21. The Miscellaneous Chapter, Pakiṇṇakavagga

21.1 The Story about Ascending the Ganges
Gaṅgārohaṇavatthu

“If, by renouncing a small good,” [30.168] this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Veḷuvana with reference to his own former deed. {3.436}

For once upon a time the city of Vesālī was a city of splendor and magnificence and great wealth; numerous were the folk that dwelt therein, and the streets thereof were thronged with inhabitants; therein resided 7,707 princes of the nobles, who reigned by turns. Each of the 7,707 princes was provided with a separate place of residence; so many palaces were there, so many pinacled halls, and, that each might take his pleasure out of doors, so many parks and pools.

But after a time the supply of food gave out and the crops failed and a famine ensued. As a result of the famine, first the poorer inhabitants died; and when their corpses were cast away here and there, the stench was so great as to attract large numbers of Amanussa. Afflicted by the Amanussa, a yet larger number of the inhabitants died; {3.437} and so offensive was the stench of their corpses that the inhabitants were attacked by intestinal disease. Thus did three dangers arise: the danger of famine, the danger of Amanussa, and the danger of disease.

Thereupon the inhabitants of the city met together and said to the king: “Great king, three dangers have arisen in this city; during the reigns of the past seven kings no such dangers as these have arisen; no such dangers as these have arisen in the past during the reign of any righteous king.” So the king convoked a general assembly in the town-hall and said: “Whether there be any unrighteousness in me, you judge.” Thereupon the inhabitants of Vesālī enquired into [30.169] the past deeds of the king from first to last, and finding no fault in him, said: “Great king, we find no fault in you.”

Then they took counsel together, saying: “By what means can these dangers with which we are afflicted be abated?” Some of them advocated the offering of sacrifice and the saying of prayers and the holding of public festivals, but in spite of all their rites and ceremonies, they were unable to abate the dangers. Others suggested the following plan of action: “There are six teachers possessed of great supernatural power; let them but come here and the dangers will instantly subside.”

Others said: “A Perfect Sambuddha has arisen in the world, for he, the Fortunate One, teaches the Dhamma which avails for the welfare of all living beings, {3.438} and he possesses great psychic power and great supernatural power; if he but come here these dangers will instantly subside.” All applauded the suggestion of these last and said: “Where does this Fortunate Being now dwell?”

Now at this time, since the beginning of the season of the rains was near at hand, the Teacher was in residence at Veḷuvana (in Rājagaha), in fulfillment of the promise which he had given to King Bimbisāra. And at that time a Licchavi prince named Mahāli, who was a member of King Bimbisāra’s company and had attained Stream-entry with King Bimbisāra, was seated in that assembly. Therefore the residents of Vesālī prepared splendid presents and sent the Licchavi prince Mahāli to the king, together with the son of the Brahmin chaplain, saying to them: “Obtain the favor of King Bimbisāra and fetch here the Teacher.” Accordingly the Licchavi prince Mahāli and the son of the Brahmin chaplain went to the king, presented the gifts, made known their errand, and uttered the following request: “Great king, send the Teacher to our city.” But the king, instead of granting their request, said simply: “You are men of intelligence and can of yourselves obtain this favor.”

So they approached the Fortunate One, saluted him, and made the following request of him: “Venerable Sir, three dangers have arisen at Vesālī. If you but go there, they will subside. Come, venerable Sir, let us go there.” The Teacher listened to their request, and pondering within himself, became aware of the following: “So soon as the opening words of the Discourse on the Treasures are recited at Vesālī, the protection it affords will touch hundreds of thousands of millions of worlds. At the conclusion of the Discourse, 84,000 living beings {3.439} will obtain comprehension of the Dhamma and the danger will subside.” So he acceded to their request. [30.170]

When King Bimbisāra heard that the Teacher had consented to visit Vesālī, he caused the news to be proclaimed throughout the city, and approaching the Teacher, asked him: “Venerable Sir, is it true that you have consented to visit Vesālī?” – “Yes, great king,” replied the Teacher. “In that case, venerable Sir,” said the king, “pray wait until I prepare a road for you.” So the king caused the ground from Rājagaha to the Ganges, a distance of five leagues, to be made smooth, erected a rest-house at the end of each league, and when everything was in readiness, sent word to the Teacher that it was time for him to come. The Teacher set out on his journey, accompanied by five hundred bhikkhus.

Each league of the journey the king caused flowers of the five colors to be spread knee-deep, and flags and banners and standards to be set up; he caused two white parasols, a lower and a higher, to be held over the head of the Fortunate One; likewise he caused a white parasol to be held over the head of each bhikkhu. And surrounded by his retinue, he honored the Teacher with flowers and perfumes, and lodged him for one night in each rest-house, bestowing rich offerings upon him.

In five days he conducted him to the bank of the Ganges. So soon as the king reached the bank of the Ganges, he adorned a boat and sent the following message to the inhabitants of Vesālī: “Let them prepare a road and come forth to meet the Teacher.” Thereupon the inhabitants of Vesālī thought: “We will render the Teacher twice the honors rendered by the king.” So between Vesālī and the Ganges, a distance of three leagues, {3.440} they made the ground smooth, and procuring parasols both lesser and greater, they prepared to honor the Teacher with four white parasols, and each of his bhikkhus with two. Having made these preparations, they came forth and stood waiting on the bank of the Ganges.

King Bimbisāra fastened two boats together, erected a pavilion thereon, festooned the pavilion with flowers, and prepared for the Buddha a seat of all kinds of jewels. The Fortunate One seated himself therein, and when the bhikkhus embarked, they too sat down in a circle around him. The king followed the float, descending into the water to his neck. Then he said: “Venerable Sir, until the Fortunate One returns, I shall remain right here on the bank of the Ganges.” So saying, he pushed off the float and turned back. Having voyaged a distance of a league up the river, the Teacher reached the boundary of those living in Vesālī.

The Licchavi princes came forth to meet the Teacher, and entering [30.171] into the water up to their necks, they drew the vessel to the bank and assisted the Teacher to disembark from the vessel. The moment the Teacher disembarked from the vessel and set foot on the ground, a severe storm came up and there was a heavy fall of rain. Everywhere flowed streams of water knee-deep or thigh-deep or waist-deep, and washed all the corpses into the Ganges, so that the whole region round about was cleansed and made pure and sweet. The Licchavi princes lodged the Teacher at intervals of a league along the road, bestowing upon him twice the offerings bestowed upon him by the king. In three days {3.441} they conducted him to Vesālī.

Sakka, the Lord of the Devas, drew near, accompanied by a troop of Devas. With the gathering together of Devas so powerful, the Amanussa fled, for the most part. In the evening the Teacher stood at the gate of the city and addressed the Elder Ānanda as follows: “Ānanda, receive from me this Discourse on the Treasures and recite it as a protection within the three walls of the city Vesālī, making the rounds of the city with the Licchavi princes.” The elder received the Discourse on the Treasures from the lips of the Teacher, took water in the Teacher’s stone bowl, and then went and took his stand at the gate of the city.

Beginning with the aspiration for Buddhahood, and thinking of the Realised One’s ten perfections, ten minor perfections, ten great perfections – altogether thirty perfections – his five great sacrifices, three ways of conduct, descent into the womb for his final existence, birth, great renunciation, life of effort, sitting cross legged at the Bodhi tree, his victory over Māra, penetration and knowledge of omniscience, and his nine supermundane attainments, and after considering all these Buddha qualities, going round the three walls of Vesālī, during the three watches of the night, he recited the Discourse on the Treasures as a protection.

The moment he uttered the word: “Whatever” (Yaṁ kiñci) and threw the water upwards, it fell upon the Amanussa. From that verse on, drops of water resembling tiny balls of silver rose into the air and fell upon the sick men. Straightaway the sickness of those men was cured, and rising to their feet in all quarters, they surrounded the elder. {3.442} So soon as the word: “Whatever” was uttered, the Amanussa who formerly infested such places as heaps of firebrands and piles of sweepings and pinnacles and walls, touched by the drops of water, strove to escape by one door after [30.172] another. Now although there were many thousand doors, there was not room enough for them to escape by the doorways, and therefore they broke down the walls and thus made their escape.

The populace smeared the town-hall which stood in the midst of the city with all the perfumes, and erected overhead a canopy adorned with golden stars and other ornaments, and having prepared a seat for the Buddha, announced to the Teacher that all things were ready. So the Teacher seated himself in the seat prepared for him, and the Saṅgha of bhikkhus and the host of Licchavi princes sat down in a circle about the Teacher, and Sakka, the Lord of the Devas, surrounded by a company of Devas, stood in a suitable place.

The elder went about the entire city, returned with a great multitude whose diseases had been cured, and having worshipped the Teacher, sat down. The Teacher surveyed the company and recited the Discourse on the Treasures once more. At its close, 84,000 living beings had comprehension of the Dhamma. Thus in like manner on the following day and for seven days thereafter he recited the same Discourse. And then, perceiving that all the dangers had been abated, he addressed himself to the host of Licchavi princes, and departed from Vesālī. The Licchavi princes rendered double honors to the Teacher, and again in three days conducted him to the bank of the river Ganges.

The Nāga kings reborn in the Ganges thought to themselves: “Men render honor to the Realised One; shall we not do the same?” {3.443} Accordingly they created boats of gold and silver and precious stones, caused couches to be prepared of gold and silver and precious stones, caused the surface of the river to be covered with lotus flowers of the five colors, and then requested the Teacher to enter their respective boats, saying to him: “Venerable Sir, be favorable to us likewise.” Thereupon Devas one and all, beginning with the Bhummaṭṭhaka Devatās and extending to the Devas of the highest Brahma-world, said to themselves: “Both men and Nāgas are rendering honor to the Realised One; shall we not do the same?” Accordingly Devas one and all did honor to him.

Thereupon Nāgas raised parasol after parasol, each a league in height, and below them other Nāgas did the same. Likewise Bhummaṭṭhaka Devatās dwelling in trees and jungles and mountains, and Devas dwelling in the sky; from the world of the Nāgas to the world of Brahma, the Devas contained within the circle of the universe one and all raised parasol after parasol. Between the parasols were flags, and between the flags were banners, and at intervals were [30.173] marks of hospitality: festoons and perfumes and incense. The Devaputtas adorned with all the adornments, in festive array, soared through the sky making loud acclaim.

Tradition has it that there have been three great assemblies, the assembly on the occasion of the Twin Miracle, the assembly on the occasion of the descent of the Devas, and this assembly on the occasion of the Ascent of the Ganges.

On the other side of the river Bimbisāra, having made ready offerings double those presented by the Licchavi princes, {3.444} stood watching the Fortunate One as he approached.

When the Teacher looked upon the splendid gifts offered by the kings on both sides of the Ganges and perceived the motive which actuated the Nāgas and other Devas, he put forth his psychic power and created in each boat a Nimitta Buddha AJ: a mind-created Buddha. with a retinue of five hundred bhikkhus. Thus did a Buddha sit under each white parasol and under each wishing tree and under each wreath of flowers, surrounded by a host of Nāgas. Likewise in every place among the Bhummaṭṭhaka Devatās, he created by supernatural power a Nimitta Buddha with his proper retinue. Thus there was, as it were, one festival and one holiday within the whole circle of the universe; in gracious condescension, as a favor to the Nāgas, a Buddha embarked in each jeweled boat; and as a favor to the bhikkhus, a Buddha embarked in each jeweled boat.

The Nāga kings escorted the Saṅgha of bhikkhus presided over by the Buddha into the Abode of the Nāgas, and listened all night long to a discourse on the Dhamma delivered by the Teacher, and on the following day served the Saṅgha of bhikkhus presided over by the Buddha with celestial food both hard and soft. After delivering the thanksgiving, the Teacher departed from the abode of the Nāgas, and with five hundred boats crossed the river Ganges, honored by the Devatās of all the universes. The king came forth to meet the Teacher, assisted him to disembark from the boat, and rendering him honor double that bestowed upon him by the Licchavi princes when he arrived, conducted him in the same way as before in five days to Rājagaha. {3.445}

On the following day, after the bhikkhus had returned from their rounds for alms, as they sat together in the evening in the Dhamma Hall, they began the following discussion: “Oh, how great is the supernatural power of the Buddhas! Oh, how firm is the faith of Devas and humans in the Teacher! For a distance of eight leagues along the Ganges, both on this side of the river and on the other side, because of [30.174] their faith in the Buddha, kings rendered smooth the surface of the earth and sprinkled sand, and spread flowers of various kinds knee-deep; through the supernatural power of the Nāgas the surface of the Ganges was covered with lotuses of the five kinds; as far as the highest heaven parasol after parasol was raised aloft; the whole round world was, as it were, uninterrupted decoration and holiday.”

The Teacher drew near and asked them: “Bhikkhus, what is it that you are discussing now as you sit here together?” When they told him, he said: “Bhikkhus, it is not true that honors and offerings have accrued to me through my supernatural power as Buddha, or through the supernatural power of Nāgas and Devas and Brahma; on the contrary it is through the supernatural power of a slight offering I made in a previous state of existence that these honors and offerings have accrued to me.” Thereupon the bhikkhus asked him what he meant; and in response to their request to make the matter plain, he related the following

1a. Story of the Past: The Birth Story about (King) Susīma

Once upon a time, long, long ago, there dwelt at Takkasilā a Brahmin named Saṅkha, and he had a son named Susīma, a youth about sixteen years of age. One day Susīma went to his father and said to him: “My dear father, I wish to go to Bārāṇasī and rehearse the sacred word.” His father said to him: “Very well, my dear son; such and such a Brahmin is a friend of mine; {3.446} go and study under him.” – “Very well,” replied the son, accepting the suggestion. In due course he reached Bārāṇasī, approached that Brahmin, and told him that his father had sent him.

The Brahmin, learning that the youth was the son of his friend, accepted him as a pupil, and so soon as the weariness of the journey had worn off, on an auspicious day, began to make him repeat the sacred word to him. Now the youth learned a great deal in a short time and retained in his memory without loss everything he had learned, even as lion-oil placed in a golden vessel is retained without loss. The result was that in no long time he learned from the lips of his teacher all there was to be learned. He repeated the sacred word accurately and understood the beginning and middle of the teaching he had received, but not the end.

So he approached his teacher and said to him: “I understand only the beginning and middle of this teaching, but not the end.” His [30.175] teacher replied: “My dear pupil, I also do not understand the end.” Then the youth asked his teacher: “But, teacher, who does know the end?” His teacher replied: “My dear pupil, here in Isipatana reside sages who may know; approach them and ask them.”

So the youth approached the Paccekabuddhas and asked them: “Is it true that you know the end of this teaching?” – “Yes, we know.” – “Well then, teach it to me.” – “We will not teach it to anyone who has not gone forth; if you want to know the end, go forth.” {3.447} – “Very well,” replied the youth, consenting, and forthwith went forth in their order. “Just learn this,” said they to the youth, “thus the lower garment is to be put on and thus the upper garment is to be put on.” Thus did they teach him the minor duties.

Remaining there as their pupil and learning all they had to teach him, because he possessed the supporting conditions, he attained in but a short time the enlightenment of a Paccekabuddha. His fame spread throughout the city of Bārāṇasī even as the full moon in the sky, and he received the richest gain and the highest renown. Because the works he wrought were conducive to but a short term of life, he passed into Parinibbāna in but a short time. The Paccekabuddhas and the populace performed the funeral rites over his body, and having so done, gathered up the relics and erected a shrine over them at the gate of the city.

Saṅkha the Brahmin thought to himself: “My son has been gone a long time; I will find out what has become of him.” So, desiring to see his son once more, he departed from Takkasilā and in due course arrived at Bārāṇasī. Seeing a great concourse of people, he thought to himself: “Doubtless some one in this throng will know what has become of my son.”

Accordingly he approached the crowd and asked: “A youth named Susīma came here some time ago; is it possible that you know what has become of him?” – “Yes, Brahmin, we know. He studied the Three Vedas under such and such a Brahmin, went forth, attained the Paccekabuddha Awakening, and passed into Parinibbāna; this shrine which has been erected here is his shrine.”

Thereupon the Brahmin smote the earth with his hand, and weeping {3.448} and lamenting, went to the enclosure about the shrine. He tore up the grass, brought sand in his outer garment and spread it over the enclosure about the shrine, sprinkled the ground with water from his waterpot, scattered wild flowers as a mark of [30.176] respect, spread aloft his robe as a banner, planted his own parasol over the mound, and having so done, departed.

When the Teacher had related this Story of the Past, he said: “At that time, bhikkhus, I was the Brahmin Saṅkha, and it was I who uprooted the grass which grew in the enclosure about the shrine of the Paccekabuddha Susīma. As the fruit of this act of mine, these princes cleared a path eight leagues long of stumps of trees and brambles and made it smooth and even. It was I who spread sand there; and as the fruit of this act of mine, these princes spread sand over a path eight leagues long. It was I who scattered wild flowers there as a mark of respect; and as the fruit of this act of mine, various kinds of flowers were scattered over a path eight leagues long, and the water of the Ganges was covered for a distance of a league with lotuses of the five kinds. It was I who sprinkled the ground with water from my waterpot; and as the fruit of this act of mine, there was a shower of rain in Vesālī. It was I who raised a banner aloft and planted a parasol; and as the fruit of this act of mine, the whole circle of the universe as far as the highest heaven had one mass of flags and banners, with parasol after parasol. Bhikkhus, these offerings and honors did not accrue to me through my supernatural power as Buddha, nor yet through the supernatural power of Nāgas and Devas and Brahmas; on the contrary it was through the supernatural power of a slight offering I made in a previous state of existence.” So saying, he expounded the Dhamma by pronouncing the following verse: {3.449}

290. Mattāsukhapariccāgā, passe ce vipulaṁ sukhaṁ,
caje mattāsukhaṁ dhīro, sampassaṁ vipulaṁ sukhaṁ.

If, by renouncing a small good,
one might see a good that is large,
the wise should renounce that small good,
seeing the good that is larger.

At the end of the teaching many reached the fruition of Stream-entry and so on.