Suppavāsāsutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kuṇḍikāyaṁ viharati kuṇḍadhānavane. Tena kho pana samayena suppavāsā koliyadhītā satta vassāni gabbhaṁ dhāreti. Sattāhaṁ mūḷhagabbhā sā dukkhāhi tibbāhi kharāhi kaṭukāhi vedanāhi phuṭṭhā tīhi vitakkehi adhivāseti: “sammāsambuddho vata so bhagavā yo imassa evarūpassa dukkhassa pahānāya dhammaṁ deseti; suppaṭipanno vata tassa bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho yo imassa evarūpassa dukkhassa pahānāya paṭipanno; susukhaṁ vata taṁ nibbānaṁ yatthidaṁ evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ na saṁvijjatī”ti.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kuṇḍiyā in the Kuṇḍadhāna Grove. Now at that time Suppavāsā the Koliyan had been pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days. While suffering painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings, three thoughts helped her endure: “Oh! The Blessed One is indeed a fully awakened Buddha, who teaches the Dhamma for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is indeed practicing well, who practice for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! Extinguishment is so very blissful, where such suffering as this is not found.”

Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā sāmikaṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, ayyaputta, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā mama vacanena bhagavato pāde sirasā vandāhi; appābādhaṁ appātaṅkaṁ lahuṭṭhānaṁ balaṁ phāsuvihāraṁ puccha: ‘suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā bhagavato pāde sirasā vandati; appābādhaṁ appātaṅkaṁ lahuṭṭhānaṁ balaṁ phāsuvihāraṁ pucchatī’ti. Evañca vadehi: ‘suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā satta vassāni gabbhaṁ dhāreti. Sattāhaṁ mūḷhagabbhā sā dukkhāhi tibbāhi kharāhi kaṭukāhi vedanāhi phuṭṭhā tīhi vitakkehi adhivāseti— sammāsambuddho vata so bhagavā yo imassa evarūpassa dukkhassa pahānāya dhammaṁ deseti; suppaṭipanno vata tassa bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho yo imassa evarūpassa dukkhassa pahānāya paṭipanno; susukhaṁ vata taṁ nibbānaṁ yatthidaṁ evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ na saṁvijjatī’”ti.

Then Suppavāsā addressed her husband, “Please, master, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. And then say: ‘Suppavāsā the Koliyan has been pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days. While suffering painful, sharp, severe, acute feelings, three thoughts help her endure: “Oh! The Blessed One is indeed a fully awakened Buddha, who teaches the Dhamma for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is indeed practicing well, who practice for giving up suffering such as this. Oh! Extinguishment is so very blissful, where such suffering as this is not found.”’”

“Paraman”ti kho so koliyaputto suppavāsāya koliyadhītāya paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho koliyaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā bhagavato pāde sirasā vandati, appābādhaṁ appātaṅkaṁ lahuṭṭhānaṁ balaṁ phāsuvihāraṁ pucchati; evañca vadeti: ‘suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā satta vassāni gabbhaṁ dhāreti. Sattāhaṁ mūḷhagabbhā sā dukkhāhi tibbāhi kharāhi kaṭukāhi vedanāhi phuṭṭhā tīhi vitakkehi adhivāseti— sammāsambuddho vata so bhagavā yo imassa evarūpassa dukkhassa pahānāya dhammaṁ deseti; suppaṭipanno vata tassa bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho yo imassa evarūpassa dukkhassa pahānāya paṭipanno; susukhaṁ vata nibbānaṁ yatthidaṁ evarūpaṁ dukkhaṁ na saṁvijjatī’”ti.

“Excellent idea,” he replied. He went to the Buddha and told him of his wife’s struggles. The Buddha said:

“Sukhinī hotu suppavāsā koliyadhītā; arogā arogaṁ puttaṁ vijāyatū”ti. Saha vacanā ca pana bhagavato suppavāsā koliyadhītā sukhinī arogā arogaṁ puttaṁ vijāyi.

“May Suppavāsā the Koliyan be happy and healthy! May she give birth to a healthy child!” As soon as he spoke, Suppavāsā, happy and healthy, gave birth to a healthy child.

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho so koliyaputto bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena sakaṁ gharaṁ tena paccāyāsi. Addasā kho so koliyaputto suppavāsaṁ koliyadhītaraṁ sukhiniṁ arogaṁ arogaṁ puttaṁ vijātaṁ. Disvānassa etadahosi: “acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho, tathāgatassa mahiddhikatā mahānubhāvatā, yatra hi nāmāyaṁ suppavāsā koliyadhītā saha vacanā ca pana bhagavato sukhinī arogā arogaṁ puttaṁ vijāyissatī”ti. Attamano pamudito pītisomanassajāto ahosi.

Saying “Yes, sir,” the Koliyan gentleman 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 returned to his own house. He saw that his wife, happy and healthy, had given birth to a healthy child, and thought, “Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing! The Realized One has such psychic power and might! For as soon as he spoke, Suppavāsā, happy and healthy, gave birth to a healthy child.” He became uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness.

Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā sāmikaṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, ayyaputta, yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā mama vacanena bhagavato pāde sirasā vandāhi: ‘suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā bhagavato pāde sirasā vandatī’ti; evañca vadehi: ‘suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā satta vassāni gabbhaṁ dhāreti. Sattāhaṁ mūḷhagabbhā sā etarahi sukhinī arogā arogaṁ puttaṁ vijātā. Sā sattāhaṁ buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ bhattena nimanteti. Adhivāsetu kira, bhante, bhagavā suppavāsāya koliyadhītāya satta bhattāni saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā’”ti.

Then Suppavāsā addressed her husband, “Please, master, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. And then say, ‘Suppavāsā the Koliyan, who was pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days, is now happy and healthy and has given birth to a healthy child. She invites the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha to a meal for seven days. Sir, would the Buddha please accept seven meals from Suppavāsā?’”

“Paraman”ti kho so koliyaputto suppavāsāya koliyadhītāya paṭissutvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so koliyaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Excellent idea,” he replied. He went to the Buddha, told him the good news, and conveyed his wife’s invitation.

“Suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā bhagavato pāde sirasā vandati; evañca vadeti: ‘suppavāsā, bhante, koliyadhītā satta vassāni gabbhaṁ dhāreti. Sattāhaṁ mūḷhagabbhā sā etarahi sukhinī arogā arogaṁ puttaṁ vijātā. Sā sattāhaṁ buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ bhattena nimanteti. Adhivāsetu kira, bhante, bhagavā suppavāsāya koliyadhītāya satta bhattāni saddhiṁ bhikkhusaṅghenā’”ti.

Tena kho pana samayena aññatarena upāsakena buddhappamukho bhikkhusaṅgho svātanāya bhattena nimantito hoti. So ca upāsako āyasmato mahāmoggallānassa upaṭṭhāko hoti. Atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ mahāmoggallānaṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, moggallāna, yena so upāsako tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ upāsakaṁ evaṁ vadehi: ‘suppavāsā, āvuso, koliyadhītā satta vassāni gabbhaṁ dhāresi. Sattāhaṁ mūḷhagabbhā sā etarahi sukhinī arogā arogaṁ puttaṁ vijātā. Sā sattāhaṁ buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ bhattena nimanteti. Karotu suppavāsā koliyadhītā satta bhattāni, pacchā tvaṁ karissasī’ti. Tuyheso upaṭṭhāko”ti.

Now at that time a certain lay follower had already invited the Saṅgha of monks headed by the Buddha for the meal on the following day. That lay follower was Venerable Mahāmoggallāna’s supporter. Then the Buddha addressed Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, “Please, Moggallāna, go to that lay follower and say to him, ‘Suppavāsā the Koliyan, who was pregnant for seven years, and in obstructed labor for seven days, is now happy and healthy and has given birth to a healthy child. She invites the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha to a meal for seven days. Let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards you can make yours.’ He is your supporter.”

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhagavato paṭissutvā yena so upāsako tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ upāsakaṁ etadavoca: “suppavāsā, āvuso, koliyadhītā satta vassāni gabbhaṁ dhāreti. Sattāhaṁ mūḷhagabbhā sā etarahi sukhinī arogā arogaṁ puttaṁ vijātā. Sā sattāhaṁ buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ bhattena nimanteti. Karotu suppavāsā koliyadhītā satta bhattāni, pacchā tvaṁ karissasī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” replied Mahāmoggallāna. He went to that lay follower and conveyed the Buddha’s request.

“Sace me, bhante, ayyo mahāmoggallāno tiṇṇaṁ dhammānaṁ pāṭibhogo— bhogānañca jīvitassa ca saddhāya ca, karotu suppavāsā koliyadhītā satta bhattāni, pacchāhaṁ karissāmī”ti. “Dvinnaṁ kho te ahaṁ, āvuso, dhammānaṁ pāṭibhogo— bhogānañca jīvitassa ca. Saddhāya pana tvaṁyeva pāṭibhogo”ti.

“If, sir, Master Mahāmoggallāna can guarantee me three things— wealth, life, and faith— then let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards I shall make mine.” “I can guarantee you two things— wealth and life. But as for faith, you alone are the guarantor.”

“Sace me, bhante, ayyo mahāmoggallāno dvinnaṁ dhammānaṁ pāṭibhogo— bhogānañca jīvitassa ca, karotu suppavāsā koliyadhītā satta bhattāni, pacchāhaṁ karissāmī”ti.

“If, sir Master Mahāmoggallāna can guarantee me two things— wealth and life— then let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards I shall make mine.”

Atha kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno taṁ upāsakaṁ saññāpetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “saññatto, bhante, so upāsako mayā; karotu suppavāsā koliyadhītā satta bhattāni, pacchā so karissatī”ti.

Having persuaded that lay follower, Mahāmoggallāna went to the Buddha and said, “I’ve persuaded the lay follower. Let Suppavāsā make seven meals, afterwards he shall make his.”

Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā sattāhaṁ buddhappamukhaṁ bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi, tañca dārakaṁ bhagavantaṁ vandāpesi sabbañca bhikkhusaṅghaṁ.

For seven days Suppavāsā served and satisfied the mendicant Saṅgha headed by the Buddha with her own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. And she made her little boy bow to the Buddha and the mendicant Saṅgha.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto taṁ dārakaṁ etadavoca: “kacci te, dāraka, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyaṁ, kacci na kiñci dukkhan”ti? “Kuto me, bhante sāriputta, khamanīyaṁ, kuto yāpanīyaṁ. Satta me vassāni lohitakumbhiyaṁ vutthānī”ti.

Then Sāriputta said to the boy, “I hope you’re keeping well, little boy, I hope you’re all right. I hope you are not in pain.” “How could I be keeping well? How could I be getting by? For seven years I lived in a pot of blood.”

Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā: “putto me dhammasenāpatinā saddhiṁ mantetī”ti attamanā pamuditā pītisomanassajātā ahosi. Atha kho bhagavā suppavāsaṁ koliyadhītaraṁ attamanaṁ pamuditaṁ pītisomanassajātaṁ viditvā suppavāsaṁ koliyadhītaraṁ etadavoca: “iccheyyāsi tvaṁ, suppavāse, aññampi evarūpaṁ puttan”ti? “Iccheyyāmahaṁ, bhagavā, aññānipi evarūpāni satta puttānī”ti.

Then Suppavāsā, thinking, “My child is conversing with the General of the Dhamma!” was uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness. Knowing this, the Buddha said to her, “Would you like to have another child like this?” “Sir, I would like to have seven more children like this!”

Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:

Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

“Asātaṁ sātarūpena, piyarūpena appiyaṁ; Dukkhaṁ sukhassa rūpena, pamattamativattatī”ti. Aṭṭhamaṁ.

“Pain in the guise of pleasure, the disliked in the guise of the liked, suffering in the guise of happiness, overpower the negligent.”