English
pursuing again and again, tear apart and dismember. She, indeed, made a loud cry... This, monks, woman, in this very Rājagaha, was an adulteress... "Here I, friends, descending from Gijjhakūṭa mountain, saw a woman foul-smelling, repulsive, going through the air. Her, vultures and crows and kites, pursuing again and again, tear apart and dismember. She, indeed, made a loud cry... This, monks, woman, in this very Rājagaha, was a fortune-teller... "Here I, friends, descending from Gijjhakūṭa mountain, saw a woman swollen, covered in filth, scattering filth, going through the air. She, indeed, made a loud cry... This, monks, woman, was the chief queen of King Kāliṅga. She, overcome by jealousy, poured burning coals on her co-wife... "Here I, friends, descending from Gijjhakūṭa mountain, saw a headless trunk going through the air. On its chest were eyes and a mouth. It, vultures and crows and kites, pursuing again and again, tear apart and dismember. It, indeed, made a loud cry... This, monks, being, in this very Rājagaha, was a robber-killer named Hārika... "Here I, friends, descending from Gijjhakūṭa mountain, saw a monk going through the air. His outer robe was ablaze, burning brightly, glowing. His bowl was also ablaze, burning brightly, glowing. His waist-band was also ablaze. His robe was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. His bowl was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. His waistband was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. His body was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. He was making a terrible cry… …This, monks, was an evil monk in the teaching of Kassapa, the Perfectly Self-Awakened One… “Here, friends, as I was descending from Vulture Peak mountain, I saw a nun… I saw a female trainee… I saw a male novice… I saw a female novice going through the air. Her outer robe was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. Her bowl was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. Her waistband was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. Her body was ablaze, burning brightly, shining forth. She was making a terrible cry. Then, friends, it occurred to me: ‘How amazing, sirs! How astounding, sirs! Such a being will exist! Such a spirit will exist! Such a form of existence will be attained!’” The monks complained, grumbled, and criticized: “Venerable Mahāmoggallāna is boasting of a superhuman state!” Then the Blessed One addressed the monks: “Truly, monks, the disciples dwell with eyes. Truly, monks, the disciples dwell with knowledge. For a disciple to know, or see, or bear witness to such a thing! That female novice, monks, I had seen before. But I did not declare it. If I were to declare it, others would not believe me. And for those who would not believe me, that would be for their harm.” for a long time for harm and suffering. This, monks, was a wicked novice nun in the Dispensation of Kassapa the Perfectly Self-Awakened One. By the ripening of that kamma, she was cooked in hell for many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, many hundreds of thousands of years. By the remaining ripening of that same kamma, she experiences such an acquisition of a body. It is true, monks, what Moggallāna said. There is no offense, monks, for Moggallāna.” 231. Then indeed, Venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressed the monks: “Friends, where this Tapodā river flows, that lake is clear water, cool water, sweet water, white water, well-founded, delightful, with abundant fish and turtles, and lotuses the size of wheels are blooming.” The monks complained, grumbled, and criticized: “How can Venerable Mahāmoggallāna say this: ‘Friends, where this Tapodā river flows, that lake is clear water, cool water, sweet water, white water, well-founded, delightful, with abundant fish and turtles, and lotuses the size of wheels are blooming’? Yet this Tapodā river flows boiling. Venerable Mahāmoggallāna is boasting of a superhuman state.” They reported this matter to the Blessed One. “Monks, where this Tapodā river flows, that lake is clear water, cool water, sweet water, white water, well-founded, delightful, with abundant fish and turtles, and lotuses the size of wheels are blooming. But this Tapodā river, monks, is between two great hells. He who comes, By him this Tapodā Boils and flows. "True, monks, Moggallāna said. No offense, monks, for Moggallāna." Now at that time, King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, Fighting with the Licchavis, Was defeated. Then the king later Gathered his army And defeated the Licchavis. And a report spread in the battle: "The Licchavis were defeated by the king!" Then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna Addressed the monks: "Friends, the king was defeated by the Licchavis." The monks grumbled, Complained, And criticized: "How can Venerable Mahāmoggallāna Say such a thing: 'Friends, the king was defeated by the Licchavis!' And a report spread in the battle: 'The Licchavis were defeated by the king!' Venerable Mahāmoggallāna Is claiming a superhuman state!" They reported this matter To the Blessed One. "First, monks, The king was defeated by the Licchavis. Then the king later Gathered his army And defeated the Licchavis. True, monks, Moggallāna said. No offense, monks, for Moggallāna." 232. Then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna Addressed the monks: "Friends, here, On the bank of the Sappinikā River, Having entered the imperturbable concentration, I heard the sound of nāgas Diving in and coming out, Making a cry." The monks grumbled, Complained, And criticized: "How can Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, Having entered the imperturbable concentration, Hear a sound! He is claiming a superhuman state!" Venerable Mahāmoggallāna boasts of a superhuman state. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, that concentration exists, but it is not pure. Monks, Moggallāna spoke the truth. Monks, Moggallāna is not guilty." Then Venerable Sobhita addressed the monks: "Friends, I recall five hundred aeons." The monks complained, grumbled, and criticized: "How can Venerable Sobhita say such a thing: 'Friends, I recall five hundred aeons!' Venerable Sobhita boasts of a superhuman state!" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, that [memory] exists for Sobhita. But that is only one birth. Monks, Sobhita spoke the truth. Monks, Sobhita is not guilty." The Fourth Pārājika is concluded. 233. Venerables, the four pārājika rules have been recited. Having committed any one of them, a monk does not obtain communion with the monks. As before, so after, he is defeated, no longer in communion. I ask the Venerables here: "Are you pure in this?" A second time I ask: "Are you pure in this?" A third time I ask: "Are you pure in this?" The Venerables are pure in this, therefore they are silent. I hold it thus. The Pārājika section is finished. Its summary: Sexual intercourse, taking what is not given, killing a human, and superhuman claims; these are the four pārājika rules, grounds for expulsion, without a doubt. The Pārājika section is finished.