With Mucalinda

ud2.1:1 So I have heard. At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying in Uruvelā at the root of the Mucalinda tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River. There the Buddha sat cross-legged for seven days without moving, experiencing the bliss of freedom.

ud2.1:2 Just then a large storm blew up out of season, bringing seven days of precipitation, with cold winds and overcast skies. Mucalinda, the dragon king, came out from his abode, encircled the Buddha’s body with seven coils and spread his large hood over his head, thinking, “May the Buddha not be hot or cold, nor be bothered by flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, or reptiles.”

ud2.1:3 When seven days had passed, the Buddha emerged from that state of immersion. When he knew the heavens were clear and cloudless, Mucalinda unwrapped his coils from the Buddha’s body. Hiding his own form, he manifested in the form of a brahmin youth. He stood in front of the Buddha, greeting him respectfully with cupped palms.

ud2.1:4 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.1:5 “Seclusion is happiness for the contented who see the teaching they have learned. Kindness for the world is happiness for one who’d not harm a living creature.

ud2.1:6 Dispassion for the world is happiness for one who has gone beyond sensual pleasures. But dispelling the conceit ‘I am’ is truly the ultimate happiness.”

Kings

ud2.2:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time, after the meal, on return from almsround, several mendicants sat together in the assembly hall and this discussion came up among them: “Which of these two kings has greater wealth, riches, treasury, dominion, vehicles, forces, might, and power: King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha or King Pasenadi of Kosala?” At that point the conversation among those mendicants was left unfinished.

ud2.2:2 Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat, went to the assembly hall, sat down on the seat spread out, and addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?”

ud2.2:3 So the mendicants told him what they had been talking about when the Buddha arrived. The Buddha said,

ud2.2:4 “Mendicants, it is not appropriate for you gentlemen who have gone forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness to talk about such things. When you’re sitting together you should do one of two things: discuss the teachings or keep noble silence.”

ud2.2:5 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.2:6 “Neither the pleasures of the senses, nor even divine happiness, is worth even a sixteenth part of the happiness of craving’s end.”

A Stick

ud2.3:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time, between Sāvatthī and the Jeta Grove, several boys were hitting a snake with a stick. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He saw the boys hitting the snake.

ud2.3:2 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.3:3 “Creatures love happiness, so if you harm them with a stick in search of your own happiness, after death you’ll find no happiness.

ud2.3:4 Creatures love happiness, so if you don’t harm them with a stick in search of your own happiness, after death you will find happiness.”

Esteem

ud2.4:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the Buddha was honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed. And he received robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. And the mendicant Saṅgha was also honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed. And they received robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. But the wanderers who followed other religions were not honored, respected, revered, venerated, and esteemed. And they didn’t receive robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. Then those wanderers who followed other religions, unable to bear the esteem of the mendicant Saṅgha, abused, attacked, harassed, and troubled the mendicants in the village and the wilderness.

ud2.4:2 Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

ud2.4:3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.4:4 “When struck by pleasure and pain <j>in the village or wilderness, regard it not as self or alien. Contacts strike because of attachment; how would contacts strike one free of attachment?”

A Lay Follower

ud2.5:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain lay follower from Icchānaṅgalaka arrived at Sāvatthī on some business. Having concluded his business in Sāvatthī he went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said this to him: “It’s been a long time, lay follower, since you took the opportunity to come here.”

ud2.5:2 “For a long time I’ve wanted to come and see the Buddha, but I wasn’t able, being prevented by my many duties and responsibilities.”

ud2.5:3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.5:4 “One who has nothing is happy indeed, a learned person who has appraised the teaching. See how troubled are those with attachments, a person bound tight to people.”

The Pregnant Woman

ud2.6:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain wanderer had a young brahmin wife who was pregnant and about to give birth. She said to him, “Go, brahmin, bring oil for my delivery.”

ud2.6:2 The wanderer said, “But where, my dear, can I get oil?” For a second time, she said, “Go, brahmin, bring oil for my delivery.” For a second time, the wanderer said, “But where, my dear, can I get oil?” For a third time, she said, “Go, brahmin, bring oil for my delivery.”

ud2.6:3 Now at that time ghee and oil were being given away to any ascetic or brahmin at the storehouse of King Pasenadi of Kosala. But it was only to drink there, not to take away.

ud2.6:4 Knowing this, the wanderer thought, “Why don’t I go to the king’s storehouse, drink as much oil as I can, then come home and throw it up so it can be used for the delivery?”

ud2.6:5 Then he did just that. But when he got home he was unable to either bring it up or pass it out. He rolled to and fro, suffering painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings.

ud2.6:6 Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He saw the wanderer in agony.

ud2.6:7 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.6:8 “Oh! How happy are those with nothing! Hence knowledge masters are people with nothing. See how troubled are those with attachments, a person bound tight to people.”

An Only Son

ud2.7:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain lay follower’s dear and beloved only child passed away.

ud2.7:2 Then in the middle of the day several lay followers with wet clothes and hair went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to them: “Why, lay followers, have you come here in the middle of the day with wet clothes and hair?”

ud2.7:3 The lay follower replied, “Sir, my dear and beloved only child has passed away. That’s why we came here in the middle of the day with wet clothes and hair.”

ud2.7:4 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.7:5 “Hosts of unseen beings and most human beings are bound to what seems dear and pleasant. Gloomy and exhausted, they fall under the sway of the King of Death.

ud2.7:6 The diligent, who day and night give up what seems pleasant, dig out the root of gloom— Death’s bait so hard to escape.”

Suppavāsā

ud2.8:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kuṇḍiyā in the Kuṇḍadhāna Grove. Now at that time Suppavāsā the Koliyan had been pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days. While suffering painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings, three thoughts helped her endure: “Oh! The Blessed One is indeed a fully awakened Buddha, who teaches the Dhamma for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is indeed practicing well, who practice for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! Extinguishment is so very blissful, where such suffering as this is not found.”

ud2.8:2 Then Suppavāsā addressed her husband, “Please, master, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. And then say: ‘Suppavāsā the Koliyan has been pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days. While suffering painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings, three thoughts help her endure: “Oh! The Blessed One is indeed a fully awakened Buddha, who teaches the Dhamma for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is indeed practicing well, who practice for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! Extinguishment is so very blissful, where such suffering as this is not found.”’”

ud2.8:3 “Excellent idea,” he replied. He went to the Buddha and told him of his wife’s struggles. The Buddha said:

ud2.8:4 “May Suppavāsā the Koliyan be happy and healthy! May she give birth to a healthy child!” As soon as he spoke, Suppavāsā, happy and healthy, gave birth to a healthy child.

ud2.8:5 Saying “Yes, sir,” the Koliyan gentleman approved and agreed with what the Buddha said. He got up from his seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right. Then he returned to his own house. He saw that his wife, happy and healthy, had given birth to a healthy child, and thought, “Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing! The Realized One has such psychic power and might! For as soon as he spoke, Suppavāsā, happy and healthy, gave birth to a healthy child.” He became uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness.

ud2.8:6 Then Suppavāsā addressed her husband, “Please, master, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. And then say, ‘Suppavāsā the Koliyan, who was pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days, is now happy and healthy and has given birth to a healthy child. She invites the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha to a meal for seven days. Sir, would the Buddha please accept seven meals from Suppavāsā?’”

ud2.8:7 “Excellent idea,” he replied. He went to the Buddha, told him the good news, and conveyed his wife’s invitation.

ud2.8:9 Now at that time a certain lay follower had already invited the Saṅgha of monks headed by the Buddha for the meal on the following day. That lay follower was Venerable Mahāmoggallāna’s supporter. Then the Buddha addressed Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, “Please, Moggallāna, go to that lay follower and say to him, ‘Suppavāsā the Koliyan, who was pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days, is now happy and healthy and has given birth to a healthy child. She invites the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha to a meal for seven days. Let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards you can make yours.’ He is your supporter.”

ud2.8:10 “Yes, sir,” replied Mahāmoggallāna. He went to that lay follower and conveyed the Buddha’s request.

ud2.8:11 “If, sir, Master Mahāmoggallāna can guarantee me three things— wealth, life, and faith— then let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards I shall make mine.” “I can guarantee you two things— wealth and life. But as for faith, you alone are the guarantor.”

ud2.8:12 “If, sir Master Mahāmoggallāna can guarantee me two things— wealth and life— then let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards I shall make mine.”

ud2.8:13 Having persuaded that lay follower, Mahāmoggallāna went to the Buddha and said, “I’ve persuaded the lay follower. Let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards he shall make his.”

ud2.8:14 For seven days Suppavāsā served and satisfied the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha with her own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. And she made her little boy bow to the Buddha and the mendicant Saṅgha.

ud2.8:15 Then Sāriputta said to the boy, “I hope you’re keeping well, little boy, I hope you’re all right. I hope you are not in pain.” “How could I be keeping well? How could I be getting by? For seven years I lived in a pot of blood.”

ud2.8:16 Then Suppavāsā, thinking, “My child is conversing with the General of the Dhamma!” was uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness. Knowing this, the Buddha said to her, “Would you like to have another child like this?” “Sir, I would like to have seven more children like this!”

ud2.8:17 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.8:18 “Pain in the guise of pleasure, the disliked in the guise of the liked, suffering in the guise of happiness, overpower the negligent.”

With Visākhā

ud2.9:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery. Now at that time Visākhā was caught up in some business with King Pasenadi. But the king’s settlement did not meet her expectations.

ud2.9:2 Then, in the middle of the day, she went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down. The Buddha said to her: “So, Visākhā, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?” “Sir, I am caught up in some business with King Pasenadi. But the king’s settlement did not meet my expectations.”

ud2.9:3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.9:4 “All under another’s control is suffering, all under one’s own authority is pleasing; what’s shared is stressful for both parties, for yokes are hard to escape.”

With Bhaddiya

ud2.10:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Anupiya in a mango grove. Now at that time, Venerable Bhaddiya son of Kāḷīgodhā, even in the wilderness, at the foot of a tree, or in an empty dwelling, frequently expressed this heartfelt sentiment: “Oh, what bliss! Oh, what bliss!”

ud2.10:2 Several mendicants heard him and thought, “Without a doubt, Venerable Bhaddiya leads the spiritual life dissatisfied. It’s when recalling the pleasures of royalty he formerly enjoyed as a layperson that, even in the wilderness, at the foot of a tree, or in an empty dwelling, he frequently expresses this heartfelt sentiment: ‘Oh, what bliss! Oh, what bliss!’”

ud2.10:3 Then those mendicants went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.

ud2.10:4 So the Buddha addressed one of the monks, “Please, monk, in my name tell the mendicant Bhaddiya that the Teacher summons him.”

ud2.10:5 “Yes, sir,” that monk replied. He went to Bhaddiya and said to him, “Reverend Bhaddiya, the Teacher summons you.” “Yes, reverend,” Bhaddiya replied. He went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

ud2.10:6 “Is it really true, Bhaddiya, that even in the wilderness, at the foot of a tree, or in an empty dwelling, you frequently express this heartfelt sentiment: ‘Oh, what bliss! Oh, what bliss!’?” “Yes, sir.”

ud2.10:7 “But why do you say this?” “Formerly, as a layperson ruling the land, my guard was well organized within and without the royal compound, within and without the city, and within and without the country. But although I was guarded and defended in this way, I remained fearful, scared, suspicious, and nervous. But these days, even when alone in the wilderness, at the foot of a tree, or in an empty dwelling, I’m not fearful, scared, suspicious, or nervous. I live relaxed, unruffled, surviving on charity, my heart free as a wild deer. It is for this reason that, even in the wilderness, at the foot of a tree, or in an empty dwelling, I frequently expressed this heartfelt sentiment: ‘Oh, what bliss! Oh, what bliss!’”

ud2.10:8 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

ud2.10:9 “They who hide no anger within, passed beyond any kind of existence; happy, free from fear and sorrow— even the angels can’t see them.”