1.
The First Chapter
1.
The Discourse on Ascetic Practice
137. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the root of the goatherd's banyan tree, newly fully enlightened. Then, when the Blessed One had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "Indeed I am released from that performance of austerities. Good! Indeed I am released from that unbeneficial performance of austerities. Good! Indeed I am released and have attained enlightenment."
Then Māra the Evil One, having known with his mind the reflection in the mind of the Blessed One, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Being impure you think yourself pure, you have failed from the path of purification."
Then the Blessed One, having understood "this is Māra the Evil One", addressed Māra the Evil One in verses -
All is not bringing benefit, like an oar on dry land.
I have attained the supreme purity, you are defeated, O Death."
Then Māra the Evil One, thinking "the Blessed One knows me, the Fortunate One knows me", afflicted and unhappy, disappeared right there.
2.
The Discourse on the Appearance of the Elephant King
138. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the root of the goatherd's banyan tree, newly fully enlightened. Now at that time the Blessed One was seated in the open air in the darkness of the night, and the rain god was sprinkling drop by drop. Then Māra the Evil One, wishing to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the Blessed One, having created a great elephant-king appearance, approached the Blessed One. Just as a great black stone, so was its head. Just as pure silver, so were its tusks. Just as a great plough-beam, so was its trunk. Then the Blessed One, having understood "this is Māra the Evil One", addressed Māra the Evil One in verse -
Enough for you with that, Evil One, you are defeated, O Death."
Then Māra the Evil One, thinking "the Blessed One knows me, the Fortunate One knows me", afflicted and unhappy, disappeared right there.
3.
The Discourse to Subha
139. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the root of the goatherd's banyan tree, newly fully enlightened. Now at that time the Blessed One was seated in the open air in the darkness of the night, and the rain god was sprinkling drop by drop. Then Māra the Evil One, wishing to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the Blessed One, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he displayed various radiant colours not far from the Blessed One, both beautiful and ugly. Then the Blessed One, having understood "this is Māra the Evil One", addressed Māra the Evil One in verses -
Enough for you with that, Evil One, you are defeated, O Death.
They are not subject to Māra's control, they are not Māra's captive followers."
Then Māra etc. disappeared right there.
4.
The First Discourse on Māra's Snare
140. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "Monks." "Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this -
"For me, monks, through wise attention, through wise right striving, the unsurpassed liberation has been attained, the unsurpassed liberation has been realized. You too, monks, through wise attention, through wise right striving, attain the unsurpassed liberation, realize the unsurpassed liberation." Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
You are bound by Māra's bondage, you will not escape from me, ascetic."
I am freed from Māra's bondage, you are defeated, O Death."
Then Māra the Evil One, etc. disappeared right there.
5.
The Second Discourse on Māra's Snare
141. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "Monks." "Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this -
"I am freed, monks, from all snares, those that are divine and those that are human. You too, monks, are freed from all snares, those that are divine and those that are human. Wander, monks, on a journey for the welfare of many people, for the happiness of many people, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. Let not two go by one way. Teach, monks, the Teaching, good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing; reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure. There are beings with little dust in their eyes; through not hearing the Teaching they are declining. There will be those who understand the Teaching. I too, monks, will approach Uruvelā, the market town of Senāni, for the proclamation of the Teaching." Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
You are bound by the great bondage, you will not escape from me, ascetic."
I am freed from the great bondage, you are defeated, O Death."
Then Māra the Evil One, etc. disappeared right there.
6.
The Discourse on the Snake
142. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time the Blessed One was seated in the open air in the darkness of the night, and the rain god was sprinkling drop by drop.
Then Māra the Evil One, wishing to arouse fear, trepidation, and terror in the Blessed One, having created a great serpent-king appearance, approached the Blessed One. Just as a great single-tree boat, so was its body. Just as a great brewer's straining basket, so was its hood. Just as a great Kosalan bronze dish, so were its eyes. Just as when the sky is thundering lightning flashes forth, so from its mouth its tongue flashed forth. Just as there is a sound of a blacksmith's bellows being blown, so was the sound of its in-breath and out-breath.
Then the Blessed One, having understood "this is Māra the Evil One", addressed Māra the Evil One in verses -
That sage, self-restrained, is better;
Having relinquished, he should wander there,
For that is fitting for one such as that.
And also many the gadflies and serpents;
Not even a hair would he stir there,
The great sage gone to an empty house.
Though all living beings should tremble;
Even if they should thrust a dart into his chest,
The Buddhas do not seek shelter in clinging."
Then Māra the Evil One, thinking "the Blessed One knows me, the Fortunate One knows me", afflicted and unhappy, disappeared right there.
7.
The Discourse on Sleeping
143. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Then the Blessed One, having walked up and down in the open air for much of the night, towards the break of dawn, having washed his feet, entered the dwelling and lay down in the lion's posture on his right side, overlapping foot upon foot, mindful and fully aware, having attended to the perception of rising. Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Why do you sleep like an unfortunate one?
Thinking 'My house is empty' you sleep,
Why do you sleep when the sun has risen?"
That craving to lead anywhere, does not exist;
The Buddha, with the utter elimination of all clinging,
Sleeps - what is that to you, Māra?"
Then Māra the Evil One, etc. disappeared right there.
8.
The Discourse on Rejoicing
144. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One; having approached, he spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
Clinging is the rejoicing of a man, for he who is without clinging does not rejoice."
Clinging is the sorrowing of a man, for he who is without clinging does not grieve."
Then Māra the Evil One, thinking "the Blessed One knows me, the Fortunate One knows me", afflicted and unhappy, disappeared right there.
9.
The First Discourse on Life Span
145. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "Monks." "Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this -
"Short, monks, is the life span of human beings. The next world must be gone to; wholesome deeds should be done; the holy life should be lived. There is no deathlessness for one who is born. One who, monks, lives long, lives a hundred years or a little more."
Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
One should live like one fed on milk, there is no coming of death."
One should live as if one's head were on fire, there is no non-coming of death."
Then Māra etc. disappeared right there.
10.
The Second Discourse on Life Span
146. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. There the Blessed One, etc. said this -
"Short, monks, is the life span of human beings. The next world must be gone to; wholesome deeds should be done; the holy life should be lived. There is no deathlessness for one who is born. One who, monks, lives long, lives a hundred years or a little more."
Then Māra the Evil One approached the Blessed One; having approached, he addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Life span revolves for mortals, like the rim around the chariot pole."
The life span of mortals is exhausted, like water in small streams."
Then Māra the Evil One, thinking "the Blessed One knows me, the Fortunate One knows me", afflicted and unhappy, disappeared right there.
The first chapter.
Its summary:
Snake, Sleeps, Nandana, with Life Span the other two.