To Pasūra on Debate · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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⚠ Glossing did not finish. The original text is shown below.
Idheva suddhī iti vādayanti, Nāññesu dhammesu visuddhimāhu; Yaṁ nissitā tattha subhaṁ vadānā, Paccekasaccesu puthū niviṭṭhā.
“Here alone is purity,” they say, denying that there is purification in other teachings. Speaking of the beauty in that which they depend on, each one is dogmatic about their own idiosyncratic interpretation.
Te vādakāmā parisaṁ vigayha, Bālaṁ dahantī mithu aññamaññaṁ; Vadanti te aññasitā kathojjaṁ, Pasaṁsakāmā kusalā vadānā.
Desiring debate, they plunge into an assembly, where each takes the other as a fool. Relying on others they state their contention, desiring praise while claiming to be skilled.
Yutto kathāyaṁ parisāya majjhe, Pasaṁsamicchaṁ vinighāti hoti; Apāhatasmiṁ pana maṅku hoti, Nindāya so kuppati randhamesī.
Addicted to debating in the midst of the assembly, their need for praise makes them nervous. But when they’re repudiated they get embarrassed; upset at criticism, they find fault in others.
Yamassa vādaṁ parihīnamāhu, Apāhataṁ pañhavimaṁsakāse; Paridevati socati hīnavādo, Upaccagā manti anutthunāti.
If their doctrine is said to be weak, and judges declare it repudiated, the loser weeps and wails, moaning, “They beat me.”
Ete vivādā samaṇesu jātā, Etesu ugghātinighāti hoti; Etampi disvā virame kathojjaṁ, Na haññadatthatthi pasaṁsalābhā.
When these disputes come up among ascetics, they get excited or dejected. Seeing this, refrain from contention, for the only purpose is praise and profit.
Pasaṁsito vā pana tattha hoti, Akkhāya vādaṁ parisāya majjhe; So hassatī unnamatī ca tena, Pappuyya tamatthaṁ yathā mano ahu.
But if, having declared their doctrine, they are praised there in the midst of the assembly, they laugh and gloat because of it, having got what they wanted.
Yā unnatī sāssa vighātabhūmi, Mānātimānaṁ vadate paneso; Etampi disvā na vivādayetha, Na hi tena suddhiṁ kusalā vadanti.
Their pride is their downfall, yet they speak from conceit and arrogance. Seeing this, one ought not dispute, for those who are skilled say this is no way to purity.
Sūro yathā rājakhādāya puṭṭho, Abhigajjameti paṭisūramicchaṁ; Yeneva so tena palehi sūra, Pubbeva natthi yadidaṁ yudhāya.
As a warrior, after feasting on royal food, goes roaring, looking for someone to fight— go off and find an opponent, Sūra, for here, as before, there is no one to combat.
Ye diṭṭhimuggayha vivādayanti, Idameva saccanti ca vādayanti; Te tvaṁ vadassū na hi tedha atthi, Vādamhi jāte paṭisenikattā.
When someone disputes about a view they’ve adopted, saying, “This is the only truth,” say to them, “Here you’ll have no adversary when a dispute has come up.”
Visenikatvā pana ye caranti, Diṭṭhīhi diṭṭhiṁ avirujjhamānā; Tesu tvaṁ kiṁ labhetho pasūra, Yesīdha natthī paramuggahītaṁ.
There are those who live far from the crowd, not countering views with view. Who is there to argue with you, Pasūra, among those who grasp nothing here as the highest?
Atha tvaṁ pavitakkamāgamā, Manasā diṭṭhigatāni cintayanto; Dhonena yugaṁ samāgamā, Na hi tvaṁ sakkhasi sampayātaveti. Pasūrasuttaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.
And so you come along speculating, thinking up theories in your mind. Now that you’ve challenged someone who is cleansed, you’ll not be able to respond.
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