167. （一六七）阿难说经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the country of Śrāvastī, staying at the Jeta Grove Anāthapiṇḍada-ārāma.

At that time, Venerable Ānanda gathered with the bhikṣus in the lecture hall at night and spoke the verses of the Vāḍīra-emperor and their meanings.

At that time, a bhikṣu passed the night and at dawn went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at his feet, sat to one side, and said, "World-Honored One! Venerable Ānanda gathered with the bhikṣus in the lecture hall at night and spoke the verses of the Vāḍīra-emperor and their meanings.

Then the World-Honored One told a bhikṣu, "Go to the bhikṣu Ānanda and say, 'Ānanda! The World-Honored One calls you.'"

That bhikṣu received the World-Honored One's instruction, immediately rose from his seat, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed. He went to where the Venerable Ānanda was and said, "The World-Honored One calls the Venerable Ānanda!"

The Venerable Ānanda then went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head in reverence, and stood to one side. The World-Honored One asked, "Ānanda! Did you really gather the bhikṣus in the lecture hall at night and recite the verses of the Vāḍiśā and explain their meaning?"

The Venerable Ānanda replied, "Yes, indeed."

The World-Honored One asked, "Ānanda! How did you explain the verses of the Vāḍiśā and their meaning to the bhikṣus?"

The Venerable Ānanda then explained,

Do not think of the past, nor wish for
the future. The past has already ceased, and the
future has not yet arrived. The present phenomena, they
too should be contemplated. Thoughts have no substance; the
wise perceive it thus. Practicing the path of the
sages, who knows sorrow from death? I will not
meet them, the end of great suffering and calamity
Thus practicing diligently, day and night without laziness, therefore
always recite the Vāḍiśā verses.

The World-Honored One then asked again, "Ānanda! How does a bhikṣu recollect the past?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! If a bhikṣu delights in past form, desires, clings, and abides in it, and delights in past feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness, desires, clings, and abides in them, then such a bhikṣu recollects the past."

The World-Honored One then asked again, "Ānanda! How does a bhikṣu not recollect the past?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! If a bhikṣu does not delight in past form, does not desire, cling, or abide in it, and does not delight in past feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness, does not desire, cling, or abide in them, then such a bhikṣu does not recollect the past."

The World-Honored One then asked again, "Ānanda! How does a bhikṣu wish for the future?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! If a bhikṣu delights in future form, desires, clings, and abides in it, and delights in future feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness, desires, clings, and abides in them, then such a bhikṣu wishes for the future."

The World-Honored One then asked again, "Ānanda! How does a bhikṣu not wish for the future?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! If a bhikṣu does not delight in future form, does not desire, cling, or abide in it, and does not delight in future feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness, does not desire, cling, or abide in them, then such a bhikṣu does not wish for the future."

The World-Honored One then asked again, "Ānanda! How does a bhikṣu accept present dharmas?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! If a bhikṣu delights in present form, desires, clings, and abides in it, and delights in present feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness, desires, clings, and abides in them, then such a bhikṣu accepts present dharmas."

The World-Honored One then asked again, "Ānanda! How does a bhikṣu not accept present dharmas?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! If a bhikṣu does not delight in present form, does not desire, cling, or abide in it, and does not delight in present feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness, does not desire, cling, or abide in them, then such a bhikṣu does not accept present dharmas. World-Honored One! I have spoken these Vāgīśa verses and their meanings to the bhikṣus who gathered in the lecture hall at night.

Then the World-Honored One said to the bhikṣus, "Excellent! Excellent! Among my disciples, there are those with eyes, wisdom, meaning, and the Dharma. Why is that? It is because the disciple in front of the teacher speaks these phrases and these texts extensively explaining this meaning, just as the bhikṣu Ānanda has said. You should uphold it like this. Why is that? This explanation of the meaning should be like this.

The Buddha spoke thus. Venerable Ānanda and the bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and upheld them.