7.
The Discourse on the Simile of the Field
359.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Nāḷandā in Pāvārika's mango grove.
Then Asibandhakaputta the headman approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, Asibandhakaputta the headman said this to the Blessed One -
"Is it not so, venerable sir, that the Blessed One dwells compassionate for the welfare of all living beings?"
"Yes, headman, the Truth-finder dwells compassionate for the welfare of all living beings."
"Then why, venerable sir, does the Blessed One expound the Teaching thoroughly to some, but not so thoroughly to others?"
"Well then, headman, I will ask you a question about this very matter.
As it pleases you, so you should answer it.
What do you think, headman, suppose here a farmer householder had three fields -
one field excellent, one field middling, one field inferior, rough, saline, bad ground.
What do you think, headman, that farmer householder wishing to plant seeds, where would he plant first - in that excellent field, or in that middling field, or in that inferior field, rough, saline, bad ground?"
"That farmer householder, venerable sir, wishing to plant seeds, would plant in that excellent field.
Having planted there, he would plant in that middling field.
Having planted there, in that inferior field, rough, saline, bad ground, he might plant, or he might not plant.
What is the reason for this?
At least it will serve as fodder for cattle."
"Just as, headman, that excellent field; so too are my monks and nuns. To them I expound the Teaching - good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. What is the reason for this? For these, headman, dwell with me as their island, me as their shelter, me as their protection, me as their refuge. Just as, headman, that middling field; so too are my male and female lay followers. To them too I expound the Teaching - good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. What is the reason for this? For these, headman, dwell with me as their island, me as their shelter, me as their protection, me as their refuge. Just as, headman, that inferior field, rough, saline, bad ground; so too are my heterodox ascetics, brahmins, and wandering ascetics. To them too I expound the Teaching - good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. What is the reason for this? Perhaps they might understand even a single sentence; that would be for their welfare and happiness for a long time."
"Just as, headman, a man might have three water jars - one water jar without cracks, not leaking, not seeping; one water jar without cracks, leaking, seeping; one water jar with cracks, leaking, seeping. What do you think, headman, that man wishing to store water, where would he first store it - in that water jar without cracks, not leaking, not seeping, or in that water jar without cracks, leaking, seeping, or in that water jar with cracks, leaking, seeping?" "That man, venerable sir, wishing to store water, would store it in that water jar without cracks, not leaking, not seeping; having stored it there, he would store it in that water jar without cracks, leaking, seeping; having stored it there, he might or might not store it in that water jar with cracks, leaking, seeping. What is the reason for this? At least it will be useful for washing utensils."
"Just as, headman, that water jar without cracks, not leaking, not seeping; so too are my monks and nuns. To them I expound the Teaching - good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. What is the reason for this? For these, headman, dwell with me as their island, me as their shelter, me as their protection, me as their refuge. Just as, headman, that water jar without cracks, leaking, seeping; so too are my male and female lay followers. To them I expound the Teaching - good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. What is the reason for this? For these, headman, dwell with me as their island, me as their shelter, me as their protection, me as their refuge. Just as, headman, that water jar with cracks, leaking, seeping; so too are my heterodox ascetics, brahmins, and wandering ascetics. To them I expound the Teaching - good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; I reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. What is the reason for this? Perhaps they might understand even a single sentence; that would be for their welfare and happiness for a long time." When this was said, Asibandhakaputta the headman said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, venerable sir! Etc. From this day forth, may he remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life." The seventh.