Other Translations: Deutsch , Srpski
From: , ,
24. ĀlavakasuttaṁThe Discourse concerniṅg Ālavaka
Evaṁ me sutaṁ—Thus I have heard:So I have heard. Thus have I heard.
ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā āḷaviyaṁ viharati āḷavakassa yakkhassa bhavane. at one time the Fortunate One was dwelling near Ālavī in the domicile of the yakkha Ālavaka.At one time the Buddha was staying near Āḷavī in the haunt of the native spirit Āḷavaka. On one occasion, the Blessed One was dwelling at Alavi, the haunt of the yakkha Alavaka.
Atha kho āḷavako yakkho yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: Then the yakkha Ālavaka approached the Fortunate One, and after approaching he said this to the Fortunate One:Then the native spirit Āḷavaka went up to the Buddha, and said to him: Then the yakkha Alavaka approached the Blessed One and said to him:
“nikkhama, samaṇā”ti. “Get out, ascetic!”“Get out, ascetic!” “Get out, ascetic!”
“Sādhāvuso”ti bhagavā nikkhami. “Yes, friend”, said the Fortunate One, and he got out.Saying, “All right, respectable sir,” the Buddha went out. “All right, friend,” the Blessed One said, and he went out.
“Pavisa, samaṇā”ti. “Go in, ascetic!”“Get in, ascetic!” “Come in, ascetic.”
“Sādhāvuso”ti bhagavā pāvisi. “Yes, friend”, said the Fortunate One, and he went in.Saying, “All right, respectable sir,” the Buddha went in. “All right, friend,” the Blessed One said, and he went in.
Dutiyampi kho āḷavako yakkho bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: For a second time the yakkha Ālavaka said this to the Fortunate One:And for a second time the native spirit Āḷavaka said to the Buddha, A second time the yakkha Alavaka said to the Blessed One:
“nikkhama, samaṇā”ti. “Get out, ascetic!”“Get out, ascetic!” “Get out, ascetic!”
“Sādhāvuso”ti bhagavā nikkhami. “Yes, friend”, said the Fortunate One, and he got out.Saying, “All right, respectable sir,” the Buddha went out. “All right, friend,” the Blessed One said, and he went out.
“Pavisa, samaṇā”ti. “Go in, ascetic!”“Get in, ascetic!” “Come in, ascetic.”
“Sādhāvuso”ti bhagavā pāvisi. “Yes, friend”, said the Fortunate One, and he went in.Saying, “All right, respectable sir,” the Buddha went in. “All right, friend,” the Blessed One said, and he went in.
Tatiyampi kho āḷavako yakkho bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: For a third time the yakkha Ālavaka said this to the Fortunate One:And for a third time the native spirit Āḷavaka said to the Buddha, A third time the yakkha Alavaka said to the Blessed One:
“nikkhama, samaṇā”ti. “Get out, ascetic!”“Get out, ascetic!” “Get out, ascetic!”
“Sādhāvuso”ti bhagavā nikkhami. “Yes, friend”, said the Fortunate One, and he got out.Saying, “All right, respectable sir,” the Buddha went out. “All right, friend,” the Blessed One said, and he went out.
“Pavisa, samaṇā”ti. “Go in, ascetic!”“Get in, ascetic!” “Come in, ascetic.”
“Sādhāvuso”ti bhagavā pāvisi. “Yes, friend”, said the Fortunate One, and he went in.Saying, “All right, respectable sir,” the Buddha went in. “All right, friend,” the Blessed One said, and he went in.
Catutthampi kho āḷavako yakkho bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: For a fourth time the yakkha Ālavaka said this to the Fortunate One:And for a fourth time the native spirit Āḷavaka said to the Buddha, A fourth time the yakkha Alavaka said to the Blessed One:
“nikkhama, samaṇā”ti. “Get out, ascetic!”“Get out, ascetic!” “Get out, ascetic.”
“Na khvāhaṁ taṁ, āvuso, nikkhamissāmi. “I certainly will not get out, friend,“No, respectable sir, I won’t get out. “I won't go out, friend.
Yaṁ te karaṇīyaṁ taṁ karohī”ti. so please do whatever it is you must do.”Do what you must.” Do whatever you have to do.”
“Pañhaṁ taṁ, samaṇa, pucchissāmi. “I will ask you a question, ascetic,“I will ask you a question, ascetic. “I'll ask you a question, ascetic.
Sace me na byākarissasi, cittaṁ vā te khipissāmi, hadayaṁ vā te phālessāmi, pādesu vā gahetvā pāragaṅgāya khipissāmī”ti. and if you do not answer me, I will overthrow your mind, or split your heart, or seize you by the feet and throw you across the river.”If you don’t answer me, I’ll drive you insane, or explode your heart, or grab you by the feet and throw you to the far shore of the Ganges!” If you won't answer me, I'll drive you insane or I'll split your heart or I'll grab you by the feet and hurl you across the Ganges.”
“Na khvāhaṁ taṁ, āvuso, passāmi sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya, yo me cittaṁ vā khipeyya hadayaṁ vā phāleyya, pādesu vā gahetvā pāragaṅgāya khipeyya. “I certainly do not see, friend, in the world with its gods, Māra, and Brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, princes and men, anyone who could overthrow my mind, or split my heart, or seize me by the feet and throw me across the river.“I don’t see anyone in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans who could do that to me. “I do not see anyone in this world, friend, with its devas, Mara, and Brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, who could drive me insane or split my heart or grab me by the feet and hurl me across the Ganges.
Api ca tvaṁ, āvuso, puccha yadā kaṅkhasī”ti (…). Still, you may ask what you want, friend.”But anyway, ask what you wish.” But ask whatever you want, friend.”
Atha kho Ālavako yakkho Bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:Then the yakkha Ālavaka recited a verse to the Fortunate One:
“Kiṁsūdha vittaṁ purisassa seṭṭhaṁ, “What is the greatest wealth for a person here?“What’s a person’s best wealth? “What here is a man’s best treasure?
Kiṁsu suciṇṇaṁ sukhamāvahāti; What, when accomplished, brings about happiness?What brings happiness when practiced well? What practised well brings happiness?
Kiṁsu have sādutaraṁ rasānaṁ, What, for sure, is the sweetest of tastes?What’s the sweetest taste of all? What is really the sweetest of tastes?
Kathaṁjīviṁ jīvitamāhu seṭṭhan”ti. Living what life do they say is the greatest?”The one they say has the best life: how do they live?” How lives the one who they say lives best?”
“Saddhīdha vittaṁ purisassa seṭṭhaṁ, “Confidence is a person’s greatest wealth here.“Faith here is a person’s best wealth. “Faith Is here a man’s best treasure;
Dhammo suciṇṇo sukhamāvahāti; The Dhamma, when accomplished, brings about happiness.The teaching brings happiness when practiced well. Dhamma practised well brings happiness;
Saccaṁ have sādutaraṁ rasānaṁ, Truth, for sure, is the sweetest of tastes.Truth is the sweetest taste of all. Truth is really the sweetest of tastes;
Paññājīviṁ jīvitamāhu seṭṭhan”ti. Living a wise life they say is the greatest.”The one they say has the best life lives by wisdom.” One living by wisdom they say lives best.”
“Kathaṁsu tarati oghaṁ, “How does one cross over the flood?“How do you cross the flood? “How does one cross over the flood?
kathaṁsu tarati aṇṇavaṁ; How does one cross over the sea?How do you cross the deluge? How does one cross the rugged sea?
Kathaṁsu dukkhamacceti, How does one overcome suffering?How do you get over suffering? How does one overcome suffering?
kathaṁsu parisujjhatī”ti. How does one become purified?”How do you get purified?” How is one purified?”
“Saddhāya tarati oghaṁ, “Through confidence one crosses the flood.“By faith you cross the flood, “By faith one crosses over the flood,
appamādena aṇṇavaṁ; Through heedfulness (one crosses) the sea.and by diligence the deluge. By diligence, the rugged sea.
Vīriyena dukkhamacceti, Through energy one overcomes suffering.By energy you get past suffering, By energy one overcomes suffering,
paññāya parisujjhatī”ti. Through wisdom one is purified.”and you’re purified by wisdom.” By wisdom one is purified.”
“Kathaṁsu labhate paññaṁ, “How is it one gains true wisdom?“How do you get wisdom? “How does one gain wisdom?
kathaṁsu vindate dhanaṁ; How is it one finds true wealth?How do you earn wealth? How does one find wealth?
Kathaṁsu kittiṁ pappoti, How does one acquire good repute?How do you get a good reputation? How does one achieve acclaim?
kathaṁ mittāni ganthati; How does one bind friends (to oneself)?How do you hold on to friends? How bind friends to oneself?
Asmā lokā paraṁ lokaṁ, How, after passing from this world to the next world,How do the departed not grieve How does one not sorrow?”
kathaṁ pecca na socatī”ti. does one not grieve?”when passing from this world to the next?” When passing from this world to the next,
“Saddahāno arahataṁ, “Confident in the Worthy Ones’ Dhamma“One who is diligent and discerning If one is diligent and astute.
dhammaṁ nibbānapattiyā; (taught) for attaining Nibbāna,gains wisdom by wanting to learn, From desire to learn one gains wisdom
Sussūsaṁ labhate paññaṁ, one gains wisdom through wanting to hear it,having faith in the perfected ones, Placing faith in the Dhamma of the arahants
appamatto vicakkhaṇo. heedfulness, and application.and the teaching for becoming extinguished. For the attainment of Nibbana,
Patirūpakārī dhuravā, Doing what is suitable, bearing up, aroused,Being responsible, acting appropriately, “Doing what is proper, dutiful,
uṭṭhātā vindate dhanaṁ; one finds true wealth.and working hard you earn wealth. One with initiative finds wealth.
Saccena kittiṁ pappoti, Through truth one acquires good repute.Truthfulness wins you a good reputation. By truthfulness one wins acclaim;
dadaṁ mittāni ganthati; (Through) giving one binds friends (to oneself).You hold on to friends by giving. Giving, one binds friends.
Asmā lokā paraṁ lokaṁ, thus, after passing from this worldThat’s how the departed do not grieve When passing from this world to the next.”
evaṁ pecca na socati. to the next world, one does not grieve.when passing from this world to the next. That is how one does not sorrow
Yassete caturo dhammā, That confident householderA faithful householder of discernment In whom dwell these four qualities—
saddhassa gharamesino; who has these four things:who possesses these four qualities The faithful seeker of the household life
Saccaṁ dhammo dhiti cāgo, truth, Dhamma, courage, liberality,does not grieve after passing away: Truth, Dhamma, steadfastness, generosity—
sa ve pecca na socati. after passing away he does not grieve,truth, principle, steadfastness, and generosity. Does not sorrow when he passes on.
asmā lokā paraṁ lokaṁ evaṁ pecca na socati.thus, after passing from this world to the next world, one does not grieve.
Iṅgha aññepi pucchassu, Come now, ask others also,Go ahead, ask others as well, “Come now, ask others as well,
puthū samaṇabrāhmaṇe; the many ascetics and brahmins,there are many ascetics and brahmins. The many ascetics and brahmins,
Yadi saccā dhammā cāgā, if there is something more than truth, self-control,See whether anything better is found Than truth, self-control, generosity, and patience.
khantyā bhiyyodha vijjatī”ti. liberality, and patience.”than truth, principle, generosity, and patience.” Whether there is found here anything better”
“Kathaṁ nu dāni puccheyyaṁ, “Why should I ask (others) now,“Why now would I question “Why now should I ask this question
puthū samaṇabrāhmaṇe; the many ascetics and brahmins?the many ascetics and brahmins? Of the many ascetics and brahmins?
Yohaṁ ajja pajānāmi, Today I have come to knowToday I understand “Today I have understood
yo attho samparāyiko. what is the next life’s true welfare.what’s good for lives to come. The good pertaining to the future life.
Atthāya vata me buddho, Indeed for my welfare did the BuddhaIt was truly for my benefit Indeed, for my sake the Buddha
vāsāyāḷavimāgamā; come and spend time in Ālavī.that the Buddha came to stay at Āḷavī. Came to reside at Alavi,
Yohaṁ ajja pajānāmi, When today I have come to knowToday I understand Today I have understood
yattha dinnaṁ mahapphalaṁ. where that which is given bears great fruit.where a gift is very fruitful. Where a gift bears great fruit.
So ahaṁ vicarissāmi, I will roam about from village to village,I myself will journey “I myself will travel about
Gāmā gāmaṁ purā puraṁ; city to city,village to village, town to town, From village to village, town to town,
Namassamāno sambuddhaṁ, revering the Sambuddhapaying homage to the Buddha, Paying homage to the Enlightened One
Dhammassa ca sudhammatan”ti. and the good qualities of the Dhamma.”and the clear rightness of the teaching!” And to the excellence of the Dhamma.”
Evaṁ vatvā Ālavako yakkho Bhagavantaṁ etad-avoca:After saying this, the yakkha Ālavaka said this to the Fortunate One:
“Abhikkantaṁ bho Gotama! Abhikkantaṁ bho Gotama!“Excellent, reverend Gotama! Excellent, reverend Gotama!
Seyyathā pi bho Gotama nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya,Just as, reverend Gotama, one might set upright what has been overturned,
paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya,or open up what has been closed, or show a path to one who is lost,
andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhintī ti,or bear an oil lamp in the darkness so that one who has eyes can see forms,
evam-evaṁ bhotā Gotamena anekapariyāyena Dhammo pakāsito.just so has the Dhamma been made clear by reverend Gotama in more than one way.
Esāhaṁ bhavantaṁ Gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi,I go to the reverend Gotama for refuge,
Dhammañ-ca bhikkhusaṅghañ-ca.and to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha of monks.
Upāsakaṁ maṁ bhavaṁ Gotamo dhāretuPlease bear it in mind, reverend Gotama, that I am a lay disciple
ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”-ti.who has gone for refuge from today forward for as long as I have the breath of life.”