Soṇasuttaṃ [Ud 5.6, PTS 57–59]

6.

The Discourse on Soṇa

46. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Mahākaccāna was dwelling among the Avantis at Kuraraghara, on Pavatta Mountain. Now at that time the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa was the Venerable Mahākaccāna's attendant.

Then when the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "In whatever way the noble Mahākaccāna expounds the Teaching, it is not easy for one dwelling in a house to live the holy life that is completely perfect, completely pure, polished like a conch shell. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on ochre robes, and go forth from home into homelessness?"

Then the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, he paid respect to the Venerable Mahākaccāna and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna:

"Here, venerable sir, when I had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind: 'In whatever way the noble Mahākaccāna expounds the Teaching, it is not easy for one dwelling in a house to live the holy life that is completely perfect, completely pure, polished like a conch shell. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on ochre robes, and go forth from home into homelessness?' May the noble Mahākaccāna give me the going forth, venerable sir."

When this was said, the Venerable Mahākaccāna said this to the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa: "It is difficult, Soṇa, the holy life of one meal a day and one sleeping place for as long as life lasts. Come now, Soṇa, while remaining right there as a householder, devote yourself to the teaching of the Buddhas, the holy life of one meal a day and one sleeping place at the proper time." Then whatever intention the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa had for going forth, that subsided.

For the second time, etc. For the second time the Venerable Mahākaccāna said this to the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa: "It is difficult, Soṇa, the holy life of one meal a day and one sleeping place for as long as life lasts. Come now, Soṇa, while remaining right there as a householder, devote yourself to the teaching of the Buddhas, the holy life of one meal a day and one sleeping place at the proper time." For the second time whatever intention the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa had for going forth, that subsided.

For the third time when the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "In whatever way the noble Mahākaccāna expounds the Teaching, it is not easy for one dwelling in a house to live the holy life that is completely perfect, completely pure, polished like a conch shell. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on ochre robes, and go forth from home into homelessness?" For the third time the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, he paid respect to the Venerable Mahākaccāna and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna:

"Here, venerable sir, when I had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind: 'In whatever way the noble Mahākaccāna expounds the Teaching, it is not easy for one dwelling in a house to live the holy life that is completely perfect, completely pure, polished like a conch shell. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on ochre robes, and go forth from home into homelessness?' May the noble Mahākaccāna give me the going forth, venerable sir."

Then the Venerable Mahākaccāna gave the going forth to the lay follower Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa. Now at that time the southern region of Avanti had few monks. Then the Venerable Mahākaccāna, after the elapse of three years, with difficulty and trouble, having assembled a community of monks of a group of ten from here and there, gave full ordination to the Venerable Soṇa.

Then when the Venerable Soṇa had completed the rains retreat, had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "I have not seen that Blessed One face to face, but I have heard of that Blessed One: 'He is such and such.' If my preceptor would permit me, I would go to see that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One."

Then the Venerable Soṇa, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, approached the Venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, he paid respect to the Venerable Mahākaccāna and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Soṇa said this to the Venerable Mahākaccāna:

"Here, venerable sir, when I had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind: 'I have not seen that Blessed One face to face, but I have heard of that Blessed One: He is such and such.' If my preceptor would permit me, I would go to see that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One."

"Good, good, Soṇa; go, Soṇa, to see that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One. You will see, Soṇa, that Blessed One - inspiring, confidence-inspiring, with peaceful faculties, with peaceful mind, having attained the highest taming and serenity, tamed, guarded, with restrained faculties, an elephant. Having seen him, in my name pay respect with your head at the Blessed One's feet, and ask about his health, whether he is free from illness, free from affliction, light in rising, strong, and dwelling in comfort: 'My preceptor, venerable sir, the Venerable Mahākaccāna, pays respect with his head at the Blessed One's feet, and asks about his health, whether he is free from illness, free from affliction, light in rising, strong, and dwelling in comfort.'"

"Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Soṇa, having delighted in and given thanks for the Venerable Mahākaccāna's saying, rose from his seat, paid respect to the Venerable Mahākaccāna, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, set in order his lodging, and taking his bowl and robe, set out on a journey towards Sāvatthī. Wandering on a journey gradually, he approached Sāvatthī, Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park, where the Blessed One was; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Soṇa said this to the Blessed One - "My preceptor, venerable sir, the Venerable Mahākaccāna, pays respect with his head at the Blessed One's feet, and asks about his health, whether he is free from illness, free from affliction, light in rising, strong, and dwelling in comfort."

"Is it bearable, monk, is it endurable, have you come the journey with little fatigue, and are you not troubled about almsfood?" "It is bearable, Blessed One, it is endurable, Blessed One; and I, venerable sir, have come the journey with little fatigue, and I am not troubled about almsfood."

Then the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda - "Prepare a lodging for this visiting monk, Ānanda." Then this occurred to the Venerable Ānanda: "For whomever the Blessed One commands me: 'Prepare a lodging for this visiting monk, Ānanda,' the Blessed One wishes to dwell in a single dwelling with that monk; the Blessed One wishes to dwell in a single dwelling with the Venerable Soṇa." In the dwelling where the Blessed One was dwelling, in that dwelling he prepared a lodging for the Venerable Soṇa.

Then the Blessed One, having spent much of the night sitting in the open air, having washed his feet, entered the dwelling. The Venerable Soṇa also, having spent much of the night sitting in the open air, having washed his feet, entered the dwelling. Then the Blessed One, having risen towards the break of dawn, requested the Venerable Soṇa - "Let the Teaching occur to you to speak, monk."

"Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Soṇa, having assented to the Blessed One, recited all sixteen sections of the Eights with melodic chanting. Then the Blessed One, at the conclusion of the Venerable Soṇa's melodic recital, gave thanks - "Good, good, monk! The sixteen sections of the Eights have been well learned by you, monk, well attended to, well considered. You are endowed with good speech, distinct, free from drooling, capable of making the meaning clear. How many rains retreats have you, monk?" "I have one rains retreat, Blessed One." "But why did you, monk, delay so long?" "For a long time I have seen the danger in sensual pleasures, venerable sir; but the household life is confinement, with much to do, with many duties."

Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -