The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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thusEvaṁ
by meme
heardsutaṁ—
oneekaṁ
timesamayaṁ
the Blessed Onebhagavā
among the Vajjisvajjīsu
was stayingviharati
near Ukkacelāukkacelāyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
rivernadiyā
on the banktīre.
thereTatra
indeedkho
the Blessed Onebhagavā
the mendicantsbhikkhū
addressedāmantesi:
mendicants“bhikkhavo”ti.
venerable sir“Bhadante”ti
thosete
mendicantsbhikkhū
to the Blessed Onebhagavato
repliedpaccassosuṁ.
the Blessed OneBhagavā
said thisetadavoca:
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Vajjis near Ukkacelā on the bank of the Ganges River. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:
once upon a time“Bhūtapubbaṁ, mendicantsbhikkhave, Magadhanmāgadhako cowherdgopālako of unintelligent natureduppaññajātiko, of the rainy seasonvassānaṁ lastpacchime monthmāse in the autumn seasonsaradasamaye, without inspectingasamavekkhitvā of the Gangesgaṅgāya rivernadiyā nearorimaṁ shoretīraṁ, without inspectingasamavekkhitvā farpārimaṁ shoretīraṁ, across a place with no fordatittheneva cattlegāvo drove acrosspatāresi northernuttaraṁ shoretīraṁ among the Suvidehanssuvidehānaṁ.
“Once upon a time, mendicants, there was an unintelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, without inspecting the near shore or the far shore, he drove his cattle across a place with no ford on the Ganges River to the northern shore among the Suvidehans.
thenAtha
indeedkho,
monksbhikkhave,
cattlegāvo
in the middle of the Gangesmajjhegaṅgāya
of the rivernadiyā
in the streamsote
a circleāmaṇḍaliyaṁ
having madekaritvā
right theretattheva
ruin and destructionanayabyasanaṁ
they came toāpajjiṁsu.
thatTaṁ
of whatkissa
cause?hetu?
thusTathā
forhi
thatso,
monksbhikkhave,
Magadhanmāgadhako
cowherdgopālako
unintelligent by natureduppaññajātiko,
of the rainsvassānaṁ
in the lastpacchime
monthmāse
in the autumn seasonsaradasamaye,
not having inspectedasamavekkhitvā
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
of the rivernadiyā
the nearorimaṁ
shoretīraṁ,
not having inspectedasamavekkhitvā
the farpārimaṁ
shoretīraṁ,
at a place with no fordatittheneva
cattlegāvo
he drove acrosspatāresi
to the northernuttaraṁ
shoretīraṁ
of the Videhanssuvidehānaṁ.
just soEvameva
indeedkho,
monksbhikkhave,
whoeverye
forhi
anykeci
asceticssamaṇā
orvā
brahminsbrāhmaṇā
orvā
unskilledakusalā
of thisimassa
worldlokassa
unskilledakusalā
of the otherparassa
worldlokassa,
unskilledakusalā
of Māra's dominionmāradheyyassa
unskilledakusalā
in what is not Māra's dominionamāradheyyassa,
unskilledakusalā
in Death's dominionmaccudheyyassa
unskilledakusalā
in what is not Death's dominionamaccudheyyassa,
of thosetesaṁ
whoye
worth listening tosotabbaṁ
worth trustingsaddahātabbaṁ
they will thinkmaññissanti,
for thosetesaṁ
thattaṁ
it will bebhavissati
for a long timedīgharattaṁ
for harmahitāya
for sufferingdukkhāya.
But the cattle bunched up in mid-stream and came to ruin right there. Why is that? Because the unintelligent cowherd failed to inspect the shores before driving the cattle across at a place with no ford. In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are unskilled in this world and the other world, unskilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and unskilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting harm and suffering.
once upon a timeBhūtapubbaṁ, mendicantsbhikkhave, Magadhanmāgadhako cowherdgopālako intelligentsappaññajātiko, of the rainy seasonvassānaṁ lastpacchime monthmāse in autumnsaradasamaye, after inspectingsamavekkhitvā of the Gangesgaṅgāya rivernadiyā nearorimaṁ shoretīraṁ, after inspectingsamavekkhitvā farpārimaṁ shoretīraṁ, by a fordtittheneva cattlegāvo drove acrosspatāresi northernuttaraṁ shoretīraṁ of the Suvidehanssuvidehānaṁ.
Once upon a time, mendicants, there was an intelligent Magadhan cowherd. In the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, after inspecting the near shore and the far shore, he drove his cattle across a ford on the Ganges River to the northern shore among the Suvidehans.
heSo
firstpaṭhamaṁ
drove acrosspatāresi
whoye
thosete
bullsusabhā
fathers of the herdgopitaro
captains of the herd.gopariṇāyakā.
theyTe
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
safelysotthinā
far shorepāraṁ
reached.agamaṁsu.
then othersAthāpare
drove acrosspatāresi
strong cattlebalavagāvo
tractable cattle.dammagāvo.
they tooTepi
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
safelysotthinā
far shorepāraṁ
reached.agamaṁsu.
then othersAthāpare
drove acrosspatāresi
bullocksvacchatare
heifers.vacchatariyo.
they tooTepi
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
safelysotthinā
far shorepāraṁ
reached.agamaṁsu.
then othersAthāpare
drove acrosspatāresi
calvesvacchake
weak cattle.kisābalake.
they tooTepi
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
safelysotthinā
far shorepāraṁ
reached.agamaṁsu.
once it happened,Bhūtapubbaṁ,
monks,bhikkhave,
calfvacchako
youngtaruṇako
justtāvadeva
bornjātako
by its mother's lowingmātugoravakena
urged on,vuyhamāno,
even itsopi
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
safelysotthinā
far shorepāraṁ
reached.agamāsi.
thatTaṁ
whatkissa
reason?hetu?
thusTathā
indeedhi
he,so,
monks,bhikkhave,
Magadhanmāgadhako
cowherd,gopālako
intelligent,sappaññajātiko,
of the rainsvassānaṁ
lastpacchime
monthmāse
autumn time,saradasamaye,
having inspectedsamavekkhitvā
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
river'snadiyā
nearorimaṁ
shore,tīraṁ,
having inspectedsamavekkhitvā
farpārimaṁ
shore,tīraṁ,
at a fordtittheneva
cattlegāvo
drove acrosspatāresi
northernuttaraṁ
shoretīraṁ
of the Videhans.suvidehānaṁ.
First he drove across the bulls, the fathers and captains of the herd. They breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Then he drove across the strong and tractable cattle. They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Then he drove across the bullocks and heifers. They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Then he drove across the calves and weak cattle. They too breasted the stream of the Ganges and safely reached the far shore. Once it happened that a baby calf had just been born. Urged on by its mother’s lowing, even it managed to breast the stream of the Ganges and safely reach the far shore. Why is that? Because the intelligent cowherd inspected both shores before driving the cattle across at a ford.
just soEvameva indeedkho, monksbhikkhave, whoye forhi anykeci asceticssamaṇā orvā brahminsbrāhmaṇā orvā skilledkusalā thisimassa worldlokassa skilledkusalā otherparassa worldlokassa, skilledkusalā in Māra's dominionmāradheyyassa skilledkusalā in its oppositeamāradheyyassa, skilledkusalā in Death's dominionmaccudheyyassa skilledkusalā in its oppositeamaccudheyyassa, of themtesaṁ whoye worth listening tosotabbaṁ worth trustingsaddahātabbaṁ will thinkmaññissanti, for themtesaṁ thattaṁ will bebhavissati for a long timedīgharattaṁ for welfarehitāya for happinesssukhāya.
In the same way, there are ascetics and brahmins who are skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks they are worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.
just asSeyyathāpi,
monksbhikkhave,
whoye
thosete
bullsusabhā
fathers of the herdgopitaro
captains of the herdgopariṇāyakā
theyte
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
to safetysotthinā
far shorepāraṁ
wentagamaṁsu;
just soevameva
indeedkho,
monksbhikkhave,
whoye
thosete
mendicantsbhikkhū
perfectedarahanto
with defilements endedkhīṇāsavā
who have completed the spiritual journeyvusitavanto
who have done what had to be donekatakaraṇīyā
who have laid down the burdenohitabhārā
who have achieved their heart’s goalanuppattasadatthā
who have utterly ended the fetter of continued existenceparikkhīṇabhavasaṁyojanā
rightly freed through enlightenmentsammadaññāvimuttā,
theyte
acrosstiriyaṁ
of Māramārassa
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
to safetysotthinā
crossed over to the far shorepāraṅgatā.
Just like the bulls, fathers and captains of the herd, who crossed the Ganges to safety are the mendicants who are perfected, who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and are rightly freed through enlightenment. Having breasted Māra’s stream, they have safely crossed over to the far shore.
just asSeyyathāpi
thosete,
monksbhikkhave,
strong cattlebalavagāvo
tractable cattledammagāvo
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
to safetysotthinā
to the far shorepāraṁ
they wentagamaṁsu;
just soevameva
indeedkho,
monksbhikkhave,
whoye
thosete
monksbhikkhū
of the fivepañcannaṁ
lowerorambhāgiyānaṁ
of fetterssaṁyojanānaṁ
by the endingparikkhayā
reborn spontaneouslyopapātikā
theretattha
extinguished thereparinibbāyino
not liable to returnanāvattidhammā
from thattasmā
worldlokā,
they tootepi
acrosstiriyaṁ
of Māramārassa
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
to safetysotthinā
to the far shorepāraṁ
they will gogamissanti.
Just like the strong and tractable cattle who crossed the Ganges to safety are the mendicants who, with the ending of the five lower fetters, are reborn spontaneously. They’re extinguished there, and are not liable to return from that world. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
just asSeyyathāpi
thosete,
monksbhikkhave,
bullocksvacchatarā
heifersvacchatariyo
slantwisetiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
safelysotthinā
to the far shorepāraṁ
they wentagamaṁsu;
just soevameva
indeedkho,
monksbhikkhave,
whoye
thosete
monksbhikkhū
of threetiṇṇaṁ
of fetterssaṁyojanānaṁ
with the endingparikkhayā
of greed, hate, and delusionrāgadosamohānaṁ
with the weakeningtanuttā
once-returnerssakadāgāmino
once onlysakideva
thisimaṁ
worldlokaṁ
having comeāgantvā
an end of sufferingdukkhassantaṁ
they will makekarissanti,
they tootepi
slantwisetiriyaṁ
of Māramārassa
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
safelysotthinā
to the far shorepāraṁ
they will gogamissanti.
Just like the bullocks and heifers who crossed the Ganges to safety are the mendicants who, with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, are once-returners. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
just asSeyyathāpi
thosete,
monksbhikkhave,
calvesvacchakā
weak cattlekisābalakā
breastingtiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
to safetysotthinā
the far shorepāraṁ
wentagamaṁsu;
even soevameva
indeedkho,
monksbhikkhave,
whoye
thosete
mendicantsbhikkhū
of threetiṇṇaṁ
of fetterssaṁyojanānaṁ
with the endingparikkhayā
stream-entererssotāpannā
not liable to be reborn in the underworldavinipātadhammā
assuredniyatā
destined for awakeningsambodhiparāyanā,
they tootepi
breastingtiriyaṁ
of Māramārassa
streamsotaṁ
having cutchetvā
to safetysotthinā
the far shorepāraṁ
will gogamissanti.
Just like the calves and weak cattle who crossed the Ganges to safety are the mendicants who, with the ending of three fetters are stream-enterers, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
just asSeyyathāpi
heso,
monksbhikkhave,
young calfvacchako
tendertaruṇako
just thentāvadeva
bornjātako
by mother's lowingmātugoravakena
being urged onvuyhamāno
acrosstiriyaṁ
of the Gangesgaṅgāya
streamsotaṁ
having crossedchetvā
to safetysotthinā
to the far shorepāraṁ
wentagamāsi;
just soevameva
indeedkho,
monksbhikkhave,
whoye
thosete
monksbhikkhū
followers of teachingsdhammānusārino
followers by faithsaddhānusārino,
they tootepi
acrosstiriyaṁ
of Māramārassa
streamsotaṁ
having crossedchetvā
to safetysotthinā
to the far shorepāraṁ
will gogamissanti.
Just like the baby calf who had just been born, but, urged on by its mother’s lowing, still managed to cross the Ganges to safety are the mendicants who are followers of teachings, followers by faith. They too, having breasted Māra’s stream, will safely cross over to the far shore.
IAhaṁ indeedkho nowpana, mendicantsbhikkhave, skilledkusalo in thisimassa worldlokassa skilledkusalo in the otherparassa worldlokassa, skilledkusalo in Māra's domainmāradheyyassa skilledkusalo in what is not Māra's domainamāradheyyassa, skilledkusalo in Death's domainmaccudheyyassa skilledkusalo in what is not Death's domainamaccudheyyassa. for thoseTassa of memayhaṁ, mendicantsbhikkhave, whoye worth listening tosotabbaṁ worth trustingsaddahātabbaṁ will thinkmaññissanti, for themtesaṁ thattaṁ will bebhavissati for a long timedīgharattaṁ for welfarehitāya for happinesssukhāyā”ti.
Mendicants, I am skilled in this world and the other world, skilled in Māra’s dominion and its opposite, and skilled in Death’s dominion and its opposite. If anyone thinks I am worth listening to and trusting, it will be for their lasting welfare and happiness.”
this he saidIdamavoca
the Blessed Onebhagavā.
thisIdaṁ
having saidvatvā
the Holy Onesugato
then furtherathāparaṁ
this he saidetadavoca
the Teachersatthā:
this“Ayaṁ
worldloko
the otherparo
worldloko,
by one who knowsjānatā
clearly explainedsuppakāsito;
and whatYañca
by Māramārena
reachedsampattaṁ,
not reachedappattaṁ
and whatyañca
by Deathmaccunā.
the wholeSabbaṁ
worldlokaṁ
directly knowingabhiññāya,
by the Fully Awakened Onesambuddhena
who understandspajānatā;
openedVivaṭaṁ
the door to the deathlessamatadvāraṁ,
the sanctuarykhemaṁ
for attaining extinguishmentnibbānapattiyā.
cutChinnaṁ
of the Wicked Onepāpimato
streamsotaṁ,
blown awayViddhastaṁ
mown downvinaḷīkataṁ;
full of joyPāmojjabahulā
behotha,
the sanctuaryKhemaṁ
set your heart onpattattha
mendicantsbhikkhavo”ti.
the Shorter Discourse on the CowherdCūḷagopālakasuttaṁ
is finishedniṭṭhitaṁ
fourthcatutthaṁ.
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say: “This world and the other world have been clearly explained by one who knows; as well as Māra’s reach, and what’s out of Death’s reach. Directly knowing the whole world, the Buddha who understands has opened the door to freedom from death, for finding the sanctuary, extinguishment. The Wicked One’s stream has been cut, it’s blown away and mown down. Be full of joy, mendicants, set your heart on sanctuary!”
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