Difference between revisions of "Gandhatthena Sutta"
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| − | Stealing the Scent | + | {{DisplayImages|3075|2045|2048|2038}} |
| + | {{Centre|{{Big2x|Stealing the Scent}}<br/> | ||
| + | translated from the [[Pali]] by <br/> | ||
| + | Andrew Olendzki}}<br/><br/> | ||
| − | + | [A [[devata]]:] | |
| − | + | <poem> | |
| − | + | This [[lotus]] blossom which you sniff, | |
| − | + | Though it's not been [[offered]] to you, | |
| − | [A devata:] | ||
| − | |||
| − | This lotus blossom which you sniff, | ||
| − | Though it's not been offered to you, | ||
Is thus something that's been stolen. | Is thus something that's been stolen. | ||
| − | You, sir, are a stealer of scents! | + | You, sir, are a stealer of {{Wiki|scents}}! |
| − | [Bhikkhu: | + | [[Bhikkhu]]: |
But I don't take, nor do I break; | But I don't take, nor do I break; | ||
| − | I sniff the lotus from afar. | + | I sniff the [[lotus]] from afar. |
| − | So really what reason have you | + | So really what [[reason]] have you |
| − | To call me a stealer of scents? | + | To call me a stealer of {{Wiki|scents}}? |
He who uproots them by the stalk, | He who uproots them by the stalk, | ||
| − | And consumes the pale lotuses; | + | And consumes the pale [[lotuses]]; |
| − | The one engaged in such cruel work, | + | The one engaged in such {{Wiki|cruel}} work, |
Why do you not say this of him? | Why do you not say this of him? | ||
| − | [Devata:] | + | [ [[Devata]]:] |
| − | A person who's ruthless and cruel, | + | A [[person]] who's ruthless and {{Wiki|cruel}}, |
| − | Defiled like a workman's garment, | + | {{Wiki|Defiled}} like a workman's garment, |
To him my words would mean nothing. | To him my words would mean nothing. | ||
But it's fitting I speak to you. | But it's fitting I speak to you. | ||
| − | For an unblemished person, who's | + | For an unblemished [[person]], who's |
| − | Always pursuing purity, | + | Always pursuing [[purity]], |
| − | Even a hair-tip of evil | + | Even a hair-tip of [[evil]] |
Seems to him as large as a cloud. | Seems to him as large as a cloud. | ||
| − | [Bhikkhu:] | + | [ [[Bhikkhu]]:] |
| − | Truly, O yakkha, you know me, | + | Truly, O [[yakkha]], you know me, |
| − | And have concern for my welfare. | + | And have [[concern]] for my {{Wiki|welfare}}. |
| − | Do please, O yakkha, speak again, | + | Do please, O [[yakkha]], speak again, |
Whenever you see such a thing. | Whenever you see such a thing. | ||
| − | [Devata:] | + | [ [[Devata]]:] |
I don't live to serve upon you; | I don't live to serve upon you; | ||
Nor will I do your work for you. | Nor will I do your work for you. | ||
| − | You should know for yourself, O monk, | + | You should know for yourself, O [[monk]], |
| − | How to go along the good path. | + | How to go along the good [[path]]. |
| − | Translator's note: This lively exchange between a forest-dwelling monk and a benevolent deity is filled with poetic movement and gives us a glimpse of the care with which some people practiced in the time of the Buddha. Since the working definition of stealing was "taking what has not been given," the Devata is correct — in a very strict sense. Notice that the monk at first reacts defensively, denying that he is doing anything wrong, and then tries to shift the blame to others who do even worse. After recognizing a veiled compliment, he finally realizes that the Devata is trying to help him, at which point he encourages further help. The Devata ends the exchange sharply, revealing an intriguing and capricious character who is willing to help, but only on his own terms. This is a role often played by nature spirits and other minor deities in the Pali texts. | + | </poem> |
| + | Translator's note: This lively exchange between a [[forest-dwelling]] [[monk]] and a {{Wiki|benevolent}} [[deity]] is filled with {{Wiki|poetic}} {{Wiki|movement}} and gives us a glimpse of the care with which some [[people]] practiced in the [[time]] of the [[Buddha]]. Since the working [[definition]] of [[stealing]] was "taking what has not been given," the [[Devata]] is correct — in a very strict [[sense]]. Notice that the [[monk]] at first reacts defensively, denying that he is doing anything wrong, and then tries to shift the blame to others who do even worse. After [[recognizing]] a [[veiled]] compliment, he finally realizes that the [[Devata]] is trying to help him, at which point he encourages further help. The [[Devata]] ends the exchange sharply, revealing an intriguing and capricious [[character]] who is willing to help, but only on his [[own]] terms. This is a role often played by [[nature]] [[spirits]] and other minor [[deities]] in the [[Pali]] texts. | ||
{{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: | + | [[Category:Saṃyutta Nikāya]] |
Latest revision as of 07:17, 9 March 2015
Stealing the Scent
translated from the Pali by
Andrew Olendzki
[A devata:]
This lotus blossom which you sniff,
Though it's not been offered to you,
Is thus something that's been stolen.
You, sir, are a stealer of scents!
Bhikkhu:
But I don't take, nor do I break;
I sniff the lotus from afar.
So really what reason have you
To call me a stealer of scents?
He who uproots them by the stalk,
And consumes the pale lotuses;
The one engaged in such cruel work,
Why do you not say this of him?
[ Devata:]
A person who's ruthless and cruel,
Defiled like a workman's garment,
To him my words would mean nothing.
But it's fitting I speak to you.
For an unblemished person, who's
Always pursuing purity,
Even a hair-tip of evil
Seems to him as large as a cloud.
[ Bhikkhu:]
Truly, O yakkha, you know me,
And have concern for my welfare.
Do please, O yakkha, speak again,
Whenever you see such a thing.
[ Devata:]
I don't live to serve upon you;
Nor will I do your work for you.
You should know for yourself, O monk,
How to go along the good path.
Translator's note: This lively exchange between a forest-dwelling monk and a benevolent deity is filled with poetic movement and gives us a glimpse of the care with which some people practiced in the time of the Buddha. Since the working definition of stealing was "taking what has not been given," the Devata is correct — in a very strict sense. Notice that the monk at first reacts defensively, denying that he is doing anything wrong, and then tries to shift the blame to others who do even worse. After recognizing a veiled compliment, he finally realizes that the Devata is trying to help him, at which point he encourages further help. The Devata ends the exchange sharply, revealing an intriguing and capricious character who is willing to help, but only on his own terms. This is a role often played by nature spirits and other minor deities in the Pali texts.
