Appendix 2 - Episode of Hastaka of Āḷavi

Note: This appendix was extracted from Chapter XLII part 8.4 (the traces of passion are destroyed in the Buddha):

“In the land of A-lo-p’i (Āḷavi), a cold wind (śītavāta) was blowing and there were many thorny broom plants, but the Buddha sat and lay down there without feeling any discomfort”.

Āḷavaka sutta of Anguttara, I, p. 136–138 (Tseng-yi-a-han, T 125, k. 20, p. 650a20–c11):

Evaṃ me sutaṃ. Ekaṃ samayaṃ Bhagavā Āḷaviyaṃ viharati Gomagge Siṃsapāvane paññsanthāre. Atha kho Hatthako Āḷavako jañghāvihāraṃ … sukhaṃ senti ahaṃ tesaṃ aññataro ti.

Transl. –

Thus have I heard. Once the Blessed One was staying in Āḷavi at the Ox Path in the Śiṃśapa (Dalbergia sisu) forest, on the ground strewn with leaves.

Then Hastaka of Āḷavi who was walking about saw the Blessed One at the Ox Path in the Śiṃśapa forest seated on the ground strewn with leaves. Having seen him, he came near the Blessed One and, having approached, he bowed to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.

Sitting down at one side, Hastaka of Āḷavi said to the Blessed One:

“Tell me, sir, is the Blessed One sitting comfortably?”

“Yes, my prince, I am sitting comfortably. I am one of those who are comfortable in this world.”

“Nevertheless, sir, the winter nights are cold; the fifteenth of the month is the time of snowfall; the ground trodden by the cows’ hoofs is hard; the layer of leaves is thin; the leaves of the trees are scattered; the saffron robes are cold and the Vairambhaka wind is blowing.”

Then the Blessed One answered:

“Nevertheless, my prince, I am comfortable. I am one of those who, im this world, is comfortable.”

– At k. 84, p. 649c27–28, the Traité will come back to this episode. For Hastaka Āṭavika, see above, p. 562–565F and notes.