Aṅguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
VIII: Apaṇṇaka Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter VIII: The Sure
Sutta 76
Kusinārā Suttaɱ
Kusinārā[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1] Thus have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying at Kusinārā,
at the Bend,[2]
in the Sāl-grove of the Mallas,
between the twin sal-trees,
at the time of his final passing away.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yea, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said this:
"It may be, however, monks,
that some one of you has doubt or misgiving
as to the Buddha
or Dhamma
or Order
or the Way
or the Practice (going to the Way).
Ask, monks!
Be not hereafter remorseful (at the thought):
'Face to face with us was the Teacher
and we could not question the Exalted One face to face.'
At these words those monks were silent.
Then a second time the Exalted One addressed the monks: :
"It may be, however, monks,
that some one of you has doubt or misgiving
as to the Buddha
or Dhamma
or Order
or the Way
or the Practice.
Ask, monks!
[89] Be not hereafter remorseful (at the thought):
'Face to face with us was the Teacher
and we could not question the Exalted One face to face.'
At these words those monks were silent.
Then for the third time the Exalted One addressed the monks:
"It may be, however, monks,
that some one of you has doubt or misgiving
as to the Buddha
or Dhamma
or Order
or the Way
or the Practice.
Ask, monks!
Be not hereafter remorseful (at the thought):
'Face to face with us was the Teacher
and we could not question the Exalted One face to face.'
At these words those monks were silent.
Then said the Exalted One to the monks:
'It may be, however, monks, that out of respect for the teacher ye ask not.
Then let one ask as friend of a friend.'[3]
At these words those monks were silent.
Thereupon the venerable Ānanda said this to the Exalted One:
'It is wonderful, lord!
It is marvellous, lord!
Thus convinced am I of the Order of monks
that there is not in this Order of monks
in a single monk
any doubt or misgiving
as to the Buddha,
Dhamma,
the Order,
the Way
or the Practice.'
'You, Ānanda, speak out of faith,
but the Tathāgata has knowledge therein.
There is indeed in this Order of monks
no doubt or misgiving
in a single monk
as to the Buddha,
the Order,
Dhamma,
the Way,
or the Practice.
Of these five hundred monks here, Ānanda,
the most backward[4] is a Stream-winner,
one saved from the Downfall,
assured,
bound for enlightenment.'
[1] At D. ii, 154; Dial. ii, 172, but the introductory paragraph is at D. ii, 137.
[2] Upavattana (branching off), so always, but at DA. i, Upavattam Mallānaɱ. It is not the name of a place proper. Comy. 'At a place midway between the eastward row of sāl-trees where it turns northward.' UdA. 238; SA. i, 222, uttarena nivattati; tasmā upavattanan ti vucoati. Cf. also DA. ii, 573.
[3] The meaning here is obvious, but Comy. says 'Ask each other, as friend of friend, and I will solve your doubts,' which seems a strained interpretation. See Gotama the Man, 246-50.
[4] Pacchimaka. Comy. thinks this refers to Ānanda, and was said to encourage him to persevere, but this is open to doubt. It is improbable, also, that a large number of monks was present.
