MN 145 Advice to Puṇṇa – Puṇṇovādasutta

Medium Discourses Collection 145 – Majjhima Nikāya 145

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

Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Puṇṇa came out of retreat and went to the Buddha. He bowed, sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha,

Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā puṇṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

2.1

“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”

“sādhu maṁ, bhante, bhagavā saṅkhittena ovādena ovadatu, yamahaṁ bhagavato dhammaṁ sutvā eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto vihareyyan”ti.

2.2

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

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

2.3

“Yes, sir,” replied Puṇṇa.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā puṇṇo bhagavato paccassosi.

2.4

The Buddha said this:

Bhagavā etadavoca:

3.1

“Puṇṇa, there are sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

“Santi kho, puṇṇa, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

3.2

If a bhikkhu approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them,

Tañce bhikkhu abhinandati abhivadati ajjhosāya tiṭṭhati.

3.3

this gives rise to relishing.

Tassa taṁ abhinandato abhivadato ajjhosāya tiṭṭhato uppajjati nandī.

3.4

Relishing is the origin of suffering, I say.

‘Nandīsamudayā dukkhasamudayo, puṇṇā’ti vadāmi.

3.5

There are sounds known by the ear …

Santi kho, puṇṇa, sotaviññeyyā saddā …

3.6

smells known by the nose …

ghānaviññeyyā gandhā …

3.7

tastes known by the tongue …

jivhāviññeyyā rasā …

3.8

touches known by the body …

kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā …

3.9

thoughts known by the mind that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

3.10

If a bhikkhu approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them,

Tañce bhikkhu abhinandati abhivadati ajjhosāya tiṭṭhati.

3.11

this gives rise to relishing.

Tassa taṁ abhinandato abhivadato ajjhosāya tiṭṭhato uppajjati nandī.

3.12

Relishing is the origin of suffering, I say.

‘Nandīsamudayā dukkhasamudayo, puṇṇā’ti vadāmi.

4.1

There are sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Santi ca kho, puṇṇa, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

4.2

If a bhikkhu doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,

Tañce bhikkhu nābhinandati nābhivadati nājjhosāya tiṭṭhati.

4.3

relishing ceases.

Tassa taṁ anabhinandato anabhivadato anajjhosāya tiṭṭhato nandī nirujjhati.

4.4

When relishing ceases, suffering ceases, I say.

‘Nandīnirodhā dukkhanirodho, puṇṇā’ti vadāmi.

4.5

There are sounds known by the ear …

Santi ca kho, puṇṇa, sotaviññeyyā saddā …

4.6

smells known by the nose …

ghānaviññeyyā gandhā …

4.7

tastes known by the tongue …

jivhāviññeyyā rasā …

4.8

touches known by the body …

kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā …

4.9

thoughts known by the mind that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

4.10

If a bhikkhu doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,

Tañce bhikkhu nābhinandati nābhivadati nājjhosāya tiṭṭhati.

4.11

relishing ceases.

Tassa taṁ anabhinandato anabhivadato anajjhosāya tiṭṭhato nandī nirujjhati.

4.12

When relishing ceases, suffering ceases, I say.

‘Nandīnirodhā dukkhanirodho, puṇṇā’ti vadāmi.

5.1

Puṇṇa, now that I’ve given you this brief advice, what country will you live in?”

Iminā ca tvaṁ, puṇṇa, mayā saṅkhittena ovādena ovadito katarasmiṁ janapade viharissasī”ti?

5.2

“Sir, there’s a country named Sunāparanta. I shall live there.”

“Imināhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena ovādena ovadito, atthi sunāparanto nāma janapado, tatthāhaṁ viharissāmī”ti.

5.3

“The people of Sunāparanta are wild and rough, Puṇṇa.

“Caṇḍā kho, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā;

5.4

pharusā kho, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā.

5.5

If they abuse and insult you, what will you think of them?”

Sace taṁ, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā akkosissanti paribhāsissanti, tattha te, puṇṇa, kinti bhavissatī”ti?

5.6

“If they abuse and insult me, I will think:

“Sace maṁ, bhante, sunāparantakā manussā akkosissanti paribhāsissanti, tattha me evaṁ bhavissati:

5.7

‘These people of Sunāparanta are gracious, truly gracious, since they don’t hit me with their fists.’

‘bhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, subhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, yaṁ me nayime pāṇinā pahāraṁ dentī’ti.

5.8

That’s what I’ll think, Blessed One.

Evamettha, bhagavā, bhavissati;

5.9

That’s what I’ll think, Holy One.”

evamettha, sugata, bhavissatī”ti.

5.10

“But if they do hit you with their fists, what will you think of them then?”

“Sace pana te, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā pāṇinā pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha pana te, puṇṇa, kinti bhavissatī”ti?

5.11

“If they hit me with their fists, I’ll think:

“Sace me, bhante, sunāparantakā manussā pāṇinā pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha me evaṁ bhavissati:

5.12

‘These people of Sunāparanta are gracious, truly gracious, since they don’t throw stones at me.’

‘bhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, subhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, yaṁ me nayime leḍḍunā pahāraṁ dentī’ti.

5.13

That’s what I’ll think, Blessed One.

Evamettha, bhagavā, bhavissati;

5.14

That’s what I’ll think, Holy One.”

evamettha, sugata, bhavissatī”ti.

5.15

“But if they do throw stones at you, what will you think of them then?”

“Sace pana te, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā leḍḍunā pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha pana te, puṇṇa, kinti bhavissatī”ti?

5.16

“If they throw stones at me, I’ll think:

“Sace me, bhante, sunāparantakā manussā leḍḍunā pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha me evaṁ bhavissati:

5.17

‘These people of Sunāparanta are gracious, truly gracious, since they don’t beat me with a club.’

‘bhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, subhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, yaṁ me nayime daṇḍena pahāraṁ dentī’ti.

5.18

That’s what I’ll think, Blessed One.

Evamettha, bhagavā, bhavissati;

5.19

That’s what I’ll think, Holy One.”

evamettha, sugata, bhavissatī”ti.

5.20

“But if they do beat you with a club, what will you think of them then?”

“Sace pana te, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā daṇḍena pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha pana te, puṇṇa, kinti bhavissatī”ti?

5.21

“If they beat me with a club, I’ll think:

“Sace me, bhante, sunāparantakā manussā daṇḍena pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha me evaṁ bhavissati:

5.22

‘These people of Sunāparanta are gracious, truly gracious, since they don’t stab me with a knife.’

‘bhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, subhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, yaṁ me nayime satthena pahāraṁ dentī’ti.

5.23

That’s what I’ll think, Blessed One.

Evamettha, bhagavā, bhavissati;

5.24

That’s what I’ll think, Holy One.”

evamettha, sugata, bhavissatī”ti.

5.25

“But if they do stab you with a knife, what will you think of them then?”

“Sace pana te, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā satthena pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha pana te, puṇṇa, kinti bhavissatī”ti?

5.26

“If they stab me with a knife, I’ll think:

“Sace me, bhante, sunāparantakā manussā satthena pahāraṁ dassanti, tattha me evaṁ bhavissati:

5.27

‘These people of Sunāparanta are gracious, truly gracious, since they don’t take my life with a sharp knife.’

‘bhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, subhaddakā vatime sunāparantakā manussā, yaṁ maṁ nayime tiṇhena satthena jīvitā voropentī’ti.

5.28

That’s what I’ll think, Blessed One.

Evamettha, bhagavā, bhavissati;

5.29

That’s what I’ll think, Holy One.”

evamettha, sugata, bhavissatī”ti.

5.30

“But if they do take your life with a sharp knife, what will you think of them then?”

“Sace pana taṁ, puṇṇa, sunāparantakā manussā tiṇhena satthena jīvitā voropessanti, tattha pana te, puṇṇa, kinti bhavissatī”ti?

5.31

“If they take my life with a sharp knife, I’ll think:

“Sace maṁ, bhante, sunāparantakā manussā tiṇhena satthena jīvitā voropessanti, tattha me evaṁ bhavissati:

5.32

‘There are disciples of the Buddha who looked for someone to assist with slitting their wrists because they were horrified, repelled, and disgusted with the body and with life. And I have found this without looking!’

‘santi kho bhagavato sāvakā kāye ca jīvite ca aṭṭīyamānā harāyamānā jigucchamānā satthahārakaṁ pariyesanti. Taṁ me idaṁ apariyiṭṭhaṁyeva satthahārakaṁ laddhan’ti.

5.33

That’s what I’ll think, Blessed One.

Evamettha, bhagavā, bhavissati;

5.34

That’s what I’ll think, Holy One.”

evamettha, sugata, bhavissatī”ti.

6.1

“Good, good Puṇṇa!

“Sādhu sādhu, puṇṇa.

6.2

Having such self-control and peacefulness, you will be quite capable of living in Sunāparanta.

Sakkhissasi kho tvaṁ, puṇṇa, iminā damūpasamena samannāgato sunāparantasmiṁ janapade viharituṁ.

6.3

Now, Puṇṇa, go at your convenience.”

Yassadāni tvaṁ, puṇṇa, kālaṁ maññasī”ti.

7.1

And then Puṇṇa welcomed and agreed with the Buddha’s words. He got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right. Then he set his lodgings in order and, taking his bowl and robe, set out for Sunāparanta.

Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena sunāparanto janapado tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.

7.2

Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Sunāparanta,

Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sunāparanto janapado tadavasari.

7.3

and stayed there.

Tatra sudaṁ āyasmā puṇṇo sunāparantasmiṁ janapade viharati.

7.4

Within that rainy season he confirmed around five hundred male and five hundred female lay followers. And within that same rainy season he realized the three knowledges.

Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo tenevantaravassena pañcamattāni upāsakasatāni paṭivedesi, tenevantaravassena pañcamattāni upāsikasatāni paṭivedesi, tenevantaravassena tisso vijjā sacchākāsi.

7.5

Some time later he became fully extinguished.

Atha kho āyasmā puṇṇo aparena samayena parinibbāyi.

8.1

Then several bhikkhū went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

8.2

“Sir, the gentleman named Puṇṇa, who was advised in brief by the Buddha, has passed away.

“yo so, bhante, puṇṇo nāma kulaputto bhagavatā saṅkhittena ovādena ovadito so kālaṅkato.

8.3

Where has he been reborn in his next life?”

Tassa kā gati, ko abhisamparāyo”ti?

8.4

“Bhikkhū, Puṇṇa was astute. He practiced in line with the teachings, and did not trouble me about the teachings.

“Paṇḍito, bhikkhave, puṇṇo kulaputto paccapādi dhammassānudhammaṁ, na ca maṁ dhammādhikaraṇaṁ viheṭhesi.

8.5

Puṇṇa has become completely extinguished.”

Parinibbuto, bhikkhave, puṇṇo kulaputto”ti.

8.6

That is what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

8.7

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

Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

8.8

Puṇṇovādasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.