Dhotakamāṇavapucchā

“Pucchāmi taṁ bhagavā brūhi metaṁ, (iccāyasmā dhotako) Vācābhikaṅkhāmi mahesi tuyhaṁ; Tava sutvāna nigghosaṁ, Sikkhe nibbānamattano”.

“I ask you, Blessed One; please tell me this,” said Venerable Dhotaka, “I long for your voice, great seer. After hearing your message, I shall train myself for extinguishment.”

“Tenahātappaṁ karohi, (dhotakāti bhagavā) Idheva nipako sato; Ito sutvāna nigghosaṁ, Sikkhe nibbānamattano”.

“Well then, be keen, alert,” replied the Buddha, “and mindful right here. After hearing this message, go on and train yourself for extinguishment.”

“Passāmahaṁ devamanussaloke, Akiñcanaṁ brāhmaṇamiriyamānaṁ; Taṁ taṁ namassāmi samantacakkhu, Pamuñca maṁ sakka kathaṅkathāhi”.

“I see in the world of gods and humans a brahmin traveling with nothing. I bow especially to you, All-seer: release me, Sakyan, from my indecisions.”

“Nāhaṁ sahissāmi pamocanāya, Kathaṅkathiṁ dhotaka kañci loke; Dhammañca seṭṭhaṁ abhijānamāno, Evaṁ tuvaṁ oghamimaṁ taresi”.

“I am not able to release anyone in the world who is indecisive, Dhotaka. But when you understand the best of teachings, you shall cross this flood.”

“Anusāsa brahme karuṇāyamāno, Vivekadhammaṁ yamahaṁ vijaññaṁ; Yathāhaṁ ākāsova abyāpajjamāno, Idheva santo asito careyyaṁ”.

“Teach me, brahmin, out of compassion, the principle of seclusion so that I may understand. I wish to practice right here, peaceful, independent, unobstructed as space itself.”

“Kittayissāmi te santiṁ, (dhotakāti bhagavā) Diṭṭhe dhamme anītihaṁ; Yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, Tare loke visattikaṁ”.

“I shall extol that peace for you,” replied the Buddha, “that is apparent in the present, not relying on legends. Having understood it, one who lives mindfully may cross over clinging in the world.”

“Tañcāhaṁ abhinandāmi, mahesi santimuttamaṁ; Yaṁ viditvā sato caraṁ, tare loke visattikaṁ”.

“And I rejoice, great seer, in that supreme peace, having understood which, one who lives mindfully may cross over clinging in the world.”

“Yaṁ kiñci sampajānāsi, (dhotakāti bhagavā) Uddhaṁ adho tiriyañcāpi majjhe; Etaṁ viditvā saṅgoti loke, Bhavābhavāya mākāsi taṇhan”ti. Dhotakamāṇavapucchā pañcamī.

“Once you have understood that everything,” replied the Buddha, “you are aware of in the world— above, below, all round, between— is a chain, don’t crave for life after life.”