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Majjhima Nikāya 33

Mahāgopālakasutta

The Longer Discourse on the Cowherd · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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and howKathañca, monasticsbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu notna satisfactionpītaṁ knowsjānāti?
hereIdha, monasticsbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu realized one·proclaimedtathāgatappavedite teaching + trainingdhammavinaye being taughtdesiyamāne notna findslabhati inspiration in the meaningatthavedaṁ, notna findslabhati inspiration in the teachingdhammavedaṁ, notna findslabhati connected with the teachingdhammūpasaṁhitaṁ joypāmojjaṁ.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monasticsbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu notna satisfactionpītaṁ knowsjānāti.

And how does a mendicant not know satisfaction? It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds no inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds no joy connected with the teaching. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know satisfaction.

how·andKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu notna the trailvīthiṁ knowsjānāti?
it is whenIdha, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu the nobleariyaṁ eightfoldaṭṭhaṅgikaṁ pathmaggaṁ trulyyathābhūtaṁ does not truly understandnappajānāti.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu notna the trailvīthiṁ knowsjānāti.

And how does a mendicant not know the trail? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the noble eightfold path. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know the trail.

how·andKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu notna range·skilledgocarakusalo ishoti?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu fourcattāro mindfulness·establishmentsatipaṭṭhāne as·becomeyathābhūtaṁ not·understandnappajānāti.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu notna range·skilledgocarakusalo ishoti.

And how is a mendicant not skilled in ranges? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. That’s how a mendicant is not skilled in ranges.

and howKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu milks dryanavasesadohī ishoti?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhuṁ with faithsaddhā householdersgahapatikā abundantlyabhihaṭṭhuṁ invitepavārenti with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sickcīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi, theretatra a mendicantbhikkhu moderationmattaṁ notna knowsjānāti in acceptingpaṭiggahaṇāya.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu milks dryanavasesadohī ishoti.

And how does a mendicant milk dry? It’s when a mendicant is invited by a householder to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, and that mendicant doesn’t know moderation in accepting. That’s how a mendicant milks dry.

and howKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu whoye thosete monksbhikkhū seniortherā night·knowingrattaññū long·gone forthcirapabbajitā Saṅgha·fathersaṅghapitaro Saṅgha·leadersaṅghapariṇāyakā thosete notna extra·respectatirekapūjāya one honoringpūjetā ishoti?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu whoye thosete monksbhikkhū seniortherā night·knowingrattaññū long·gone forthcirapabbajitā Saṅgha·fathersaṅghapitaro leaders of the Saṅghasaṅghapariṇāyakā, toward themtesu notna kindnessmettaṁ body·actionkāyakammaṁ he sets uppaccupaṭṭhāpeti in publicāvi andceva in privateraho andca;
notna kindnessmettaṁ speech·actionvacīkammaṁ he sets uppaccupaṭṭhāpeti in publicāvi andceva in privateraho andca;
notna kindnessmettaṁ mind·actionmanokammaṁ he sets uppaccupaṭṭhāpeti in publicāvi andceva in privateraho andca.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu whoye thosete monksbhikkhū seniortherā night·knowingrattaññū long·gone forthcirapabbajitā Saṅgha·fathersaṅghapitaro Saṅgha·leadersaṅghapariṇāyakā thosete notna extra·respectatirekapūjāya one honoringpūjetā ishoti.
with theseImehi indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, elevenekādasahi qualitiesdhammehi endowedsamannāgato a mendicantbhikkhu not·ableabhabbo in thisimasmiṁ teaching·trainingdhammavinaye growthvuddhiṁ improvementvirūḷhiṁ maturityvepullaṁ to achieveāpajjituṁ.

And how does a mendicant not show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t consistently treat senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha. A mendicant with these eleven qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training.

with elevenEkādasahi, monksbhikkhave, with factorsaṅgehi endowedsamannāgato a cowherdgopālako ablebhabbo cow·herdgogaṇaṁ around·carrypariharituṁ expansionphātiṁ to makekātuṁ.
with whatKatamehi elevenekādasahi?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a cowherdgopālako form·knowerrūpaññū ishoti, characteristic·skilledlakkhaṇakusalo ishoti, flies’ eggsāsāṭikaṁ a picker outhāretā ishoti, a woundvaṇaṁ against·coverpaṭicchādetā ishoti, smokedhūmaṁ a makerkattā ishoti, the fordtitthaṁ knowsjānāti, satisfactionpītaṁ knowsjānāti, the trailvīthiṁ knowsjānāti, range·skilledgocarakusalo ishoti, with remainder·milkersāvasesadohī andca ishoti. thoseYe whote bullsusabhā cow·fathersgopitaro cow·captainsgopariṇāyakā theyte extra·respectatirekapūjāya one who honorspūjetā ishoti.
with theseImehi indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, elevenekādasahi with factorsaṅgehi endowedsamannāgato a cowherdgopālako ablebhabbo cow·herdgogaṇaṁ around·carrypariharituṁ expansionphātiṁ to makekātuṁ.

A cowherd with eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle. What eleven? It’s when a cowherd knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in ranges, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to the bulls who are fathers and captains of the herd. A cowherd with these eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle.

thus·justEvameva indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, with elevenekādasahi with qualitiesdhammehi together·knowsamannāgato a monkbhikkhu capablebhabbo in thisimasmiṁ teaching + trainingdhammavinaye growthvuddhiṁ improvementvirūḷhiṁ maturityvepullaṁ to·attaināpajjituṁ.
with whatKatamehi eleven?ekādasahi?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a monkbhikkhu form·knowrūpaññū ishoti, characteristic·skilledlakkhaṇakusalo ishoti, flies' eggsāsāṭikaṁ picks outhāretā ishoti, a woundvaṇaṁ dressespaṭicchādetā ishoti, smokedhūmaṁ spreadskattā ishoti, the fordtitthaṁ knowsjānāti, satisfactionpītaṁ knowsjānāti, the trailvīthiṁ knowsjānāti, range·skilledgocarakusalo ishoti, with remainder·milkersāvasesadohī andca ishoti. thoseYe thosete monksbhikkhū seniortherā long·knowrattaññū long·gone forthcirapabbajitā Saṅgha + fathersaṅghapitaro Saṅgha + leadersaṅghapariṇāyakā thosete extra + respectatirekapūjāya shows respect topūjetā is.hoti.

In the same way, a mendicant with eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training. What eleven? It’s when a mendicant knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in ranges, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.

and howKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a monkbhikkhu form·knowerrūpaññū ishoti?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a monkbhikkhu whateveryaṁ anykiñci formrūpaṁ allsabbaṁ formrūpaṁ four‘cattāri great elementsmahābhūtāni, and of the fourcatunnañca great elementsmahābhūtānaṁ form derived fromupādāyarūpan’ti as it really isyathābhūtaṁ understandspajānāti.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a monkbhikkhu form·knowerrūpaññū ishoti.

And how does a mendicant know form? It’s when a mendicant truly understands that all form is the four principal states, or form derived from the four principal states. That’s how a mendicant knows form.

how + andKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu characteristic·skilledlakkhaṇakusalo ishoti?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu deed·characterizedkammalakkhaṇo a foolbālo, deed·characterizedkammalakkhaṇo an astute personpaṇḍitoti as·becomeyathābhūtaṁ forth·knowpajānāti.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu characteristic·skilledlakkhaṇakusalo ishoti.

And how is a mendicant skilled in characteristics? It’s when a mendicant understands that a fool is characterized by their deeds, and an astute person is characterized by their deeds. That’s how a mendicant is skilled in characteristics.

and howKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a monkbhikkhu flies’ eggsāsāṭikaṁ picker outhāretā ishoti?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a monkbhikkhu arisenuppannaṁ sensual·thoughtkāmavitakkaṁ does not toleratenādhivāseti, gives uppajahati dispelsvinodeti eliminatesbyantī makeskaroti non·existenceanabhāvaṁ causes to gogameti. arisenUppannaṁ malicious·thoughtbyāpādavitakkaṁ ...…pe… arisenuppannaṁ cruel·thoughtvihiṁsāvitakkaṁ ...…pe… whenever arisenuppannuppanne badpāpake not·skillfulakusale qualitiesdhamme does not toleratenādhivāseti, gives uppajahati dispelsvinodeti eliminatesbyantī makeskaroti non·existenceanabhāvaṁ causes to gogameti.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a monkbhikkhu flies’ eggsāsāṭikaṁ picker outhāretā ishoti.

And how does a mendicant pick out flies’ eggs? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t tolerate a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought that has arisen. They don’t tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen, but give them up, dispel them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. That’s how a mendicant picks out flies’ eggs.

how + andKathañca, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu woundsvaṇaṁ one who dressespaṭicchādetā ishoti?
hereIdha, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu with the eyecakkhunā a sightrūpaṁ having seendisvā notna one who grasps featuresnimittaggāhī ishoti nor one who grasps detailsnānubyañjanaggāhī.
for whatever reasonYatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ the faculty of sightcakkhundriyaṁ un-·restrainedasaṁvutaṁ livingviharantaṁ covetousness and displeasureabhijjhādomanassā badpāpakā un-·skillfulakusalā qualitiesdhammā would become overwhelminganvāssaveyyuṁ for this reasontassa for restraintsaṁvarāya they practicepaṭipajjati, protectingrakkhati the faculty of sightcakkhundriyaṁ, in the faculty of sightcakkhundriye restraintsaṁvaraṁ they achieveāpajjati.
with the earSotena a soundsaddaṁ having heardsutvā ……pe…
with the noseghānena an odorgandhaṁ having smelledghāyitvā ……pe…
with the tonguejivhāya a flavorrasaṁ having tastedsāyitvā ……pe…
with the bodykāyena a touchphoṭṭhabbaṁ having feltphusitvā ……pe…
with the mindmanasā an ideadhammaṁ having knownviññāya notna one who grasps featuresnimittaggāhī ishoti nor one who grasps detailsnānubyañjanaggāhī.
for whatever reasonYatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ the faculty of mindmanindriyaṁ un-·restrainedasaṁvutaṁ livingviharantaṁ covetousness and displeasureabhijjhādomanassā badpāpakā un-·skillfulakusalā qualitiesdhammā would become overwhelminganvāssaveyyuṁ for this reasontassa for restraintsaṁvarāya they practicepaṭipajjati, protectingrakkhati the faculty of mindmanindriyaṁ, in the faculty of mindmanindriye restraintsaṁvaraṁ they achieveāpajjati.
thusEvaṁ indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, a mendicantbhikkhu woundsvaṇaṁ one who dressespaṭicchādetā ishoti.

And how does a mendicant dress wounds? When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint. When they hear a sound with their ears … smell an odor with their nose … taste a flavor with their tongue … feel a touch with their body … know an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint. That’s how a mendicant dresses wounds.

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