Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Under the Bodhi tree (sutra)

Wisdom Quarterly translation (see Ven. Anandajoti version)
Under the sprawling Bodhi tree, I saved you [all] and you [all] saved me.
 
Meditators, “this is the noble truth of disappointment.”
 
Regarding things never before heard by me knowledge arose, vision arose, wisdom arose, understanding arose, light arose.

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of disappointment” refers, that ought to be fully understood.

It has been fully understood.

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of the arising of disappointment” refers [craving bound up with ignorance], that ought to be given up.
 
It has been given up.

“This is the noble truth of the cessation of disappointment.”

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of the cessation of disappointment” refers [nirvana], that ought to be experienced.

It has been experienced.

“This is the noble truth of the practice leading to the cessation of disappointment.”

Now to that which “this is the noble truth of the practice leading to the end of disappointment” refers [the path], that ought to be developed.

It has been developed.

Declaring enlightenment
Meditators, for so long as these Four [Ennobling] Truths -- in three ways, twelvefold -- were unclear to me, without being directly known-and-seen, for that long, meditators, did I refrain from declaring to the world -- with its devas, killers, divinities, to this generation with its ascetics and priests, princes, and people -- that I was a full and supremely-enlightened teacher of devas and humans unsurpassably awakened.

But, meditators, when these Four Noble Truths... were clear to me, directly known-and-seen, then did I declare to the world...that I was a full and supremely-awakened teacher of devas and humans unsurpassably enlightened.

This knowledge-and-vision arose: Certain is my freedom of heart/mind; this is my last rebirth; there is no more of [this disappointment] to come.” More

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