อนุทิน 110875

Buddha Vacana (July 16, 2555)

When the Tathagata or the Tathagata’s disciples live in the world it is for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare and happiness of both gods and humans.  And what is a Tathagata?  Concerning this, a Tathagata arises in the world, a Noble One, fully enlightened Buddha, of perfect knowledge and conduct, happily attained, a knower of the worlds, a guide unsurpassed of men to be trained, a teacher of gods and humans, a Buddha, the Lord.  And what is a Tathagata’s disciple?  He is one who teaches Dhamma that is lovely at the beginning, lovely in the middle and lovely at the end, in both in the letter and in the spirit.  He makes plain the holy life, entirely complete and purified.  This is the Tathagata and this is the Tathagata’s disciple, and when they live in the world, it is done for the welfare of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare and happiness of both gods and humans.

-- A.II,147

Note: Tathagata ตถาคต : 'one who has gone through the way' -- by acually having travelled the way himself; compare with 'one who knows the way' who may learn the way from text or ...