Aṇguttara Nikāya
X. Dasaka-Nipāta
VII. Yamaka Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
X. The Book of the Tens
VII: The Pairs
Sutta 65
Paṭhama Sukha Suttaṃ
Weal and Woe (a)
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Once the venerable Sāriputta was staying among the Magadhese at Nālakagāmaka.[1]
[121] Now the Wanderer Sāmandakāni[2] came to see the venerable Sāriputta,
and on coming to him greeted him courteously and,
after the exchange of courtesies and reminiscent talk,
sat down at one side.
So seated he said:
"Pray, Sāriputta, your reverence,
what is weal and what is woe?"
"Your reverence, rebirth[3] is woe,
not-rebirth is weal.
§
Where there is rebirth,
this woe may be looked for:
Cold and heat;
hunger and thirst;
evacuation and urination;
contact with fire,
the rod,
the spear;
even one's own relatives and friends abuse one,
when they meet or gather together.
Where there is rebirth, your reverence,
this woe may be looked for.
■
But where there is no rebirth
this weal may be looked for:
No cold and heat;
no hunger and thirst;
no evacuation and urination;
no contact with fire,
rod
and spear;
nor do one's [83] friends abuse one
when they meet or gather together.
Where there is not rebirth, your reverence,
this woe is not to be looked for.'
[1] Also Nālakagāma - e.g., K.S. iv, 170. It was his native village and he died there, S. v. 161, etc.
[2] At S. iv, 261 Sāmaṇḍaka, but Sinh. texts and Comy. Sāmañcakāni. Cf. Brethren, 40.
[3] Abhinibbatti.
