16(6)Nakula
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Bhaggas at Sumsumāragira,in the deer park at Bhesakalā Grove.
Now on that occasion the householder Nakulapitā was sick,afflicted,gravely ill.
Then the housewife Nakulamātā said this to him:
"Do not die full of concern,
Sapekkho.Mp glosses this with satanho,"with craving,"but I believe the intended meaning is more likely to be"with anxiety, with worry,with sorrow."Pali apekkha,like"concern,"can mean both attachment and worry.householder.To die full of concern is painful.
To die full of concern has been criticized by the Blessed One.
Mp says that since she was notable to cure his illness with medicine,she roared this"lion's roar"(sihanada)to cure his illness by a declaration of truth (saccakiriya).
(1)"It may be,householder,that you think thus:
'After I'm
gone,Nakulamātǎ won't be able to support our children and
maintain the household.'
But you should not look at the matter
in this way.
I am skilled at weaving cotton and knitting wool.
After you are gone,I'll be able to support the children [296]
and maintain the household.
Therefore,householder,do not
die full of concern.
To die full of concern is painful.
To die full
of concern has been criticized by the Blessed One.
(2)"It may be,householder,that you think thus:
'After I'm gone,Nakulamatā will take another husband.'
I read with Ce varam,as against Be and Ee gharant.Mp:"will take another husband"(annam sāmikam ganhissati).See SED sv vara²:"'chooser,'one who solicits a girl in marriage,suitor,lover, bridegroom,husband."But you should not look at the matter in this way.
You know householder,and so do I,that for the last sixteen years we have led the layperson's celibate life.
Gahatthiakam brahmacariyam.It is not unusual in traditional Buddhist cultures for devout couples who have begotten several children to mutually agree to observe celibacy.Therefore,householder,do not die full of concern.
To die full of concern is painful.
To die fullof concern has been criticized by the Blessed One.
(3)"It may be,householder,that you think thus:
'After I'm gone,Nakulamātā won't want to see the Blessed One and the Sangha of bhikkhus.'
But you should not look at the matter in this way.
After you are gone,householder,I will be even keener to see the Blessed One and the Sangha of bhikkhus.
Therefore,householder,do not die full of concern.
To die full of concern is painful.
To die full of concern has been criticized by the Blessed
One.
(4)"It may be,householder,that you think thus:
'Nakulamatā does not fulfill virtuous behavior.'
Since the structure of this section is parallel to the two that follow rather than to the three that precede it,it is evident that mam'accayena does not belong here.Though the expression is in all three printed editions,a Sinhala-script manuscript noted in Ee omits it.Like the two following sections,this one does not have a future verb bhavissati.Further,parallel to the next two sections,Nakulamatā here asserts that she presently fulfills virtuous behavior,referring one who doubts this to the Buddha.Hence,since Nakulamatā is speaking about a current fact, there is no need for her to refer to a time when her husband has passed away.Mp says that SS4-6 are Nakulamatā's declaration of truth.But you should not look at the matter in this way.
I am one of the Blessed One's white-robed female lay disciples who fulfill virtuous behavior.
If anyone has any doubt or uncertainty about this,the Blessed One,the Arahant,the Perfectly Enlightened One is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Sumsumaragira,in the deer park at Bhesakalā Grove.They can go and ask him.
Therefore,householder,do not die full of concern.[297]
To die full of concern is painful.
To die full of concern has been criticized by the Blessed One.
(5)"It may be,householder,that you think thus:
'Nakulamata does not obtain internal serenity of mind.'
But you should not look at the matter in this way.
I am one of the Blessed One's white-robed female lay disciples who obtain internal serenity of mind.
If anyone has any doubt or uncertainty about this,the Blessed One,the Arahant,the Perfectly Enlightened One is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Sumsumaragira,in the deer park at Bhesakalā Grove.They can go and ask him.
Therefore,householder,do not die full of concern.
To die full of concern is painful.
To die full of concern has been criticized by the Blessed
One.
(6)"It may be,householder,that you think thus:
'Nakulamāta has not attained a foothold,a firm stand,assurance in this Dhamma and discipline;
Na...imasmim dhamimavinaye ogadhappattā patigadhappatta assa- sappatta.These are all ways of asserting that she is at minimum a stream-enterer.It is interesting that she claims to have obtained a foothold in the dhammavinaya,which suggests that in certain contexts vinaya bears a wider meaning than the code of monastic regulations. she has not crossed over doubt,gotten rid of bewilderment,attained self-confidence;and become independent of others in the Teacher's teaching.'But you should not look at the matter in this way.
I am one of the Blessed One's white-robed female lay disciples who have attained a foothold,a firm stand,assurance in this Dhamma and discipline;I am one of those who have crossed;over doubt,gotten rid of bewilderment,attained self-confidence,and become independent of others in the Teacher's teaching.
If anyone has any doubtor uncertainty about this,the Blessed One,the Arahant,thePerfectly Enlightened One is dwelling among the Bhaggas atSumsumāragira,in the deer park at Bhesakalā Grove.They can go and ask him.
Therefore,householder,do not die full of concern.
To die full of concern is painful.
To die full of concern has been criticized by the Blessed One."
Then,while the householder Nakulapitā [298]was being exhorted in this way by the housewife Nakulamatā,his ailment subsided on the spot.
Nakulapitā recovered from that illness,
and that is how his illness was abandoned.
Then,not long after he had recovered,the householder Nakulapita,leaning on a staff,approached the Blessed One.
He paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
The Blessed One then.said to him:
"It is truly your good fortune and gain,householder,
that the house wife Nakulamātā has compassion for you,desires your good,and exhorts and instructs you.
Nakulamātā is one of my white-robed female lay disciples who fulfill virtuous behavior.
She is one of my white-robed female lay disciples who obtain internal serenity of mind.
She is one of my white-robed female lay disciples who have attained a foothold,a firm stand,assurance in this Dhamma and discipline,who have crossed over doubt,gotten rid of bewilderment,attained self-confidence,and become independent of others in the Teacher's teaching.
It is truly your good fortune and gain,householder,
that the housewife Nakulamātā has compassion for you,desires your good,and exhorts and instructs you."