{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an8.12/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an8.12","id":"suttacentral_an8.12","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an8.12/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"At one time the Buddha was staying near Ves\u0101l\u012b, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Now at that time several very prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Sa\u1e45gha in many ways. Now at that time General S\u012bha, a disciple of the Jains, was sitting in that assembly. He thought, \u201cThat Blessed One must without a doubt be a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha. For several very prominent Licchavis are praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Sa\u1e45gha in many ways. Why don\u2019t I go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!\u201d Then General S\u012bha went to the Jain ascetic of the \u00d1\u0101tika clan and said to him, \u201cSir, I\u2019d like to go to see the ascetic Gotama.\u201d \u201cBut S\u012bha, you believe in the doctrine of action. Why should you go to see the ascetic Gotama, who teaches a doctrine of inaction? For the ascetic Gotama believes in a doctrine of inaction, he teaches inaction, and he guides his disciples in that way.\u201d Then S\u012bha\u2019s determination to go and see the Buddha died down. For a second time, several prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Sa\u1e45gha in many ways. And for a second time S\u012bha thought: \u201cWhy don\u2019t I go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!\u201d Then General S\u012bha went to the Jain \u00d1\u0101tika \u2026 Then for a second time S\u012bha\u2019s determination to go and see the Buddha died down. For a third time, several prominent Licchavis were sitting together at the town hall, praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Sa\u1e45gha in many ways. And for a third time S\u012bha thought, \u201cThat Blessed One must without a doubt be a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha. For several very prominent Licchavis are praising the Buddha, his teaching, and the Sa\u1e45gha in many ways. What can these Jains do to me, whether I take leave of them or not? Why don\u2019t I, without taking leave of them, go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!\u201d Then S\u012bha, with around five hundred chariots, set out from Ves\u0101l\u012b in the middle of the day to see the Buddha. He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and went by foot. Then General S\u012bha went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him: \u201cSir, I have heard this: \u2018The ascetic Gotama believes in a doctrine of inaction, he teaches inaction, and he guides his disciples in that way.\u2019 I trust those who say this repeat what the Buddha has said, and do not misrepresent him with an untruth? Is their explanation in line with the teaching? Are there any legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism? For we don\u2019t want to misrepresent the Blessed One.\u201d \u201cThere is, S\u012bha, a sense in which you could rightly say that I believe in inaction, I teach inaction, and I guide my disciples in that way. And there is a sense in which you could rightly say that I believe in action, I teach action, and I guide my disciples in that way. And there is a sense in which you could rightly say that I believe in annihilationism, I teach annihilation, and I guide my disciples in that way. And there is a sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m disgusted, I teach disgust, and I guide my disciples in that way. And there is a sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m an exterminator, I teach extermination, and I guide my disciples in that way. And there is a sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m a mortifier, I teach mortification, and I guide my disciples in that way. And there is a sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m gutless, I teach gutlessness, and I guide my disciples in that way. And there is a sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m ambitious, I teach ambition, and I guide my disciples in that way. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I believe in inaction, I teach inaction, and I guide my disciples in that way? I teach inaction regarding bad bodily, verbal, and mental conduct, and the many kinds of unskillful things. In this sense you could rightly say that I teach inaction. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I believe in action, I teach action, and I guide my disciples in that way? I teach action regarding good bodily, verbal, and mental conduct, and the many kinds of skillful things. In this sense you could rightly say that I teach action. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I believe in annihilationism, I teach annihilation, and I guide my disciples in that way? I teach the annihilation of greed, hate, and delusion, and the many kinds of unskillful things. In this sense you could rightly say that I teach annihilationism. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m disgusted, I teach disgust, and I guide my disciples in that way? I\u2019m disgusted by bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and by attainment of the many kinds of unskillful things. In this sense you could rightly say that I\u2019m disgusted. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m an exterminator, I teach extermination, and I guide my disciples in that way? I teach the extermination of greed, hate, and delusion, and the many kinds of unskillful things. In this sense you could rightly say that I\u2019m an exterminator. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m a mortifier, I teach mortification, and I guide my disciples in that way? I say that bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind should be mortified. I say that a mortifier is someone who has given up unskillful qualities that should be mortified. They\u2019ve cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they\u2019re unable to arise in the future. The Realized One is someone who has given up unskillful qualities that should be mortified. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they\u2019re unable to arise in the future. In this sense you could rightly say that I\u2019m a mortifier. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m gutless, I teach gutlessness, and I guide my disciples in that way? I say that a gutless person is someone who has given up future wombs and rebirth into a new state of existence. They\u2019ve cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they\u2019re unable to arise in the future. The Realized One has given up future wombs and regeneration into a new state of existence. He has cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so that they\u2019re unable to arise in the future. In this sense you could rightly say that I\u2019m gutless. And what\u2019s the sense in which you could rightly say that I\u2019m ambitious, I teach ambition, and I guide my disciples in that way? I\u2019m ambitious to offer solace, the highest solace, I teach solace, and I guide my disciples in that way. In this sense you could rightly say that I\u2019m ambitious.\u201d When he said this, General S\u012bha said to the Buddha, \u201cExcellent, sir! Excellent! From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.\u201d \u201cS\u012bha, you should act after careful consideration. It\u2019s good for well-known people such as yourself to act after careful consideration.\u201d \u201cNow I\u2019m even more delighted and satisfied with the Buddha, since he tells me to act after careful consideration. For if the followers of other religions were to gain me as a disciple, they\u2019d carry a banner all over Ves\u0101l\u012b, saying: \u2018General S\u012bha has become our disciple!\u2019 And yet the Buddha tells me to act after careful consideration. For a second time, I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Sa\u1e45gha. From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.\u201d \u201cFor a long time now, S\u012bha, your family has been a well-spring of support for the Jain ascetics. You should consider giving to them when they come.\u201d \u201cNow I\u2019m even more delighted and satisfied with the Buddha, since he tells me to consider giving to the Jain ascetics when they come. Sir, I have heard that the ascetic Gotama says this: \u2018Gifts should only be given to me, and to my disciples. Only what is given to me is very fruitful, not what is given to others. Only what is given to my disciples is very fruitful, not what is given to the disciples of others.\u2019 Yet the Buddha encourages me to give to the Jain ascetics. Well, sir, we\u2019ll know the proper time for that. For a third time, I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Sa\u1e45gha. From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.\u201d Then the Buddha taught S\u012bha step by step, with a talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He revealed the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation. And when the Buddha knew that S\u012bha\u2019s mind was ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he revealed the special teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye, in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in General S\u012bha: \u201cEverything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.\u201d Then S\u012bha saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. He went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher\u2019s instructions. He said to the Buddha, \u201cSir, would the Buddha together with the mendicant Sa\u1e45gha please accept tomorrow\u2019s meal from me?\u201d The Buddha consented with silence. Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, S\u012bha rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then S\u012bha addressed a certain man, \u201cMy man, please find out if there is any meat ready for sale.\u201d And when the night had passed General S\u012bha had delicious fresh and cooked foods prepared in his own home. Then he had the Buddha informed of the time, saying, \u201cSir, it\u2019s time. The meal is ready.\u201d Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to S\u012bha\u2019s home, where he sat down on the seat spread out together with the Sa\u1e45gha of mendicants. Now at that time many Jain ascetics in Ves\u0101l\u012b went from street to street and from square to square, calling out with raised arms: \u201cToday General S\u012bha has slaughtered a fat calf for the ascetic Gotama\u2019s meal. The ascetic Gotama knowingly eats meat prepared specially for him: this is a deed he caused.\u201d Then a certain person went up to S\u012bha and whispered in his ear, \u201cPlease sir, you should know this. Many Jain ascetics in Ves\u0101l\u012b are going from street to street and square to square, calling out with raised arms: \u2018Today General S\u012bha has slaughtered a fat calf for the ascetic Gotama\u2019s meal. The ascetic Gotama knowingly eats meat prepared specially for him: this is a deed he caused.\u2019\u201d \u201cEnough, master. For a long time those venerables have wanted to discredit the Buddha, his teaching, and his Sa\u1e45gha. They\u2019ll never stop misrepresenting the Buddha with their incorrect, hollow, false, untruthful claims. We would never deliberately take the life of a living creature, not even for life\u2019s sake.\u201d Then S\u012bha served and satisfied the mendicant Sa\u1e45gha headed by the Buddha with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. When the Buddha had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, S\u012bha sat down to one side. Then the Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired him with a Dhamma talk, after which he rose from his seat and left.","title":"With S\u012bha","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":2090}