Sutta 23: The story of What is Pleasing and Released

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

[0086b22] Thus I have heard:

At one time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) was residing in Śrāvastī (舍衛 [she wei]), in the Jetavana (祇樹 [qi shu]) Anāthapiṇḍika's Garden (給孤獨園 [gei gu du yuan]), accompanied by a great assembly of twelve hundred and fifty Bhikkhus (比丘 [bi qiu]). At that time, Śākya (釋子 [shi zi]), who was joyful, traveled extensively, without restraint in his comings and goings. The number of households he visited was immeasurable. Sometimes he would go out in the morning, sometimes at night, sometimes entering at dusk and leaving at dawn. At that time, Ananda (阿難 [a nan]), Udayi (優陀 [you tuo]), Bakula (薄拘盧 [bao ju lu]), and others gathered in one place and said to the joyful Śākya (所欣釋子 [suo xin shi zi]): "Good sir! Why do you travel so much without knowing the time, and why do you not come and go at proper times? Why do you not restrain yourself in the places you visit?" The joyful Śākya (所欣釋子 [suo xin shi zi]) immediately cursed the good people, uttering harsh words: "You are ignorant, restless and agitated, unable to calm yourselves, noisy and ill-mouthed. You are lazy, doing nothing for the Saṅgha (眾僧 [zhong seng]). I come and go always for the Saṅgha (眾僧 [zhong seng]), preparing what is needed. Can you endure such labor? Have you prepared anything for the Saṅgha (諸眾僧 [zhu zhong seng])? Do not say to me: 'You have many affairs.' You gentlemen have more affairs than I do." The joyful Śākya (所欣釋子 [suo xin shi zi]) said: "You all should also prepare something. How do you know how I manage the affairs of the Saṅgha (眾僧 [zhong seng])?"

[0086b22] wén rú shì:

yī shí fú yóu shě wèi qí shù gěi gū dú yuán, yǔ dà bǐ qiū zhòng qiān èr bǎi wǔ shí rén jù. suǒ xīn shì zi, duō suǒ yóu zhì, chū rù wú jié, suǒ yì mén zú, bù kě chēng jì. huò chén,, huò míng,, huò zǎo rù míng chū. yú shí ā nán,, yōu tuó,, báo jū lú děng, hé huì yī chù, wèi suǒ xīn shì zi yuē: “xián zhě! hé wèi ér duō xíng lái bù zhī shí jié, hé bù shí chū shí rù? suǒ yì zhī chù, bù zì jié liàng?” suǒ xīn shì zi xún mà zhòng xián, chū cū guǎng cí: “qīng děng wú zhì, rǎo rǎo yáo dòng, bù néng zì ān, xuān hū è kǒu. qīng děng xiè dài, bù wèi zhòng sēng yǒu suǒ xìng lì. wú jīn chū rù, cháng wèi zhòng sēng, yán bàn suǒ dāng. qīng děng néng rèn rú shì láo hū? wèi zhū zhòng sēng yǒu suǒ bàn yé? wù dé wèi wú: ‘duō yǒu shì lǐ.’ zhū xián duō wù, shén yú wú shēn.” suǒ xīn shì zi: “qīng děng qiě fù yǒu suǒ hé bàn, zhī hé rú wú bàn zhòng sēng shì?”

[0086b22] wen ru shi:

yi shi fu you she wei qi shu gei gu du yuan, yu da bi qiu zhong qian er bai wu shi ren ju. suo xin shi zi, duo suo you zhi, chu ru wu jie, suo yi men zu, bu ke cheng ji. huo chen,, huo ming,, huo zao ru ming chu. yu shi a nan,, you tuo,, bao ju lu deng, he hui yi chu, wei suo xin shi zi yue: "xian zhe! he wei er duo xing lai bu zhi shi jie, he bu shi chu shi ru? suo yi zhi chu, bu zi jie liang?" suo xin shi zi xun ma zhong xian, chu cu guang ci: "qing deng wu zhi, rao rao yao dong, bu neng zi an, xuan hu e kou. qing deng xie dai, bu wei zhong seng you suo xing li. wu jin chu ru, chang wei zhong seng, yan ban suo dang. qing deng neng ren ru shi lao hu? wei zhu zhong seng you suo ban ye? wu de wei wu: 'duo you shi li.' zhu xian duo wu, shen yu wu shen." suo xin shi zi: "qing deng qie fu you suo he ban, zhi he ru wu ban zhong seng shi?"

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

[0086c06] At that time, the Bhikkhus (諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]) unanimously agreed. The three individuals then spoke softly: "Their majestic virtue is exceptionally beautiful, relying on their original meritorious actions, they have gained much, surpassing that one." The joyful Śākya (所欣釋子 [suo xin shi zi]) said: "Dull and ignorant men make rash decisions, foolishly self-willed, strongly seeking something, but not getting what they desire." There was a different Deva (異天 [yi tian]) who went to the elder's house and received a large pot full of various offerings. The venerable Ananda (賢者阿難 [xian zhe a nan]) went to another elder, and with soft words, strong in ancient virtue, expounded the sutra to his family, causing them to rejoice and leap for joy. From him, he obtained alms (得分衛 [de fen wei]) and received many offerings, bestowing them as he wished, without force or demand.

[0086c06] shí zhū bǐ qiū, tóng gòng fā yì. bǐ shí sān rén, yán yǔ róu ruǎn: “wēi dé shū miào, yī běn fú xíng, duō suǒ huò zhì, guò yú yú bǐ.” suǒ xīn shì zi: “dùn yú nán zi yǐ zú bào jué, yú ái zì yòng, qiáng yǒu suǒ qiú, bù dé rú zhì.” yǒu yī yì tiān, yì zhǎng zhě jiā, dé mǎn dà yīng ruò gàn gōng yǎng. xián zhě ā nán, yì tā zhǎng zhě, yǐ róu ruǎn cí, sù dé jiān qiáng, wèi shuō jīng fǎ, lìng qí jiā rén, huān xǐ yǒng yuè. cóng dé fēn wèi, dà huò gōng yǎng, suí yì suǒ shī, bù qiáng bù qiú.

[0086c06] shi zhu bi qiu, tong gong fa yi. bi shi san ren, yan yu rou ruan: "wei de shu miao, yi ben fu xing, duo suo huo zhi, guo yu yu bi." suo xin shi zi: "dun yu nan zi yi zu bao jue, yu ai zi yong, qiang you suo qiu, bu de ru zhi." you yi yi tian, yi zhang zhe jia, de man da ying ruo gan gong yang. xian zhe a nan, yi ta zhang zhe, yi rou ruan ci, su de jian qiang, wei shuo jing fa, ling qi jia ren, huan xi yong yue. cong de fen wei, da huo gong yang, sui yi suo shi, bu qiang bu qiu.

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

[0086c13] At that time, the Bhikkhus (諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]) went to inform the Buddha (佛 [fu]), fully explaining the situation. The Buddha (佛 [fu]) said to the Bhikkhus (諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]): "Among these four people, it is not only in this life that they dispute over the merit of alms (分衛 [fen wei]). There is only one person who receives little, while the others receive much. Bhikkhu Ananda (阿難比丘 [a nan bi qiu]) is encouraged by everyone, and everyone is at peace. Long, long ago, in immeasurable time, in another land. At that time, there were four people who were close friends, gathered together and living in one place. At that time, a hunter (獵師 [lie shi]) caught a deer (鹿 [lu]) and wanted to enter the city. They all discussed, saying: 'Let's plan to ask the hunter (獵師 [lie shi]) for deer meat. Who will get the most?' They immediately set out. One person spoke, uttering coarse words and proudly boasting: 'Hey, man, give me some meat, I want to eat it.' The second person said: 'Brother, please give me meat, so I can eat.' The third person said: 'Kind sir, please give me meat, I want to eat it.' The fourth person said: 'Close friend, please give me meat, I beg you, I want to eat it.' They were all hungry and thirsty. At that time, the hunter (獵師 [lie shi]) observed the words of the four people, and replied to each with a verse according to their words:

[0086c13] shí zhū bǐ qiū wǎng qǐ fú, jù shuō běn mò. fú gào zhū bǐ qiū: “yú cǐ sì rén, bù dàn jīn shì zhèng gōng fēn wèi, wéi yǒu yī rén, suǒ huò báo shǎo, yú rén dé duō. ā nán bǐ qiū, zhòng rén quàn zhù, yī qiè suǒ ān. wǎng gǔ jiǔ yuǎn bù kě jì shí, yú tā yì tǔ. shí yǒu sì rén, yǐ wèi qīn hòu, xiāng liǎn jù huì, gòng zhǐ yī chù. shí yǒu liè shī, shè liè dé lù, yù lái rù chéng. gè gòng yì yán: ‘wú děng shè jì, cóng qí liè shī, dāng suǒ lù ròu, zhī shuí huò duō?’ jù jí fā xíng, yī rén chén cí, chū qí [fū-fū+huáng] yán, ér gāo zì chù: ‘duō qīng nán zi, dāng huì wǒ ròu, yù dé shí zhī.’ dì èr rén yuē: ‘wéi xiōng shī ròu, lìng dì dé shí.’ dì sān rén yuē: ‘rén zhě kě ài, yǐ ròu xiāng yǔ, wú sī shí zhī.’ dì sì rén yuē: ‘qīn hòu juān ròu, wéi jiàn qǐ shī, wú yù shí zhī.’ jù gòng jī kě. shí liè shī chá sì rén yán cí, gè suí suǒ yán, yǐ jì bào yuē:

“ ‘qīng cí shén cū [fū-fū+huáng],　　yún hé xiāng yǔ ròu?
　　qí yán rú cì rén,　　dàn yǐ jiǎo xiāng shī.’

[0086c13] shi zhu bi qiu wang qi fu, ju shuo ben mo. fu gao zhu bi qiu: "yu ci si ren, bu dan jin shi zheng gong fen wei, wei you yi ren, suo huo bao shao, yu ren de duo. a nan bi qiu, zhong ren quan zhu, yi qie suo an. wang gu jiu yuan bu ke ji shi, yu ta yi tu. shi you si ren, yi wei qin hou, xiang lian ju hui, gong zhi yi chu. shi you lie shi, she lie de lu, yu lai ru cheng. ge gong yi yan: 'wu deng she ji, cong qi lie shi, dang suo lu rou, zhi shui huo duo?' ju ji fa xing, yi ren chen ci, chu qi [fu-fu+huang] yan, er gao zi chu: 'duo qing nan zi, dang hui wo rou, yu de shi zhi.' di er ren yue: 'wei xiong shi rou, ling di de shi.' di san ren yue: 'ren zhe ke ai, yi rou xiang yu, wu si shi zhi.' di si ren yue: 'qin hou juan rou, wei jian qi shi, wu yu shi zhi.' ju gong ji ke. shi lie shi cha si ren yan ci, ge sui suo yan, yi ji bao yue:

" 'qing ci shen cu [fu-fu+huang], yun he xiang yu rou?
qi yan ru ci ren, dan yi jiao xiang shi.'

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

[0086c29] "'Your words are very coarse and arrogant, how can I give you meat?
Your words are like stabbing people, I will only give you antlers.'"

[0086c29] “fù yǐ jì bào dì èr rén yuē:

“ ‘cǐ rén wèi shàn zāi! 　　wèi wǒ yǐ wèi xiōng,
　　qí cí rú zhī tǐ,　　biàn chí yī jiǎo yǔ.’

[0086c29] "fu yi ji bao di er ren yue:

" 'ci ren wei shan zai! wei wo yi wei xiong,
qi ci ru zhi ti, bian chi yi jiao yu.'

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

[0087a03] "Then he replied to the second person with a verse:

"'This person is truly good! He calls me brother,
His words are like limbs, I will give him a leg.'"

[0087a03] “fù cì dì sān rén yǐ jì bào yuē:

“ ‘kě ài jìng shī wǒ,　　ér xīn huái cí āi,
　　cí yán rú fù xīn,　　biàn yǐ xīn gān yǔ.’

[0087a03] "fu ci di san ren yi ji bao yue:

" 'ke ai jing shi wo, er xin huai ci ai,
ci yan ru fu xin, bian yi xin gan yu.'

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

[0087a06] "Next, he replied to the third person with a verse:

"'Lovely and respectful, you give it to me, with compassion in your heart,
Your words are like heart and belly, I will give you heart and liver.'"

[0087a06] “fù cì dì sì rén yǐ jì bào yuē:

“ ‘yǐ wǒ wèi qīn hòu,　　qí shēn dé tóng qì,
　　cǐ yán kuài shàn zāi! 　　yǐ ròu jiē xiāng shī.’

[0087a06] "fu ci di si ren yi ji bao yue:

" 'yi wo wei qin hou, qi shen de tong qi,
ci yan kuai shan zai! yi rou jie xiang shi.'

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

[0087a09] "Next, he replied to the fourth person with a verse:

"'You consider me a close friend, your body is in harmony,
These words are truly good! I will give you all the meat.'"

"At that time, the hunter (獵師 [lie shi]), according to their coarse and refined words, gave each their share of meat. At that time, the Deva (天 [tian]) sang a verse:

"'The words of all men, soft and returning to their bodies,
Therefore, do not speak harshly, for misfortune and gain do not leave the body.'"

[0087a09] “yú shí liè shī, suí qí suǒ zhì yán cí cū xì, gè yǔ ròu fēn. yú shí tiān sòng yuē:

“ ‘yī qiè nán zi cí,　　róu ruǎn guī qí shēn,
　　shì gù mò cū yán,　　shuāi lì bù lí shēn.’ ”

[0087a09] "yu shi lie shi, sui qi suo zhi yan ci cu xi, ge yu rou fen. yu shi tian song yue:

" 'yi qie nan zi ci, rou ruan gui qi shen,
shi gu mo cu yan, shuai li bu li shen.' "

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

[0087a13] At that time, the Buddha (佛 [fu]) told the Bhikkhus (諸比丘 [zhu bi qiu]): "The first coarse speaker is Śākya (所欣釋子 [suo xin shi zi]); the second person is Bhadrakali (颰陀和梨 [ba tuo he li]); the third is Kālodāyin (黑優陀 [hei you tuo]); the fourth is Ananda (阿難 [a nan])! The Deva (天 [tian]) who spoke the verse is myself. At that time we met, and it is the same now."

[0087a13] ěr shí fú gào zhū bǐ qiū: “dì yī cū cí zé suǒ xīn shì zi,, dì èr rén zhě bá tuó hé lí,, dì sān hēi yōu tuó,, dì sì ā nán yě! tiān shuō jì zhě, zé wú shēn. ěr shí xiāng yù, jīn yì rú shì.”

[0087a13] er shi fu gao zhu bi qiu: "di yi cu ci ze suo xin shi zi,, di er ren zhe ba tuo he li,, di san hei you tuo,, di si a nan ye! tian shuo ji zhe, ze wu shen. er shi xiang yu, jin yi ru shi."

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

[0087a16] When the Buddha (佛 [fu]) spoke thus, all rejoiced.

[0087a16] fú shuō rú shì, mò bù huān xǐ.

fú shuō guó wáng wǔ rén jīng dì èr shí sì

[0087a16] fu shuo ru shi, mo bu huan xi.

fu shuo guo wang wu ren jing di er shi si