112. （一一二）阿奴波经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the land of the Mallas, staying in the city of Anupiya.

At that time, the World-Honored One rose from his seat at dusk, came down from the hall, and said, "Ānanda! Let us go together to the Airavana River to bathe."

Venerable Ānanda replied, "Yes, sir."

Then the World-Honored One, together with Venerable Ānanda, went to the Airavana River. He took off his robe on the bank and entered the water to bathe. After bathing, he came out, dried his body, and put on his robe. At that time, Venerable Ānanda held a fan and fanned the Buddha. Then the World-Honored One turned around and said, "Ānanda! Because of his indulgence, Devadatta has fallen into extreme suffering and hardship, and will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue. Ānanda! Have you not heard from the monks that I have always predicted that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "Yes, sir."

At that time, a bhikṣu said to Venerable Ānanda, "Did the World-Honored One know Devadatta's mind with his mind-reading knowledge, and therefore predicted that Devadatta would definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue?"

The World-Honored One said, "Ānanda! That bhikṣu may have a small, medium, or great understanding, or he may be young and not know for himself. Why is that? Because the Tathāgata has already made a one-sided prediction about him, causing doubt. Ānanda! I do not see in this world, among gods, Māra, Brahmā, śramaṇas, brāhmaṇas, from humans to gods, who would make a one-sided prediction like Devadatta. Why is that? Ānanda! I have made a one-sided prediction that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue. Ānanda! If I saw even a single hair's worth of pure qualities in Devadatta, I would not make a one-sided prediction that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue. Ānanda! Because I do not see even a single hair's worth of pure qualities in Devadatta, I make a one-sided prediction that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue.

Ānanda! Not far from a village, there is a deep cesspit. If a person falls into it and sinks to the bottom, if someone comes and feels great compassion, pity, and sympathy for them, seeking justice and benefit, seeking peace and happiness, and after coming, looks around and says, 'Can I find a place on this person the size of a single hair that is not covered in excrement, so that I can grab them and pull them out?' Looking all around, they do not see a single clean place on that person the size of a single hair that is not covered in excrement, so that they can grab them and pull them out. In the same way, Ānanda! If I saw even a single hair's worth of pure qualities in Devadatta, I would not make a one-sided prediction that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue. Ānanda! Because I do not see even a single hair's worth of pure qualities in Devadatta, I make a one-sided prediction that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue.

Then Venerable Ānanda wept, wiping away his tears with his hand, and said, "World-Honored One! It is truly amazing! The World-Honored One has made a one-sided prediction that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue."

The World-Honored One said, "So it is, Ānanda! So it is, Ānanda! I have made a one-sided prediction that Devadatta will definitely go to a bad place, be reborn in hell, and remain there for an eon, beyond any hope of rescue. Ānanda! If you hear from the Tathāgata the knowledge of the faculties of a great person, you will surely develop supreme faith in the Tathāgata and give rise to joy."

Then Venerable Ānanda joined his palms towards the Buddha and said, "World-Honored One! Now is the time! Well-Gone One! Now is the time! If the World-Honored One would teach the knowledge of the faculties of a great person to the bhikṣus, the bhikṣus would listen well and uphold it."

The World-Honored One said, "Ānanda! Listen carefully and keep it in mind. I will now explain the knowledge of the faculties of a great person for you." Venerable Ānanda accepted the teaching and listened.

The World-Honored One said, "Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both wholesome and unwholesome dharmas. Later, using his knowledge of others' minds, the Tathāgata sees that this person has abandoned wholesome dharmas and given rise to unwholesome dharmas. The wholesome dharmas of this person have been abandoned, and unwholesome dharmas have arisen. However, there are remaining wholesome roots that are not severed. From these wholesome roots, wholesome dharmas will arise again. In this way, this person will attain pure dharmas. Ānanda! It is like when the sun first rises in the morning, darkness is dispelled and light arises. What do you think, Ānanda? As the sun continues to rise until noon, has darkness already been dispelled and light already arisen?"

Venerable Ānanda said, "Yes, World-Honored One!"

"So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both wholesome and unwholesome dharmas. Later, using his knowledge of others' minds, the Tathāgata sees that this person has abandoned wholesome dharmas and given rise to unwholesome dharmas. The wholesome dharmas of this person have been abandoned, and unwholesome dharmas have arisen. However, there are remaining wholesome roots that are not severed. From these wholesome roots, wholesome dharmas will arise again. In this way, this person will attain pure dharmas. Ānanda! It is like a grain seed that is not damaged, not broken, not rotten, not split, not harmed by wind or heat, and well-stored in the autumn. If a householder well-cultivates a good field and sows the seed in the field, watering it in a timely manner, what do you think, Ānanda? Will this seed grow and increase?"

Venerable Ānanda said, "So it is, World-Honored One!"

So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both wholesome and unwholesome dharmas. Later, using his knowledge of others' minds, the Tathāgata sees that this person has abandoned wholesome dharmas and given rise to unwholesome dharmas. The wholesome dharmas of this person have been abandoned, and unwholesome dharmas have arisen. However, there are remaining wholesome roots that are not severed. From these wholesome roots, wholesome dharmas will arise again. In this way, this person will attain pure dharmas. Ānanda! This is called the Tathāgata's knowledge of the roots of the great person. The Tathāgata truly knows the origins of all dharmas.

"Furthermore, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both wholesome and unwholesome dharmas. Later, using his knowledge of others' minds, the Tathāgata sees that this person has abandoned wholesome dharmas and given rise to unwholesome dharmas. The wholesome dharmas of this person have been abandoned, and unwholesome dharmas have arisen. However, there are remaining wholesome roots that have not yet been severed, and will certainly be severed. In this way, this person will experience decline. Ānanda! It is like when the sun is about to set in the evening, light disappears and darkness arises. What do you think, Ānanda? Has the sun already set, the light already disappeared, and the darkness already arisen?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "Yes, World-Honored One!"

"So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both wholesome and unwholesome dharmas. Later, using his knowledge of others' minds, the Tathāgata sees that this person has abandoned wholesome dharmas and given rise to unwholesome dharmas. The wholesome dharmas of this person have been abandoned, and unwholesome dharmas have arisen. However, there are remaining wholesome roots that have not yet been severed, and will certainly be severed. In this way, this person will experience decline. Ānanda! It is like a grain seed that is not damaged, not broken, not rotten, not split, not harmed by wind or heat, and is carefully stored in the autumn. If a householder well cultivates a good field, sows the seed in the field, and the rain does not come at the right time. What do you think, Ānanda? Will this seed grow and increase?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "No, World-Honored One!"

So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both wholesome and unwholesome dharmas. Later, using his knowledge of others' minds, the Tathāgata sees that this person has abandoned wholesome dharmas and given rise to unwholesome dharmas. The wholesome dharmas of this person have been abandoned, and unwholesome dharmas have arisen. However, there are remaining wholesome roots that have not yet been severed, and will certainly be severed. In this way, this person will experience decline. Ānanda! This is called the Tathāgata's knowledge of the roots of the great person. The Tathāgata knows the origin of all dharmas in this way.

"Furthermore, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has no pure dharmas even as small as a hair. This person is completely filled with evil and unwholesome dharmas, which are defiled, the basis for future existence, and the cause of suffering, birth, old age, sickness, and death. When this person's body perishes and life ends, they will certainly go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. Ānanda! It is like a seed that is rotten, broken, damaged by wind and heat, not properly stored in the autumn, and planted in poor soil by a farmer who does not know how to cultivate it. The rain does not come at the right time. What do you think, Ānanda? Will this seed grow and increase?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "No, World-Honored One!"

"So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has no pure dharmas even as small as a hair. This person is completely filled with evil and unwholesome dharmas, which are defiled, the basis for future existence, and the cause of suffering, birth, old age, sickness, and death. When this person's body perishes and life ends, they will certainly go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. Ānanda! This is called the Tathāgata's knowledge of the faculties of great beings. The Tathāgata knows all dharmas in this way."

Then Venerable Ānanda, with palms joined towards the Buddha, said, "The World-Honored One has already spoken of these three kinds of people. Could you please speak of other three kinds of people?"

The World-Honored One said, "It can be spoken of. Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both unwholesome and wholesome dharmas. Later, the Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, again sees this person's mind and knows that this person has eliminated unwholesome dharmas and given rise to wholesome dharmas. This person's unwholesome dharmas have been eliminated and wholesome dharmas have arisen, but there are still unwholesome roots that have not been severed. From these unwholesome roots, unwholesome dharmas will arise again. This person has attained the Dharma of decline. Ānanda! It is like a fire that is just lit and burns up a whole bundle of firewood. Suppose someone then adds dry grass and withered wood. What do you think, Ānanda? Will that fire burn more fiercely?"

Venerable Ānanda said, "Yes, World-Honored One!"

So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both unwholesome and wholesome dharmas. Later, the Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, again sees this person's mind and knows that this person has eliminated unwholesome dharmas and given rise to wholesome dharmas. This person's unwholesome dharmas have been eliminated and wholesome dharmas have arisen, but there are still unwholesome roots that have not been severed. From these unwholesome roots, unwholesome dharmas will arise again. This person has attained the Dharma of decline. Ānanda! This is called the Tathāgata's knowledge of the faculties of great beings. In this way, the Tathāgata truly knows the fundamental dharmas.

"Furthermore, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both unwholesome and wholesome dharmas. Later, the Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, again sees this person's mind and knows that this person has eliminated unwholesome dharmas and given rise to wholesome dharmas. This person's unwholesome dharmas have been eliminated and wholesome dharmas have arisen, but there are still unwholesome roots that have not been severed. They will definitely be severed. This person has attained the pure Dharma. Ānanda! It is like a burning fire. If someone takes that burning fire and places it on a flat, clean ground or on a stone, what do you think? Will that fire increase and blaze even more?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "No, World-Honored One!"

So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has both unwholesome and wholesome dharmas. Later, the Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, again sees this person's mind and knows that this person has eliminated unwholesome dharmas and given rise to wholesome dharmas. This person's unwholesome dharmas have been eliminated and wholesome dharmas have arisen, but there are still unwholesome roots that have not been severed. They will definitely be severed. This person has attained the pure Dharma. Ānanda! This is called the Tathāgata's knowledge of the roots of the great person. The Tathāgata truly knows the original nature of all dharmas.

"Furthermore, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has no unwholesome karma even as small as a hair. This person's wholesome dharmas are completely filled with happiness and the result of happiness. They will definitely be reborn in a happy place and attain long life. This person will definitely attain parinirvāṇa in this very life. Ānanda! It is like a fire ember that has long since gone out and cooled down. Suppose someone were to add dry grass and withered wood to it. What do you think, Ānanda? Could that dead fire ember be made to burn again?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "No, World-Honored One!"

So it is, Ānanda! The Tathāgata, using his knowledge of others' minds, sees that this person has no unwholesome karma even as small as a hair. This person's wholesome dharmas are completely filled with happiness and the result of happiness. They will definitely be reborn in a happy place and attain long life. This person will definitely attain parinirvāṇa in this very life. Ānanda! This is called the Tathāgata's knowledge of the faculties of great beings. The Tathāgata truly knows all dharmas in this way.

"Ānanda! The first person among the three mentioned earlier attains the pure Dharma, the second person attains the Dharma of decline, and the third person, when their body perishes and their life ends, will definitely go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The first person among the three mentioned later attains the Dharma of decline, the second person attains the pure Dharma, and the third person attains parinirvāṇa in this very life. Ānanda! I have already explained the knowledge of the faculties of great beings for you. It is like a teacher giving rise to great compassion and pity for his disciples, seeking their benefit and well-being, seeking their peace and happiness. I have now done this for you. You should also do it yourselves. Go to places free from affairs, under trees in mountain forests, to empty and quiet places, and sit in meditation. Do not be negligent, but strive with diligence, so as not to regret it later. This is my instruction and admonition."

The Buddha spoke thus. Those bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and received them with respect.