Jivika

JIVAKA—SUTTA
(DISCOURSE ON JIVAKA, THE DOCTOR)

{ SUTTANTA-PITAKA, MAJJHIMA-NIKAYA, MAJJHIMA-PANNSA, GAHAPATI-VAGGA }

'Thus I have heard. At one time the Bhagava was staying
at Rajagaha in the Mango Grove of Jivaka Komarabhacca, the adopted
son of Abhaya, the king's son. Then Jivaka Komarabhacca approached
the Blessed One. Having approached and made obeisance to Him, he sat
down at one side and having sat down, Jivaka Komarabhacca asked the
Blessed One:

'Lord, I have heard that animals are slaughtered on
purpose for the recluse Gotama, and that the recluse Gotama
knowingly eats the meat killed on purpose for him. Lord, do those
who say animals are slaughtered on purpose for the recluse Gotama,
and the recluse Gotama knowingly eats the meat killed on purpose for
him speak the Word of the Buddha, or do they falsely accuse the
Buddha ? Do they speak the truth according to the truth? Are your
declarations and supplementary declarations not thus subject to be
ridiculed by others in any manner ?'

'Jivaka, those who say "Animals are slaughtered on
purpose for the recluse Gotama, and the recluse Gotama knowingly
eats the meat killed on purpose for him" do not say according to
what I have declared, and they falsely accuse me. Jivaka, I have
declared that one should not make use of meat if it is seen, heard
or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk. I allow the
monks meat that is quite pure in three respects: if it is not seen,
heard or suspected to have been killed on purpose for a monk.'

'Jivaka, in this Sasana a monk resides in a certain
village or suburb with a mind full of Loving-kindness pervading
first one direction, then a second one, then a third one, then the
fourth one, just so above, below and all around ; and everywhere
identifying himself with all, he pervades the whole world with mind
full of Loving-kindness, with mind wide, developed, unbounded, free
from hate and ill—will.'

'A certain householder or his son approaches that monk
and invites him to the morning meal in his house the next day.
Jivaka, the monk willingly accepts the invitation. Having passed
that night, early the next morning that monk puts on his inner robe,
dresses himself and having taken a bowl goes to the householder or
his son's house. Having reached the house of the householder he sits
down at a place specially meant for him. Then the householder or his
son offers him a delicious meal. To that monk no such thought
arises : "How good it would be if this householder or his son were
to offer me a delicious meal", or "How good it would be were this
householder to offer me such a delicious meal in future." That monk
has no craving for that meal, does not brood over the matter, and
has no attachment for it; on the contrary, he contemplates the
miseries in connection with material food, and having possessed
himself of Wisdom pertaining to the finding of a way to Freedom, he
eats the meal.'

'Jivaka, what do you think about him in the matter? Has
he caused ill-will towards himself or another or both ?

'No ; Venerable Sir.'

'Jivaka, did not that monk eat a meal that was free from
blemishes at that time ?'

'Yes ; Venerable Sir.

'Lord, I have heard that the Brahma lives with Loving-
kindness. Lord, I have now seen with my own eyes that the Bhagava is
that very Brahma because He lives with Loving-kindness.'

'Jivaka, ill-will is caused by raga (greed), dosa
(hatred) and moha (delusion); but the Bhagava has already eradicated
raga, dosa and moha, and as they have been cut at the roots, they
will never arise in future. Jivaka, if you really speak in that
light. I shall accept your words.'

'Lord, I really spoke in that light.'

'Again, Jivaka. in this Sasana a monk resides in a
certain village or suburb with a mind full of Compassion, of
Altruistic Joy and of Equanimity directed first in one direction,
then a second one, then a third one, then the fourth, just so above,
below and all around ; and everywhere identifying him self with all,
he pervades the whole world with mind full of Equanimity, with mind
wide, developed, unbounded, free from hate and ill-will.'

'A certain householder or his son approaches that monk
and invites him to the morning meal in his house the next day.
Jivaka, that monk willingly accepts the invitation. Having passed
that night, early the next morning that monk puts on his inner robe,
dresses himself, and having taken a bowl goes to the householder's
house. Having reached the house he sits down at a place specially
prepared for him. Then the householder or his son offers him a
delicious meal. To that monk no such thought arises: "How good it
would be were this householder to offer me a delicious meal",
or "How good it would be were this householder to offer me such a
delicious meal in future". That monk has no craving for that meal,
does not brood over the matter, and has no attachment for it; on the
contrary, he contemplates the miseries in connection with material
food, and having possessed himself of Wisdom pertaining to the
finding of a way to Freedom, he eats the meal.'

'Jivaka, what do you think about him in the matter ? Has
he caused ill-will against himself or another or both?'

'No ; Venerable Sir.'

'Jivaka, did not that monk eat a meal that was free from
blemishes at that time ?'

'Yes ; Venerable Sir.'

'Lord, I have heard that the Brahma lives with
Equanimity. Lord, I have now seen with my own eyes that the Bhagava
is that very Brahma because He lives with Equanimity.'

'Jivaka, ill-will is caused by raga (greed), dosa
(hatred) and moha (delusion); but the Bhagava has already eradicated
raga, dosa and moha, and as they have been cut at the roots, they
will never arise again in future. Jivaka, if you really speak in
that light, I shall accept your words.'

'Lord, I really spoke in that light.'

'Indeed, Jivaka, if the householder slaughters an animal
on purpose for the Tathagata or His disciples, he performs the
following five kinds of unwholesome volitional actions : —

"Go and bring such and such an animal here", orders the householder.
Thus he has firstly committed an unwholesome volitional action.
Secondly, this householder has committed an unwholesome volitional
action by causing the animal to be dragged by the neck thus making
the animal suffer disagreeable mental sensations.
Thirdly, he has committed an unwholesome volitional action by
ordering his men to kill the animal.
Fourthly, he has committed an unwholesome volitional action by
having the animal killed, thus causing it disagreeable mental
sensations.
Fifthly, he has committed unwholesome volitional action offering the
Tathagata and disciples meat slaughtered purpose for a monk."
This being said, Jivaka Komarabhacca, the adopted son of
Abhaya, the king's son, said to the Bhagava : 'It is wonderful; O
Gotama, it is wonderful; Just as, O Gotama, one should set upright
that which is upside down or lay bare that which is concealed, or
tell the way to a man who has lost his way, or hold a lamp in the
dark so that those who have eyes might see things; even so, the
Dhamma has been revealed to me in many ways by the Venerable Gotama.
I take refuge in the Venerable Gotama, in the Dhamma and the Order
of monks ; may the Venerable Gotama accept me as a lay disciple who
has taken refuge from today onward as long as my life lasts.