The Numerical Discourses
Chapter 9: The Only Son
| (四) 心 | 4. The Mind (2) |
|---|---|
| 聞如是： 一時，佛在舍衞國、祇樹、給孤獨園。 | 1. Thus I have heard:1 One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī. |
| 爾時，世尊告諸比丘： 「我不見一法疾於心者。 無譬可喩。 猶如獼猴捨一取一，心不專定。 心亦如是，前想後想所念不同。 是故，諸比丘，凡夫之人不能觀察心意所由。 | 2. It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “I don’t see a single thing as quick as the mind. There’s no comparison for it. The mind drops one thing and picks up another when it isn’t focused and settled, just like a monkey. The mind is likewise when that previous and subsequent perceptions of its thoughts aren’t the same. Therefore, monks, ordinary people are unable to observe the origin of their mind’s thinking. |
| 「是故，諸比丘，常當降伏心意得趣善道。 是故，諸比丘，當作是學。」 | 3. “Therefore, monks, one should control their thinking to lead their mind to the good path. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.” |
| 爾時，諸比丘聞佛所説歡喜，奉行。 | 4. When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved of it. |
Notes
For the source text, cf. T125.2.562c10-17. The metaphor of the distracted mind and a monkey is also found in SN 12.61 and SĀ 3.7 (289). [back]
Translator: Charles Patton
Last Revised: 15 February 2023
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