Bhisacariya

Cariyāpiṭaka

The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood

Yudhañjayavagga

The Chapter With Yudhañjaya

Nekkhammapāramī 4

The Perfection of Renunciation (4th)

Bhisacariya

The Conduct of the Lotus-eaters

“Punāparaṁ yadā homi,

“Then again when I was

kāsīnaṁ puravaruttame;

in the capital citadel of Kāsi,

Bhaginī ca bhātaro satta,

a sister and seven brothers

nibbattā sotthiye kule.

were born in a learned family.

Etesaṁ pubbajo āsiṁ,

I was the first-born of them all,

hirīsukkamupāgato;

furnishing with pure conscience.

Bhavaṁ disvāna bhayato,

Seeing rebirth as fearful,

nekkhammābhirato ahaṁ.

I longed for renunciation.

Mātāpitūhi pahitā,

Sent for by my mother and father,

sahāyā ekamānasā;

my friends with one mind

Kāmehi maṁ nimantenti,

invited me to enjoy sensual pleasures, saying:

‘kulavaṁsaṁ dharehi’ti.

‘Maintain the family lineage.’

Yaṁ tesaṁ vacanaṁ vuttaṁ,

The words they said

gihīdhamme sukhāvahaṁ;

about the ways a householder can find happiness,

Taṁ me ahosi kaṭhinaṁ,

were hard for me to hear,

tattaphālasamaṁ viya.

like a heated ploughshare.

Te maṁ tadā ukkhipantaṁ,

When I turned down their proposal,

pucchiṁsu patthitaṁ mama;

they asked me what I wished for:

‘Kiṁ tvaṁ patthayase samma,

‘My dear, what is it that you wish,

yadi kāme na bhuñjasi’.

since you do not long for sensual pleasures?’

Tesāhaṁ evamavacaṁ,

I spoke to my beneficiaries,

atthakāmo hitesinaṁ;

wanting what is best.

‘Nāhaṁ patthemi gihībhāvaṁ,

‘I wish not for the householder’s state,

nekkhammābhirato ahaṁ’.

I long for renunciation.’

Te mayhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,

Hearing my words,

pitu mātu ca sāvayuṁ;

they told my mother and father.

Mātāpitā evamāhu,

My parents said this:

‘sabbeva pabbajāma bho’.

‘Sirs, let all of us go forth!’

Ubho mātāpitā mayhaṁ,

So both my mother and father,

bhaginī ca satta bhātaro;

sister and seven brothers,

Amitadhanaṁ chaḍḍayitvā,

discarding countless riches,

pāvisimhā mahāvanan”ti.

entered the great forest.”

Bhisacariyaṁ catutthaṁ.