SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 51 Linked Discourses on the Bases of Psychic Power – Iddhipādasaṁyutta > SN 51.10 At the Cāpāla Shrine

Linked Discourses 51.10 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 51.10

1. At the Cāpāla Shrine – 1. Cāpālavagga

SN 51.10 At the Cāpāla Shrine – Cetiyasutta

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā vesāliyaṁ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṁ.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Vesālī for alms.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya vesāliṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

Then, after the meal, on his return from almsround, he addressed Venerable Ānanda:

Vesāliyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi:

“Ānanda, get your sitting cloth.

“gaṇhāhi, ānanda, nisīdanaṁ.

Let’s go to the Cāpāla shrine for the day’s meditation.”

Yena cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ tenupasaṅkamissāma divāvihārāyā”ti.

“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. Taking his sitting cloth he followed behind the Buddha.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā ānando bhagavato paṭissutvā nisīdanaṁ ādāya bhagavantaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubandhi.

Then the Buddha went up to the Cāpāla shrine, and sat down on the seat spread out.

Atha kho bhagavā yena cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

Ānanda bowed to the Buddha and sat down to one side.

Āyasmāpi kho ānando bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

The Buddha said to him:

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

“Ānanda, Vesālī is lovely. And the Udena, Gotamaka, Sattamba, Bahuputta, Sārandada, and Cāpāla Tree-shrines are all lovely.

“Ramaṇīyā, ānanda, vesālī, ramaṇīyaṁ udenaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ gotamakaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ sattambaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ bahuputtaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ sārandadaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ.

Whoever has developed and cultivated the four bases of psychic power—made them a vehicle and a basis, kept them up, consolidated them, and properly implemented them—may, if they wish, live on for the eon or what’s left of the eon.

Yassa kassaci, ānanda, cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā, so ākaṅkhamāno kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā.

The Realized One has developed and cultivated the four bases of psychic power, made them a vehicle and a basis, kept them up, consolidated them, and properly implemented them. If he wished, the Realized One could live on for the eon or what’s left of the eon.”

Tathāgatassa kho, ānanda, cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā. Ākaṅkhamāno, ānanda, tathāgato kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā”ti.

But Ānanda didn’t get it, even though the Buddha dropped such an obvious hint, such a clear sign.

Evampi kho āyasmā ānando bhagavatā oḷārike nimitte kayiramāne oḷārike obhāse kayiramāne nāsakkhi paṭivijjhituṁ;

He didn’t beg the Buddha,

na bhagavantaṁ yāci:

“Sir, may the Blessed One please remain for the eon! May the Holy One please remain for the eon! That would be for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.” For his mind was as if possessed by Māra.

“tiṭṭhatu, bhante, bhagavā kappaṁ, tiṭṭhatu sugato kappaṁ bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānan”ti yathā taṁ mārena pariyuṭṭhitacitto.

For a second time …

Dutiyampi kho bhagavā …pe…

and for a third time, the Buddha said to Ānanda:

tatiyampi kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi:

“Ānanda, Vesālī is lovely. And the Udena, Gotamaka, Sattamba, Bahuputta, Sārandada, and Cāpāla Tree-shrines are all lovely.

“ramaṇīyā, ānanda, vesālī, ramaṇīyaṁ udenaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ gotamakaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ sattambaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ bahuputtaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ sārandadaṁ cetiyaṁ, ramaṇīyaṁ cāpālaṁ cetiyaṁ.

Yassa kassaci, ānanda, cattāro iddhipādā bhāvitā bahulīkatā yānīkatā vatthukatā anuṭṭhitā paricitā susamāraddhā, so ākaṅkhamāno kappaṁ vā tiṭṭheyya kappāvasesaṁ vā.

But Ānanda didn’t get it, even though the Buddha dropped such an obvious hint, such a clear sign.

Evampi kho āyasmā ānando bhagavatā oḷārike nimitte kayiramāne oḷārike obhāse kayiramāne nāsakkhi paṭivijjhituṁ;

He didn’t beg the Buddha,

na bhagavantaṁ yāci:

Then the Buddha said to him,

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi:

“Go now, Ānanda,

“gaccha kho tvaṁ, ānanda,

at your convenience.”

yassadāni kālaṁ maññasī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” replied Ānanda. He rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before sitting at the root of a tree close by.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā ānando bhagavato paṭissutvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā avidūre aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle nisīdi.

And then, not long after Ānanda had left, Māra the Wicked went up to the the Buddha and said to him:

Atha kho māro pāpimā, acirapakkante āyasmante ānande, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, may the Blessed One now become fully extinguished! May the Holy One now become fully extinguished! Now is the time for the Buddha to become fully extinguished.

“Parinibbātu dāni, bhante, bhagavā, parinibbātu dāni sugato. Parinibbānakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato.

Sir, you once made this statement:

Bhāsitā kho panesā, bhante, bhagavatā vācā:

‘Wicked One, I will not become fully extinguished until I have monk disciples who are competent, educated, assured, learned, have memorized the teachings, and practice in line with the teachings. Not until they practice properly, living in line with the teaching. Not until they’ve learned their own tradition, and explain, teach, assert, establish, disclose, analyze, and make it clear. Not until they can legitimately and completely refute the doctrines of others that come up, and teach with a demonstrable basis.’

‘na tāvāhaṁ, pāpima, parinibbāyissāmi yāva me bhikkhū na sāvakā bhavissanti viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā sāmīcippaṭipannā anudhammacārino, sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā ācikkhissanti desessanti paññapessanti paṭṭhapessanti vivarissanti vibhajissanti uttānīkarissanti, uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desessantī’ti.

Today you do have such monk disciples.

Santi kho pana, bhante, etarahi bhikkhū bhagavato sāvakā viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā sāmīcippaṭipannā anudhammacārino, sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā ācikkhanti desenti paññapenti paṭṭhapenti vivaranti vibhajanti uttānīkaronti, uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desenti.

May the Blessed One now become fully extinguished! May the Holy One now become fully extinguished! Now is the time for the Buddha to become fully extinguished.

Parinibbātu dāni, bhante, bhagavā, parinibbātu dāni, sugato. Parinibbānakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato.

Sir, you once made this statement:

Bhāsitā kho panesā, bhante, bhagavatā vācā:

‘Wicked One, I will not become fully extinguished until I have nun disciples who are competent, educated, assured, learned …’ …

‘na tāvāhaṁ, pāpima, parinibbāyissāmi yāva me bhikkhuniyo na sāvikā bhavissanti viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā sāmīcippaṭipannā anudhammacāriniyo, sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā ācikkhissanti desessanti paññapessanti paṭṭhapessanti vivarissanti vibhajissanti uttānīkarissanti, uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desessantī’ti.

Today you do have such nun disciples.

Santi kho pana, bhante, etarahi bhikkhuniyo bhagavato sāvikā viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā sāmīcippaṭipannā anudhammacāriniyo, sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā ācikkhanti desenti paññapenti paṭṭhapenti vivaranti vibhajanti uttānīkaronti, uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desenti.

May the Blessed One now become fully extinguished! May the Holy One now become fully extinguished! Now is the time for the Buddha to become fully extinguished.

Parinibbātu dāni, bhante, bhagavā, parinibbātu dāni, sugato. Parinibbānakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato.

Sir, you once made this statement:

Bhāsitā kho panesā, bhante, bhagavatā vācā:

‘Wicked One, I will not become fully extinguished until I have layman disciples …

‘na tāvāhaṁ, pāpima, parinibbāyissāmi yāva me upāsakā …pe…

and laywoman disciples who are competent, educated, assured, learned …’ …

yāva me upāsikā na sāvikā bhavissanti viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā sāmīcippaṭipannā anudhammacāriniyo, sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā ācikkhissanti desessanti paññapessanti paṭṭhapessanti vivarissanti vibhajissanti uttānīkarissanti, uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desessantī’ti.

Today you do have such layman

Santi kho pana, bhante, etarahi upāsakā …

and laywoman disciples.

upāsikā bhagavato sāvikā viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā sāmīcippaṭipannā anudhammacāriniyo, sakaṁ ācariyakaṁ uggahetvā ācikkhanti desenti paññapenti paṭṭhapenti vivaranti vibhajanti uttānīkaronti, uppannaṁ parappavādaṁ sahadhammena suniggahitaṁ niggahetvā sappāṭihāriyaṁ dhammaṁ desenti.

May the Blessed One now become fully extinguished! May the Holy One now become fully extinguished! Now is the time for the Buddha to become fully extinguished.

Parinibbātu dāni, bhante, bhagavā, parinibbātu dāni, sugato. Parinibbānakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato.

Sir, you once made this statement:

Bhāsitā kho panesā, bhante, bhagavatā vācā:

‘Wicked One, I will not become fully extinguished until my spiritual path is successful and prosperous, extensive, popular, widespread, and well proclaimed wherever there are gods and humans.’

‘na tāvāhaṁ, pāpima, parinibbāyissāmi yāva me idaṁ brahmacariyaṁ na iddhañceva bhavissati phītañca vitthāritaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitan’ti.

Today your spiritual path is successful and prosperous, extensive, popular, widespread, and well proclaimed wherever there are gods and humans.

Tayidaṁ, bhante, bhagavato brahmacariyaṁ iddhañceva phītañca vitthāritaṁ bāhujaññaṁ puthubhūtaṁ yāva devamanussehi suppakāsitaṁ.

May the Blessed One now become fully extinguished! May the Holy One now become fully extinguished! Now is the time for the Buddha to become fully extinguished.”

Parinibbātu dāni, bhante, bhagavā, parinibbātu dāni sugato. Parinibbānakālo dāni, bhante, bhagavato”ti.

When this was said, the Buddha said to Māra,

Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā māraṁ pāpimantaṁ etadavoca:

“Relax, Wicked One. The final extinguishment of the Realized One will be soon.

“appossukko tvaṁ, pāpima, hohi. Na ciraṁ tathāgatassa parinibbānaṁ bhavissati.

Three months from now the Realized One will finally be extinguished.”

Ito tiṇṇaṁ māsānaṁ accayena tathāgato parinibbāyissatī”ti.

So at the Cāpāla Tree-shrine the Buddha, mindful and aware, surrendered the life force.

Atha kho bhagavā cāpāle cetiye sato sampajāno āyusaṅkhāraṁ ossaji.

When he did so there was a great earthquake, awe-inspiring and hair-raising, and thunder cracked the sky.

Ossaṭṭhe ca bhagavatā āyusaṅkhāre mahābhūmicālo ahosi bhiṁsanako lomahaṁso, devadundubhiyo ca phaliṁsu.

Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:

“Weighing up the incomparable against an extension of life,

“Tulamatulañca sambhavaṁ,

the sage surrendered the life force.

Bhavasaṅkhāramavassaji muni;

Happy inside, serene,

Ajjhattarato samāhito,

he burst out of this self-made chain like a suit of armor.”

Abhindi kavacamivattasambhavan”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Cāpālavaggo paṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Apārāpi viraddho ca,

ariyā nibbidāpi ca;