SA 1078（一〇七八） 散倒咤

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was staying at the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove in Rājagṛha.

At that time, a certain bhikṣu, at the time when the night was bright, went to the bank of the Toraṇavatī River, took off his clothes and put them on the bank, entered the water to bathe, and after bathing, came out and put on one robe, waiting for his body to dry.

At that time, a certain god emitted a radiant light, illuminating the bank of the Toraṇavatī River, and said to the bhikṣu: "You left home at a young age, with white hair and black, in the prime of your youth, you should enjoy the five desires, adorn yourself with jewelry, apply fragrant ointments and flower garlands, and amuse yourself with the five kinds of music. But at this time, you disobeyed your parents, turned your back on worldly life, wept in separation, shaved your beard and hair, put on the saffron robes, with right faith left home and entered the monastic life. How can you abandon present pleasures and seek benefits at an improper time?"

The bhikṣu replied: "I do not abandon present pleasures to seek pleasures at an improper time. I now abandon pleasures at an improper time to obtain present pleasures."

The god asked the bhikṣu: "How do you abandon pleasures at an improper time to obtain present pleasures?"

The bhikṣu replied: "As the World-Honored One has said, desires at an improper time have little taste and much suffering, little benefit and much difficulty. I have now, in this present life, already abandoned burning passions, not waiting for a time, able to realize and observe for myself, and know through my own experience. Thus, Heavenly Son! This is called abandoning pleasures at an improper time to obtain present pleasures."

The god again asked the bhikṣu: "How is it that the Tathāgata has said that desires at an improper time have little pleasure and much suffering? How is it that the Tathāgata has said that present-life benefits and pleasures, up to knowing through one's own experience?"

The bhikṣu replied: "I have left home at a young age and cannot extensively proclaim the true Dharma and Vinaya taught by the Tathāgata. The World-Honored One is nearby in the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove. You may go to the Tathāgata and ask your doubts, and as the World-Honored One says, remember and uphold them."

The god again said: "Bhikṣu! The Tathāgata is surrounded by many powerful gods. I have not asked before and cannot easily approach him. Bhikṣu! If you can first inform the World-Honored One, I can follow and go."

The bhikṣu replied: "I will go for you!"

The god said to the bhikṣu: "Yes, Venerable One! I will follow behind."

At that time, the bhikṣu went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, and stood to one side. He told the World-Honored One in detail about the questions and answers he had exchanged with the god, saying: "World-Honored One! If that god is speaking truthfully, he should arrive soon. If he is not speaking truthfully, he will not come by himself."

At that time, the god spoke from afar to the bhikṣu: "I am already here, I am already here."

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

Sentient beings follow their thoughts of love, abiding in their thoughts of
love. Because they do not know love, it becomes a means of death.

The Buddha said to the celestial being, "If you understand this verse, then you may ask your question."

The celestial being said to the Buddha, "I do not understand, World-Honored One! I do not understand, Well-Gone One!" The Buddha again spoke a verse to the celestial being, saying:

If one knows what is loved, one does not give rise to love
for it. Both self and other are non-existent, and others cannot speak of it.

The Buddha said to the celestial being, "If you understand this meaning, you may ask about it."

The celestial being said to the Buddha, "I do not understand, World-Honored One! I do not understand, Well-Gone One!"

The Buddha again spoke a verse, saying:

When one sees the superiority and inferiority of others, then verbal disputes arise. When
the three things are not swayed, then there is no softness, middle, or superiority.

The Buddha said to the celestial being, "If one understands this meaning, then one may ask a question."

The celestial being said to the Buddha, "I do not understand, World-Honored One! I do not understand, Well-Gone One!"

The Buddha again spoke a verse, saying:

Cutting off desire and form, eliminating arrogance and being unattached
peacefully extinguishing anger and hatred, severing bonds and cutting off
hopes, not seeing in this world or the other world.

The Buddha said to the celestial being, "One who understands this meaning may ask a question."

The celestial being said to the Buddha, "I understand, World-Honored One! I understand, Well-Gone One!"

Having spoken this sūtra, the celestial being, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and was delighted. He then disappeared.