MN 5

Anaṅgaṇasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho āyasmā sāriputto bhikkhū āmantesi: “āvuso bhikkhave”ti. “Āvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato sāriputtassa paccassosuṁ. Āyasmā sāriputto etadavoca:

Unblemished

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants: “Reverends, mendicants!” “Reverend,” they replied. Sāriputta said this:

“Cattārome, āvuso, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame cattāro? Idhāvuso, ekacco puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Idha panāvuso, ekacco puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Idhāvuso, ekacco puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Idha panāvuso, ekacco puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, ayaṁ imesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ sāṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ hīnapuriso akkhāyati. Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ayaṁ imesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ sāṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ seṭṭhapuriso akkhāyati. Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, ayaṁ imesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ anaṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ hīnapuriso akkhāyati. Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, ayaṁ imesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ anaṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ seṭṭhapuriso akkhāyatī”ti.

“Reverends, these four individuals are found in the world. What four? One individual with a blemish doesn’t truly understand: ‘There is a blemish in me.’ But another individual with a blemish does truly understand: ‘There is a blemish in me.’ One individual without a blemish doesn’t truly understand: ‘There is no blemish in me.’ But another individual without a blemish does truly understand: ‘There is no blemish in me.’ In this case, of the two individuals with a blemish, the one who doesn’t understand is said to be worse, while the one who does understand is better. And of the two individuals without a blemish, the one who doesn’t understand is said to be worse, while the one who does understand is better.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā mahāmoggallāno āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca: “Ko nu kho, āvuso sāriputta, hetu ko paccayo yenimesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ sāṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ eko hīnapuriso akkhāyati, eko seṭṭhapuriso akkhāyati? Ko panāvuso sāriputta, hetu ko paccayo yenimesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ anaṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ eko hīnapuriso akkhāyati, eko seṭṭhapuriso akkhāyatī”ti?

When he said this, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to him: “What is the cause, Reverend Sāriputta, what is the reason why, of the two individuals with a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better? And what is the cause, what is the reason why, of the two individuals without a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better?”

“Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—na chandaṁ janessati na vāyamissati na vīriyaṁ ārabhissati tassaṅgaṇassa pahānāya; so sarāgo sadoso samoho sāṅgaṇo saṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṁsapāti ābhatā āpaṇā vā kammārakulā vā rajena ca malena ca pariyonaddhā. Tamenaṁ sāmikā na ceva paribhuñjeyyuṁ na ca pariyodapeyyuṁ, rajāpathe ca naṁ nikkhipeyyuṁ. Evañhi sā, āvuso, kaṁsapāti aparena samayena saṅkiliṭṭhatarā assa malaggahitā”ti? “Evamāvuso”ti. “Evameva kho, āvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—na chandaṁ janessati na vāyamissati na vīriyaṁ ārabhissati tassaṅgaṇassa pahānāya; so sarāgo sadoso samoho sāṅgaṇo saṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati.

“Reverends, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that they won’t generate enthusiasm, make an effort, or rouse up energy to give up that blemish. And they will die with greed, hate, and delusion, blemished, with a corrupted mind. Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy enveloped with dirt or stains. And the owners neither used it or had it cleaned, but kept it in a dirty place. Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get even dirtier and more stained?” “Yes, reverend.” “In the same way, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that … they will die with a corrupted mind.

Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—chandaṁ janessati vāyamissati vīriyaṁ ārabhissati tassaṅgaṇassa pahānāya; so arāgo adoso amoho anaṅgaṇo asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṁsapāti ābhatā āpaṇā vā kammārakulā vā rajena ca malena ca pariyonaddhā. Tamenaṁ sāmikā paribhuñjeyyuñceva pariyodapeyyuñca, na ca naṁ rajāpathe nikkhipeyyuṁ. Evañhi sā, āvuso, kaṁsapāti aparena samayena parisuddhatarā assa pariyodātā”ti? “Evamāvuso”ti. “Evameva kho, āvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo sāṅgaṇova samāno ‘atthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—chandaṁ janessati vāyamissati vīriyaṁ ārabhissati tassaṅgaṇassa pahānāya; so arāgo adoso amoho anaṅgaṇo asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati.

Take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that they will generate enthusiasm, make an effort, and rouse up energy to give up that blemish. And they will die without greed, hate, and delusion, unblemished, with an uncorrupted mind. Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy enveloped with dirt or stains. But the owners used it and had it cleaned, and didn’t keep it in a dirty place. Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get cleaner and brighter?” “Yes, reverend.” “In the same way, take the case of the individual who has a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that … they will die with an uncorrupted mind.

Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—subhanimittaṁ manasi karissati, tassa subhanimittassa manasikārā rāgo cittaṁ anuddhaṁsessati; so sarāgo sadoso samoho sāṅgaṇo saṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṁsapāti ābhatā āpaṇā vā kammārakulā vā parisuddhā pariyodātā. Tamenaṁ sāmikā na ceva paribhuñjeyyuṁ na ca pariyodapeyyuṁ, rajāpathe ca naṁ nikkhipeyyuṁ. Evañhi sā, āvuso, kaṁsapāti aparena samayena saṅkiliṭṭhatarā assa malaggahitā”ti? “Evamāvuso”ti. “Evameva kho, āvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—subhanimittaṁ manasi karissati, tassa subhanimittassa manasikārā rāgo cittaṁ anuddhaṁsessati; so sarāgo sadoso samoho sāṅgaṇo saṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati.

Take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish but does not understand it. You can expect that they will focus on the feature of beauty, and because of that, lust will infect their mind. And they will die with greed, hate, and delusion, blemished, with a corrupted mind. Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright. And the owners neither used it or had it cleaned, but kept it in a dirty place. Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get dirtier and more stained?” “Yes, reverend.” “In the same way, take the case of the individual who has no blemish and does not understand it. You can expect that … they will die with a corrupted mind.

Tatrāvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—subhanimittaṁ na manasi karissati, tassa subhanimittassa amanasikārā rāgo cittaṁ nānuddhaṁsessati; so arāgo adoso amoho anaṅgaṇo asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṁsapāti ābhatā āpaṇā vā kammārakulā vā parisuddhā pariyodātā. Tamenaṁ sāmikā paribhuñjeyyuñceva pariyodapeyyuñca, na ca naṁ rajāpathe nikkhipeyyuṁ. Evañhi sā, āvuso, kaṁsapāti aparena samayena parisuddhatarā assa pariyodātā”ti? “Evamāvuso”ti. “Evameva kho, āvuso, yvāyaṁ puggalo anaṅgaṇova samāno ‘natthi me ajjhattaṁ aṅgaṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti, tassetaṁ pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—subhanimittaṁ na manasi karissati, tassa subhanimittassa amanasikārā rāgo cittaṁ nānuddhaṁsessati; so arāgo adoso amoho anaṅgaṇo asaṅkiliṭṭhacitto kālaṁ karissati.

Take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that they won’t focus on the feature of beauty, and because of that, lust won’t infect their mind. And they will die without greed, hate, and delusion, unblemished, with an uncorrupted mind. Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright. And the owners used it and had it cleaned, and didn’t keep it in a dirty place. Over time, wouldn’t that bronze cup get cleaner and brighter?” “Yes, reverend.” “In the same way, take the case of the individual who doesn’t have a blemish and does understand it. You can expect that … they will die with an uncorrupted mind.

Ayaṁ kho, āvuso moggallāna, hetu ayaṁ paccayo yenimesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ sāṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ eko hīnapuriso akkhāyati, eko seṭṭhapuriso akkhāyati. Ayaṁ panāvuso moggallāna, hetu ayaṁ paccayo yenimesaṁ dvinnaṁ puggalānaṁ anaṅgaṇānaṁyeva sataṁ eko hīnapuriso akkhāyati, eko seṭṭhapuriso akkhāyatī”ti.

This is the cause, this is the reason why, of the two individuals with a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better. And this is the cause, this is the reason why, of the two individuals without a blemish, one is said to be worse and one better.”

“Aṅgaṇaṁ aṅgaṇanti, āvuso, vuccati. Kissa nu kho etaṁ, āvuso, adhivacanaṁ yadidaṁ aṅgaṇan”ti? “Pāpakānaṁ kho etaṁ, āvuso, akusalānaṁ icchāvacarānaṁ adhivacanaṁ, yadidaṁ aṅgaṇan”ti.

“Reverend, the word ‘blemish’ is spoken of. But what is ‘blemish’ a term for?” “Reverend, ‘blemish’ is a term for the spheres of bad, unskillful wishes.

“Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘āpattiñca vata āpanno assaṁ, na ca maṁ bhikkhū jāneyyuṁ āpattiṁ āpanno’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ taṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū jāneyyuṁ: ‘āpattiṁ āpanno’ti. ‘Jānanti maṁ bhikkhū āpattiṁ āpanno’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘If I commit an offense, I hope the mendicants don’t find out!’ But it’s possible that the mendicants do find out that that mendicant has committed an offense. Thinking, ‘The mendicants have found out about my offense,’ they get angry and bitter. And that anger and that bitterness are both blemishes.

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘āpattiñca vata āpanno assaṁ, anuraho maṁ bhikkhū codeyyuṁ, no saṅghamajjhe’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ taṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū saṅghamajjhe codeyyuṁ, no anuraho. ‘Saṅghamajjhe maṁ bhikkhū codenti, no anuraho’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘If I commit an offense, I hope the mendicants accuse me in private, not in the middle of the Saṅgha.’ But it’s possible that the mendicants do accuse that mendicant in the middle of the Saṅgha …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘āpattiñca vata āpanno assaṁ, sappaṭipuggalo maṁ codeyya, no appaṭipuggalo’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ taṁ bhikkhuṁ appaṭipuggalo codeyya, no sappaṭipuggalo. ‘Appaṭipuggalo maṁ codeti, no sappaṭipuggalo’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘If I commit an offense, I hope I’m accused by a peer, not by someone who is not a peer.’ But it’s possible that someone who is not a peer accuses that mendicant …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata mameva satthā paṭipucchitvā paṭipucchitvā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyya, na aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ satthā paṭipucchitvā paṭipucchitvā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyyā’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ satthā paṭipucchitvā paṭipucchitvā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyya, na taṁ bhikkhuṁ satthā paṭipucchitvā paṭipucchitvā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyya. ‘Aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ satthā paṭipucchitvā paṭipucchitvā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseti, na maṁ satthā paṭipucchitvā paṭipucchitvā bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ desetī’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘Oh, I hope the Teacher will teach the mendicants by repeatedly questioning me alone, not some other mendicant.’ But it’s possible that the Teacher will teach the mendicants by repeatedly questioning some other mendicant …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata mameva bhikkhū purakkhatvā purakkhatvā gāmaṁ bhattāya paviseyyuṁ, na aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū purakkhatvā purakkhatvā gāmaṁ bhattāya paviseyyun’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū purakkhatvā purakkhatvā gāmaṁ bhattāya paviseyyuṁ, na taṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū purakkhatvā purakkhatvā gāmaṁ bhattāya paviseyyuṁ. ‘Aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū purakkhatvā purakkhatvā gāmaṁ bhattāya pavisanti, na maṁ bhikkhū purakkhatvā purakkhatvā gāmaṁ bhattāya pavisantī’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘Oh, I hope the mendicants will enter the village for the meal putting me at the very front, not some other mendicant.’ But it’s possible that the mendicants will enter the village for the meal putting some other mendicant at the very front …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata ahameva labheyyaṁ bhattagge aggāsanaṁ aggodakaṁ aggapiṇḍaṁ, na añño bhikkhu labheyya bhattagge aggāsanaṁ aggodakaṁ aggapiṇḍan’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ añño bhikkhu labheyya bhattagge aggāsanaṁ aggodakaṁ aggapiṇḍaṁ, na so bhikkhu labheyya bhattagge aggāsanaṁ aggodakaṁ aggapiṇḍaṁ. ‘Añño bhikkhu labhati bhattagge aggāsanaṁ aggodakaṁ aggapiṇḍaṁ, nāhaṁ labhāmi bhattagge aggāsanaṁ aggodakaṁ aggapiṇḍan’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘Oh, I hope that I alone get the best seat, the best drink, and the best almsfood in the refectory, not some other mendicant.’ But it’s possible that some other mendicant gets the best seat, the best drink, and the best almsfood in the refectory …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata ahameva bhattagge bhuttāvī anumodeyyaṁ, na añño bhikkhu bhattagge bhuttāvī anumodeyyā’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ añño bhikkhu bhattagge bhuttāvī anumodeyya, na so bhikkhu bhattagge bhuttāvī anumodeyya. ‘Añño bhikkhu bhattagge bhuttāvī anumodati, nāhaṁ bhattagge bhuttāvī anumodāmī’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘I hope that I alone give the verses of appreciation after eating in the refectory, not some other mendicant.’ But it’s possible that some other mendicant gives the verses of appreciation after eating in the refectory …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata ahameva ārāmagatānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyyaṁ, na añño bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyyā’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ añño bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyya, na so bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyya. ‘Añño bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ deseti, nāhaṁ ārāmagatānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dhammaṁ desemī’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘Oh, I hope that I might teach the Dhamma to the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen in the monastery, not some other mendicant.’

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata ahameva ārāmagatānaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ dhammaṁ deseyyaṁ …pe… upāsakānaṁ dhammaṁ deseyyaṁ …pe… upāsikānaṁ dhammaṁ deseyyaṁ, na añño bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ upāsikānaṁ dhammaṁ deseyyā’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ añño bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ upāsikānaṁ dhammaṁ deseyya, na so bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ upāsikānaṁ dhammaṁ deseyya. ‘Añño bhikkhu ārāmagatānaṁ upāsikānaṁ dhammaṁ deseti, nāhaṁ ārāmagatānaṁ upāsikānaṁ dhammaṁ desemī’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

But it’s possible that some other mendicant teaches the Dhamma …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata mameva bhikkhū sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, na aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, na taṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ. ‘Aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhū sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, na maṁ bhikkhū sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjentī’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘Oh, I hope that the monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen will honor, respect, revere, and venerate me alone, not some other mendicant.’

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata mameva bhikkhuniyo …pe… upāsakā …pe… upāsikā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, na aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ upāsikā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyun’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ upāsikā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ, na taṁ bhikkhuṁ upāsikā sakkareyyuṁ garuṁ kareyyuṁ māneyyuṁ pūjeyyuṁ. ‘Aññaṁ bhikkhuṁ upāsikā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti, na maṁ upāsikā sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjentī’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

But it’s possible that some other mendicant is honored, respected, revered, and venerated …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata ahameva lābhī assaṁ paṇītānaṁ cīvarānaṁ, na añño bhikkhu lābhī assa paṇītānaṁ cīvarānan’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ añño bhikkhu lābhī assa paṇītānaṁ cīvarānaṁ, na so bhikkhu lābhī assa paṇītānaṁ cīvarānaṁ. ‘Añño bhikkhu lābhī paṇītānaṁ cīvarānaṁ, nāhaṁ lābhī paṇītānaṁ cīvarānan’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

It’s possible that some mendicant might wish: ‘I hope I get the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, not some other mendicant.’ But it’s possible that some other mendicant gets the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick …

Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ idhekaccassa bhikkhuno evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vata ahameva lābhī assaṁ paṇītānaṁ piṇḍapātānaṁ …pe… paṇītānaṁ senāsanānaṁ …pe… paṇītānaṁ gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ, na añño bhikkhu lābhī assa paṇītānaṁ gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānan’ti. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, āvuso, vijjati yaṁ añño bhikkhu lābhī assa paṇītānaṁ gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ, na so bhikkhu lābhī assa paṇītānaṁ gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. ‘Añño bhikkhu lābhī paṇītānaṁ gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ, nāhaṁ lābhī paṇītānaṁ gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānan’ti— iti so kupito hoti appatīto. Yo ceva kho, āvuso, kopo yo ca appaccayo— ubhayametaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ.

Thinking, ‘Some other mendicant has got the nicest robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick’, they get angry and bitter. And that anger and that bitterness are both blemishes.

Imesaṁ kho etaṁ, āvuso, pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ icchāvacarānaṁ adhivacanaṁ, yadidaṁ aṅgaṇanti.

‘Blemish’ is a term for these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes.

Yassa kassaci, āvuso, bhikkhuno ime pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā appahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti ca, kiñcāpi so hoti āraññiko pantasenāsano piṇḍapātiko sapadānacārī paṁsukūliko lūkhacīvaradharo, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī na ceva sakkaronti na garuṁ karonti na mānenti na pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Te hi tassa āyasmato pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā appahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti ca. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṁsapāti ābhatā āpaṇā vā kammārakulā vā parisuddhā pariyodātā. Tamenaṁ sāmikā ahikuṇapaṁ vā kukkurakuṇapaṁ vā manussakuṇapaṁ vā racayitvā aññissā kaṁsapātiyā paṭikujjitvā antarāpaṇaṁ paṭipajjeyyuṁ. Tamenaṁ jano disvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘ambho, kimevidaṁ harīyati jaññajaññaṁ viyā’ti? Tamenaṁ uṭṭhahitvā apāpuritvā olokeyya. Tassa sahadassanena amanāpatā ca saṇṭhaheyya, pāṭikulyatā ca saṇṭhaheyya, jegucchatā ca saṇṭhaheyya; jighacchitānampi na bhottukamyatā assa, pageva suhitānaṁ. Evameva kho, āvuso, yassa kassaci bhikkhuno ime pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā appahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti ca, kiñcāpi so hoti āraññiko pantasenāsano piṇḍapātiko sapadānacārī paṁsukūliko lūkhacīvaradharo, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī na ceva sakkaronti na garuṁ karonti na mānenti na pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Te hi tassa āyasmato pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā appahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti ca.

Suppose these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by a mendicant. Even though they dwell in the wilderness, in remote lodgings, eat only almsfood, wander indiscriminately for almsfood, wear rag robes, and wear shabby robes, their spiritual companions don’t honor, respect, revere, and venerate them. Why is that? It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by that venerable. Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright. The owners were to prepare it with the carcass of a snake, a dog, or a human, cover it with a bronze lid, and parade it through the market-place. When people saw it they’d say: ‘Oh my, what is it that you’re carrying like a precious treasure?’ So they’d open up the lid for people to look inside. But as soon as they saw it they were filled with loathing, revulsion, and disgust. Not even those who were hungry wanted to eat it, let alone those who were replete. In the same way, when these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by a mendicant … their spiritual companions don’t honor, respect, revere, and venerate them. Why is that? It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be not given up by that venerable.

Yassa kassaci, āvuso, bhikkhuno ime pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā pahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti ca, kiñcāpi so hoti gāmantavihārī nemantaniko gahapaticīvaradharo, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Te hi tassa āyasmato pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā pahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti ca. Seyyathāpi, āvuso, kaṁsapāti ābhatā āpaṇā vā kammārakulā vā parisuddhā pariyodātā. Tamenaṁ sāmikā sālīnaṁ odanaṁ vicitakāḷakaṁ anekasūpaṁ anekabyañjanaṁ racayitvā aññissā kaṁsapātiyā paṭikujjitvā antarāpaṇaṁ paṭipajjeyyuṁ. Tamenaṁ jano disvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘ambho, kimevidaṁ harīyati jaññajaññaṁ viyā’ti? Tamenaṁ uṭṭhahitvā apāpuritvā olokeyya. Tassa saha dassanena manāpatā ca saṇṭhaheyya, appāṭikulyatā ca saṇṭhaheyya, ajegucchatā ca saṇṭhaheyya; suhitānampi bhottukamyatā assa, pageva jighacchitānaṁ. Evameva kho, āvuso, yassa kassaci bhikkhuno ime pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā pahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti ca, kiñcāpi so hoti gāmantavihārī nemantaniko gahapaticīvaradharo, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī sakkaronti garuṁ karonti mānenti pūjenti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Te hi tassa āyasmato pāpakā akusalā icchāvacarā pahīnā dissanti ceva sūyanti cā”ti.

Suppose these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by a mendicant. Even though they dwell within a village, accept invitations to a meal, and wear robes offered by householders, their spiritual companions honor, respect, revere, and venerate them. Why is that? It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by that venerable. Suppose a bronze cup was brought from a shop or smithy clean and bright. The owners were to prepare it with boiled fine rice with the dark grains picked out and served with many soups and sauces, cover it with a bronze lid, and parade it through the market-place. When people saw it they’d say: ‘Oh my, what is it that you’re carrying like a precious treasure?’ So they’d open up the lid for people to look inside. And as soon as they saw it they were filled with liking, attraction, and relish. Even those who were replete wanted to eat it, let alone those who were hungry. In the same way, when these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by a mendicant … their spiritual companions honor, respect, revere, and venerate them. Why is that? It’s because these spheres of bad, unskillful wishes are seen and heard to be given up by that venerable.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā mahāmoggallāno āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca: “upamā maṁ, āvuso sāriputta, paṭibhātī”ti. “Paṭibhātu taṁ, āvuso moggallānā”ti. “Ekamidāhaṁ, āvuso, samayaṁ rājagahe viharāmi giribbaje. Atha khvāhaṁ, āvuso, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya rājagahaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ. Tena kho pana samayena samīti yānakāraputto rathassa nemiṁ tacchati. Tamenaṁ paṇḍuputto ājīvako purāṇayānakāraputto paccupaṭṭhito hoti. Atha kho, āvuso, paṇḍuputtassa ājīvakassa purāṇayānakāraputtassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘aho vatāyaṁ samīti yānakāraputto imissā nemiyā imañca vaṅkaṁ imañca jimhaṁ imañca dosaṁ taccheyya, evāyaṁ nemi apagatavaṅkā apagatajimhā apagatadosā suddhā assa sāre patiṭṭhitā’ti. Yathā yathā kho, āvuso, paṇḍuputtassa ājīvakassa purāṇayānakāraputtassa cetaso parivitakko hoti tathā tathā samīti yānakāraputto tassā nemiyā tañca vaṅkaṁ tañca jimhaṁ tañca dosaṁ tacchati. Atha kho, āvuso, paṇḍuputto ājīvako purāṇayānakāraputto attamano attamanavācaṁ nicchāresi: ‘hadayā hadayaṁ maññe aññāya tacchatī’ti.

When he said this, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to him, “Reverend Sāriputta, a simile strikes me.” “Then speak as you feel inspired,” said Sāriputta. “Reverend, this one time I was staying right here in Rājagaha, the Mountainfold. Then I robed up in the morning and, taking my bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for alms. Now at that time Samīti of the wainwrights was planing the rim of a chariot wheel. The Ājīvaka ascetic Paṇḍuputta, who was formerly of the wainwrights, was standing by, and this thought came to his mind: ‘Oh, I hope Samīti the wainwright planes out the crooks, bends, and flaws in this rim. Then the rim will be rid of crooks, bends, and flaws, pure, and consolidated in the core.’ And Samīti planed out the flaws in the rim just as Paṇḍuputta thought. Then Paṇḍuputta expressed his gladness: ‘He planes like he knows my heart with his heart!’

Evameva kho, āvuso, ye te puggalā assaddhā, jīvikatthā na saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, saṭhā māyāvino ketabino uddhatā unnaḷā capalā mukharā vikiṇṇavācā, indriyesu aguttadvārā, bhojane amattaññuno, jāgariyaṁ ananuyuttā, sāmaññe anapekkhavanto, sikkhāya na tibbagāravā, bāhulikā sāthalikā, okkamane pubbaṅgamā, paviveke nikkhittadhurā, kusītā hīnavīriyā muṭṭhassatī asampajānā asamāhitā vibbhantacittā duppaññā eḷamūgā, tesaṁ āyasmā sāriputto iminā dhammapariyāyena hadayā hadayaṁ maññe aññāya tacchati. Ye pana te kulaputtā saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, asaṭhā amāyāvino aketabino anuddhatā anunnaḷā acapalā amukharā avikiṇṇavācā, indriyesu guttadvārā, bhojane mattaññuno, jāgariyaṁ anuyuttā, sāmaññe apekkhavanto, sikkhāya tibbagāravā, na bāhulikā na sāthalikā, okkamane nikkhittadhurā, paviveke pubbaṅgamā, āraddhavīriyā pahitattā upaṭṭhitassatī sampajānā samāhitā ekaggacittā paññavanto aneḷamūgā, te āyasmato sāriputtassa imaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ sutvā pivanti maññe, ghasanti maññe vacasā ceva manasā ca: ‘sādhu vata, bho, sabrahmacārī akusalā vuṭṭhāpetvā kusale patiṭṭhāpetī’ti.

In the same way, there are those faithless individuals who went forth from the lay life to homelessness not out of faith but to earn a livelihood. They’re devious, deceitful, and sneaky. They’re haughty, insolent, fickle, scurrilous, and loose-tongued. They do not guard their sense doors or eat in moderation, and they are not dedicated to wakefulness. They don’t care about the ascetic life, and don’t keenly respect the training. They’re indulgent and slack, leaders in backsliding, neglecting seclusion, lazy, and lacking energy. They’re unmindful, lacking situational awareness and immersion, with straying minds, witless and idiotic. Venerable Sāriputta planes their faults with this exposition of the teaching as if he knows my heart with his heart! But there are those gentlemen who went forth from the lay life to homelessness out of faith. They’re not devious, deceitful, and sneaky. They’re not haughty, insolent, fickle, scurrilous, and loose-tongued. They guard their sense doors and eat in moderation, and they are dedicated to wakefulness. They care about the ascetic life, and keenly respect the training. They’re not indulgent or slack, nor are they leaders in backsliding, neglecting seclusion. They’re energetic and determined. They’re mindful, with situational awareness, immersion, and unified minds; wise and clever. Hearing this exposition of the teaching from Venerable Sāriputta, they drink it up and devour it, as it were. And in speech and thought they say: ‘It’s good, sir, that he draws his spiritual companions away from the unskillful and establishes them in the skillful.’

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, itthī vā puriso vā daharo yuvā maṇḍanakajātiko sīsaṁnhāto uppalamālaṁ vā vassikamālaṁ vā atimuttakamālaṁ vā labhitvā ubhohi hatthehi paṭiggahetvā uttamaṅge sirasmiṁ patiṭṭhapeyya; evameva kho, āvuso, ye te kulaputtā saddhā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitā, asaṭhā amāyāvino aketabino anuddhatā anunnaḷā acapalā amukharā avikiṇṇavācā, indriyesu guttadvārā, bhojane mattaññuno, jāgariyaṁ anuyuttā, sāmaññe apekkhavanto, sikkhāya tibbagāravā, na bāhulikā na sāthalikā, okkamane nikkhittadhurā, paviveke pubbaṅgamā, āraddhavīriyā pahitattā upaṭṭhitassatī sampajānā samāhitā ekaggacittā paññavanto aneḷamūgā, te āyasmato sāriputtassa imaṁ dhammapariyāyaṁ sutvā pivanti maññe, ghasanti maññe vacasā ceva manasā ca: ‘sādhu vata, bho, sabrahmacārī akusalā vuṭṭhāpetvā kusale patiṭṭhāpetī’”ti. Itiha te ubho mahānāgā aññamaññassa subhāsitaṁ samanumodiṁsūti.

Suppose there was a woman or man who was young, youthful, and fond of adornments, and had bathed their head. Presented with a garland of lotuses, jasmine, or liana flowers, they would take them in both hands and place them on the crown of the head. In the same way, those gentlemen who went forth from the lay life to homelessness out of faith … say: ‘It’s good, sir, that he draws his spiritual companions away from the unskillful and establishes them in the skillful.’” And so these two spiritual giants agreed with each other’s fine words.