8.
Connected Discourses with Vaṅgīsa
1.
The Discourse on Going Forth
209.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Venerable Vaṅgīsa was dwelling at Āḷavī in the Aggāḷava shrine together with his preceptor, the Venerable Nigrodhakappa.
Now at that time the Venerable Vaṅgīsa was a junior, recently gone forth, left behind as the monastery guardian.
Then several women, having adorned themselves, approached the Aggāḷava park to see the monastery.
Then, having seen those women, discontent arose in the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, lust assailed his mind.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"It is a loss for me indeed, it is not a gain for me indeed;
it is ill-gained for me indeed, it is not well-gained for me indeed;
that for me discontent has arisen, lust assails my mind. How could it be obtained here, that another might dispel my discontent and arouse contentment in me?
What if I myself were to dispel my own discontent and arouse contentment?"
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having himself dispelled his own discontent and aroused contentment, at that time spoke these verses -
Applied thoughts run up to me, these bold ones from the dark side.
Were to surround me on all sides, a thousand who do not flee,
They will never disturb me, established as I am in the Teaching.
The path leading to Nibbāna - there my mind delights.
I shall act in such a way, O Death, that you will not even see my path."
2.
The Discourse on Discontent
210.
On one occasion, etc.
the Venerable Vaṅgīsa was dwelling at Āḷavī in the Aggāḷava shrine together with his preceptor, the Venerable Nigrodhakappa.
Now at that time the Venerable Nigrodhakappa, after the meal, having returned from his alms round, would enter the dwelling, and would come out in the evening or the following day at the proper time.
Now at that time discontent had arisen in the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, lust assailed his mind.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"It is a loss for me indeed, it is not a gain for me indeed;
it is ill-gained for me indeed, it is not well-gained for me indeed;
that for me discontent has arisen, lust assails my mind;
how could it be obtained here, that another might dispel my discontent and arouse contentment in me?
What if I myself were to dispel my own discontent and arouse contentment?"
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having himself dispelled his own discontent and aroused contentment, at that time spoke these verses -
One should not create craving anywhere, free from craving, without delight - he indeed is a monk.
Everything whatsoever decays, all is impermanent - thus having understood, the wise ones live.
Here one should dispel desire, being without longing - whoever here does not cling, him they call a sage.
One should not go to any faction anywhere, nor should that monk be one who speaks coarsely.
The sage has attained the peaceful state, dependent on it, attained final Nibbāna, he awaits the time."
3.
The Discourse on the Well-Behaved
211.
On one occasion the Venerable Vaṅgīsa was dwelling at Āḷavī in the Aggāḷava shrine together with his preceptor, the Venerable Nigrodhakappa.
Now at that time the Venerable Vaṅgīsa despised other well-behaved monks because of his own poetic inspiration.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"It is a loss for me indeed, it is not a gain for me indeed;
it is ill-gained for me indeed, it is not well-gained for me indeed;
that I despise other well-behaved monks because of my own poetic inspiration."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having himself aroused remorse in himself, at that time spoke these verses -
Completely cut off in the path of conceit, one was remorseful for a long time.
People grieve for a long time, struck down by conceit, reborn in hell.
He experiences fame and happiness, they call him resolute, a seer of the Teaching.
And having abandoned conceit entirely, a maker of an end through true knowledge, one who has quieted himself."
4.
The Discourse on Ānanda
212.
On one occasion the Venerable Ānanda was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then the Venerable Ānanda, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for almsfood with the Venerable Vaṅgīsa as his attendant monk.
Now at that time discontent had arisen in the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, lust assailed his mind.
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa addressed the Venerable Ānanda in verse -
Please tell me the quenching, out of compassion, O Gotama."
Avoid the sign of the beautiful connected with lust.
Quench the great lust, do not be burnt again and again.
Let mindfulness directed to the body be yours, be full of disenchantment.
Then through the full realization of conceit, you will live at peace."
5.
The Discourse on Well-Spoken
213.
At Sāvatthī.
There the Blessed One addressed the monks -
"Monks."
"Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this -
"Monks, speech possessed of four factors is well spoken, not badly spoken; blameless and beyond reproach by the wise. Which four? Here, monks, a monk speaks only what is well spoken, not what is badly spoken; speaks only what is in accordance with the Teaching, not what is contrary to the Teaching; speaks only what is pleasant, not what is unpleasant; speaks only what is true, not what is false. Monks, speech possessed of these four factors is well spoken, not badly spoken, blameless and beyond reproach by the wise." This the Blessed One said, and having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this:
One should speak what is in accordance with the Teaching, not contrary to it - that is the second;
One should speak what is pleasant, not unpleasant - that is the third,
One should speak what is true, not false - that is the fourth."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Vaṅgīsa" - the Blessed One said. Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Blessed One face to face with fitting verses -
And would not harm others - that indeed is well-spoken speech.
Which, not taking up evil words, speaks what is pleasant to others.
The good have said they are established in truth, in meaning, and in the Teaching.
For making an end of suffering - that indeed is the highest of speeches."
6.
The Discourse to Sāriputta
214.
On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Now at that time the Venerable Sāriputta was instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching, with polished speech, distinct, free from drooling, capable of making the meaning clear.
And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching with ears inclined.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"This Venerable Sāriputta is instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching, with polished speech, distinct, free from drooling, capable of making the meaning clear.
And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching with ears inclined.
What if I were to praise the Venerable Sāriputta face to face with fitting verses."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Venerable Sāriputta, said this to the Venerable Sāriputta - "It occurs to me, friend Sāriputta, it occurs to me, friend Sāriputta." "Let it occur to you, friend Vaṅgīsa." Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Venerable Sāriputta face to face with fitting verses -
Sāriputta of great wisdom teaches the Teaching to the monks.
Like the sound of a myna bird, he utters inspiration.
With a voice that is delightful, pleasant to hear, lovely;
With elated minds, joyful, the monks lend an ear."
7.
The Discourse on the Invitation Ceremony
215.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in the Eastern Park, in Migāramātā's mansion, together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones.
Now at that time, on the uposatha day, the fifteenth, for the invitation ceremony to admonish, the Blessed One was seated in the open air surrounded by the Community of monks.
Then the Blessed One, having surveyed the Community of monks who were silent, addressed the monks -
"Come now, monks, I invite you to admonish me.
Do you censure anything in me, bodily or verbal?"
When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "We do not, venerable sir, censure anything in the Blessed One, bodily or verbal. For the Blessed One, venerable sir, is the producer of the unarisen path, the generator of the unproduced path, the declarer of the undeclared path, the knower of the path, the expert in the path, skilled in the path. And now, venerable sir, the disciples dwell following the path, having become endowed with it afterwards; and I, venerable sir, invite the Blessed One to admonish me. And the Blessed One does not censure anything in me, bodily or verbal."
"I do not indeed censure anything in you, Sāriputta, bodily or verbal. You are wise, Sāriputta, you are of great wisdom, Sāriputta, you are of broad wisdom, Sāriputta, you are of joyful wisdom, Sāriputta, you are of swift wisdom, Sāriputta, you are of sharp wisdom, Sāriputta, you are of penetrative wisdom, Sāriputta. Just as, Sāriputta, the eldest son of a wheel-turning monarch rightly keeps turning the wheel set in motion by his father; just so indeed you, Sāriputta, rightly keep turning the unsurpassed wheel of the Teaching that was set in motion by me."
"If indeed, venerable sir, the Blessed One does not censure anything in me, bodily or verbal, does the Blessed One, venerable sir, censure anything in these five hundred monks, bodily or verbal?" "I do not indeed, Sāriputta, censure anything in these five hundred monks, bodily or verbal. For, Sāriputta, of these five hundred monks, sixty monks are possessors of the threefold true knowledge, sixty monks possess the six higher knowledges, sixty monks are liberated in both ways, and the rest are liberated by wisdom."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Vaṅgīsa" - the Blessed One said. Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Blessed One face to face with fitting verses -
Cutters of the bonds and fetters, free from trouble, with rebirth eliminated, sages.
Travels all around this earth bounded by the ocean.
The disciples attend upon, possessors of the threefold true knowledge, conquerors of death.
The destroyer of the dart of craving, I pay homage to the kinsman of the sun."
8.
The Discourse on More Than a Thousand
216.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park, together with a large Community of monks, twelve hundred and fifty monks.
Now at that time the Blessed One was instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching connected with Nibbāna.
And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching with ears inclined.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"This Blessed One is instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching connected with Nibbāna.
And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching with ears inclined.
What if I were to praise the Blessed One face to face with fitting verses."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Vaṅgīsa" - the Blessed One said. Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Blessed One face to face with fitting verses -
Teaching the stainless Teaching, Nibbāna, fearless from any quarter.
Indeed the Self-awakened One shines, honoured by the Community of monks.
Having become like a great cloud, he rains upon the disciples.
Your disciple, O Great Hero, Vaṅgīsa pays homage at your feet."
"Were these verses, Vaṅgīsa, previously thought out by you, or do they occur to you on the spot?" "These verses, venerable sir, were not previously thought out by me, but they occur to me on the spot." "If so, Vaṅgīsa, let verses not previously thought out occur to you even more exceedingly." "Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having assented to the Blessed One, praised the Blessed One even more exceedingly with verses not previously thought out -
See him, the releaser from bonds, unattached, analysing in parts.
When that Deathless has been declared, the seers of the Teaching stand unshakable.
Having known and having realised, he taught the highest to the five.
What negligence is there for those who understand the Teaching?
Therefore, in that Blessed One's Dispensation,
One should always, diligent, pay homage and train."
9.
The Discourse on Koṇḍañña
217.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
Then the Venerable Aññāsikoṇḍañña, after a very long time, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, having fallen at the Blessed One's feet with his head, he kissed the Blessed One's feet with his mouth and massaged them with his hands, and announced his name -
"I am Koṇḍañña, Blessed One, I am Koṇḍañña, Fortunate One."
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"This Venerable Aññāsikoṇḍañña, after a very long time, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, having fallen at the Blessed One's feet with his head, he kissed the Blessed One's feet with his mouth and massaged them with his hands, and announced his name -
'I am Koṇḍañña, Blessed One, I am Koṇḍañña, Fortunate One.'
What if I were to praise the Venerable Aññāsikoṇḍañña face to face with the Blessed One with fitting verses."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Vaṅgīsa" - the Blessed One said. Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Venerable Aññāsikoṇḍañña face to face with the Blessed One with fitting verses -
An obtainer of pleasant abidings, of seclusions, repeatedly.
All that has been attained by him, the diligent one who trains.
Koṇḍañña, heir of the Buddha, pays homage at the feet of the Teacher."
10.
The Discourse on Moggallāna
218.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha at the Black Rock on the slope of Isigili together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones.
The Venerable Mahāmoggallāna was investigating their minds with his mind, free, without clinging.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"This Blessed One is dwelling at Rājagaha at the Black Rock on the slope of Isigili together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones.
The Venerable Mahāmoggallāna was investigating their minds with his mind, free, without clinging.
What if I were to praise the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna face to face with the Blessed One with fitting verses."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Vaṅgīsa" - the Blessed One said. Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna face to face with the Blessed One with fitting verses -
The disciples attend upon, possessors of the threefold true knowledge, conquerors of death.
Investigating their minds, free, without clinging.
Accomplished in many ways, they attend upon Gotama."
11.
The Discourse on Gaggarā
219.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Campā on the bank of the Gaggarā pond together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, and seven hundred lay followers, and seven hundred female lay followers, and many thousands of deities.
There the Blessed One outshone them in beauty and glory.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"This Blessed One is dwelling at Campā on the bank of the Gaggarā pond together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, and seven hundred lay followers, and seven hundred female lay followers, and many thousands of deities.
There the Blessed One outshone them in beauty and glory.
What if I were to praise the Blessed One face to face with a fitting verse."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Vaṅgīsa" - the Blessed One said. Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Blessed One face to face with a fitting verse -
Shines like the radiant sun free from stain;
So too you, Aṅgīrasa, great sage,
Outshine the whole world in glory."
12.
The Discourse on Vaṅgīsa
220.
On one occasion the Venerable Vaṅgīsa was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Now at that time the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having recently attained arahantship, experiencing the bliss of liberation, at that time spoke these verses -
Then we saw the Self-enlightened One, faith arose in us.
Having heard his Teaching, I went forth into homelessness.
For monks and nuns, those who have seen the fixed course of destiny.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
I am a possessor of the threefold true knowledge, attained to supernormal power, skilled in the ways of others' minds."
The Connected Discourses on Vaṅgīsa is complete.
Its summary:
Well Spoken by Ānanda, Sāriputta's Invitation to Admonish;
More than a Thousand, Koṇḍañña, Gaggarā by Moggallāna;
By Vaṅgīsa makes twelve.