Difference between revisions of "Mahaka Sutta"
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[[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]]}}<br/><br/> | [[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]]}}<br/><br/> | ||
− | On one occasion a large number of [[senior monks]] were living near Macchikasanda in the Wild [[Mango Grove]]. Then [[Citta]] the [[householder]] went to them and, on arrival, having [[bowed]] down to them, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to them: "[[Venerable]] sirs, may the [[senior monks]] acquiesce to tomorrow's meal from me." | + | On one [[occasion]] a large number of [[senior monks]] were living near Macchikasanda in the Wild [[Mango Grove]]. Then [[Citta]] the [[householder]] went to them and, on arrival, having [[bowed]] down to them, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to them: "[[Venerable]] sirs, may the [[senior monks]] acquiesce to tomorrow's meal from me." |
The [[senior monks]] acquiesced by [[silence]]. Then [[Citta]] the [[householder]], sensing the [[senior monks]]' acquiescence, got up from his seat and, having [[bowed]] down to them, circumambulated them keeping them to his right and left. | The [[senior monks]] acquiesced by [[silence]]. Then [[Citta]] the [[householder]], sensing the [[senior monks]]' acquiescence, got up from his seat and, having [[bowed]] down to them, circumambulated them keeping them to his right and left. | ||
− | When the night had passed, the [[senior monks]] put on their [[robes]] in the early morning and taking their [[bowls]] & outer [[robes]] went to Citta's residence. There they sat down on the appointed seats. Then [[Citta]] the [[householder]], with his own hand, served & satisfied them with exquisite [[milk-rice]] mixed with ghee. When the [[senior monks]] had finished eating and had rinsed their [[bowls]] & hands, they got up from their seats and left. [[Citta]] the [[householder]], having said, "Give away the rest," followed behind the [[senior monks]]. | + | When the night had passed, the [[senior monks]] put on their [[robes]] in the early morning and taking their [[bowls]] & outer [[robes]] went to Citta's residence. There they sat down on the appointed seats. Then [[Citta]] the [[householder]], with his [[own]] hand, served & satisfied them with exquisite [[milk-rice]] mixed with ghee. When the [[senior monks]] had finished eating and had rinsed their [[bowls]] & hands, they got up from their seats and left. [[Citta]] the [[householder]], having said, "Give away the rest," followed behind the [[senior monks]]. |
− | Now on that occasion it was [[hot]] & sweltering. The [[senior monks]] went along with their [[bodies]] melting, as it were, from the meal they had finished. And on that occasion Ven. [[Mahaka]] was the most junior of all the [[monks]] in that {{Wiki|Community}}. He said to the senior [[monk]]: "Wouldn't it be nice, [[venerable]] elder, if a cool [[wind]] were to blow, and there were a thundering cloud, and [[rain]] would fall in scattered drops?" | + | Now on that [[occasion]] it was [[hot]] & sweltering. The [[senior monks]] went along with their [[bodies]] melting, as it were, from the meal they had finished. And on that [[occasion]] Ven. [[Mahaka]] was the most junior of all the [[monks]] in that {{Wiki|Community}}. He said to the senior [[monk]]: "Wouldn't it be nice, [[venerable]] elder, if a cool [[wind]] were to blow, and there were a thundering cloud, and [[rain]] would fall in scattered drops?" |
"Yes, [[friend]] [[Mahaka]], that would be nice..." | "Yes, [[friend]] [[Mahaka]], that would be nice..." | ||
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==Note== | ==Note== | ||
− | 1. A rule in the [[Cullavagga]] (Cv 5.8.2) forbids [[monks]] from displaying feats of [[psychic power]] to [[lay people]]. There is no way of [[knowing]] whether the incident in this [[sutta]] predated or postdated the formulation of that rule, but this story illustrates the [[reason]] for that rule: If [[word]] of Ven. Mahaka's display of [[psychic power]] became known among [[lay people]], they would pester him for more displays and he would know no [[peace]]. At the same [[time]], he would attract their [[alms]], perhaps to the detriment of the other [[monks]]. That's why he had to leave for good. | + | 1. A {{Wiki|rule}} in the [[Cullavagga]] (Cv 5.8.2) forbids [[monks]] from displaying feats of [[psychic power]] to [[lay people]]. There is no way of [[knowing]] whether the incident in this [[sutta]] predated or postdated the formulation of that {{Wiki|rule}}, but this story illustrates the [[reason]] for that {{Wiki|rule}}: If [[word]] of Ven. Mahaka's display of [[psychic power]] became known among [[lay people]], they would pester him for more displays and he would know no [[peace]]. At the same [[time]], he would attract their [[alms]], perhaps to the detriment of the other [[monks]]. That's why he had to leave for good. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=Category:Samyutta_Nikaya dhammawiki.com] | [http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=Category:Samyutta_Nikaya dhammawiki.com] | ||
[[Category:Saṃyutta Nikāya]] | [[Category:Saṃyutta Nikāya]] |
Latest revision as of 09:25, 8 February 2016
About Mahaka
translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
On one occasion a large number of senior monks were living near Macchikasanda in the Wild Mango Grove. Then Citta the householder went to them and, on arrival, having bowed down to them, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to them: "Venerable sirs, may the senior monks acquiesce to tomorrow's meal from me."
The senior monks acquiesced by silence. Then Citta the householder, sensing the senior monks' acquiescence, got up from his seat and, having bowed down to them, circumambulated them keeping them to his right and left.
When the night had passed, the senior monks put on their robes in the early morning and taking their bowls & outer robes went to Citta's residence. There they sat down on the appointed seats. Then Citta the householder, with his own hand, served & satisfied them with exquisite milk-rice mixed with ghee. When the senior monks had finished eating and had rinsed their bowls & hands, they got up from their seats and left. Citta the householder, having said, "Give away the rest," followed behind the senior monks.
Now on that occasion it was hot & sweltering. The senior monks went along with their bodies melting, as it were, from the meal they had finished. And on that occasion Ven. Mahaka was the most junior of all the monks in that Community. He said to the senior monk: "Wouldn't it be nice, venerable elder, if a cool wind were to blow, and there were a thundering cloud, and rain would fall in scattered drops?"
"Yes, friend Mahaka, that would be nice..."
Then Ven. Mahaka willed a psychic feat such that a cool wind blew, a thundering cloud developed, and the rain fell in scattered drops. The thought occurred to Citta the householder, "Such is the psychic power of the most junior of all the monks in this Community!"
Then when Ven. Mahaka reached the monastery/park, he said to the senior monk, "Is that enough, venerable sir?"
"That's enough, friend Mahaka what you have done, what you have offered."
Then the monks went to their separate dwellings, and Ven. Mahaka went to his.
Then Citta the householder went to Ven. Mahaka and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to him, "It would be good, venerable sir, if Master Mahaka would show me a superior human attainment, a miracle of psychic power."
"In that case, householder, spread out your upper robe on the porch and put a pile of grass on it."
Responding, "As you say, venerable sir," Citta the householder spread out his upper robe on the porch and put a pile of grass on it.
Then Ven. Mahaka, having entered his dwelling and bolted the door, willed a psychic feat such that flame shot through the keyhole and the space around the door, burning up the grass but not the robe.
Then Citta the householder, having shaken out the robe, stood to one side — in awe, his hair standing on end. Ven. Mahaka came out of his dwelling and said, "Is that enough, householder?"
"That's enough, venerable sir what you have done, what you have offered. May Master Mahaka delight in the charming Wild Mango Grove at Macchikasanda. I will be responsible for your robes, almsfood, lodgings, & medicinal requisites."
"That is admirably said, householder."
Then Ven. Mahaka — having set his lodging in order and taking his bowl & robes — left Macchikasanda. And in leaving Macchikasanda, he was gone for good and never returned.[1]
Note
1. A rule in the Cullavagga (Cv 5.8.2) forbids monks from displaying feats of psychic power to lay people. There is no way of knowing whether the incident in this sutta predated or postdated the formulation of that rule, but this story illustrates the reason for that rule: If word of Ven. Mahaka's display of psychic power became known among lay people, they would pester him for more displays and he would know no peace. At the same time, he would attract their alms, perhaps to the detriment of the other monks. That's why he had to leave for good.