23.5 （五）逆顺香

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, Venerable Ānanda, in a secluded place, gave rise to this thought: "In the world, is there any fragrance that can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind?" At that time, Venerable Ānanda rose from his seat, went to where the World-Honored One was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and sat to one side.

At that time, Venerable Ānanda addressed the World-Honored One, saying: "In a secluded place, I gave rise to this thought: 'In the world, is there any fragrance that can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind?'"

At that time, the World-Honored One told Ānanda: "There is such a wonderful fragrance that can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind."

Then, Ānanda addressed the World-Honored One, saying: "What is this fragrance that can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind?"

The World-Honored One said: "There is this fragrance, and the power of this fragrance can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind."

Ānanda addressed the Buddha, saying: "What is this fragrance that can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind?"

The World-Honored One said: "These three kinds of fragrances can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind."

Ānanda said: "What are the three?"

The World-Honored One said: "The fragrance of precepts, the fragrance of hearing, and the fragrance of giving. Ānanda, these are the three kinds of fragrances. Moreover, these fragrances can be smelled both against the wind and with the wind, and both against and with the wind. Among all the fragrances in the world, these three kinds of fragrances are the most supreme, the most excellent, incomparable, and unsurpassed. Just as from cows comes milk, from milk comes butter, and from butter comes ghee, and this ghee is the most supreme, the most excellent, incomparable, and unsurpassed. It is the same with all the fragrances in the world. These three kinds of fragrances are the most supreme, the most excellent, incomparable, and unsurpassed."

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke this verse:

The fragrance of wood honey and sandalwood, the fragrance of blue lotus
and all fragrances, and also various kinds of fragrances, the fragrance of
precepts is the most supreme. With this accomplishment of precepts, there is
no desire and no defilement, equal wisdom and liberation, where even Māra
does not know. Although this fragrance is wonderful, and the fragrance of
sandalwood and honey, the fragrance of precepts is the most wonderful, and
it is smelled throughout the ten directions. Although sandalwood has fragrance, and
blue lotus and other fragrances, among all these various fragrances, the fragrance
of precepts is the most supreme. Although sandalwood has fragrance, and blue
lotus and other fragrances, among all these various fragrances, the fragrance of
giving is the most supreme.

"These are called the three kinds of fragrances, which are fragrant against the wind, fragrant with the wind, and fragrant both against and with the wind. Therefore, Ānanda! You should seek the means to accomplish these three fragrances. Thus, Ānanda! You should train in this way."

At that time, Ānanda heard what the Buddha said and joyfully upheld it.