1.
The Discourse on the Elephant
43.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for almsfood.
Having walked for almsfood in Sāvatthī, after the meal, having returned from his alms round, he addressed the Venerable Ānanda -
"Come, Ānanda, let us approach the Eastern Park, the mansion of Migāra's mother, for the day residence."
"Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Ānanda assented to the Blessed One.
Then the Blessed One, together with the Venerable Ānanda, approached the Eastern Park, the mansion of Migāra's mother. Then the Blessed One, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, addressed the Venerable Ānanda - "Come, Ānanda, let us approach the Eastern Porch to bathe our limbs." "Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Ānanda assented to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, together with the Venerable Ānanda, approached the Eastern Porch to bathe his limbs. Having bathed his limbs at the Eastern Porch, having come out, he stood wearing a single robe, drying his limbs.
Now at that time an elephant of King Pasenadi of Kosala named Seta was coming out from the Eastern Porch with great musical instruments being struck and played. So much so that people, having seen it, said thus - "Handsome indeed, sir, is the king's elephant; good-looking indeed, sir, is the king's elephant; pleasing indeed, sir, is the king's elephant; well-endowed with body indeed, sir, is the king's elephant!" When this was said, the Venerable Udāyī said this to the Blessed One - "Is it only when people see an elephant that is great, huge, and well-endowed with body that they say thus - 'An elephant indeed, sir, an elephant!' - or do people also say thus when they see anything else that is great, huge, and well-endowed with body - 'An elephant indeed, sir, an elephant'?" "Indeed, Udāyī, when people see an elephant that is great, huge, and well-endowed with body, they say thus - 'An elephant indeed, sir, an elephant!' Also a horse, Udāyī, that is great, huge, etc. Also a bull, Udāyī, that is great, huge, etc. Also a serpent, Udāyī, that is great, huge, etc. Also a tree, Udāyī, that is great, huge, etc. Also a human being, Udāyī, that is great, huge, and well-endowed with body - when people see such, they say thus - 'An elephant indeed, sir, an elephant!' But, Udāyī, whoever in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, commits no offence by body, by speech, by mind - him I call 'an elephant'."
"Wonderful, venerable sir, marvellous, venerable sir! How well spoken is this, venerable sir, by the Blessed One - But, Udāyī, whoever in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, does not commit an offence by body, by speech, by mind, him I call 'an elephant.'" And I, venerable sir, give thanks for this well spoken by the Blessed One with these verses -
Dwelling on the Brahma path, delighting in the peace of mind.
Even the gods pay homage to him, thus I have heard from the Worthy One.
Delighting in renunciation from sensual pleasures, freed like gold from rock.
Of all those bearing the name of elephant, he of true name is unsurpassed.
Meekness and non-violence, these two are the feet of the elephant.
The great elephant with faith as his trunk, with equanimity as his white tusks.
The Teaching is the belly's warmth, seclusion is his tail.
Going, the elephant is concentrated, standing, the elephant is concentrated.
Everywhere restrained is the elephant, this is the accomplishment of the elephant.
Having obtained food and clothing, he avoids storage.
Wherever he goes, he goes without longing.
It is not tainted by water, fragrant and delightful.
He is not tainted by the world, as a lotus by water.
When the activities are stilled, he is called 'quenched'.
The great elephants will understand, the elephant taught by an elephant.
Abandoning the body, the elephant will attain final nibbāna, without mental corruptions." The first.