ karissāmī’ti.

40.5

Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same householder-treasure, boarded a boat and sailed to the middle of the Ganges river. Then he said to the householder-treasure,

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī tameva gahapatiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno nāvaṁ abhiruhitvā majjhe gaṅgāya nadiyā sotaṁ ogāhitvā gahapatiratanaṁ etadavoca:

40.6

‘Householder, I need gold coins and bullion.’

‘attho me, gahapati, hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.

40.7

‘Well then, great king, draw the boat up to one shore.’

‘Tena hi, mahārāja, ekaṁ tīraṁ nāvā upetū’ti.

40.8

‘It’s right here, householder, that I need gold coins and bullion.’

‘Idheva me, gahapati, attho hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.

40.9

Then that householder-treasure, immersing both hands in the water, pulled up a pot full of gold coin and bullion, and said to the king,

Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, gahapatiratanaṁ ubhohi hatthehi udake omasitvā pūraṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa kumbhiṁ uddharitvā rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ etadavoca:

40.10

‘Is this sufficient, great king? Has enough been done, great king, enough offered?’

‘alamettāvatā, mahārāja. Katamettāvatā, mahārāja. Pūjitamettāvatā, mahārājā’ti.

40.11

The wheel-turning monarch said,

Rājā cakkavattī evamāha:

40.12

‘That is sufficient, householder. Enough has been done, enough offered.’

‘alamettāvatā, gahapati. Katamettāvatā, gahapati. Pūjitamettāvatā, gahapatī’ti.

40.13

Such is the householder-treasure that appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Rañño, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa evarūpaṁ gahapatiratanaṁ pātubhavati.

41.1

Next, the counselor-treasure appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rañño cakkavattissa pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pātubhavati—

41.2

He is astute, competent, intelligent, and capable of getting the king to appoint who should be appointed, dismiss who should be dismissed, and retain who should be retained.

paṇḍito byatto medhāvī paṭibalo rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upayāpetabbaṁ upayāpetuṁ apayāpetabbaṁ apayāpetuṁ ṭhapetabbaṁ ṭhapetuṁ.

41.3

He approaches the wheel-turning monarch and says,

So rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha:

41.4

‘Relax, sire. I shall issue instructions.’

‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi. Ahamanusāsissāmī’ti.

41.5

Such is the counselor-treasure that appears to the wheel-turning monarch.

Rañño, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa evarūpaṁ pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pātubhavati.

41.6

These are the seven treasures possessed by a wheel-turning monarch.

Rājā, bhikkhave, cakkavattī imehi sattahi ratanehi samannāgato hoti.

42.1

And what are the four blessings?

Katamāhi catūhi iddhīhi?

42.2

A wheel-turning monarch is attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty, more so than other people.

Idha, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī abhirūpo hoti dassanīyo pāsādiko paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgato ativiya aññehi manussehi.

42.3

This is the first blessing.

Rājā, bhikkhave, cakkavattī imāya paṭhamāya iddhiyā samannāgato hoti.

43.1

Furthermore, he is long-lived, more so than other people.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī dīghāyuko hoti ciraṭṭhitiko ativiya aññehi manussehi.

43.2

This is the second blessing.

Rājā, bhikkhave, cakkavattī imāya dutiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato hoti.

44.1

Furthermore, he is rarely ill or unwell, and his stomach digests well, being neither too hot nor too cold, more so than other people.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī appābādho hoti appātaṅko samavepākiniyā gahaṇiyā samannāgato nātisītāya nāccuṇhāya ativiya aññehi manussehi.

44.2

This is the third blessing.

Rājā, bhikkhave, cakkavattī imāya tatiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato hoti.

45.1

Furthermore, a wheel-turning monarch is as dear and beloved to the brahmins and householders

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo hoti manāpo.

45.2

as a father is to his children.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, pitā puttānaṁ piyo hoti manāpo;

45.3

evameva kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo hoti manāpo.

45.4

And the brahmins and householders are as dear to the wheel-turning monarch

Raññopi, bhikkhave, cakkavattissa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā honti manāpā.

45.5

as children are to their father.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, pitu puttā piyā honti manāpā;

45.6

evameva kho, bhikkhave, raññopi cakkavattissa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā honti manāpā.

45.7

Once it so happened that a wheel-turning monarch went with his army of four divisions to visit a park.

Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī caturaṅginiyā senāya uyyānabhūmiṁ niyyāsi.

45.8

Then the brahmins and householders went up to him and said,

Atha kho, bhikkhave, brāhmaṇagahapatikā rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu:

45.9

‘Slow down, Your Majesty, so we may see you longer!’

‘ataramāno, deva, yāhi yathā taṁ mayaṁ cirataraṁ passeyyāmā’ti.

45.10

And the king addressed his charioteer,

Rājāpi, bhikkhave, cakkavattī sārathiṁ āmantesi:

45.11

‘Drive slowly, charioteer, so I can see the brahmins and householders longer!’

‘ataramāno, sārathi, pesehi yathā maṁ brāhmaṇagahapatikā cirataraṁ passeyyun’ti.

45.12

This is the fourth blessing.

Rājā, bhikkhave, cakkavattī imāya catutthāya iddhiyā samannāgato hoti.

45.13

These are the four blessings possessed by a wheel-turning monarch.

Rājā, bhikkhave, cakkavattī imāhi catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato hoti.

46.1

What do you think, bhikkhū?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

46.2

Would a wheel-turning monarch who possessed these seven treasures and these four blessings experience pleasure and happiness because of them?”

api nu kho rājā cakkavattī imehi sattahi ratanehi samannāgato imāhi catūhi ca iddhīhi tatonidānaṁ sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvediyethā”ti?

46.3

“Sir, a wheel-turning monarch who possessed even a single one of these treasures would experience pleasure and happiness because of that, let alone all seven treasures and four blessings!”

“Ekamekenapi, bhante, ratanena samannāgato rājā cakkavattī tatonidānaṁ sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvediyetha, ko pana vādo sattahi ratanehi catūhi ca iddhīhī”ti?

47.1

Then the Buddha, picking up a stone the size of his palm, addressed the bhikkhū,

Atha kho bhagavā parittaṁ pāṇimattaṁ pāsāṇaṁ gahetvā bhikkhū āmantesi:

47.2

“What do you think, bhikkhū?

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

47.3

Which is bigger: the stone the size of my palm that I’ve picked up, or the Himalayas, the king of mountains?”

katamo nu kho mahantataro—yo cāyaṁ mayā paritto pāṇimatto pāsāṇo gahito yo ca himavā pabbatarājā”ti?

47.4

“Sir, the stone you’ve picked up is tiny. Compared to the Himalayas, it doesn’t count, it’s not worth a fraction, there’s no comparison.”

“Appamattako ayaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā paritto pāṇimatto pāsāṇo gahito; himavantaṁ pabbatarājānaṁ upanidhāya saṅkhampi na upeti; kalabhāgampi na upeti; upanidhampi na upetī”ti.

47.5

“In the same way, compared to the happiness of heaven, the pleasure and happiness experienced by a wheel-turning monarch due to those seven treasures and those four blessings doesn’t even count, it’s not even a fraction, there’s no comparison.

“Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yaṁ rājā cakkavattī sattahi ratanehi samannāgato catūhi ca iddhīhi tatonidānaṁ sukhaṁ somanassaṁ paṭisaṁvedeti taṁ dibbassa sukhassa upanidhāya saṅkhampi na upeti; kalabhāgampi na upeti; upanidhampi na upeti.

48.1

And suppose that astute person, after a very long time, returned to the human realm.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, paṇḍito sace kadāci karahaci dīghassa addhuno accayena manussattaṁ āgacchati, yāni tāni uccākulāni—

48.2

They’d be reborn in 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.

khattiyamahāsālakulaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālakulaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālakulaṁ vā tathārūpe kule paccājāyati aḍḍhe mahaddhane mahābhoge pahūtajātarūparajate pahūtavittūpakaraṇe pahūtadhanadhaññe.

48.3

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

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

48.4

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

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

48.5

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.

49.1

Suppose a gambler on the first lucky throw was to win a big pile of money.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, akkhadhutto paṭhameneva kaṭaggahena mahantaṁ bhogakkhandhaṁ adhigaccheyya;

49.2

But such a lucky throw is trivial compared to

appamattako so, bhikkhave, kaṭaggaho yaṁ so akkhadhutto paṭhameneva kaṭaggahena mahantaṁ bhogakkhandhaṁ adhigaccheyya.

49.3

the lucky throw whereby an astute person, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

Atha kho ayameva tato mahantataro kaṭaggaho yaṁ so paṇḍito kāyena sucaritaṁ caritvā, vācāya sucaritaṁ caritvā, manasā sucaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

49.4

This is the total fulfillment of the astute person’s level.”

Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, kevalā paripūrā paṇḍitabhūmī”ti.

49.5

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

49.6

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

Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

49.7

Bālapaṇḍitasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.