Division I –– Sagātha Book 8 –– Vana Saṃyutta (chapter 1 –– Vana Vaggo)

Sutta Pitaka
Samyutta Nikāya
Division I –– Sagātha
Book 8 –– Vana Saṃyutta
(Chapter 1 –– Vana Vaggo)

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa.

9. 1. 1.

(1) Viveka –– Seclusion

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. The bhikkhu, at that time, in his seclusion during the day time thought worldly thoughts of demerit.

3. A deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, approached him.

4. Having approached said these stanzas:

“You entered the forest desiring seclusion, but your mind goes out.
People should tame their interests, dispel greed and become pleasant
Dispel discontent mindfully and be mindful of the essential.
The under current of demerit is difficult to dispel.
Do not recall that sensual dust
Like the crow in search of dirt,
Quietly fly away clinging to dirt
Even so the bhikkhu mindfully making endeavor
Quietly removes his attachment to lust.”

5. The bhikkhu made remorseful by that deity became concerned about his welfare.

 

9. 1. 2.

(2) Uṭṭhana –– Waking Up

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. The bhikkhu, at that time, in his seclusion during the day time fell asleep.

3. A deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, approached him.

4. Having approached, said these stanzas:

“Wake up bhikkhu, what is the use of sleeping?
Why should you sleep while ailing with the shot arrow?
You became homeless out of faith, develop that faith
Do not be overcome with sleepiness.”

5. “Sensuality is impermanent, it fades, the foolish are infatuated in it
It’s to be freed from bonds and clinging, the gone forth make endeavor.
To tame interest and greed, to see the end of ignorance,
And to purify that knowledge, the gone forth make endeavor.
Breaking up ignorance with science and finishing up desires
To be without grief and worries, the gone forth make endeavor.
With aroused effort to dispel, and constantly zealous to gain it,
Aiming extinction as the goal the gone forth make endeavor.”

 

9. 1. 3.

(3) Kassapagotta or Cheta –– Venerable Kassapagotta

I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. The bhikkhu, at that time, gone to his seclusion advised a leopard.

3. A deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, approached him.

4. Having approached said these stanzas:

“Bhikkhu, leopards living in the mountains are not wise and do not think
It’s not suitable to advise it, I think you are foolish.
It listens but does not know, looks but does not see you
The foolish do not know and you cannot seize them with righteousness.
If in day light Kassapa is carried away, he will not see forms,
And we will not see him.”

5. Then venerable Kassapagotta made remorseful by the deity became concerned.

 

9. 1. 4.

(4) Sambahula or Carika

1. I heard thus. At one time many bhikkhus lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. Those bhikkhus, having spent the rains and at the end of the three months went on a tour.

3. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest not seeing those bhikkhus lamenting about their absence said this stanza:

“Today I am discontented seeing these empty seats.
They looked attractive and learned,
Where have the disciples of Gotama gone?

4. Hearing this another deity said this stanza:

“Some went to Magadha, some to Kosala,
Some to the country of the Vajjis
They wander like wild animals.
Bhikkhus, live a homeless life.”

 

9. 1. 5.

(5) Ānanda –– Venerable Ānanda

1. I heard thus. At one time venerable Ānanda lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. At that time, venerable Ānanda was spending a lot of time advising lay people.

3. A deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, in venerable Ānanda approached him and said these stanza:

“You have come to a place where there are many roots of trees
Arouse interest for extinction, disciple of Gotama concentrate
Do not be negligent. What is the use of talking all the time?”

4. Then venerable Ānanda made remorseful by the deity became concerned.

 

9. 1. 6.

(6) Anuruddha –– Venerable Anuruddha

1. I heard thus. At one time venerable Anuruddha lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. Then a certain deity named Jalini of the company of the thirty-three gods a previous wife of venerable Anuruddha approached him.

3. Approaching, said these stanzas:

“Establish, your mind there, where you lived earlier
In the heaven of the thirty-three, all sensual pleasures prosper.
You will look beautiful attended by celestial nymphs.”

4. “Celestial nymphs established in a self are fallen into unpleasantness
And those who wish for celestial nymphs are also in unpleasantness.”

5. “They that do not see Nandana, do not know pleasure
It is the home of the king of gods, the fame of the thirty.”

(Anuruddha:)

6. “Foolish woman, you do not esteem of the words of the worthy
All determinations are impermanent, they rise and fade,
Arisen, they cease, their complete surcease is bliss
Jalini, I have no more settlements with heavenly bodies
I have ended my journey in existences, there is no more rebirth for me.”

 

9. 1. 7.

(7) Nāgadatta –– Venerable Nāgadatta

1. I heard thus. At one time venerable Nāgadatta lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. At that time, venerable Nāgadatta enters the village too early and returns very late.

3. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, approached venerable Nagādatta.

4. Approaching, said these stanzas:

“Nāgadatta, enter the village at the right time and return early.
Do not associate householders too long, I’m afraid, do not share
Pleasant and unpleasant feelings, association with families is the bond
King of Death is powerful, do not enter his domains.

5. Then venerable Nāgadatta made remorseful by the deity became concerned.

 

9. 1. 8.

(8) Kulagarahaṇi –– One Bringing Ill Fame to a Family

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. At that time, that bhikkhu spent a lot of his time going a certain family.

3. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, disguised herself to look like the woman of that ill famous house and approached that bhikkhu.

4. Approaching, said these stanzas to that bhikkhu:

“All night you think of the river bank. People say,
Why is he going up and down the bank of the river?
There are many impedimental sounds
That should be endured by the ascetic.
By those sounds you should not be bewildered or wearied
Wild animals in the forest tremble because of sounds
Ignore those sounds, they do not come to your sphere.”

 

9. 1. 9.

(9) Vajjiputto or Vesali –– In Vesali

1. I heard thus. At one time a son of the Vajji’s lived in a stretch of forest in Vesali.

2. At that time, all throughout the night there was some music going on in Vesali.

3. Then that bhikkhu hearing the musical sounds and singing lamenting it, said this stanza that moment.

“I live alone in this forest, like wood thrown away.
It’s such an enjoyable night, on account of whose demerit is it?”

4. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, approached that bhikkhu.

5. Having approached said this stanza:

“You live alone in this forest, like wood thrown away
And you desire very much the hell, although in heaven.”

6, That bhikkhu made remorseful by the deity became concerned.

 

9. 1. 10.

(10) Sajjāya or Dhamma –– Reciting

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. Earlier that bhikkhu spent a lot of his time, reciting the Teaching, later he lived at ease becoming silent and diminishing.

3. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest not hearing his words approached that bhikkhu.

4. Hāving approached said these stanzas to that bhikkhu:

“Bhikkhu, why do you not give the Teaching to the bhikkhus living with you?
Hearing the Teaching you recite, we delight here and now.”

“Earlier I had an interest to recite, now that interest has faded
I realized the fading of all seen, heard and experienced.
And with that knowledge I became appeased.”

 

9. 1. 11.

(11) Ayoniso or Vitakkita –– Unwise Thinking

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a certain stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. At that time, this bhikkhu sitting for seclusion during the day thought evil thoughts of demerit such as sensual thoughts, angry thoughts and hurting thoughts.

3. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, approached that bhikkhu.

4. Approaching, said these stanzas:

“Thinking unwisely the good one is submerged in thoughts,
Give up the unwise thinking and be wise
Bhikkhus in the Community of the Teacher, become virtuous
And doubtlessly delight, realizing pleasantness.”

5. Then that bhikkhu made remorseful by the deity became concerned.

 

9. 1. 12.

(12) Majjhantiko or Saṇika –– At Noon

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest approached that bhikkhu.

3. Having approached said this stanza in the presence of that bhikkhu:

“In this forest, at noon you sit with the birds
Fear arises in me, for that.”

(Bhikkhu:)

4. “In this forest, at noon I sit with the birds
I am aware of the attachment for that.”

 

9. 1. 13.

(13) Pākaṭaindriya –– Undeveloped Mental Faculties

1. I heard thus. At one time many bhikkhus lived in a certain stretch of forest in the country of Kosala. They were unbalanced, sportive, unsteady, garrulous, with loose talk, not mindful and aware, not concentrated, scatter brained and with undeveloped mental faculties.

2. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest arousing compassion for them and deciding to arouse remorse in them, approached those bhikkhus.

3. Having approached said these stanzas:

“The early disciples of Gotama lived peaceful lives
Not longing for special, morsel food, beds or seats.
Knowing impermanence in the world,
They made an end of unpleasantness
You make yourself difficult to nourish, like the headmen in the village,
Eating the stomach’s fill, you are swooned in other’s houses.
I clasp my hands to the Community and say these words.
Those soiled are lost! Like those dead and gone.
I venerate the diligent bhikkhus.”

4. Then those bhikkhus made remorseful by the deity became concerned.

 

9. 1. 14.

(14) Paduma-puppha or Puṇḍarika –– White Lotus

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a certain stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. At that time, this bhikkhu after the meal and returning from the alms round use to descend the pond and sniff the scent of the lotuses

3. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion for that bhikkhu and wanting to arouse remorse in him approached that bhikkhu.

4. Having approached, said these stanzas:

“Do you inhale the scent of this lotus not offered to you?
It is a kind of theft. Sir, you are after scents.”

(Bhikkhu:)

5. “I do not carry it away, nor do I pluck it, inhale the scent staying away from it.
Lotus roots are dug and lotuses are plucked, why is that disaster not mentioned?”

(Deity:)

6. “A man with blood in his hands would wear a soiled cloth,
Therefore I have no words for you. I go, my duty done.
To a blameless man, constantly in search of purity,
Even the tail end of some demerit, seems monstrous.”

(Bhikkhu:)

7. “Indeed the non human knows me, therefore is compassionate to me
Non human, seeing faults like these in me in the future,
Do not let me live with them, do it for no wages.”

(Deity:)

8. “Bhikkhu, you yourself know, how heaven should be reached.”

9. Then that bhikkhu made remorseful by the deity became concerned.