SN4:12 Lion
- DG BB TBW © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. (More copyright information)
1On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. Now on that occasion the Blessed One was teaching the Dhamma while surrounded by a large assembly. sn.i.110
2Then it occurred to Māra the Evil One: "This ascetic Gotama is teaching the Dhamma while surrounded by a large assembly. Let me approach the ascetic Gotama in order to confound them." [n.281] Vicakkhukammaya, lit. "for making eyeless." Spk: Out of a desire to destroy the wisdom-eye of the people in the assembly. He is unable to destroy the Buddha’s wisdom-eye, but he could do so for the people in the assembly by manifesting a frightening sight or noise.
Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One and addressed him in verse:
3v.468 "Why now do you roar like a lion,
Confident in the assembly?
For there is one who's a match for you,
So why think yourself the victor?"
The Blessed One:
4v.469 "The great heroes roar their lion's roar
Confident in the assemblies—
The Tathāgatas endowed with the powers
Have crossed over attachment to the world."
[n.282] Spk: In the assemblies: in the eight assemblies (see MN I 72,18–20). Endowed with the powers: endowed with the ten powers of a Tathāgata (see MN I 69–71). At MN I 69,31–34, the Buddha says that, endowed with the ten Tathāgata powers, he roars his lion's roar in the assemblies.
5Then Māra the Evil One … disappeared right there.
1Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ vihārati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena bhagavā mahatiyā parisāya parivuto dhammaṁ deseti.
2Atha kho mārassa pāpimato etadahosi: "Ayaṁ kho samaṇo gotamo mahatiyā parisāya parivuto dhammaṁ deseti. Yannūnāhaṁ yena samaṇo gotamo tenupasaṅkameyyaṁ vicakkhukammāyā"ti.
Atha kho māro pāpimā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
3"Kinnu sīhova nadasi,
parisāyaṁ visārado;
Paṭimallo hi te atthi,
vijitāvī nu maññasī"ti.
4"Nadanti ve mahāvīrā,
parisāsu visāradā;
Tathāgata balappattā,
tiṇṇā loke visattikan"ti.
5Atha kho māro pāpimā "jānāti maṁ bhagavā, jānāti maṁ sugato"ti dukkhī dummano tatthevantaradhāyīti.