Ven. Thanissaro (trans.), Sutta Central; Dhr. Seven (ed.), Book of the Tens (Sakka Sutta, AN 10.46), "To the Scythians [on the Lunar Observance Day]," Wisdom Quarterly
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| Is this the Buddha, Mommy, the one with the deers sleeping next to him? - Yes, Honey. |
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| This is some cool Dhamma, Mom. |
On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Kapilavatthu (Sanskrit, Kapilavastu) at the Banyan Park.
Then many Scythian (Shakyian) lay followers, on the Lunar Observance (uposatha) fasting day, went to the Buddha.
On arrival, having bowed, they sat respectfully to one side. Sitting there, the Blessed One said to them: “Scythians, do you observe the eight-factored lunar observance?”
“Sometimes we do, venerable sir, and sometimes we do not.”
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| I see the future. I see headsets on everyone. |
“What do you think, Scythians? Suppose a man, by some profession or other, without encountering an unprofitable day, were to earn half a kahapana. Would he deserve to be called a capable man, full of initiative?”
“Yes, venerable sir.”
“Suppose a man, by some profession or other, without encountering an unprofitable day, were to earn a whole kahapana… two kahapanas… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten… 20… 30… 40… 50… 100 kahapanas. Would he deserve to be called a capable man, full of initiative?”
“Yes, venerable sir.”
“Now what do you think? Earning 100 or 1,000 kahapanas a day, saving up his gains, living for 100 years, would a man arrive at a great mass of wealth?”
“Yes, venerable sir.”
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| The Scythians by Barry Cunliffe (yumpu.com) |
“No, venerable sir. Why? Sensual pleasures are inconstant (impermanent, anicca), hollow, false, and deceptive by their very nature.”
“Now, Scythians, there was once a disciple of mine who spent ten years practicing as I instruct, who would live aware touching bliss for 100 years, 100 centuries, 100 millennia. And that person would be [at the enlightened stage of] a once-returner, a non-returner, or at the very least a stream-winner.
“Let alone ten years, another disciple of mine, spending nine years… eight years… seven… six… five… four… three… two years… one year practicing as I instruct, would live aware touching bliss for 100 years, 100 centuries, 100 millennia. And that person would be a once-returner, a non-returner, or at the very least a stream-winner.
“Let alone one year, a disciple of mine, spending ten months… nine months… eight months… seven… six… five… four… three… two months… one month… half a month practicing as I instruct, would live aware touching bliss for 100 years, 100 centuries, 100 millennia. And that person would be a once-returner, a non-returner, or at the very least a stream-winner.
“Let alone half a month, a disciple of mine, spending ten days and nights… nine days and nights… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two days and nights… one day and night practicing as I instruct, would live aware touching bliss for 100 years, 100 centuries, 100 millennia. And that person would be a once-returner, a non-returner, or at the very least a stream-winner.
“It is no gain for you, Scythians. It is ill-gotten, that in this life so full of danger of grief, in this life so full of danger of death, you sometimes observe the eight-factored lunar observance and sometimes do not.”
“Then from this day forward, venerable sir, we will observe the eight-factored lunar observance.”
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