MN 75

Māgaṇḍiyasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kurūsu viharati kammāsadhammaṁ nāma kurūnaṁ nigamo, bhāradvājagottassa brāhmaṇassa agyāgāre tiṇasanthārake.

With Māgaṇḍiya

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Kurus, near the Kuru town named Kammāsadamma, on a grass mat in the fire chamber of a brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya kammāsadhammaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Kammāsadhammaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena aññataro vanasaṇḍo tenupasaṅkami divāvihārāya. Taṁ vanasaṇḍaṁ ajjhogāhetvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kammāsadamma for alms. He wandered for alms in Kammāsadamma. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to a certain forest grove for the day’s meditation. Having plunged deep into it, he sat at the root of a certain tree to meditate.

Atha kho māgaṇḍiyo paribbājako jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamamāno anuvicaramāno yena bhāradvājagottassa brāhmaṇassa agyāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami. Addasā kho māgaṇḍiyo paribbājako bhāradvājagottassa brāhmaṇassa agyāgāre tiṇasanthārakaṁ paññattaṁ. Disvāna bhāradvājagottaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ etadavoca: “kassa nvayaṁ bhoto bhāradvājassa agyāgāre tiṇasanthārako paññatto, samaṇaseyyānurūpaṁ maññe”ti?

Then as the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya was going for a walk he approached that fire chamber. He saw the grass mat spread out there and asked the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan, “Worthy Bhāradvāja, who has this grass mat been spread out for? It looks like an ascetic’s bed.”

“Atthi, bho māgaṇḍiya, samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito. Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato: ‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. Tassesā bhoto gotamassa seyyā paññattā”ti.

“There is the ascetic Gotama, a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family. He has this good reputation: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ This bed has been spread for that worthy Gotama.”

“Duddiṭṭhaṁ vata, bho bhāradvāja, addasāma; duddiṭṭhaṁ vata, bho bhāradvāja, addasāma. Ye mayaṁ tassa bhoto gotamassa bhūnahuno seyyaṁ addasāmā”ti. “Rakkhassetaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, vācaṁ; rakkhassetaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, vācaṁ. Bahū hi tassa bhoto gotamassa khattiyapaṇḍitāpi brāhmaṇapaṇḍitāpi gahapatipaṇḍitāpi samaṇapaṇḍitāpi abhippasannā vinītā ariye ñāye dhamme kusale”ti. “Sammukhā cepi mayaṁ, bho bhāradvāja, taṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ passeyyāma, sammukhāpi naṁ vadeyyāma: ‘bhūnahu samaṇo gotamo’ti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evañhi no sutte ocaratī”ti. “Sace taṁ bhoto māgaṇḍiyassa agaru āroceyyāmi taṁ samaṇassa gotamassā”ti. “Appossukko bhavaṁ bhāradvājo vuttova naṁ vadeyyā”ti.

“Well, it’s a sad sight, worthy Bhāradvāja, a very sad sight indeed, to see a bed for the worthy Gotama, that baby-killer!” “Be careful what you say, Māgaṇḍiya, be careful what you say. Many astute aristocrats, brahmins, householders, and ascetics are devoted to the worthy Gotama. They’ve been guided by him in the noble system, the skillful teaching.” “Even if I was to see the worthy Gotama face to face, worthy Bhāradvāja, I would say to his face: ‘The ascetic Gotama is a baby-killer.’ Why is that? For so it came to me while sleeping.” “If you don’t mind, I’ll tell the ascetic Gotama about this.” “Don’t worry, worthy Bhāradvāja. You may tell him exactly what I’ve said.”

Assosi kho bhagavā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya bhāradvājagottassa brāhmaṇassa māgaṇḍiyena paribbājakena saddhiṁ imaṁ kathāsallāpaṁ. Atha kho bhagavā sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena bhāradvājagottassa brāhmaṇassa agyāgāraṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā nisīdi bhagavā paññatte tiṇasanthārake. Atha kho bhāradvājagotto brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho bhāradvājagottaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ bhagavā etadavoca: “ahu pana te, bhāradvāja, māgaṇḍiyena paribbājakena saddhiṁ imaṁyeva tiṇasanthārakaṁ ārabbha kocideva kathāsallāpo”ti? Evaṁ vutte, bhāradvājagotto brāhmaṇo saṁviggo lomahaṭṭhajāto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “etadeva kho pana mayaṁ bhoto gotamassa ārocetukāmā. Atha ca pana bhavaṁ gotamo anakkhātaṁyeva akkhāsī”ti.

With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha heard this discussion between the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan and the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya. Coming out of retreat, he went to the brahmin’s fire chamber and sat on the grass mat. Then the brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him, “Bhāradvāja, did you have a discussion with the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya about this grass mat?” When he said this, the brahmin, shocked and awestruck, said to the Buddha, “I wanted to mention this very thing to the worthy Gotama, but you brought it up before I had a chance.”

Ayañca hi bhagavato bhāradvājagottena brāhmaṇena saddhiṁ antarākathā vippakatā hoti. Atha kho māgaṇḍiyo paribbājako jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamamāno anuvicaramāno yena bhāradvājagottassa brāhmaṇassa agyāgāraṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho māgaṇḍiyaṁ paribbājakaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

But this conversation between the Buddha and the brahmin was left unfinished. Then as the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya was going for a walk he approached that fire chamber. He went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side, and the Buddha said to him:

“Cakkhuṁ kho, māgaṇḍiya, rūpārāmaṁ rūparataṁ rūpasammuditaṁ. Taṁ tathāgatassa dantaṁ guttaṁ rakkhitaṁ saṁvutaṁ, tassa ca saṁvarāya dhammaṁ deseti. Idaṁ nu te etaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘bhūnahu samaṇo gotamo’”ti? “Etadeva kho pana me, bho gotama, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘bhūnahu samaṇo gotamo’ti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evañhi no sutte ocaratī”ti. “Sotaṁ kho, māgaṇḍiya, saddārāmaṁ …pe… ghānaṁ kho, māgaṇḍiya gandhārāmaṁ … jivhā kho, māgaṇḍiya, rasārāmā rasaratā rasasammuditā. Sā tathāgatassa dantā guttā rakkhitā saṁvutā, tassā ca saṁvarāya dhammaṁ deseti. Idaṁ nu te etaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘bhūnahu samaṇo gotamo’”ti? “Etadeva kho pana me, bho gotama, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘bhūnahu samaṇo gotamo’ti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evañhi no sutte ocaratī”ti. “Kāyo kho, māgaṇḍiya, phoṭṭhabbārāmo phoṭṭhabbarato …pe… mano kho, māgaṇḍiya, dhammārāmo dhammarato dhammasammudito. So tathāgatassa danto gutto rakkhito saṁvuto, tassa ca saṁvarāya dhammaṁ deseti. Idaṁ nu te etaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘bhūnahu samaṇo gotamo’”ti? “Etadeva kho pana me, bho gotama, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘bhūnahu samaṇo gotamo’ti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Evañhi no sutte ocaratī”ti.

“Māgaṇḍiya, the eye likes sights, it loves them and enjoys them. That’s been tamed, guarded, protected and restrained by the Realized One, and he teaches Dhamma for its restraint. Is that what you were referring to when you called me a baby-killer?” “That’s exactly what I was referring to. Why is that? For so it came to me while sleeping.” “The ear likes sounds … The nose likes smells … The tongue likes tastes … The body likes touches … The mind likes ideas, it loves them and enjoys them. That’s been tamed, guarded, protected and restrained by the Realized One, and he teaches Dhamma for its restraint. Is that what you were referring to when you called me a baby-killer?” “That’s exactly what I was referring to. Why is that? For so it came to me while sleeping.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya: ‘idhekacco cakkhuviññeyyehi rūpehi paricāritapubbo assa iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi, so aparena samayena rūpānaṁyeva samudayañca atthaṅgamañca assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ viditvā rūpataṇhaṁ pahāya rūpapariḷāhaṁ paṭivinodetvā vigatapipāso ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto vihareyya. Imassa pana te, māgaṇḍiya, kimassa vacanīyan’”ti? “Na kiñci, bho gotama”. “Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya: ‘idhekacco sotaviññeyyehi saddehi …pe… ghānaviññeyyehi gandhehi … jivhāviññeyyehi rasehi … kāyaviññeyyehi phoṭṭhabbehi paricāritapubbo assa iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi, so aparena samayena phoṭṭhabbānaṁyeva samudayañca atthaṅgamañca assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ viditvā phoṭṭhabbataṇhaṁ pahāya phoṭṭhabbapariḷāhaṁ paṭivinodetvā vigatapipāso ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto vihareyya. Imassa pana te, māgaṇḍiya, kimassa vacanīyan’”ti? “Na kiñci, bho gotama”.

“What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Take someone who used to amuse themselves with sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Some time later—having truly understood the origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape of sights, and having given up craving and dispelled passion for sights—they would live rid of thirst, their mind settled internally. What would you have to say to them, Māgaṇḍiya?” “Nothing, worthy Gotama.” “What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Take someone who used to amuse themselves with sounds known by the ear … smells known by the nose … tastes known by the tongue … touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Some time later—having truly understood the origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape of touches, and having given up craving and dispelled passion for touches—they would live rid of thirst, their mind settled internally. What would you have to say to them, Māgaṇḍiya?” “Nothing, worthy Gotama.”

“Ahaṁ kho pana, māgaṇḍiya, pubbe agāriyabhūto samāno pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāresiṁ cakkhuviññeyyehi rūpehi iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi, sotaviññeyyehi saddehi …pe… ghānaviññeyyehi gandhehi … jivhāviññeyyehi rasehi … kāyaviññeyyehi phoṭṭhabbehi iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi. Tassa mayhaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, tayo pāsādā ahesuṁ— eko vassiko, eko hemantiko, eko gimhiko. So kho ahaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, vassike pāsāde vassike cattāro māse nippurisehi tūriyehi paricārayamāno na heṭṭhāpāsādaṁ orohāmi. So aparena samayena kāmānaṁyeva samudayañca atthaṅgamañca assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ viditvā kāmataṇhaṁ pahāya kāmapariḷāhaṁ paṭivinodetvā vigatapipāso ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto viharāmi. So aññe satte passāmi kāmesu avītarāge kāmataṇhāhi khajjamāne kāmapariḷāhena pariḍayhamāne kāme paṭisevante. So tesaṁ na pihemi, na tattha abhiramāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yāhayaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, rati, aññatreva kāmehi aññatra akusalehi dhammehi— api dibbaṁ sukhaṁ samadhigayha tiṭṭhati— tāya ratiyā ramamāno hīnassa na pihemi, na tattha abhiramāmi.

“Well, when I was still a layperson I used to amuse myself, supplied and provided with sights known by the eye … sounds known by the ear … smells known by the nose … tastes known by the tongue … touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. I had three stilt longhouses— one for the rainy season, one for the winter, and one for the summer. I stayed in a stilt longhouse without coming downstairs for the four months of the rainy season, where I was entertained by musicians—none of them men. Some time later—having truly understood the origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape of sensual pleasures, and having given up craving and dispelled passion for sensual pleasures—I live rid of thirst, my mind settled internally. I see other sentient beings who are not free from sensual pleasures being consumed by craving for sensual pleasures, burning with passion for sensual pleasures, indulging in sensual pleasures. I don’t envy them, nor do I hope to enjoy that. Why is that? Because there is a satisfaction that is apart from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, which even equals heavenly pleasure. Enjoying that satisfaction, I don’t envy what is inferior, nor do I hope to enjoy it.

Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, gahapati vā gahapatiputto vā aḍḍho mahaddhano mahābhogo pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreyya cakkhuviññeyyehi rūpehi … pe… phoṭṭhabbehi iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi. So kāyena sucaritaṁ caritvā vācāya sucaritaṁ caritvā manasā sucaritaṁ caritvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjeyya devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sahabyataṁ. So tattha nandane vane accharāsaṅghaparivuto dibbehi pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāreyya. So passeyya gahapatiṁ vā gahapatiputtaṁ vā pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappitaṁ samaṅgībhūtaṁ paricārayamānaṁ. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya, api nu so devaputto nandane vane accharāsaṅghaparivuto dibbehi pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricārayamāno amussa gahapatissa vā gahapatiputtassa vā piheyya, mānusakānaṁ vā pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ mānusakehi vā kāmehi āvaṭṭeyyā”ti? “No hidaṁ, bho gotama. Taṁ kissa hetu? Mānusakehi, bho gotama, kāmehi dibbakāmā abhikkantatarā ca paṇītatarā cā”ti.

Suppose there was a householder or a householder’s child who was rich, affluent, and wealthy. And they would amuse themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. That is, sights known by the eye … sounds … smells … tastes … touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Having practiced good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, when their body breaks up, after death, they’d be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm, in the company of the gods of the thirty-three. There they’d amuse themselves in the Garden of Delight, escorted by a band of nymphs, supplied and provided with the five kinds of heavenly sensual stimulation. Then they’d see a householder or a householder’s child amusing themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Would that god—amusing themselves in the Garden of Delight, escorted by a band of nymphs, supplied and provided with the five kinds of heavenly sensual stimulation—envy that householder or householder’s child their five kinds of human sensual stimulation, or return to human sensual pleasures?” “No, worthy Gotama. Why is that? Because heavenly sensual pleasures are better than human sensual pleasures.”

“Evameva kho ahaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, pubbe agāriyabhūto samāno pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāresiṁ cakkhuviññeyyehi rūpehi iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi, sotaviññeyyehi saddehi …pe… ghānaviññeyyehi gandhehi … jivhāviññeyyehi rasehi … kāyaviññeyyehi phoṭṭhabbehi iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi. So aparena samayena kāmānaṁyeva samudayañca atthaṅgamañca assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ viditvā kāmataṇhaṁ pahāya kāmapariḷāhaṁ paṭivinodetvā vigatapipāso ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto viharāmi. So aññe satte passāmi kāmesu avītarāge kāmataṇhāhi khajjamāne kāmapariḷāhena pariḍayhamāne kāme paṭisevante, so tesaṁ na pihemi, na tattha abhiramāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yāhayaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, rati aññatreva kāmehi aññatra akusalehi dhammehi— api dibbaṁ sukhaṁ samadhigayha tiṭṭhati— tāya ratiyā ramamāno hīnassa na pihemi, na tattha abhiramāmi.

“In the same way, Māgaṇḍiya, when I was still a layperson I used to amuse myself with sights … sounds … smells … tastes … touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Some time later—having truly understood the origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape of sensual pleasures, and having given up craving and dispelled passion for sensual pleasures—I live rid of thirst, my mind settled internally. I see other sentient beings who are not free from sensual pleasures being consumed by craving for sensual pleasures, burning with passion for sensual pleasures, indulging in sensual pleasures. I don’t envy them, nor do I hope to enjoy that. Why is that? Because there is a satisfaction that is apart from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, which even equals heavenly pleasure. Enjoying that satisfaction, I don’t envy what is inferior, nor do I hope to enjoy it.

Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpeyya. Tassa mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā bhisakkaṁ sallakattaṁ upaṭṭhāpeyyuṁ. Tassa so bhisakko sallakatto bhesajjaṁ kareyya. So taṁ bhesajjaṁ āgamma kuṭṭhehi parimucceyya, arogo assa sukhī serī sayaṁvasī yena kāmaṁ gamo. So aññaṁ kuṭṭhiṁ purisaṁ passeyya arugattaṁ pakkagattaṁ kimīhi khajjamānaṁ nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamānaṁ aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpentaṁ. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya, api nu so puriso amussa kuṭṭhissa purisassa piheyya aṅgārakāsuyā vā bhesajjaṁ paṭisevanāya vā”ti? “No hidaṁ, bho gotama. Taṁ kissa hetu? Roge hi, bho gotama, sati bhesajjena karaṇīyaṁ hoti, roge asati na bhesajjena karaṇīyaṁ hotī”ti.

Suppose there was a person affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs. Being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, they’d cauterize their body over a pit of glowing coals. Their friends and colleagues, relatives and kin would get a surgeon to treat them. The surgeon would make medicine for them, and by using that they’d be cured of leprosy. They’d be healthy, happy, autonomous, master of themselves, able to go where they wanted. Then they’d see another person affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs, being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, cauterizing their body over a pit of glowing coals. What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Would that person envy that other person affected by leprosy for their pit of glowing coals or for taking medicine?” “No, worthy Gotama. Why is that? Because you need to take medicine only when there’s a disease. When there’s no disease, there’s no need for medicine.”

“Evameva kho ahaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, pubbe agāriyabhūto samāno pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāresiṁ, cakkhuviññeyyehi rūpehi iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi, sotaviññeyyehi saddehi …pe… ghānaviññeyyehi gandhehi … jivhāviññeyyehi rasehi … kāyaviññeyyehi phoṭṭhabbehi iṭṭhehi kantehi manāpehi piyarūpehi kāmūpasaṁhitehi rajanīyehi. So aparena samayena kāmānaṁyeva samudayañca atthaṅgamañca assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ viditvā kāmataṇhaṁ pahāya kāmapariḷāhaṁ paṭivinodetvā vigatapipāso ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto viharāmi. So aññe satte passāmi kāmesu avītarāge kāmataṇhāhi khajjamāne kāmapariḷāhena pariḍayhamāne kāme paṭisevante. So tesaṁ na pihemi, na tattha abhiramāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yāhayaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, rati, aññatreva kāmehi aññatra akusalehi dhammehi— api dibbaṁ sukhaṁ samadhigayha tiṭṭhati— tāya ratiyā ramamāno hīnassa na pihemi, na tattha abhiramāmi.

“In the same way, Māgaṇḍiya, when I was still a layperson I used to amuse myself with sights … sounds … smells … tastes … touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing. Some time later—having truly understood the origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape of sensual pleasures, and having given up craving and dispelled passion for sensual pleasures—I live rid of thirst, my mind settled internally. I see other sentient beings who are not free from sensual pleasures being consumed by craving for sensual pleasures, burning with passion for sensual pleasures, indulging in sensual pleasures. I don’t envy them, nor do I hope to enjoy that. Why is that? Because there is a satisfaction that is apart from sensual pleasures and unskillful qualities, which even equals heavenly pleasure. Enjoying that satisfaction, I don’t envy what is inferior, nor do I hope to enjoy it.

Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpeyya. Tassa mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā bhisakkaṁ sallakattaṁ upaṭṭhāpeyyuṁ. Tassa so bhisakko sallakatto bhesajjaṁ kareyya. So taṁ bhesajjaṁ āgamma kuṭṭhehi parimucceyya, arogo assa sukhī serī sayaṁvasī yena kāmaṁ gamo. Tamenaṁ dve balavanto purisā nānābāhāsu gahetvā aṅgārakāsuṁ upakaḍḍheyyuṁ. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya, api nu so puriso iti citiceva kāyaṁ sannāmeyyā”ti? “Evaṁ, bho gotama. Taṁ kissa hetu? Asu hi, bho gotama, aggi dukkhasamphasso ceva mahābhitāpo ca mahāpariḷāho cā”ti. “Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya, idāneva nu kho so aggi dukkhasamphasso ceva mahābhitāpo ca mahāpariḷāho ca udāhu pubbepi so aggi dukkhasamphasso ceva mahābhitāpo ca mahāpariḷāho cā”ti? “Idāni ceva, bho gotama, so aggi dukkhasamphasso ceva mahābhitāpo ca mahāpariḷāho ca, pubbepi so aggi dukkhasamphasso ceva mahābhitāpo ca mahāpariḷāho ca. Asu ca, bho gotama, kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno upahatindriyo dukkhasamphasseyeva aggismiṁ sukhamiti viparītasaññaṁ paccalatthā”ti.

Suppose there was a person affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs. Being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, they’d cauterize their body over a pit of glowing coals. Their friends and colleagues, relatives and kin would get a surgeon to treat them. The surgeon would make medicine for them, and by using that they’d be cured of leprosy. They’d be healthy, happy, autonomous, master of themselves, able to go where they wanted. Two strong men would grab them by the arms and drag them toward the pit of glowing coals. What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Wouldn’t that person writhe and struggle to and fro?” “Yes, worthy Gotama. Why is that? Because that fire is really painful to touch, fiercely burning and scorching.” “What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Is it only now that the fire is really painful to touch, fiercely burning and scorching, or was it painful previously as well?” “That fire is painful now and it was also painful previously. That person was affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs. Being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, their sense faculties were impaired. So even though the fire was actually painful to touch, they had a distorted perception that it was pleasant.”

“Evameva kho, māgaṇḍiya, atītampi addhānaṁ kāmā dukkhasamphassā ceva mahābhitāpā ca mahāpariḷāhā ca, anāgatampi addhānaṁ kāmā dukkhasamphassā ceva mahābhitāpā ca mahāpariḷāhā ca, etarahipi paccuppannaṁ addhānaṁ kāmā dukkhasamphassā ceva mahābhitāpā ca mahāpariḷāhā ca. Ime ca, māgaṇḍiya, sattā kāmesu avītarāgā kāmataṇhāhi khajjamānā kāmapariḷāhena pariḍayhamānā upahatindriyā dukkhasamphassesuyeva kāmesu sukhamiti viparītasaññaṁ paccalatthuṁ.

“In the same way, sensual pleasures of the past, future, and present are painful to touch, fiercely burning and scorching. These sentient beings who are not free from sensual pleasures—being consumed by craving for sensual pleasures, burning with passion for sensual pleasures—have impaired sense faculties. So even though sensual pleasures are actually painful to touch, they have a distorted perception that they are pleasant.

Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpeti. Yathā yathā kho, māgaṇḍiya, asu kuṭṭhī puriso arugatto pakkagatto kimīhi khajjamāno nakhehi vaṇamukhāni vippatacchamāno aṅgārakāsuyā kāyaṁ paritāpeti tathā tathāssa tāni vaṇamukhāni asucitarāni ceva honti duggandhatarāni ca pūtikatarāni ca, hoti ceva kāci sātamattā assādamattā—yadidaṁ vaṇamukhānaṁ kaṇḍūvanahetu; evameva kho, māgaṇḍiya, sattā kāmesu avītarāgā kāmataṇhāhi khajjamānā kāmapariḷāhena ca pariḍayhamānā kāme paṭisevanti. Yathā yathā kho, māgaṇḍiya, sattā kāmesu avītarāgā kāmataṇhāhi khajjamānā kāmapariḷāhena ca pariḍayhamānā kāme paṭisevanti tathā tathā tesaṁ tesaṁ sattānaṁ kāmataṇhā ceva pavaḍḍhati, kāmapariḷāhena ca pariḍayhanti, hoti ceva sātamattā assādamattā—yadidaṁ pañcakāmaguṇe paṭicca.

Suppose there was a person affected by leprosy, with sores and blisters on their limbs. Being devoured by worms, scratching with their nails at the opening of their wounds, they’re cauterizing their body over a pit of glowing coals. The more they scratch their wounds and cauterize their body, the more their wounds become foul, stinking, and infected. But still, they derive a degree of pleasure and gratification from the itchiness of their wounds. In the same way, I see other sentient beings who are not free from sensual pleasures being consumed by craving for sensual pleasures, burning with passion for sensual pleasures, indulging in sensual pleasures. The more they indulge in sensual pleasures, the more their craving for sensual pleasures grows, and the more they burn with passion for sensual pleasures. But still, they derive a degree of pleasure and gratification from the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya, api nu te diṭṭho vā suto vā rājā vā rājamahāmatto vā pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricārayamāno kāmataṇhaṁ appahāya kāmapariḷāhaṁ appaṭivinodetvā vigatapipāso ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto vihāsi vā viharati vā viharissati vā”ti? “No hidaṁ, bho gotama”. “Sādhu, māgaṇḍiya. Mayāpi kho etaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, neva diṭṭhaṁ na sutaṁ rājā vā rājamahāmatto vā pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricārayamāno kāmataṇhaṁ appahāya kāmapariḷāhaṁ appaṭivinodetvā vigatapipāso ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacitto vihāsi vā viharati vā viharissati vā. Atha kho, māgaṇḍiya, ye hi keci samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā vigatapipāsā ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacittā vihāsuṁ vā viharanti vā viharissanti vā sabbe te kāmānaṁyeva samudayañca atthaṅgamañca assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ viditvā kāmataṇhaṁ pahāya kāmapariḷāhaṁ paṭivinodetvā vigatapipāsā ajjhattaṁ vūpasantacittā vihāsuṁ vā viharanti vā viharissanti vā”ti.

What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Have you seen or heard of a king or a royal minister of the past, future, or present, amusing themselves supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, who—without giving up craving for sensual pleasures and dispelling passion for sensual pleasures—lives rid of thirst, their mind settled internally?” “No, worthy Gotama.” “Good, Māgaṇḍiya. Neither have I. On the contrary, all the ascetics or brahmins of the past, future, or present who live rid of thirst, their minds settled internally, do so after truly understanding the origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape of sensual pleasures, and after giving up craving and dispelling passion for sensual pleasures.”

Atha kho bhagavā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi: “Ārogyaparamā lābhā, nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ; Aṭṭhaṅgiko ca maggānaṁ, khemaṁ amatagāminan”ti. Evaṁ vutte, māgaṇḍiyo paribbājako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “acchariyaṁ, bho gotama, abbhutaṁ, bho gotama. Yāva subhāsitañcidaṁ bhotā gotamena: ‘ārogyaparamā lābhā, nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhan’ti. Mayāpi kho etaṁ, bho gotama, sutaṁ pubbakānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘ārogyaparamā lābhā, nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhan’ti; tayidaṁ, bho gotama, sametī”ti. “Yaṁ pana te etaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, sutaṁ pubbakānaṁ paribbājakānaṁ ācariyapācariyānaṁ bhāsamānānaṁ: ‘ārogyaparamā lābhā, nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhan’ti, katamaṁ taṁ ārogyaṁ, katamaṁ taṁ nibbānan”ti? Evaṁ vutte, māgaṇḍiyo paribbājako sakāneva sudaṁ gattāni pāṇinā anomajjati: “idantaṁ, bho gotama, ārogyaṁ, idantaṁ nibbānaṁ. Ahañhi, bho gotama, etarahi arogo sukhī, na maṁ kiñci ābādhatī”ti.

Then on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment: “Health is the ultimate blessing; extinguishment, the ultimate happiness. Of paths, the ultimate is eightfold— it’s safe, and leads to freedom from death.” When he said this, Māgaṇḍiya said to him, “It’s incredible, worthy Gotama, it’s amazing! How well said this was by the worthy Gotama! ‘Health is the ultimate blessing; extinguishment, the ultimate happiness.’ I’ve also heard that wanderers of the past, the tutors of tutors, said: ‘Health is the ultimate blessing; extinguishment, the ultimate happiness.’ And it agrees, worthy Gotama.” “But Māgaṇḍiya, when you heard that wanderers of the past said this, what is that health? And what is that extinguishment?” When he said this, Māgaṇḍiya stroked his own limbs with his hands, saying: “This is that health, worthy Gotama, this is that extinguishment! For I am now healthy and happy, and have no afflictions.”

“Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, jaccandho puriso; so na passeyya kaṇhasukkāni rūpāni, na passeyya nīlakāni rūpāni, na passeyya pītakāni rūpāni, na passeyya lohitakāni rūpāni, na passeyya mañjiṭṭhakāni rūpāni, na passeyya samavisamaṁ, na passeyya tārakarūpāni, na passeyya candimasūriye. So suṇeyya cakkhumato bhāsamānassa: ‘chekaṁ vata, bho, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti. So odātapariyesanaṁ careyya. Tamenaṁ aññataro puriso telamalikatena sāhuḷicīrena vañceyya: ‘idaṁ te, ambho purisa, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti. So taṁ paṭiggaṇheyya, paṭiggahetvā pārupeyya, pārupetvā attamano attamanavācaṁ nicchāreyya: ‘chekaṁ vata, bho, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya, api nu so jaccandho puriso jānanto passanto amuṁ telamalikataṁ sāhuḷicīraṁ paṭiggaṇheyya, paṭiggahetvā pārupeyya, pārupetvā attamano attamanavācaṁ nicchāreyya: ‘chekaṁ vata, bho, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti udāhu cakkhumato saddhāyā”ti? “Ajānanto hi, bho gotama, apassanto so jaccandho puriso amuṁ telamalikataṁ sāhuḷicīraṁ paṭiggaṇheyya, paṭiggahetvā pārupeyya, pārupetvā attamano attamanavācaṁ nicchāreyya: ‘chekaṁ vata, bho, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti, cakkhumato saddhāyā”ti.

“Māgaṇḍiya, suppose a person was blind from birth. They couldn’t see sights that are dark or bright, or blue, yellow, red, or magenta. They couldn’t see even and uneven ground, or the stars, or the moon and sun. They might hear a sighted person saying: ‘White cloth is really nice, it’s attractive, stainless, and clean.’ They’d go in search of white cloth. But someone would cheat them with a dirty, soiled garment, saying: ‘My man, here is a white cloth for you, it’s attractive, stainless, and clean.’ They’d take it and put it on, expressing their gladness: ‘White cloth is really nice, it’s attractive, stainless, and clean.’ What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Did that person blind from birth do this knowing and seeing, or out of faith in the sighted person?” “They did so not knowing or seeing, but out of faith in the sighted person.”

“Evameva kho, māgaṇḍiya, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā andhā acakkhukā ajānantā ārogyaṁ, apassantā nibbānaṁ, atha ca panimaṁ gāthaṁ bhāsanti: ‘ārogyaparamā lābhā, nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhan’ti. Pubbakehesā, māgaṇḍiya, arahantehi sammāsambuddhehi gāthā bhāsitā: ‘Ārogyaparamā lābhā, nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ; Aṭṭhaṅgiko ca maggānaṁ, khemaṁ amatagāminan’ti. Sā etarahi anupubbena puthujjanagāthā. Ayaṁ kho pana, māgaṇḍiya, kāyo rogabhūto gaṇḍabhūto sallabhūto aghabhūto ābādhabhūto, so tvaṁ imaṁ kāyaṁ rogabhūtaṁ gaṇḍabhūtaṁ sallabhūtaṁ aghabhūtaṁ ābādhabhūtaṁ: ‘idantaṁ, bho gotama, ārogyaṁ, idantaṁ nibbānan’ti vadesi. Tañhi te, māgaṇḍiya, ariyaṁ cakkhuṁ natthi yena tvaṁ ariyena cakkhunā ārogyaṁ jāneyyāsi, nibbānaṁ passeyyāsī”ti.

“In the same way, the wanderers of other religions are blind and sightless. Not knowing health and not seeing extinguishment, they still recite this verse: ‘Health is the ultimate blessing; extinguishment, the ultimate happiness.’ For this verse was recited by the perfected ones, fully awakened Buddhas of the past: ‘Health is the ultimate blessing; extinguishment, the ultimate happiness. Of paths, the ultimate is eightfold— it’s safe, and leads to freedom from death.’ These days it has gradually become a verse used by ordinary people. But Māgaṇḍiya, this body is a disease, a boil, a dart, a gloom, an affliction. Yet you say of this body: ‘This is that health, this is that extinguishment!’ Māgaṇḍiya, you don’t have the noble vision by which you might know health and see extinguishment.”

“Evaṁ pasanno ahaṁ bhoto gotamassa. Pahoti me bhavaṁ gotamo tathā dhammaṁ desetuṁ yathāhaṁ ārogyaṁ jāneyyaṁ, nibbānaṁ passeyyan”ti. “Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, jaccandho puriso; so na passeyya kaṇhasukkāni rūpāni, na passeyya nīlakāni rūpāni, na passeyya pītakāni rūpāni, na passeyya lohitakāni rūpāni, na passeyya mañjiṭṭhakāni rūpāni, na passeyya samavisamaṁ, na passeyya tārakarūpāni, na passeyya candimasūriye. Tassa mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā bhisakkaṁ sallakattaṁ upaṭṭhāpeyyuṁ. Tassa so bhisakko sallakatto bhesajjaṁ kareyya. So taṁ bhesajjaṁ āgamma na cakkhūni uppādeyya, na cakkhūni visodheyya. Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, māgaṇḍiya, nanu so vejjo yāvadeva kilamathassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti? “Evaṁ, bho gotama”. “Evameva kho, māgaṇḍiya, ahañce te dhammaṁ deseyyaṁ: ‘idantaṁ ārogyaṁ, idantaṁ nibbānan’ti, so tvaṁ ārogyaṁ na jāneyyāsi, nibbānaṁ na passeyyāsi. So mamassa kilamatho, sā mamassa vihesā”ti.

“I am quite confident that the worthy Gotama is capable of teaching me so that I can know health and see extinguishment.” “Māgaṇḍiya, suppose a person was blind from birth. They couldn’t see sights that are dark or bright, or blue, yellow, red, or magenta. They couldn’t see even and uneven ground, or the stars, or the moon and sun. Their friends and colleagues, relatives and kin would get a surgeon to treat them. The surgeon would make medicine for them, but when they used it their eyes were not cured and they still could not see clearly. What do you think, Māgaṇḍiya? Wouldn’t that doctor just get weary and frustrated?” “Yes, worthy Gotama.” “In the same way, suppose I were to teach you the Dhamma, saying: ‘This is that health, this is that extinguishment.’ But you might not know health or see extinguishment, which would be wearying and troublesome for me.”

“Evaṁ pasanno ahaṁ bhoto gotamassa. Pahoti me bhavaṁ gotamo tathā dhammaṁ desetuṁ yathāhaṁ ārogyaṁ jāneyyaṁ, nibbānaṁ passeyyan”ti. “Seyyathāpi, māgaṇḍiya, jaccandho puriso; so na passeyya kaṇhasukkāni rūpāni, na passeyya nīlakāni rūpāni, na passeyya pītakāni rūpāni, na passeyya lohitakāni rūpāni, na passeyya mañjiṭṭhakāni rūpāni, na passeyya samavisamaṁ, na passeyya tārakarūpāni, na passeyya candimasūriye. So suṇeyya cakkhumato bhāsamānassa: ‘chekaṁ vata, bho, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti. So odātapariyesanaṁ careyya. Tamenaṁ aññataro puriso telamalikatena sāhuḷicīrena vañceyya: ‘idaṁ te, ambho purisa, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti. So taṁ paṭiggaṇheyya, paṭiggahetvā pārupeyya. Tassa mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā bhisakkaṁ sallakattaṁ upaṭṭhāpeyyuṁ. Tassa so bhisakko sallakatto bhesajjaṁ kareyya— uddhaṁvirecanaṁ adhovirecanaṁ añjanaṁ paccañjanaṁ natthukammaṁ. So taṁ bhesajjaṁ āgamma cakkhūni uppādeyya, cakkhūni visodheyya. Tassa saha cakkhuppādā yo amusmiṁ telamalikate sāhuḷicīre chandarāgo so pahīyetha. Tañca naṁ purisaṁ amittatopi daheyya, paccatthikatopi daheyya, api ca jīvitā voropetabbaṁ maññeyya: ‘dīgharattaṁ vata, bho, ahaṁ iminā purisena telamalikatena sāhuḷicīrena nikato vañcito paluddho— idaṁ te, ambho purisa, odātaṁ vatthaṁ abhirūpaṁ nimmalaṁ sucī’ti.

“I am quite confident that the worthy Gotama is capable of teaching me so that I can know health and see extinguishment.” “Māgaṇḍiya, suppose a person was blind from birth. They couldn’t see sights that are dark or bright, or blue, yellow, red, or magenta. They couldn’t see even and uneven ground, or the stars, or the moon and sun. They might hear a sighted person saying: ‘White cloth is really nice, it’s attractive, stainless, and clean.’ They’d go in search of white cloth. But someone would cheat them with a dirty, soiled garment, saying: ‘My man, here is a white cloth for you, it’s attractive, stainless, and clean.’ They’d take it and put it on. Their friends and colleagues, relatives and kin would get a surgeon to treat them. The surgeon would make medicine for them: emetics, purgatives, ointment, counter-ointment, or nasal treatment. And when they used it their eyes would be cured so that they could see clearly. As soon as their eyes were cured they’d lose all desire for that dirty, soiled garment. Then they would consider that person to be no friend, but an enemy, and might even think of murdering them: ‘For such a long time I’ve been cheated, tricked, and deceived by that person with this dirty, soiled garment when he said, “My man, here is a white cloth for you, it’s attractive, stainless, and clean.”’

Evameva kho, māgaṇḍiya, ahañce te dhammaṁ deseyyaṁ: ‘idantaṁ ārogyaṁ, idantaṁ nibbānan’ti. So tvaṁ ārogyaṁ jāneyyāsi, nibbānaṁ passeyyāsi. Tassa te saha cakkhuppādā yo pañcasupādānakkhandhesu chandarāgo so pahīyetha; api ca te evamassa: ‘dīgharattaṁ vata bho ahaṁ iminā cittena nikato vañcito paluddho. Ahañhi rūpaṁyeva upādiyamāno upādiyiṁ, vedanaṁyeva upādiyamāno upādiyiṁ, saññaṁyeva upādiyamāno upādiyiṁ, saṅkhāreyeva upādiyamāno upādiyiṁ, viññāṇaṁyeva upādiyamāno upādiyiṁ. Tassa me upādānapaccayā bhavo, bhavapaccayā jāti, jātipaccayā jarāmaraṇaṁ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā sambhavanti; evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hotī’”ti.

In the same way, Māgaṇḍiya, suppose I were to teach you the Dhamma, saying: ‘This is that health, this is that extinguishment.’ You might know health and see extinguishment. And as soon as your vision arises you might give up desire for the five grasping aggregates. And you might even think: ‘For such a long time I’ve been cheated, tricked, and deceived by this mind. For what I have been grasping is only form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness. My grasping is a requirement for continued existence. Continued existence is a requirement for rebirth. Rebirth is a requirement for old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress to come to be. That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.’”

“Evaṁ pasanno ahaṁ bhoto gotamassa. Pahoti me bhavaṁ gotamo tathā dhammaṁ desetuṁ yathāhaṁ imamhā āsanā anandho vuṭṭhaheyyan”ti. “Tena hi tvaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, sappurise bhajeyyāsi. Yato kho tvaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, sappurise bhajissasi tato tvaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, saddhammaṁ sossasi; yato kho tvaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, saddhammaṁ sossasi tato tvaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjissasi; yato kho tvaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjissasi tato tvaṁ, māgaṇḍiya, sāmaṁyeva ñassasi, sāmaṁ dakkhissasi— ime rogā gaṇḍā sallā; idha rogā gaṇḍā sallā aparisesā nirujjhanti. Tassa me upādānanirodhā bhavanirodho, bhavanirodhā jātinirodho, jātinirodhā jarāmaraṇaṁ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā nirujjhanti; evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa nirodho hotī”ti.

“I am quite confident that the worthy Gotama is capable of teaching me so that I can rise from this seat cured of blindness.” “Well then, Māgaṇḍiya, you should associate with true persons. When you associate with true persons, you will hear the true teaching. When you hear the true teaching, you’ll practice in line with the teaching. When you practice in line with the teaching, you’ll know and see for yourself: ‘These are diseases, boils, and darts. And here is where diseases, boils, and darts cease without remainder.’ When my grasping ceases, continued existence ceases. When continued existence ceases, rebirth ceases. When rebirth ceases, old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress cease. That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.”

Evaṁ vutte, māgaṇḍiyo paribbājako bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama, abhikkantaṁ, bho gotama. Seyyathāpi, bho gotama, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhotā gotamena anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Esāhaṁ bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Labheyyāhaṁ bhoto gotamassa santike pabbajjaṁ, labheyyaṁ upasampadan”ti.

When he said this, Māgaṇḍiya said to him, “Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, worthy Gotama has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the worthy Gotama, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. May I receive the going forth, the ordination in the worthy Gotama’s presence?”

“Yo kho, māgaṇḍiya, aññatitthiyapubbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ākaṅkhati pabbajjaṁ, ākaṅkhati upasampadaṁ, so cattāro māse parivasati; catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājenti, upasampādenti bhikkhubhāvāya. Api ca mettha puggalavemattatā viditā”ti. “Sace, bhante, aññatitthiyapubbā imasmiṁ dhammavinaye ākaṅkhantā pabbajjaṁ, ākaṅkhantā upasampadaṁ cattāro māse parivasanti, catunnaṁ māsānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājenti upasampādenti bhikkhubhāvāya; ahaṁ cattāri vassāni parivasissāmi, catunnaṁ vassānaṁ accayena āraddhacittā bhikkhū pabbājentu, upasampādentu bhikkhubhāvāyā”ti.

“Māgaṇḍiya, if someone formerly ordained in another sect wishes to take the going forth, the ordination in this teaching and training, they must spend four months on probation. When four months have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, they’ll give the going forth, the ordination into monkhood. However, I recognize individual differences in this matter.” “Sir, if four months probation are required in such a case, I’ll spend four years on probation. When four years have passed, if the mendicants are satisfied, let them give me the going forth, the ordination into monkhood.”

Alattha kho māgaṇḍiyo paribbājako bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, alattha upasampadaṁ. Acirūpasampanno kho panāyasmā māgaṇḍiyo eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsi. “Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi. Aññataro kho panāyasmā māgaṇḍiyo arahataṁ ahosīti.

And the wanderer Māgaṇḍiya received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence. Not long after his ordination, Venerable Māgaṇḍiya, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.” And Venerable Māgaṇḍiya became one of the perfected.