Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

3.1.7 The Maggayāna, the Vehicle of the Path That Is Produced from Within¹

This was explained at Sāvatthi. There the Venerable Ānanda, after having dressed himself in the morning with the upper robe, took his bowl and went to Sāvatthi for alms. There the Venerable Ānanda saw the Brahmin Jāṇussoṇi leaving Sāvatthi in an all-white chariot drawn by excellent white mares. The horses yoked to it were white, with white decorations, white was his carriage, his retinue, his bridles and also his goad stick, all was in white. He had a white umbrella, a white turban and also his clothes were all white, he wore white sandals and he was being fanned with an excellent white cowry-made fan. People who encountered this sight shouted: “What a truly Brahma-like vehicle! It truly has the appearance of the chariot of Brahma!”

Then the Venerable Ānanda having finished his alms round at Sāvatthi, took his meal and on returning from his alms round approached the Bhagavā. Having approached the Bhagavā he greeted him and sat down to one side. Having sat down at one side the Venerable Ānanda addressed the Bhagavā thus:

“Today, Bhante, after having dressed myself in the morning with the upper robe, I took my bowl and went to Sāvatthi for alms. There I saw the Brahmin Jāṇussoṇi leaving Sāvatthi in an all-white chariot drawn by excellent white mares. The horses yoked to it were white, with white decorations, white was his carriage, his retinue, his bridles and also his god stick, all was in white. He had a white umbrella, a white turban and also his clothes were all white, he wore white sandals and he was being fanned with an excellent white cowry-made fan. People who encountered this sight shouted: “What a truly Brahma-like vehicle! It truly has the appearance of the chariot of Brahma!”

Is it possible, Bhante, to point out a Brahma-like vehicle in this Dhamma and Vinaya?”

“It is possible, Ānanda.” The Bhagavā replied:

“A ‘Brahma-like vehicle’ is nothing but an appellation for the Noble Eightfold Path, likewise ‘Dhamma-vehicle’ and the ‘incomparable victory in battle’.

Right view, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion;

Right thought, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion;

Right speech, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion;

Right action, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion;

Right livelihood, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion;

Right effort, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion;

Right awareness, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion and

Right concentration, Ānanda, when developed and cultivated terminates in driving away greed, terminates in driving away ill will and terminates in driving away delusion.

In this way, Ānanda, it could be understood how ‘Brahma-like vehicle’ and likewise ‘Dhamma-vehicle’ and the ‘incomparable victory in battle’ are appellations for the Noble Eightfold Path.”

Thus spoke the Bhagavā. Having spoken thus the Well-gone One, the Teacher spoke thus:

“Being always yoked to faith, wisdom and Dhamma,

With shame as the pole, mind as tie

and mindfulness the cautious charioteer,

With sīla being the embellishment of the chariot,

its axle, jhāna and effort its wheel,

With equanimity yoked to concentration

and desirelesness its retinue,

Non-hatred, peacefulness and

seclusion are the weapons;

Patience the protecting armour –

thus rolling towards security from bondage,

That incomparable Brahma-like vehicle is produced from within,

Leading the wise away from the world, truly ever victorious.”