Crossing over the Stream of Life: Excerpts from the Sutta Nipāta, Part 2 of 2

Today, it is an honor to present selections from the Pârâyanavagga, found in Chapter 5 of the Sutta Nipāta. These passages were translated by V. Fausböll. The Pârâyanavagga recounts the story of sixteen Brahman ascetics who, at their teacher’s request, went to the Lord Buddha in search of spiritual wisdom about life and death. Let’s continue with the questions posed by Brahman Kappa, Gatukanni, Bhadrâvudha, and Udaya. […]

BHADRÂVUDHAMÂNAVA PUKKHÂ.

‘I entreat the wise (Buddha), the houseless, who cuts off desire,’ so (said) the venerable Bhadrâvudha, ‘Who is free from commotion, forsakes joy, has crossed the stream, is liberated, and who leaves time behind; having heard the chief’s (word), they will go away from here. Different people have come together from the provinces, longing (to hear) Thy speech, O hero; do Thou expound it thoroughly to them, for this Dhamma is well known to Thee.’ ‘Let one wholly subdue the desire of grasping (after everything), O Bhadrâvudha,’ so said Bhagavat [Lord Buddha], ‘Above, below, across, and in the middle; for whatever they grasp after in the world, just by that Mâra follows the man. Therefore, knowing this, let not the thoughtful Bhikkhu grasp after anything in all the world, considering as creatures of desire this generation, sticking fast in the realm of death.’ Bhadrâvudhamânavapukkhâ is ended.”

UDAYAMÂNAVAPUKKHÂ.

“‘To Buddha who is sitting meditating, free from pollution,’ so said the venerable Udaya, ‘Having performed his duty, who is without passion, accomplished in all things (dhamma), I have come with a question; tell me the deliverance by knowledge, the splitting up of ignorance.’ ‘(It consists in) leaving lust and desire, O Udaya,’ so said Bhagavat [Lord Buddha], ‘And both (kinds of) grief, and driving away sloth, and warding off misbehaviour. The deliverance by knowledge which is purified by equanimity and thoughtfulness and preceded by reasoning on Dhamma I will tell thee, the splitting up of ignorance.’ Udaya: ‘What is the bond of the world, what is its practice? By the leaving of what is Nirvana said to be?’ Buddha: ‘The world is bound by pleasure, reasoning is its practice; by the leaving of desire Nirvana is said to be.’ Udaya: ‘How does consciousness cease in him that wanders thoughtful? Having come to ask Thee, let us hear Thy words.’ Buddha: ‘For him who both inwardly and outwardly does not delight in sensation, for him who thus wanders thoughtful, consciousness ceases.’ Udayamânavapukkhâ is ended.”