31.11 （一一）无诤讼

Thus have I heard:

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

At that time, the disciples of Maudgalyāyana and the disciples of Ānanda had a discussion: "The two of us chant the sūtras together. Who is better?"

At that time, many bhikṣus heard the discussion between the two. Having heard it, they went to where the World-Honored One was, bowed their heads at his feet, and sat to one side. Then the many bhikṣus said to the World-Honored One: "Now there are two people discussing: 'The two of us chant the sūtras together. Which is better?'"

At that time, the World-Honored One told a bhikṣu: "Go and call these two bhikṣus to come."

The bhikṣu replied: "Yes, World-Honored One!" The bhikṣu received the Buddha's instruction and went to where the two were. He said to the two: "The World-Honored One calls you."

At that time, when the two heard the bhikṣu's words, they went to where the World-Honored One was, bowed their heads at his feet, and stood to one side.

At that time, the World-Honored One said to the two: "You foolish ones, did you really say, 'We recite sutras together, which one is better?'"

The two replied, "Yes, World-Honored One!"

The World-Honored One said, "Have you ever heard me say this Dharma and compete with each other? How is this Dharma different from the Brahmins?"

The bhikṣus replied, "We have not heard the Tathāgata say this Dharma."

The World-Honored One said, "Have I ever taught this Dharma to the bhikṣus, saying to compete for victory? Rather, the Dharma I teach today is to subdue and guide. When a bhikṣu receives the Dharma, he should contemplate the four conditions and see if his mind accords with the sūtras, abhidharma, and vinaya. If it does accord, he should remember to practice accordingly."

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

Reciting much without benefit is not the wonderful Dharma. It
is like counting the horns of an ox, not the
essential of a śramaṇa. If one recites little or much
but practices the Dharma, this Dharma is supreme, and can
be called the Dharma of a śramaṇa. Although one recites
a thousand verses, if they are not meaningful, what benefit
is there? It is better to hear one verse that
can lead to the path. Although one recites a thousand
words, if they are not meaningful, what benefit is there?
It is better to hear one meaning that can lead
to the path. A thousand enemies can be defeated by
one man, but it is better to conquer oneself. The
one who can endure is supreme.

"Therefore, bhikṣus! From now on, do not dispute with each other, having a mind of victory and defeat. The reason is that we should subdue all people. If there are bhikṣus who have a mind of victory and defeat, dispute with each other, and compete, then we should use the Dharma and Vinaya to correct them. Bhikṣus! For this reason, we should practice on our own."

"Therefore, when the two bhikṣus heard these words of the Buddha, they immediately rose from their seats, bowed at the feet of the World-Honored One, and sought to repent, saying: "From now on, we will never do it again. We only pray that the World-Honored One will accept our repentance.

The World-Honored One said: "In the great Dharma, it is excellent to be able to correct one's mistakes. If you know that you have a mind of dispute and competition, I allow you to repent. Bhikṣus! Do not do it again like this. Thus, bhikṣus! You should train like this."

At that time, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha said and joyfully received and practiced it.

superior, sitting, traces of practice, impermanence, garden, pond
without taints, without cessation, meditation, four joys, without disputes