Chapter XV:
Parables from the Medium-Length Discourses on
the Fruit of Good and Evil Deeds
193-197. Four Courses of Conduct
Majjhima i. 313-317.
[280] On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed the monks as follows:
Four in number are the Courses of Conduct.
What are the Four?
There is a Course of Conduct which gives pain now and ripens in pain hereafter.
There is a Course of Conduct which gives pleasure now and ripens in pain hereafter.
There is a Course of Conduct which gives pain now and ripens in pleasure hereafter.
There is a Course of Conduct which gives pleasure now and ripens in pleasure hereafter.
Pain now and pain hereafter.
Here in this world many a man, with pain, with grief, is a murderer, a thief, a fornicator and adulterer, a liar, a backbiter, a calumniator, a trifler, covetous, malevolent of spirit, a holder of false views. Because of this, he experiences pain and grief. Such a man, upon dissolution of the body, after death, is reborn in a state of loss, in a state of suffering, in a state of punishment, in hell. This is what is meant by the Course of Conduct which gives pain now and ripens in pain hereafter.
Pleasure now and pain hereafter.
Here in this world many a man, with pleasure, with satisfaction, is a murderer, a thief, a fornicator and adulterer, a liar, a backbiter, a calumniator, a trifler, covetous, malevolent of spirit, a holder of false views. Because of this, he experiences pleasure and satisfaction. Such a man, upon dissolution of the body, after death, is reborn in a state of loss, in a state of suffering, in a state of punishment, in hell. This is what is meant by the Course of Conduct which gives pleasure now and ripens in pain hereafter. [281]
Pain now and pleasure hereafter.
Here in this world many a man, with pain, with grief, refrains from murder, theft, fornication and adultery, lying, backbiting, calumny, trifling, covetousness, malevolence of spirit, and is a holder of orthodox views. Because of this, he experiences pain and grief. Such a man, upon dissolution of the body, after death, is reborn in a state of bliss, in heaven. This is what is meant by the Course of Conduct which gives pain now and ripens in pleasure hereafter.
Pleasure now and pleasure hereafter.
Here in this world many a man, with pleasure, with satisfaction, refrains from murder, theft, fornication and adultery, lying, backbiting, calumny, trifling, covetousness, malevolence of spirit, and is a holder of orthodox views. Because of this, he experiences pleasure and satisfaction. Such a man, upon dissolution of the body, after death, is reborn in a state of bliss, in heaven. This is what is meant by the Course of Conduct which gives pleasure now and ripens in pleasure hereafter.
These, monks, are the Four Courses of Conduct.
193. Poisoned Calabash
It is precisely as if there were a bitter calabash mingled with poison, and a man were to approach, – desiring to live, not desiring to die, – desiring pleasure, averse to pain, – and they were to say to that man: “Ho, fellow! here is a bitter calabash mingled with poison! if you wish, drink! But if you drink, it will not please you, either with color or with odor or with flavor. Moreover, by drinking, you will incur either death or mortal pain.” He would drink it without reflecting; he would not refuse. But when he drank it, it would not please him, either with color or with odor or with flavor. Moreover, by drinking, he would incur either death or mortal pain.
This, I say, is a parable of the First Course of Conduct; namely, the Course of Conduct which gives pain now and ripens in pain hereafter.
194. Poisoned Cup
It is precisely as if there were a cup of water, possessing color, possessing odor, possessing flavor, and it were mingled with poison, and a man were to approach, – desiring to live, not desiring to die, – desiring pleasure, averse to pain, – and they were to say to [282] that man: “Ho, fellow! here is a cup of water, possessing color, possessing odor, possessing flavor, and it is mingled with poison. If you wish, drink! For if you drink, it will please you, both with color and with odor and with flavor. But by drinking, you will incur either death or mortal pain.” He would drink it without reflecting; he would not refuse. For when he drank it, it would please him, both with color and with odor and with flavor. But by drinking, he would incur either death or mortal pain.
This, I say, is a parable of the Second Course of Conduct; namely, the Course of Conduct which gives pleasure now and ripens in pain hereafter.
195. Foul-Tasting Medicine
It is precisely as if there were some stale urine mingled with various medicaments, and a man suffering from jaundice were to approach, and they were to say to him: “Ho, fellow! here is some stale urine mingled with various medicaments! if you wish, drink! For if you drink, it will not please you, either with color or with odor or with flavor; but by drinking, you will recover your health.” He would drink it without reflecting; he would not refuse. For when he drank it, it would not please him, either with color or with odor or with flavor; but by drinking, he would recover his health.
This, I say, is a parable of the Third Course of Conduct; namely, the Course of Conduct which gives pain now and ripens in pleasure hereafter.
196. Curds and Honey and Ghee and Jaggery
It is precisely as if there were some curds and honey and ghee and jaggery, mingled together, and a man suffering from dysentery were to approach, and they were to say to him: “Ho, fellow! here are curds and honey and ghee and jaggery, mingled together! if you wish, drink! If you drink, it will please you, both with color and with odor and with flavor. Moreover, by drinking, you will recover your health.” He would drink it without reflecting; he would not refuse. When he drank, it would please him, both with color and with odor and with flavor. Moreover, by drinking, he would recover his health. [283]
This, I say, is a parable of the Fourth Course of Conduct; namely, the Course of Conduct which gives pleasure now and ripens in pleasure hereafter.
197. Even as the Sun, so shines Righteousness
Just as when, in the last of the rainy months, in the autumn time, the sun pierces the clouds and drives away the thunder-heads, and smites and overwhelms every mist of the air and every mist of the darkness, and beams and gleams and shines out, so also this Fourth Course of Conduct, which gives pleasure now and ripens in pleasure hereafter, smites all the perverse contentions of unconverted monks and Brahmans, and beams and gleams and shines out.
Thus spoke the Exalted One. Delighted in heart, those monks applauded the utterances of the Exalted One.
198-203. Five Future States
Majjhima i. 73-77.
On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed Venerable Sāriputta as follows:
Five in number are the Future States.
What are the Five?
Hell, the Animal Kingdom, the Region of the Fathers, the World of Men, the Worlds of the Gods.
Hell I know, and the road which leads to hell, and the path which leads to hell, and the path which if a man enter upon, he is reborn, upon dissolution of the body, after death, in a state of loss, in a state of suffering, in a state of punishment, in hell, – that too I know.
The animal kingdom I know, and the road which leads to the animal kingdom, and the path which leads to the animal kingdom, and the path which if a man enter upon, he is reborn, upon dissolution of the body, after death, in the animal kingdom, – that too I know.
The region of the fathers I know, and the road which leads to the region of the fathers, and the path which leads to the region of the fathers, and the path which if a man enter upon, he is reborn, upon dissolution of the body, after death, in the region of the fathers, – that too I know.
The world of men I know, and also the road which leads to the world of men, and the path which leads to the world of men, and the path which if a man enter upon, he is reborn, upon dissolution of the body, after death, in the world of men, – that too I know. [284]
The worlds of the gods I know, and the road which leads to the worlds of the gods, and the path which leads to the worlds of the gods, and the path which if a man enter upon, he is reborn, upon dissolution of the body, after death, in a state of bliss, in a heavenly world, – that too I know.
Nibbāna too I know, and the road which leads to Nibbāna, and the path which leads to Nibbāna, and the path which if a man enter upon, he dwells, through destruction of the Contaminations, even in this present world, having himself comprehended, realized, entered upon, freedom from the Contaminations, deliverance of the mind, deliverance of the understanding, – that too I know.
Hell.
Here in this world, I, embracing mind with mind, with reference to many a man, perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that upon dissolution of the body, after death, he will be reborn in a state of loss, in a state of suffering, in a state of punishment, in hell. And that very man I behold, after a time, with the Heavenly Eye, purified, transcending that of man, upon dissolution of the body, after death, reborn in a state of loss, in a state of suffering, in a state of punishment, in hell, experiencing sharp, bitter sensations of utter pain.
198. Pit of Red-Hot Coals
It is precisely as if there were a pit of red-hot coals, in depth exceeding a man’s height, full of red-hot coals, free from flames, free from smoke; and as if a man were to approach, overheated by the heat, overcome by the heat, weary, trembling, thirsty, and were to make a straight course for that very pit of red-hot coals; and as if a man with eyes were to see that man and were to say: “Such a path has this good man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will find himself in that very pit of red-hot coals;” and as if he were to behold that very man, after a time, fallen into that pit of red-hot coals, experiencing sharp, bitter sensations of utter pain.
Precisely so I, here in this world, embracing mind with mind, with reference to many a man, perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that upon dissolution of the body, after death, he will be reborn in a state of loss, in a state of suffering, in a state of punishment, in hell. And that very man I behold, after a time, with the Heavenly Eye, purified, transcending that of man, upon dissolution of the body, after [285] death, reborn in a state of loss, in a state of suffering, in a state of punishment, in hell, experiencing sharp, bitter sensations of utter pain.
Animal kingdom.
Here in this world, moreover, I... perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon... that... he will be reborn in the animal kingdom. And that very man I behold... reborn in the animal kingdom, experiencing sharp, bitter sensations of pain.
199. Dung-Pit
It is precisely as if there were a dung-pit, in depth exceeding a man’s height, full of dung; and as if a man were to approach, overheated by the heat, overcome by the heat, weary, trembling, thirsty, and were to make a straight course for that very dung pit; and as if a man with eyes were to see that man and were to say: “Such a path has this good man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will find himself in that very dung-pit;” and as if he were to behold that very man, after a time, fallen into that dung-pit, experiencing sharp, bitter sensations of pain.
Precisely so I... perceive... and behold...
Region of the fathers.
Here in this world, moreover, I... perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon... that... he will be reborn in the region of the fathers. And that very man I behold... reborn in the region of the fathers, experiencing sensations abounding in pain.
200. Tree with Scanty Shade
It is precisely as if, on a piece of poor soil, there grew a tree with sparse leaves and foliage, with scanty shade; and as if a man were to approach, overheated by the heat, overcome by the heat, weary, trembling, thirsty, and were to make a straight course for that very tree; and as if a man with eyes were to see that man and were to say: “Such a path has this good man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will come to that very tree;” and as if he were to behold that very man, after a time, [286] sitting or lying in the shade of that tree, experiencing sensations abounding in pain.
Precisely so I... perceive... and behold...
World of men.
Here in this world, moreover, I... perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon... that... he will be reborn in the world of men. And that very man I behold... reborn in the world of men, experiencing sensations abounding in pleasure.
201. Tree with Ample Shade
It is precisely as if, on a piece of good soil, there grew a tree with thick leaves and foliage, with ample shade; and as if a man were to approach, overheated by the heat, overcome by the heat, weary, trembling, thirsty, and were to make a straight course for that very tree; and as if a man with eyes were to see that man and were to say: “Such a path has this good man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will come to that very tree;” and as if he were to behold that very man, after a time, sitting or lying in the shade of that tree, experiencing sensations abounding in pleasure.
Precisely so I... perceive... and behold...
Worlds of the Gods.
Here in this world, moreover, I... perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon... that... he will be reborn in a state of bliss, in a heavenly world. And that very man I behold... reborn in a state of bliss, in a heavenly world, experiencing sensations of perfect happiness.
202. Palace
It is precisely as if there were a palace, and in the palace there were a pavilion with bell-shaped pinnacle, plastered within and without, sheltered from the wind, the door-bolts driven home, the windows closed, and in the pavilion there were a couch spread with coverlets, some with long fleeces, some pure white, some woven thickly with flowers, with coverings of the choicest antelope-skins, [287] with a canopy overhead, with red cushions at both ends; and as if a man were to approach, overheated by the heat, overcome by the heat, weary, trembling, thirsty, and were to make a straight course for that very palace; and as if a man with eyes were to see that man and were to say: “Such a path has this good man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will come to that very palace;” and as if he were to behold that very man, after a time, in that palace, in that pavilion, sitting or lying on that couch, experiencing sensations of perfect happiness.
Precisely so I... perceive... and behold...
Nibbāna.
Here in this world, I, embracing mind with mind, with reference to many a man, perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will dwell, through destruction of the Contaminations, even in this present world, having himself comprehended, realized, entered upon, freedom from the Contaminations, deliverance of the mind, deliverance of the understanding. And that very man I behold, after a time, dwelling, through destruction of the Contaminations, even in this present world, having himself comprehended, realized, entered upon, freedom from the Contaminations, deliverance of the mind, deliverance of the understanding, – experiencing sensations of perfect happiness.
203. Lotus-Pond
It is precisely as if there were a lotus-pond, with clear water, with pleasant water, with cool water, transparent, easy of access, full of charm, – and not far off there were a deep forest-grove; and as if a man were to approach, overheated by the heat, overcome by the heat, weary, trembling, thirsty, and were to make a straight course for that very lotus-pond; and as if a man with eyes were to see that man and were to say: “Such a path has this good man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will come to that very lotus-pond;” and as if he were to behold that very man, after a time, after plunging into that lotus pond, after bathing and drinking, having quieted, having overcome, all oppression and weariness and burning, sitting or lying in that forest-grove, experiencing sensations of perfect happiness. [288]
Precisely so I, here in this world, embracing mind with mind, with reference to many a man, perceive as follows: Such a path has this man entered upon, and so does he walk, and such a road has he taken, that he will dwell, through destruction of the Contaminations, even in this present world, having himself comprehended, realized, entered upon, freedom from the Contaminations, deliverance of the mind, deliverance of the understanding. And that very man I behold, after a time, dwelling, through destruction of the Contaminations, even in this present world, having himself comprehended, realized, entered upon, freedom from the Contaminations, deliverance of the mind, deliverance of the understanding, – experiencing sensations of perfect happiness.
These, verily, are the Five Future States.