Mahāgopālakasutta

Majjhima Nikāya 33

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

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Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhūmaṁ kattā hoti?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ desetā hoti.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhūmaṁ kattā hoti.

And how does a mendicant spread smoke? It’s when a mendicant teaches others the Dhamma in detail as they learned and memorized it. That’s how a mendicant spreads smoke.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā paripucchati, paripañhati:
‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ?
Imassa ko attho’ti?
Tassa te āyasmanto avivaṭañceva vivaranti, anuttānīkatañca uttānīkaronti, anekavihitesu ca kaṅkhāṭhānīyesu dhammesu kaṅkhaṁ paṭivinodenti.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti.

And how does a mendicant know the ford? It’s when from time to time a mendicant goes up to those mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and asks them questions: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’ Those venerables reveal what is hidden, clarify what is unclear, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters. That’s how a mendicant knows the ford.

Kathañca bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītaṁ jānāti?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītaṁ jānāti.

And how does a mendicant know satisfaction? It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds joy connected with the teaching. That’s how a mendicant knows satisfaction.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīthiṁ jānāti?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīthiṁ jānāti.

And how does a mendicant know the trail? It’s when a mendicant truly understands the noble eightfold path. That’s how a mendicant knows the trail.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gocarakusalo hoti?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gocarakusalo hoti.

And how is a mendicant skilled in ranges? It’s when a mendicant truly understands the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. That’s how a mendicant is skilled in ranges.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sāvasesadohī hoti?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ saddhā gahapatikā abhihaṭṭhuṁ pavārenti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi.
Tatra bhikkhu mattaṁ jānāti paṭiggahaṇāya.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sāvasesadohī hoti.

And how does a mendicant not 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 knows moderation in accepting. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t milk dry.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti?
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā tesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca;
mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca;
mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjitun”ti.
Idamavoca bhagavā.
Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.
Mahāgopālakasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.

And how does a mendicant show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha? It’s when a mendicant consistently treats 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 shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha. A mendicant with these eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.” That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

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