Upālisutta

Majjhima Nikāya 56

With Upāli · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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as a lay followerUpāsakaṁ memaṁ the Blessed Onebhagavā may he rememberdhāretu today·beginning fromajjatagge life·gone topāṇupetaṁ for refugesaraṇaṁ who has gonegatan”ti.

From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

thenAtha indeedkho the Blessed Onebhagavā to Upāliupālissa to the householdergahapatissa step by stepanupubbiṁ talkkathaṁ taughtkathesi, that is to sayseyyathidaṁ—
talk on givingdānakathaṁ talk on ethical conductsīlakathaṁ talk on heavensaggakathaṁ, of sensual pleasureskāmānaṁ drawbackādīnavaṁ sordidnessokāraṁ corruptionsaṅkilesaṁ, in renunciationnekkhamme benefitānisaṁsaṁ revealedpakāsesi.
whenYadā the Blessed Onebhagavā knewaññāsi Upāliupāliṁ householdergahapatiṁ with ready mindkallacittaṁ with pliable mindmuducittaṁ with mind rid of hindrancesvinīvaraṇacittaṁ with elated mindudaggacittaṁ with confident mindpasannacittaṁ, thenatha whichyā of the Buddhasbuddhānaṁ specialsāmukkaṁsikā teaching of the Dhammadhammadesanā thattaṁ revealedpakāsesi—
sufferingdukkhaṁ, originsamudayaṁ, cessationnirodhaṁ, pathmaggaṁ.
just asSeyyathāpi indeednāma cleansuddhaṁ clothvatthaṁ rid of stainsapagatakāḷakaṁ properlysammadeva dyerajanaṁ would absorbpaṭiggaṇheyya;
just soevameva to Upāliupālissa to the householdergahapatissa in that very seattasmiṁyeva in the seatāsane stainlessvirajaṁ immaculatevītamalaṁ vision of the Dhammadhammacakkhuṁ aroseudapādi:
whatever“yaṁ anykiñci liable to arisesamudayadhammaṁ allsabbaṁ thattaṁ liable to ceasenirodhadhamman”ti.
thenAtha indeedkho Upāliupāli householdergahapati one who has seen the Dhammadiṭṭhadhammo one who has attained the Dhammapattadhammo one who has understood the Dhammaviditadhammo one who has fathomed the Dhammapariyogāḷhadhammo gone beyond doubttiṇṇavicikiccho rid of indecisionvigatakathaṅkatho attained self-assurancevesārajjappatto independent of othersaparappaccayo regarding the Teacher's instructionssatthusāsane to the Blessed Onebhagavantaṁ this he saidetadavoca:
well now“handa andca nowdāni wemayaṁ, sirbhante, let us gogacchāma, having many dutiesbahukiccā wemayaṁ having much to dobahukaraṇīyā”ti.
when“Yassadāni youtvaṁ, householdergahapati, timekālaṁ thinkmaññasī”ti.

Then the Buddha taught the householder Upāli step by step, with a talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He revealed the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation. And when he knew that Upāli’s mind was ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he revealed the special teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye, in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in Upāli: “Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.” Then Upāli saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. He went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher’s instructions. He said to the Buddha, “Well, now, sir, I must go. I have many duties, and much to do.” “Please, householder, go at your convenience.”

thenAtha indeedkho Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the Blessed Onebhagavato speechbhāsitaṁ toward·rejoiceabhinanditvā along·rejoiceanumoditvā having risen·seatuṭṭhāyāsanā the Blessed Onebhagavantaṁ toward·speakabhivādetvā rightwisepadakkhiṇaṁ having donekatvā whereyena ownsakaṁ homenivesanaṁ he approachedtenupasaṅkami; near·goupasaṅkamitvā guarddovārikaṁ addressedāmantesi:
from this day forth“ajjatagge, friendsamma guarddovārika, to·closeāvarāmi gatedvāraṁ of Jain monksnigaṇṭhānaṁ of Jain nunsnigaṇṭhīnaṁ, not·closedanāvaṭaṁ gatedvāraṁ of the Blessed Onebhagavato of monksbhikkhūnaṁ of nunsbhikkhunīnaṁ of laymenupāsakānaṁ of laywomenupāsikānaṁ.
ifSace anykoci Jain asceticnigaṇṭho to·goāgacchati himtamenaṁ youtvaṁ thusevaṁ should sayvadeyyāsi:
wait‘tiṭṭha, sirbhante, do notmā enterpāvisi.
today + beginningAjjatagge Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa Gotamagotamassa disciplehoodsāvakattaṁ has goneupagato.
ClosedĀvaṭaṁ gatedvāraṁ of Jain monksnigaṇṭhānaṁ of Jain nunsnigaṇṭhīnaṁ, not·closedanāvaṭaṁ gatedvāraṁ of the Blessed Onebhagavato of monksbhikkhūnaṁ of nunsbhikkhunīnaṁ of laymenupāsakānaṁ of laywomenupāsikānaṁ.
ifSace to youte, sirbhante, of almsfoodpiṇḍakena needattho, here·justettheva waittiṭṭha, here·justettheva to youte they will bringāharissantī’”ti.
yes,“Evaṁ, sirbhante”ti indeedkho guarddovāriko of Upāliupālissa householdergahapatissa repliedpaccassosi.

And then the householder Upāli 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 went back to his own home, where he addressed the gatekeeper, “My good gatekeeper, from this day forth close the gate to Jain monks and nuns, and open it for the Buddha’s monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. If any Jain ascetics come, say this to them: ‘Wait, sir, do not enter. From now on the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama. His gate is closed to Jain monks and nuns, and opened for the Buddha’s monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. If you require almsfood, wait here, they will bring it to you.’” “Yes, sir,” replied the gatekeeper.

heardAssosi indeedkho long·asceticdīghatapassī Jainnigaṇṭho:
“Upāli“upāli they saykira householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ has gone to"upagato”ti.
thenAtha indeedkho long·asceticdīghatapassī Jainnigaṇṭho whereyena the Jainnigaṇṭho Ñāta·sonnāṭaputto approached himtenupasaṅkami; to·goupasaṅkamitvā the Jainnigaṇṭhaṁ Ñāta·sonnāṭaputtaṁ said this to himetadavoca:
“it is heard“sutaṁ by me,metaṁ, sir,bhante, Upāliupāli they saykira householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ has gone to"upagato”ti.
“it is impossible“Aṭṭhānaṁ indeedkho this,etaṁ, Tapassī,tapassi, not·possibleanavakāso thatyaṁ Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ could go toupagaccheyya.
possible + andṬhānañca indeedkho thisetaṁ is foundvijjati thatyaṁ the asceticsamaṇo Gotamagotamo of Upāliupālissa of the householdergahapatissa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ could go to"upagaccheyyā”ti.
second + alsoDutiyampi indeedkho long·asceticdīghatapassī Jainnigaṇṭho ……pe…
third + alsotatiyampi indeedkho long·asceticdīghatapassī Jainnigaṇṭho the Jainnigaṇṭhaṁ Ñāta·sonnāṭaputtaṁ said this to himetadavoca:
“it is heard“sutaṁ by me,metaṁ, sirbhante ……
…pe…
of Upāliupālissa of the householdergahapatissa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ could go to"upagaccheyyā”ti.
“well then, I“Handāhaṁ, sir,bhante, gogacchāmi untilyāva knowjānāmi whetheryadi orvā Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ to·goneupagato whetheryadi orvā not"no”ti.

Dīgha Tapassī heard that Upāli had become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama. He went to the Jain Ñātika and said to him, “Sir, they say that the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama.” “It is impossible, Tapassī, it cannot happen that Upāli could become Gotama’s disciple. But it is possible that Gotama could become Upāli’s disciple.” For a second time … and a third time, Dīgha Tapassī said to the Jain Ñātika, “Sir, they say that the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama.” “It is impossible, Tapassī, it cannot happen that Upāli could become Gotama’s disciple. But it is possible that Gotama could become Upāli’s disciple.” “Well, sir, I’d better go and find out whether or not Upāli has become Gotama’s disciple.”

go“Gaccha youtvaṁ, Tapassītapassi, find outjānāhi whetheryadi orvā Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa disciplehoodsāvakattaṁ upon·goneupagato whetheryadi orvā notno”ti.

“Go, Tapassī, and find out whether or not Upāli has become Gotama’s disciple.”

thenAtha indeedkho long·asceticdīghatapassī Jain monknigaṇṭho to whereyena of Upāliupālissa of the householdergahapatissa homenivesanaṁ he went to ittenupasaṅkami.
sawAddasā indeedkho gatekeeperdovāriko long·asceticdīghatapassiṁ Jain monknigaṇṭhaṁ from afardūratova comingāgacchantaṁ.
having seenDisvāna long·asceticdīghatapassiṁ Jain monknigaṇṭhaṁ said thisetadavoca:
wait“tiṭṭha, sirbhante, do notmā enterpāvisi.
from today onwardAjjatagge Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ has goneupagato.
closedĀvaṭaṁ gatedvāraṁ for Jain monksnigaṇṭhānaṁ for Jain nunsnigaṇṭhīnaṁ, not·closedanāvaṭaṁ gatedvāraṁ of the Blessed Onebhagavato for monksbhikkhūnaṁ for nunsbhikkhunīnaṁ for laymenupāsakānaṁ for laywomenupāsikānaṁ.
ifSace to youte, sirbhante, with almsfoodpiṇḍakena needattho, right hereettheva waittiṭṭha, right hereettheva to youte they will bringāharissantī”ti.
no“Na to meme, worthy manāvuso, with almsfoodpiṇḍakena needattho”ti having saidvatvā from theretato back·turnpaṭinivattitvā to whereyena Jainnigaṇṭho Ñātikanāṭaputto he went to himtenupasaṅkami; to·approachupasaṅkamitvā Jainnigaṇṭhaṁ Ñātikanāṭaputtaṁ said thisetadavoca:
it is true“saccaṁyeva indeedkho, sirbhante, thatyaṁ Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ has goneupagato.
thisEtaṁ indeedkho to youte Iahaṁ, sirbhante, I could not getnālatthaṁ, notna indeedkho to meme, sirbhante, pleasesruccati thatyaṁ Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa of Gotamagotamassa doctrinevādaṁ should rebutāropeyya.

Then Dīgha Tapassī went to Upāli’s home. The gatekeeper saw him coming off in the distance and said to him, “Wait, sir, do not enter. From now on the householder Upāli has become a disciple of the ascetic Gotama. His gate is closed to Jain monks and nuns, and opened for the Buddha’s monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. If you require almsfood, wait here, they will bring it to you.” Saying, “No, worthy man, I do not require almsfood,” he turned back and went to the Jain Ñātika and said to him, “Sir, it’s really true that Upāli has become Gotama’s disciple. Sir, I couldn’t get you to accept that it wasn’t a good idea for the householder Upāli to rebut the ascetic Gotama’s doctrine.

the asceticSamaṇo indeedhi, sirbhante, Gotamagotamo deceitfulmāyāvī a conversion trickāvaṭṭaniṁ trickmāyaṁ he knowsjānāti by whichyāya other·sectariansaññatitthiyānaṁ disciplessāvake he converts.āvaṭṭetīti.
convertedĀvaṭṭo indeedkho youte, sirbhante, Upāliupāli householdergahapati by the asceticsamaṇena Gotamagotamena of conversionāvaṭṭaniyā by trick.”māyāyā”ti.
“It is impossible“Aṭṭhānaṁ indeedkho this,etaṁ, Tapassī,tapassi, it cannot happenanavakāso thatyaṁ Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ could go to.upagaccheyya.
But it is possibleṬhānañca indeedkho thisetaṁ is foundvijjati thatyaṁ the asceticsamaṇo Gotamagotamo of Upāliupālissa householdergahapatissa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ could go to.”upagaccheyyā”ti.
For a second timeDutiyampi indeedkho Dīgha Tapassīdīghatapassī the Jainnigaṇṭho the Jainnigaṇṭhaṁ Ñātikanāṭaputtaṁ said this:etadavoca:
“it is really true,“saccaṁyeva, sirbhante ……pe…
of Upāliupālissa householdergahapatissa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ could go to.”upagaccheyyā”ti.
For a third timeTatiyampi indeedkho Dīgha Tapassīdīghatapassī the Jainnigaṇṭho the Jainnigaṇṭhaṁ Ñātikanāṭaputtaṁ said this:etadavoca:
“it is really true“saccaṁyeva indeed,kho, sirbhante ……
…pe…
of Upāliupālissa householdergahapatissa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ could go to.”upagaccheyyā”ti.
“Well,“Handa Icāhaṁ, Tapassī,tapassi, am goinggacchāmi untilyāva Icāhaṁ self·reallysāmaṁyeva knowjānāmi whetheryadi orvā Upāliupāli householdergahapati of the asceticsamaṇassa Gotamagotamassa discipleshipsāvakattaṁ has gone toupagato whetheryadi orvā not.”no”ti.

For the ascetic Gotama is deceitful. He knows a conversion trick, and uses it to convert the disciples of other religions. The householder Upāli has been converted by the ascetic Gotama’s conversion trick!” “It is impossible, Tapassī, it cannot happen that Upāli could become Gotama’s disciple. But it is possible that Gotama could become Upāli’s disciple.” For a second time … and a third time, Dīgha Tapassī told the Jain Ñātika that it was really true. “It is impossible … Well, Tapassī, I’d better go and find out for myself whether or not Upāli has become Gotama’s disciple.”

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