134. （一三四）释问经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the country of Magadha, staying east of Rajagriha, north of the village of Venuvana, in the Indra Cave on the mountain of Vaitadha.

At that time, the Heavenly King Sakra heard that the Buddha was traveling in the country of Magadha, staying east of Rajagriha, north of the village of Venuvana, in the Indra Cave on the mountain of Vaitadha. The Heavenly King Sakra then told the five sons of Klesa, "I have heard that the World-Honored One is traveling in the country of Magadha, staying east of Rajagriha, north of the village of Venuvana, in the Indra Cave on the mountain of Vaitadha. Klesa, come, let us go together to see the Buddha."

The five sons of Klesa said, "Yes." Then the five sons of Klesa took their crystal zithers and followed the Heavenly King Sakra. The thirty-three heavens heard that the Heavenly King Sakra was going to see the Buddha with great sincerity, and the thirty-three heavens also followed the Heavenly King Sakra. Then the Heavenly King Sakra, the thirty-three heavens, and the five sons of Klesa, in the time it takes a strong man to bend and stretch his arm, suddenly disappeared from the thirty-three heavens and appeared in the country of Magadha, east of Rajagriha, north of the village of Venuvana, on the mountain of Vaitadha, not far from the stone chamber.

At that time, the light shining from the mountain of Vaitadha was extremely bright, like a blazing fire. The residents on the left and right of the mountain saw it and thought, "The mountain of Vaitadha is burning all over with fire."

Then the Heavenly King Sakra, having stayed in one place, said, "Five Knots! The World-Honored One dwells in such places as mountains, forests, and under trees, enjoying high cliffs, quiet and soundless, far away, without evil, and without people, in accordance with sitting in meditation. He has great majestic virtue, together with the devas, enjoying that far-away sitting in meditation, peacefully and happily wandering. We have not yet announced ourselves, so we should not go forward. Five Knots! You go first to announce, and then we shall advance."

The son of the Five Knots said, "Yes." Then the son of the Five Knots, having received the instruction of the Heavenly King Sakra, took a crystal zither and went first to Indra's stone chamber. He then thought, "Knowing that this place is not far from the Buddha, let the Buddha know me and hear my sound." Having stayed there, he tuned the crystal zither and sang verses corresponding to desire, dragons, śramaṇas, and arhats, saying:

Wise one, you are the son of your parents, the moon and Dambhalou
who are said to have given birth to you in a wondrous way
causing me to give rise to a joyful mind. Like the heat seeking
a cool breeze, like thirst wanting to drink cold water, so do I
love you, like Rahula loves the Dharma. Like it is very difficult to
collect water, so is it with attachment to desire. Meeting together for countless
lives, like giving without attachment. A pond with clear and cool water, with
golden sand on the bottom, like an elephant tormented by heat entering this
pond to bathe. Like a hook pulling an elephant, my mind is subdued
for you. You do not realize what I do, the charming one not
yet obtained. My mind is extremely attached to you, the vexation and resentment
burning my heart. Therefore I am not happy, like a person entering a
tiger's mouth. Like a Śākya son contemplating meditation, always enjoying being alone, like
a Muni attaining enlightenment, attaining your wondrous purity. Like the enjoyment of a
Muni, the unsurpassed perfect enlightenment, so do I enjoy it, always seeking to
obtain you. Like a sick person wanting medicine, like a hungry person wanting
food, wise one, stop my mind, like water extinguishing fire. If the merit
I have created is for making offerings to the unattached ones, they are
all pure and wondrous, and I will share the rewards with you. I
wish to be with you until the end, not leaving you alone. I
would rather die with you than be separated from you while alive. May
Śakra grant my wish, the honored one of the thirty-three heavens, you are
the unsurpassed honored one among humans, my wish is the most firm. Therefore
I pay homage to the Great Hero, bowing to the supreme among humans
severing the thorns of all attachments, I pay homage to the kinsman of the sun.

Then the World-Honored One arose from samādhi and praised the son of the Five Knots, saying, "Excellent! Excellent! Five Knots! Your singing voice is in harmony with the sound of the zither, and the sound of the zither is in harmony with your singing voice. The singing voice does not go beyond the sound of the zither, and the sound of the zither does not go beyond the singing voice. Five Knots! Do you remember singing these verses corresponding to desire, dragons, śramaṇas, and arhats in the past?"

The son of the Five Knots said, "World-Honored One! Only the Great Sage himself knows. Great Sage! In the past, when the World-Honored One first attained the Way, he was wandering by the banks of the Nairañjanā River, under the Ajapāla Nyagrodha tree. At that time, there was a princess of King Dambhalou named Kṣemavatī. There was a god named Knot, the son of a charioteer named Māndhātṛ, who sought to marry her. Great Sage! When he sought to marry her, I also sought to obtain her. However, Great Sage! When seeking her, I was unable to obtain her. At that time, I stayed behind her and sang these verses corresponding to desire, dragons, śramaṇas, and arhats. Great Sage! When I sang these verses, she turned around, smiled serenely, and said to me, 'Five Knots! I have never seen that Buddha World-Honored One, but I have heard from the Thirty-three Heavens that he is the World-Honored One, Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Well-Gone, Knower of the World, Unsurpassed, Tamer of Men, Teacher of Gods and Men, Buddha, Blessed One. Five Knots! If you can praise the World-Honored One often, then you may be with her.' Great Sage! We only met once, and I have not seen her since."

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, had this thought: "The son of the Five Knots has already caused the World-Honored One to arise from samādhi. He has informed me of the Well-Gone One." At that time, Śakra, King of the Devas, said, "Five Knots! You should go there and bow your head at the Buddha's feet on my behalf. Inquire about the World-Honored One's well-being, health, strength, and ease. Say this: 'Great Sage! Śakra, King of the Devas, bows his head at the Buddha's feet and inquires about the World-Honored One's well-being, health, strength, and ease. Great Sage! Śakra, King of the Devas, and the Thirty-three Heavens wish to see the World-Honored One!'"

The son of the Five Knots said, "Yes, sir."

Then the son of the Five Knots put down his crystal zither, joined his palms towards the Buddha, and said, "World-Honored One! Great Sage! Śakra, King of the Devas, bows his head at the Buddha's feet and inquires about the World-Honored One's well-being, health, strength, and ease. Great Sage! Śakra, King of the Devas, and the Thirty-three Heavens wish to see the World-Honored One!"

At that time, the World-Honored One said, "Five Knots! Today, King Śakra of the Devas is at ease and happy, as well as all the gods, humans, asuras, gandharvas, rākṣasas, and other various beings. Five Knots! If King Śakra of the Devas wishes to see me, he may do as he pleases."

Then the son of the Five Knots, having heard the Buddha's words, accepted them well and upheld them well. He bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed. He went to where King Śakra of the Devas was and said, "Heavenly King! I have already informed the World-Honored One. The World-Honored One is now waiting for the Heavenly King. May the Heavenly King know the right time himself."

Then King Śakra of the Devas, together with the Thirty-three Heavens and the son of the Five Knots, went to where the Buddha was. At that time, King Śakra of the Devas bowed his head at the Buddha's feet and thrice proclaimed his name and clan, saying, "Only the Great Ascetic! I am King Śakra of the Devas! I am King Śakra of the Devas!"

The World-Honored One said, "So it is. So it is. Kauśika! You are King Śakra of the Devas."

At that time, King Śakra of the Devas proclaimed his name and clan thrice, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and then stood to one side. The Thirty-three Heavens and the son of the Five Knots also bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet and then stood to one side. At that time, King Śakra of the Devas said, "Only the Great Ascetic! Should I sit far or near the World-Honored One?"

The World-Honored One said, "You should sit near me. Why is that? You have a great heavenly retinue." Then King Śakra of the Devas bowed his head at the Buddha's feet and sat to one side. The Thirty-three Heavens and the son of the Five Knots also bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet and sat to one side. At that time, the Indra Stone Chamber suddenly became vast and spacious. Why was that? It was due to the Buddha's majestic virtue and the heavenly virtues.

Then King Śakra of the Devas, having sat down, said, "Only the Great Ascetic! For a long time I have wished to see the World-Honored One and ask about the Dharma. Great Ascetic! Once in the past, the World-Honored One was dwelling in a stone cave in the country of Śrāvastī. Great Ascetic! At that time, I, for myself and for the Thirty-three Heavens, rode in a thousand-elephant chariot to the house of King Veśaṃpura. At that time, there was a concubine of King Veśaṃpura named Pañcānana. At that time, the World-Honored One was in concentration, silent. The concubine joined her palms and bowed at the feet of the World-Honored One. Great Ascetic! I said to her, 'Sister! I am not going to see the World-Honored One now. The World-Honored One is in concentration. If the World-Honored One awakens from concentration, then you should bow your head at the feet of the Buddha for me and ask the World-Honored One if his holy body is healthy, at ease, without illness, and if his daily activities are light and his strength is as usual. Say this: "Only the Great Ascetic! King Śakra of the Devas bows his head at the feet of the Buddha and asks if the World-Honored One's holy body is healthy, at ease, without illness, and if his daily activities are light and his strength is as usual."'" Great Ascetic! Did the sister bow her head at the feet of the Buddha for me and ask about the World-Honored One? Does the World-Honored One remember it?

The World-Honored One said, "Kauśika! That sister bowed her head at my feet for you and conveyed your intention, asking about me. I also remember it, Kauśika! When you left, I heard that sound and awakened from concentration.

Great Ascetic! I have heard that when a Tathāgata, Arhat, Perfectly Enlightened One, Perfect in Knowledge and Conduct, Sugata, Knower of the World, Supreme Trainer, Trainer of those who can be trained, Teacher of Gods and Men, Buddha, Bhagavān appears in the world, it increases the number of gods and decreases the number of asuras. Great Ascetic! I have seen with my own eyes that the World-Honored One's disciples, the bhikṣus, practice the holy life under the World-Honored One, abandon desire and are free from desire, and when their bodies perish and their lives end, they attain a good state of existence and are reborn in the heavens. Great Ascetic! The woman Kuśa was a disciple of the World-Honored One, and she also practiced the holy life under the World-Honored One. She hated this female body and loved the male form. She transformed her female body and received a male form. She abandoned desire and was free from desire. When her body perished and her life ended, she was reborn in the excellent state of the Thirty-three Heavens and became my son. After his birth, all the gods knew that the god Kuśa had great supernatural powers, great majesty, great merit, and great spiritual power.

Great Ascetic! I also saw three bhikṣus who were disciples of the World-Honored One. They also practiced the holy life under the World-Honored One, but they did not abandon desire. When their bodies perished and their lives ended, they were reborn in other inferior places among musicians. After their birth, they came to the Thirty-three Heavens every day to serve the gods and attend to Prince Kuśa. When the prince saw them, he spoke a verse:

The upāsikā with the eyes, my name is Kuśa, I pay
respect to the Buddha and the Dharma, and with pure intention
I make offerings to the Saṅgha. I have already received the
Buddha's grace, the great merit and virtue of the Śākya son
I was reborn in the Thirty-three Heavens, and they know me
as the son of Kuśa. Seeing those former bhikṣus reborn as
musicians, standing with joined palms in front of me, Kuśa spoke
a verse: "Those were originally sons of the Gautama, when I
was a human, they came to my house and I offered
them food and drink. They were originally equal to the sages
practicing the unsurpassed holy life, but now they are servants of
others, coming daily to serve the gods. I originally served you
hearing the sages' well-spoken Dharma, I attained faith and accomplished the
precepts, and was reborn in the Thirty-three Heavens. You originally received
service, practicing the unsurpassed holy life, but now you are servants
of others, coming daily to serve the gods. What do you
take as your face, having upheld the Buddha's Dharma, yet turning
your back and not facing the Dharma? This is the well-spoken
truth of the eyes. I saw you before, now reborn in
the inferior state of musicians, practicing non-Dharma yourself, and being reborn
in non-Dharma. When I was still at home, seeing my superior
virtues now, I transformed from a woman to a son of
the gods, freely enjoying the five desires. They criticized the Gautamas
being disgusted, praised the Gautama. I will now practice, the son
of the gods truly speaks the truth. The two of them
diligently practiced, remembering the Dharma and Vinaya of the Gautama, knowing
that desire has calamities, they immediately abandoned desire. Bound by the
fetters of desire, they immediately attained freedom, like an elephant breaking
free from its bonds, they crossed to the Thirty-three Heavens. Indra
Brahmā, and all came to assemble, they immediately sat and ascended
the heroic one abandoning worldly desires. Śakra saw and was disgusted
the supreme god among the gods, they were originally born in
the inferior state, crossing to the Thirty-three Heavens. Being disgusted, they
spoke the truth, Kuśa later said: 'Among humans, the Buddha is
supreme, the Śākya sage knows desire. That son lost mindfulness, I
criticized him and he regained it. One of the three was
reborn in the inferior state of musicians. The other two attained
the right path, happily abiding in the heavens. You spoke such
Dharma, the disciples have no confusion. Crossing the taints, cutting off
wrong views, paying homage to the Buddha, the supreme one who
has subdued the faculties. If they awaken to all dharmas, the
two will attain the place of progress. Having attained progress

At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "This ghost has been long without flattery, deceit, or deception. He is straightforward. If there are questions, it is only to know. He does not want to trouble the one who asks. It is the same. I should explain the profound Abhidharma." The World-Honored One, knowing this, spoke this verse to King Śakra:

For the sake of present happiness, and also for future
happiness, Kuśa, ask freely according to your pleasure. For whatever
you ask, I will resolve it. The World-Honored One has
already given permission. The sun god seeks to see the
meaning. In the country of Magadha, the wise Kuśa asks.

Then King Śakra said, "World-Honored One! The gods, humans, asuras, gandharvas, rākṣasas, and other various kinds of beings, each have how many fetters?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kuśa! The gods, humans, asuras, gandharvas, rākṣasas, and other various kinds of beings, each have two fetters, namely stinginess and jealousy. They each think, 'May I be without a staff, without fetters, without enmity, without anger, without disputes, without fighting, without suffering, and may I wander about happily.' Although they think this, they still have a staff, fetters, enmity, anger, disputes, fighting, suffering, and do not wander about happily."

Then King Śakra, having heard this, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! The gods, humans, asuras, gandharvas, rākṣasas, and other various kinds of beings, each have two fetters. They think, 'May I be without a staff, without fetters, without enmity, without anger, without disputes, without fighting, without suffering, and may I wander about happily.' Although they think this, they still have a staff, fetters, enmity, anger, disputes, fighting, suffering, and do not wander about happily. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut off doubts and transcended confusion, without any hesitation, because I have heard what the Buddha has said."

Then King Śakra, having heard what the Buddha said, joyfully received and upheld it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! What are the causes and conditions of stinginess and jealousy? From what do they arise? By what are they brought about? And what are the causes and conditions for the absence of stinginess and jealousy?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! Stinginess and jealousy are caused by love and dislike, conditioned by love and dislike, arise from love and dislike, and are brought about by love and dislike. If there were no love and dislike, then there would be no stinginess and jealousy."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard this, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! Stinginess and jealousy are caused by love and dislike, conditioned by love and dislike, arise from love and dislike, and are brought about by love and dislike. If there were no love and dislike, then there would be no stinginess and jealousy. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut through doubts and transcended confusion, without any hesitation, because of hearing what the Buddha has spoken."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard what the Buddha had spoken, joyfully received and upheld it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! What are the causes and conditions of love and dislike? From what do they arise? What brings them about? And what causes and conditions lead to the absence of love and dislike?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! Love and dislike arise from desire, are conditioned by desire, are born from desire, and exist due to desire. If there is no desire, then there is no love or dislike."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard this, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! Love and dislike arise from desire, are conditioned by desire, are born from desire, and exist due to desire. If there is no desire, then there is no love or dislike. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut through doubts and transcended confusion, without any hesitation, because of hearing what the Buddha has spoken."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard what the Buddha had spoken, joyfully received and practiced it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! What are the causes and conditions of desire? From what is it born? Due to what does it exist? And what are the causes and conditions for the absence of desire?"

Having heard this, the World-Honored One replied, "Kauśika! Desire arises from thought, is conditioned by thought, is born from thought, and exists due to thought. If there is no thought, then there is no desire."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard this, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! Desire arises from thought, is conditioned by thought, is born from thought, and exists due to thought. If there is no thought, then there is no desire. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut through doubts and transcended confusion, without any hesitation, because of hearing what the Buddha has spoken."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard what the Buddha had spoken, joyfully received and practiced it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! What are the causes and conditions of thought? From what is it born? Due to what does it exist? And what are the causes and conditions for the absence of thought?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! Thought is caused by thinking, conditioned by thinking, born from thinking, due to thinking it exists. If there is no thinking, there is no thought. Due to thought there is desire, due to desire there is love and dislike, due to love and dislike there is stinginess and jealousy, due to stinginess and jealousy there are weapons, fighting, hatred, flattery, deceit, false speech, and divisive speech, and immeasurable evil and unwholesome dharmas arise in the mind. Thus this mass of great suffering arises. If there is no thinking, there is no thought. If there is no thought, there is no desire. If there is no desire, there is no love and dislike. If there is no love and dislike, there is no stinginess and jealousy. If there is no stinginess and jealousy, there are no weapons, fighting, hatred, flattery, deceit, false speech, and divisive speech, and immeasurable evil and unwholesome dharmas do not arise in the mind. Thus this mass of great suffering ceases."

Then, having heard this, the Heavenly King Śakra said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! Thought is caused by thinking, conditioned by thinking, born from thinking, due to thinking it exists. If there is no thinking, there is no thought. Due to thought there is desire, due to desire there is love and dislike, due to love and dislike there is stinginess and jealousy, due to stinginess and jealousy there are weapons, fighting, hatred, flattery, deceit, false speech, and divisive speech, and immeasurable evil and unwholesome dharmas arise in the mind. Thus this mass of great suffering arises. If there is no thinking, there is no thought. If there is no thought, there is no desire. If there is no desire, there is no love and dislike. If there is no love and dislike, there is no stinginess and jealousy. If there is no stinginess and jealousy, there are no weapons, fighting, hatred, flattery, deceit, false speech, and divisive speech, and immeasurable evil and unwholesome dharmas do not arise in the mind. Thus this mass of great suffering ceases. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut off doubts and crossed over confusion. I have no hesitation, because I have heard the teachings spoken by the Buddha."

Then, having heard the Buddha's teachings, the Heavenly King Śakra rejoiced and upheld them.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! What is the path to the cessation of play? How do bhikṣus practice and proceed towards the path to the cessation of play?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! The path to the cessation of play refers to the eightfold noble path, namely right view up to right concentration. Kauśika! This is called the path to the cessation of play. A bhikṣu practices and proceeds towards this path to the cessation of play."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard this, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! The path to the cessation of play refers to the eightfold noble path, namely right view up to right concentration. Great Ascetic! This is the path to the cessation of play. A bhikṣu practices and proceeds towards this path to the cessation of play. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut off doubts and transcended confusion, without any hesitation, because I have heard what the Buddha has spoken."

Then, the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard what the Buddha had spoken, joyfully received and practiced it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, how many dharmas does he abandon and how many dharmas does he practice?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, abandons three dharmas and practices three dharmas. What are the three? They are mindfulness, speech, and seeking. Kauśika! Mindfulness, I say, has two kinds, that which should be practiced and that which should not be practiced. If mindfulness is that which should not be practiced, I abandon it. If mindfulness is that which should be practiced, I know the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, in order to accomplish that mindfulness. Speech is also like this. Kauśika! Seeking, I say, also has two kinds, that which should be practiced and that which should not be practiced. If seeking is that which should not be practiced, I abandon it. If seeking is that which should be practiced, I know the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, in order to accomplish that seeking."

Then, having heard this, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, abandons three dharmas and practices three dharmas. What are the three? They are mindfulness, speech, and seeking. The Great Ascetic says mindfulness has two kinds, that which should be practiced and that which should not be practiced. If mindfulness increases unwholesome dharmas and diminishes wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic abandons it. If mindfulness diminishes unwholesome dharmas and increases wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic knows the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, in order to accomplish that mindfulness. Speech is also like this. The Great Ascetic says seeking also has two kinds, that which should be practiced and that which should not be practiced. If seeking increases unwholesome dharmas and diminishes wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic abandons it. If seeking diminishes unwholesome dharmas and increases wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic knows the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, in order to accomplish that seeking. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut off doubts and crossed over confusion, without any hesitation, because of hearing what the Buddha has spoken."

Then, having heard what the Buddha had said, Śakra, Lord of the Devas, rejoiced and upheld it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, how many dharmas does he guard to attain liberation?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, guards six dharmas to attain liberation. What are the six? The eye sees forms, the ear hears sounds, the nose smells fragrances, the tongue tastes flavors, the body feels tactile sensations, and the mind knows dharmas. Kauśika! Regarding the eye seeing forms, I say there are two kinds, those to be practiced and those not to be practiced. If the eye sees forms that are not to be practiced, I immediately cut them off. If the eye sees forms that are to be practiced, I know the time for them, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplish them. Similarly, regarding the ear hearing sounds, the nose smelling fragrances, the tongue tasting flavors, the body feeling tactile sensations, and the mind knowing dharmas, I also say there are two kinds, those to be practiced and those not to be practiced. If the mind knows dharmas that are not to be practiced, I immediately cut them off. If the mind knows dharmas that are to be practiced, I know the time for them, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplish them."

Then, having heard this, the Heavenly King Śakra said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, guards six dharmas to attain liberation. What are the six? The eye sees forms, the ear hears sounds, the nose smells fragrances, the tongue tastes flavors, the body feels tactile sensations, and the mind knows dharmas. The Great Ascetic says that regarding the eye seeing forms, there are two kinds, those to be practiced and those not to be practiced. If the eye sees forms that increase unwholesome dharmas and diminish wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic immediately cuts them off. If the eye sees forms that diminish unwholesome dharmas and increase wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic knows the time for them, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplishes them. Similarly, regarding the ear hearing sounds, the nose smelling fragrances, the tongue tasting flavors, and the body feeling tactile sensations, the Great Ascetic says that regarding the mind knowing dharmas, there are also two kinds, those to be practiced and those not to be practiced. If the mind knows dharmas that increase unwholesome dharmas and diminish wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic immediately cuts them off. If the mind knows dharmas that diminish unwholesome dharmas and increase wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic knows the time for them, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplishes them. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! As the Buddha has taught the Dharma, I understand it all. I have cut off doubts and crossed over confusion, without any hesitation, because I have heard what the Buddha has said."

Then, having heard what the Buddha had said, the Heavenly King Śakra rejoiced and upheld it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, how many dharmas does he cut off and practice while alive for a short while?"

The World Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, while alive for a short while, cuts off three dharmas and practices three dharmas. What are the three? They are joy, sorrow, and equanimity. Kauśika! Joy, I say, has two kinds, that which can be practiced and that which cannot be practiced. If joy cannot be practiced, I cut it off. If joy can be practiced, I know the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplish it. Sorrow is also like this. Kauśika! Equanimity, I say, also has two kinds, that which can be practiced and that which cannot be practiced. If equanimity cannot be practiced, I cut it off. If equanimity can be practiced, I know the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplish it."

Then the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard this, said, "Yes, World Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! A bhikṣu who proceeds towards the path to the cessation of play, while alive for a short while, cuts off three dharmas and practices three dharmas. What are the three? They are joy, sorrow, and equanimity. The Great Ascetic says that joy has two kinds, that which can be practiced and that which cannot be practiced. If joy increases unwholesome dharmas and diminishes wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic cuts it off. If joy diminishes unwholesome dharmas and increases wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic knows the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplishes it. Sorrow is also like this. The Great Ascetic says that equanimity also has two kinds, that which can be practiced and that which cannot be practiced. If equanimity increases unwholesome dharmas and diminishes wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic cuts it off. If equanimity diminishes unwholesome dharmas and increases wholesome dharmas, the Great Ascetic knows the time for it, with mindfulness and wisdom, and accomplishes it. Yes, World Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut off doubts and crossed over confusion, without any hesitation, because of hearing what the Buddha has spoken."

Then the Heavenly King Śakra, having heard what the Buddha had spoken, joyfully received and practiced it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! Do all śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas have the same teachings, desires, loves, pleasures, and intentions?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! All śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas do not have the same teachings, desires, loves, pleasures, and intentions.

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, further asked, "Great Ascetic! For what reason do all śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas not have the same teachings, desires, loves, pleasures, and intentions?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! In this world there are various kinds of realms, countless realms. They teach according to the realms they know, and according to their power and means, they say that only this is true and the rest is false. Kauśika! Therefore all śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas do not have the same teachings, desires, loves, pleasures, and intentions.

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, having heard this, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! In this world there are various kinds of realms, countless realms. They teach according to the realms they know, and according to their power and means, they say that only this is true and the rest is false. Great Ascetic! Therefore all śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas do not have the same teachings, desires, loves, pleasures, and intentions. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings you have spoken. I have cut through doubt and transcended confusion, without any hesitation, because I have heard what the Buddha has said.

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, having heard what the Buddha had said, rejoiced and upheld it.

He further asked, "Great Ascetic! Do all śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas attain the ultimate, the ultimate purity, the ultimate practice of the holy life, the ultimate completion of the holy life?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! Not all śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas attain the ultimate, the ultimate purity, the ultimate practice of the holy life, the ultimate completion of the holy life."

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, asked again, "Great Ascetic! For what reason do not all śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas attain the ultimate, the ultimate purity, the ultimate practice of the holy life, the ultimate completion of the holy life?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, replied, "Kauśika! If there are śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas who, with regard to the unsurpassed cessation of craving, are not liberated with a mind of right and good, they do not attain the ultimate, the ultimate purity, the ultimate practice of the holy life, the ultimate completion of the holy life. Kauśika! If there are śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas who, with regard to the unsurpassed cessation of craving, are liberated with a mind of right and good, they attain the ultimate, the ultimate purity, the ultimate practice of the holy life, the ultimate completion of the holy life."

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, having heard this, said, "Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! If there are śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas who, with regard to the unsurpassed cessation of craving, are not liberated with a mind of right and good, they do not attain the ultimate, the ultimate purity, the ultimate practice of the holy life, the ultimate completion of the holy life. Great Ascetic! If there are śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas who, with regard to the unsurpassed cessation of craving, are liberated with a mind of right and good, they attain the ultimate, the ultimate purity, the ultimate practice of the holy life, the ultimate completion of the holy life. Yes, World-Honored One! Yes, Well-Gone One! Yes, Great Ascetic! I understand all the teachings spoken by the Buddha. I have cut through doubt and transcended confusion. I have no hesitation, because I have heard what the Buddha has spoken."

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, having heard what the Buddha had said, accepted it well and upheld it. He said, "Great Ascetic! For a long time I had a thorn of doubt. Today the World-Honored One has pulled it out. Why is that? Because of the Tathāgata, the Unattached, the Perfectly Enlightened One."

The World-Honored One asked, "Kauśika, do you remember ever asking other śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas about this matter before?"

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, replied, "World-Honored One! Only the Great Ascetic himself knows. Great Ascetic! The Thirty-Three Gods gathered in the Dharma Hall, each with sorrow and distress, repeatedly sighing and saying, 'If we could meet the Tathāgata, the Unattached, the Perfectly Enlightened One, we would definitely go to see him.' Great Ascetic! But we did not get to meet the Tathāgata, the Unattached, the Perfectly Enlightened One, and then we indulged in the five kinds of sensual pleasures. Great Ascetic! We were negligent, and after being negligent, a very powerful god died in a supreme place. Great Ascetic! When I saw that very powerful god die in a supreme place, I became extremely disgusted, and my body hair stood on end. I thought, 'Do not let me die here quickly!'

Great Ascetic! Because of this disgust and distress, when I see other śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas dwelling in secluded places, under trees in the forest, enjoying high cliffs, quiet and soundless, far away, without evil, without people, following the practice of sitting in meditation, enjoying seclusion, peacefully and happily practicing walking meditation, I take them to be the Tathāgata, the Unattached, the Perfectly Enlightened One, and go to pay homage to them. They do not recognize me and ask me, 'Who are you?' I then reply to them, 'Great Ascetic! I am Śakra, King of the Devas. Great Ascetic! I am Śakra, King of the Devas.' They further ask me, 'We have seen Śakra and also seen the Śākya clan. For what reason is he called Śakra? For what reason is he of the Śākya clan?' I then reply to them, 'Great Ascetic! If anyone comes to ask me about matters, I will answer them according to my ability and strength. Therefore I am called Śakra.' They say, 'If we ask Śakra about matters according to the circumstances, Śakra will also answer us according to the circumstances. He asks us about matters, but we do not ask him. He takes refuge in us, but we do not take refuge in him.' Great Ascetic! I have never obtained the Dharma teachings of proper conduct from those śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas, let alone such questions.

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, spoke a verse, saying:

Śakra, Śakra has already said, Śakra now says this: Far from
mental thoughts, Eliminating doubts and uncertainties. For a long time wandering
in the world, Seeking the Tathāgata, Seeing śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas Dwelling
in seclusion and practicing meditation, Taking them to be the Perfectly
Enlightened One, Going to pay homage and make offerings, How can
one attain progress? Thus I asked them. Having asked, they were
unable to know The noble path and the path's traces. The
World-Honored One now for me, If there are doubts in the
mind, Thoughts and considerations, The activities of the mind, Knowing the
hidden and manifest mind, The enlightened one speaks for me. The
Honored Buddha, the Honored Teacher, The Honored Unattached Sage, The Honored
One who has severed all afflictions, Liberates oneself and liberates sentient
beings. The Awakened One, the foremost Awakened One, The Charioteer, the
supreme Charioteer, The Rested One, the Honored Subtle Rested One, The
Great Sage who liberates oneself and liberates others. Therefore I pay
homage to the Honored One, Bowing to the foremost among humans
Severing the thorns of all desires, I pay homage to the
Kinsman of the Sun.

Then the World-Honored One asked, "Kauśika, do you remember from the past attaining such detachment and such joy, namely the joy of the Dharma attained from me?"

At that time, the Heavenly King Śakra replied, "World-Honored One! Only the Great Sage himself knows. Great Sage! Once, when the gods and asuras were fighting, the Great Sage! When the gods and asuras were fighting, I thought, 'May the gods win and defeat the asuras, and may the food of the gods and asuras be eaten by the gods of the Thirty-three Heavens.' The Great Sage! When the gods and asuras were fighting, the gods won and defeated the asuras, and the food of the gods and asuras was eaten by the gods of the Thirty-three Heavens. The Great Sage! At that time, there was detachment and joy, but it was mixed with weapons, enmity, fighting, and hatred. One did not attain supernatural powers, the path of awakening, or nirvāṇa. The Great Sage! Today, one attains detachment and joy, not mixed with weapons, enmity, fighting, and hatred. One attains supernatural powers, the path of awakening, and also nirvāṇa."

The World-Honored One asked, "Kauśika, what is the cause and condition for you to attain detachment and joy, namely the joy of the Dharma attained from me?"

At that time, the Heavenly King Śakra replied, "Great Sage! I think like this: 'When I die here, I will be reborn as a human. If there are clans there that are extremely wealthy and joyful, with immeasurable wealth, livestock, and industries, with fiefs, food, and villages fully endowed, such as the clans of kṣatriyas, brahmins, and householders, and other clans that are extremely wealthy and joyful, with immeasurable wealth, livestock, and industries, with fiefs, food, and villages fully endowed. Having been born into such a clan, I will attain the faculties. If there are those who attain faith in the Dharma and Vinaya taught by the Tathāgata, having attained faith, I will shave my beard and hair, wear the monastic robes, leave home out of true faith, become a homeless monk, and study wisdom. Having studied wisdom, if I attain wisdom, I will attain ultimate wisdom and reach the ultimate limit. Having studied wisdom, if I attain wisdom but do not attain ultimate wisdom, if there are gods with great merit and virtue, majestic appearance, radiant and brilliant, with great power, peaceful and joyful, dwelling in palaces for a long time, born in the supreme, I will be reborn among them.'"

Then the Heavenly King Śakra spoke a verse, saying:

Abandoning the heavenly body, coming down to be born among
humans, not foolishly entering the womb, following my desired intentions
Having attained a complete body, attaining the straight and true
path, practicing the complete brahmacarya, always delighting in begging for food.

"Having learned wisdom, if one attains wisdom, one will attain ultimate wisdom and reach the ultimate limit. Having learned wisdom, if one attains wisdom but does not attain ultimate wisdom, one will become the supreme and wonderful god, the god whose name is heard by all gods in the realm of the ultimate form. Great Sage! I wish to attain the state of non-returner. Great Sage! I am now definitely attaining the state of stream-enterer."

The World-Honored One asked, "Kauśika, what causes you to attain this supreme, lofty, and vast distinction, and to proclaim that you have attained the state of stream-enterer?"

At that time, Śakra, King of the Devas, replied in verse:

There is no other honored one, only the realm of the
World-Honored One, attaining the supreme distinction, never before seen. Great Sage
I sit here, in this very heavenly body, I will further
increase my lifespan, seeing it with my own eyes in this way.

When this teaching was spoken, Śakra, King of the Devas, was free from defilement and obscuration, and the Dharma eye of the Dharma arose for him, as well as for the eighty thousand devas, who were also free from defilement and obscuration, and the Dharma eye of the Dharma arose for them. Then Śakra, King of the Devas, saw the Dharma, attained the Dharma, realized the pure Dharma, cut off doubts, transcended confusion, had no other honored ones, did not follow others, was without hesitation, had already attained the realization of the fruits, and was fearless in the teachings of the World-Honored One. He then rose from his seat, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and said, "World-Honored One! I now take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and the community of monks. I only wish that the World-Honored One would accept me as a lay devotee. From this day forth, until the end of my life, I take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and the community of monks, until the end of my life."

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, praised the five sons of Kṣemaṅkara, saying, "Excellent! Excellent! You five sons have greatly benefited me. Why is that? Because of you, the Buddha has awakened from concentration. Since you made the World-Honored One awaken from concentration first, it allowed us to see the Buddha later. Five sons! I will return from here and give you the daughter of the king of music, the virtuous moon-like girl, as your wife, and appoint you as the king of music in your father's kingdom of music."

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, addressed the Thirty-three Heavens, saying, "You all come together! If we were formerly the Brahma King, dwelling in the Brahma Heaven, and paid respect and served him three times, he now pays respect and serves the World-Honored One. Why is that? The World-Honored One is the Brahma Heaven, the Brahma Heaven is the most honored creator of beings, and all beings, past, present, and future, are known and seen by him."

Then Śakra, King of the Devas, the Thirty-three Heavens, and the five sons of Kṣemaṅkara, who had formerly been the Brahma King, dwelling in the Brahma Heaven, and paid respect and served him three times, all paid respect and served the World-Honored One, bowing to the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One. Then Śakra, King of the Devas, the Thirty-three Heavens, and the five sons of Kṣemaṅkara again paid respect and served the World-Honored One, bowed at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and then suddenly disappeared from that place.

At that time, Brahmā's appearance was majestic and his radiance was brilliant. In the early morning, he went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, stood to one side, and immediately addressed the World-Honored One in verse:

For the sake of great benefit and meaning, seeing benefit and meaning is
called heaven. The wise one abides in Magadha, and Vāṣpa asks about matters.

When the great sage spoke this Dharma, the heavenly king Śakra was free from defilement and impurities, and the Dharma eye of the Dharma arose. And the eighty thousand gods were also free from defilement and impurities, and the Dharma eye of the Dharma arose." Then the World-Honored One said to Brahmā Heaven: "So it is, so it is. As Brahmā Heaven has said:

For the sake of great benefit and meaning, seeing benefit and meaning is
called heaven. The wise one abides in Magadha, and Vāṣpa asks about matters.

"Brahmā Heaven! When I spoke the Dharma, the heavenly king Śakra was free from defilement and impurities, and the Dharma eye of the Dharma arose. And the eighty thousand gods were also free from defilement and impurities, and the Dharma eye of the Dharma arose."

The Buddha spoke thus. At that time, the heavenly king Śakra, the thirty-three gods, the five sons of pleasure, and the great Brahmā Heaven, having heard the Buddha's words, joyfully received and practiced them.