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Linked Discourses 55.6 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 55.6

1. At Bamboo Gate – 1. Veḷudvāravagga

SN 55.6 The Chamberlains – Thapatisutta

 

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At that time several bhikkhū were making a robe for the Buddha, thinking that

Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti:

when his robe was finished and the three months of the rains residence had passed the Buddha would set out wandering.

“niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī”ti.

Now at that time the chamberlains Isidatta and Purāṇa were residing in Sādhuka on some business.

Tena kho pana samayena isidattapurāṇā thapatayo sādhuke paṭivasanti kenacideva karaṇīyena.

They heard about this.

Assosuṁ kho isidattapurāṇā thapatayo:

 

“sambahulā kira bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti:

 

‘niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’”ti.

So they posted someone on the road, saying:

Atha kho isidattapurāṇā thapatayo magge purisaṁ ṭhapesuṁ:

“My good man, let us know when you see the Blessed One coming, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.”

“yadā tvaṁ, ambho purisa, passeyyāsi bhagavantaṁ āgacchantaṁ arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ, atha amhākaṁ āroceyyāsī”ti.

And that person stood there for two or three days before they saw the Buddha coming off in the distance.

Dvīhatīhaṁ ṭhito kho so puriso addasa bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.

When they saw him, they went to the chamberlains and said:

Disvāna yena isidattapurāṇā thapatayo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā isidattapurāṇe thapatayo etadavoca:

“Sirs, the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is coming.

“ayaṁ so, bhante, bhagavā āgacchati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho.

Please come at your convenience.”

Yassadāni kālaṁ maññathā”ti.

Then the chamberlains went up to the Buddha, bowed, and followed behind him.

Atha kho isidattapurāṇā thapatayo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā bhagavantaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubandhiṁsu.

And then the Buddha left the road, went to the root of a certain tree, and sat down on the seat spread out.

Atha kho bhagavā maggā okkamma yena aññataraṁ rukkhamūlaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

The chamberlains Isidatta and Purāṇa bowed, sat down to one side,

Isidattapurāṇā thapatayo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

and said to the Buddha:

Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te isidattapurāṇā thapatayo bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

“Sir, when we hear that

“Yadā mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from Sāvatthī to wander in the Kosalan lands, we’re sad and upset, thinking that

‘sāvatthiyā kosalesu cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

you will be far from us.

‘dūre no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

And when we hear that

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you are setting out from Sāvatthī to wander in the Kosalan lands, we’re sad and upset, thinking that

‘sāvatthiyā kosalesu cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

you are far from us.

‘dūre no bhagavā’ti.

And when we hear that

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Kosalan lands to wander in the Mallian lands, we’re sad and upset, thinking that

‘kosalehi mallesu cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

you will be far from us.

‘dūre no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

And when we hear that

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you are setting out from the Kosalan lands to wander in the Mallian lands, we’re sad and upset, thinking that

‘kosalehi mallesu cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

you are far from us.

‘dūre no bhagavā’ti.

And when we hear that

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Mallian lands to wander in the Vajjian lands …

‘mallehi vajjīsu cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

 

‘dūre no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

 

‘mallehi vajjīsu cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

 

‘dūre no bhagavā’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Vajjian lands to wander in the Kāsian lands …

‘vajjīhi kāsīsu cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

 

‘dūre no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

 

‘vajjīhi kāsīsu cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

 

‘dūre no bhagavā’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Kāsian lands to wander in the Māgadhan lands …

‘kāsīhi māgadhe cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti domanassaṁ:

 

‘dūre no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you are setting out from the Kāsian lands to wander in the Māgadhan lands, we’re sad and upset, thinking that

‘kāsīhi māgadhe cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti anappakā no tasmiṁ samaye anattamanatā hoti anappakaṁ domanassaṁ:

you are far from us.

‘dūre no bhagavā’ti.

But when we hear that

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Māgadhan lands to wander in the Kāsian lands, we’re happy and joyful, thinking that

‘māgadhehi kāsīsu cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

you will be near to us.

‘āsanne no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

And when we hear that

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you are setting out from the Māgadhan lands to wander in the Kāsian lands …

‘māgadhehi kāsīsu cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

 

‘āsanne no bhagavā’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Kāsian lands to wander in the Vajjian lands …

‘kāsīhi vajjīsu cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

 

‘āsanne no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

 

‘kāsīhi vajjīsu cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

 

‘āsanne no bhagavā’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Vajjian lands to wander in the Mallian lands …

‘vajjīhi mallesu cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

 

‘āsanne no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

 

‘vajjīhi mallesu cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

 

‘āsanne no bhagavā’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out from the Mallian lands to wander in the Kosalan lands …

‘mallehi kosale cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

 

‘āsanne no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

 

‘mallehi kosale cārikaṁ pakkanto’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

 

‘āsanne no bhagavā’ti.

 

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you will be setting out in the Kosalan lands to wander to Sāvatthī, we’re happy and joyful, thinking that

‘kosalehi sāvatthiṁ cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti, hoti no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti somanassaṁ:

you will be near to us.

‘āsanne no bhagavā bhavissatī’ti.

And when we hear that

Yadā pana mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ suṇāma:

you are staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery we have no little happiness and joy, thinking that

‘sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme’ti, hoti anappakā no tasmiṁ samaye attamanatā hoti anappakaṁ somanassaṁ:

you are near to us.”

‘āsanne no bhagavā’”ti.

“Well then, chamberlains, living in a house is cramped and dirty, but the life of one gone forth is wide open.

“Tasmātiha, thapatayo, sambādho gharāvāso rajāpatho, abbhokāso pabbajjā.

Just this much is enough to be diligent.”

Alañca pana vo, thapatayo, appamādāyā”ti.

“Sir, for us there is something that’s even more cramped than that, and is considered as such.”

“Atthi kho no, bhante, etamhā sambādhā añño sambādho sambādhataro ceva sambādhasaṅkhātataro cā”ti.

“What is that?”

“Katamo pana vo, thapatayo, etamhā sambādhā añño sambādho sambādhataro ceva sambādhasaṅkhātataro cā”ti?

“Sir, it’s when King Pasenadi of Kosala wants to go and visit a park. We have to harness and prepare his royal elephants. Then we have to seat his dear and beloved wives on the elephants, one in front of us, and one behind.

“Idha mayaṁ, bhante, yadā rājā pasenadi kosalo uyyānabhūmiṁ niyyātukāmo hoti, ye te rañño pasenadissa kosalassa nāgā opavayhā te kappetvā, yā tā rañño pasenadissa kosalassa pajāpatiyo piyā manāpā tā ekaṁ purato ekaṁ pacchato nisīdāpema.

Those sisters smell like a freshly opened perfume box; that’s how the royal ladies smell with makeup on.

Tāsaṁ kho pana, bhante, bhaginīnaṁ evarūpo gandho hoti, seyyathāpi nāma gandhakaraṇḍakassa tāvadeva vivariyamānassa, yathā taṁ rājakaññānaṁ gandhena vibhūsitānaṁ.

The touch of those sisters is like a tuft of cotton-wool or kapok; that’s how dainty the royal ladies are.

Tāsaṁ kho pana, bhante, bhaginīnaṁ evarūpo kāyasamphasso hoti, seyyathāpi nāma tūlapicuno vā kappāsapicuno vā, yathā taṁ rājakaññānaṁ sukhedhitānaṁ.

Now at that time we must look after the elephants, the sisters, and ourselves.

Tasmiṁ kho pana, bhante, samaye nāgopi rakkhitabbo hoti, tāpi bhaginiyo rakkhitabbā honti, attāpi rakkhitabbo hoti.

But we don’t recall having a bad thought regarding those sisters.

Na kho pana mayaṁ, bhante, abhijānāma tāsu bhaginīsu pāpakaṁ cittaṁ uppādetā.

This is that thing that’s even more cramped than that, and is considered as such.”

Ayaṁ kho no, bhante, etamhā sambādhā añño sambādho sambādhataro ceva sambādhasaṅkhātataro cā”ti.

“Well then, chamberlains, living in a house is cramped and dirty, but the life of one gone forth is wide open.

“Tasmātiha, thapatayo, sambādho gharāvāso rajāpatho, abbhokāso pabbajjā.

Just this much is enough to be diligent.

Alañca pana vo, thapatayo, appamādāya.

A noble disciple who has four things is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.

Catūhi kho, thapatayo, dhammehi samannāgato ariyasāvako sotāpanno hoti avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo.

What four?

Katamehi catūhi?

It’s when a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha …

Idha, thapatayo, ariyasāvako buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti—

 

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

the teaching …

Dhamme …pe…

the Saṅgha …

saṅghe …pe…

They live at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

vigatamalamaccherena cetasā ajjhāgāraṁ vasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vossaggarato yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato.

A noble disciple who has these four things is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.

Imehi kho, thapatayo, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato ariyasāvako sotāpanno hoti avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo.

And you have experiential confidence in the Buddha …

Tumhe kho, thapatayo, buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgatā—

 

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

the teaching …

Dhamme …pe…

the Saṅgha …

saṅghe …pe…

And whatever there is in your family that’s available to give, you share it all with those who are ethical, of good character.

yaṁ kho pana kiñci kule deyyadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ appaṭivibhattaṁ sīlavantehi kalyāṇadhammehi.

What do you think, chamberlains?

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, thapatayo,

How many people among the Kosalans are your equal

katividhā te kosalesu manussā ye tumhākaṁ samasamā, yadidaṁ—

when it comes to giving and sharing?”

dānasaṁvibhāge”ti?

“We’re fortunate, sir, so very fortunate,

“Lābhā no, bhante, suladdhaṁ no, bhante.

in that the Buddha understands us like this.”

Yesaṁ no bhagavā evaṁ pajānātī”ti.