Tripiṭaka 1. Ambapālivagga
1. In Ambapālī’s Mango Grove
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“Atthi, bhikkhave, himavato pabbatarājassa duggā visamā desā, yattha neva makkaṭānaṁ cārī na manussānaṁ.
“Mendicants, in the Himalayas there are regions that are rugged and impassable. In some such regions, neither monkeys nor humans can go,
Atthi, bhikkhave, himavato pabbatarājassa duggā visamā desā, yattha makkaṭānañhi kho cārī, na manussānaṁ.
while in others, monkeys can go but not humans.
Atthi, bhikkhave, himavato pabbatarājassa samā bhūmibhāgā ramaṇīyā, yattha makkaṭānañceva cārī manussānañca.
There are also level, pleasant places where both monkeys and humans can go.
Tatra, bhikkhave, luddā makkaṭavīthīsu lepaṁ oḍḍenti makkaṭānaṁ bādhanāya.
There hunters set snares of tar on the monkey trails to catch the monkeys.
Tatra, bhikkhave, ye te makkaṭā abālajātikā alolajātikā, te taṁ lepaṁ disvā ārakā parivajjanti.
The monkeys who are not foolhardy and reckless see the tar and avoid it from afar.
Yo pana so hoti makkaṭo bālajātiko lolajātiko, so taṁ lepaṁ upasaṅkamitvā hatthena gaṇhāti.
But a foolish and reckless monkey goes up to the tar and grabs it with a hand.
‘Hatthaṁ mocessāmī’ti dutiyena hatthena gaṇhāti.
Thinking to free his hand, he grabs it with his other hand.
‘Ubho hatthe mocessāmi pādañcā’ti dutiyena pādena gaṇhāti.
Thinking to free both hands and foot, he grabs it with his other foot.
‘Ubho hatthe mocessāmi pāde cā’ti tuṇḍena gaṇhāti.
Thinking to free both hands and feet, he grabs it with his snout.
Evañhi so, bhikkhave, makkaṭo pañcoḍḍito thunaṁ seti anayaṁ āpanno byasanaṁ āpanno yathākāmakaraṇīyo luddassa.
And so the monkey, trapped at five points, just lies there screeching. He’d meet with tragedy and disaster, and the hunter can do what he wants with him.
Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, luddo vijjhitvā tasmiṁyeva kaṭṭhakataṅgāre avassajjetvā yena kāmaṁ pakkamati.
The hunter spears him on that very banana tree, pries him off, and goes wherever he wants.
Evaṁ so taṁ, bhikkhave, hoti yo agocare carati paravisaye.
That’s what happens when you roam out of your territory into the domain of others.
Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, mā agocare carittha paravisaye.
So, mendicants, don’t roam out of your own territory into the domain of others.
Agocare, bhikkhave, carataṁ paravisaye lacchati māro otāraṁ, lacchati māro ārammaṇaṁ.
If you roam out of your own territory into the domain of others, Māra will find a vulnerability and get an opportunity.
Ko ca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno agocaro paravisayo?
And what is not a mendicant’s own territory but the domain of others?
Yadidaṁ—
Cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā,
Sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
kāyaviññeyyā phoṭṭhabbā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.
Touches known by the body, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno agocaro paravisayo.
This is not a mendicant’s own territory but the domain of others.
Gocare, bhikkhave, caratha sake pettike visaye.
You should roam inside your own territory, the domain of your fathers.
Gocare, bhikkhave, carataṁ sake pettike visaye na lacchati māro otāraṁ, na lacchati māro ārammaṇaṁ.
If you roam inside your own territory, the domain of your fathers, Māra won’t find a vulnerability and get an opportunity.
Ko ca, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno gocaro sako pettiko visayo?
And what is a mendicant’s own territory, the domain of the fathers?
Yadidaṁ—
Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ;
It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.
dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.
principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.
Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno gocaro sako pettiko visayo”ti.
This is a mendicant’s own territory, the domain of the fathers.”
Sattamaṁ.