49.8 （八）

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was staying in Anga Village with a great assembly of five hundred bhikṣus.

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "All the people call you śramaṇas. If they ask you, 'Are you śramaṇas?' you also say, 'We are śramaṇas.' I now tell you, the practice of śramaṇas and the practice of brāhmaṇas, you should remember to cultivate and practice, later you will surely attain results, as it is, not different. The reason is this, there are two kinds of śramaṇas: there are śramaṇas who practice, and there are śramaṇas who vow.

What is meant by practicing śramaṇas? Here, bhikṣus, in their walking, coming, going, looking, appearance, wearing robes, and carrying alms bowls, all are in accordance with the Dharma, not attached to greed, anger, or delusion, but upholding precepts and diligently practicing, not violating what is not the Dharma, equally studying all precepts. This is called practicing śramaṇas.

What is meant by vowing śramaṇas? Here, some bhikṣus, in their deportment, precepts, entering and leaving, going and stopping, walking, appearance, looking, and movements, all are in accordance with the Dharma, exhausting the taints and attaining the outflow-free, attaining realization in this very life and wandering freely: the cycle of birth and death is exhausted, the practice of purity is established, what is to be done is accomplished, no more rebirth will be taken, knowing it as it is. This is called vowing śramaṇas. This is called, bhikṣus, the two kinds of śramaṇas.

At that time, Ānanda addressed the World-Honored One, saying: "What is meant by the practice of śramaṇas and the practice of brāhmaṇas?"

The Buddha told Ānanda: "Here, bhikṣus know moderation in food and drink, practice walking meditation day and night without missing the proper time, and practice the various aspects of the path.

How do bhikṣus have tranquil faculties? Here, bhikṣus, when the eye sees forms, they do not give rise to attachment and thoughts of disturbance. The eye faculty becomes pure, eliminating evil thoughts and not thinking of unwholesome dharmas. When the ear hears sounds, the nose smells fragrances, the tongue tastes flavors, the body experiences tactile sensations, and the mind knows dharmas, they do not give rise to attachment and thoughts of disturbance. The mind faculty becomes pure. In this way, bhikṣus have faculties that become pure.

How do bhikṣus know moderation in food and drink? Here, bhikṣus eat in moderation, not seeking to be fat or white, but only to sustain this body. To remove old pain and prevent new pain, they can practice the holy life. It is like a man or woman with a wound on the body. They apply ointment to the wound in a timely manner, always wanting the wound to heal. Now, bhikṣus are also like this. The reason for applying ointment to a cart is to go a long distance. Bhikṣus eat in moderation, for the sake of sustaining life. In this way, bhikṣus know moderation in food and drink.

How do bhikṣus always know the time of day? Here, bhikṣus always know the time of day in the early and late watches, contemplating the thirty-seven factors of the path. During the day, they walk back and forth, removing evil thoughts and the notion of afflictions. Again, in the early and late watches, they walk back and forth, removing the notion of evil afflictions and unwholesome dharmas. Again, in the middle of the night, they lie on their right side, with one foot on top of the other, only thinking of the light. Again, in the late night, they walk back and forth, removing unwholesome thoughts. In this way, bhikṣus know the time of day. In this way, Ānanda, this is the essential practice of a śramaṇa.

What is called the essential practice of a brāhmaṇa? Here, a bhikṣu truly knows suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. Later, he attains liberation from the mind's defilements of desire, existence, and ignorance. Having attained liberation, he attains the knowledge of liberation. Birth and death are exhausted, the holy life is established, what was to be done is done, and he will not again take up a womb. This is called the essential practice of a brāhmaṇa. Ānanda should know that this is the meaning of essential practice.

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

The śramaṇa is called one who has extinguished the mind, who has forever
eliminated all evils. The brāhmaṇa is called pure, who has removed all deluded thoughts.

"Therefore, Ānanda! The practice of the śramaṇa and the practice of the brāhmaṇa should be remembered and cultivated. Those sentient beings who practice these dharmas are then called śramaṇas. Why are they called śramaṇas? Because all afflictions are permanently extinguished, they are called śramaṇas. Why are they called brāhmaṇas? Because they have completely removed the dharmas of ignorance and delusion, they are called brāhmaṇas; they are also called kṣatriyas. Why are they called kṣatriyas? Because they have cut off desire, anger, and ignorance, they are called kṣatriyas; they are also called bathed. Why are they called bathed? Because they have washed away the twenty-one afflictions, they are called bathed. They are also called awakened. Why are they called awakened? Because they have awakened to the dharmas of ignorance and wisdom, they are called awakened. They are also called the other shore. Why are they called the other shore? Because they have gone from this shore to the other shore, they are called the other shore. Ānanda! Those who can practice these dharmas are then called śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas. This is the meaning, remember to uphold and practice it."

At that time, Ānanda, having heard the Buddha's teaching, joyfully received and upheld it.