{"collection":"Khuddaka Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_ud5.6/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_ud5.6","id":"suttacentral_ud5.6","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/ud5.6/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Khuddaka Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near S\u0101vatth\u012b in Jeta\u2019s Grove, An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika\u2019s monastery. Now at that time Venerable Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na was staying in the land of the Avantis near Kuraraghara on Steep Mountain. And the layman So\u1e47a of the Sharp Ears was Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na\u2019s attendant. Then as So\u1e47a was in private retreat this thought came to his mind, \u201cAs I understand Master Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na\u2019s teachings, it\u2019s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell. Why don\u2019t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from lay life to homelessness?\u201d Then So\u1e47a went up to Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what he was thinking. Then he said, \u201cMay Master Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na please give me the going forth!\u201d When this was said, Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na said to him, \u201cIt\u2019s hard to lead the spiritual life as long as you live, eating in one part of the day and sleeping alone. Come now, So\u1e47a, while remaining a layperson just as you are, devote yourself to the instructions of the Buddhas, leading the spiritual life at suitable times, eating in one part of the day and sleeping alone.\u201d Then So\u1e47a\u2019s aspiration to go forth died down. For a second time, while in private retreat the thought came to So\u1e47a that he should go forth, but the outcome was the same. For a third time, as So\u1e47a was in private retreat this thought came to his mind, \u201cAs I understand Master Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na\u2019s teachings, it\u2019s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell. Why don\u2019t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from lay life to homelessness?\u201d For a third time, So\u1e47a went up to Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what he was thinking. Then he said, \u201cMay Master Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na please give me the going forth!\u201d Then Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na gave So\u1e47a the going forth. Now at that time the southern region, including Avanti, was short of monks. It took three years and much struggle and difficulty before Venerable Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na was able to assemble from here and there a Sa\u1e45gha consisting of ten monks and give Venerable So\u1e47a the full ordination. Then as Venerable So\u1e47a was in private retreat this thought came to his mind, \u201cI have not personally seen the Buddha. I have only heard reports that that Blessed One is like this or like that. If my mentor allows, I should go to see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.\u201d Then in the late afternoon, So\u1e47a came out of retreat, went up to Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what he was thinking. Then Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na said, \u201cGood, good, So\u1e47a! Go to see the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha. You will see that Blessed One who is impressive and inspiring, with peaceful faculties and heart, attained to the highest self-control and serenity, like an elephant with tamed, guarded, and controlled faculties. On seeing him, in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably, saying, \u2018Sir, my mentor Venerable Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na bows with his head to your feet. He asks if you are healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.\u2019\u201d Saying, \u201cYes, sir,\u201d So\u1e47a welcomed and agreed with Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na\u2019s words. He rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na, keeping him on his right. Then he set his lodgings in order and, taking his bowl and robe, set out for S\u0101vatth\u012b. Eventually he came to S\u0101vatth\u012b and Jeta\u2019s Grove. He went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. So\u1e47a said to the Buddha, \u201cSir, my mentor Venerable Mah\u0101kacc\u0101na bows with his head to your feet. He asks if you are healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably.\u201d \u201cI hope you\u2019re keeping well, mendicant, I hope you\u2019re all right. And I hope you have arrived from your journey unwearied, having had no trouble getting almsfood.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m keeping well, Blessed One, I\u2019m all right. And I have arrived from my journey unwearied, having had no trouble getting almsfood.\u201d Then the Buddha said to Venerable \u0100nanda, \u201cPrepare lodgings for this visiting mendicant.\u201d Then Venerable \u0100nanda thought, \u201cWhen the Buddha orders me to prepare lodgings for a specific mendicant, he wishes to stay in the same dwelling with that mendicant. The Buddha wishes to stay together with Venerable So\u1e47a.\u201d He prepared lodgings for So\u1e47a in the same dwelling where the Buddha was staying. The Buddha spent much of the night sitting meditation in the open. Then he got up from his seat, washed his feet, and entered the dwelling. Venerable So\u1e47a did the same. Then the Buddha rose at the crack of dawn and addressed So\u1e47a, \u201cSpeak some Dhamma, mendicant, as you feel inspired.\u201d \u201cYes, sir,\u201d replied So\u1e47a. He intoned all sixteen discourses in the Chapter of the Eights. When So\u1e47a finished his intoning, the Buddha applauded, saying, \u201cGood, good, mendicant! You have learned the sixteen discourses of the Chapter of the Eights well, you have applied the mind and remembered it well. You are a good speaker, with a polished, clear, and articulate voice that expresses the meaning. How many rains have you been ordained, mendicant?\u201d \u201cI have one rains, Blessed One.\u201d \u201cBut why did it take you so long to make it?\u201d \u201cSir, I have long seen the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, yet living in a house is cramped, with many duties and much to do.\u201d Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment: \u201cSeeing the danger of the world, I understood the truth without attachments. The Noble One does not delight in evil, the Pure One does not delight in evil.\u201d","title":"With So\u1e47a","tradition":"Khuddaka Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":985}