A Translation As It Is

EA 19.9 Kaatyaayana / English

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Thus have I heard:
At one time, venerable Maha-katyayana was dwelling in the country of Vanna, by the shore of a deep lake, together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikshus.

At that time, venerable Maha-katyayana had a reputation that spread far and wide. The elder brahmana Kanchavara was also traveling and teaching in that region. When the brahmana heard that venerable Maha-katyayana was staying near the pond with five hundred bhikshus, and that this venerable elder was fully endowed with virtues.

He thought, “I should go and pay my respects to that person.”

At that time, the brahmana of noble appearance, accompanied by five hundred disciples, went to venerable Maha-katyayana. After exchanging greetings, they sat to one side.

The brahmana then asked venerable Maha-katyayana,

“According to your practice, this is not in accordance with the Dharma and Vinaya. Young bhikshus do not pay respects to us, the high and virtuous brahmanas.”

Mahakatyayana replied, “Brahmana, you should know that the Tathaagata, the Arhat, the Samyak Sambudha, has taught about two kinds of grounds (bhumis).

What are the two?

First, the ground of old age (jara-bhumi), second, the ground of youth (yauvana-bhumi).

The brahmana asked, “What is the ground of old age, and what is the ground of youth?”

Maha-katyayana said, “Even if a brahmana is eighty or ninety years old, if he does not cease indulging in sensual desires and commits evil deeds, then, brahmana, although he may be called old, he is still on the ground of youth.”

The brahmana asked, “Who, though young in age, dwells on the ground of old age?”

Mahakatyayana said, “Brahmana, if a bhikshu is twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years old, and he does not indulge in sensual desires or commit evil deeds, then, brahmana, though young in age, he dwells on the ground of old age.”

The brahmana asked, “Is there even one bhikshu in this assembly who does not indulge in sensual desires or commit evil deeds?”

Maha-katyayana said, “In my assembly, there is not a single bhikshu who indulges in sensual desires or commits evil deeds.”

At that time, the brahmana rose from his seat, bowed at the feet of the bhikshus, and said, “You, though young, dwell on the ground of old age, while I, though old, dwell on the ground of youth.”

Then, the brahmana went to Maha-katyayana, bowed at his feet, and declared, “I now take refuge in Maha-katyayana and the Sangha of bhikshus. For the rest of my life, I will not kill.”

Maha-katyayana said, “Do not take refuge in me. You should take refuge in the one I take refuge in.”

The brahmana asked, “Venerable Maha-katyayana, who do you take refuge in?”

At that time, Venerable Maha-katyayana knelt down and faced the direction where the Tathaagata had entered Nirvana. He said, “There is a descendant of the Shakya clan who renounced the world to practice the path. I always take refuge in him, for he is my teacher.”

The brahmana asked, “Where is this shramana Gautama? I now wish to see him.”

Maha-katyayana said, “The Tathaagata has already entered Nirvana.”

The brahmana said, “If the Tathaagata were still in the world, I would travel hundreds of thousands of leagues to pay my respects to him. Although the Tathaagata has entered Nirvana, I now take refuge and bow to the Budha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. For the rest of my life, I will not kill.”

At that time, the brahmana of noble appearance, hearing venerable Maha-katyayana’s words, followed it with joy.