28. On Teaching the Ill (Anāthapiṇḍika) （二八）教化病经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the country of Śrāvastī, staying at the Jeta Grove Anāthapiṇḍada-ārāma.

At that time, the elder Anāthapiṇḍada was gravely ill. He then told a servant, "Go to the Buddha and bow on my behalf at the feet of the World-Honored One. Inquire after the World-Honored One's well-being, whether his body is healthy, strong, and free from illness, and whether he is at ease and his strength is as usual. Say this: 'The elder Anāthapiṇḍada bows at the feet of the Buddha and inquires after the World-Honored One's well-being: whether his body is healthy, strong, and free from illness, and whether he is at ease and his strength is as usual.' After you have inquired after the Buddha on my behalf, go to Venerable Śāriputra and bow on my behalf at his feet. Inquire after Venerable Śāriputra's well-being, whether his body is healthy, strong, and free from illness, and whether he is at ease and his strength is as usual. Say this: 'The elder Anāthapiṇḍada bows at the feet of Venerable Śāriputra and inquires after Venerable Śāriputra's well-being: whether his body is healthy, strong, and free from illness, and whether he is at ease and his strength is as usual.' Venerable Śāriputra! The elder Anāthapiṇḍada is gravely ill and now in critical condition. The elder Anāthapiṇḍada sincerely wishes to see Venerable Śāriputra, but his body is extremely weak and he is unable to come to see Venerable Śāriputra. Excellent! Venerable Śāriputra! Out of compassion, please go to the elder Anāthapiṇḍada's house."

Then the servant, having received the elder Anāthapiṇḍada's instructions, went to where the Buddha was, bowed at his feet, and stood to one side. He said, "World-Honored One! The elder Anāthapiṇḍada bows at the Buddha's feet and inquires after the World-Honored One's well-being: whether his body is healthy, strong, and free from illness, and whether he is at ease and his strength is as usual."

At that time, the World-Honored One told the servant, "May the elder Anāthapiṇḍada be at ease and happy, and may the gods, humans, asuras, gandharvas, rākṣasas, and other various kinds of beings be at ease and happy."

Then the servant, having heard what the Buddha said, accepted it well and remembered it well. He bowed at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed. He went to where Venerable Śāriputra was, bowed at his feet, sat to one side, and said, "Venerable Śāriputra! The elder Anāthapiṇḍada bows at Venerable Śāriputra's feet and inquires after Venerable Śāriputra's well-being: whether his body is healthy, strong, and free from illness, and whether he is at ease and his strength is as usual. Venerable Śāriputra! The elder Anāthapiṇḍada is extremely ill and now in critical condition. The elder Anāthapiṇḍada sincerely wishes to see Venerable Śāriputra, but his body is so weak that he is unable to come to where Venerable Śāriputra is. Excellent! Venerable Śāriputra! Please go out of compassion to the elder Anāthapiṇḍada's house."

Venerable Śāriputra then accepted it silently for his sake. Then the servant, knowing that Venerable Śāriputra had accepted it silently, immediately rose from his seat, bowed at his feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed.

Venerable Śāriputra, having passed the night, put on his robe in the early morning, took his alms bowl, and went to the house of the elder Anāthapiṇḍada. The elder Anāthapiṇḍada saw Venerable Śāriputra coming from afar, and upon seeing him, he immediately wanted to get up from his bed.

Venerable Śāriputra saw the elder wanting to get up from the bed, and he immediately stopped him, saying: "Elder, do not get up! Elder, do not get up! There are other beds. I will sit on another one myself."

Venerable Śāriputra then sat on the bed and asked: "Elder, how is your illness now? How much are you eating and drinking? Is the illness getting worse or better?"

The elder replied: "The illness is very severe, I cannot eat or drink, and the illness is only getting worse, not better."

Venerable Śāriputra said: "Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person does not cultivate faith, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have disbelief today, but only the highest faith. Because of the highest faith, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of the highest faith, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of bad precepts, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have bad precepts, but only good precepts. Because of the good precepts, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of the good precepts, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of not hearing much, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not not hear much, but only hears much. Because of hearing much, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of hearing much, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of stinginess and greed, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have stinginess and greed, but only generosity. Because of generosity, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of generosity, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of bad wisdom, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have bad wisdom, but only good wisdom. Because of good wisdom, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of good wisdom, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of wrong views, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have wrong views, but only right views. Because of right views, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of right views, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of wrong intentions, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have wrong intentions, but only right intentions. Because of right intentions, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of right intentions, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of wrong understanding, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have wrong understanding, but only right understanding. Because of right understanding, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of right understanding, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of wrong liberation, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have wrong liberation, but only right liberation. Because of right liberation, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of right liberation, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why? If an ignorant ordinary person because of wrong knowledge, when their body perishes and their life ends, they will go to a bad place and be reborn in hell. The elder does not have wrong knowledge, but only right knowledge. Because of right knowledge, the elder may eliminate suffering and give rise to supreme happiness. Because of right knowledge, he may attain the fruit of once-returning or non-returning. The elder has already attained the fruit of stream-entry.

Then the elder's illness was immediately cured and he recovered as before. He got up from his bed and sat down, praising Venerable Sāriputta, saying: "Excellent! Excellent! To teach the Dharma to the sick. How wonderful! How extraordinary! Venerable Sāriputta! When I heard the teaching on the Dharma for the sick, my suffering was immediately eliminated and I gave rise to supreme happiness. Venerable Sāriputta! My illness is now cured and I have recovered as before. Venerable Sāriputta! In the past, I had some business and stayed overnight in the house of an elder in Rājagṛha. At that time, the elder was going to offer a meal to the Buddha and the bhikṣus the next day. The elder, having passed the night and approaching dawn, instructed his grandchildren, servants, and attendants, saying: 'You should all get up early and prepare together.' They each received the instruction and together prepared the kitchen, providing various delicious dishes. The elder himself arranged the high seats, decorating them in countless ways.

Venerable Sāriputta! Having seen this, I thought: 'Is this elder having a wedding, a marriage ceremony, inviting the king, summoning ministers, or holding a feast and making great offerings?' Venerable Sāriputta! Having thought this, I then asked the elder: 'Are you having a wedding, a marriage ceremony, inviting the king, summoning ministers, or holding a feast and making great offerings?' At that time, the elder replied to me, saying: 'I have no wedding, am not having a marriage ceremony, am not inviting the king or summoning ministers, but am only holding a feast and making great offerings. Tomorrow I will offer a meal to the Buddha and the bhikṣus.

Venerable Sāriputta! I had never heard the name Buddha before. When I heard it, my body hair stood on end. I then asked: 'Elder, when you speak of the Buddha, what is meant by Buddha?' At that time, the elder replied to me, saying: 'Have you not heard? A son of the Śākya clan, having renounced his Śākya clan, shaved off his beard and hair, donned the saffron robes, with utmost faith, left home for homelessness, and studied the path, attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. This is called Buddha.' I further asked: 'Elder, when you speak of the assembly, what is meant by assembly?' At that time, the elder again replied to me, saying: 'There are various clans, different names and lineages, who have shaved off their beards and hair, donned the saffron robes, with utmost faith, left home for homelessness, and study the path under the Buddha. This is called the assembly. This Buddha and the assembly are whom I have invited.' Venerable Sāriputta! I then asked the elder: 'Where is the World-Honored One now? I wish to go and see him.' At that time, the elder again replied to me, saying: 'The World-Honored One is now in the Bamboo Grove Kalandakanivāpa near Rājagṛha. You may go as you wish.'

Venerable Sāriputta! I thought: 'If I can understand quickly, I will go quickly to see the Buddha.' Venerable Sāriputta! At that time, I was wholeheartedly wishing to go and see the Buddha. I immediately had the thought of daytime brightness in the night, and then left the elder's house and went to the city gate. At that time, there were two gatekeepers at the city gate. One was in charge of the early night, allowing incoming travelers without obstruction. The other was in charge of the later night, allowing outgoing travelers without obstruction. Venerable Sāriputta! I then thought: 'It is not yet dawn.' Why is that? Because at the city gate there were two gatekeepers. One was in charge of the early night, allowing incoming travelers without obstruction. The other was in charge of the later night, allowing outgoing travelers without obstruction. Venerable Sāriputta! Not long after leaving the city gate, the light disappeared and it became dark again. Venerable Sāriputta! I was then terrified, with my body hair standing on end, fearing that humans or non-humans would come and disturb me.

At that time, there was a god at the city gate who came from Rājagṛha to the Bamboo Grove Kalandakanivāpa, illuminating everywhere with his light, and said to me: 'Elder, do not be afraid! Do not be afraid! Why is that? I was your friend in a past life, named Secret Vessel, and we were very fond of each other when we were young. Elder! I once went to Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, bowed my head at his feet, sat to one side, and Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana taught me the Dharma, inspiring me with longing and bringing me to fulfillment and joy. Having taught me the Dharma with immeasurable skillful means, inspiring me with longing and bringing me to fulfillment and joy, he granted me the three refuges and the five precepts. Elder! Because of the three refuges and the five precepts, when my body perished and my life ended, I was reborn in the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings and dwell in this city gate. Go quickly, Elder! Go quickly! It is better to go than to stay.' That god encouraged me and spoke this verse:

He said: 'One hundred horses, one hundred ministers, one hundred women, one
hundred chariots filled with precious treasures, going to the Buddha for one
step, is not worth one-sixteenth. One hundred best white elephants, with golden
and silver saddles and bridles, going to the Buddha for one step
is not worth one-sixteenth. One hundred women of perfect appearance, adorned with
necklaces and flowers, going to the Buddha for one step, is not
worth one-sixteenth. The revered one of the Wheel-Turning King, the foremost of
the seven treasures, going to the Buddha for one step, is not worth one-sixteenth.

"After the god spoke the verse, he further encouraged me, saying: 'Elder, go quickly! Go quickly! It is better to go than to stay.' Venerable Sāriputta, I then thought: 'The Buddha is revered and virtuous, the Dharma and the community of monks are also revered and virtuous. Why is that? Even the gods want to see them.'"

Venerable Sāriputta, I went to the Bamboo Grove Kalandakanivāpa by this light. At that time, the World-Honored One, in the early morning, came out of the meditation room, walked in the open air, and waited for me. Venerable Sāriputta, I saw from afar that the Buddha was upright and handsome, like the moon among stars, shining brightly, dazzling like a golden mountain, with perfect marks and majestic spiritual power, with calm faculties and no obstructions, accomplished in taming and pacifying the mind. Seeing this, I was delighted and went to where the Buddha was. I bowed at his feet, followed him in walking, and asked about his well-being with a verse in the manner of an elder:

'Is the World-Honored One sleeping peacefully, sleeping well, like
a brahman who has attained nirvana, not defiled by
desires? Having abandoned all wishes, attaining peace, the mind
is free from afflictions and heat, happily and joyfully sleeping.

Then the World-Honored One went to the end of the walking path, spread out his sitting mat, and sat down cross-legged. Venerable Sāriputta, I bowed at the Buddha's feet, sat to one side, and the World-Honored One taught me the Dharma, inspiring and gladdening me with countless skillful means. Having taught me the Dharma, inspiring and gladdening me with countless skillful means, the World-Honored One, knowing that my mind was joyful, complete, pliant, receptive, uplifted, one-pointed, free from doubt, and unobscured, with the ability to receive the true teaching, taught me the true essence as taught by all Buddhas. The World-Honored One taught me the truth of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Venerable Sāriputta, I saw the four noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path right there in that seat, just as white cloth is easily dyed. In the same way, I saw the four noble truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path right there in that seat.

Venerable Sāriputta, I saw the Dharma, attained the Dharma, realized the pure Dharma, cut off doubt, crossed over uncertainty, and became free from perplexity. There is no other teacher, I follow none other, and I am without doubt. I have attained the fruit of the path and have attained fearlessness in the teachings of the World-Honored One. I then rose from my seat, bowed to the Buddha, and said: 'World-Honored One, I now take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha of bhikṣus. I only wish that the World-Honored One would accept me as a lay follower, from this day forward for as long as I live.' Venerable Sāriputta, I then joined my palms and said: 'World-Honored One, I wish to invite you to spend the summer retreat in Śrāvastī, together with the Sangha of bhikṣus.' The Buddha then asked me: 'What is your name? How do the people of Śrāvastī address you?' I replied: 'My name is Sudatta, and because I provide for the orphaned and destitute, the people of Śrāvastī call me Anāthapiṇḍada.' The World-Honored One then asked me again: 'Are there any dwellings in Śrāvastī?' I replied: 'There are no dwellings in Śrāvastī.' The World-Honored One then told me: 'Householder, you should know that if there are dwellings, bhikṣus can come and go and stay.' I then said: 'Yes, World-Honored One, I will build dwellings so that bhikṣus can come and go and stay in Śrāvastī. I only wish that the World-Honored One would appoint someone to assist me.' At that time, the World-Honored One appointed Venerable Sāriputta to assist me.

"At that time, having heard the Buddha's words, I accepted them well and remembered them well. I then rose from my seat, bowed to the Buddha, circumambulated him three times, and departed. Having completed what was to be done in Rājagṛha, I went together with Venerable Sāriputta to Śrāvastī. Without entering the city of Śrāvastī or returning home, I walked around the outskirts of the city, looking for a place that was pleasant to come and go, not noisy during the day, quiet at night, free from mosquitoes and flies, without flies and fleas, not cold or hot, suitable for building dwellings to offer to the Buddha and the Sangha. Venerable Sāriputta, I only saw the pleasure garden of Prince Jeta as being pleasant to come and go, not noisy during the day, quiet at night, free from mosquitoes and flies, without flies and fleas, not cold or hot. Having seen this, I thought: 'Only this place is good, suitable for building dwellings to offer to the Buddha and the Sangha.'"

"Venerable Sāriputta, I then entered the city of Śrāvastī, but did not return home. I went directly to Prince Jeta and said: 'Prince, can you sell this garden to me?' At that time, Prince Jeta said to me: 'Householder, you should know that I will not sell the garden.' In this way, I asked him three times, saying: 'Prince, can you sell this garden to me?' At that time, Prince Jeta also said to me three times: 'I will not sell the garden, even for a hundred million.' I then said: 'Prince, you have already determined the price. You should just take the money.' Venerable Sāriputta, I and Prince Jeta argued back and forth, saying either that the price was determined or that it was not determined. We then went together to the great court of justice in the city of Śrāvastī to decide this matter. At that time, the great judge of the city of Śrāvastī said to Prince Jeta: 'Prince, you have already determined the price. You should just take the money.'"

Venerable Sāriputta, I then entered the city of Śrāvastī and returned home to fetch the money. I carried it out in elephants, horses, carts, and on the backs of men. I spread out the hundred million coins, but there was still a small area that was not covered. Venerable Sāriputta, I thought: 'What treasure should I take, not too large or too small, to cover this remaining area?' At that time, Prince Jeta said to me: 'Householder, if you regret it, the money will return to you and the garden will be mine.' I said to Prince Jeta: 'I really do not regret it.' But I was thinking: 'What treasure should I take, not too large or too small, to cover this remaining area?' At that time, Prince Jeta thought: 'The Buddha must be greatly honored and have great virtue and blessings, and the Dharma and the Sangha of monks must also be greatly honored and have great virtue and blessings. Why is this? It is because he can cause the householder to make such great offerings and be so light with his wealth. I should now build a gatehouse right here and offer it to the Buddha and the Sangha.' At that time, Prince Jeta said to me: 'Householder, stop! Do not spread any more money here. I will build a gatehouse right here and offer it to the Buddha and the Sangha.' Venerable Sāriputta, out of compassion, I then gave this place to Prince Jeta.

"Venerable Sāriputta, I then built sixteen large houses and sixty huts during the summer. Venerable Sāriputta, you saw and assisted in the construction. Venerable Sāriputta, your teaching on the Dharma for curing illness is truly wonderful and extraordinary! After hearing this teaching on curing illness, my severe illness was immediately cured and I experienced great happiness. Venerable Sāriputta, I am now free from illness and extremely at ease. I wish that Venerable Sāriputta would take a meal here." At that time, Venerable Sāriputta silently accepted the invitation.

Then the householder, knowing that Venerable Sāriputta had silently accepted, rose from his seat, personally served water for washing, and offered various delicious and pure food and drink, serving it with his own hands until he was satisfied. After the meal, he picked up the utensils, served water for washing, spread a small seat, and sat separately to listen to the Dharma. After the householder sat down, Venerable Sāriputta spoke the Dharma for him, inspiring and uplifting him, bringing him to accomplishment and joy. With immeasurable skillful means, he spoke the Dharma for him, inspiring and uplifting him, bringing him to accomplishment and joy. Having done so, he rose from his seat and departed.

At that time, the World-Honored One was teaching the Dharma surrounded by a great assembly in front and behind. The World-Honored One saw Venerable Sāriputta coming from afar and told the bhikṣus, "Bhikṣus, Venerable Sāriputta is wise, quick-witted, sharp-witted, intelligent, broad-minded, deep-minded, able to transcend, discerning, eloquent, and has the wisdom of skillful means. Venerable Sāriputta has accomplished true wisdom. Why is that? I have briefly spoken of the four types of srota-āpannas, and Venerable Sāriputta has extensively explained them in ten ways to the householder Anāthapiṇḍada."

The Buddha spoke thus. Those bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and upheld them.