[I. The First Teachings]
[Dhammacakkappavattanasuttaṁ]
[9. The Discourse Setting the Dhamma Wheel Rolling] Cf. SN 56, Saccasaṁyuttaṁ, 11. Jā Nid:
Atha kho Bhagavā pañcavaggiye bhikkhū āmantesi:
Then the Fortunate One addressed the group-of-five monks, saying:
“Dveme bhikkhave antā pabbajitena na sevitabbā,
“There are these two extremes, monks, that one who has gone forth ought not to associate with,
yo cāyaṁ: kāmesu kāmasukhallikānuyogo,
which is this: devotion and clinging to the pleasure in sense pleasures,
hīno, gammo, pothujjaniko, anariyo, anatthasaṁhito;
which is low, vulgar, worldly, ignoble, and not connected with the goal;
yo cāyaṁ: attakilamathānuyogo,
and this: devotion to self-mortification,
dukkho, anariyo, anatthasaṁhito.
which is painful, ignoble, and not connected with the goal.
Ete te bhikkhave ubho ante anupagamma, majjhimā paṭipadā
Not having approached either of these two extremes, monks, the middle practice
Tathāgatena abhisambuddhā, cakkhukaraṇī, ñāṇakaraṇī,
was awakened to by the Realised One, which produces vision, produces knowledge,
upasamāya abhiññāya Sambodhāya Nibbānāya saṁvattati.
and which leads to peace, deep knowledge, Complete Awakening, and Emancipation.
Katamā ca sā bhikkhave majjhimā paṭipadā,
Now what is this middle practice, monks,
Tathāgatena abhisambuddhā, cakkhukaraṇī, ñāṇakaraṇī,
that was awakened to by the Realised One, which produces vision, Comm:
upasamāya abhiññāya Sambodhāya Nibbānāya saṁvattati?
and which leads to peace, deep knowledge, Complete Awakening, and Emancipation?
Ayam-eva Ariyo Aṭṭhaṅgiko Maggo, seyyathīdaṁ:
It is this Eightfold Noble Path, as follows:
sammādiṭṭhi
right view
sammāsaṅkappo
right thought
sammāvācā
right speech
sammākammanto
right action
sammā-ājīvo
right livelihood
sammāvāyāmo
right endeavour
sammāsati
right mindfulness
sammāsamādhi.
right concentration. The Eightfold Noble Path is sometimes organised into three sections or groups: virtue (
Ayaṁ kho sā bhikkhave majjhimā paṭipadā,
This is the middle practice, monks,
Tathāgatena abhisambuddhā, cakkhukaraṇī, ñāṇakaraṇī,
that was awakened to by the Realised One, which produces vision, produces knowledge,
upasamāya abhiññāya Sambodhāya Nibbānāya saṁvattati.
and which leads to peace, deep knowledge, Complete Awakening, and Emancipation.
[Cattāri Ariyasaccāni]
[The Four Noble Truths]
Idaṁ kho pana bhikkhave dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ:
Now this, monks, is the noble truth of suffering:
jāti pi dukkhā
birth is suffering
jarā pi dukkhā
also old age is suffering
vyādhi pi dukkho
also sickness is suffering
maraṇam-pi dukkhaṁ
also death is suffering
appiyehi sampayogo dukkho
being joined to what is not dear is suffering
piyehi vippayogo dukkho
being separated from what is dear is suffering
yam-picchaṁ na labhati tam-pi dukkhaṁ
also not to obtain what one longs for is suffering
saṅkhittena pañcupādānakkhandhā dukkhā.
in brief, the five constituent parts (of mind and body) that provide fuel for attachment are suffering.
Idaṁ kho pana bhikkhave dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ:
Now this, monks, is the noble truth of the arising of suffering:
yā yaṁ taṇhā ponobhavikā,
it is that craving which leads to continuation in existence,
nandirāgasahagatā, tatratatrābhinandinī, seyyathīdaṁ:
which is connected with enjoyment and passion, greatly enjoying this and that, as follows:
kāmataṇhā
craving for sense pleasures
bhavataṇhā
craving for continuation
vibhavataṇhā.
craving for discontinuation.
Idaṁ kho pana bhikkhave dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ:
Now this, monks, is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering:
yo tassā yeva taṇhāya asesavirāganirodho -
it is the complete fading away and cessation without remainder of that craving -
cāgo, paṭinissaggo, mutti, anālayo.
liberation, letting go, release, and non-adherence.
Idaṁ kho pana bhikkhave,
Now this, monks,
dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ,
is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of suffering,
ayam-eva Ariyo Aṭṭhaṅgiko Maggo, seyyathīdaṁ:
it is this Eightfold Noble Path, as follows:
sammādiṭṭhi
right view
sammāsaṅkappo
right thought
sammāvācā
right speech
sammākammanto
right action
sammā-ājīvo
right livelihood
sammāvāyāmo
right endeavour
sammāsati
right mindfulness
sammāsamādhi.
right concentration.
[Sacchikiriyā]
[Realisation]
“Idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan”-ti -
“This is the noble truth of suffering” -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ” pariññeyyan-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of suffering” refers (i.e. suffering itself) ought to be fully known The syntax of this section in Pāḷi is very roundabout and not a little awkward. The translation is no better, as to maintain consistency, we have to circumlocute to avoid saying (just below): This noble truth of the arising of suffering ought to be given up, which makes it sound as if the truth ought to be given up, rather than what causes the arising. -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ” pariññātan-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of suffering” refers has been fully known -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
“Idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccan”-ti -
“This is the noble truth of the arising of suffering” -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ” pahātabban-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of the arising of suffering” refers (i.e. craving) ought to be given up -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ ariyasaccaṁ” pahīnan-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of the arising of suffering” refers has been given up,
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
“Idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccan”-ti -
“This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering” -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ” sacchikātabban-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering” refers (i.e. Emancipation) ought to be experienced -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ ariyasaccaṁ” sacchikatan-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering” refers has been experienced -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
“Idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan”-ti -
“This is the noble truth of the practice going to the cessation of suffering” -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ” bhāvetabban-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of suffering” refers (i.e. the practice itself) ought to be developed -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
Taṁ kho pan' “idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccaṁ” bhāvitan-ti -
Now that to which “this is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of suffering” refers has been developed -
me bhikkhave pubbe ananussutesu dhammesu
to me, monks, regarding these previously unheard-of things
cakkhuṁ udapādi, ñāṇaṁ udapādi, paññā udapādi, vijjā udapādi, āloko udapādi.
vision arose, knowledge arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.
[Sambodhipaccaññanaṁ]
[Declaring the Awakening]
Yāva kīvañ-ca me bhikkhave imesu catusu ariyasaccesu
For as long as to me, monks, in regard to these four noble truths
- evaṁ tiparivaṭṭaṁ dvādasākāraṁ -
- turned like this, in three ways, twelvefold -
yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ na suvisuddhaṁ ahosi,
knowledge and insight as it really is was not quite clear,
neva tāvāhaṁ bhikkhave sadevake loke Samārake Sabrahmake,
for that long, monks, I did not declare to the world with its gods, Māra, and Brahmā,
sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya,
to this generation, with its ascetics and brāhmaṇas, princes and men,
anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ Abhisambuddho paccaññāsiṁ.
that I was a Full and Perfect Sambuddha with unsurpassed complete awakening.
Yato ca kho me bhikkhave imesu catusu ariyasaccesu
But when to me, monks, in regard to these four noble truths
- evaṁ tiparivaṭṭaṁ dvādasākāraṁ -
- turned like this, in three ways, twelvefold -
yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇadassanaṁ suvisuddhaṁ ahosi,
knowledge and insight as it really is was quite clear
athāhaṁ bhikkhave sadevake loke Samārake Sabrahmake,
then, monks, I did declare to the world with its gods, Māra, and Brahmā,
sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya,
to this generation, with its ascetics and brāhmaṇas, princes and men,
anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ Abhisambuddho paccaññāsiṁ.
that I was a Full and Perfect Sambuddha with unsurpassed complete awakening.
Ñāṇañ-ca pana me dassanaṁ udapādi:
To me knowledge and insight arose:
Akuppā me cetovimutti
Sure is my liberation of mind
ayam-antimā jāti
this is my last birth
natthi dāni punabbhavo” ti.
now there is no continuation of existence.”
[Paṭhamāpatti]
[The First Attainment]
Idam-avoca Bhagavā,
The Fortunate One said this,
attamanā pañcavaggiyā bhikkhū Bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandun-ti.
and the group-of-five monks were uplifted and greatly rejoiced in what was said by the Fortunate One.
Imasmiñ-ca pana veyyākaraṇasmiṁ bhaññamāne, āyasmato Koṇḍaññassa
Moreover, as this sermon was being given, to the venerable Koṇḍañña
virajaṁ, vītamalaṁ, Dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi:
the dust-free, stainless, Vision-of-the-Dhamma arose: Comm:
“Yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ,
“Whatever has the nature of arising,
sabban-taṁ nirodhadhamman”-ti.
all that has the nature of ceasing.”
[Devabbhanumodanā]
[The Gods Rejoice]
Pavattite ca pana Bhagavatā Dhammacakke
Now when the Dhamma Wheel was set rolling by the Fortunate One
Bhummā devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the Earth gods In the enumeration of the 31 Planes of Existence the
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Bhummānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā
Having heard the cry of the Earth gods
Cātummahārājikā devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the gods called the Four Great Kings let loose a cry:
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Cātummahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā
Having heard the cry of the gods called the Four Great Kings
Tāvatiṁsā devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the Tāvatiṁsa gods let loose a cry:
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Tāvatiṁsānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā
Having heard the cry of the Tāvatiṁsa gods
Yāmā devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the Yāma gods let loose a cry:
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Yāmānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā
Having heard the cry of the Yāma gods
Tusitā devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the Tusita gods let loose a cry:
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Tusitānaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā
Having heard the cry of the Tusita gods
Nimmāṇaratī devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the Nimmāṇarati gods let loose a cry:
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Nimmāṇaratīnaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā
Having heard the cry of the Nimmāṇarati gods
Paranimmitavasavattino devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the Paranimmitavasavatti gods let loose a cry:
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or by a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ saddaṁ sutvā
Having heard the cry of the Paranimmitavasavatti gods
Brahmakāyikā devā saddam-anussāvesuṁ:
the Brahmakāyika gods All the gods so far belong to the Sensual World (
“Etaṁ Bhagavatā Bārāṇasiyaṁ Isipatane Migadāye,
o “Near Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana,
anuttaraṁ Dhammacakkaṁ pavattitaṁ,
the unsurpassed Dhamma Wheel has been set rolling by the Fortunate One,
appativattiyaṁ samaṇena vā brāhmaṇena vā
and it cannot be rolled back by an ascetic or a brāhmaṇa
devena vā Mārena vā Brahmunā vā kenaci vā lokasmin”-ti.
or by a god or by a Māra or by a Brahmā or by anyone in the world.”
Iti ha tena khaṇena tena muhuttena,
Thus at that moment, at that second,
yāva Brahmalokā saddo abbhuggañchi,
that cry reached as far as the Brahmā worlds,
ayañ-ca dasasahassī lokadhātu saṅkampi, sampakampi, sampavedhi,
and this ten-thousand world-element moved, wavered, and shook,
appamāṇo ca uḷāro obhāso loke pātur-ahosi,
and great and measureless light became manifest in the world,
atikkamma devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ.
transcending the godly power of the gods.
Atha kho Bhagavā imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:
Then the Fortunate One uttered this inspired utterance:
“Aññāsi vata bho Koṇḍañño,
“Koṇḍañña surely knows,
aññāsi vata bho Koṇḍañño” ti.
Koṇḍañña surely knows.”
Iti hidaṁ āyasmato Koṇḍaññassa
Thus to the venerable Koṇḍañña
Aññā Koṇḍañño tveva nāmaṁ ahosi.
came the name Aññā Koṇḍañña (Koṇḍañña, he-who-knows).