39.1 （一）等法

Thus have I heard:

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

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "If a bhikṣu accomplishes seven dharmas, he will experience endless happiness in this life, and if he wishes to exhaust the taints, he will be able to attain them. What are the seven dharmas? Here, a bhikṣu knows the Dharma, knows the meaning, knows the time, is also able to know himself, is also able to know contentment, is also able to know how to enter the assembly, and observes the people in the assembly. These are called the seven dharmas.

What is it that a bhikṣu knows about the Dharma? Here, a bhikṣu knows the Dharma, namely the sūtras, geya, gāthās, nidāna, upamā, abhuta, vaipulya, adbhuta, vaipulya, vyākaraṇa, and jātaka. If a bhikṣu does not know the Dharma, does not know the twelve divisions of the canon, he is not a bhikṣu. Because a bhikṣu is able to understand the Dharma, it is called knowing the Dharma. Thus, a bhikṣu understands the Dharma.

What is it that a bhikṣu understands about the meaning? Here, a bhikṣu knows the Tathāgata's intention and understands the profound meaning without any doubts. If a bhikṣu does not understand the meaning, he is not a bhikṣu. Because a bhikṣu is able to know the profound meaning, it is called understanding the meaning. Thus, a bhikṣu is able to discern the meaning.

What is it that a bhikṣu knows about the appropriate time? Here, a bhikṣu knows the appropriate time, knowing when to cultivate insight and when to cultivate tranquility, knowing when to be silent and when to act, knowing when to recite and when to teach others. If a bhikṣu does not know this, does not know the appropriateness of tranquility, insight, progress, and rest, he is not a bhikṣu. If a bhikṣu knows the appropriate time and does not miss the appropriate time, this is called following the appropriate time. Thus, a bhikṣu knows the appropriate time.

What is it that a bhikṣu is able to cultivate himself? Here, a bhikṣu is able to know himself: 'I now have this seeing, hearing, thinking, and knowing, and have such wisdom. My walking and moving always follow the true Dharma.' If a bhikṣu is unable to know the appropriateness of wisdom, coming and going, and walking, he is not a bhikṣu. Because a bhikṣu is able to cultivate himself and the appropriateness of his progress and rest, this is called cultivating his own practice. This is called a bhikṣu being able to know himself.

What is it that a bhikṣu knows about contentment? Here, a bhikṣu is able to measure and know the appropriateness of sleep, wakefulness, sitting, lying down, walking, and progress. He is able to know contentment. If a bhikṣu is unable to know this, he is not a bhikṣu. Because a bhikṣu is able to understand this, it is called contentment. Thus, a bhikṣu is called content.

What is it that a bhikṣu knows about entering a great assembly? Here, a bhikṣu distinguishes the great assembly: 'This is the kṣatriya class, this is the brāhmaṇa class, this is the householder class, this is the śramaṇa class. I should use this Dharma to suit that assembly, whether speaking or silent, I know it all.' If a bhikṣu does not know how to enter the assembly, he is not a bhikṣu. Because a bhikṣu knows how to enter the great assembly, it is called knowing how to enter the assembly. This is called a bhikṣu knowing how to enter the great assembly.

What is it that a bhikṣu knows about the origins of the people? A bhikṣu should know that there are two kinds of people. What are the two? There is one person who wishes to go to the garden to visit the bhikṣus, while the other person does not like to go there to see the bhikṣus. The person who wishes to go to the garden to visit the bhikṣus is the superior one.

Bhikṣus! There are also two kinds of people. What are the two? One person may go to where the bhikṣus are, but does not ask about what is appropriate. The other person also does not go to the temple to see the bhikṣus. The person who goes to the temple is the best.

Bhikṣus! There are also two kinds of people. What are the two? One person goes to where the bhikṣus are and asks about what is appropriate. The other person does not go to where the bhikṣus are to ask about what is appropriate. The person who goes to the temple is the most honored and foremost, surpassing the other person.

Bhikṣus! There are also two kinds of people. What are the two? One person goes to where the bhikṣus are and listens to the Dharma with utmost sincerity. The other person does not go to where the bhikṣus are and does not listen to the Dharma with utmost sincerity. The person who listens to the Dharma with utmost sincerity is the best among those people.

Bhikṣus! There are also two kinds of people. What are the two? One person is able to contemplate the Dharma and uphold and recite it. The other person is unable to uphold and recite it. The person who upholds and recites the Dharma is the best among those people.

Bhikṣus! There are also two kinds of people. What are the two? One person hears the Dharma and understands its meaning. The other person hears the Dharma but does not understand its meaning. The person who hears the Dharma and understands its meaning is the most honored and foremost among those people.

Bhikṣus! There are also two kinds of people. What are the two? One person hears the Dharma and attains the Dharma. The other person does not hear the Dharma and does not attain the Dharma. The person who hears the Dharma and attains the Dharma is the foremost among those people.

"Bhikṣus! There are also two kinds of people. What are the two? One person hears the Dharma and is able to practice with endurance, to uphold and protect the true Dharma. The other person is unable to practice with endurance. The person who is able to practice the Dharma is the most honored and foremost among those people. It is like how milk has curds, curds have butter, and butter has ghee, which is the best and unsurpassed. It is the same here. If there is a person who is able to practice, that person is the best and unsurpassed. This is called a bhikṣu observing the faculties of people. If there is a person who does not understand this, they are not a bhikṣu. Because a bhikṣu who hears the Dharma and discerns its meaning is the best. Thus a bhikṣu observes the faculties of people. If there is a bhikṣu who accomplishes seven dharmas, he will be happy and without afflictions in this present life, and will have no doubt in cutting off afflictions. Therefore, bhikṣus! You should seek the means to accomplish these seven dharmas. Thus, bhikṣus! You should train in this way."

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