5: Dhotakamāṇavapucchā
The Young Man Dhotaka’s Questions
“Pucchāmi taṁ Bhagavā brūhi me taṁ, icc-āyasmā Dhotako,
“I ask you, Fortunate One, please tell this to me, said venerable Dhotaka,
vācābhikaṅkhāmi Mahesi tuyhaṁ,
I am waiting for a word of yours, Great Seer,
tava sutvāna nigghosaṁ sikkhe Nibbānam-attano.” [86 (1061) 5-1]
having heard your utterance I could train for my own Nibbāna.”
“Tena h' ātappaṁ karohi, Dhotakā ti Bhagavā,
“Then you must become ardent, Dhotaka said the Fortunate One,
idh' eva nipako sato,
being prudent and mindful right here,
ito sutvāna nigghosaṁ, sikkhe Nibbānam-attano.” [87 (1062) 5-2]
henceforth, after hearing this utterance you should train for your own Nibbāna.”
“Passām' ahaṁ devamanussaloke, icc-āyasmā Dhotako,
“I see in the world with its gods and men, said venerable Dhotaka,
akiñcanaṁ brāhmaṇam-iriyamānaṁ,
a brahmin who moves about having nothing,
taṁ taṁ namassāmi Samantacakkhu,
therefore I revere you, All-Seeing Visionary,
pamuñca maṁ Sakka kathaṅkathāhi.” [88 (1063) 5-3]
O Sakyan, please free me from my doubts.”
“Nāhaṁ sahissāmi pamocanāya,
“I will not be able to free
kathaṅkathiṁ Dhotaka kañci loke,
anyone in the world who is having doubts,Confidence (
dhammañ-ca seṭṭhaṁ ājānamāno,
but knowing (Nibbāna), the best thing,
evaṁ tuvaṁ ogham-imaṁ taresi.” [89 (1064) 5-4]
in this way you can cross over the flood.”
“Anusāsa brahme karuṇāyamāno, icc-āyasmā Dhotako,
“Brahmin! Being compassionate teach, said venerable Dhotaka,
vivekadhammaṁ yam-ahaṁ vijaññaṁ,
the state of detachment that I should know,
yathā 'ham-ākāso va abyāpajjamāno,
then I, being undisturbed, just like the sky,
idh' eva santo asito careyyaṁ.” [90 (1065) 5-5]
may live peaceful and independent right here.”
“Kittiyissāmi te santiṁ, Dhotakā ti Bhagavā,
“I shall proclaim the peace to you, Dhotaka, said the Fortunate One,
diṭṭhe dhamme anītihaṁ,
which is not hearsay here in the world,
yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, tare loke visattikaṁ.” [91 (1066) 5-6]
which, having understood, and living mindfully, one can cross over clinging to the world.”
“Tañ-cāhaṁ abhinandāmi Mahesi santim-uttamaṁ
“I greatly rejoice in that supreme peace, Great Seer,
yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, tare loke visattikaṁ.” [92 (1067) 5-7]
which, having understood, and living mindfully, one can cross over clinging to the world.”
“Yaṁ kiñci sampajānāsi, Dhotakā ti Bhagavā,
“Whatever you know, Dhotaka, said the Fortunate One,
uddhaṁ adho tiriyañ-cāpi majjhe,
above, below, and across the middle,
etaṁ viditvā ‘saṅgo’ ti loke,
having understood this is called a shackle in the world,
bhavābhavāya mākāsi taṇhan”-ti. [93 (1068) 5-8]
you must not have craving for repeated existence.”
Dhotakamāṇavapucchā niṭṭhitā
The Young Man Dhotaka’s Questions are Finished