Here is the first installment of the Sa.myutta series that Ven. Yuttadhammo
and I are working on. I will be posting two suttas today based on
discussions that Yong Peng and I have had. However, if you feel that this
is moving too fast then please let us know( you can even e-mail me
privately). My concern is that people get some use out of this and have
time to soak it up, so if we move too fast, then this does no good. Either
way, I will be working ahead, so staying at this rate or slowing down does
not matter to me.
As for the first sutta, I have tried to translate all the text that I found
including the name of the Vagga, chapter, samyutta, sutta name, etc.
Though I have edited and re-edited this and the other suttas, there are
bound to be mistakes. Every time I think that I've perfected it, I find a
problem. Such is life. Additionally, I don't have unlimited time, and so
must draw a line at some point. Believe it or not, the second sutta of this
vagga took me a full sixteen hours to translate and analyze, re-work, and
then do a final edit of. You will see this rather lengthy sutta next
Saturday. Today you will see the first and third suttas of the Nidaanavagga
(the second vagga):
SN XII.1 and SN XII.3 or S 2.1.1.1 and S 2.1.1.2 depending on the numbering
system.
Please don't hesitate to tell me when there are mistakes. I will fix them
for sure, and this will help me, and perhaps others, learn.
All comments are appreciated.
The layout is:
1) the whole Pali text (at the beginning)
2) one pali phrase
3) grammatical analysis and term by term translation of each term in that
phrase
4) English translation of the entire phrase
5) the whole English text (at the very end)
SN XXII.1 "The first sutta of the twelfth sa.myutta of the Sa.myutta
Nikaaya"
[Or]
S 2.1.1.1 "The first sutta of the first chapter of the first sa.myutta of
the second vagga (or book) of the Sa.myutta Nikaaya"
Suttantapi.take
Suttanta[n-a] discourses
Pi.take[m-a/loc/sg] in basket/division
Suttantapi.take [tappurisa compound] division of discourses
The Division of Discourses
Sa.myuttanikaayo
Sa.myutta [sa.m+yuj II/pp] connected [discourses]
Nikaayo[m-a/nom/sg] collection
Sa.myuttanikaayo [tappurisa compound] the collection of connected discourses
The Collection of Connected Discourses
2.Dutiyo bhaago
Dutiyo[ord num/nom/m/sg] second
Bhaago[bha~nj I/pp/m/nom/sg] part
Part Two:
Nidaanavaggo
Nidaana [n-a] causation
Vaggo[m-a/nom/sg] chapter/book
Nidaanavaggo[tappurisa compound] chapter on causation
The Book on Causation
1. Nidaanasa.myutta.m
Nidaana [n-a] causation
sa.myutta.m [sa.m+yuj II/pp/n/nom] connected [discourses]
Nidaanasa.myutta[tappurisa compound] connected discourses on causation
The Connected Discourses on Causation
1. Buddhavaggo
Buddha[m-a] Buddha
Vaggo[m-a/nom/sg] chapter
Buddhavaggo [Tappurisa compound] Chapter on the Buddhas
The Chapter on the Buddhas
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa
Namo[n-a/nom/sg] homage
tassa [dem pro/m/dat/sg] the
bhagavato [m-ant/dat/sg] to the Blessed One
arahato [m-ant/dat/sg] to the Emancipated One
sammaa[indec] perfectly
sambuddhassa[m-a/dat/sg] completely/fully awakened
sammaasambuddhassa [khammadhaaraya compound] to the perfectly
completely-awakened one
Homage to the Blessed One, the Emancipated One, the Perfectly and
Completely-Awakened One
Pa.ticcasamuppaada[m-a] Dependent co-origination/Dependent origination
sutta.m[n-a/nom/sg]Discourse
Pa.ticcasamuppaadasutta.m[tappurisa compound] Discourse on Dependent
Origination
The Discourse on Dependent Origination
Eva.m me suta.m
Eva.m [indec/adv] thus
me [per pro/instr/1st sg] by me
suta.m[ su V/pp/n/nom/sg] it was heard
lit: thus it was heard by me
Thus I have heard
eka.m samaya.m bhagavaa saavatthiya.m viharati jetavane anaathapi.n.dikassa
aaraame
- eka.m [num/m/acc/sg] one
samaya.m [ m-a/acc/sg] time
bhagavaa [ m-ant/nom/sg] the Blessed One
saavatthiya.m [f-i/loc/sg ] Saavatthi
viharati [vi+har I/ind act/3rd sg] he was dwelling
jeta [m-a] of Jeta
vane[n-a/locative/sg] grove, forest, etc.
jetavane [tappurisa compound] the grove of Jeta
anaathapi.n.dikassa [m-a/gen/sg ] of Anathapindika
aaraame. [m-a/loc/sg ] in the monastery
One time the Blessed One was staying at Savatthi in Anathapindika's
Monastery Within Jeta's grove.
Tatra kho bhagavaa bhikkhuu aamantesi
Tatra[indec] there
Kho[indec/enc] indeed
bhagavaa[m-ant/nom/sg] the Blessed One
bhikkhuu[m-u/acc/pl] bhikkhus
aamantesi-[a+mant VII/ aor/3rd sg] he addressed
There, indeed, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus.
"bhikkhavo"ti. "Bhadante"ti te bhikkhuu bhagavato paccassosu.m.
"bhikkhavo"[m-u/voc/pl] Bhikkhus
ti [indec/enc] end quote
"Bhadante"[adj/voc/sg] Venerable sir
te [per pro/nom/3rd pl] they
ti [indec/enc] end quote
bhagavato [m-ant/dat/sg] to the Blessed One
paccassosu.m. [(p)pa.ti+(s)su V/aor/3rd pl] they assented
"Bhikkhus." "Venerable Sir" they assented.
Bhagavaa etadavoca
Bhagavaa [m-ant/nom/sg] the Blessed One
etad[dem pro/neut/acc/sg] this:
avoca- [vac I/aor/3rd sg] he said
The Blessed One said this:
"pa.ticcasamuppaada.m vo, bhikkhave, desessaami ta.m su.naatha, saadhuka.m
manasi karotha bhaasissaamii"ti.
"pa.ticcasamuppaada.m [m-a/acc/sg] "Dependent co-origination
vo, [indec] (emphasis)
bhikkhave, [m-u/voc/pl] bhikkhus
desessaami [dis VII/fut/1st sg] I will teach
ta.m [dem pro/n/acc/sg] it
su.naatha, [(s)su V/imp/2nd pl] Hear
saadhuka.m [indec/adv] well/thoroughly
manasi [adj/n/loc/sg] mind
karotha [kar VI/imp/2nd pl] Reflect
bhaasissaamii"[bhaas I/fut/1st sg] I will speak
ti. [indec/enc] end quote
Lit:"Bhikkhus, I will teach you 'Dependent Origination.'" "Listen to it and
reflect well in your mind. I will speak:"
Bhikkhus, I am going to teach you "Dependent Co-Origination." Listen and
reflect well as I speak.
"Eva.m, bhante"ti kho te bhikkhuu bhagavato paccassosu.m. Bhagavaa
etadavoca- "Katamo ca, bhikkhave, pa.ticcasamuppaado?
"Eva.m, [adv] thus
bhante"[indec] Venerable sir
ti [ind/enc] end quote
kho [indec/enc] indeed
te [per pro/nom/3rd pl] they
bhikkhuu [m-u/nom/pl] Bhikkhus
bhagavato [m-ant/dat/sg] to the Blessed One
paccassosu.m. [(p)pa.ti+(s)su V/aor/3rd pl] they assented
Bhagavaa [m-ant/nom/sg]the Blessed One
etad[pro/neut/acc/sg] this:
avoca- [aor act/3rd/sg] he said
"Katamo[adj/m/nom/sg] Which/or merely emphatic
ca, [indec/enc] and
bhikkhave,[m-u/voc/pl] bhikkhus
pa.ticcasamuppaado? [m-a/nom/pl] dependent origination?
"Yes, Venerable Sir." the bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this: "And what, Bhikkhus, is Dependent Origination?"
Avijjaapaccayaa, bhikkhave, sa'nkhaaraa sa'nkhaarapaccayaa vi~n~naa.na.m
Avijjaa[f-aa] ignorance
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
Avijjaapaccayaa[tappurissa compound] With condition of ignorance
bhikkhave,[m-u/voc/pl] bhikkhus
sa'nkhaaraa [m-a/nom/pl] kammic formations.
sa'nkhaara[m-a] kammic formations
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] as conditions
Sankhaarapaccaya[tappurisa compound] with condition of kammic formations
vi~n~naa.na.m [n-a/nom/sg] consciousness
With the condition of ignorance, bhikkhus, arises kammic formations. With
the condition of kammic formations arises consciousness
vi~n~naa.napaccayaa naamaruupa.m naamaruupapaccayaa sa.laayatana.m
vi~n~naa.na[n-a] Consciousness
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
vi~n~naa.napaccayaa[tappurisa compound] With the condition of consciousness
naamaruupa.m [n-a/nom/sg] body and mind
naamaruupa[n-a] body and mind
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
naamaruupapaccayaa[compound] With the condition of body and mind
cha.l[num] six
aayatana.m[n-a/nom/sg] sense bases
cha.l+aayatana.m=sa.laayatana.m
sa.laayatana.m? [digu compound] six sense bases
With the condition of consciousness arise body and mind. With the condition
of body and mind, arises the six sense-bases.
sa.laayatanapaccayaa phasso phassapaccayaa vedanaa
sa.laayatana[n-a] the six sense bases
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
sa.laayatanapaccayaa [tappurisa compound] With the condition of the six
sense bases
phasso [m-a/nom/sg] sense contact
phassa[m-a] sense contact
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
phassapaccayaa[tappurisa compound] With the condition of sense contact
vedanaa [f-aa/nom/sg] feeling
With the condition of the six sense bases arises sense contact. With the
condition of sense contact arises feeling.
vedanaapaccayaa ta.nhaa ta.nhaapaccayaa upaadaana.m
vedanaa[f-aa] Feeling
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
vedanaapaccaya[tappurisa compound] With the condition of feeling
ta.nhaa [f-aa/nom/sg] craving
ta.nhaa[f-aa] craving
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
ta.nhaapaccayaa[tappurisa compound] With the condition of craving
upaadaana.m [m-a/acc/sg] clinging
With the condition of feeling arises craving. With the condition of craving
arises clinging.
upaadaanapaccayaa bhavo bhavapaccayaa jaati
upaadaana[m-a] clinging
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
upaadaanapaccayaa[tappurisa compound] With the condition of clinging
bhavo [m-a/nom/sg] becoming
bhava[m-a] becoming
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
bhavapaccayaa[tappurisa compound] With the condition of becoming
jaati [f-i/nom/sg] birth
With the condition of clinging arises becoming. With the condition of
becoming arises birth.
jaatipaccayaa jaraamara.na.m sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupaayaasaa
sambhavanti.
jaati[f-i] birth
paccayaa [m-a/abl/sg] with condition
jaatipaccayaa[tappurisa compound] With the condition of birth
Jaraa[f-aa] aging
mara.na.m[n-a/nom/sg]dying
jaraamara.na.m [dvanda compound] aging and dying
soka[m-a]sorrow
parideva[m-a] lamentation
dukkha[n-a] physical pain
domanassu[m-a] mental distress
upaayaasaa[ m-a/nom/pl] tribulations
sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupaayaasaa[dvanda compound] sorrow, lamentation,
physical and mental distress and tribulations
sambhavanti. [sam+bhu I/ind act/ 3rd pl] they arise
With the condition of birth arise aging, dying, sorrow, lamentation,
physical and mental distress and tribulations.
Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa samudayo hoti.
Evam[indec/adv] thus
etassa [dem pro/gen/n/sg] of this
kevalassa [adj/m/gen/sg]whole
dukkha[n-a] suffering
kkhandhassa [m-a/gen/sg] mass
dukkhakkhandhasa [tappurisa compound] mass of suffering
samudayo [m-a/nom/sg] origin
hoti.[huu I/pres act/3rd sg ]it is
Thus, this is the origin of this whole mass of suffering
Aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave, pa.ticcasamuppaado.
Aya.m [dem pro/nom/m/sg] This
vuccati,[vac I/ind pas/3rd sg] is called
bhikkhave,[m-u/voc/pl] bhikkhus
pa.ticcasamuppaado. [m-a/nom/sg] dependent origination
This, Bhikkhus, is called dependent origination
"Avijjaaya tveva asesaviraaganirodhaa sa'nkhaaranirodho
"Avijjaaya [f-aa/gen/sg] of ignorance
tveva [indec/enc] emphatic
asesa [adj] complete
viraaga[m-a] fading away
nirodhaa [m-a/abl/sg] cessation
viraaganirodhaa [dvanda compound] fading away and cessation
asesaviraaganirodhaa [khammadhaaraya compound] complete fading away and
cessation
sa'nkhaara[m-a/sg] kammic formations
nirodho[m-a/nom/sg] cessation
sa'nkhaaranirodho [m-a/nom/sg] the cessation of kammic formations
However, with the complete fading away and cessation of ignorance comes the
cessation of kammic formations.
Sa'nkhaaranirodhaa vi~n~naa.nanirodho.
Sa'nkhaara[m-a] kammic formations
nirodhaa [m-a/abl/sg] cessation
Sa'nkhaaranirodhaa[tappurisa compound] cessation of kammic formations
vi~n~naa.na[n-a] consciousness
nirodho. [m-a/nom/sg] cessation
vi~n~naa.nanirodho[tappurisa compound] cessation of consciousness
"With the cessation of kammic formations comes the cessation of
consciousness ceases."
[the above pattern continues with the remaining steps of dependent
origination using dual "tappurisa compounds" composed of cessation of the
preceding step in the ablative (nirodhaa) leading to cessation of the next
step in the nominative(nirodho)]
Vi~n~na.nanirodhaa naamaruupanirodho.
Vi~n~naa.nanirodhaa [abl] cessation of consciousness
naamaruupanirodho. [nom] cessation of body and mind
"With the cessation of consciouness comes the cessation of body and mind."
Naamaruupanirodhaa sa.laayatananirodho.
Naamaruupanirodhaa [abl] cessation of body and mind
sa.laayatananirodho. [nom] cessation of six sense bases
"With the cessation of body and mind comes the cessation of the six sense
bases."
Sa.laayatananirodhaa phassanirodho.
Sa.laayatananirodhaa [abl] cessation of the six sense bases
phassanirodho. [nom] cessation of sense contact
"With the cessation of the six sense bases, comes the cessation of sense
contact."
Phassanirodhaa vedanaanirodho.
Phassanirodhaa [abl] cessation of sense contact
vedanaanirodho. [nom] cessation of experience
"With the cessation of sense contact, comes the cessation of experience
ceases."
Vedanaanirodhaa ta.nhaanirodho.
Vedanaanirodhaa [abl] cessation of experience
ta.nhaanirodho. [nom] cessation of craving
"With the cessation of experience, comes the cessation of craving."
Ta.nhaanirodhaa upaadaananirodho.
Ta.nhaanirodhaa [abl] cessation of craving
upaadaananirodho. [nom] cessation of clinging
"With the cessation of craving, comes the cessation of clinging."
Upaadaananirodhaa bhavanirodho.
Upaadaananirodhaa [abl] cessation of clinging
bhavanirodho. [nom] cessation of sentient existence
"With the cessation of clinging, comes the cessation of sentient existence."
Bhavanirodhaa jaatinirodho.
Bhavanirodhaa [abl] cessation of sentient existence
jaatinirodho. [nom] cessation of birth
"With the cessation of sentient existence, comes the cessation of birth."
[Pattern changes]
jaatinirodhaa jaraamara.na.m sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupaayaasaa
nirujjhanti.
Jati[f-i]
Nirodhaa[m-a/abl/sg] with cessation
jaatinirodhaa [tappurisa compound] with cessation of birth
Jaraa[f-aa] aging
mara.na.m[n-a/nom/sg]dying
jaraamara.na.m [dvanda compound] aging and dying
soka[m-a]sorrow
parideva[m-a] lamentation
dukkha[n-a] physical pain
domanassu[m-a] mental distress
upaayaasaa[ m-a/nom/pl] tribulations
sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupaayaasaa[dvanda compound] sorrow, lamentation,
physical and mental distress and tribulation
nirujjhanti. [ni+rudh III/ind act/3rd pl]they cease
With the cessation of birth cease aging and dying, sorrow, lamentation,
physical and mental distress and tribulations.
Evametassa kevalassa dukkhakkhandhassa nirodho hotii"ti.
Evam[indec/adv] thus
etassa [dem pro/gen/n/sg] of this
kevalassa [adj/m/gen/sg]whole
dukkha[n-a] suffering
kkhandhassa [m-a/gen/sg] mass
dukkhakkhandhasa [tappurisa compound] mass of suffering
nirodo [m-a/nom/sg] cessation
hoti.[huu I/ind act/3rd sg ]it is
ti. [enc] end quote
Thus, there is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering
Idamavoca bhagavaa.
Idam[dem pron/acc/n/sg] this
Avoca[vac I/aor/3rd sg] he said
bhagavaa. [m-ant/nom/sg] the Blessed One
The Blessed One said this
Attamanaa te bhikkhuu bhagavato bhaasita.m abhinandunti. Pa.thama.m.
attamanaa[adj/m/nom/pl] delighted
te [per prom/m/nom/3rd pl] those
bhikkhuu [m-u/nom/pl] Bhikkhus
bhagavato [m-ant/gen/sg] of the Blessed One
bhaasita.m [n-a/acc/sg] statement
abhinandun[abhi+nand I/aor/3rd pl] rejoiced at, found pleasure in
ti[indec] end quote
Delighted, the Bhikkhus rejoiced at the statement of the Blessed One.
Final English:
Thus I have heard:
One time the Blessed One was staying at Savatthi in Anathapindika's
Monastery within Jeta's grove.
There, indeed, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus."
"Venerable Sir" they replied.
The Blessed One said this:
"Bhikkhus, I will teach you 'Dependent Origination.'" "Listen and reflect
well as l speak."
"Yes, Venerable Sir." the bhikkhus replied.
The Blessed One said this:
"And what, Bhikkhus, is Dependent Origination?"
With the condition of ignorance, bhikkhus, arises kammic formations. With
the condition of kammic formations arises consciousness.
With the condition of consciousness arise body and mind. With the condition
of body and mind, arises the six sense-bases.
With the condition of the six sense bases arises sense contact. With the
condition of sense contact arises feeling.
With the condition of feeling arises craving. With the condition of craving
arises clinging.
With the condition of birth arise aging, dying, sorrow, lamentation,
physical and mental distress and tribulations.
Thus, this is the origin of this whole mass of suffering.
This, Bhikkhus, is called dependent origination.
However, with the complete cessation of ignorance comes the cessation of
kammic formations.
With the cessation of kammic formations comes the cessation of
consciousness.
With the cessation of consciousness comes the cessation of body and mind.
With the cessation of body and mind comes the cessation of the six
sense-bases.
With the cessation of the six sense bases comes the cessation of sense
contact.
With the cessation of sense contact comes the cessation of feeling.
With the cessation of feeling comes the cessation of craving.
With the cessation of craving comes the cessation of clinging.
With the cessation of clinging comes the cessation of becoming.
With the cessation of becoming comes the cessation of birth.
With the cessation of birth, aging and dying, sorrow, lamentation, physical
and mental distress and tribulations cease.
Thus, there is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.
This is what the Blessed One said.
Delighted, the Bhikkhus rejoiced at his pronouncement.