1:3 A Rhinoceros · 莲华归心开放中文佛学资料库

- suttas - - evening talks - short morning talks - lectures - guided meditations - talk collections - other themes - chants - - - - à¹à¸à¸¢ - Franā§ais - Espaā±ol - - Portuguāªs - Ð ÑÑÑÐºÐ¸Ð¹ - - - Ð£ÐºÑÐ°ÑÐ½ÑÑÐºÐ° Submit Search - Home - Suttas - KN - Sn - Sn 1:3 A Rhinoceros ## Browse Suttas Go to Sutta Nipṅta index Sn index ## 1:3 Â A Rhinoceros The refrain in this sutta is a subject of controversy. The text literally says, "Wander alone like a ), # Right single quote ('â', sword-horn,â which is the Pali term for rhinoceros. SnA, however, insists that this refers not to the animal but to its horn, because the Indian rhinoceros, unlike the African, has only one horn. Still, some scholars have noted that while the Indian rhinoceros is a solitary animal, rhinoceros horns donât wander, and that in other verses in the Pali Canon, the phrase "wander alone likeâ¦" takes a person or an animal, not an animal part, for its object. Thus, for example, in DhpÂ 329 (repeated below), one is told to "wander alone like a king renouncing his kingdom, like the elephant in the Mataṃga woods, his herd." Itâs possible that the rhinoceros was chosen here as an example of solitary wandering both because of its habits and because of its unusual single horn. However, in a translation, itâs necessary to choose one reading over the other. Thus, because wandering "like a rhinoceros" sounds more natural than wandering "like a horn," I have chosen the former rendering. Keep in mind, though, that the singularity of the rhinoceros horn reinforces the image. Other versions of this poem exist in Sanskrit: a short Sanskrit version in the Mahṅvastu, and a Gṅndhṅrī version in a manuscript discovered in Central Asia. The Gṅndhṅrī version contains many of the same verses given here, but in a different order. The Mahṅvastu version contains only 12 verses, but it is followed by a statement that the full version of the sutta contained 500 verses. How that number was achieved is suggested by the fact that, of the 12 verses, several contain only minor variations from one another. All of this suggests that the verses here originally may have been separate poems, composed on separate occasions, and that they were gathered together because of their common refrain. Like the Pṅrṅnaya Vagga, this poem is given a detailed interpretation in Nd II. Nd II ends its discussion of this sutta by saying that it was spoken by a Private Buddha, i.e., one who gains awakening on his own but is unable to formulate the Dhamma in such a way as to teach others to gain awakening. This assertion, however, is contradicted by the content of some of the verses, such as the one beginning, "Consort with one who is learned, who maintains the Dhamma, a great & quick-witted friend." Such a friend would not have existed in the time of a Private Buddha. There is evidence suggesting that in the centuries after the rule of King Asoka, monastery-dwelling monks began to look askance at forest-dwelling monks, and in some cases even forbade them from entering the precincts around the stupas of their monasteries. Because Nd I and Nd II were most likely composed by monastery-dwelling monks, it might be the case that they tried to blunt the message of this sutta by attributing it to a Private Buddha rather than to our Buddha, the implication being that its advice was not appropriate for monks of their day and age. Renouncing violence for all living beings, harming not even one of them, you would not wish for offspring, so how a companion? Wander alone1 like a rhinoceros. For a person by nature entangled there are affections; on the heels of affection, this pain. Seeing the drawback born of affection, wander alone like a rhinoceros. One whose mind is enmeshed in sympathy for friends & companions, neglects the goal. Seeing this danger in intimacy, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Like spreading bamboo, entwined, is concern for offspring & spouses. Like a bamboo sprout, unentangling, wander alone like a rhinoceros. As a deer in the wilds, unfettered,2 goes for forage wherever it wants: The observant person, valuing freedom, wanders alone like a rhinoceros. In the midst of companions —when staying at home, when going out wandering— you are prey to requests. Valuing the freedom that no one else covets, wander alone like a rhinoceros. There is sporting & love in the midst of companions, & abundant love for offspring. Feeling disgust at the prospect of parting from those whoâd be dear, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Without resistance in all four directions, content with whatever you get, enduring troubles without panic, wander alone like a rhinoceros. They are hard to please, some of those gone forth, as well as those living the household life. Being unconcerned with the offspring of others, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Cutting off the householderâs marks,3 like a kovilara tree that has shed its leaves, the enlightened one, cutting all household ties, wanders alone like a rhinoceros. If you gain