English
4. The Chapter on Kings 1. The Discourse on Ghaṭikāra 282. Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Blessed One was wandering in the Kosala country with a large community of bhikkhus. Then the Blessed One, turning aside from the road, revealed a smile in a certain place. Then it occurred to Venerable Ānanda: “What is the reason, what is the cause for the Blessed One to reveal a smile? Tathāgatas do not reveal a smile without a reason.” Then Venerable Ānanda, arranging his outer robe over one shoulder, saluted the Blessed One with joined hands and said to the Blessed One: “What, Bhante, is the reason, what is the cause for the Blessed One to reveal a smile? Tathāgatas do not reveal a smile without a reason.” “Formerly, Ānanda, in this place there was a village-town called Vegaḷiṅga, which was prosperous and flourishing, populous and crowded with people. And, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, dwelt dependent on the village-town of Vegaḷiṅga. Here, Ānanda, was the monastery of the Blessed One Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One. Here, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, sat and exhorted the community of bhikkhus.” Then Venerable Ānanda, folding his robe into four, said to the Blessed One: “Then, Bhante, let the Blessed One be seated here. This spot of ground will have been used by two Arahants, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Ones.” The Blessed One sat down on the prepared seat. Having sat down, the Blessed One addressed Venerable Ānanda: “Formerly, Ānanda, in this place there was a village-town called Vegaḷiṅga, which was prosperous and flourishing, populous and crowded with people. And, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, dwelt dependent on the village-town of Vegaḷiṅga. Here, Ānanda, the Blessed One Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One… It was the Buddha's park. Here, Ananda, it is said, the Blessed Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, sat and exhorted the community of bhikkhus. 283. In Vegaḷiṅga, Ananda, a village-town, there was a potter named Ghaṭikāra. He was the chief attendant of the Blessed Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One. To that potter Ghaṭikāra, Ananda, there was a young man named Jotipāla, a dear friend. Then, Ananda, the potter Ghaṭikāra addressed the young man Jotipāla: ‘Come, friend Jotipāla, let us go to see the Blessed Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One. For it is highly esteemed by me to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One.’ When this was said, Ananda, the young man Jotipāla said to the potter Ghaṭikāra: ‘Enough, friend Ghaṭikāra. What is there to see in that shaven-headed ascetic?’ A second time, Ananda… A third time, Ananda, the potter Ghaṭikāra said to the young man Jotipāla: ‘Come, friend Jotipāla, let us go to see the Blessed Kassapa, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One. For it is highly esteemed by me to see that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One.’ A third time, Ananda, the young man Jotipāla said to the potter Ghaṭikāra: ‘Enough, friend Ghaṭikāra. What is there to see in that shaven-headed ascetic?’ ‘In that case, friend Jotipāla, let us take our bathing cloths and go to the river to bathe.’ ‘Yes, friend,’ Ananda, the young man Jotipāla replied to the potter Ghaṭikāra. Then, Ananda, the potter Ghaṭikāra and the young man Jotipāla took their bathing cloths and went to the river to bathe. 284. Then, Ananda, the potter Ghaṭikāra addressed the young man Jotipāla: ‘Here, friend Joti… Pāla, Not far from Kassapa, The Blessed One, the Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened, Is a monastery. Come, friend Jotipāla, Let us approach Kassapa, The Blessed One, the Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened, To see him. Indeed, it is well-regarded by me To see that Blessed One, The Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened. When this was said, Ananda, The young man Jotipāla Said to Ghaṭikāra the potter – "Enough, friend Ghaṭikāra. What is there to see In that shaven-headed ascetic?" A second time, Ananda... and so on... A third time, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter Said to the young man Jotipāla – "This, friend Jotipāla, Not far from Kassapa, The Blessed One, the Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened, Is a monastery. Come, friend Jotipāla, Let us approach Kassapa, The Blessed One, the Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened, To see him. Indeed, it is well-regarded by me To see that Blessed One, The Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened." A third time, Ananda, The young man Jotipāla Said to Ghaṭikāra the potter – "Enough, friend Ghaṭikāra. What is there to see In that shaven-headed ascetic?" Then, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter Seized the young man Jotipāla By his waist-band and said – "This, friend Jotipāla, Not far from Kassapa, The Blessed One, the Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened, Is a monastery. Come, friend Jotipāla, Let us approach Kassapa, The Blessed One, the Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened, To see him. Indeed, it is well-regarded by me To see that Blessed One, The Arahant, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened." Then, Ananda, The young man Jotipāla, Having twisted free from the waist-band, Said to Ghaṭikāra the potter – "Enough, friend Ghaṭikāra. What is there to see In that shaven-headed ascetic?" Then, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter, Having bathed his head, Seized the young man Jotipāla By his hair and said – "This, friend Jotipāl Indeed, not far from Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, is a monastery. Let us go, friend Jotipāla, we shall approach Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, to see him. For indeed, the sight of that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, is highly approved by me. Then indeed, Ananda, it occurred to Jotipāla the student: 'Oh, how wonderful! Oh, how amazing! That this potter, the potter, being of a low caste, would think to touch the hair of us, who have bathed our heads; Indeed, this will not be a trivial matter, I think!' He said to Ghaṭikāra the potter: 'Even to that extent, friend Ghaṭikāra?' 'Even to that extent, friend Jotipāla. For indeed, the sight of that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, is highly approved by me.' 'Then, friend Ghaṭikāra, release me; we shall go.' 285. Then indeed, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter and Jotipāla the student approached Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One; having approached, Ghaṭikāra the potter, having saluted Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, sat down to one side. But Jotipāla the student exchanged greetings with Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One. Having concluded the courteous and memorable talk, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side indeed, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter said to Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One: 'This Jotipāla the student, venerable sir, is my friend, my dear friend. May the Blessed One teach him the Dhamma.' Then indeed, Ananda, Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One, with a talk on Dhamma, instructed, urged, inspired, and gladdened Ghaṭikāra the potter and Jotipāla the student. Then indeed, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter and Jotipāla the student, by Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self- They were instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened by a discourse on the Dhamma from the Fully Enlightened One. Having rejoiced in and approved the words of the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa, they rose from their seats. Having saluted the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa, and circumambulated him clockwise, they departed. 286. ‘‘Then, Ananda, the young man Jotipāla said to Ghaṭikāra the potter: ‘Friend Ghaṭikāra, hearing this Dhamma, will you not go forth from home to homelessness?’ ‘Friend Jotipāla, do you not know me? I support blind, aged parents.’ ‘In that case, friend Ghaṭikāra, I will go forth from home to homelessness.’ Then, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter and the young man Jotipāla approached where the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa was. Having approached, saluted the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Ananda, Ghaṭikāra the potter said to the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa: ‘Bhante, this young man Jotipāla is my companion, my dear companion. May the Blessed One ordain him.’ Then, Ananda, the young man Jotipāla received the going forth in the presence of the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa; he received the full ordination. 287. ‘‘Then, Ananda, the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa, having stayed in Vegaḷiṅga for as long as he wished, with the young man Jotipāla recently fully ordained, half a month having passed since his ordination, set out on tour towards Bārāṇasī. Wandering by stages, he arrived at Bārāṇasī. There, Ananda, the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa, was dwelling in Bārāṇasī, in Isipatana, at the Deer Park. Then, Ananda, Kikī, the king of Kāsī, heard: ‘It is said that the Blessed One, Arahant, Perfectly Self-Enlightened Kassapa, has arrived in Bārāṇasī and is dwelling in Bārāṇasī, in Isipatana, at the Deer Park.’ Then O, Ānanda, Kikī, the king of Kāsī, had fine, fine carriages yoked, and having ascended a fine carriage, with fine, fine carriages, he set out from Bārāṇasī with great royal splendor to see Kassapa, the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Awakened One. As far as the ground for the carriage went, he went by carriage, then dismounted from the carriage, and on foot,