Mahāgopālakasutta - The Longer Discourse at Gosiṅga

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the Gosinga sāla tree forest, together with a large group of well-known elder disciples, including the Venerable Sāriputta, the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, the Venerable Mahākassapa, the Venerable Anuruddha, the Venerable Revata, and the Venerable Ānanda, and many other well-known elder disciples.

Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, having emerged from seclusion in the evening time, approached the Venerable Mahākassapa and said to him, Come, friend Kassapa, let us approach the Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.

Very well, friend, the Venerable Mahākassapa replied to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna.

So the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, the Venerable Mahākassapa, and the Venerable Anuruddha approached the Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.

The Venerable Ānanda saw the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, the Venerable Mahākassapa, and the Venerable Anuruddha approaching the Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.

Seeing this, he approached the Venerable Revata and said to him, Those good disciples, friend Revata, are going to approach the Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.

Let us also go to approach the Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.

Very well, friend, the Venerable Revata replied to the Venerable Ānanda.

So the Venerable Revata and the Venerable Ānanda approached the Venerable Sāriputta to hear the Dhamma.

The Venerable Sāriputta saw the Venerable Revata and the Venerable Ānanda approaching from a distance.

Seeing them, he said to the Venerable Ānanda, Welcome, Venerable Ānanda.

It is good to see the attendant of the Blessed One who often dwells in the presence of the Blessed One.

The Gosinga sāla tree forest is delightful, friend Ānanda, the night bright with moonlight, the sāla trees are laden with flowers and fruits and filled with a divine fragrance. In what way, friend Ānanda, could a disciple illuminate the Gosinga sāla tree forest?

Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple is well-versed, a keeper of what he has heard, and has accumulated understanding.

Those teachings that are beneficial in the beginning, the middle, and the end, which carry profound meaning and are fully imbued with words, explaining the complete, pure holy life:he is thoroughly learned in such teachings, has retained them, recites them verbally, reflects upon them in his mind, and has thoroughly penetrated them with understanding.

He teaches the Dhamma to the fourfold assembly with well-structured words and phrases, aimed at the eradication of latent tendencies.

Friend Sāriputta, in this way, a disciple would adorn the Gosinga Sāla forest.

Having said this, Venerable Sāriputta said to Venerable Revata: Friend Revata, the answer given by Venerable Ānanda, each according to his inspiration, has been expressed.

Let us now ask Venerable Revata: The beautiful Gosinga Sāla forest, through the night, with sal trees bearing full blossoms; divine, it seems, fragrances are wafting. By what kind of disciple would the Gosinga Sāla forest be adorned?

Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple is fond of seclusion, delights in solitude, is devoted to the calming of the mind internally, not neglecting development, possessed of insight, cultivating the empty dwellings.

Friend Sāriputta, in this way, a disciple would adorn the Gosinga Sāla forest.

Having said this, Venerable Sāriputta said to Venerable Anuruddha: Friend Anuruddha, the answer given by Venerable Revata, each according to his inspiration, has been expressed.

Let us now ask Venerable Anuruddha: The beautiful Gosinga Sāla forest, through the night, with sal trees bearing full blossoms; divine, it seems, fragrances are wafting. By what kind of disciple would the Gosinga Sāla forest be adorned?

Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple with divine vision, purified, surpassing human sight, observes a thousand worlds.

Just as, friend Sāriputta, a man with sight standing upon the upper terrace of a high building would view a thousand wheel rims; so too, friend Sāriputta, a disciple with divine vision, purified, surpassing human sight, observes a thousand worlds.

Friend Sāriputta, in this way, a disciple would adorn the Gosinga Sāla forest.

Having said this, Venerable Sāriputta said to Venerable Mahākassapa: Friend Kassapa, the answer given by Venerable Anuruddha, each according to his inspiration, has been expressed.

There, now, we ask the venerable Mahākassapa: Pleasant, friend Kassapa, is the Gosiṅga Sāla forest, the night with the moon, all the flowering Sāla trees in full bloom, the divine scents, perhaps, are wafting; in what manner, friend Kassapa, would a disciple make the Gosiṅga Sāla forest resplendent?

Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple is himself a forest dweller and praises the virtues of forest dwelling, himself a collector of alms and praises the virtues of collecting alms, himself a wearer of robes made from cast-off rags and praises the virtues of wearing such robes, himself having but three robes and praises the virtues of having three robes, himself content with little and praises the virtue of contentment, himself satisfied and praises the virtue of satisfaction, himself secluded and praises the virtue of seclusion, himself not entangled and praises the virtue of being unentangled, himself energetic and praises the virtue of energetic striving, himself accomplished in virtue and praises the virtues of accomplishment in virtue, himself accomplished in concentration and praises the virtues of accomplishment in concentration, himself accomplished in wisdom and praises the virtues of accomplishment in wisdom, himself accomplished in liberation and praises the virtues of accomplishment in liberation, himself accomplished in the knowing and vision of liberation and praises the virtues of the knowing and vision of liberation.

A disciple of such a nature, friend Sāriputta, would make the Gosiṅga Sāla forest resplendent.

Thus spoken, the venerable Sāriputta addressed the venerable Mahāmoggallāna: It has indeed been declared, friend Moggallāna, by the venerable Mahākassapa according to his inspiration.

Now, we ask the venerable Mahāmoggallāna: Pleasant, friend Moggallāna, is the Gosiṅga Sāla forest, the night with the moon, all the flowering Sāla trees in full bloom, the divine scents, perhaps, are wafting; in what manner, friend Moggallāna, would a disciple make the Gosiṅga Sāla forest resplendent?

Here, friend Sāriputta, two disciples engage in a discussion on superlative dhamma, questioning each other, resolving each other's questions without contention, and their conversation flows in accordance with the Dhamma.

A disciple of such a nature, friend Sāriputta, would make the Gosiṅga Sāla forest resplendent.

Then the venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressed the venerable Sāriputta: It has indeed been declared, friend Sāriputta, by all of us according to our respective inspiration.

Now, we ask the venerable Sāriputta...

Pleasant, friend Sāriputta, is the Gosinga Sāla-tree forest in the night with full moon; the sāla trees are all in bloom, celestial, it seems, fragrances waft around. In what manner, friend Sāriputta, would a disciple bring beauty to the Gosinga Sāla-tree forest?

Here, friend Moggallāna, a disciple controls his mind, and is not controlled by the mind.

Whichever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the morning, in that attainment he remains in the morning; whichever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the midday, in that attainment he remains at midday; whichever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the evening, in that attainment he remains in the evening.

Just as, friend Moggallāna, a sovereign or a royal minister possesses a chest full of various colored garments.

Should he wish for a particular pair of garments to wear in the morning, he would wear that particular pair in the morning; should he wish for a particular pair of garments to wear at midday, he would wear that particular pair at midday; should he wish for a particular pair of garments to wear in the evening, he would wear that particular pair in the evening.

In just the same way, friend Moggallāna, a disciple controls his mind and is not controlled by the mind.

Whichever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the morning, in that attainment he remains in the morning; whichever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the midday, in that attainment he remains at midday; whichever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the evening, in that attainment he remains in the evening.

Such is the manner, friend Moggallāna, a disciple would bring beauty to the Gosinga Sāla-tree forest.

Then the Venerable Sāriputta addressed the venerable ones, We have all, friends, each expressed as per our capability.

Let us go to the Blessed One; having approached him, we shall tell this matter to the Blessed One.

As the Blessed One declares to us, so shall we remember it.

So be it, friend, the venerable ones replied to the Venerable Sāriputta.

Then those venerable ones approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.

While seated to one side, the venerable Sāriputta spoke to the Blessed One:

Here, venerable sir, the venerable Revata and the venerable Ānanda approached me for the purpose of listening to the Dhamma.

I saw, venerable sir, the venerable Revata and venerable Ānanda coming from afar.

Having seen them, I said to the venerable Ānanda:

Welcome, venerable Ānanda.

Welcome to venerable Ānanda, the attendant of the Blessed One, the one who goes to the Blessed One.

Venerable Ānanda, the Gosinga sal forest is delightful, with a night of clear moonlight; the Sala trees are all in full blossom, and I imagine divine fragrances are wafting.

With what kind of disciple, friend Ānanda, would the Gosinga sal forest be beautiful?

When this was said, venerable sir, the venerable Ānanda spoke to me as follows:

Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple is learned, a bearer of the Dhamma …

for the eradication of the latent tendencies.

With such a kind of disciple, friend Sāriputta, the Gosinga sal forest would indeed be beautiful.

Well done, well done, Sāriputta.

Just as Ānanda would rightly explain it, so it is.

For Ānanda, Sāriputta, is learned, a bearer of the Dhamma, one who accumulates what is heard.

He has learned abundantly such dhammas as are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, providing meaning, accompanied by phrases; proclaiming the consummate, pure holy life. He has accumulated dhammas like that, retained them, recited them verbally, mentally reviewed them, and thoroughly penetrated them with insight.

With concise and continuous words he expounds the Dhamma to the four assemblies for the eradication of the latent tendencies.

When this was said, venerable sir, I spoke to the venerable Revata:

Venerable Revata, Ānanda has explained according to his understanding.

Now, we ask you, venerable Revata, the Gosinga sal forest is delightful, with a night of clear moonlight; the Sala trees are all in full blossom, and I imagine divine fragrances are wafting.

With what kind of disciple, friend Revata, would the Gosinga sal forest be beautiful?

When this was said, venerable sir, the venerable Revata spoke to me:

Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple takes delight in solitude, is fond of seclusion, devoted to internal serenity of mind, unmoved from jhāna, endowed with insight, developing the empty dwellings.

With such a kind of disciple, friend Sāriputta, the Gosinga sal forest would indeed be beautiful.

Excellent, excellent, Sāriputta.

As Revata would properly explain when speaking accurately.

Revata, indeed, Sāriputta, takes delight in solitude, is devoted to solitude, is engaged in calming the mind internally, not having abandoned jhāna, and is endowed with insight, cultivating empty dwellings.

Having spoken thus, Venerable Sāriputta, I said to Venerable Anuruddha: Indeed, friend Anuruddha, Revata has explained...

How would a disciple adorn the Gosinga Sāla forest, friend Anuruddha?

Then Venerable Anuruddha said to me, Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple with a divine eye, purified and surpassing that of humans, beholds a thousand worlds.

Just as a person with sight...

Such a disciple would indeed adorn the Gosinga Sāla forest, friend Sāriputta.

Excellent, excellent, Sāriputta, as Anuruddha would properly explain when speaking accurately.

Anuruddha, indeed, Sāriputta, with the divine eye, purified and surpassing that of humans, beholds a thousand worlds.

Having spoken thus, Venerable Sāriputta, I said to Venerable Mahākassapa: Indeed, friend Kassapa, Anuruddha has explained based on his own understanding.

Now we ask Venerable Mahākassapa...

How, friend Kassapa, would a disciple adorn the Gosinga Sāla forest?

Then Venerable Mahākassapa said to me, Here, friend Sāriputta, a disciple is himself fond of remote dwellings, advocates for remote dwelling; himself a collector of almsfood...

himself a wearer of rag-robes...

himself one with few desires...

himself content...

himself secluded...

himself unentangled...

himself energetic...

himself perfected in conduct...

himself perfected in concentration...

himself perfected in wisdom...

himself perfected in liberation...

himself perfected in knowing and insight into liberation, speaking in praise of knowing and insight into liberation.

Such a disciple would indeed adorn the Gosinga Sāla forest, friend Sāriputta.

Excellent, excellent, Sāriputta, as Kassapa would properly explain when speaking accurately.

Kassapa, Sāriputta, is himself a forest-dweller, and he praises the act of dwelling in the forest. He is himself an alms-goer, and he praises the act of going for alms.

He is himself a wearer of rag-robes, and he praises the act of wearing rag-robes.

He is himself one possessing the triple robe, and he praises possessing the triple robe.

He is himself content with little, and he praises contentment with little. He is himself easily satisfied, and he praises being easily satisfied.

He is himself secluded, and he praises seclusion. He is himself uninvolved with society, and he praises non-involvement. He is himself energetic, and he praises energetic exertion.

He is himself endowed with virtue, and he praises the accomplishment of virtue.

He is himself endowed with concentration, and he praises the accomplishment of concentration.

He is himself endowed with wisdom, and he praises the accomplishment of wisdom.

He is himself endowed with liberation, and he praises the accomplishment of liberation. He is himself endowed with the knowing and vision of liberation, and he praises the accomplishment of knowing and vision of liberation.

When this was said, I, Venerable Sir, spoke to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna saying, The Venerable Mahākassapa has indeed expressed it according to his own realization.

Now, let us ask the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna…What qualities should a disciple possess to make the Gosiṅga Sāla Forest beautiful?

In response, the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to me, ‘Here, friend Sāriputta, two disciples discuss the Abhidhamma.

They question each other and answer without hesitation, their conversation is in accordance with the Dhamma, and does not falter. Such a disciple would grace the Gosiṅga Sāla Forest.

Well said, well said, Sāriputta, as Moggallāna so rightly expressed it. For Moggallāna, also, Sāriputta, is one who speaks on the Dhamma.

Upon hearing this, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressed the Blessed One, Then I, Venerable Sir, said to Venerable Sāriputta, We have all expressed our realizations. Now let us ask Venerable Sāriputta:how, friend Sāriputta, would a disciple make the Gosiṅga Sāla Forest beautiful?

He then continued, Charming, friend Sāriputta, is the Gosiṅga Sāla Forest, with its evening fragrance, its complete flowering, and a celestial scent seems to pervade.

What kind of disciple would make the Gosiṅga Sāla Forest beautiful?

Here, friend Moggallāna, the disciple commands the mind and does not act according to the mind's dictates.

By whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the morning time, by that attainment he dwells in the morning time; by whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the midday time, by that attainment he dwells in the midday time; by whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the evening time, by that attainment he dwells in the evening time.

Just as, friend Moggallāna, if there were a hamper of various colored garments belonging to a king or royal minister, and he wishes to wear any set of garments during the morning, he would wear that very set of garments in the morning; if he wishes to wear any set during the midday, he would wear that very set in the midday; if he wishes to wear any set during the evening, he would wear that very set in the evening.

In the same way, friend Moggallāna, the disciple commands the mind and does not act according to the mind's dictates.

By whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the morning time, by that attainment he dwells in the morning time; by whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the midday time, by that attainment he dwells in the midday time; by whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the evening time, by that attainment he dwells in the evening time.

In such a manner, friend Moggallāna, would a disciple beautify the Gosiṅga Sālavana forest.

Well done, well done, Moggallāna.

Just as Sāriputta would rightly declare it, he declares it.

For Sāriputta, Moggallāna, commands the mind and does not act according to the mind's dictates.

By whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the morning time, by that attainment he dwells in the morning time; by whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the midday time, by that attainment he dwells in the midday time; by whatever attainment he wishes to dwell in during the evening time, by that attainment he dwells in the evening time.

When this was said, the Venerable Sāriputta addressed the Blessed One: Who, indeed has spoken well?

Venerable Sāriputta, everything well spoken by you is commendable.

However, listen to what I have to say about how a disciple should adorn the Gosiṅga sāla forest.

Here, Sāriputta, a disciple, having returned from his alms-round after the meal, sits down cross-legged, holding his body upright and establishing mindfulness on itself, resolves: I shall not break this posture until my mind is liberated from the taints without grasping.

In this way, Sāriputta, a disciple would adorn the Gosiṅga sāla forest.

Thus spoke the Blessed One.

The venerable ones rejoiced in the Blessed One's words.

Thus ends the Great Discourse at Gosiṅga.