2.
The Greater Discourse at Gosiṅga
332. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling in the Gosiṅga Sal-tree Wood together with many well-known well-known elder disciples - with the Venerable Sāriputta and the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna and the Venerable Mahākassapa and the Venerable Anuruddha and the Venerable Revata and the Venerable Ānanda, and with other well-known well-known elder disciples. Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, approached the Venerable Mahākassapa; having approached, he said this to the Venerable Mahākassapa - "Come, friend Kassapa, let us approach the Venerable Sāriputta for the hearing of the Teaching." "Yes, friend," the Venerable Mahākassapa assented to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna. Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna and the Venerable Mahākassapa and the Venerable Anuruddha approached the Venerable Sāriputta for the hearing of the Teaching. The Venerable Ānanda saw the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna and the Venerable Mahākassapa and the Venerable Anuruddha approaching the Venerable Sāriputta for the hearing of the Teaching. Having seen them, he approached the Venerable Revata; having approached, he said this to the Venerable Revata - "Those good persons are approaching the Venerable Sāriputta for the hearing of the Teaching, friend Revata. Come, friend Revata, let us approach the Venerable Sāriputta for the hearing of the Teaching." "Yes, friend," the Venerable Revata assented to the Venerable Ānanda. Then the Venerable Revata and the Venerable Ānanda approached the Venerable Sāriputta for the hearing of the Teaching.
333. The Venerable Sāriputta saw the Venerable Revata and the Venerable Ānanda coming from afar. Having seen them, he said this to the Venerable Ānanda - "Let the Venerable Ānanda come! Welcome to the Venerable Ānanda, the Blessed One's attendant, who keeps near the Blessed One! Delightful, friend Ānanda, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around; by what kind of monk, friend Ānanda, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?" "Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk is very learned, remembering what has been learnt, having great accumulation of learning. Whatever teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing, that reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure, such teachings are very learned by him, retained, practised in speech, contemplated in mind, thoroughly penetrated by view. He teaches the Teaching to the four assemblies with coherent phrases and sentences for the uprooting of the underlying tendencies. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned."
334. When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Venerable Revata - "The Venerable Ānanda has answered according to his own discernment, friend Revata. Now we ask the Venerable Revata about this - 'Delightful, friend Revata, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around; by what kind of monk, friend Revata, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?'" "Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk delights in seclusion, is devoted to seclusion, is devoted internally to serenity of mind, with meditative absorption not neglected, endowed with insight, one who develops empty dwellings. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned."
335. When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Venerable Anuruddha - "The Venerable Revata has answered according to his own discernment, friend Anuruddha. Now we ask the Venerable Anuruddha about this - 'Delightful, friend Anuruddha, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around; by what kind of monk, friend Anuruddha, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?'" "Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk with the divine eye, which is pure and surpasses the human, surveys a thousand worlds. Just as, friend Sāriputta, a man with eyes, having gone up to the upper terrace of an excellent mansion, might survey a thousand wheel-rims; just so, friend Sāriputta, a monk with the divine eye, which is pure and surpasses the human, surveys a thousand worlds. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned."
336. When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Venerable Mahākassapa - "The Venerable Anuruddha has answered according to his own discernment, friend Kassapa. Now we ask the Venerable Mahākassapa about this - 'Delightful, friend Kassapa, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around; by what kind of monk, friend Kassapa, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?'" "Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk is himself a forest-dweller and speaks in praise of being a forest-dweller, he himself is an almsfood eater and speaks in praise of being an almsfood eater, he himself is a wearer of rag-robes and speaks in praise of being a wearer of rag-robes, he himself is a three-robe wearer and speaks in praise of being a three-robe wearer, he himself is of few wishes and speaks in praise of fewness of wishes, he himself is content and speaks in praise of contentment, he himself is secluded and speaks in praise of solitude, he himself is aloof from society and speaks in praise of aloofness from society, he himself is putting forth strenuous energy and speaks in praise of arousal of energy, he himself is accomplished in morality and speaks in praise of accomplishment in morality, he himself is accomplished in concentration and speaks in praise of accomplishment in concentration, he himself is accomplished in wisdom and speaks in praise of accomplishment in wisdom, he himself is accomplished in liberation and speaks in praise of accomplishment in liberation, he himself is accomplished in knowledge and vision of liberation and speaks in praise of accomplishment in knowledge and vision of liberation. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned."
337. When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna - "The Venerable Mahākassapa has answered according to his own discernment, friend Moggallāna. Now we ask the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna about this - 'Delightful, friend Moggallāna, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around; by what kind of monk, friend Moggallāna, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?'" "Here, friend Sāriputta, two monks discuss the higher teaching, they ask each other questions, when asked questions they answer each other, they do not falter, and their talk on the Teaching flows on. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned."
338. Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this to the Venerable Sāriputta - "It has been answered indeed, friend Sāriputta, by all of us each according to his own discernment. Now we ask the Venerable Sāriputta about this - 'Delightful, friend Sāriputta, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around; by what kind of monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?'" "Here, friend Moggallāna, a monk wields mastery over the mind, and the monk is not subject to the mastery of the mind. Whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the earlier period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the earlier period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the noon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the noon period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the afternoon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the afternoon period of the day. Just as, friend Moggallāna, there might be a clothes-chest full of cloths of various colours belonging to a king or a king's chief minister. Whatever suit of garments he might wish to wear in the earlier period of the day, that very suit of garments he would wear in the earlier period of the day; whatever suit of garments he might wish to wear in the noon period of the day, that very suit of garments he would wear in the noon period of the day; whatever suit of garments he might wish to wear in the afternoon period of the day, that very suit of garments he would wear in the afternoon period of the day. Just so, friend Moggallāna, a monk wields mastery over the mind, and the monk is not subject to the mastery of the mind. Whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the earlier period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the earlier period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the noon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the noon period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the afternoon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the afternoon period of the day. By such a monk, friend Moggallāna, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned."
339. Then the Venerable Sāriputta said this to those venerable ones - "It has been answered indeed, friends, by all of us each according to his own discernment. Come, friends, let us go to where the Blessed One is; having approached, we will report this matter to the Blessed One. As the Blessed One answers us, so we will remember it." "Yes, friend," those venerable ones assented to the Venerable Sāriputta. Then those venerable ones approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Blessed One - "I saw, venerable sir, the Venerable Revata and the Venerable Ānanda coming from afar. Having seen them, I said this to the Venerable Ānanda - 'Let the Venerable Ānanda come! Welcome to the Venerable Ānanda, the Blessed One's attendant, who keeps near the Blessed One! Delightful, friend Ānanda, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around; by what kind of monk, friend Ānanda, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?' When this was said, venerable sir, the Venerable Ānanda said this to me - 'Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk is very learned, remembering what has been learnt, etc. for the uprooting of the underlying tendencies. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned.'" "Good, good, Sāriputta! As Ānanda himself answering rightly would answer. For Ānanda, Sāriputta, is very learned, remembering what has been learnt, having great accumulation of learning. Whatever teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with meaning and with phrasing, that reveal the holy life that is complete in its entirety and pure, such teachings are very learned by him, retained, practised in speech, contemplated in mind, thoroughly penetrated by view. He teaches the Teaching to the four assemblies with coherent phrases and sentences for the uprooting of the underlying tendencies."
340. "When this was said, I, venerable sir, said this to the Venerable Revata - 'The Venerable Ānanda has answered according to his own discernment, friend Revata. Now we ask the Venerable Revata about this - delightful, friend Revata, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around. By what kind of monk, friend Revata, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?' When this was said, venerable sir, the Venerable Revata said this to me - 'Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk delights in seclusion, is devoted to seclusion, is devoted internally to serenity of mind, with meditative absorption not neglected, endowed with insight, one who develops empty dwellings. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned.'" "Good, good, Sāriputta! Just as Revata himself, answering rightly, would answer. For Revata, Sāriputta, delights in seclusion, is devoted to seclusion, is devoted internally to serenity of mind, with meditative absorption not neglected, endowed with insight, one who develops empty dwellings."
341. "When this was said, I, venerable sir, said this to the Venerable Anuruddha - 'The Venerable Revata has answered, friend Anuruddha, etc. by what kind of monk, friend Anuruddha, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?' When this was said, venerable sir, the Venerable Anuruddha said this to me - 'Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk with the divine eye, which is pure and surpasses the human, surveys a thousand worlds. Just as, friend Sāriputta, a man with eyes etc. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned.'" "Good, good, Sāriputta, as would be rightly answered by Anuruddha himself answering rightly. For Anuruddha, Sāriputta, with the divine eye, which is pure and surpasses the human, surveys a thousand worlds."
342. "When this was said, I, venerable sir, said this to the Venerable Mahākassapa - 'The Venerable Anuruddha has answered according to his own discernment, friend Kassapa. Now we ask the Venerable Mahākassapa about this - etc. by what kind of monk, friend Kassapa, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?' When this was said, venerable sir, the Venerable Mahākassapa said this to me - 'Here, friend Sāriputta, a monk is himself a forest-dweller and speaks in praise of being a forest-dweller, he himself is an almsfood eater - etc. he himself is a wearer of rag-robes - etc. he himself is a three-robe wearer - etc. he himself is of few wishes - etc. he himself is content - etc. he himself is secluded - etc. he himself is aloof from society - etc. he himself is putting forth strenuous energy - etc. he himself is accomplished in morality - etc. he himself is accomplished in concentration - etc. he himself is accomplished in wisdom - he himself is accomplished in liberation - he himself is accomplished in knowledge and vision of liberation and speaks in praise of accomplishment in knowledge and vision of liberation. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned.'" "Good, good, Sāriputta! Just as Kassapa himself would rightly answer when answering rightly. For Kassapa, Sāriputta, is himself a forest-dweller and speaks in praise of being a forest-dweller, he himself is an almsfood eater and speaks in praise of being an almsfood eater, he himself is a wearer of rag-robes and speaks in praise of being a wearer of rag-robes, he himself is a three-robe wearer and speaks in praise of being a three-robe wearer, he himself is of few wishes and speaks in praise of fewness of wishes, he himself is content and speaks in praise of contentment, he himself is secluded and speaks in praise of solitude, he himself is aloof from society and speaks in praise of aloofness from society, he himself is putting forth strenuous energy and speaks in praise of arousal of energy, he himself is accomplished in morality and speaks in praise of accomplishment in morality, he himself is accomplished in concentration and speaks in praise of accomplishment in concentration, he himself is accomplished in wisdom and speaks in praise of accomplishment in wisdom, he himself is accomplished in liberation and speaks in praise of accomplishment in liberation, he himself is accomplished in knowledge and vision of liberation and speaks in praise of accomplishment in knowledge and vision of liberation."
343. "When this was said, I, venerable sir, said this to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna - 'The Venerable Mahākassapa has answered according to his own discernment, friend Moggallāna. Now we ask the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna about this - etc. by what kind of monk, friend Moggallāna, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?' When this was said, venerable sir, the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this to me - 'Here, friend Sāriputta, two monks discuss the higher teaching. They ask each other questions, when asked questions they answer each other, they do not falter, and their talk on the Teaching flows on. By such a monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned.'" "Good, good, Sāriputta, as would be rightly answered by Moggallāna himself answering rightly. For Moggallāna, Sāriputta, is one who preaches the Teaching."
344. When this was said, the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this to the Blessed One - "Then I, venerable sir, said this to the Venerable Sāriputta - 'It has been answered indeed, friend Sāriputta, by all of us each according to his own discernment. Now we ask the Venerable Sāriputta about this - Delightful, friend Sāriputta, is the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove, the night is moonlit, the Sāla trees are in full bloom everywhere, divine, methinks, are the odours wafting around. By what kind of monk, friend Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned?' When this was said, venerable sir, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to me - 'Here, friend Moggallāna, a monk wields mastery over the mind, and the monk is not subject to the mastery of the mind. Whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the earlier period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the earlier period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the noon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the noon period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the afternoon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the afternoon period of the day. Just as, friend Moggallāna, there might be a clothes-chest full of cloths of various colours belonging to a king or a king's chief minister. Whatever suit of garments he might wish to wear in the earlier period of the day, that very suit of garments he would wear in the earlier period of the day; whatever suit of garments he might wish to wear in the noon period of the day, that very suit of garments he would wear in the noon period of the day; whatever suit of garments he might wish to wear in the afternoon period of the day, that very suit of garments he would wear in the afternoon period of the day. Just so, friend Moggallāna, a monk wields mastery over the mind, and the monk is not subject to the mastery of the mind. Whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the earlier period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the earlier period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the noon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the noon period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the afternoon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the afternoon period of the day. By such a monk, friend Moggallāna, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned.'" "Good, good, Moggallāna! As Sāriputta himself, rightly answering, would answer. For Sāriputta, Moggallāna, wields mastery over the mind, and Sāriputta is not subject to the mastery of the mind. Whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the earlier period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the earlier period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the noon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the noon period of the day; whatever dwelling attainment he wishes to dwell in during the afternoon period of the day, in that dwelling attainment he dwells during the afternoon period of the day."
345. When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Blessed One - "Whose statement, venerable sir, was well spoken?" "All of yours, Sāriputta, was well spoken in a way. But listen to me too as to by what kind of monk the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove would be adorned. Here, Sāriputta, a monk, after the meal, having returned from his alms round, sits down, folding his legs crosswise, directing his body upright, having established mindfulness in front of him - 'I will not break this cross-legged posture until my mind is liberated from the mental corruptions by non-clinging.' By such a monk, Sāriputta, would the Gosiṅga Sāla-tree Grove be adorned."
This is what the Blessed One said. Those venerable ones, delighted, rejoiced in what the Blessed One had said.
The Discourse on the Greater Gosinga is concluded as second.