Sutta 9: Venerable Aniruddha and the Divine Eye

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0580c09] Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) was in the Jetavana (祇樹 [qi shu]) Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park (給孤獨園 [gei gu du yuan]), in the country of Śrāvastī (舍衛國 [she wei guo]).

[0580c09] wén rú shì:

yī shí, fú zài shě wèi guó qí shù gěi gū dú yuán.

[0580c09] wen ru shi:

yi shi, fu zai she wei guo qi shu gei gu du yuan.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0580c10] At that time, the Venerable Aniruddha (尊者阿那律 [zun zhe a na lu]) was in his birthplace in Kuśinagara (拘尸那竭國 [ju shi na jie guo]). At that time, Śakra (釋 [shi]), Brahmā (梵 [fan]), the Four Great Heavenly Kings (四天王 [si tian wang]), and five hundred devas (天人 [tian ren]), along with twenty-eight great yakṣa kings (鬼神王 [gui shen wang]), went to the Venerable Aniruddha's (尊者阿那律 [zun zhe a na lu]) place. Having arrived, they prostrated at his feet and stood to one side. They praised Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) with this verse:

"Homage to the foremost among humans,
Respected by all beings;
We now do not know,
What kind of meditation (禪 [chan]) do you rely on?"

[0580c10] ěr shí, zūn zhě ā nà lǜ zài jū shī nà jié guó běn suǒ shēng chù. ěr shí, shì,, fàn,, sì tiān wáng jí wǔ bǎi tiān rén, bìng èr shí bā dà guǐ shén wáng, biàn wǎng zhì zūn zhě ā nà lǜ suǒ. dào yǐ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zhù. fù yǐ cǐ jì tàn ā nà lǜ yuē:

“guī mìng rén zhōng shàng,　　zhòng rén suǒ jìng fèng；
　wǒ děng jīn bù zhī,　　wèi yī hé děng chán?”

[0580c10] er shi, zun zhe a na lu zai ju shi na jie guo ben suo sheng chu. er shi, shi,, fan,, si tian wang ji wu bai tian ren, bing er shi ba da gui shen wang, bian wang zhi zun zhe a na lu suo. dao yi, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zhu. fu yi ci ji tan a na lu yue:

"gui ming ren zhong shang, zhong ren suo jing feng;
wo deng jin bu zhi, wei yi he deng chan?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0580c17] At that time, there was a brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) named Jaṭābhāra (闍拔吒 [du ba zha]), a disciple of Brahma-māyā (梵摩喻 [fan mo yu]). He also went to the Venerable Aniruddha's (尊者阿那律 [zun zhe a na lu]) place, prostrated at his feet, and sat to one side. At that time, that brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) asked Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]), "I was born in the royal palace and have never smelled such a natural fragrance. Who has come here? Is it a deva (天 [tian]), a nāga (龍 [long]), a yakṣa (鬼神 [gui shen]), a human, or a non-human?"

[0580c17] ěr shí, yǒu fàn zhì míng yuē dū bá zhā, shì fàn mó yù dì zi. fù zhì zūn zhě ā nà lǜ suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zuò. ěr shí, bǐ fàn zhì wèn ā nà lǜ yuē: “wǒ xī zài wáng gōng shēng, wèi céng wén cǐ zì rán zhī xiāng, wèi yǒu hé rén lái zhì cǐ jiān, wèi shì tiān,, lóng,, guǐ shén,, rén,, fēi rén hū?”

[0580c17] er shi, you fan zhi ming yue du ba zha, shi fan mo yu di zi. fu zhi zun zhe a na lu suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zuo. er shi, bi fan zhi wen a na lu yue: "wo xi zai wang gong sheng, wei ceng wen ci zi ran zhi xiang, wei you he ren lai zhi ci jian, wei shi tian,, long,, gui shen,, ren,, fei ren hu?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0580c21] At that time, Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) replied to the brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]), "Just now, Śakra (釋 [shi]), Brahmā (梵 [fan]), the Four Great Heavenly Kings (四天王 [si tian wang]), and five hundred devas (天人 [tian ren]), along with twenty-eight great yakṣa kings (鬼神王 [gui shen wang]), came to my place, prostrated at my feet, and stood to one side. They praised me with this verse:

"'Homage to the foremost among humans,
Respected by all beings;
We now do not know,
What kind of meditation (禪 [chan]) do you rely on?'"

[0580c21] ěr shí, ā nà lǜ bào fàn zhì yuē: “xiàng zhě shì,, fàn,, sì tiān wáng jí wǔ bǎi tiān rén, bìng èr shí bā dà guǐ shén wáng, lái zhì wǒ suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zhù. fù yǐ cǐ jì ér tàn wǒ yuē:

“ ‘zì guī rén zhōng shàng,　　zhòng rén suǒ jìng fèng；
　　wǒ děng jīn bù zhī,　　wèi yī hé děng chán?’ ”

[0580c21] er shi, a na lu bao fan zhi yue: "xiang zhe shi,, fan,, si tian wang ji wu bai tian ren, bing er shi ba da gui shen wang, lai zhi wo suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zhu. fu yi ci ji er tan wo yue:

" 'zi gui ren zhong shang, zhong ren suo jing feng;
wo deng jin bu zhi, wei yi he deng chan?' "

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0580c27] The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) asked, "For what reason do I not see their forms now? Where are Śakra (釋 [shi]), Brahmā (梵 [fan]), and the Four Great Heavenly Kings (四天王 [si tian wang])?"

[0580c27] fàn zhì wèn yuē: “yǐ hé děng gù, wǒ jīn bù jiàn qí xíng? shì,, fàn,, sì tiān wáng wèi hé suǒ zài?”

[0580c27] fan zhi wen yue: "yi he deng gu, wo jin bu jian qi xing? shi,, fan,, si tian wang wei he suo zai?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0580c28] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) replied, "Because you do not possess the divine eye (天眼 [tian yan]), that is why you do not see Śakra (釋 [shi]), Brahmā (梵 [fan]), the Four Great Heavenly Kings (四天王 [si tian wang]), and five hundred devas (天人 [tian ren]), and the twenty-eight great yakṣa kings (鬼神王 [gui shen wang])."

[0580c28] ā nà lǜ bào yuē: “yǐ rǔ wú yǒu tiān yǎn gù yě, shì gù bù jiàn shì,, fàn,, sì tiān wáng jí wǔ bǎi tiān rén, jí èr shí bā dà guǐ shén wáng.”

[0580c28] a na lu bao yue: "yi ru wu you tian yan gu ye, shi gu bu jian shi,, fan,, si tian wang ji wu bai tian ren, ji er shi ba da gui shen wang."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a01] The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) asked, "If I could attain the divine eye (天眼 [tian yan]), would I see Śakra (釋 [shi]), Brahmā (梵 [fan]), the Four Great Heavenly Kings (四天王 [si tian wang]), and the twenty-eight great yakṣa kings (鬼神王 [gui shen wang])?"

[0581a01] fàn zhì wèn yuē: “shè wǒ néng dé tiān yǎn zhě, jiàn cǐ shì,, fàn,, sì tiān wáng jí èr shí bā dà guǐ shén wáng yé?”

[0581a01] fan zhi wen yue: "she wo neng de tian yan zhe, jian ci shi,, fan,, si tian wang ji er shi ba da gui shen wang ye?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a03] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) replied, "If you could attain the divine eye (天眼 [tian yan]), you would be able to see Śakra (釋 [shi]), Brahmā (梵 [fan]), the Four Great Heavenly Kings (四天王 [si tian wang]), and five hundred devas (天人 [tian ren]), along with the twenty-eight great yakṣa kings (鬼神王 [gui shen wang]). However, brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi])! What is so marvelous about this divine eye (天眼 [tian yan])! There is a Brahma-deva (梵天 [fan tian]) named Thousand-Eyes (千眼 [qian yan]), who sees these thousand worlds as clearly as a person with eyes observes a precious crown in the palm of their hand. This Brahma-deva (梵天 [fan tian]) also sees these thousand worlds without obstruction, yet this Brahma-deva (梵天 [fan tian]) does not see the clothes on his own body."

[0581a03] ā nà lǜ bào yuē: “shè dāng dé tiān yǎn zhě, biàn néng jiàn shì,, fàn,, sì tiān wáng jí wǔ bǎi tiān rén, bìng èr shí bā dà guǐ shén wáng. rán fù, fàn zhì! cǐ tiān yǎn zhě hé zú wèi qí! yǒu fàn tiān míng yuē qiān yǎn, bǐ jiàn cǐ qiān shì jiè, rú yǒu yǎn zhī shì, zì shǒu zhǎng zhōng guān qí bǎo guān. cǐ fàn tiān yì rú shì, jiàn cǐ qiān shì jiè wú yǒu guà ài, rán cǐ fàn tiān bù zì jiàn shēn suǒ zhe yī fú.”

[0581a03] a na lu bao yue: "she dang de tian yan zhe, bian neng jian shi,, fan,, si tian wang ji wu bai tian ren, bing er shi ba da gui shen wang. ran fu, fan zhi! ci tian yan zhe he zu wei qi! you fan tian ming yue qian yan, bi jian ci qian shi jie, ru you yan zhi shi, zi shou zhang zhong guan qi bao guan. ci fan tian yi ru shi, jian ci qian shi jie wu you gua ai, ran ci fan tian bu zi jian shen suo zhe yi fu."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a09] The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) asked, "Why is it that the Thousand-Eyes Brahma-deva (千眼梵天 [qian yan fan tian]) does not see the clothes on his own body?"

[0581a09] fàn zhì wèn yuē: “hé yǐ gù? qiān yǎn fàn tiān bù zì jiàn xíng suǒ zhe fú shì?”

[0581a09] fan zhi wen yue: "he yi gu? qian yan fan tian bu zi jian xing suo zhe fu shi?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a10] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) replied, "Because that deva (天 [tian]) does not possess the unsurpassed eye of wisdom (無上智慧眼 [wu shang zhi hui yan]), he does not see the clothes on his own body."

[0581a10] ā nà lǜ yuē: “yǐ qí bǐ tiān wú yǒu wú shàng zhì huì yǎn gù, gù bù zì jiàn jǐ shēn suǒ zhe fú shì.”

[0581a10] a na lu yue: "yi qi bi tian wu you wu shang zhi hui yan gu, gu bu zi jian ji shen suo zhe fu shi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a12] The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) asked, "If I could attain the unsurpassed eye of wisdom (無上智慧眼 [wu shang zhi hui yan]), would I see the clothes on my body?"

[0581a12] fàn zhì wèn yuē: “shè wǒ dé wú shàng zhì huì yǎn zhě, jiàn cǐ shēn suǒ zhe fú shì bù yé?”

[0581a12] fan zhi wen yue: "she wo de wu shang zhi hui yan zhe, jian ci shen suo zhe fu shi bu ye?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a13] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) replied, "If you could attain the unsurpassed eye of wisdom (無上智慧眼 [wu shang zhi hui yan]), you would be able to see the clothes on your own body."

[0581a13] ā nà lǜ yuē: “ruò néng dé wú shàng zhì huì yǎn zhě, zé néng jiàn jǐ xíng suǒ zhe fú shì.”

[0581a13] a na lu yue: "ruo neng de wu shang zhi hui yan zhe, ze neng jian ji xing suo zhe fu shi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a15] The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) asked, "Venerable One, please teach me the most subtle Dharma (法 [fa]) so that I may attain the unsurpassed eye of wisdom (無上智慧之眼 [wu shang zhi hui zhi yan])."

[0581a15] fàn zhì wèn yuē: “yuàn zūn yǔ wǒ shuō jí miào zhī fǎ, shǐ dé wú shàng zhì huì zhī yǎn.”

[0581a15] fan zhi wen yue: "yuan zun yu wo shuo ji miao zhi fa, shi de wu shang zhi hui zhi yan."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a16] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) asked, "Do you have precepts (戒 [jie])?"

The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) asked, "What is meant by precepts (戒 [jie])?"

[0581a16] ā nà lǜ yuē: “rǔ yǒu jiè yé?”

fàn zhì wèn yuē: “yún hé míng zhī wèi jiè?”

[0581a16] a na lu yue: "ru you jie ye?"

fan zhi wen yue: "yun he ming zhi wei jie?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a17] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) replied, "Not committing any evil, not violating any unlawful act."

[0581a17] ā nà lǜ yuē: “bù zuò zhòng è, bù fàn fēi fǎ.”

[0581a17] a na lu yue: "bu zuo zhong e, bu fan fei fa."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a18] The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) replied, "Such precepts (戒 [jie]), I am able to uphold such precepts."

[0581a18] fàn zhì bào yuē: “rú cǐ jiè zhě, wǒ kān fèng chí rú cǐ zhī jiè.”

[0581a18] fan zhi bao yue: "ru ci jie zhe, wo kan feng chi ru ci zhi jie."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a19] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) said, "You now, brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi])! Should uphold the precepts (禁戒 [jin jie]) without the slightest lapse, and also remove the fetter of arrogance (憍慢之結 [jiao man zhi jie]), and not cling to the thoughts of 'I' and 'mine' (吾我染著之想 [wu wo ran zhe zhi xiang])."

[0581a19] ā nà lǜ yuē: “rǔ jīn, fàn zhì! dāng chí jìn jiè, wú shī háo lí, yì dāng chú qù jiāo màn zhī jié, mò jì wú wǒ rǎn zhe zhī xiǎng.”

[0581a19] a na lu yue: "ru jin, fan zhi! dang chi jin jie, wu shi hao li, yi dang chu qu jiao man zhi jie, mo ji wu wo ran zhe zhi xiang."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a21] At that time, the brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) again asked Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]), "What is 'I' (吾 [wu])? What is 'mine' (我 [wo])? What is the fetter of arrogance (憍慢結 [jiao man jie])?"

[0581a21] shí, fàn zhì fù wèn ā nà lǜ yuē: “hé zhě shì wú? hé zhě shì wǒ? hé zhě shì jiāo màn jié?”

[0581a21] shi, fan zhi fu wen a na lu yue: "he zhe shi wu? he zhe shi wo? he zhe shi jiao man jie?"

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a22] Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) replied, "The 'I' (吾 [wu]) is consciousness (神識 [shen shi]), and 'mine' (我 [wo]) is the physical body (形體之具 [xing ti zhi ju]). The arising of consciousness and the thoughts of 'I' and 'mine' within it—this is called the fetter of arrogance (憍慢結 [jiao man jie]). Therefore, brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi])! You should seek a way to remove these fetters (結 [jie]). Thus, brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi])! You should train yourself in this way."

[0581a22] ā nà lǜ yuē: “wú zhě shì shén shí yě, wǒ zhě shì xíng tǐ zhī jù yě. yú zhōng qǐ shí shēng wú,, wǒ zhě, shì míng wèi jiāo màn jié yě. shì gù, fàn zhì! dāng qiú fāng biàn, chú cǐ zhū jié. rú shì, fàn zhì! dāng zuò shì xué.”

[0581a22] a na lu yue: "wu zhe shi shen shi ye, wo zhe shi xing ti zhi ju ye. yu zhong qi shi sheng wu,, wo zhe, shi ming wei jiao man jie ye. shi gu, fan zhi! dang qiu fang bian, chu ci zhu jie. ru shi, fan zhi! dang zuo shi xue."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a26] The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) immediately rose from his seat, prostrated at Aniruddha's (阿那律 [a na lu]) feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed. Before reaching his destination, he contemplated this meaning on the way, and all the dust and defilements were extinguished, and he obtained the Dharma Eye of Purity (法眼淨 [fa yan jing]).

[0581a26] fàn zhì jí cóng zuò qǐ, lǐ ā nà lǜ zú, rào sān zā ér qù. wèi zhì suǒ zài, yú zhōng dào sī wéi cǐ yì, zhū chén gòu jǐn, dé fǎ yǎn jìng.

[0581a26] fan zhi ji cong zuo qi, li a na lu zu, rao san za er qu. wei zhi suo zai, yu zhong dao si wei ci yi, zhu chen gou jin, de fa yan jing.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581a28] At that time, a deva (天 [tian]) who was a former friend of this brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]), knowing that the brahmin's (梵志 [fan zhi]) mind had extinguished all dust and defilements and attained the Dharma Eye of Purity (法眼淨 [fa yan jing]), that deva (天 [tian]) then went to the Venerable Aniruddha's (尊者阿那律 [zun zhe a na lu]) place, prostrated at his feet, and stood to one side. He then praised Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) with this verse:

"The brahmin (梵志 [fan zhi]) had not yet reached home,
But on the way he obtained the path-mark;
Defilements extinguished, the Dharma Eye (法眼 [fa yan]) pure,
Without doubt or hesitation."

[0581a28] ěr shí, yǒu tiān xī yǔ cǐ fàn zhì qīn yǒu, zhī shí fàn zhì xīn zhōng suǒ dé zhū chén gòu jǐn, dé fǎ yǎn jìng. ěr shí, bǐ tiān fù wǎng zhì zūn zhě ā nà lǜ suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zhù. jí yǐ cǐ jì tàn ā nà lǜ yuē:

“fàn zhì wèi zhì jiā,　　zhōng dào dé dào jī；
　gòu jǐn fǎ yǎn jìng,　　wú yí wú yóu yù.”

[0581a28] er shi, you tian xi yu ci fan zhi qin you, zhi shi fan zhi xin zhong suo de zhu chen gou jin, de fa yan jing. er shi, bi tian fu wang zhi zun zhe a na lu suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zhu. ji yi ci ji tan a na lu yue:

"fan zhi wei zhi jia, zhong dao de dao ji;
gou jin fa yan jing, wu yi wu you yu."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581b05] At that time, the Venerable Aniruddha (尊者阿那律 [zun zhe a na lu]) again replied to the deva (天 [tian]) with a verse:

"I first observed his mind,
In the middle, he should attain the path-mark;
That person, during Kāśyapa Buddha's (迦葉佛 [jia ye fu]) time,
Had heard this Dharma (法 [fa]) teaching before."

[0581b05] ěr shí, zūn zhě ā nà lǜ fù yǐ jì gào tiān yuē:

“wǒ xiān guān bǐ xīn,　　zhōng jiān yīng dào jī；
　bǐ rén jiā yè fú,　　céng wén cǐ fǎ jiào.”

[0581b05] er shi, zun zhe a na lu fu yi ji gao tian yue:

"wo xian guan bi xin, zhong jian ying dao ji;
bi ren jia ye fu, ceng wen ci fa jiao."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581b08] At that time, the Venerable Aniruddha (尊者阿那律 [zun zhe a na lu]) immediately left that place and traveled among humans, gradually reaching the country of Śrāvastī (舍衛國 [she wei guo]). He arrived at the World-Honored One's (世尊 [shi zun]) place, prostrated at his feet, and stood to one side. At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) fully instructed Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]) with Dharma (法 [fa]) words. Aniruddha (阿那律 [a na lu]), having received the Buddha's (佛 [fu]) teaching, then rose from his seat, prostrated at his feet, and then departed.

[0581b08] ěr shí, zūn zhě ā nà lǜ jí qí shí lí bǐ chù, zài rén jiān yóu, jiàn jiàn zhì shě wèi guó, dào shì zūn suǒ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, zài yī miàn zhù. ěr shí, shì zūn jù yǐ fǎ yǔ gào ā nà lǜ, ā nà lǜ shòu fú jiào yǐ, biàn cóng zuò qǐ, tóu miàn lǐ zú, biàn tuì ér qù.

[0581b08] er shi, zun zhe a na lu ji qi shi li bi chu, zai ren jian you, jian jian zhi she wei guo, dao shi zun suo, tou mian li zu, zai yi mian zhu. er shi, shi zun ju yi fa yu gao a na lu, a na lu shou fu jiao yi, bian cong zuo qi, tou mian li zu, bian tui er qu.

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581b12] At that time, the World-Honored One (世尊 [shi zun]) told the bhikkhus (諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]), "Among my śrāvaka (聲聞 [sheng wen]) disciples, the foremost in attaining the divine eye (天眼 [tian yan]) is Bhikkhu Aniruddha (阿那律比丘 [a na lu bi qiu])."

[0581b12] ěr shí, shì zūn gào zhū bǐ qiū: “wǒ shēng wén zhōng dì zi, dé tiān yǎn dì yī zhě, suǒ wèi ā nà lǜ bǐ qiū shì.”

[0581b12] er shi, shi zun gao zhu bi qiu: "wo sheng wen zhong di zi, de tian yan di yi zhe, suo wei a na lu bi qiu shi."

[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]

[0581b13] At that time, the bhikkhus (諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]), having heard what the Buddha (佛 [fu]) said, rejoiced and put it into practice.

[0581b13] ěr shí, zhū bǐ qiū wén fú suǒ shuō, huān xǐ fèng xíng.

[0581b13] er shi, zhu bi qiu wen fu suo shuo, huan xi feng xing.