The Discourse about Cunda

ekaṁ samayaṁ Bhagavā Mallesu cārikaṁ caramāno
at one time the Fortunate One was walking on walking tour amongst the Mallas

mahatā Bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ, yena Pāvā tad-avasari.
with a great Community of monks, and arrived at Pāva.

Tatra sudaṁ Bhagavā Pāvāyaṁ viharati,
There the Fortunate One dwelt near Pāva,

Cundassa kammāraputtassa Note that - putta - is pleonastic here, and doesn't need translating as kammāraputta = kammāra; see PED, s.v. putta — 2. Otherwise we could take it as a surname, and write Cunda Kammāraputta ; or translate it and write Cunda Smithson. ambavane.
in Cunda the smith’s mango wood.

“Bhagavā kira Mallesu cārikaṁ caramāno
“The Fortunate One, it seems, is walking on walking tour amongst the Mallas

mahatā Bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ, Pāvaṁ anuppatto,
with a great Community of monks, and has arrived at Pāva,

Pāvāyaṁ viharati mayhaṁ ambavane” ti.
and is dwelling near Pāva, in my mango wood.”

Atha kho Cundo kammāraputto yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkami,
Then Cunda the smith went to the Fortunate One,

upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā, ekamantaṁ nisīdi.
and after going and worshipping the Fortunate One, he sat down on one side.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho Cundaṁ kammāraputtaṁ Bhagavā
While Cunda the smith sat on one side the Fortunate One

Dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi.
instructed, roused, enthused, and cheered him with a Dhamma talk.

Atha kho Cundo kammāraputto Bhagavatā,
^o Then Cunda the smith, having been instructed,

Dhammiyā kathāya sandassito samādapito samuttejito sampahaṁsito,
roused, enthused, and cheered by the Fortunate One with a Dhamma talk,

“Adhivāsetu me bhante Bhagavā
“May the Fortunate One consent, reverend Sir, to me

svātanāya bhattaṁ saddhiṁ Bhikkhusaṅghenā” ti.
(offering him) a meal on the morrow, together with the Community of monks.”

Adivāsesi Bhagavā tunhībhāvena.
The Fortunate One consented by maintaining silence.

Atha kho Cundo kammāraputto Bhagavato adhivāsanaṁ viditvā,
Then Cunda the smith, having understood the Fortunate One’s consent,

uṭṭhāyāsanā, Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā, pakkāmi.
after rising from his seat, worshipping and circumambulating the Fortunate One, went away.

Atha kho Cundo kammāraputto tassā rattiyā accayena,
Then with the passing of that night, Cunda the smith,

sake nivesane paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyādāpetvā,
in his own residence, having had excellent comestibles and edibles made ready,

Bhagavato kālaṁ ārocāpesi: “Kālo bhante niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”-ti.
had the time announced to the Fortunate One, (saying): “It is time, reverend Sir, the meal is ready.”

Atha kho Bhagavā, pubbanhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā,
Then the Fortunate One, having dressed in the morning time,

pattacīvaram-ādāya, saddhiṁ Bhikkhusaṅghena,
after picking up his bowl and robe, together with the Community of monks,

yena Cundassa kammāraputtassa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami,
went to Cunda the smith’s residence,

upasaṅkamitvā, paññatte āsane nisīdi.
and after going, he sat down on the prepared seat.

Nisajja kho Bhagavā Cundaṁ kammāraputtaṁ āmantesi:
Having sat down the Fortunate One addressed Cunda the smith, (saying):

“Yaṁ te Cunda sūkaramaddavaṁ paṭiyattaṁ tena maṁ parivisa,
“Serve me with the tender pork you have prepared, Cunda,

yaṁ panaññaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyattaṁ
^o but serve the Community of monks with the other comestibles and edibles

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho Cundo kammāraputto Bhagavantaṁ paṭissutvā,
“Yes, reverend Sir”, said Cunda the smith, and after replying to the Fortunate One,

yaṁ ahosi sūkaramaddavaṁ paṭiyattaṁ, tena Bhagavantaṁ parivisi,
he served the Fortunate One with the tender pork that had been prepared,

yaṁ panaññaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyattaṁ
but served the Community of monks with the other comestibles and edibles

Atha kho Bhagavā Cundaṁ kammāraputtaṁ āmantesi:
Then the Fortunate One addressed Cunda the smith, (saying):

“Yaṁ te Cunda sūkaramaddavaṁ avasiṭṭhaṁ taṁ sobbhe nikhaṇāhi,
“Throw that left over tender pork into a pit, Cunda,

sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake,
in the world with its devas, Māra, and Brahmā,

sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya,
in this generation with its ascetics and brāhmaṇas, princes and men,

yassa taṁ paribhuttaṁ sammā pariṇāmaṁ gaccheyya,
one who, having eaten it, could completely digest it,

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho Cundo kammāraputto Bhagavato paṭissutvā,
“Yes, reverend Sir”, said Cunda the smith, and after replying to the Fortunate One,

yaṁ ahosi sūkaramaddavaṁ avasiṭṭhaṁ taṁ sobbhe nikhaṇitvā,
and throwing what was left over of that tender pork into a pit,

upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā, ekamantaṁ nisīdi.
and after going and worshipping the Fortunate One, he sat down on one side.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho Cundaṁ kammāraputtaṁ Bhagavā,
^o While sat on one side the Fortunate One,

Dhammiyā kathāya sandassetvā samādapetvā
^o after instructing, rousing, enthusing, and cheering

samuttejetvā sampahaṁsetvā, uṭṭhāyāsanā, pakkāmi.
Cunda the smith with a Dhamma talk, having risen from the seat, went away.

Atha kho Bhagavato, Cundassa kammāraputtassa bhattaṁ bhuttāvissa,
Then for the Fortunate One, after eating Cunda the smith’s food,

kharo ābādho uppajji, lohitapakkhandikā,
a painful affliction arose, dysentery,

bāḷhā vedanā vattanti maraṇantikā.
and strong feelings occurred, such as end in death.

Tatra sudaṁ Bhagavā sato sampajāno adhivāsesi avihaññamāno.
There the Fortunate One, mindfully, with full awareness, bore (those pains) without being troubled.

Atha kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
Then the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Āyām' Ānanda yena Kusinārā tenupasaṅkamissāmā” ti.
“Come, Ānanda, let us go to Kusināra.”

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavato paccassosi.
“Yes, reverend Sir”, venerable Ānanda replied to the Fortunate One.

Bhuttassa ca sūkaramaddavena,
^o For the Teacher, who had eaten tender pork,

Byādhippabāḷho udapādi Satthuno.
A very strong sickness arose.

Viriccamāno Bhagavā avoca:
While (still) purging the Fortunate One said:

‘Gacchāmahaṁ Kusināraṁ nagaran’ ”-ti.
‘I (will) go to the city of Kusināra.’ ”

Atha kho Bhagavā maggā okkamma
Then the Fortunate One, having gone down from the road,

yenaññataraṁ rukkhamūlaṁ tenupasaṅkami,
went to the root of a certain tree,

upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
and after going, he addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Iṅgha me tvaṁ Ānanda catugguṇaṁ saṅghāṭiṁ paññāpehi,
“Come now, Ānanda, prepare the outer robe folded in four for me,

kilantosmi Ānanda nisīdissāmī” ti.
I am weary, Ānanda, and will sit down.”

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavato paṭissutvā,
“Yes, reverend Sir”, said venerable Ānanda, and after replying to the Fortunate One,

catuggunaṁ saṅghāṭiṁ paññāpesi, nisīdi Bhagavā paññatte āsane.
he prepared the outer robe folded in four, and the Fortunate One sat down on the prepared seat.

Nisajja kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
While sat the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Iṅgha me tvaṁ Ānanda pānīyaṁ āhara,
“Come now, Ānanda, bring drinking water,

pipāsitosmi Ānanda pivissāmī” ti.
I am thirsty, Ānanda, and will drink.”

Evaṁ vutte, āyasmā Ānando Bhagavantaṁ etad-avoca:
After that was said, venerable Ānanda said this to the Fortunate One:

“Idāni bhante pañcamattāni sakaṭasatāni atikkantāni,
“Just now, reverend Sir, five hundred wagons have passed by,

taṁ cakkacchinnaṁ udakaṁ parittaṁ luḷitaṁ āvilaṁ sandati.
and the little water that flows, having been churned by the wheels, is stirred up and disturbed.

Ayaṁ bhante Kukutthā nadī avidūre,
The Kukutthā river is not far away,

acchodakā sātodakā sītodakā setodakā supatitthā ramaṇīyā,
with transparent water, agreeable water, cool water, pure water, with beautiful banks, a delightful (place),

ettha Bhagavā pānīyañ-ca pivissati gattāni ca sītaṁ karissatī” ti.
there the Fortunate One can drink drinking water, and can cool his limbs.”

Dutiyam-pi kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
For a second time the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Iṅgha me tvaṁ Ānanda pānīyaṁ āhara,
“Come now, Ānanda, bring drinking water,

pipāsitosmi Ānanda pivissāmī” ti.
I am thirsty, Ānanda, and will drink.”

Dutiyam-pi kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavantaṁ etad-avoca:
For a second time venerable Ānanda said this to the Fortunate One:

“Idāni bhante pañcamattāni sakaṭasatāni atikkantāni,
“Just now, reverend Sir, five hundred wagons have passed by,

taṁ cakkacchinnaṁ udakaṁ parittaṁ luḷitaṁ āvulaṁ sandati.
and the little water that flows, having been churned by the wheels, is stirred up and disturbed.

Ayaṁ bhante kukutthā nadī avidūre,
The Kukutthā river is not far away,

acchodakā sātodakā sītodakā setodakā supatitthā ramaṇīyā,
with transparent water, agreeable water, cool water, pure water, with beautiful banks, a delightful (place),

ettha Bhagavā pānīyañ-ca pivissati gattāni ca sītaṁ karissatī” ti.
there the Fortunate One can drink drinking water, and can cool his limbs.”

Tatiyam-pi kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
For a third time the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

“Iṅgha me tvaṁ Ānanda pānīyaṁ āhara,
“Come now, Ānanda, bring drinking water,

pipāsitosmi Ānanda pivissāmī” ti.
I am thirsty, Ānanda, and will drink.”

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho āyasmā Ānando Bhagavato paṭissutvā
“Yes, reverend Sir”, said venerable Ānanda, and after replying to the Fortunate One,

pattaṁ gahetvā, yena sā nadī tenupasaṅkami.
and taking the bowl, he went to the river.

Atha kho sā nadī cakkacchinnā parittā luḷitā āvilā sandamānā,
Then that little river that was flowing, which had been churned by the wheels, and was stirred up and disturbed,

āyasmante Ānande upasaṅkamante, acchā vippasannā anāvilā sandati.
as venerable Ānanda was going, flowed transparent, clear, and undisturbed.

Atha kho āyasmato Ānandassa etad-ahosi:
Then it occurred to venerable Ānanda:

“Acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho,
“Surely it is wonderful, surely it is marvellous,

Tathāgatassa mahiddhikatā mahānubhāvatā,
the Realised One’s great power and great majesty,

ayañ-hi sā nadī cakkacchinnā parittā luḷitā āvilā sandamānā,
in that that little river that is flowing, which has been churned by wheels, and is stirred up and disturbed,

mayi upasaṅkamante, acchā vippasannā anāvilā sandatī” ti.
as I was going, flowed transparent, clear, and undisturbed.”

Pattena pānīyaṁ ādāya yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkami,
After taking a bowl of drinking water he went to the Fortunate One,

upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ etad-avoca:
and after going, he said this to the Fortunate One:

“Acchariyaṁ bhante, abbhutaṁ bhante,
“It is wonderful, reverend Sir, it is marvellous, reverend Sir,

Tathāgatassa mahiddhikatā mahānubhāvatā,
the Realised One’s great power and great majesty,

ayañ-hi sā bhante nadī cakkacchinnā parittā luḷitā āvilā sandamānā,
in that that little river that is flowing, which has been churned by wheels, and is stirred up and disturbed,

mayi upasaṅkamante, acchā vippasannā anāvilā sandati.
as I was going, flowed transparent, clear, and undisturbed.

Pivatu Bhagavā pānīyaṁ! Pivatu Sugato pānīyan!”-ti.
Please drink the drinking water, Fortunate One! Please drink the drinking water, Happy One!”

Atha kho Bhagavā pānīyaṁ apāsi.
Then the Fortunate One drank the drinking water.

Atha kho Bhagavā mahatā Bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ
Then the Fortunate One with a great Community of monks

upasaṅkamitvā, Kukutthaṁ nadiṁ ajjhogāhetvā,
and after going, and entering into the river Kukutthā,

nahātvā ca pivitvā ca paccuttaritvā yena ambavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami,
bathing, and drinking, and coming back out, went to the mango wood,

upasaṅkamitvā, āyasmantaṁ Cundakaṁ āmantesi:
and after going, he addressed venerable Cundaka, (saying):

“Iṅgha me tvaṁ Cundaka catugguṇaṁ saṅghāṭiṁ paññāpehi,
“Come now, Cundaka, prepare the outer robe folded in four for me,

kilantosmi Cundaka nipajjissāmī” ti.
I am weary, Cundaka, and will lie down.”

“Evaṁ bhante,” ti kho āyasmā Cundako Bhagavato paṭissutvā,
“Yes, reverend Sir”, said venerable Cundaka, and after replying to the Fortunate One,

catugguṇaṁ saṅghāṭiṁ paññāpesi.
he prepared the outer robe folded in four.

Atha kho Bhagavā dakkhiṇena passena sīhaseyyaṁ kappesi,
Then the Fortunate One lay down on his right side in the lion’s posture,

pāde pādaṁ accādhāya sato sampajāno uṭṭhānasaññaṁ manasikaritvā.
after placing one foot on the top of the other, mindfully, with full awareness, having applied his mind to the thought of rising.

Āyasmā pana Cundako tattheva Bhagavato purato nisīdi.
And venerable Cundaka sat down right there in front of the Fortunate One.

“Gantvāna Buddho nadikaṁ Kukutthaṁ,
“The Awakened One, having gone to the little river Kukutthā,

Acchodakaṁ sātodakaṁ vippasannaṁ,
Which had water that was transparent, pleasant, and clear,

Ogāhi Satthā sukilantarūpo,
The Teacher, very weary, entered (the river),

Tathāgato appaṭimodha loke.
the Realised One, who is unmatched here in the world.

Nahātvā ca pītvā cudatāri Satthā
After washing and drinking, the Teacher came out,

Purekkhato bhikkhugaṇassa majjhe,
And in the middle of the group of monks, at the front,

Satthā pavattā Bhagavādha Dhamme,
The Teacher, the Fortunate One, having taught the Dhamma here,

Upāgami ambavanaṁ Mahesi.
The Great Sage went to the mango wood.

Āmantayi Cundakaṁ nāma bhikkhuṁ:
He addressed the monk called Cundaka, (saying):

“Catugguṇaṁ patthara me nipajjaṁ,” The syntax here is very awkward, nipajjaṁ is apparently a present participle qualifying an unexpressed saṅghātiṁ.
“Spread out the lying (robe) folded in four for me,”

So codito Bhāvitattena Cundo,
Cunda, urged by the One with Developed Mind,

Catugguṇaṁ patthari khippam-eva.
Very quickly spread (the robe) folded in four.

Nipajji Satthā sukilantarūpo,
The Teacher, very weary, lay down,

Cundo pi tattha pamukhe nisīdī” ti.
With Cunda sat right there at the front.”

Atha kho Bhagavā āyasmantaṁ Ānandaṁ āmantesi:
Then the Fortunate One addressed venerable Ānanda, (saying):

Cundassa kammāraputtassa koci vippaṭisāraṁ upadaheyya:
that someone might cause remorse for the smith Cunda, (saying):

‘Tassa te āvuso Cunda alābhā, tassa te āvuso Cunda dulladdhaṁ,
‘There is no gain for you, friend Cunda, it is a poor gain for you, friend Cunda,

yassa te Tathāgato pacchimaṁ piṇḍapātaṁ bhuñjitvā parinibbuto’ ti.
in that the Realised One, after eating his last almsfood from you, attained Complete Emancipation.’

Cundassa Ānanda kammāraputtassa evaṁ vippaṭisāro paṭivinodetabbo:
(If) there is remorse for Cunda the smith, Ānanda, drive it out in this way, (saying):

‘Tassa te āvuso Cunda lābhaṁ, tassa te āvuso Cunda suladdhaṁ,
‘There is a gain for you, friend Cunda, it is a good gain for you, friend Cunda,

yassa te Tathāgato pacchimaṁ piṇḍapātaṁ bhuñjitvā parinibbuto.
in that the Realised One, after eating his last almsfood from you, attained Complete Emancipation.

Sammukhā metaṁ āvuso Cunda Bhagavato sutaṁ,
I heard this face to face with the Fortunate One, friend Cunda,

“Dveme piṇḍapātā samasamaphalā samasamavipākā,
“There are these two almsfoods which have the same fruit, have the same result,

ativiya aññehi piṇḍapātehi Ablative of comparison. mahapphalatarā ca mahānisaṁsatarā ca.
that is a greater fruit, a greater result than other almsfood.

Yañ-ca piṇḍapātaṁ bhuñjitvā, Tathāgato
That almsfood which, after eating, the Realised One

anuttaraṁ Sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambujjhati;
awakens to the unsurpassed Complete Awakening;

yañ-ca piṇḍapātaṁ bhuñjitvā, Tathāgato
and that almsfood which, after eating, the Realised One

anupādisesāya Nibbānadhātuyā Parinibbāyati. Note that in these constructions with the passive verb, the nominative (Tathāgato) expresses the logical object of the verb (see Syntax § 19).
attains Complete Emancipation in the Emancipation-element which has no basis for attachment remaining.

Ime dve piṇḍapātā samasamaphalā samasamavipākā ativiya
These are the two almsfoods which have the same excellent fruit, have the same excellent result,

aññehi piṇḍapātehi mahapphalatarā ca mahānisaṁsatarā ca.
that is a greater fruit, a greater result than other almsfood.

Āyusaṁvattanikaṁ āyasmatā Cundena
^o Friend Cunda the smith has accumulated

kammāraputtena kammaṁ upacitaṁ,
a (good) deed that is conducive to long life,

vaṇṇasaṁvattanikaṁ āyasmatā Cundena
^o friend Cunda the smith has accumulated

kammāraputtena kammaṁ upacitaṁ,
a (good) deed that is conducive to beauty,

sukhasaṁvattanikaṁ āyasmatā Cundena
^o friend Cunda the smith has accumulated

kammāraputtena kammaṁ upacitaṁ,
a (good) deed that is conducive to happiness,

yasasaṁvattanikaṁ āyasmatā Cundena
^o friend Cunda the smith has accumulated

kammāraputtena kammaṁ upacitaṁ,
a (good) deed that is conducive to fame,

saggasaṁvattanikaṁ āyasmatā Cundena
^o friend Cunda the smith has accumulated

kammāraputtena kammaṁ upacitaṁ,
a (good) deed that is conducive to heaven,

ādhipateyyasaṁvattanikaṁ āyasmatā Cundena
^o friend Cunda the smith has accumulated

kammāraputtena kammaṁ upacitan”-ti.
a (good) deed that is conducive to sovereignty.”

Cundassa Ānanda kammāraputtassa
(If) there is remorse for Cunda the smith, Ānanda,

evaṁ vippaṭisāro paṭivinodetabbo!” ti
you should drive it out in this way!”

Atha kho Bhagavā, etam-atthaṁ viditvā,
Then the Fortunate One, having understood the significance of it,

tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:
on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“Dadato puññaṁ pavaḍḍhati,
“For the one who gives merit is increased,

Saññamato veraṁ na cīyati.
From restraint hatred is not accumulated.

Kusalo ca jahāti pāpakaṁ,
The skilful one gives up what is bad,

Rāgadosamohakkhayā sa nibbuto” ti.
Through the destruction of passion, hatred, and delusion, he is emancipated.”