Once upon a time, the founder of the Jainism sect Mahajana led his Ascetic Group arrived at Householder Citra’s hometown Mochazitou Mountain for visiting and teaching. Upon learning Householder Citra was a local influential man of wealth, Mahajana intended to recruit Citra as his disciple.

Knowing Mahajana’s intention, Householder Citra took the initiative to see Mahajana.

They met, bowed to each other and exchanged pleasantries, Mahajana then asked Householder Citra:

“Householder, do you believe in Ascetic Gotama’s remark: “There is Non-Thought, Non-Examination Concentration and there is Thought and Examination Deep Concentration.”

“Bhikkhu, with regard to this matter, I need not believe in the Buddha’s remark.”

Mahajana was aware that Householder Citra was a lay follower of the Buddha, upon hearing such response, he thought Householder Citra no longer had faith in the Buddha and felt that it was an opportunity to recruit the wealthy Citra as his disciple, he could not help but speaking to members of the Ascetic Group in a highly appreciate attitude and with proudly expression: “Look, the Householder Citra in front of us is so fair-minded! So honest! So open, flexible and unconventional! Householder, someone believes that if he is able to Concentrate Deeply in Thought and Examination, he is able to catch the passing wind with a net, and stop the flow of Ganges River with a fist, as to myself, I am always able to keep my wisdom views whenever walking, stopping, sitting and lying down.

“Bhikkhu, do you consider “Faith” or “Wisdom” should be in forefront? Which one is Especially Excellent between “Faith” and “Wisdom”? Householder Citra began to ask Mahajana in retort.

“Householder, it should have “Faith” first then develops “Wisdom”. When comparing these two, “Wisdom” should be more “Especially Excellent”.

“Listen, Bhikkhu, whenever I wish, I can withdraw from cravings of the sense organs, withdraw from all Unwholesome Dharma, enter into Thought and Examination to feel the rapture of rupture and the joy of tenderness and settles in the First Concentration; and also can calm down Thought and Examination, enable the mind to enter into tranquility to focus completely upon one. Moreover, I can phase out the awareness of rapture and enter into the Third Concentration, also can relinquish the awareness of joy and suffering to enter into the Fourth Concentration and settle in the Fourth Concentration. Bhikkhu, since I have possessed such ability it would be unnecessary to “Believe in” the “There is Non-Thought, Non-Examination Concentration and there is Thought and Examination Deep Concentration.” proclaimed by certain Ascetic or Brahamin. Householder Citra finally articulated unequivocally his true meaning.

At that moment, realizing had been embarrassed by his failure to understand what other had to say, Mahajana could not help but uttering with anger: “Look! How unfair-minded, dishonest and hypocritical Householder Citra is.”

“Bhikkhu, did you apprise me of fair-minded and honest a while ago, how come suddenly accuses me of unfair-minded and dishonest? If what you said was right, what you saying now is wrong. The reverse is true. You just indicated that you could keep your wisdom views whenever walking, stopping, sitting and lying down, how could you be confused by such trivial matters, not to mention the perceiving or performing the tasks that require mystical abilities.

Bhikkhu, if I raise one question, could you answer or explain it with certainty? If not only one, but go so far as to ten questions, could you be able to provide explanation or answers with certainly? If not, how could you come over here to lure me to be your disciple?”

Upon hearing, Mahajana felt too ashamed to face the situation, quickly packed his belongs and departed with his disciples.

一、本則故事取材自《雜阿含第五七四經》、《相應部第四一相應第八經》?

二、「無尋無伺的禪定」，就是指第二禪的境界。「尋、伺」，為玄奘法師的譯法，早先鳩摩羅什大德譯為「覺、觀」，《雜阿含第五七四經》的原譯，就作「覺、觀」，近代菩提比丘英譯作「thought and examination」。大體來說，「尋」是較大範圍的心念注意區，「伺」是注意區內的專注核心（檢查）點。

1.This story was derived from Samyuktagama 574th Sutra, Anguttaka-nikaya 41st, Anguttaka 8th Sutra.

2.“Non-Thought, Non-Examination Concentration” is the state of Second Concentration. The words “Examination, Thought” were used in the Venerable Xuanzang’s translation, Bhikkhu Kumarajiva translated these two words as “Awareness, Observation” which is the same as the original translation in Samyuktagama 574th Sutra. In his English translation, Contemporary Bhikkhu Bodhi used the words “Thought and Examination”. General speaking, “Thought” covers broader areas of attention of the mind, “Examination” focus upon the core area of attention in the inspection.
(Translator’s Notes: Xuanzang (600-664), a famous Buddhist monk who traveled from Tang China to India, where he studied Buddhism for 17 years. Upon his return to China, he carried many Indian scriptures; He is credited with the translation of some 1,330 fascicles of scriptures into Chinese. Kumarajiva (344-413) was from a noble family of Kucha. He came to Changan (now Xian), China in 402, and with the aid of numerous collaborators and assistants, became one of the most prolific translators of Buddhist texts in history, rendering some 72 texts into Chinese. Among the most important of these are the Diamond Sutra and Lotus Sutra. Bhikkhu Bohdi is an American Buddhist monk originally from Brooklyn, New York. Ordained in Sri Lanka in 1972, he has been for many years the President and Editor of the Buddhist Publication Society in Kandy. His previous publications include several other important translations from the Pali Canon, including a revised and annotated version of Bhikkhu Nanamoli’s translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha, and Samytta Nikaya, the Connected Discourses of the Buddha. Bhikkhu Bohdi now teaches Buddha Dharma in Bodhi Monetary in Lafayette, New Jersey.)

3.“Samyuktagama 574th Sutra” mentioned Householder Citra could only enter into the Second Concentration, however, “Anguttaka-nikaya 41st, Anguttaka 8th Sutra” noted that Householder Citra could enter into the Third and the Fourth Concentration. Since the core of the story is the Second Concentration, it is certain that Householder Citra had personally verified the state of Non-Thought, Non-Examination” in the Second Concentration. Since he personally verified the Second Concentration, therefore, the phenomena of “Non-Thought, Non-Examination” in the Second Concentration is no longer relevant in the question of “Believe or Disbelieve”. Hence, Householder Citra replied that he “Needs not” to “Believe in” (Text in the original translation was “I do not come for believe in.”) Although stated indirectly, the meaning was clear. Mahajana only fixated his mind to recruit Householder Citra, hence pre-sated his stance (It is sort of a Self –Centeredness), and being interfered by his own expectation, thus was unable to listen with open-mind and no-self, naturally unable to discern the overtones and missed the point.

4.At the end of story, text in “Anguttaka-nikaya 41st, Anguttaka 8th Sutra” indicates that it was Householder Citra instead of Mahajana rose and left. I adopted the version in “Anguttaka-nikaya 41st, Anguttaka 8th Sutra” because it would seem reasonable for the one who lost the debate to leave.