AN 11.17 · Pali Canon (Tipiṭaka) – English & Pāli · Verses Across
Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Numbered Discourses (Aṅguttara)
AN 11.17The Cowherd · Gopālasutta
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Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Numbered Discourses (Aṅguttara)
AN 11.17
The Cowherd · Gopālasutta
EnglishEnglish
PāliPali
“Mendicants, a cowherd with eleven factors can’t maintain and expand a herd of cattle. What eleven? It’s when a cowherd doesn’t know form, is unskilled in characteristics, doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs, doesn’t dress wounds, doesn’t spread smoke, doesn’t know the ford, doesn’t know satisfaction, doesn’t know the trail, is not skilled in pastures, milks dry, and doesn’t show extra respect to the bulls who are fathers and captains of the herd. A cowherd with these eleven factors can’t maintain and expand a herd of cattle.
“Ekādasahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako abhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Katamehi ekādasahi? Idha, bhikkhave, gopālako na rūpaññū hoti, na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, na titthaṁ jānāti, na pītaṁ jānāti, na vīthiṁ jānāti, na gocarakusalo hoti, anavasesadohī ca hoti, ye te usabhā gopitaro gopariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako abhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.
In the same way, a mendicant with eleven qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training. What eleven? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t know form, is unskilled in characteristics, doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs, doesn’t dress wounds, doesn’t spread smoke, doesn’t know the ford, doesn’t know satisfaction, doesn’t know the trail, is not skilled in pastures, milks dry, and doesn’t show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.
Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Katamehi ekādasahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na rūpaññū hoti, na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, na titthaṁ jānāti, na pītaṁ jānāti, na vīthiṁ jānāti, na gocarakusalo hoti, anavasesadohī ca hoti, ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
And how does a mendicant not know form? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand that all form is the four principal states, or form derived from the four principal states. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know form.
And how is a mendicant not skilled in characteristics? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t understand that a fool is characterized by their deeds, and an astute person is characterized by their deeds. That’s how a mendicant isn’t skilled in characteristics.
And how does a mendicant not pick out flies’ eggs? It’s when a mendicant tolerates a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought that has arisen. They don’t give it up, dispel it, eliminate it, and obliterate it. They tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen. They don’t give them up, dispel them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannaṁ kāmavitakkaṁ adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti, uppannaṁ byāpādavitakkaṁ … uppannaṁ vihiṁsāvitakkaṁ … uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme adhivāseti nappajahati na vinodeti na byantīkaroti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti.
And how does a mendicant not dress wounds? When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they get caught up in the features and details. Since the faculty of sight is left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure become overwhelming. They don’t practice restraint, they don’t protect the faculty of sight, and they don’t achieve its restraint. When they hear a sound with their ears … When they smell an odor with their nose … When they taste a flavor with their tongue … When they feel a touch with their body … When they know an idea with their mind, they get caught up in the features and details. Since the faculty of the mind is left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure become overwhelming. They don’t practice restraint, they don’t protect the faculty of the mind, and they don’t achieve its restraint. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t dress wounds.
And how does a mendicant not spread smoke? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t teach others the Dhamma in detail as they learned and memorized it. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t spread smoke.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ desetā hoti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti.
And how does a mendicant not know the ford? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t from time to time go up to those mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and ask them questions: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’ Those venerables don’t reveal what is hidden, clarify what is unclear, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know the ford.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na titthaṁ jānāti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā, te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā na paripucchati na paripañhati: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ, imassa ko attho’ti? Tassa te āyasmanto avivaṭañceva na vivaranti, anuttānīkatañca na uttānīkaronti, anekavihitesu ca kaṅkhāṭhāniyesu dhammesu kaṅkhaṁ na paṭivinodenti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na titthaṁ jānāti.
And how does a mendicant not know satisfaction? It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds no inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds no joy connected with the teaching. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know satisfaction.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na pītaṁ jānāti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne na labhati atthavedaṁ, na labhati dhammavedaṁ, na labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na pītaṁ jānāti.
And how does a mendicant not know the trail? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the noble eightfold path. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know the trail.
And how is a mendicant not skilled in pastures? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. That’s how a mendicant is not skilled in pastures.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na gocarakusalo hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na gocarakusalo hoti.
And how does a mendicant milk dry? It’s when a mendicant is invited by a householder to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. But they don’t know moderation in accepting. That’s how a mendicant milks dry.
And how does a mendicant not show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t consistently treat senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, tesu na mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca, na mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ … na mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, na te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
A mendicant with these eleven qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training.
A cowherd with eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle. What eleven? It’s when a cowherd knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in pastures, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to the bulls who are fathers and captains of the herd. A cowherd with these eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle.
In the same way, a mendicant with eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training. What eleven? It’s when a mendicant knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in pastures, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.
And how does a mendicant know form? It’s when a mendicant truly understands that all form is the four principal states, or form derived from the four principal states. That’s how a mendicant knows form.
And how is a mendicant skilled in characteristics? It’s when a mendicant understands that a fool is characterized by their deeds, and an astute person is characterized by their deeds. That’s how a mendicant is skilled in characteristics.
And how does a mendicant pick out flies’ eggs? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t tolerate a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought that has arisen, but gives it up, dispels it, eliminates it, and exterminates it. They don’t tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen, but give them up, dispel them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. That’s how a mendicant picks out flies’ eggs.
And how does a mendicant dress wounds? When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint. When they hear a sound with their ears … When they smell an odor with their nose … When they taste a flavor with their tongue … When they feel a touch with their body … When they know an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint. That’s how a mendicant dresses wounds.
And how does a mendicant spread smoke? It’s when a mendicant teaches others the Dhamma in detail as they learned and memorized it. That’s how a mendicant spreads smoke.
And how does a mendicant know the ford? It’s when from time to time a mendicant goes up to those mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and asks them questions: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’ Those venerables reveal what is hidden, clarify what is unclear, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters. That’s how a mendicant knows the ford.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā, te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā paripucchati paripañhati: ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ, imassa ko attho’ti? Tassa te āyasmanto avivaṭañceva vivaranti, anuttānīkatañca uttānīkaronti, anekavihitesu ca kaṅkhāṭhāniyesu dhammesu kaṅkhaṁ paṭivinodenti. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti.
And how does a mendicant know satisfaction? It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds joy connected with the teaching. That’s how a mendicant knows satisfaction.
And how is a mendicant skilled in pastures? It’s when a mendicant truly understands the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. That’s how a mendicant is skilled in pastures.
And how does a mendicant not milk dry? It’s when a mendicant is invited by a householder to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. And that mendicant knows moderation in accepting. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t milk dry.
And how does a mendicant show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha? It’s when a mendicant consistently treats senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private. That’s how a mendicant shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha.
Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, tesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca, mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ … mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.
A mendicant with these eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training.”
