MN146: Nandakovādasutta - Advice from Nandaka
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato. (More copyright information)
mn146:1.1So I have heard.This discourse deals with the fortnightly teaching of the nuns, a practice ostensibly set up at Mahāpajāpati’s ordination (AN8.51 verse 13, Khandaka 20 verse 9) and mandated in the Vinaya (Bhikkhu Pacittiya 21, Bhikkhuni Pacittiya 59). This is the only mention of such a teaching in the discourses. However it does not follow the pattern laid out in the Vinaya, where the teaching consists of the eight garudhammas (Bhikkhuni Pacittiya 58), and the monks cannot go to the nuns’ monastery to advise them (Bhikkhu Pacittiya 23). At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
mn146:2.1Then Mahāpajāpati Gotamī together with around five hundred nuns approached the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,Here we see Mahāpajāpati in the leadership role that would be expected were she the founder of the nuns. However, this is the only case where this occurs. “Sir, may the Buddha please advise and instruct the nuns. Please give the nuns a Dhamma talk.”
mn146:3.1Now at that time the senior monks were taking turns to advise the nuns.Monks must be appointed by the Saṅgha to take on this role, and they must fulfill eight factors: they must be virtuous and learned, have memorized both Monastic Codes, be well-spoken, liked by the nuns, and capable, never having committed a heavy offense against a nun; and they must have been ordained at least twenty years (Bhikkhu Pacittiya 21). But Venerable Nandaka didn’t want to take his turn.Nandaka was praised for his teaching of monks (AN9.4). At AN3.66 he taught the layman Sāḷha how to discern the true teaching, using the method of questioning as he does in the present discourse. On the strength of this teaching, Nandaka was declared the foremost in advising nuns (AN1.219-234 verse 11). His four Theragāthā verses are at Theragatha 4 verse 279 - according to the commentary. A second Nandaka at Theragatha 2 verse 173 was the brother of Bharata (Theragatha 2 verse 175 - ).
While the text does not explain why he was reluctant to teach, the commentary says that those nuns were his wives in past lives and he wanted to avoid the potential for gossip.
mn146:3.3Then the Buddha said to Venerable Ānanda, “Ānanda, whose turn is it to advise the nuns today?”
mn146:3.5“It’s Nandaka’s turn, sir, but he doesn’t want to do it.”
mn146:4.1Then the Buddha said to Nandaka, “Nandaka, please advise and instruct the nuns. Please, brahmin, give the nuns a Dhamma talk.”
mn146:4.5“Yes, sir,” replied Nandaka. Then, in the morning, he robed up and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Royal Monastery with a companion.The Royal Monastery (rājakārāma) was a residence for nuns near Sāvatthī, also featured in SN55.11. Those nuns saw him coming off in the distance, so they spread out a seat and placed water for washing the feet. Nandaka sat down on the seat spread out, and washed his feet. Those nuns bowed, and sat down to one side.
mn146:4.12Nandaka said to them, “Sisters, this talk shall be in the form of questions. When you understand, say so. When you don’t understand, say so. If anyone has a doubt or uncertainty, ask me about it: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’”Nandaka does not lecture the nuns, but engages with them. He makes it clear that, against patriarchal expectations, the nuns should ask for clarifications.
mn146:5.5“We’re already delighted and satisfied with Master Nandaka, since he invites us like this.”Thus fulfilling one of the factors required for a teacher of nuns.
mn146:6.1“What do you think, sisters? Is the eye permanent or impermanent?”The discussion begins with the most obvious factors, the internal sense organs, and proceeds to analyze each in terms of the three characteristics: impermanence, suffering, and not-self. Nandaka ensures that the nuns are with him each step.
mn146:6.3“Impermanent, sir.”
mn146:6.4“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”
mn146:6.5“Suffering, sir.”
mn146:6.6“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
mn146:6.8“No, sir.”
mn146:6.9“What do you think, sisters? Is the ear … nose … tongue … body … mind permanent or impermanent?”
“Impermanent, sir.”
“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”
“Suffering, sir.”
mn146:6.22“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
mn146:6.24“No, sir. Why is that? Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom: ‘So these six interior sense fields are impermanent.’”This level of direct insight normally indicates stream-entry. See below at MN146:27.1.
mn146:6.28“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.
mn146:7.1What do you think, sisters? Are sights permanent or impermanent?”
mn146:7.3“Impermanent, sir.”
mn146:7.4“But if they’re impermanent, are they suffering or happiness?”
mn146:7.5“Suffering, sir.”
mn146:7.6“But if they’re impermanent, suffering, and perishable, are they fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
mn146:7.8“No, sir.”
mn146:7.9“What do you think, sisters? Are sounds … smells … tastes … touches … ideas permanent or impermanent?”
“Impermanent, sir.”
“But if they’re impermanent, are they suffering or happiness?”
“Suffering, sir.”
mn146:7.22“But if they’re impermanent, suffering, and perishable, are they fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
mn146:7.24“No, sir. Why is that? Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom: ‘So these six exterior sense fields are impermanent.’”
mn146:7.28“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.
mn146:8.1What do you think, sisters? Is eye consciousness … ear consciousness … nose consciousness … tongue consciousness … body consciousness … mind consciousness permanent or impermanent?”
“Impermanent, sir.”
“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”
“Suffering, sir.”
mn146:8.21“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
mn146:8.23“No, sir. Why is that? Because we have already truly seen this with right wisdom: ‘So these six classes of consciousness are impermanent.’”
mn146:8.27“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.
mn146:9.1Suppose there was an oil lamp burning. The oil, wick, flame, and light were all impermanent and perishable.While the imagery of the dependence of the flame on its fuel is common in the suttas, this exact metaphor is not found elsewhere. Normally the Buddha employs metaphors in an ABA structure: he explains the doctrine, illustrates it, and repeats the explanation. Here, however, the metaphor acts as a springboard for the next stage of the argument, the impermanence of feelings. Now, suppose someone was to say: ‘While this oil lamp is burning, the oil, the wick, and the flame are all impermanent and perishable. But the light is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”
mn146:9.6“No, sir. Why is that? Because that oil lamp’s oil, wick, and flame are all impermanent and perishable, let alone the light.”The Self is often said to be a light (eg. Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 4.3.7).
mn146:9.10“In the same way, suppose someone was to say: ‘These six interior sense fields are impermanent. But the feeling—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—that I experience due to these six interior sense fields is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”
mn146:9.14“No, sir. Why is that? Because each kind of feeling arises dependent on the corresponding condition. When the corresponding condition ceases, the appropriate feeling ceases.”
mn146:9.18“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.
mn146:10.1Suppose there was a large tree standing with heartwood. The roots, trunk, branches and leaves, and shadow were all impermanent and perishable.This is another unique application of a familiar image, although a similar metaphor for the six senses as the shadow of a post is found at AN4.195 verse 11 Now, suppose someone was to say: ‘There’s a large tree standing with heartwood. The roots, trunk, and branches and leaves are all impermanent and perishable. But the shadow is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”
mn146:10.5“No, sir. Why is that? Because that large tree’s roots, trunk, and branches and leaves are all impermanent and perishable, let alone the shadow.”Divinity is identified, albeit inadequately, with a shadow at Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 2.1.12. From Vedic times the shadow was both the place of relief from the hot sun (Rig Veda 6.16.38, 2.33.6) and the shadow of death (10.121.2).
mn146:10.9“In the same way, suppose someone was to say: ‘These six exterior sense fields are impermanent.The metaphor of shadow for the exterior sense fields is the inverse of that for the interior sense fields, light. This speaks to the high degree of care with which Nandaka structured his teaching. Further, the movement from light to shadow subconsciously prepares the audience for the darker metaphor to come. But the feeling—whether pleasant, painful, or neutral—that I experience due to these six exterior sense fields is permanent, lasting, eternal, and imperishable.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”
mn146:10.13“No, sir. Why is that? Because each kind of feeling arises dependent on the corresponding condition. When the corresponding condition ceases, the appropriate feeling ceases.”
mn146:10.17“Good, good, sisters! That’s how it is for a noble disciple who truly sees with right wisdom.
mn146:11.1Suppose a deft butcher or their apprentice was to kill a cow and carve it with a sharp meat cleaver. Without damaging the flesh inside or the hide outside,A similar image is applied to analysis by way of the elements (MN10:12.3 = MN119:8.3). they’d cut, carve, sever, and slice through the connecting tendons, sinews, and ligaments with a sharp meat cleaver,Antarā is “in-between”, “connecting”, not “inner”. and then peel off the outer hide. Then they’d wrap that cow up in that very same hide and say: ‘This cow is joined to its hide just like before.’ Would they be speaking rightly?”
mn146:11.6“No, sir. Why is that? Because even if they wrap that cow up in that very same hide and say: ‘This cow is joined to its hide just like before,’ still that cow is not joined to that hide.”
mn146:12.1“I’ve made up this simile to make a point. And this is the point. ‘The inner flesh’ is a term for the six interior sense fields. ‘The outer hide’ is a term for the six exterior sense fields. ‘The connecting tendons, sinews, and ligaments’ is a term for greed and relishing. ‘A sharp meat cleaver’ is a term for noble wisdom. And it is that noble wisdom which cuts, carves, severs, and slices the connecting corruption, fetter, and bond.
mn146:13.1Sisters, by developing and cultivating these seven awakening factors, a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.Knowing that the nuns have good insight, Nandaka encourages them to continue deepening their meditation practice. What seven? It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. It is by developing and cultivating these seven awakening factors that a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.”
mn146:14.1Then after giving this advice to the nuns, Nandaka dismissed them, saying, “Go, sisters, it is time.”This seems at odds with the detail that Nandaka had gone to the nuns’ monastery to teach. Parallels in Chinese and Tibetan say instead that Nandaka left ( SA 276 at T ii 75c2; T 1442 at T xxiii 793c12, and D (3) ’dul ba, ja 57b7).
mn146:14.3And then those nuns approved and agreed with what Nandaka had said. They got up from their seat, bowed, and respectfully circled him, keeping him on their right. Then they went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. The Buddha said to them, “Go, nuns, it is time.”
mn146:14.5Then those nuns bowed to the Buddha respectfully circled him, keeping him on their right, before leaving.
mn146:15.1Soon after those nuns had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Suppose, mendicants, it was the sabbath of the fourteenth day. You wouldn’t get lots of people wondering whether the moon is full or not, since it is obviously not full.
mn146:15.4In the same way, those nuns were uplifted by Nandaka’s Dhamma teaching, but they still haven’t got all they wished for.”
mn146:16.1Then the Buddha said to Nandaka, “Well then, Nandaka, tomorrow you should give those nuns the same advice again.”
mn146:16.3“Yes, sir,” Nandaka replied. And the next day he went to those nuns, and all unfolded just like the previous day.
mn146:27.1Soon after those nuns had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Suppose, mendicants, it was the sabbath of the fifteenth day. You wouldn’t get lots of people wondering whether the moon is full or not, since it is obviously full. In the same way, those nuns were uplifted by Nandaka’s Dhamma teaching, and they got all they wished for. Even the last of these five hundred nuns is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, bound for awakening.”As noted above, the nuns’ statements indicate that they had attained stream-entry even before being taught by Nandaka. Elsewhere, to have fulfilled one’s wishes like the moon on the fifteenth day unequivocally means arahantship (Theragatha 10 verse 546 - ). Indeed, parallels indicate that at this point they have all attained arahantship (SA 276 at T ii 75c16; T 1442 at T xxiii 794a14; D (3) ’dul ba, ja 59a1). Remarkably, this detail is also confirmed in the commentaries to the Aṅguttara Nikāya, Theragāthā, and Therīgāthā, which say they became arahants when listening to Nandaka’s second teaching.
mn146:27.6That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.
1Evaṁ me sutaṁ — ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
Atha kho mahāpajāpatigotamī pañcamattehi bhikkhunisatehi saddhiṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho mahāpajāpatigotamī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: "ovadatu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhuniyo; anusāsatu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhuniyo; karotu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhunīnaṁ dhammiṁ kathan"ti.
2Tena kho pana samayena therā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo ovadanti pariyāyena. Āyasmā nandako na icchati bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyena.
Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ āmantesi: "kassa nu kho, ānanda, ajja pariyāyo bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyenā"ti? "Sabbeheva, bhante, kato pariyāyo bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyena.
Ayaṁ, bhante, āyasmā nandako na icchati bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ pariyāyenā"ti.
3Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ āmantesi: "ovada, nandaka, bhikkhuniyo; anusāsa, nandaka, bhikkhuniyo; karohi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhikkhunīnaṁ dhammiṁ kathan"ti.
"Evaṁ, bhante"ti kho āyasmā nandako bhagavato paṭissutvā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto attadutiyo yena rājakārāmo tenupasaṅkami. Addasaṁsu kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna āsanaṁ paññāpesuṁ, udakañca pādānaṁ upaṭṭhapesuṁ. Nisīdi kho āyasmā nandako paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Tāpi kho bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmā nandako etadavoca:
"paṭipucchakathā kho, bhaginiyo, bhavissati. Tattha ājānantīhi: ‘ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ, na ājānantīhi: ‘Na ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ. Yassā vā panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā ahameva tattha paṭipucchitabbo: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ; imassa kvattho’"ti?
"Ettakenapi mayaṁ, bhante, ayyassa nandakassa attamanā abhiraddhā yaṁ no ayyo nandako pavāretī"ti.
4"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhu niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?
"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante".
"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … ghānaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "jivhā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?
"Aniccā, bhante" … "kāyo nicco vā anicco vā"ti?
"Anicco, bhante" … "mano nicco vā anicco vā"ti?
"Anicco, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?
"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā’"ti.
"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
5Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, rūpā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?
"Aniccā, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?
"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante".
"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, saddā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?
"Aniccā, bhante … pe … gandhā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?
"Aniccā, bhante" … "rasā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?
"Aniccā, bhante" … "phoṭṭhabbā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?
"Aniccā, bhante" … "dhammā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti?
"Aniccā, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?
"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha bāhirā āyatanā aniccā’"ti.
"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
6Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhuviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti?
"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante".
"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … ghānaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "jivhāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "kāyaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante" … "manoviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti?
"Aniccaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vāti"?
"Dukkhaṁ, bhante".
"Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha viññāṇakāyā aniccā’"ti.
"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
7Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, ābhāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; yā ca khvāssa ābhā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; pagevassa ābhā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti.
"Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā; yañca kho cha ajjhattike āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti.
"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
8Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, chāyāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, yā ca khvāssa chāyā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ; pagevassa chāyā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti.
"Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome bāhirā āyatanā aniccā. Yañca kho cha bāhire āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti.
"Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
9Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti?
"No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amu hi, bhante, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā kiñcāpi so evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; atha kho sā gāvī visaṁyuttā teneva cammenā"ti.
10"Upamā kho me ayaṁ, bhaginiyo, katā atthassa viññāpanāya. Ayamevettha attho; ‘antarā maṁsakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ ajjhattikānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘bāhiro cammakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ bāhirānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘antarā vilimaṁsaṁ, antarā nhāru, antarā bandhanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, nandīrāgassetaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘tiṇhaṁ govikantanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, ariyāyetaṁ paññāya adhivacanaṁ; yāyaṁ ariyā paññā antarā kilesaṁ antarā saṁyojanaṁ antarā bandhanaṁ sañchindati saṅkantati sampakantati samparikantati.
11Satta kho panime, bhaginiyo, bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Katame satta? Idha, bhaginiyo, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ, dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pe … vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ime kho, bhaginiyo, satta bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī"ti.
12Atha kho āyasmā nandako tā bhikkhuniyo iminā ovādena ovaditvā uyyojesi: "gacchatha, bhaginiyo; kālo"ti.
Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmato nandakassa bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca: "gacchatha, bhikkhuniyo; kālo"ti.
Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.
Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkantīsu tāsu bhikkhunīsu bhikkhū āmantesi: "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, tadahuposathe cātuddase na hoti bahuno janassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā: ‘ūno nu kho cando, puṇṇo nu kho cando’ti, atha kho ūno cando tveva hoti.
Evameva kho, bhikkhave, tā bhikkhuniyo nandakassa dhammadesanāya attamanā honti no ca kho paripuṇṇasaṅkappā"ti.
13Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ āmantesi: "Tena hi tvaṁ, nandaka, svepi tā bhikkhuniyo tenevovādena ovadeyyāsī"ti.
"Evaṁ, bhante"ti kho āyasmā nandako bhagavato paccassosi. Atha kho āyasmā nandako tassā rattiyā accayena pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto attadutiyo yena rājakārāmo tenupasaṅkami. Addasaṁsu kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvāna āsanaṁ paññāpesuṁ, udakañca pādānaṁ upaṭṭhapesuṁ. Nisīdi kho āyasmā nandako paññatte āsane. Nisajja pāde pakkhālesi. Tāpi kho bhikkhuniyo āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmā nandako etadavoca: "paṭipucchakathā kho, bhaginiyo, bhavissati. Tattha ājānantīhi ‘ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ, na ājānantīhi ‘Na ājānāmā’ tissa vacanīyaṁ. Yassā vā panassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā, ahameva tattha paṭipucchitabbo: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ; imassa kvattho’"ti. "Ettakenapi mayaṁ, bhante, ayyassa nandakassa attamanā abhiraddhā yaṁ no ayyo nandako pavāretī"ti.
14"Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhu niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, sotaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … ghānaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … jivhā … kāyo … mano nicco vā anicco vā"ti? "Anicco, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā’"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
15Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, rūpā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, saddā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … pe … gandhā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … rasā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … phoṭṭhabbā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante … dhammā niccā vā aniccā vā"ti? "Aniccā, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha bāhirā āyatanā aniccā’"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
16Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhaginiyo, cakkhuviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … pe … sotaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … ghānaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … jivhāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … kāyaviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante … manoviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā"ti? "Aniccaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā"ti? "Dukkhaṁ, bhante". "Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Pubbeva no etaṁ, bhante, yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya sudiṭṭhaṁ: ‘itipime cha viññāṇakāyā aniccā’"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
17Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, ābhāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; yā ca khvāssa ābhā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, telappadīpassa jhāyato telampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, vaṭṭipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā, accipi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā; pagevassa ābhā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti. "Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome ajjhattikā āyatanā aniccā. Yañca kho cha ajjhattike āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
18Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, chāyāpi aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā. Yo nu kho, bhaginiyo, evaṁ vadeyya: ‘amussa mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ; yā ca khvāssa chāyā sā niccā dhuvā sassatā avipariṇāmadhammā’ti; sammā nu kho so bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amussa hi, bhante, mahato rukkhassa tiṭṭhato sāravato mūlampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ, khandhopi anicco vipariṇāmadhammo, sākhāpalāsampi aniccaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ; pagevassa chāyā aniccā vipariṇāmadhammā"ti. "Evameva kho, bhaginiyo, yo nu kho evaṁ vadeyya: ‘cha khome bāhirā āyatanā aniccā. Yañca kho bāhire āyatane paṭicca paṭisaṁvedeti sukhaṁ vā dukkhaṁ vā adukkhamasukhaṁ vā taṁ niccaṁ dhuvaṁ sassataṁ avipariṇāmadhamman’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Tajjaṁ tajjaṁ, bhante, paccayaṁ paṭicca tajjā tajjā vedanā uppajjanti. Tajjassa tajjassa paccayassa nirodhā tajjā tajjā vedanā nirujjhantī"ti. "Sādhu sādhu, bhaginiyo. Evañhetaṁ, bhaginiyo, hoti ariyasāvakassa yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato.
19Seyyathāpi, bhaginiyo, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; sammā nu kho so, bhaginiyo, vadamāno vadeyyā"ti? "No hetaṁ, bhante". "Taṁ kissa hetu"? "Amu hi, bhante, dakkho goghātako vā goghātakantevāsī vā gāviṁ vadhitvā tiṇhena govikantanena gāviṁ saṅkanteyya anupahacca antaraṁ maṁsakāyaṁ anupahacca bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ. Yaṁ yadeva tattha antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanaṁ taṁ tadeva tiṇhena govikantanena sañchindeyya saṅkanteyya sampakanteyya samparikanteyya. Sañchinditvā saṅkantitvā sampakantitvā samparikantitvā vidhunitvā bāhiraṁ cammakāyaṁ teneva cammena taṁ gāviṁ paṭicchādetvā kiñcāpi so evaṁ vadeyya: ‘tathevāyaṁ gāvī saṁyuttā imināva cammenā’ti; atha kho sā gāvī visaṁyuttā teneva cammenā"ti.
20"Upamā kho me ayaṁ, bhaginiyo, katā atthassa viññāpanāya ayamevettha attho. ‘Antarā maṁsakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ ajjhattikānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘bāhiro cammakāyo’ti kho, bhaginiyo, channetaṁ bāhirānaṁ āyatanānaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘antarā vilimaṁsaṁ antarā nhāru antarā bandhanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, nandīrāgassetaṁ adhivacanaṁ; ‘tiṇhaṁ govikantanan’ti kho, bhaginiyo, ariyāyetaṁ paññāya adhivacanaṁ; yāyaṁ ariyā paññā antarā kilesaṁ antarā saṁyojanaṁ antarā bandhanaṁ sañchindati saṅkantati sampakantati samparikantati.
21Satta kho panime, bhaginiyo, bojjhaṅgā, yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharati. Katame satta? Idha, bhaginiyo, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pe … vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti … upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Ime kho, bhaginiyo, satta bojjhaṅgā yesaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī"ti.
22Atha kho āyasmā nandako tā bhikkhuniyo iminā ovādena ovaditvā uyyojesi: "gacchatha, bhaginiyo; kālo"ti. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo āyasmato nandakassa bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā āyasmantaṁ nandakaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca: "gacchatha, bhikkhuniyo; kālo"ti.
Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.
Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkantīsu tāsu bhikkhunīsu bhikkhū āmantesi: "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, tadahuposathe pannarase na hoti bahuno janassa kaṅkhā vā vimati vā: ‘ūno nu kho cando, puṇṇo nu kho cando’ti, atha kho puṇṇo cando tveva hoti; evameva kho, bhikkhave, tā bhikkhuniyo nandakassa dhammadesanāya attamanā ceva paripuṇṇasaṅkappā ca. Tāsaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ bhikkhunisatānaṁ yā pacchimikā bhikkhunī sā sotāpannā avinipātadhammā niyatā sambodhiparāyanā"ti.
23Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.
Nandakovādasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ catutthaṁ.