title: SA617 — Thus have I heard:
SA617 — Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Buddha was staying in the Jetavana Grove of Anathapindika's Park near Savatthi.
At that time, the Blessed One said to the disciples: In a past life, there was a bird named Lopa, who was captured by an eagle. While soaring in the sky, Lopa cried out: Unaware, I suddenly encounter this difficulty. Having left behind my parents domain and wandered elsewhere, I face this hardship. How is it that today I am ensnared by another and cannot be free? The eagle asked Lopa: Where can you find your own domain and be free? Lopa replied: I have my own domain in the fields and ditches, where I can avoid all difficulties. That is my family's domain.
The eagle, filled with pride, said to Lopa: If I release you and let you go back to the fields, can you escape? So Lopa escaped from the eagle's claws and returned under a large clod of earth in the fields, finding a safe haven. Then, from there, Lopa wanted to fight with the eagle.
The eagle became furious, thinking: This is just a small bird, how dare it fight me! Consumed by anger, it flew down swiftly. Lopa, seeing the eagle's attack, went under the clod of earth. The eagle, in its rage, crashed into the hard clod and died instantly.
At that moment, Lopa remained hidden beneath the clod and recited these verses:
The eagle exerted its strength,
But Lopa relied on its own domain.
Riding on the fierce force of anger,
It brought disaster and shattered its own body.
I am fully equipped and adept,
Reliant on my own domain.
Suppressing hatred, rejoicing in tranquility,
I observe and admire my own power.
Even if you possess great strength and might,
Like a hundred or a thousand dragons and elephants,
It cannot match my wisdom,
Even by a sixteenth part.
Behold my superior wisdom,
Destroying even the mighty eagle.
Just as that bird foolishly abandoned its own parents domain and wandered elsewhere, leading to such calamity, so should you be mindful. You should diligently protect and abide in your own domain and learn to avoid wandering into others domains.
Disciples, other domains, other territories, refer to the five domains of sensual pleasure: visible objects desirable to the eye, sounds, scents, tastes, and touches, pleasing to the mind, connected with desire. Disciples, one's own parents domain refers to the four foundations of mindfulness. What are these four? They are mindfulness of the body in the body, feelings, mind, and mental phenomena. Therefore you should practice wandering within the territory of your own conduct, your parents domain, and stay far away from other domains and territories. This is what you should learn.
When the Buddha had spoken this discourse, the disciples, hearing what the Buddha had said, were delighted and put it into practice.