1.
The Discourse on Ghaṭikāra
282. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was wandering on a journey among the Kosalans together with a large Community of monks. Then the Blessed One, having turned aside from the road, manifested a smile at a certain spot. Then this occurred to the Venerable Ānanda: "What is the cause, what is the condition, for the Blessed One's manifestation of a smile? Truth-finders do not manifest a smile without reason." Then the Venerable Ānanda, having arranged his robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One: "What, venerable sir, is the cause, what is the condition, for the Blessed One's manifestation of a smile? Truth-finders do not manifest a smile without reason." "Once upon a time, Ānanda, in this region there was a village-market-town named Vegaḷiṅga, prosperous and flourishing, very populous, crowded with people. The Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, Ānanda, dwelt in dependence on the village-market-town of Vegaḷiṅga. Here, Ānanda, was the park of the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Here, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, sitting, exhorted the Community of monks." Then the Venerable Ānanda, having prepared the double robe folded in four, said this to the Blessed One: "If so, venerable sir, let the Blessed One sit down here. This piece of ground will have been used by two Worthy Ones, Fully Enlightened by themselves." The Blessed One sat down on the prepared seat. Having sat down, the Blessed One addressed the Venerable Ānanda -
"Once upon a time, Ānanda, in this region there was a village-market-town named Vegaḷiṅga, prosperous and flourishing, very populous, crowded with people. The Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, Ānanda, dwelt in dependence on the village-market-town of Vegaḷiṅga. Here, Ānanda, was the park of the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Here, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, sitting, exhorts the Community of monks.
283. "In Vegaḷiṅga, Ānanda, a market town, there was a potter named Ghaṭikāra who was an attendant, a chief attendant, of the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. The potter Ghaṭikāra, Ānanda, had a friend, a dear friend, a young man named Jotipāla. Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra addressed the young man Jotipāla: 'Come, my dear Jotipāla, let us approach the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, to see him. For seeing that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is highly honoured by me.' When this was said, Ānanda, the young man Jotipāla said this to the potter Ghaṭikāra: 'Enough, my dear Ghaṭikāra. What is the use of seeing that bald-headed little ascetic?' For the second time, Ānanda, etc. For the third time, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra said this to the young man Jotipāla: 'Come, my dear Jotipāla, let us approach the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, to see him. For seeing that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is highly honoured by me.' For the third time, Ānanda, the young man Jotipāla said this to the potter Ghaṭikāra: 'Enough, my dear Ghaṭikāra. What is the use of seeing that bald-headed little ascetic?' 'If so, my dear Jotipāla, let us take bathing paste and go to the river to bathe.' 'Yes, my dear,' Ānanda, the young man Jotipāla assented to the potter Ghaṭikāra. Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra and the young man Jotipāla, having taken bathing paste, went to the river to bathe.
284. Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra addressed the young man Jotipāla: 'This, my dear Jotipāla, is the park not far from the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Come, my dear Jotipāla, let us approach the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, to see him. For seeing that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is highly honoured by me.' When this was said, Ānanda, the young man Jotipāla said this to the potter Ghaṭikāra: 'Enough, my dear Ghaṭikāra. What is the use of seeing that bald-headed little ascetic?' For the second time, Ānanda, etc. For the third time, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra said this to the young man Jotipāla: 'This, my dear Jotipāla, is the park not far from the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Come, my dear Jotipāla, let us approach the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, to see him. For seeing that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is highly honoured by me.' For the third time, Ānanda, the young man Jotipāla said this to the potter Ghaṭikāra: 'Enough, my dear Ghaṭikāra. What is the use of seeing that bald-headed little ascetic?' Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra, having grasped the young man Jotipāla by the waist-band, said this: 'This, my dear Jotipāla, is the park not far from the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Come, my dear Jotipāla, let us approach the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, to see him. For seeing that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is highly honoured by me.' Then, Ānanda, the young man Jotipāla, having unfastened his waist-band, said this to the potter Ghaṭikāra: 'Enough, my dear Ghaṭikāra. What is the use of seeing that bald-headed little ascetic?' Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra, having grasped the young man Jotipāla, who had bathed his head, by the hair, said this: 'This, my dear Jotipāla, is the park not far from the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Come, my dear Jotipāla, let us approach the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, to see him. For seeing that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is highly honoured by me.' Then, Ānanda, this thought occurred to the young man Jotipāla: 'Wonderful indeed, friend, marvellous indeed, friend! That this potter Ghaṭikāra, being of inferior birth, should think to grasp us, who have bathed our head, by the hair; surely this will not be a trivial matter, I think.' He said this to the potter Ghaṭikāra: 'Even to that extent, my dear Ghaṭikāra?' 'Even to that extent, my dear Jotipāla. For seeing that Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is so highly honoured by me.' 'If so, my dear Ghaṭikāra, release me; we shall go.'
285. "Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra and the young man Jotipāla approached the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself; having approached, the potter Ghaṭikāra paid respect to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, and sat down to one side. But the young man Jotipāla exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra said this to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself - "This, venerable sir, is my friend, the young man Jotipāla, a dear friend. Let the Blessed One teach him the Teaching." Then, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened the potter Ghaṭikāra and the young man Jotipāla with a talk on the Teaching. Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra and the young man Jotipāla, having been instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, with a talk on the Teaching, having delighted in and given thanks for what the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, had said, rose from their seats, paid respect to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, circumambulated him keeping him on their right, and departed.
286. "Then, Ānanda, the young man Jotipāla said this to the potter Ghaṭikāra - 'While hearing this Teaching, my dear Ghaṭikāra, and yet will you not go forth from home into homelessness?' 'Do you not know me, my dear Jotipāla, I support my blind and aged mother and father?' 'If so, my dear Ghaṭikāra, I shall go forth from home into homelessness.' Then, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra and the young man Jotipāla approached the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Ānanda, the potter Ghaṭikāra said this to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself - "This, venerable sir, is my friend, the young man Jotipāla, a dear friend. May the Blessed One give him the going forth." The young man Jotipāla, Ānanda, received the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, he received full ordination.
287. "Then, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, having dwelt at Vegaḷiṅga as long as he liked after the young man Jotipāla had been recently fully ordained, after a fortnight of full ordination, set out on a journey towards Bārāṇasī. Wandering on a journey gradually, he arrived at Bārāṇasī. There, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, dwelt at Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana. Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi heard - 'It seems that the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, has arrived at Bārāṇasī and is dwelling at Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana.' Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi, having had the finest vehicles harnessed, having ascended the finest vehicle, departed from Bārāṇasī with the finest vehicles with great royal pomp to see the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself. Having gone by vehicle as far as the ground was passable for vehicles, he descended from the vehicle and approached the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, on foot; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, and sat down to one side. To King Kikī of Kāsi seated to one side, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened him with a talk on the Teaching. Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi, having been instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, with a talk on the Teaching, said this to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself - "May the Blessed One consent to accept a meal from me tomorrow together with the Community of monks, venerable sir." The Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, Ānanda, consented by silence. Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi, having learned of the Blessed One Kassapa, the One Enlightened by himself's acceptance, rose from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and departed. Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi, after that night had passed, having had superior solid and soft food prepared at his own dwelling - rice stored in pale-coloured bundles with the dark grains removed, with various curries and various vegetables - announced the time to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself - "It is time, venerable sir, the meal is ready."
288. "Then, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, approached the dwelling of King Kikī of Kāsi; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat together with the Community of monks. Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi with his own hand satisfied and served the Community of monks headed by the Buddha with superior solid and soft food. Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi, when the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, had finished eating and had removed his hand from the bowl, having taken a certain low seat, sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi said this to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself - "May the Blessed One consent to a rains residence at Bārāṇasī for me, venerable sir; there will be such support for the Community." "Enough, great king. My rains residence has been consented to." For the second time, Ānanda, etc. For the third time, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi said this to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself - "May the Blessed One consent to a rains residence at Bārāṇasī for me, venerable sir; there will be such support for the Community." "Enough, great king. My rains residence has been consented to." Then, Ānanda, for King Kikī of Kāsi, thinking "The Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, does not consent to a rains residence at Bārāṇasī for me," there was indeed alteration, there was displeasure. Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi said this to the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself - "Is there indeed, venerable sir, anyone else who is a better attendant than me?"
"There is, great king, a village-market-town named Vegaḷiṅga. There is a potter named Ghaṭikāra; he is my attendant, my chief attendant. But for you, great king, thinking 'The Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, does not consent to a rains residence at Bārāṇasī for me,' there is indeed alteration, there is displeasure. This does not exist for the potter Ghaṭikāra, nor will it exist. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, has gone for refuge to the Buddha, has gone for refuge to the Teaching, has gone for refuge to the Community. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from lying, abstains from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Buddha, is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Teaching, is endowed with unwavering confidence in the Community, is endowed with morality pleasing to the noble ones. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, is without uncertainty about suffering, without uncertainty about the origin of suffering, without uncertainty about the cessation of suffering, without uncertainty about the practice leading to the cessation of suffering. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, eats only one meal a day, leads the holy life, is moral, of good character. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, has laid aside gems and gold, is free from gold and silver. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, having laid down the pestle, does not dig the earth with his own hand. Whatever there is from a collapsed riverbank or dug up by rats, having brought that with a carrying pole and having made vessels, he says thus - 'Here whoever wishes, having deposited bags of rice or bags of mung beans or bags of peas, may take whatever he wishes.' The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, supports his blind and aged mother and father. The potter Ghaṭikāra, great king, with the utter elimination of the five lower mental fetters, is one of spontaneous birth, attaining final nibbāna there, not subject to return from that world.
289. "'On one occasion, great king, I was dwelling in a market town named Vegaḷiṅga. Then, great king, in the earlier period of the day, having dressed, taking my bowl and robe, I approached the mother and father of the potter Ghaṭikāra; having approached, I said this to the mother and father of the potter Ghaṭikāra: "Well now, where has this Bhaggava gone?" "Your attendant has gone out, venerable sir; having taken cooked rice from the pot and curry from the vessel, eat." Then, great king, having taken cooked rice from the pot and curry from the vessel, having eaten, I rose from my seat and departed. Then, great king, the potter Ghaṭikāra approached his mother and father; having approached, he said this to his mother and father: "Who, having taken cooked rice from the pot and curry from the vessel, having eaten, rose from his seat and departed?" "Kassapa, dear, the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, having taken cooked rice from the pot and curry from the vessel, having eaten, rose from his seat and departed." Then, great king, this occurred to the potter Ghaṭikāra: "It is a gain for me indeed, it is well-gained for me indeed, that the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is thus intimate with me." Then, great king, rapture and happiness did not leave the potter Ghaṭikāra for a fortnight, and his mother and father for a week.
290. "'On one occasion, great king, I was dwelling right there in a market town named Vegaḷiṅga. Then, great king, in the earlier period of the day, having dressed, taking my bowl and robe, I approached the mother and father of the potter Ghaṭikāra; having approached, I said this to the mother and father of the potter Ghaṭikāra: "Well now, where has this Bhaggava gone?" "Your attendant has gone out, venerable sir; having taken food made with flour from the basket and curry from the vessel, eat." Then, great king, having taken food made with flour from the basket and curry from the vessel, having eaten, I rose from my seat and departed. Then, great king, the potter Ghaṭikāra approached his mother and father; having approached, he said this to his mother and father: "Who, having taken food made with flour from the basket and curry from the vessel, having eaten, rose from his seat and departed?" "Kassapa, dear, the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, having taken food made with flour from the basket and curry from the vessel, having eaten, rose from his seat and departed." Then, great king, this occurred to the potter Ghaṭikāra: "It is a gain for me indeed, it is well-gained for me indeed, that the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is thus intimate with me." Then, great king, rapture and happiness did not leave the potter Ghaṭikāra for a fortnight, and his mother and father for a week.
291. "'On one occasion, great king, I was dwelling right there in a market town named Vegaḷiṅga. Now at that time the hut was being rained upon. Then, great king, I addressed the monks: "Go, monks, find out if there is grass at the dwelling of the potter Ghaṭikāra." When this was said, great king, those monks said this to me: "There is no grass, venerable sir, at the dwelling of the potter Ghaṭikāra, but there is a grass roof at his workshop." "Go, monks, remove the grass from the workshop of the potter Ghaṭikāra." Then, great king, those monks removed the grass from the workshop of the potter Ghaṭikāra. Then, great king, the mother and father of the potter Ghaṭikāra said this to those monks: "Who is removing the grass from the workshop?" "Monks, sister, the hut of the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is being rained upon." "Take it, venerable sirs, take it, dear ones." Then, great king, the potter Ghaṭikāra approached his mother and father; having approached, he said this to his mother and father: "Who removed the grass from the workshop?" "Monks, dear, it seems the hut of the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is being rained upon." Then, great king, this occurred to the potter Ghaṭikāra: "It is a gain for me indeed, it is well-gained for me indeed, that the Blessed One Kassapa, the Worthy One, the One Enlightened by himself, is thus intimate with me." Then, great king, rapture and happiness did not leave the potter Ghaṭikāra for a fortnight, and his mother and father for a week. Then, great king, the entire workshop stood with the sky as its roof for three months, and the rain did not fall upon it. And such, great king, was the potter Ghaṭikāra.' 'It is a gain, venerable sir, for the potter Ghaṭikāra, it is well-gained, venerable sir, for the potter Ghaṭikāra, that the Blessed One is thus intimate with him.'"
292. "Then, Ānanda, King Kikī of Kāsi sent to the potter Ghaṭikāra about five hundred cartloads of rice-grain, rice stored in pale-coloured bundles, and curry suitable for it. Then, Ānanda, those king's men approached the potter Ghaṭikāra and said this: 'These, venerable sir, about five hundred cartloads of rice-grain have been sent by King Kikī of Kāsi, rice stored in pale-coloured bundles, and curry suitable for it. Please accept them, venerable sir.' 'The king has much to do, has many duties. It is enough for me! Let it be the king's.' Now, Ānanda, you might think thus: 'Surely another was the young man Jotipāla at that time.' But this, Ānanda, should not be seen thus. I was the young man Jotipāla at that time."
This is what the Blessed One said. Delighted, the Venerable Ānanda rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said.
The Discourse on Ghaṭikāra is concluded as first.