1. Discourse
  2. ud.8.7
  3. html
  4. text
  1. ud.8.6 <<
  2. >> ud.8.8
buddha daily wisdom image

ud.8.7 Udana

The Discourse on the Two Paths

Thus I heard: At one time the Gracious One was going along the high road amongst the Kosalans with venerable Nāgasamāla as the attendent ascetic who followed behind him.

The venerable Nāgasamāla saw two paths on the road, and having seen that, he said this to the Gracious One: “This is the path, reverend Sir, let us go by this one, Gracious One.”

After that was said, the Gracious One said this to venerable Nāgasamāla: “This is the path, Nāgasamāla, let us go by this one.”

For a second time venerable Nāgasamāla said this to the Gracious One: “This is the path, reverend Sir, let us go by this one, Gracious One.”

After that was said, the Gracious One said this to venerable Nāgasamāla: “This is the path, Nāgasamāla, let us go by this one.”

For a third time venerable Nāgasamāla said this to the Gracious One: “This is the path, reverend Sir, let us go by this one, Gracious One.”

After that was said, the Gracious One said this to venerable Nāgasamāla: “This is the path, Nāgasamāla, let us go by this one.”

Then venerable Nāgasamāla, having put the Gracious One’s bowl and robe on the floor right there and then, went away, saying: “This is the Gracious One’s bowl and robe, reverend Sir.”

Then as venerable Nāgasamāla was going along by that path, thieves who had gone along the road, attacked him with their hands and feet, broke his bowl, and tore his double-robe. Then venerable Nāgasamāla, with his broken bowl and torn double-robe went to the Gracious One, and after going and worshipping the Gracious One, he sat down on one side.

While sat on one side venerable Nāgasamāla said this to the Gracious One: “Here, reverend Sir, as I was going along by that path thieves who had gone along the path, attacked me with their hands and feet, broke my bowl, and tore my double-robe.”

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“Walking together, dwelling as one,
The Perfect One mixes with ignorant people,
Having understood that, he abandons bad deeds,
As the milk-drinking heron abandons water.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

A Fork in the Road

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was traveling along a road in the Kosalan lands with Venerable Nāgasamāla as his second monk.
Nāgasamāla saw a fork in the road
and said to the Buddha,
“Sir, this is the road,
let us go this way.”
But when he said this the Buddha responded,
“Nāgasamāla, this is the road,
let us go this way.”
For a second time,
and a third time Nāgasamāla said to the Buddha,
“Sir, this is the road,
let us go this way.”
And for a third time the Buddha responded,
“Nāgasamāla, this is the road,
let us go this way.”
Then Nāgasamāla put the Buddha’s bowl and robes down on the ground right there and left, saying,
“Sir, here are your bowl and robes.”
Then as Nāgasamāla was going down that road, he was set upon by bandits who struck him with fists and feet, broke his bowl, and tore up his outer robe.
Then Nāgasamāla—with his bowl broken and his outer robe torn—went to the Buddha and told him what had happened.
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“Walking together, dwelling as one,
the knowledge master mixes with foolish folk.
Knowing this, they give up wickedness,
like a milk-drinking heron the water.”