{"collection":"Majjhima Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_mn58/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_mn58","id":"suttacentral_mn58","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/mn58/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Majjhima Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near R\u0101jagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels\u2019 feeding ground. Then Prince Abhaya went up to the Jain ascetic of the \u00d1\u0101tika clan, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Jain \u00d1\u0101tika said to him, \u201cCome, prince, refute the ascetic Gotama\u2019s doctrine. Then you will get a good reputation: \u2018Prince Abhaya refuted the doctrine of the ascetic Gotama, so mighty and powerful!\u2019\u201d \u201cBut sir, how am I to do this?\u201d \u201cHere, prince, go to the ascetic Gotama and say to him: \u2018Sir, may the Realized One utter speech that is disliked by others?\u2019 When he\u2019s asked this, if he answers: \u2018He may, prince,\u2019 say this to him, \u2018So what then, sir, is the difference between you and an ordinary person? For even an ordinary person may utter speech that is disliked by others.\u2019 But if he answers, \u2018He may not, prince,\u2019 say this to him: \u2018So why then, sir, did you declare of Devadatta: \u201cDevadatta is going to a place of loss, to hell, there to remain for an eon, irredeemable\u201d? Devadatta was angry and upset with what you said.\u2019 When you put this dilemma to him, the Buddha won\u2019t be able to either spit it out or swallow it down. He\u2019ll be like a man with an iron cross stuck in his throat, unable to either spit it out or swallow it down.\u201d \u201cYes, sir,\u201d replied Abhaya. He rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Jain \u00d1\u0101tika, keeping him on his right. Then he went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Then he looked up at the sun and thought, \u201cIt\u2019s too late to refute the Buddha\u2019s doctrine today. I shall refute his doctrine in my own home tomorrow.\u201d He said to the Buddha, \u201cSir, would the Buddha, together with three other monks, please accept tomorrow\u2019s meal from me?\u201d The Buddha consented with silence. Then, knowing that the Buddha had consented, Abhaya rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then when the night had passed, the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to Abhaya\u2019s home, and sat down on the seat spread out. Then Abhaya served and satisfied the Buddha with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. When the Buddha had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, Abhaya took a low seat, sat to one side, and said to him, \u201cSir, may the Realized One utter speech that is disliked by others?\u201d \u201cThis matter is not categorical, prince.\u201d \u201cThen the Jains have lost in this, sir.\u201d \u201cBut prince, why do you say that the Jains have lost in this?\u201d Then Abhaya told the Buddha all that had happened. Now at that time a little baby boy was sitting in Prince Abhaya\u2019s lap. Then the Buddha said to Abhaya, \u201cWhat do you think, prince? If\u2014because of your negligence or his nursemaid\u2019s negligence\u2014your boy were to put a stick or stone in his mouth, what would you do to him?\u201d \u201cI\u2019d try to take it out, sir. If that didn\u2019t work, I\u2019d cradle his head with my left hand and take it out using a hooked finger of my right hand, even if it drew blood. Why is that? Because I have sympathy for the boy, sir.\u201d \u201cIn the same way, prince, the Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be untrue, false, and pointless, and which is disliked by others. The Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be true and correct, but which is harmful and disliked by others. The Realized One knows the right time to speak so as to explain what he knows to be true, correct, and beneficial, but which is disliked by others. The Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be untrue, false, and pointless, but which is liked by others. The Realized One does not utter speech that he knows to be true and correct, but which is harmful, even if it is liked by others. The Realized One knows the right time to speak so as to explain what he knows to be true, correct, and beneficial, and which is liked by others. Why is that? Because the Realized One has sympathy for sentient beings.\u201d \u201cSir, there are astute aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics who come to see you with a question already planned. Do you think beforehand that if they ask you like this, you\u2019ll answer like that, or does the answer just strike you on the spot?\u201d \u201cWell then, prince, I\u2019ll ask you about this in return, and you can answer as you like. What do you think, prince? Are you skilled in the various parts of a chariot?\u201d \u201cI am, sir.\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, prince? When they come to you and ask: \u2018What\u2019s the name of this chariot part?\u2019 Do you think beforehand that if they ask you like this, you\u2019ll answer like that, or does the answer appear to you on the spot?\u201d \u201cSir, I\u2019m well-known as a charioteer skilled in a chariot\u2019s parts. All the major and minor parts are well-known to me. The answer just appears to me on the spot.\u201d \u201cIn the same way, when astute aristocrats, brahmins, householders, or ascetics come to see me with a question already planned, the answer just strikes me on the spot. Why is that? Because the Realized One has clearly penetrated the principle of the teachings, so that the answer just strikes him on the spot.\u201d When he had spoken, Prince Abhaya said to the Buddha, \u201cExcellent, sir! Excellent! \u2026 From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.\u201d","title":"With Prince Abhaya","tradition":"Majjhima Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":971}