{"collection":"Digha Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_dn24/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_dn24","id":"suttacentral_dn24","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/dn24/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Digha Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"1. The Story of Sunakkhatta So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Mallas, near the Mallian town named Anupiya. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Anupiya for alms. Then it occurred to him, \u201cIt\u2019s too early to wander for alms in Anupiya. Why don\u2019t I go to visit the wanderer of the Bhaggava clan in his monastery?\u201d So that\u2019s what he did. Then the wanderer of the Bhaggava clan said to the Buddha, \u201cLet the Blessed One come, sir! Welcome to the Blessed One, sir! It\u2019s been a long time since you took the opportunity to come here. Please, sir, sit down, here, a seat is ready.\u201d The Buddha sat down on the seat spread out, while the wanderer of the Bhaggava clan took a low seat, sat to one side, and said to the Buddha, \u201cSir, a few days ago Sunakkhatta the Licchavi came to me and said: \u2018Now, Bhaggava, I have disavowed the Buddha. Now I no longer live dedicated to him.\u2019 Sir, is what Sunakkhatta said true?\u201d \u201cIndeed it is, Bhaggava. A few days ago Sunakkhatta the Licchavi came to me, bowed, sat down to one side, and said: \u2018Now I disavow the Buddha! Now I shall no longer live dedicated to you.\u2019 When Sunakkhatta said this, I said to him, \u2018But Sunakkhatta, did I ever say to you: \u201cCome, live dedicated to me\u201d?\u2019 \u2018No, sir.\u2019 \u2018Or did you ever say to me: \u201cSir, I shall live dedicated to the Buddha\u201d?\u2019 \u2018No, sir.\u2019 \u2018So it seems that I did not ask you to live dedicated to me, nor did you say you would live dedicated to me. In that case, you futile man, who are you and what do you disavow? See how far you have strayed!\u2019 \u2018But sir, the Buddha never performs any superhuman demonstrations of psychic power for me.\u2019 \u2018But Sunakkhatta, did I ever say to you: \u201cCome, live dedicated to me and I will perform a superhuman demonstration of psychic power for you\u201d?\u2019 \u2018No, sir.\u2019 \u2018Or did you ever say to me: \u201cSir, I shall live dedicated to the Buddha, and the Buddha will perform a superhuman demonstration of psychic power for me\u201d?\u2019 \u2018No, sir.\u2019 \u2018So it seems that I did not ask this of you, and you did not require it of me. In that case, you futile man, who are you and what do you disavow? What do you think, Sunakkhatta? Whether or not there is a demonstration of psychic power, and regardless of the goal for which I taught the Dhamma, does it deliver one who applies it to the complete ending of suffering?\u2019 \u2018It does, sir.\u2019 \u2018So it seems that whether or not there is a demonstration of psychic power, and regardless of the goal for which I taught the Dhamma, it delivers one who applies it to the complete ending of suffering. In that case, what is the point of superhuman demonstrations of psychic power? See how far you have strayed, you silly man!\u2019 \u2018But sir, the Buddha never describes the origin of the world to me.\u2019 \u2018But Sunakkhatta, did I ever say to you: \u201cCome, live dedicated to me and I will describe the origin of the world to you\u201d?\u2019 \u2018No, sir.\u2019 \u2018Or did you ever say to me: \u201cSir, I shall live dedicated to the Buddha, and the Buddha will describe the origin of the world to me\u201d?\u2019 \u2018No, sir.\u2019 \u2018So it seems that I did not ask this of you, and you did not require it of me. In that case, you futile man, who are you and what do you disavow? What do you think, Sunakkhatta? Whether or not the origin of the world is described, and regardless of the goal for which I taught the Dhamma, does it deliver one who applies it to the complete ending of suffering?\u2019 \u2018It does, sir.\u2019 \u2018So it seems that whether or not the origin of the world is described, and regardless of the goal for which I taught the Dhamma, it delivers one who applies it to the complete ending of suffering. In that case, what is the point of describing the origin of the world? See how far you have strayed, you silly man! In many ways, Sunakkhatta, you have praised me like this in the Vajjian capital: \u201cThat Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.\u201d In many ways you have praised the teaching like this in the Vajjian capital: \u201cThe teaching is well explained by the Buddha\u2014apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.\u201d In many ways you have praised the Sa\u1e45gha like this in the Vajjian capital: \u201cThe Sa\u1e45gha of the Buddha\u2019s disciples is practicing the way that\u2019s good, direct, systematic, and proper. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individual persons. This is the Sa\u1e45gha of the Buddha\u2019s disciples that is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.\u201d I declare this to you, Sunakkhatta, I announce this to you! There will be some who say to you that Sunakkhatta was unable to lead the spiritual life under the ascetic Gotama. That\u2019s why he resigned the training and returned to a lesser life. That\u2019s what they\u2019ll say.\u2019 Though I spoke to Sunakkhatta like this, he still left this teaching and training, like someone on the highway to hell. 2. On the Aristocrat of Kuru Bhaggava, this one time I was staying in the land of the Kurus where they have a town named Uttarak\u0101. Then I robed up in the morning and, taking my bowl and robe, entered Uttarak\u0101 for alms with Sunakkhatta the Licchavi as my second monk. Now at that time a naked ascetic who was an aristocrat of Kuru had taken a vow to behave like a dog. When food is tossed on the ground, he gets down on all fours, eating and devouring it just with his mouth. Sunakkhatta saw him doing this and thought, \u2018That ascetic is a holy man!\u2019 Then, knowing Sunakkhatta\u2019s train of thought, I said to him, \u2018Don\u2019t you claim to be an ascetic who follows the Sakyan, you silly man?\u2019 \u2018But why does the Buddha say this to me?\u2019 \u2018When you saw that naked ascetic of Kuru, didn\u2019t you think, \u201cThat ascetic is a holy man!\u201d?\u2019 \u2018Yes, sir. But sir, are you jealous of the perfected ones?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m not jealous of the perfected ones, you silly man. Rather, you should give up this harmful misconception that has arisen in you. Don\u2019t create lasting harm and suffering for yourself! That naked ascetic the aristocrat of Kuru, who you imagine to be a holy man, will die of flatulence in seven days. And when he dies, he\u2019ll be reborn in the very lowest rank of titans, named the K\u0101laka\u00f1jas. And they\u2019ll throw him in the charnel ground on a clump of vetiver. If you wish, Sunakkhatta, go to the aristocrat of Kuru and ask him whether he knows his own destiny. It\u2019s possible that he will answer: \u201cReverend Sunakkhatta, I know my own destiny. I\u2019ve been reborn in the very lowest rank of titans, named the K\u0101laka\u00f1jas.\u201d\u2019 So, Bhaggava, Sunakkhatta went to see the aristocrat of Kuru and said to him, \u2018Reverend aristocrat of Kuru, the ascetic Gotama has declared that you will die of flatulence in seven days. And when you die, you\u2019ll be reborn in the very lowest rank of titans, named the K\u0101laka\u00f1jas. And when you die, they\u2019ll throw you in the charnel ground on a clump of vetiver. But by eating just a little food and drinking just a little water, you\u2019ll prove what the ascetic Gotama says to be false.\u2019 Then Sunakkhatta counted up the days until the seventh day, as happens when you have no faith in the Realized One. But on the seventh day, the naked ascetic who was an aristocrat of Kuru died of flatulence. And when he passed away, he was reborn in the very lowest rank of titans, named the K\u0101laka\u00f1jas. And when he passed away, they threw him in the charnel ground on a clump of vetiver. Sunakkhatta the Licchavi heard about this. So he went to see the aristocrat of Kuru in the charnel ground on the clump of vetiver. There he struck him with his fist three times, \u2018Reverend aristocrat of Kuru, do you know your destiny?\u2019 Then the aristocrat of Kuru got up, rubbing his back with his hands, and said, \u2018Reverend Sunakkhatta, I know my own destiny. I\u2019ve been reborn in the very lowest rank of titans, named the K\u0101laka\u00f1jas.\u2019 After speaking, he fell flat right there. Then Sunakkhatta came to me, bowed, and sat down to one side. I said to him, \u2018What do you think, Sunakkhatta? Did the prediction I made about the aristocrat of Kuru turn out to be correct, or not?\u2019 \u2018It turned out to be correct.\u2019 \u2018What do you think, Sunakkhatta? If that is so, has a superhuman demonstration of psychic power been performed or not?\u2019 \u2018Clearly, sir, a superhuman demonstration of psychic power has been performed.\u2019 \u2018Though I performed such a superhuman demonstration of psychic power you say this: \u201cBut sir, the Buddha never performs any superhuman demonstrations of psychic power for me.\u201d See how far you have strayed!\u2019 Though I spoke to Sunakkhatta like this, he still left this teaching and training, like someone on the highway to hell. 3. On the Naked Ascetic Ka\u1e37\u0101rama\u1e6d\u1e6daka This one time, Bhaggava, I was staying near Ves\u0101l\u012b, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Now at that time the naked ascetic Ka\u1e37\u0101rama\u1e6d\u1e6daka was residing in Ves\u0101l\u012b. And in the Vajjian capital he had reached the peak of material things and fame. He had undertaken these seven vows. \u2018As long as I live, I will be a naked ascetic, not wearing clothes. As long as I live, I will be chaste, not having sex. As long as I live, I will consume only meat and beer, not eating rice and porridge. And I will not go past the following shrines near Ves\u0101l\u012b: the Udena Shrine to the east, the Gotamaka to the south, the Seven Maidens to the west, and the Many Sons to the north.\u2019 And it was due to undertaking these seven vows that he had reached the peak of material things and fame. So, Bhaggava, Sunakkhatta went to see Ka\u1e37\u0101rama\u1e6d\u1e6daka and asked him a question. But when it stumped him, he displayed annoyance, hate, and bitterness. So Sunakkhatta thought, \u2018I\u2019ve offended the holy man, the perfected one, the ascetic. I mustn\u2019t create lasting harm and suffering for myself!\u2019 Then Sunakkhatta came to me, bowed, and sat down to one side. I said to him, \u2018Don\u2019t you claim to be an ascetic who follows the Sakyan, you silly man?\u2019 \u2018But why does the Buddha say this to me?\u2019 \u2018Didn\u2019t you go to see the naked ascetic Ka\u1e37\u0101rama\u1e6d\u1e6daka and ask him a question? But when it stumped him, he displayed annoyance, hate, and bitterness. Then you thought, \u201cI\u2019ve offended the holy man, the perfected one, the ascetic. I mustn\u2019t create lasting harm and suffering for myself!\u201d\u2019 \u2018Yes, sir. But sir, are you jealous of perfected ones?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m not jealous of the perfected ones, you silly man. Rather, you should give up this harmful misconception that has arisen in you. Don\u2019t create lasting harm and suffering for yourself! That naked ascetic Ka\u1e37\u0101rama\u1e6d\u1e6daka, who you imagine to be a true holy man, will shortly be clothed, living with a partner, eating rice and porridge, having gone past all the shrines near Ves\u0101l\u012b. And he will die after losing all his fame.\u2019 And that\u2019s exactly what happened. Sunakkhatta heard about this. He came to me, bowed, and sat down to one side. I said to him, \u2018What do you think, Sunakkhatta? Did the declaration I made about Ka\u1e37\u0101rama\u1e6d\u1e6daka turn out to be correct, or not?\u2019 \u2018It turned out to be correct.\u2019 \u2018What do you think, Sunakkhatta? If that is so, has a superhuman demonstration of psychic power been performed or not?\u2019 \u2018Clearly, sir, a superhuman demonstration of psychic power has been performed.\u2019 \u2018Though I perform such a superhuman demonstration of psychic power you say this: \u201cBut sir, the Buddha never performs any superhuman demonstrations of psychic power for me.\u201d See how far you have strayed!\u2019 Though I spoke to Sunakkhatta like this, he still left this teaching and training, like someone on the highway to hell. 4. On the Naked Ascetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta This one time, Bhaggava, I was staying right there near Ves\u0101l\u012b, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Now at that time the naked ascetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta was residing in Ves\u0101l\u012b. And in the Vajjian capital he had reached the peak of material things and fame. He was telling a crowd in Ves\u0101l\u012b: \u2018Both the ascetic Gotama and I speak from knowledge. One who speaks from knowledge ought to display a superhuman demonstration of psychic power to another who speaks from knowledge. If the ascetic Gotama meets me half-way, there we should both perform a superhuman demonstration of psychic power. If he performs one demonstration of psychic power, I\u2019ll perform two. If he performs two, I\u2019ll perform four. If he performs four, I\u2019ll perform eight. However many demonstrations of psychic power the ascetic Gotama performs, I\u2019ll perform double.\u2019 Then Sunakkhatta came to me, bowed, sat down to one side, and told me of all this. I said to him, \u2018Sunakkhatta, the naked ascetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is not capable of meeting me face to face, unless he gives up that statement and that intention, and lets go of that view. If he thinks he can meet me face to face without giving up those things, his head may explode.\u2019 \u2018Careful what you say, Blessed One! Careful what you say, Holy One!\u2019 \u2018But why do you say this to me, Sunakkhatta?\u2019 \u2018Sir, the Buddha has categorically asserted that P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is not capable of meeting the Buddha face to face, otherwise his head may explode. But P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta might meet the Buddha face to face in disguise, proving the Buddha wrong.\u2019 \u2018Sunakkhatta, would the Realized One make an ambiguous statement?\u2019 \u2018But sir, did you make that statement after encompassing P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta\u2019s mind with your mind? Or did deities tell you about it?\u2019 \u2018Both, Sunakkhatta. For Ajita the Licchavi general has recently passed away and been reborn in the host of the thirty-three. He came and told me this, \u201cThe naked ascetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is shameless, sir, he is a liar. For he has declared of me in the Vajjian capital: \u2018Ajita the Licchavi general has been reborn in the Great Hell.\u2019 But that is not true\u2014 I have been reborn in the host of the thirty-three. The naked ascetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is shameless, sir, he is a liar. P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is not capable of meeting the Buddha face to face, otherwise his head may explode.\u201d Thus I both made that statement after encompassing P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta\u2019s mind with my mind, and deities told me about it. So Sunakkhatta, I\u2019ll wander for alms in Ves\u0101l\u012b. After the meal, on my return from almsround, I\u2019ll go to P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta\u2019s monastery for the day\u2019s meditation. Now you may tell him, if you so wish.\u2019 5. On Demonstrations of Psychic Power Then, Bhaggava, I robed up in the morning and, taking my bowl and robe, entered Ves\u0101l\u012b for alms. After the meal, on my return from almsround, I went to P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta\u2019s monastery for the day\u2019s meditation. Then Sunakkhatta rushed into Ves\u0101l\u012b to see the very well-known Licchavis and said to them, \u2018Respectable sirs, after his almsround, the Buddha has gone to P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta\u2019s monastery for the day\u2019s meditation. Come forth, good sirs, come forth! There will be a superhuman demonstration of psychic power by the holy ascetics!\u2019 So the very well-known Licchavis thought, \u2018It seems there will be a superhuman demonstration of psychic power by the holy ascetics! Let\u2019s go!\u2019 Then he went to see the very well-known well-to-do brahmins, rich householders, and ascetics and brahmins who follow various other religions, and said the same thing. They all said, \u2018It seems there will be a superhuman demonstration of psychic power by the holy ascetics! Let\u2019s go!\u2019 Then all those very well-known people went to P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta\u2019s monastery. That assembly was large, Bhaggava; there were many hundreds, many thousands of them. P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta heard, \u2018It seems that very well-known Licchavis, well-to-do brahmins, rich householders, and ascetics and brahmins who follow various other religions have come forth. And the ascetic Gotama is sitting in my monastery for the day\u2019s meditation.\u2019 When he heard that, he became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end. In fear he went to the Pale-Moon Ebony Trunk monastery for the wanderers. The assembly heard of this, and instructed a man, \u2018Come, my man, go to see P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta at the Pale-Moon Ebony Trunk Monastery and say to him, \u201cCome forth, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta! All these very well-known people have come forth, and the ascetic Gotama is sitting in your monastery for the day\u2019s meditation. For you stated this in the assembly at Ves\u0101l\u012b: \u2018Both the ascetic Gotama and I speak from knowledge. One who speaks from knowledge ought to display a superhuman demonstration of psychic power to another who speaks from knowledge. If the ascetic Gotama meets me half-way, there we should both perform a superhuman demonstration of psychic power. If he performs one demonstration of psychic power, I\u2019ll perform two. If he performs two, I\u2019ll perform four. If he performs four, I\u2019ll perform eight. However many demonstrations of psychic power the ascetic Gotama performs, I\u2019ll perform double.\u2019 Come forth, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta, half-way. The ascetic Gotama has come the first half, and is sitting in your monastery.\u201d\u2019 \u2018Yes, worthy sir,\u2019 replied that man, and delivered the message. When he had spoken, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta said: \u2018I\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u2019 But wriggle as he might, he couldn\u2019t get up from his seat. Then that man said to P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta, \u2018What\u2019s up, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta? Is your bottom stuck to the bench, or is the bench stuck to your bottom? You say \u201cI\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u201d But wriggle as you might, you can\u2019t get up from your seat.\u2019 And as he was speaking, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta said: \u2018I\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u2019 But wriggle as he might, he couldn\u2019t get up from his seat. When that man knew that P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta had lost, he returned to the assembly and said, \u2018P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta has lost, worthies. He says \u201cI\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u201d But wriggle as he might, he can\u2019t get up from his seat.\u2019 When he said this, I said to the assembly, \u2018The naked ascetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is not capable of meeting me face to face, unless he gives up that statement and that intention, and lets go of that view. If he thinks he can meet me face to face without giving up those things, his head may explode.\u2019 The first recitation section is complete. Then, Bhaggava, a certain Licchavi minister stood up and said to the assembly, \u2018Well then, worthies, wait a while, I\u2019ll go. Hopefully I\u2019ll be able to lead P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta back to the assembly.\u2019 So that minister went to see P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta and said, \u2018Come forth, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta! It\u2019s best for you to come forth. All these very well-known people have come forth, and the ascetic Gotama is sitting in your monastery for the day\u2019s meditation. You said you\u2019d meet the ascetic Gotama half-way. The ascetic Gotama has come the first half, and is sitting in your monastery. The ascetic Gotama has told the assembly that you\u2019re not capable of meeting him face to face. Come forth, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta! When you come forth we\u2019ll make you win and the ascetic Gotama lose.\u2019 When he had spoken, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta said: \u2018I\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u2019 But wriggle as he might, he couldn\u2019t get up from his seat. Then the minister said to P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta, \u2018What\u2019s up, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta? Is your bottom stuck to the bench, or is the bench stuck to your bottom? You say \u201cI\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u201d But wriggle as you might, you can\u2019t get up from your seat.\u2019 And as he was speaking, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta said: \u2018I\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u2019 But wriggle as he might, he couldn\u2019t get up from his seat. When the Licchavi minister knew that P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta had lost, he returned to the assembly and said, \u2018P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta has lost, worthies.\u2019 When he said this, I said to the assembly, \u2018P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is not capable of meeting me face to face, otherwise his head may explode. Even if the good Licchavis were to think, \u201cLet\u2019s bind P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta with straps and drag him with a pair of oxen!\u201d But either the straps will break or P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta will.\u2019 Then, Bhaggava, J\u0101liya, the pupil of the wood-bowl ascetic, stood up and said to the assembly, \u2018Well then, worthies, wait a while, I\u2019ll go. Hopefully I\u2019ll be able to lead P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta back to the assembly.\u2019 So J\u0101liya went to see P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta and said, \u2018Come forth, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta! It\u2019s best for you to come forth. All these very well-known people have come forth, and the ascetic Gotama is sitting in your monastery for the day\u2019s meditation. You said you\u2019d meet the ascetic Gotama half-way. The ascetic Gotama has come the first half, and is sitting in your monastery. The ascetic Gotama has told the assembly that you\u2019re not capable of meeting him face to face. And he said that even if the Licchavis try to bind you with straps and drag you with a pair of oxen, either the straps will break or you will. Come forth, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta! When you come forth we\u2019ll make you win and the ascetic Gotama lose.\u2019 When he had spoken, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta said: \u2018I\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u2019 But wriggle as he might, he couldn\u2019t get up from his seat. Then J\u0101liya said to P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta, \u2018What\u2019s up, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta? Is your bottom stuck to the bench, or is the bench stuck to your bottom? You say \u201cI\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u201d But wriggle as you might, you can\u2019t get up from your seat.\u2019 And as he was speaking, P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta said: \u2018I\u2019m coming, respectable sir, I\u2019m coming!\u2019 But wriggle as he might, he couldn\u2019t get up from his seat. When J\u0101liya knew that P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta had lost, he said to him, \u2018Once upon a time, Reverend P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta, it occurred to a lion, king of beasts, \u201cWhy don\u2019t I make my lair near a certain forest? Towards evening I can emerge from my den, yawn, survey the four quarters, roar my lion\u2019s roar three times, and set out on the hunt. Having slain the very best of the deer herd, and eaten the most tender flesh, I could return to my den.\u201d And so that\u2019s what he did. Now, there was an old jackal who had grown fat on the lion\u2019s leavings, becoming arrogant and strong. He thought: \u201cWhat does the lion, king of beasts, have that I don\u2019t? Why don\u2019t I also make my lair near a certain forest? Towards evening I can emerge from my den, yawn, survey the four quarters, roar my lion\u2019s roar three times, and set out on the hunt. Having slain the very best of the deer herd, and eaten the most tender flesh, I could return to my den.\u201d And so that\u2019s what he did. But when he tried to roar a lion\u2019s roar, he only managed to squeal and yelp like a jackal. And what is a pathetic jackal\u2019s squeal next to the roar of a lion? In the same way, reverend, while living off the leavings of the Holy One, enjoying the leftovers of the Holy One, you presume to attack the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha! Who are the pathetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputtas to attack the Realized Ones, the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas?\u2019 When J\u0101liya couldn\u2019t get P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta to shift from his seat even with this simile, he said to him: \u2018Seeing himself as equal to the lion, the jackal presumed \u201cI\u2019m the king of the beasts!\u201d But he actually only managed to yelp, and what\u2019s a sad jackal\u2019s squeal to the roar of a lion? In the same way, reverend, while living off the leavings of the Holy One, you presume to attack him!\u2019 When J\u0101liya couldn\u2019t get P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta to shift from his seat even with this simile, he said to him: \u2018Following in the steps of another, seeing himself grown fat on scraps, until he doesn\u2019t even see himself, the jackal presumes he\u2019s a tiger. But he actually only managed to yelp, and what\u2019s a sad jackal\u2019s squeal to the roar of a lion? In the same way, reverend, while living off the leavings of the Holy One, you presume to attack him!\u2019 When J\u0101liya couldn\u2019t get P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta to shift from his seat even with this simile, he said to him: \u2018Gorged on frogs, and mice from the barn, and carcasses tossed in the cemetery, thriving in the great, empty wood, the jackal presumed \u201cI\u2019m the king of the beasts!\u201d But he actually only managed to yelp, and what\u2019s a sad jackal\u2019s squeal to the roar of a lion? In the same way, reverend, while living off the leavings of the Holy One, enjoying the leftovers of the Holy One, you presume to attack the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha! Who are the pathetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputtas to attack the Realized Ones, the perfected ones, the fully awakened Buddhas?\u2019 When J\u0101liya couldn\u2019t get P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta to shift from his seat even with this simile, he returned to the assembly and said, \u2018P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta has lost, worthies. He says \u201cI\u2019m coming, respectable sirs, I\u2019m coming!\u201d But wriggle as he might, he can\u2019t get up from his seat.\u2019 When he said this, I said to the assembly, \u2018The naked ascetic P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is not capable of meeting me face to face, unless he gives up that statement and that intention, and lets go of that view. If he thinks he can meet me face to face without giving up those things, his head may explode. The good Licchavis might even think, \u201cLet\u2019s bind P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta with straps and drag him with a pair of oxen!\u201d But either the straps will break or P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta will. P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta is not capable of meeting me face to face, otherwise his head may explode.\u2019 Then, Bhaggava, I educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired that assembly with a Dhamma talk. I released that assembly from the great bondage, and lifted 84,000 beings from the great swamp. Next I entered upon the fire element, rose into the air to the height of seven palm trees, and created a flame another seven palm trees high, blazing and smoking. Finally I landed at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then Sunakkhatta came to me, bowed, and sat down to one side. I said to him, \u2018What do you think, Sunakkhatta? Did the declaration I made about P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta turn out to be correct, or not?\u2019 \u2018It turned out to be correct.\u2019 \u2018What do you think, Sunakkhatta? If that is so, has a superhuman demonstration of psychic power been performed or not?\u2019 \u2018Clearly, sir, a superhuman demonstration of psychic power has been performed.\u2019 \u2018Though I perform such a superhuman demonstration of psychic power you say this: \u201cBut sir, the Buddha never performs any superhuman demonstrations of psychic power for me.\u201d See how far you have strayed!\u2019 Though I spoke to Sunakkhatta like this, he still left this teaching and training, like someone on the highway to hell. 6. On Describing the Origin of the World Bhaggava, I understand the origin of the world. I understand this, and what goes beyond it. Yet since I do not misapprehend that understanding, I have realized quenching within myself. Directly knowing this, the Realized One does not come to ruin. There are some ascetics and brahmins who describe the origin of the world in their denomination as created by the God Almighty, by the Divinity. I go up to them and say, \u2018Is it really true that this is the venerables\u2019 view?\u2019 And they answer, \u2018Yes\u2019. I say to them, \u2018But how do you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about as created by the God Almighty, by the Divinity?\u2019 But they are stumped by my question, and they even question me in return. So I answer them, \u2018There comes a time when, reverends, after a very long period has passed, this cosmos contracts. As the cosmos contracts, sentient beings are mostly headed for the realm of sublime luminosity. There they are mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and they remain like that for a very long time. There comes a time when, after a very long period has passed, this cosmos expands. As it expands an empty mansion of divinity appears. Then a certain sentient being\u2014due to the running out of their life-span or merit\u2014passes away from that host of luminous deities and is reborn in that empty mansion of divinity. There they are mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and they remain like that for a very long time. But after staying there all alone for a long time, they become dissatisfied and anxious, \u201cOh, if only other beings would come to this place.\u201d Then other sentient beings\u2014due to the running out of their life-span or merit\u2014pass away from that host of luminous deities and are reborn in that mansion of divinity in company with that being. There they too are mind-made, feeding on rapture, self-radiant, wandering in midair, steadily glorious, and they remain like that for a very long time. Now, the being who was reborn there first thinks, \u201cI am the Divinity, the Great Divinity, the Vanquisher, the Unvanquished, the Universal Seer, the Wielder of Power,  God Almighty, the Maker, the Creator, the First, the Begetter, the Controller, the Father of those who have been born and those yet to be born. And these beings were created by me. Why is that? Because first I thought, \u2018Oh, if only other beings would come to this place.\u2019 Such was my heart\u2019s wish, and then these creatures came to this place.\u201d And the beings who were reborn there later also think, \u201cThis must be the Divinity, the Great Divinity, the Vanquisher, the Unvanquished, the Universal Seer, the Wielder of Power, God Almighty, the Maker, the Creator, the First, the Begetter, the Controller, the Father of those who have been born and those yet to be born. And we were created by him. Why is that? Because we see that he was reborn here first, and we arrived later.\u201d And the being who was reborn first is more long-lived, beautiful, and illustrious than those who arrived later. It\u2019s possible that one of those beings passes away from that host and is reborn in this place. Having done so, they go forth from the lay life to homelessness. By dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind, they experience an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect that past life, but no further. They say: \u201cHe who is the Divinity\u2014the Great Divinity, the Vanquisher, the Unvanquished, the Universal Seer, the Wielder of Power, God Almighty, the Maker, the Creator, the First, the Begetter, the Controller, the Father of those who have been born and those yet to be born\u2014by he we were created. He is permanent, everlasting, eternal, imperishable, remaining the same for all eternity. We who were created by that divinity are impermanent, not lasting, short-lived, liable to pass away, and have come to this place.\u201d Is this how you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about as created by the God Almighty, by the Divinity?\u2019 They say, \u2018That is what we have heard, Reverend Gotama, just as you say.\u2019 Bhaggava, I understand the origin of the world. I understand this, and what goes beyond it. Yet since I do not misapprehend that understanding, I have realized quenching within myself. Directly knowing this, the Realized One does not come to ruin. There are some ascetics and brahmins who describe the origin of the world in their denomination as due to those depraved by play. I go up to them and say, \u2018Is it really true that this is the venerables\u2019 view?\u2019 And they answer, \u2018Yes\u2019. I say to them, \u2018But how do you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about due to those depraved by play?\u2019 But they are stumped by my question, and they even question me in return. So I answer them, \u2018Reverends, there are gods named \u201cdepraved by play\u201d. They spend too much time laughing, playing, and making merry. And in doing so, they lose their mindfulness, and they pass away from that host of gods. It\u2019s possible that one of those beings passes away from that host and is reborn in this place. Having done so, they go forth from the lay life to homelessness. By dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind, they experience an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect that past life, but no further. They say, \u201cThe gods not depraved by play don\u2019t spend too much time laughing, playing, and making merry. So they don\u2019t lose their mindfulness, and don\u2019t pass away from that host of gods. They are permanent, everlasting, eternal, imperishable, remaining the same for all eternity. But we who were depraved by play spent too much time laughing, playing, and making merry. In doing so, we lost our mindfulness, and passed away from that host of gods. We are impermanent, not lasting, short-lived, liable to pass away, and have come to this place.\u201d Is this how you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about due to those depraved by play?\u2019 They say, \u2018That is what we have heard, Reverend Gotama, just as you say.\u2019 Bhaggava, I understand the origin of the world. Directly knowing this, the Realized One does not come to ruin. There are some ascetics and brahmins who describe the origin of the world in their denomination as due to those who are malevolent. I go up to them and say, \u2018Is it really true that this is the venerables\u2019 view?\u2019 And they answer, \u2018Yes\u2019. I say to them, \u2018But how do you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about due to those who are malevolent?\u2019 But they are stumped by my question, and they even question me in return. So I answer them, \u2018Reverends, there are gods named \u201cmalevolent\u201d. They spend too much time gazing at each other, so they grow angry with each other, and their bodies and minds get tired. They pass away from that host of gods. It\u2019s possible that one of those beings passes away from that host and is reborn in this place. Having done so, they go forth from the lay life to homelessness. By dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind, they experience an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect that past life, but no further. They say, \u201cThe gods who are not malevolent don\u2019t spend too much time gazing at each other, so they don\u2019t grow angry with each other, their bodies and minds don\u2019t get tired, and they don\u2019t pass away from that host of gods. They are permanent, everlasting, eternal, imperishable, remaining the same for all eternity. But we who were malevolent spent too much time gazing at each other, so our minds grew angry with each other, our bodies and minds got tired, and we passed away from that host of gods. We are impermanent, not lasting, short-lived, liable to pass away, and have come to this place.\u201d Is this how you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about due to those who are malevolent?\u2019 They say, \u2018That is what we have heard, Reverend Gotama, just as you say.\u2019 Bhaggava, I understand the origin of the world. Directly knowing this, the Realized One does not come to ruin. There are some ascetics and brahmins who describe the origin of the world in their denomination as having arisen as an anomaly. I go up to them and say, \u2018Is it really true that this is the venerables\u2019 view?\u2019 And they answer, \u2018Yes\u2019. I say to them, \u2018But how do you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about anomalously?\u2019 But they are stumped by my question, and they even question me in return. So I answer them, \u2018Reverends, there are gods named \u201cnon-percipient beings\u201d. When perception arises they pass away from that host of gods. It\u2019s possible that one of those beings passes away from that host and is reborn in this place. Having done so, they go forth from the lay life to homelessness. By dint of keen, resolute, committed, and diligent effort, and right application of mind, they experience an immersion of the heart of such a kind that they recollect the arising of perception, but no further. They say, \u201cThe self and the cosmos arose anomalously. Why is that? Because formerly I didn\u2019t exist, whereas now, having not existed, I\u2019ve transformed into the state of existing.\u201d Is this how you describe in your denomination that the origin of the world came about anomalously?\u2019 They say, \u2018That is what we have heard, Reverend Gotama, just as you say.\u2019 I understand this, and what goes beyond it. Yet since I do not misapprehend that understanding, I have realized quenching within myself. Directly knowing this, the Realized One does not come to ruin. Though I state and assert this, certain ascetics and brahmins misrepresent me with the incorrect, hollow, false, untruthful claim: \u2018The ascetic Gotama has a distorted perspective, and so have his monks. He says, \u201cWhen one enters and remains in the liberation of the beautiful, at that time one only perceives what is ugly.\u201d\u2019 But I don\u2019t say that. I say this: \u2018When one enters and remains in the liberation of the beautiful, at that time one only perceives what is beautiful.\u2019\u201d \u201cThey are the ones with a distorted perspective, sir, who regard the Buddha and the mendicants in this way. Sir, I am quite confident that the Buddha is capable of teaching me so that I can enter and remain in the liberation on the beautiful.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s hard for you to enter and remain in the liberation on the beautiful, since you have a different view, creed, and belief, and another discipline and denomination. Come on, Bhaggava, carefully preserve the confidence that you have in me.\u201d \u201cIf it\u2019s hard for me to enter and remain in the liberation on the beautiful, since I have a different view, creed, and belief, and another discipline and denomination. I shall carefully preserve the confidence that I have in the Buddha.\u201d That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the wanderer of the Bhaggava clan approved what the Buddha said.","title":"About P\u0101\u1e6dikaputta","tradition":"Digha Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":6566}