The Novice

[277] [187]

Thus have I heard:

The Exalted One was once staying near Savatthī at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

Now at that time a certain novice after he had returned from his alms-round and had dined, entered his cell and sat at leisure, in silence and resigned, nor did he render service to the brethren at the time of robe-making.¹

Then a number of the brethren went and informed the Exalted One of his conduct.

And the Exalted One bade a certain brother:

'Come thou, brother, bid that brother by my word hither saying, "The Master bids thee, friend."'

'Even so, lord,' was the response, and that brother came, saluted the Exalted One, and sat down at one side.

To him so seated the Exalted One said: —

'Is it true what they say that thou, brother, after alms-round and meal dost sit at leisure, in silence and resigned, nor renderest service to the brethren at the time of robe-making?'

'I do my own work, lord.'

Then the Exalted One, reading by his mind that brother's mind, bade the brethren: —

'Be ye not vexed, brethren, with this brother. He is a brother who can attain at will,² who can attain without trouble, without toil the Four Jhānas, happy states, under present conditions, of highest consciousness.³ And that for the sake of which the clansmen rightly leave home for the homeless — that uttermost goal of divine living he has come to know thoroughly for himself and to realize, has attained it and therein abides.'

The Exalted One spake this. The Well-farer so saying, the Master spake this yet further: —

No slacker nor the man of puny strength
May win Nibbāna, freedom from all ill.
And this young brother, yea, this peerless man
Bears the last burden, devil's⁴ conqueror.

¹ Cf. above, i, 258.

² Nikāmalābhī.

³ Abhicetasikānaṅ.

⁴ Lit.: of Māra and his mount of elephant. Cf. Dhammapada, verse 175.

II. The Nidana Book 21. The Kindred Sayings about Brethren

Sutta 4

Navo or Nava Bhikkhu Suttaṁ

The Novice

II. The Nidana Book
21. The Kindred Sayings about Brethren