6.
The Discourse on Sabhiya
Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time questions had been recited to the wandering ascetic Sabhiya by a deity who was a former blood-relation - "Whoever, Sabhiya, whether ascetic or brahmin, when asked these questions, answers them, in his presence you should live the holy life."
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya, having learnt those questions in the presence of that deity, approached those ascetics and brahmins who have followings, who have groups, who are teachers of groups, who are well-known, famous, founders of sects, highly honoured by many people, as follows - Pūraṇa Kassapa, Makkhali Gosāla, Ajita Kesakambala, Pakudha Kaccāna, Sañcaya Belaṭṭhaputta, Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta - having approached them, he asked those questions. They, when asked the questions by the wandering ascetic Sabhiya, were not able to answer; Not being able to answer, they manifested irritation, hate, and displeasure. But rather they asked the wandering ascetic Sabhiya in return.
Then this occurred to the wandering ascetic Sabhiya - "Those venerable ascetics and brahmins who have followings, who have groups, who are teachers of groups, who are well-known, famous, founders of sects, highly honoured by many people, as follows - Pūraṇa Kassapa, etc. Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta - they, when asked the questions by me, are not able to answer; not being able to answer, they manifest irritation, hate, and displeasure; but rather they ask me in return. What if I were to return to the lower life and enjoy sensual pleasures?"
Then this occurred to the wandering ascetic Sabhiya - "This ascetic Gotama too has a following, has a group, is a teacher of a group, is well-known, famous, a founder of a sect, highly honoured by many people; What if I were to approach the ascetic Gotama and ask these questions?"
Then this occurred to the wandering ascetic Sabhiya - "Even those venerable ascetics and brahmins who are old, aged, advanced in years, having traversed the span of life, having reached the final stage of life, elders, of long standing, long gone forth, who have followings, who have groups, who are teachers of groups, who are well-known, famous, founders of sects, highly honoured by many people, as follows - Pūraṇa Kassapa, etc. Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta - even they, when asked the questions by me, are not able to answer; not being able to answer, they manifest irritation, hate, and displeasure; but rather they ask me in return; How then will the ascetic Gotama, when asked these questions, answer them! For the ascetic Gotama is young in years and new to the going forth."
Then this occurred to the wandering ascetic Sabhiya - "An ascetic should not be despised as young, should not be looked down upon as young. Even though young, this ascetic Gotama is of great supernormal power, of great majesty. What if I were to approach the ascetic Gotama and ask these questions?"
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya set out on a journey towards Rājagaha. Wandering on a journey gradually, he approached Rājagaha, the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground, and the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the wandering ascetic Sabhiya addressed the Blessed One in verse -
516.
"Longing to ask questions;
Be one who makes an end of them, being asked my questions,
Gradually, in conformity with the Teaching, answer me."
517.
"Longing to ask questions;
I will be one who makes an end of them, being asked your questions,
Gradually, in conformity with the Teaching, I will answer you.
518.
For each and every question, I shall make an end of it for you."
Then this occurred to the wandering ascetic Sabhiya - "Wonderful indeed, friend, marvellous indeed, friend! That which I did not obtain even as a mere act of giving permission among other ascetics and brahmins, that act of giving permission has been done for me by the ascetic Gotama." Delighted, greatly pleased, elated, filled with joy and happiness, he asked the Blessed One a question -
519.
"By what is one gentle, and how do they call one tamed;
How is one called a Buddha,
Being asked, Blessed One, answer me."
520.
"One who has reached final nibbāna, who has crossed over uncertainty;
Having abandoned non-existence and existence,
One who has lived the holy life, with rebirth eliminated - that is a monk.
521.
One who has crossed over, an ascetic, unsullied, for whom there are no excesses, he is gentle.
522.
Having penetrated this world and the other, he awaits the time, developed, he is tamed.
523.
Free from defilement, without blemish, pure, having attained the elimination of birth - him they call a Buddha."
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya, having delighted in and given thanks for what the Blessed One had said, delighted, greatly pleased, elated, filled with joy and happiness, asked the Blessed One a further question -
524.
"By what an ascetic, and how one who has bathed;
How is one called a serpent,
Being asked, Blessed One, answer me."
525.
"Spotless, well concentrated, of established self;
Having passed beyond the round of rebirths, a consummate one,
Unattached, such a one is called a Brahmā."
526.
Having gone beyond birth and death, such a one is called an ascetic because of that state.
527.
Among gods and humans who are subject to speculation, he does not go to speculation - him they call one who has bathed."
528.
Everywhere he does not cling, liberated, such a one is called an elephant because of that state."
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya... etc. asked the Blessed One a further question -
529.
"By what is one wholesome, and how is one wise;
How is one called a sage,
Being asked, Blessed One, answer me."
530.
The divine, the human, and the Brahma field;
Released from the root-bondage of all fields,
Such a one is called a conqueror of fields because of that state.
531.
Released from the root-bondage of all sheaths, such a wholesome one is called because of that state.
532.
Having gone beyond the dark and the bright, such a wise one is called because of that state.
533.
Worthy of veneration by gods and humans, having gone beyond attachment and the net, he is a sage."
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya... etc. asked the Blessed One a further question -
534.
"By what is one recognised, and how is one energetic;
How does one become a thoroughbred by name,
Being asked, Blessed One, answer me."
535.
"Whatever there are here of ascetics and brahmins;
Being without lust in all feelings,
Having overcome all knowledge, he is one who has attained the highest knowledge.
536.
Released from the root-bondage of all diseases, such a one who is recognised is called because of that state.
537.
He is energetic, possessed of striving, wise, such a one is called because of that state.
538.
Released from the bondage of the root of all attachments, such a one is called a thoroughbred because of that state."
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya... etc. asked the Blessed One a further question -
539.
"By what is one noble, and how is one endowed with conduct;
How does one become a wandering ascetic by name,
Being asked, Blessed One, answer me."
540.
Whatever is blameworthy and blameless, whatever there is;
The overlord, free from doubt, liberated,
Free from trouble - everywhere they call him a learned one."
541.
Having dispelled the threefold perception and the mire, he does not go to speculation - him they call a noble one."
542.
Everywhere he does not cling, with liberated mind, one for whom there are no aversions, he is one of good conduct.
543.
Having driven out, one who practises with full understanding, deceit, conceit, and also greed and anger;
He made an end of mentality-materiality, him they call a wandering ascetic, one who has attained the attainment."
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya, having delighted in and given thanks for what the Blessed One had said, delighted, greatly pleased, elated, filled with joy and happiness, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, praised the Blessed One face to face with fitting verses -
544.
Dependent on the perception of conventional terms and perception, having removed the entries, he went beyond the darkness of the flood.
545.
Brilliant, sensible, of abundant wisdom, one who makes an end of suffering, you have helped me across.
546.
Sage, one who has attained the attainment in the paths of wisdom, without barrenness, kinsman of the sun, you are gentle.
547.
Surely you are a sage, a Perfectly Enlightened One, there are no mental hindrances in you.
548.
Become cool, having attained self-control, resolute, striving for truth.
549.
All the gods rejoice, both the Nārada and Pabbata.
550.
In the world including the gods, there is no one equal to you.
551.
Having cut off the underlying tendencies, you who have crossed over help this generation to cross.
552.
You are a lion without clinging, fear and dread have been abandoned.
553.
So in merit and evil, in both you are not tainted;
Stretch out your feet, O hero, Sabhiya pays homage to the Teacher."
Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya, having fallen at the Blessed One's feet with his head, said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, venerable sir! Etc. I go for refuge to the Blessed One, to the Teaching, and to the Community of monks; May I, venerable sir, receive the going forth under the Blessed One, may I receive the full ordination."
"Whoever, Sabhiya, was formerly of another sect and wishes for the going forth in this Teaching and discipline, wishes for full ordination, he undergoes probation for four months; After the elapse of four months, monks having won the favour give the going forth and give full ordination for monkhood. But here the difference among individuals is known to me."
"If, venerable sir, those formerly of other sects wishing for the going forth in this Teaching and discipline, wishing for full ordination, undergo probation for four months, and after the elapse of four months monks having won the favour give the going forth and give full ordination for monkhood, I will undergo probation for four years; After the elapse of four years, let monks having won the favour give the going forth and give full ordination for monkhood." Then the wandering ascetic Sabhiya received the going forth under the Blessed One, he received the full ordination ... And the Venerable Sabhiya became one of the Worthy Ones.
The Discourse on Sabhiya is concluded as sixth.