39.2 （二）昼度

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, "The Cāpāla tree of the Thirty-three Heavens is fifty yojanas long and wide, and a hundred yojanas high. It provides shade for fifty yojanas to the east, west, south, and north. The gods of the Thirty-three Heavens enjoy themselves there for four months. Bhikṣus, you should know that there may come a time when the flowers and leaves of that Cāpāla tree wither and fall to the ground. When the gods see this auspicious sign, they all rejoice and feel joy within, thinking, 'This tree will soon grow flowers and fruits again.'

Bhikṣus, you should know that there may come a time when the flowers and fruits of that tree all wither and fall to the ground. At that time, the gods of the Thirty-three Heavens will be even more joyful, and they will say to each other, 'This tree will soon turn gray.'

Bhikṣus, you should know that after some time, that tree will turn gray. At that time, the gods of the Thirty-three Heavens will see that the tree has turned gray, and they will be very joyful, saying to each other, 'This tree has now turned gray. It will soon grow a net.' At that time, the gods of the Thirty-three Heavens will see that the Cāpāla tree has already grown a net, and it will soon grow hail nodes. At that time, the gods of the Thirty-three Heavens will see this and again feel joyful, thinking, 'This tree has now grown hail nodes. It will soon bloom again.'

Bhikṣus, you should know that the gods of the Thirty-three Heavens will see that this tree gradually blooms, and they will each be joyful, thinking, 'This tree will soon be fully in bloom.'

Bhikṣus, you should know that there will be a time when that tree is fully in bloom. They will all be joyful, thinking, 'This tree is now fully in bloom.' At that time, the fragrance of that tree will be smelled within a hundred yojanas against the wind. At that time, the gods will enjoy themselves for four months, their happiness beyond measure.

It is the same with this. When a noble disciple wishes to leave home to study the path, it is like that tree beginning to wither.

Furthermore, when a noble disciple renounces wife and wealth, with firm faith, leaves home to study the path, shaves their beard and hair, it is like the leaves falling to the ground.

Bhikkhus, you should know that when a noble disciple has no thoughts of desire, eliminates unwholesome dharmas, joyfully upholds mindfulness, and abides in the first dhyāna, it is like the Dhava tree turning gray.

Furthermore, when a noble disciple has initial and sustained thought, inner joy, and one-pointedness of mind, without initial and sustained thought, abiding in the second dhyāna, it is like the tree growing a net.

Furthermore, when a noble disciple is mindful and has protection, experiences physical bliss, is protected by the noble ones, and fully abides in the third dhyāna, it is like the tree growing hail.

Furthermore, when a noble disciple has exhausted suffering and happiness, is free from sorrow, without suffering or happiness, and abides in the fourth dhyāna with pure mindfulness, it is like the tree gradually blooming.

Furthermore, when a noble disciple has exhausted the taints, attained the liberation of the mind and liberation through wisdom, and delights in the present life, knowing that birth and death are exhausted, the holy life has been established, what was to be done is done, and one will not again experience birth, it is like the tree fully blooming.

At that time, the noble disciple's fragrance of virtuous qualities was widely known in the four directions, and none praised it. For four months, he delighted in himself, his mind wandering in the four dhyānas, fully practicing the basis. Therefore, bhikṣus! One should seek means to accomplish the fragrance of virtuous qualities. Thus, bhikṣus! One should practice in this way.

At that time, the bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's teaching, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.