4.
The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd
350. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Vajjis at Ukkacelā on the bank of the river Ganges. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "Monks." "Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this -
"Once upon a time, monks, a Magadhan cowherd, lacking in wisdom, in the last month of the rains, in the autumn season, without examining the near shore of the river Ganges, without examining the far shore, made the cattle cross over at an unsuitable ford to the northern shore towards the Videhas. Then, monks, the cattle, having gone round in circles in the middle of the river Ganges in the stream, fell into calamity and disaster right there. What is the reason for this? Because that Magadhan cowherd, monks, lacking in wisdom, in the last month of the rains, in the autumn season, without examining the near shore of the river Ganges, without examining the far shore, made the cattle cross over at an unsuitable ford to the northern shore towards the Videhas. Just so, monks, whatever ascetics or brahmins who are unskilled regarding this world, unskilled regarding the other world, unskilled regarding Māra's realm, unskilled regarding what is not Māra's realm, unskilled regarding Death's realm, unskilled regarding what is not Death's realm, those who will think them worth listening to and believing, that will be for their harm and suffering for a long time.
351. "Once upon a time, monks, a Magadhan cowherd, wise by nature, in the last month of the rains, in the autumn season, having examined the near shore of the river Ganges, having examined the far shore, made the cattle cross over at a suitable ford to the northern shore towards the Videhas. He first made cross those bulls who were fathers of the herd, leaders of the herd. They, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore. Then he made cross the strong cattle and the cattle to be tamed. They too, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore. Then he made cross the big calves, male and female. They too, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore. Then he made cross the small calves, lean and weak. They too, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore. Once upon a time, monks, a young calf, just born at that very moment, floating along drawn by respect for its mother, it too, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore. What is the reason for this? Because that Magadhan cowherd, monks, wise by nature, in the last month of the rains, in the autumn season, having examined the near shore of the river Ganges, having examined the far shore, made the cattle cross over at a suitable ford to the northern shore towards the Videhas. Just so, monks, whatever ascetics or brahmins who are skilled regarding this world, skilled regarding the other world, skilled regarding Māra's realm, skilled regarding what is not Māra's realm, skilled regarding Death's realm, skilled regarding what is not Death's realm, those who will think them worth listening to and believing, that will be for their welfare and happiness for a long time.
352. "Just as, monks, those bulls who are fathers of the herd, leaders of the herd, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore, even so, monks, those monks who are Worthy Ones, who have eliminated the mental corruptions, who have lived the holy life, who have done what was to be done, who have laid down the burden, who have attained their own welfare, who have completely destroyed the fetter of becoming, who are completely liberated through final knowledge, they, cutting across the stream of Māra, have gone safely to the far shore.
"Just as those, monks, strong cattle and cattle to be tamed, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore, even so, monks, those monks who, with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters, are ones of spontaneous birth, attaining final nibbāna there, not subject to return from that world, they too, cutting across the stream of Māra, will go safely to the far shore.
"Just as those, monks, big calves, male and female, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore, even so, monks, those monks who, with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters and with the reduction of lust, hate, and delusion, are once-returners, who, having come to this world only once more, will make an end of suffering, they too, cutting across the stream of Māra, will go safely to the far shore.
"Just as those, monks, calves, lean and weak, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore, even so, monks, those monks who, with the utter elimination of the three mental fetters, are stream-enterers, no longer subject to fall into lower realms, fixed in destiny, heading for the highest enlightenment, they too, cutting across the stream of Māra, will go safely to the far shore.
"Just as that, monks, young calf, just born at that very moment, floating along drawn by respect for its mother, cutting across the stream of the Ganges, went safely to the far shore, even so, monks, those monks who are followers of the Teaching, who are faith-followers, they too, cutting across the stream of Māra, will go safely to the far shore.
"But I, monks, am skilled regarding this world, skilled regarding the other world, skilled regarding Māra's realm, skilled regarding what is not Māra's realm, skilled regarding Death's realm, skilled regarding what is not Death's realm. Those who will think me worth listening to and believing, monks, that will be for their welfare and happiness for a long time."
This is what the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this -
And what is reached by Māra, and what is not reached by Death.
Has opened the door to the Deathless, secure for the attainment of Nibbāna.
Be abundant in gladness, you have attained security, monks."
The Discourse on the Shorter Cowherd is concluded as fourth.