[220] "When this was said, Mahānāma, I said to those Nigaṇṭhas: 'But, friends Nigaṇṭhas, do you know: "We indeed existed in the past; it is not that we did not exist"?'
'Indeed not, friend.'
'But, friends Nigaṇṭhas, do you know: "We indeed did evil deeds (pāpakamma) in the past; it is not that we did not do them"?'
'Indeed not, friend.'
'But, friends Nigaṇṭhas, do you know: "We did such and such evil deeds"?'
'Indeed not, friend.'
'But, friends Nigaṇṭhas, do you know: "So much suffering (dukkha) has been worn away, so much suffering remains to be worn away, or when so much suffering has been worn away, all suffering will have been worn away"?'
'Indeed not, friend.'
'But, friends Nigaṇṭhas, do you know the abandoning of unwholesome states (akusalā dhammā) and the acquisition of wholesome states (kusalā dhammā) in this very life?'
'Indeed not, friend.'
'So it seems, friends Nigaṇṭhas, that you do not know: "We indeed existed in the past; it is not that we did not exist"; you do not know: "We indeed did evil deeds in the past; it is not that we did not do them"; you do not know: "We did such and such evil deeds"; you do not know: "So much suffering has been worn away, so much suffering remains to be worn away, or when so much suffering has been worn away, all suffering will have been worn away"; you do not know the abandoning of unwholesome states and the acquisition of wholesome states in this very life. This being so, friends Nigaṇṭhas, it is those in the world who are violent, bloody-handed men of cruel deeds who, when they are reborn afterwards among human beings, go forth among the Nigaṇṭhas.'
'Friend Gotama, pleasure is not to be attained through pleasure; pleasure is to be attained through pain. For if pleasure were to be attained through pleasure, King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha would attain pleasure, since King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha dwells in greater pleasure than the venerable Gotama.'
'Surely the venerable Nigaṇṭhas have uttered these words rashly, without reflection: "Friend Gotama, pleasure is not to be attained through pleasure; pleasure is to be attained through pain. For if pleasure were to be attained through pleasure, King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha would attain pleasure, since King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha dwells in greater pleasure than the venerable Gotama." Rather, it is I who should be asked in return on that point: "Who dwells in greater pleasure — King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, or the venerable Gotama?"'
'Surely, friend Gotama, we uttered those words rashly, without reflection: "Friend Gotama, pleasure is not to be attained through pleasure; pleasure is to be attained through pain. For if pleasure were to be attained through pleasure, King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha would attain pleasure, since King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha dwells in greater pleasure than the venerable Gotama." But let that be. We now ask the venerable Gotama: "Who dwells in greater pleasure — King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, or the venerable Gotama?"'
'Well then, friends Nigaṇṭhas, I shall question you in return on that point; you may answer as you see fit. What do you think, friends Nigaṇṭhas: is King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha able to dwell experiencing exclusively pleasure for seven nights and days without moving his body or uttering speech?'
'Indeed not, friend.'
'What do you think, friends Nigaṇṭhas: is King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha able, without moving his body or uttering speech, for six nights and days … five nights and days … four nights and days … three nights and days … two nights and days … one night and day, to dwell experiencing exclusively pleasure?'
'Indeed not, friend.'
'But I, friends Nigaṇṭhas, am able, without moving my body or uttering speech, to dwell experiencing exclusively pleasure for one night and day. I, friends Nigaṇṭhas, am able, without moving my body or uttering speech, to dwell experiencing exclusively pleasure for two nights and days … three nights and days … four nights and days … five nights and days … six nights and days … seven nights and days. What do you think, friends Nigaṇṭhas: this being so, who dwells in pleasure — King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, or I?'
'This being so, the venerable Gotama dwells in greater pleasure than King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha.'"
Thus spoke the Blessed One. Satisfied, Mahānāma the Sakyan delighted in the Blessed One's words.
The Cūḷadukkhakkhandha Sutta, the fourth, is finished.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.