MN 135 The Shorter Analysis of Deeds – Cūḷakammavibhaṅgasutta

Medium Discourses Collection 135 – Majjhima Nikāya 135

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

Then the brahmin student Subha, Todeyya’s son, approached the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

Atha kho subho māṇavo todeyyaputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.

2.2

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho subho māṇavo todeyyaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

3.1

“What is the cause, Master Gotama, what is the reason why even among those who are human beings some are seen to be inferior and superior?

“Ko nu kho, bho gotama, hetu ko paccayo yena manussānaṁyeva sataṁ manussabhūtānaṁ dissanti hīnappaṇītatā?

3.2

For people are seen who are short-lived and long-lived,

Dissanti hi, bho gotama, manussā appāyukā, dissanti dīghāyukā;

3.3

sickly and healthy,

dissanti bavhābādhā, dissanti appābādhā;

3.4

ugly and beautiful,

dissanti dubbaṇṇā, dissanti vaṇṇavanto;

3.5

insignificant and illustrious,

dissanti appesakkhā, dissanti mahesakkhā;

3.6

poor and rich,

dissanti appabhogā, dissanti mahābhogā;

3.7

from low and eminent families,

dissanti nīcakulīnā, dissanti uccākulīnā;

3.8

witless and wise.

dissanti duppaññā, dissanti paññavanto.

3.9

What is the reason why even among those who are human beings some are seen to be inferior and superior?”

Ko nu kho, bho gotama, hetu ko paccayo yena manussānaṁyeva sataṁ manussabhūtānaṁ dissanti hīnappaṇītatā”ti?

4.1

“Student, sentient beings are the owners of their deeds and heir to their deeds. Deeds are their womb, their relative, and their refuge.

“Kammassakā, māṇava, sattā kammadāyādā kammayonī kammabandhū kammappaṭisaraṇā.

4.2

It is deeds that divide beings into

Kammaṁ satte vibhajati yadidaṁ—

4.3

inferior and superior.”

hīnappaṇītatāyā”ti.

4.4

“I don’t understand the meaning of what Master Gotama has said in brief, without explaining the details.

“Na kho ahaṁ imassa bhoto gotamassa saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi.

4.5

Master Gotama, please teach me this matter in detail so I can understand the meaning.”

Sādhu me bhavaṁ gotamo tathā dhammaṁ desetu yathā ahaṁ imassa bhoto gotamassa saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ avibhattassa vitthārena atthaṁ ājāneyyan”ti.

4.6

“Well then, student, listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”

“Tena hi, māṇava, suṇāhi, sādhukaṁ manasi karohi; bhāsissāmī”ti.

4.7

“Yes, sir,” replied Subha.

“Evaṁ, bho”ti kho subho māṇavo todeyyaputto bhagavato paccassosi.

4.8

The Buddha said this:

Bhagavā etadavoca:

5.1

“Take some woman or man who kills living creatures. They’re violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.

“Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā pāṇātipātī hoti luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.

5.2

Because of undertaking such deeds, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

5.3

If they’re not reborn in a place of loss, but return to the human realm, then wherever they’re reborn they’re short-lived.

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati appāyuko hoti.

5.4

For killing living creatures is the path leading to a short lifespan.

Appāyukasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

5.5

pāṇātipātī hoti luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.

6.1

But take some woman or man who gives up killing living creatures. They renounce the rod and the sword. They’re scrupulous and kind, living full of compassion for all living beings.

Idha pana, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā pāṇātipātaṁ pahāya pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti nihitadaṇḍo nihitasattho, lajjī dayāpanno sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī viharati.

6.2

Because of undertaking such deeds, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

6.3

If they’re not reborn in a heavenly realm, but return to the human realm, then wherever they’re reborn they’re long-lived.

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati dīghāyuko hoti.

6.4

For not killing living creatures is the path leading to a long lifespan.

Dīghāyukasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

6.5

pāṇātipātaṁ pahāya pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti nihitadaṇḍo nihitasattho, lajjī dayāpanno sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī viharati.

7.1

Take some woman or man who habitually hurts living creatures with a fist, stone, rod, or sword.

Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā sattānaṁ viheṭhakajātiko hoti, pāṇinā vā leḍḍunā vā daṇḍena vā satthena vā.

7.2

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a place of loss …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

7.3

or if they return to the human realm, they’re sickly …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati bavhābādho hoti.

7.4

Bavhābādhasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

7.5

sattānaṁ viheṭhakajātiko hoti pāṇinā vā leḍḍunā vā daṇḍena vā satthena vā.

8.1

But take some woman or man who does not habitually hurt living creatures with a fist, stone, rod, or sword.

Idha pana, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā sattānaṁ aviheṭhakajātiko hoti pāṇinā vā leḍḍunā vā daṇḍena vā satthena vā.

8.2

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a heavenly realm …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

8.3

or if they return to the human realm, they’re healthy …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati appābādho hoti.

8.4

Appābādhasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

8.5

sattānaṁ aviheṭhakajātiko hoti pāṇinā vā leḍḍunā vā daṇḍena vā satthena vā.

9.1

Take some woman or man who is irritable and bad-tempered.

Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā kodhano hoti upāyāsabahulo.

9.2

Even when lightly criticized they lose their temper, becoming annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, and displaying annoyance, hate, and bitterness.

Appampi vutto samāno abhisajjati kuppati byāpajjati patiṭṭhīyati kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti.

9.3

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a place of loss …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

9.4

or if they return to the human realm, they’re ugly …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati dubbaṇṇo hoti.

9.5

Dubbaṇṇasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

9.6

kodhano hoti upāyāsabahulo;

9.7

appampi vutto samāno abhisajjati kuppati byāpajjati patiṭṭhīyati kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti.

10.1

But take some woman or man who isn’t irritable and bad-tempered.

Idha pana, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā akkodhano hoti anupāyāsabahulo;

10.2

Even when heavily criticized, they don’t lose their temper, become annoyed, hostile, and hard-hearted, or display annoyance, hate, and bitterness.

bahumpi vutto samāno nābhisajjati na kuppati na byāpajjati na patiṭṭhīyati na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti.

10.3

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a heavenly realm …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

10.4

or if they return to the human realm, they’re lovely …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati pāsādiko hoti.

10.5

Pāsādikasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

10.6

akkodhano hoti anupāyāsabahulo;

10.7

bahumpi vutto samāno nābhisajjati na kuppati na byāpajjati na patiṭṭhīyati na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti.

11.1

Take some woman or man who is jealous.

Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā issāmanako hoti;

11.2

They envy, resent, and begrudge the possessions, honor, respect, reverence, homage, and veneration given to others.

paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu issati upadussati issaṁ bandhati.

11.3

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a place of loss …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

11.4

or if they return to the human realm, they’re insignificant …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati appesakkho hoti.

11.5

Appesakkhasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

11.6

issāmanako hoti;

11.7

paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu issati upadussati issaṁ bandhati.

12.1

But take some woman or man who is not jealous …

Idha pana, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā anissāmanako hoti;

12.2

paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu na issati na upadussati na issaṁ bandhati.

12.3

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a heavenly realm …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

12.4

or if they return to the human realm, they’re illustrious …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati mahesakkho hoti.

12.5

Mahesakkhasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

12.6

anissāmanako hoti;

12.7

paralābhasakkāragarukāramānanavandanapūjanāsu na issati na upadussati na issaṁ bandhati.

13.1

Take some woman or man who doesn’t give to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, perfumes, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.

Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā na dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.

13.2

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a place of loss …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

13.3

or if they return to the human realm, they’re poor …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati appabhogo hoti.

13.4

Appabhogasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

13.5

na dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.

14.1

But take some woman or man who does give to ascetics or brahmins …

Idha pana, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.

14.2

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a heavenly realm …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

14.3

or if they return to the human realm, they’re rich …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati mahābhogo hoti.

14.4

Mahābhogasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

14.5

dātā hoti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.

15.1

Take some woman or man who is obstinate and vain.

Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā thaddho hoti atimānī—

15.2

They don’t bow to those they should bow to. They don’t rise up for them, offer them a seat, make way for them, or honor, respect, esteem, or venerate those who are worthy of such.

abhivādetabbaṁ na abhivādeti, paccuṭṭhātabbaṁ na paccuṭṭheti, āsanārahassa na āsanaṁ deti, maggārahassa na maggaṁ deti, sakkātabbaṁ na sakkaroti, garukātabbaṁ na garukaroti, mānetabbaṁ na māneti, pūjetabbaṁ na pūjeti.

15.3

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a place of loss …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

15.4

or if they return to the human realm, they’re reborn in a low class family …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati nīcakulīno hoti.

15.5

Nīcakulīnasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

15.6

thaddho hoti atimānī;

15.7

16.1

But take some woman or man who is not obstinate and vain …

Idha pana, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā atthaddho hoti anatimānī;

16.2

abhivādetabbaṁ abhivādeti, paccuṭṭhātabbaṁ paccuṭṭheti, āsanārahassa āsanaṁ deti, maggārahassa maggaṁ deti, sakkātabbaṁ sakkaroti, garukātabbaṁ garukaroti, mānetabbaṁ māneti, pūjetabbaṁ pūjeti.

16.3

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a heavenly realm …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

16.4

or if they return to the human realm, they’re reborn in an eminent family …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati uccākulīno hoti.

16.5

Uccākulīnasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

16.6

atthaddho hoti anatimānī;

16.7

17.1

Take some woman or man who doesn’t approach an ascetic or brahmin to ask:

Idha, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā samaṇaṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ vā upasaṅkamitvā na paripucchitā hoti:

17.2

‘Sir, what is skillful and what is unskillful?

‘kiṁ, bhante, kusalaṁ, kiṁ akusalaṁ;

17.3

What is blameworthy and what is blameless?

kiṁ sāvajjaṁ, kiṁ anavajjaṁ;

17.4

What should be cultivated and what should not be cultivated?

kiṁ sevitabbaṁ, kiṁ na sevitabbaṁ;

17.5

What kind of action will lead to my lasting harm and suffering? Or what kind of action will lead to my lasting welfare and happiness?’

kiṁ me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya hoti, kiṁ vā pana me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya hotī’ti?

17.6

Because of undertaking such deeds, after death they’re reborn in a place of loss …

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati.

17.7

or if they return to the human realm, they’re witless …

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā apāyaṁ duggatiṁ vinipātaṁ nirayaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati duppañño hoti.

17.8

Duppaññasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

17.9

samaṇaṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ vā upasaṅkamitvā na paripucchitā hoti:

17.10

‘kiṁ, bhante, kusalaṁ, kiṁ akusalaṁ;

17.11

kiṁ sāvajjaṁ, kiṁ anavajjaṁ;

17.12

kiṁ sevitabbaṁ, kiṁ na sevitabbaṁ;

17.13

kiṁ me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya hoti, kiṁ vā pana me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya hotī’ti?

18.1

But take some woman or man who does approach an ascetic or brahmin to ask:

Idha pana, māṇava, ekacco itthī vā puriso vā samaṇaṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ vā upasaṅkamitvā paripucchitā hoti:

18.2

‘Sir, what is skillful and what is unskillful?

‘kiṁ, bhante, kusalaṁ, kiṁ akusalaṁ;

18.3

What is blameworthy and what is blameless?

kiṁ sāvajjaṁ, kiṁ anavajjaṁ;

18.4

What should be cultivated and what should not be cultivated?

kiṁ sevitabbaṁ, kiṁ na sevitabbaṁ;

18.5

What kind of action will lead to my lasting harm and suffering? Or what kind of action will lead to my lasting welfare and happiness?’

kiṁ me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya hoti, kiṁ vā pana me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya hotī’ti?

18.6

Because of undertaking such deeds, when their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

So tena kammena evaṁ samattena evaṁ samādinnena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

18.7

If they’re not reborn in a heavenly realm, but return to the human realm, then wherever they’re reborn they’re very wise.

No ce kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati, sace manussattaṁ āgacchati yattha yattha paccājāyati mahāpañño hoti.

18.8

For asking questions of ascetics or brahmins is the path leading to wisdom.

Mahāpaññasaṁvattanikā esā, māṇava, paṭipadā yadidaṁ—

18.9

samaṇaṁ vā brāhmaṇaṁ vā upasaṅkamitvā paripucchitā hoti:

18.10

‘kiṁ, bhante, kusalaṁ, kiṁ akusalaṁ;

18.11

kiṁ sāvajjaṁ, kiṁ anavajjaṁ;

18.12

kiṁ sevitabbaṁ, kiṁ na sevitabbaṁ;

18.13

kiṁ me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya hoti, kiṁ vā pana me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya hotī’ti?

19.1

So it is the way people live that makes them how they are, whether short-lived or long-lived,

Iti kho, māṇava, appāyukasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā appāyukattaṁ upaneti, dīghāyukasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā dīghāyukattaṁ upaneti;

19.2

sickly or healthy,

bavhābādhasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā bavhābādhattaṁ upaneti, appābādhasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā appābādhattaṁ upaneti;

19.3

ugly or lovely,

dubbaṇṇasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā dubbaṇṇattaṁ upaneti, pāsādikasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā pāsādikattaṁ upaneti;

19.4

insignificant or illustrious,

appesakkhasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā appesakkhattaṁ upaneti, mahesakkhasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā mahesakkhattaṁ upaneti;

19.5

poor or rich,

appabhogasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā appabhogattaṁ upaneti, mahābhogasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā mahābhogattaṁ upaneti;

19.6

in a low class or eminent family,

nīcakulīnasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā nīcakulīnattaṁ upaneti, uccākulīnasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā uccākulīnattaṁ upaneti;

19.7

or witless or wise.

duppaññasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā duppaññattaṁ upaneti, mahāpaññasaṁvattanikā paṭipadā mahāpaññattaṁ upaneti.

20.1

Sentient beings are the owners of their deeds and heir to their deeds. Deeds are their womb, their relative, and their refuge.

Kammassakā, māṇava, sattā kammadāyādā kammayonī kammabandhū kammappaṭisaraṇā.

20.2

It is deeds that divide beings into

Kammaṁ satte vibhajati yadidaṁ—

20.3

inferior and superior.”

hīnappaṇītatāyā”ti.

21.1

When he had spoken, Subha said to him,

Evaṁ vutte, subho māṇavo todeyyaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

21.2

“Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent!

“abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama.

21.3

As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes can see what’s there, Master Gotama has made the Teaching clear in many ways.

Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito.

21.4

I go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the teaching, and to the bhikkhu Saṅgha.

Esāhaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca.

21.5

From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

Upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ gotamo dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

21.6

Cūḷakammavibhaṅgasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ pañcamaṁ.