4.
The Discourse on Lomasakaṅgiya and a Single Excellent Night
286. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Nigrodha Monastery. Then Candana, the young god, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated almost the entire Nigrodha Monastery, approached the Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya; having approached, he stood to one side. Standing to one side, Candana the young god said this to the Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya - "Do you remember, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night?" "No indeed, friend, I do not remember the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night. But do you, friend, remember the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night?" "I too, monk, do not remember the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night. But do you remember, monk, the verses on one who has an auspicious night?" "No indeed, friend, I do not remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night. But do you, friend, remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night?" "I do indeed remember, monk, the verses on one who has an auspicious night." "In what way, then, friend, do you remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night?" "On one occasion, monk, the Blessed One was dwelling among the gods of the Thirty-three at the foot of the Pāricchattaka tree on the Paṇḍukambala stone. There the Blessed One spoke to the gods of the Thirty-three the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night -
What is past has been abandoned, and the future has not yet arrived.
Unshakable, unagitated, knowing that, one should develop it.
For there is no bargaining with that one, Death with his great army.
That one indeed is called 'one who has an auspicious night,' the peaceful sage declares."
"Thus, monk, I remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night. Learn, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night; master, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night; remember, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night. The synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night is beneficial, monk, and is fundamental to the holy life." This Candana the young god said. Having said this, she disappeared right there.
287. Then the Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya, after that night had passed, having set in order his lodging, taking his bowl and robe, set out on a journey towards Sāvatthī. Wandering on a journey gradually, he approached Sāvatthī, Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park, where the Blessed One was; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya said this to the Blessed One -
"On one occasion, venerable sir, I was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Nigrodha Monastery. Then, venerable sir, a certain young god, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated almost the entire Nigrodha Monastery, approached me; having approached, he stood to one side. Standing to one side, venerable sir, that young god said this to me - 'Do you remember, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night?' When this was said, I, venerable sir, said this to that young god - 'No indeed, friend, I do not remember the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night. But do you, friend, remember the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night?' 'I too, monk, do not remember the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night. But do you remember, monk, the verses on one who has an auspicious night?' 'No indeed, friend, I do not remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night. But do you, friend, remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night?' 'I do indeed remember, monk, the verses on one who has an auspicious night.' 'In what way, then, friend, do you remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night?' On one occasion, monk, the Blessed One was dwelling among the gods of the Thirty-three at the foot of the Pāricchattaka tree on the Paṇḍukambala stone. There the Blessed One spoke to the gods of the Thirty-three the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night -
That one indeed is called 'one who has an auspicious night,' the peaceful sage declares."
"Thus, monk, I remember the verses on one who has an auspicious night. Learn, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night; master, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night; remember, monk, the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night. The synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night is beneficial, monk, and is fundamental to the holy life.' This, venerable sir, that young god said; having said this, she disappeared right there. It would be good, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would teach me the synopsis and analysis of one who has an auspicious night."
288. "But do you know, monk, that young god?" "No indeed, venerable sir, I do not know that young god." "That young god, monk, is named Candana. Candana, monk, the young god, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listens to the Teaching with ears inclined. If so, monk, listen, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this -
What is past has been abandoned, and the future has not yet arrived.
Unshakable, unagitated, knowing that, one should develop it.
For there is no bargaining with that one, Death with his great army.
That one indeed is called 'one who has an auspicious night,' the peaceful sage declares."
"And how, monk, does one follow after the past? Etc. Thus, monk, one follows after the past. And how, monk, does one not follow after the past? Etc. Thus, monk, one does not follow after the past. And how, monk, does one long for the future? Etc. Thus, monk, one longs for the future. And how, monk, does one not long for the future? Etc. Thus, monk, one does not long for the future. And how, monk, is one drawn away regarding present phenomena? Etc. Thus, monk, one is drawn away regarding present phenomena. And how, monk, is one not drawn away regarding present phenomena? Etc. Thus, monk, one is not drawn away regarding present phenomena.
What is past has been abandoned, and the future has not yet arrived.
Unshakable, unagitated, knowing that, one should develop it.
For there is no bargaining with that one, Death with his great army.
That one indeed is called 'one who has an auspicious night,' the peaceful sage declares."
This is what the Blessed One said. Delighted, the Venerable Lomasakaṅgiya rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said.
The Discourse on Lomasakaṅgiya and the Auspicious Single Night is concluded as fourth.