Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard. ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā gosiṅgasālavanadāye viharati sambahulehi abhiññātehi abhiññātehi therehi sāvakehi saddhiṁ—At one time the Buddha was staying in the sal forest park at Gosiṅga, together with several well-known senior disciples, such as āyasmatā ca sāriputtena āyasmatā ca mahāmoggallānena āyasmatā ca mahākassapena āyasmatā ca anuruddhena āyasmatā ca revatena āyasmatā ca ānandena, aññehi ca abhiññātehi abhiññātehi therehi sāvakehi saddhiṁ. the venerables Sāriputta, Mahāmoggallāna, Mahākassapa, Anuruddha, Revata, Ānanda, and others.

Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yenāyasmā mahākassapo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ etadavoca: Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna came out of retreat, went to Venerable Mahākassapa, and said, “āyāmāvuso, kassapa, yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamissāma dhammassavanāyā”ti. “Come, Venerable Kassapa, let us go to Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.”

“Evamāvuso”ti kho āyasmā mahākassapo āyasmato mahāmoggallānassa paccassosi. “Yes, venerable,” Venerable Mahākassapa replied. Atha kho āyasmā ca mahāmoggallāno āyasmā ca mahākassapo āyasmā ca anuruddho yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu dhammassavanāya. Then, together with Venerable Anuruddha, they went to Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.

Addasā kho āyasmā ānando āyasmantañca mahāmoggallānaṁ āyasmantañca mahākassapaṁ āyasmantañca anuruddhaṁ yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamante dhammassavanāya. Seeing them, Venerable Ānanda Disvāna yenāyasmā revato tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ revataṁ etadavoca: went to Venerable Revata, told him what was happening, “upasaṅkamantā kho amū, āvuso revata, sappurisā yenāyasmā sāriputto tena dhammassavanāya. and invited him also. Āyāmāvuso revata, yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamissāma dhammassavanāyā”ti. “Evamāvuso”ti kho āyasmā revato āyasmato ānandassa paccassosi. Atha kho āyasmā ca revato āyasmā ca ānando yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu dhammassavanāya.

Addasā kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantañca revataṁ āyasmantañca ānandaṁ dūratova āgacchante. Venerable Sāriputta saw them coming off in the distance Disvāna āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca: and said to Venerable Ānanda, “etu kho āyasmā ānando. “Come, Venerable Ānanda. Svāgataṁ āyasmato ānandassa bhagavato upaṭṭhākassa bhagavato santikāvacarassa. Welcome to Venerable Ānanda, the Buddha’s attendant, who is so close to the Buddha. Ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso ānanda, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti; Venerable Ānanda, the sal forest park at Gosiṅga is delightful, the night is bright, the sal trees are in full blossom, and divine scents seem to float on the air. kathaṁrūpena, āvuso ānanda, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti? What kind of bhikkhu would beautify this park?”

“Idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyañjanā; kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti, dhātā, vacasā paricitā, manasānupekkhitā, diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā. “Venerable Sāriputta, it is a bhikkhu who is very learned, remembering and keeping what he has learned. Those teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the [right] meaning and phrasing, and which describe a renunciate life that is entirely complete and pure—such teachings he has learned much of, remembered, rehearsed verbally, investigated with the mind, and penetrated well by view. So catassannaṁ parisānaṁ dhammaṁ deseti parimaṇḍalehi padabyañjanehi anuppabandhehi anusayasamugghātāya. And he teaches the four assemblies in order to uproot the underlying tendencies with well-rounded and coherent words and phrases. Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ revataṁ etadavoca: When he had spoken, Venerable Sāriputta said to Venerable Revata, “byākataṁ kho, āvuso revata, āyasmatā ānandena yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. “Venerable Revata, Venerable Ānanda has answered what occurred to him. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ revataṁ pucchāma: And now we ask you the same question.” ‘ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso revata, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti; kathaṁrūpena, āvuso revata, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti?

“Idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu paṭisallānārāmo hoti paṭisallānarato, ajjhattaṁ cetosamathamanuyutto anirākatajjhāno, vipassanāya samannāgato, brūhetā suññāgārānaṁ. “Venerable Sāriputta, it is a bhikkhu who enjoys solitude and is fond of solitude, is committed to internal calm of mind, does not neglect jhāna, is endowed with insight, and frequents empty dwellings. Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavoca: When he had spoken, Venerable Sāriputta said to Venerable Anuruddha, “byākataṁ kho, āvuso anuruddha, āyasmatā revatena yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. “Venerable Anuruddha, Venerable Revata has answered what occurred to him. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ pucchāma: And now we ask you the same question.” ‘ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso anuruddha, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti; kathaṁrūpena, āvuso anuruddha, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti?

“Idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena sahassaṁ lokānaṁ voloketi. “Venerable Sāriputta, it is a bhikkhu who surveys a thousand worlds with the divine eye that is purified and superhuman, Seyyathāpi, āvuso sāriputta, cakkhumā puriso uparipāsādavaragato sahassaṁ nemimaṇḍalānaṁ volokeyya; just as a man with good eyesight could survey a thousand wheel rims from the upper floor of a royal longhouse. evameva kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena sahassaṁ lokānaṁ voloketi. Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ etadavoca: When he had spoken, Venerable Sāriputta said to Venerable Mahākassapa, “byākataṁ kho, āvuso kassapa, āyasmatā anuruddhena yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. “Venerable Kassapa, Venerable Anuruddha has answered what occurred to him. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ pucchāma: And now we ask you the same question.” ‘ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso kassapa, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti; kathaṁrūpena, āvuso kassapa, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti?

“Idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu attanā ca āraññiko hoti āraññikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca piṇḍapātiko hoti piṇḍapātikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca paṁsukūliko hoti paṁsukūlikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca tecīvariko hoti tecīvarikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca appiccho hoti appicchatāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca santuṭṭho hoti santuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca pavivitto hoti pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca asaṁsaṭṭho hoti asaṁsaggassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca āraddhavīriyo hoti vīriyārambhassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca sīlasampanno hoti sīlasampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca samādhisampanno hoti samādhisampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca paññāsampanno hoti paññāsampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca vimuttisampanno hoti vimuttisampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca vimuttiñāṇadassanasampanno hoti vimuttiñāṇadassanasampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī. “Venerable Sāriputta, it is a bhikkhu who is himself a forest-dweller, and speaks in praise of forest-dwelling; he himself eats almsfood, and speaks in praise of eating alsmfood; he himself wears rag robes, and speaks in praise of wearing rag robes; he himself owns just three robes, and speaks in praise of owning just three robes. He himself is of few wishes, content, secluded, aloof, and effortful; and he speaks in praise of these things. He himself is accomplished in virtue, composure, wisdom, liberation, and the knowledge-and-vision of liberation; and he speaks in praise of accomplishment in these things. Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ etadavoca: When he had spoken, Venerable Sāriputta said to Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, “byākataṁ kho, āvuso moggallāna, āyasmatā mahākassapena yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. “Venerable Moggallāna, Venerable Mahākassapa has answered what occurred to him. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ pucchāma: And now we ask you the same question.” ‘ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso moggallāna, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti; kathaṁrūpena, āvuso moggallāna, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti?

“Idhāvuso sāriputta, dve bhikkhū abhidhammakathaṁ kathenti, te aññamaññaṁ pañhaṁ pucchanti, aññamaññassa pañhaṁ puṭṭhā vissajjenti, no ca saṁsādenti, dhammī ca nesaṁ kathā pavattinī hoti. “Venerable Sāriputta, it is when two bhikkhus engage in discussion about the Dhamma. They question each other and answer each other’s questions without faltering, and their discussion on the Dhamma flows on. Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.”

Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavoca: Then Mahāmoggallāna said to Sāriputta, “byākataṁ kho, āvuso sāriputta, amhehi sabbeheva yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. “Each of us has answered what occurred to us. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ pucchāma: And now we ask you: ‘ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso sāriputta, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti; Venerable Sāriputta, the sal forest park at Gosiṅga is delightful, the night is bright, the sal trees are in full blossom, and divine scents seem to float on the air. kathaṁrūpena, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti? What kind of bhikkhu would beautify this park?”

“Idhāvuso moggallāna, bhikkhu cittaṁ vasaṁ vatteti, no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattati. “Venerable Moggallāna, it is when a bhikkhu wields mastery over his mind; his mind does not wield mastery over him. So yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharati; In the morning, he abides in whatever abiding or attainment he wants. yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharati; At midday, yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati sāyanhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā sāyanhasamayaṁ viharati. and in the evening, he abides in whatever abiding or attainment he wants. Seyyathāpi, āvuso moggallāna, rañño vā rājamahāmattassa vā nānārattānaṁ dussānaṁ dussakaraṇḍako pūro assa. Suppose that a ruler or his minister had a chest full of garments of different colors. So yaññadeva dussayugaṁ ākaṅkheyya pubbaṇhasamayaṁ pārupituṁ, taṁ tadeva dussayugaṁ pubbaṇhasamayaṁ pārupeyya; In the morning, he would don whatever pair of garments he wanted. yaññadeva dussayugaṁ ākaṅkheyya majjhanhikasamayaṁ pārupituṁ, taṁ tadeva dussayugaṁ majjhanhikasamayaṁ pārupeyya; At midday, yaññadeva dussayugaṁ ākaṅkheyya sāyanhasamayaṁ pārupituṁ, taṁ tadeva dussayugaṁ sāyanhasamayaṁ pārupeyya. and in the evening, he would don whatever pair of garments he wanted.

Evameva kho, āvuso moggallāna, bhikkhu cittaṁ vasaṁ vatteti, no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattati. In the same way, a bhikkhu wields mastery over his mind; his mind does not wield mastery over him. So yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharati; In the morning, he abides in whatever abiding or attainment he wants. yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharati; At midday, yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati sāyanhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā sāyanhasamayaṁ viharati. and in the evening, he abides in whatever abiding or attainment he wants. Evarūpena kho, āvuso moggallāna, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.”

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto te āyasmante etadavoca: Then Venerable Sāriputta said to those venerables, “byākataṁ kho, āvuso, amhehi sabbeheva yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. “Each of us has answered what occurred to us. Āyāmāvuso, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamissāma; upasaṅkamitvā etamatthaṁ bhagavato ārocessāma. Come, venerables, let us go to the Buddha, and inform him about this. Yathā no bhagavā byākarissati tathā naṁ dhāressāmā”ti. As he answers, so we will remember it.”

“Evamāvuso”ti kho te āyasmanto āyasmato sāriputtassa paccassosuṁ. “Yes, venerable,” they replied. Atha kho te āyasmanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: Then those venerables went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Venerable Sāriputta told the Buddha of how the bhikkhus had come to see him, and how he had asked Venerable Ānanda: “idha, bhante, āyasmā ca revato āyasmā ca ānando yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu dhammassavanāya. Addasaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, āyasmantañca revataṁ āyasmantañca ānandaṁ dūratova āgacchante. Disvāna āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavocaṁ: ‘etu kho āyasmā ānando. Svāgataṁ āyasmato ānandassa bhagavato upaṭṭhākassa bhagavato santikāvacarassa. Ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso ānanda, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti; “‘Venerable Ānanda, the sal forest park at Gosiṅga is delightful, the night is bright, the sal trees are in full blossom, and divine scents seem to float on the air. kathaṁrūpena, āvuso ānanda, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’ti? What kind of bhikkhu would beautify this park?’ Evaṁ vutte, bhante, āyasmā ānando maṁ etadavoca: When I had spoken, Venerable Ānanda said to me: ‘idhāvuso, sāriputta, bhikkhu bahussuto hoti sutadharo …pe… ‘Venerable Sāriputta, it is a bhikkhu who is very learned … anusayasamugghātāya. Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. “Good, good, Sāriputta! Yathā taṁ ānandova sammā byākaramāno byākareyya. That is how Ānanda would rightly answer. Ānando hi, sāriputta, bahussuto sutadharo sutasannicayo. Ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthā sabyañjanā; kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti, dhātā, vacasā paricitā, manasānupekkhitā, diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā. For Ānanda is very learned …” So catassannaṁ parisānaṁ dhammaṁ deseti parimaṇḍalehi padabyañjanehi anuppabandhehi anusayasamugghātāyā”ti.

“Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, āyasmantaṁ revataṁ etadavocaṁ: “Next I asked Venerable Revata the same question. ‘byākataṁ kho, āvuso revata, āyasmatā ānandena yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ revataṁ pucchāma— ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso revata, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā maññe gandhā sampavanti. Kathaṁrūpena, āvuso revata, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’ti? Evaṁ vutte, bhante, āyasmā revato maṁ etadavoca: He said: ‘idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu paṭisallānārāmo hoti paṭisallānarato, ajjhattaṁ cetosamathamanuyutto, anirākatajjhāno, vipassanāya samannāgato, brūhetā suññāgārānaṁ. ‘It is a bhikkhu who enjoys solitude … Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. “Good, good, Sāriputta! Yathā taṁ revatova sammā byākaramāno byākareyya. That is how Revata would rightly answer. Revato hi, sāriputta, paṭisallānārāmo paṭisallānarato, ajjhattaṁ cetosamathamanuyutto anirākatajjhāno, vipassanāya samannāgato brūhetā suññāgārānan”ti. For Revata enjoys solitude … ”

“Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, āyasmantaṁ anuruddhaṁ etadavocaṁ: “Next I asked Venerable Anuruddha the same question. ‘byākataṁ kho, āvuso anuruddha, āyasmatā revatena …pe… kathaṁrūpena, āvuso anuruddha, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’ti. Evaṁ vutte, bhante, āyasmā anuruddho maṁ etadavoca: He said: ‘idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena sahassaṁ lokānaṁ voloketi. ‘It is a bhikkhu who surveys a thousand worlds with the divine eye that is purified and superhuman … Seyyathāpi, āvuso sāriputta, cakkhumā puriso …pe… evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta, yathā taṁ anuruddhova sammā byākaramāno byākareyya. “Good, good, Sāriputta! That is how Anuruddha would rightly answer. Anuruddho hi, sāriputta, dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena sahassaṁ lokānaṁ voloketī”ti. For Anuruddha surveys a thousand worlds with the divine eye that is purified and superhuman.”

“Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ, bhante, āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ etadavocaṁ: “Next I asked Mahākassapa the same question. ‘byākataṁ kho, āvuso kassapa, āyasmatā anuruddhena yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ mahākassapaṁ pucchāma …pe… kathaṁrūpena kho, āvuso kassapa, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’ti? Evaṁ vutte, bhante, āyasmā mahākassapo maṁ etadavoca: He said: ‘idhāvuso sāriputta, bhikkhu attanā ca āraññiko hoti āraññikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca piṇḍapātiko hoti …pe… attanā ca paṁsukūliko hoti …pe… attanā ca tecīvariko hoti …pe… attanā ca appiccho hoti …pe… attanā ca santuṭṭho hoti …pe… attanā ca pavivitto hoti …pe… attanā ca asaṁsaṭṭho hoti …pe… attanā ca āraddhavīriyo hoti …pe… attanā ca sīlasampanno hoti …pe… attanā ca samādhisampanno hoti …pe… attanā ca paññāsampanno hoti … attanā ca vimuttisampanno hoti … attanā ca vimuttiñāṇadassanasampanno hoti vimuttiñāṇadassanasampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī. ‘It is a bhikkhu who lives in the wilderness … and is accomplished in the knowledge-and-vision of liberation; and he speaks in praise of these things. Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. “Good, good, Sāriputta! Yathā taṁ kassapova sammā byākaramāno byākareyya. That is how Kassapa would righly answer. Kassapo hi, sāriputta, attanā ca āraññiko āraññikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca piṇḍapātiko piṇḍapātikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca paṁsukūliko paṁsukūlikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca tecīvariko tecīvarikattassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca appiccho appicchatāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca santuṭṭho santuṭṭhiyā ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca pavivitto pavivekassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca asaṁsaṭṭho asaṁsaggassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca āraddhavīriyo vīriyārambhassa ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca sīlasampanno sīlasampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca samādhisampanno samādhisampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca paññāsampanno paññāsampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca vimuttisampanno vimuttisampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī, attanā ca vimuttiñāṇadassanasampanno vimuttiñāṇadassanasampadāya ca vaṇṇavādī”ti. For Kassapa lives in the wilderness … he is accomplished in the knowledge-and-vision of liberation; and he speaks in praise of these things.”

“Evaṁ vutte, ahaṁ bhante āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ etadavocaṁ: “Next I asked Mahāmoggallāna the same question. ‘byākataṁ kho, āvuso moggallāna, āyasmatā mahākassapena yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ pucchāma …pe… kathaṁrūpena, āvuso moggallāna, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’ti? Evaṁ vutte, bhante, āyasmā mahāmoggallāno maṁ etadavoca: He said: ‘idhāvuso sāriputta, dve bhikkhū abhidhammakathaṁ kathenti. Te aññamaññaṁ pañhaṁ pucchanti, aññamaññassa pañhaṁ puṭṭhā vissajjenti, no ca saṁsādenti, dhammī ca nesaṁ kathā pavattinī hoti. ‘It is when two bhikkhus engage in discussion about the Dhamma … Evarūpena kho, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta, yathā taṁ moggallānova sammā byākaramāno byākareyya. “Good, good, Sāriputta! That is how Moggallāna would rightly answer. Moggallāno hi, sāriputta, dhammakathiko”ti. For Moggallāna is a Dhamma speaker.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: When he had spoken, Moggallāna said to the Buddha, “atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavocaṁ: “Next, I asked Sāriputta: ‘byākataṁ kho, āvuso sāriputta, amhehi sabbeheva yathāsakaṁ paṭibhānaṁ. ‘Each of us has answered what occurred to us. Tattha dāni mayaṁ āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ pucchāma—And now we ask you: ramaṇīyaṁ, āvuso sāriputta, gosiṅgasālavanaṁ, dosinā ratti, sabbaphāliphullā sālā, dibbā, maññe, gandhā sampavanti. Venerable Sāriputta, the sal forest park at Gosiṅga is delightful, the night is bright, the sal trees are in full blossom, and divine scents seem to float on the air. Kathaṁrūpena, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’ti? What kind of bhikkhu would beautify this park?’ Evaṁ vutte, bhante, āyasmā sāriputto maṁ etadavoca: When I had spoken, Sāriputta said to me: ‘idhāvuso moggallāna, bhikkhu cittaṁ vasaṁ vatteti no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattati. “Venerable Moggallāna, it is when a bhikkhu wields mastery over his mind; his mind does not wield mastery over him. … So yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharati; yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharati; yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati sāyanhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā sāyanhasamayaṁ viharati. Seyyathāpi, āvuso moggallāna, rañño vā rājamahāmattassa vā nānārattānaṁ dussānaṁ dussakaraṇḍako pūro assa. So yaññadeva dussayugaṁ ākaṅkheyya pubbaṇhasamayaṁ pārupituṁ, taṁ tadeva dussayugaṁ pubbaṇhasamayaṁ pārupeyya; yaññadeva dussayugaṁ ākaṅkheyya majjhanhikasamayaṁ pārupituṁ, taṁ tadeva dussayugaṁ majjhanhikasamayaṁ pārupeyya; yaññadeva dussayugaṁ ākaṅkheyya sāyanhasamayaṁ pārupituṁ, taṁ tadeva dussayugaṁ sāyanhasamayaṁ pārupeyya. Evameva kho, āvuso moggallāna, bhikkhu cittaṁ vasaṁ vatteti, no ca bhikkhu cittassa vasena vattati. So yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharati; yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharati; yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati sāyanhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā sāyanhasamayaṁ viharati. Evarūpena kho, āvuso moggallāna, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā’”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.’”

“Sādhu sādhu, moggallāna. “Good, good, Moggallāna! Yathā taṁ sāriputtova sammā byākaramāno byākareyya. That is how Sāriputta would rightly answer. Sāriputto hi, moggallāna, cittaṁ vasaṁ vatteti no ca sāriputto cittassa vasena vattati. For Sāriputta wields mastery over his mind; his mind does not wield mastery over him …” So yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ viharati; yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā majjhanhikasamayaṁ viharati; yāya vihārasamāpattiyā ākaṅkhati sāyanhasamayaṁ viharituṁ, tāya vihārasamāpattiyā sāyanhasamayaṁ viharatī”ti.

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā sāriputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: When he had spoken, Sāriputta asked the Buddha, “kassa nu kho, bhante, subhāsitan”ti? “Venerable sir, who has spoken well?”

“Sabbesaṁ vo, sāriputta, subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena. “You have all spoken well in [your own] way. Api ca mamapi suṇātha yathārūpena bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyya. However, listen to me also as to what kind of bhikkhu would beautify this sal forest park at Gosiṅga. Idha, sāriputta, bhikkhu pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto nisīdati pallaṅkaṁ ābhujitvā ujuṁ kāyaṁ paṇidhāya parimukhaṁ satiṁ upaṭṭhapetvā: It is a bhikkhu who, after the meal, returns from almsround, sits down cross-legged, sets his body straight, and establishes recollection at the fore, thinking: ‘na tāvāhaṁ imaṁ pallaṅkaṁ bhindissāmi yāva me nānupādāya āsavehi cittaṁ vimuccissatī’ti. ‘I will not break this sitting posture until my mind is liberated from the influxes through non-assumption!’ Evarūpena kho, sāriputta, bhikkhunā gosiṅgasālavanaṁ sobheyyā”ti. That is the kind of bhikkhu who would beautify this park.”

Idamavoca bhagavā. That is what the Buddha said. Attamanā te āyasmanto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti. Pleased, those venerables delighted in what the Buddha said.

Mahāgosiṅgasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dutiyaṁ.

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