---
title: "Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 34 of 70
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/34/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya, section 34. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/34/"
---

# Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

The thirty-four long discourses of the Buddha: the Divine Net of views, the fruits of the ascetic life, the Great Discourse on Mindfulness, and the last days and passing of the Buddha.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 34. DN 17 · King Mahāsudassana · part 1

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/34/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/34/#p-N

[¶0] DN 17 · King Mahāsudassana

> Pali: DN 17 · Mahāsudassanasutta

[¶1] So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying between a pair of sal trees in the sal forest of the Mallas at Upavattana near Kusinārā at the time of his full extinguishment.

> Pali: Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kusinārāyaṁ viharati upavattane mallānaṁ sālavane antarena yamakasālānaṁ parinibbānasamaye.

[¶2] Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, please don’t be fully extinguished in this little hamlet, this jungle hamlet, this branch hamlet. There are other great cities such as Campā, Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Sāketa, Kosambī, and Varanasi. Let the Buddha be fully extinguished there. There are many well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders there who are devoted to the Buddha. They will perform the rites of venerating the Realized One’s corpse.”

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā ānando bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “mā, bhante, bhagavā imasmiṁ khuddakanagarake ujjaṅgalanagarake sākhānagarake parinibbāyi. Santi, bhante, aññāni mahānagarāni. Seyyathidaṁ—campā, rājagahaṁ, sāvatthi, sāketaṁ, kosambī, bārāṇasī; ettha bhagavā parinibbāyatu. Ettha bahū khattiyamahāsālā brāhmaṇamahāsālā gahapatimahāsālā tathāgate abhippasannā, te tathāgatassa sarīrapūjaṁ karissantī”ti.

[¶3] “Don’t say that, Ānanda! Don’t say that this is a little hamlet, a jungle hamlet, a branch hamlet.

> Pali: “Mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca; mā hevaṁ, ānanda, avaca: ‘khuddakanagarakaṁ ujjaṅgalanagarakaṁ sākhānagarakan’ti.

[¶4] 1. The Capital City of Kusāvatī

> Pali: 1. Kusāvatīrājadhānī

[¶5] Once upon a time, there was a king named Mahāsudassana whose dominion extended to all four sides, and who achieved stability in the country. His capital was this Kusinārā, which at the time was named Kusāvatī. It stretched for twelve leagues from east to west, and seven leagues from north to south. The royal capital of Kusāvatī was successful and prosperous, populous and full of people, with plenty of food. It was just like Āḷakamandā, the royal capital of the gods, which is successful and prosperous, populous and full of spirits, with plenty of food.

> Pali: Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano nāma ahosi khattiyo muddhāvasitto cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa ayaṁ kusinārā kusāvatī nāma rājadhānī ahosi. Puratthimena ca pacchimena ca dvādasayojanāni āyāmena, uttarena ca dakkhiṇena ca sattayojanāni vitthārena. Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, devānaṁ āḷakamandā nāma rājadhānī iddhā ceva hoti phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇayakkhā ca subhikkhā ca; evameva kho, ānanda, kusāvatī rājadhānī iddhā ceva ahosi phītā ca bahujanā ca ākiṇṇamanussā ca subhikkhā ca.

[¶6] Kusāvatī was never free of ten sounds by day or night, namely: the sound of elephants, horses, chariots, drums, clay drums, arched harps, singing, horns, gongs, and handbells; and the cry, ‘Eat, drink, be merry!’ as the tenth.

> Pali: Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī dasahi saddehi avivittā ahosi divā ceva rattiñca, seyyathidaṁ— hatthisaddena assasaddena rathasaddena bherisaddena mudiṅgasaddena vīṇāsaddena gītasaddena saṅkhasaddena sammasaddena pāṇitāḷasaddena ‘asnātha pivatha khādathā’ti dasamena saddena.

[¶7] Kusāvatī was encircled by seven ramparts: one made of gold, one made of silver, one made of beryl, one made of crystal, one made of ruby, one made of emerald, and one made of all precious things.

> Pali: Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi pākārehi parikkhittā ahosi. Eko pākāro sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo, eko lohitaṅkamayo, eko masāragallamayo, eko sabbaratanamayo.

[¶8] It had four gates, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. At each gate there were seven pillars, three fathoms deep and four fathoms high, made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things.

> Pali: Kusāvatiyā, ānanda, rājadhāniyā catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ dvārāni ahesuṁ. Ekaṁ dvāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Ekekasmiṁ dvāre satta satta esikā nikhātā ahesuṁ tiporisaṅgā tiporisanikhātā dvādasaporisā ubbedhena. Ekā esikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā.

[¶9] It was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees, made of gold, silver, beryl, crystal, ruby, emerald, and all precious things. The golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. The silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. The beryl palms had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal. The crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. The ruby palms had trunks of ruby, and leaves and fruits of emerald. The emerald palms had trunks of emerald, and leaves and fruits of ruby. The palms of all precious things had trunks of all precious things, and leaves and fruits of all precious things. When those rows of palm trees were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating, like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm. And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound.

> Pali: Kusāvatī, ānanda, rājadhānī sattahi tālapantīhi parikkhittā ahosi. Ekā tālapanti sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā, ekā lohitaṅkamayā, ekā masāragallamayā, ekā sabbaratanamayā. Sovaṇṇamayassa tālassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho ahosi, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Rūpiyamayassa tālassa rūpiyamayo khandho ahosi, sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Veḷuriyamayassa tālassa veḷuriyamayo khandho ahosi, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Phalikamayassa tālassa phalikamayo khandho ahosi, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Lohitaṅkamayassa tālassa lohitaṅkamayo khandho ahosi, masāragallamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Masāragallamayassa tālassa masāragallamayo khandho ahosi, lohitaṅkamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Sabbaratanamayassa tālassa sabbaratanamayo khandho ahosi, sabbaratanamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Tāsaṁ kho panānanda, tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca; evameva kho, ānanda, tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tāsaṁ tālapantīnaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ.

[¶10] 2. The Seven Treasures

> Pali: 2. Sattaratanasamannāgata

[¶11] 2.1. The Wheel-Treasure

> Pali: 2.1. Cakkaratana

[¶12] King Mahāsudassana possessed seven treasures and four blessings. What seven?

> Pali: Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi catūhi ca iddhīhi. Katamehi sattahi?

[¶13] On a fifteenth day sabbath, King Mahāsudassana had bathed his head and gone upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath. And the heavenly wheel-treasure appeared to him, with a thousand spokes, with rim and hub, complete in every detail. Seeing this, the king thought, ‘I have heard that when the heavenly wheel-treasure appears to a king in this way, he becomes a wheel-turning monarch. Am I then a wheel-turning monarch?’

> Pali: Idhānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ. Disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ: “yassa rañño khattiyassa muddhāvasittassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ, so hoti rājā cakkavattī”ti. Assaṁ nu kho ahaṁ rājā cakkavattī’ti.

[¶14] Then King Mahāsudassana, rising from his seat and arranging his robe over one shoulder, took a ceremonial vase in his left hand and besprinkled the wheel-treasure with his right hand, saying: ‘Roll forth, O wheel-treasure! Triumph, O wheel-treasure!’

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā vāmena hatthena suvaṇṇabhiṅkāraṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena cakkaratanaṁ abbhukkiri: ‘pavattatu bhavaṁ cakkaratanaṁ, abhivijinātu bhavaṁ cakkaratanan’ti.

[¶15] Then the wheel-treasure rolled toward the east. And the king followed it together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army.

> Pali: Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya, yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.

[¶16] And any opposing rulers of the eastern quarter came to him and said, ‘Come, Great King! Welcome, Great King! We are yours, Great King, instruct us.’

> Pali: Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.

[¶17] The king said, ‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink liquor. Maintain the current level of taxation.’ And so the opposing rulers of the eastern quarter became his vassals.

> Pali: Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha: ‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ na ādātabbaṁ, kāmesu micchā na caritabbā, musā na bhaṇitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti. Ye kho panānanda, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.

[¶18] Then the wheel-treasure, having plunged into the eastern ocean and emerged again, rolled toward the south. …

> Pali: Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe…

[¶19] Having plunged into the southern ocean and emerged again, it rolled toward the west. …

> Pali: dakkhiṇaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā pacchimaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe…

[¶20] Having plunged into the western ocean and emerged again, it rolled toward the north, followed by the king together with his army of four divisions. In whatever place the wheel-treasure stood still, there the king came to stay together with his army.

> Pali: pacchimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā uttaraṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā mahāsudassano saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Yasmiṁ kho panānanda, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā mahāsudassano vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya.

[¶21] And any opposing rulers of the northern quarter came to him and said, ‘Come, Great King! Welcome, Great King! We are yours, Great King, instruct us.’

> Pali: Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti.

[¶22] The king said, ‘Do not kill living creatures. Do not steal. Do not commit sexual misconduct. Do not lie. Do not drink liquor. Maintain the current level of taxation.’ And so the opposing rulers of the northern quarter became his vassals.

> Pali: Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha: ‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ na ādātabbaṁ, kāmesu micchā na caritabbā, musā na bhaṇitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti. Ye kho panānanda, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño mahāsudassanassa anuyantā ahesuṁ.

[¶23] And then the wheel-treasure, having triumphed over this land surrounded by ocean, returned to the royal capital. There it stood still by the gate to the royal compound at the High Court as if fixed to an axle, illuminating the royal compound. Such is the wheel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, cakkaratanaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ abhivijinitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuradvāre atthakaraṇapamukhe akkhāhataṁ maññe aṭṭhāsi rañño mahāsudassanassa antepuraṁ upasobhayamānaṁ. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi.

[¶24] 2.2. The Elephant-Treasure

> Pali: 2.2. Hatthiratana

[¶25] Next, the elephant-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, touching the ground in seven places, a king of elephants named Sabbath. Seeing him, the king was impressed, ‘This would truly be a fine elephant vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’ Then the elephant-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred elephant that had been tamed for a long time.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi sabbaseto sattappatiṭṭho iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo uposatho nāma nāgarājā. Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi: ‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho hatthiyānaṁ, sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti. Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, hatthiratanaṁ—seyyathāpi nāma gandhahatthājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi.

[¶26] Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same elephant-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast. Such is the elephant-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva hatthiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ hatthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.

[¶27] 2.3. The Horse-Treasure

> Pali: 2.3. Assaratana

[¶28] Next, the horse-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. It was an all-white sky-walker with psychic power, with head of black and mane like woven reeds, a royal steed named Thundercloud. Seeing him, the king was impressed, ‘This would truly be a fine horse vehicle, if he would submit to taming.’ Then the horse-treasure submitted to taming, as if he was a fine thoroughbred horse that had been tamed for a long time.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa assaratanaṁ pāturahosi sabbaseto kāḷasīso muñjakeso iddhimā vehāsaṅgamo valāhako nāma assarājā. Taṁ disvā rañño mahāsudassanassa cittaṁ pasīdi: ‘bhaddakaṁ vata bho assayānaṁ sace damathaṁ upeyyā’ti. Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, assaratanaṁ seyyathāpi nāma bhaddo assājāniyo dīgharattaṁ suparidanto; evameva damathaṁ upagacchi.

[¶29] Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same horse-treasure, mounted him in the morning and traversed the land surrounded by ocean before returning to the royal capital in time for breakfast. Such is the horse-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva assaratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno pubbaṇhasamayaṁ abhiruhitvā samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ anuyāyitvā kusāvatiṁ rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā pātarāsamakāsi. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ assaratanaṁ pāturahosi.

[¶30] 2.4. The Jewel-Treasure

> Pali: 2.4. Maṇiratana

[¶31] Next, the jewel-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. It was a beryl gem that was naturally lustrous, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities. And the radiance of that jewel spread all-round for a league.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi. So ahosi maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno. Tassa kho panānanda, maṇiratanassa ābhā samantā yojanaṁ phuṭā ahosi.

[¶32] Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana, testing that same jewel-treasure, mobilized his army of four divisions and, with the jewel hoisted on his banner, set out in the dark of the night. Then the villagers around them set off to work, thinking that it was day. Such is the jewel-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva maṇiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno caturaṅginiṁ senaṁ sannayhitvā maṇiṁ dhajaggaṁ āropetvā rattandhakāratimisāya pāyāsi. Ye kho panānanda, samantā gāmā ahesuṁ, te tenobhāsena kammante payojesuṁ divāti maññamānā. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ maṇiratanaṁ pāturahosi.

[¶33] 2.5. The Woman-Treasure

> Pali: 2.5. Itthiratana

[¶34] Next, the woman-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. She was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty. She was neither too tall nor too short; neither too thin nor too fat; neither too dark nor too light. She outdid human beauty without reaching heavenly beauty. And her touch was like a tuft of cotton-wool or kapok. When it was cool her limbs were warm, and when it was warm her limbs were cool. The fragrance of sandal floated from her body, and lotus from her mouth. She got up before the king and went to bed after him, and was obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely. The woman-treasure did not betray the wheel-turning monarch even in thought, still less in deed. Such is the woman-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi abhirūpā dassanīyā pāsādikā paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgatā nātidīghā nātirassā nātikisā nātithūlā nātikāḷikā nāccodātā atikkantā mānusivaṇṇaṁ appattā dibbavaṇṇaṁ. Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa evarūpo kāyasamphasso hoti, seyyathāpi nāma tūlapicuno vā kappāsapicuno vā. Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa sīte uṇhāni gattāni honti, uṇhe sītāni. Tassa kho panānanda, itthiratanassa kāyato candanagandho vāyati, mukhato uppalagandho. Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa pubbuṭṭhāyinī ahosi pacchānipātinī kiṅkārapaṭissāvinī manāpacārinī piyavādinī. Taṁ kho panānanda, itthiratanaṁ rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ manasāpi no aticari, kuto pana kāyena. Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ itthiratanaṁ pāturahosi.

[¶35] 2.6. The Householder-Treasure

> Pali: 2.6. Gahapatiratana

[¶36] Next, the householder-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. The power of clairvoyance manifested in him as a result of past deeds, by which he sees treasure troves, both owned and ownerless.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi. Tassa kammavipākajaṁ dibbacakkhu pāturahosi yena nidhiṁ passati sassāmikampi assāmikampi.

[¶37] He approached the king and said, ‘Relax, Your Majesty. I will take care of the treasury.’

> Pali: So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha: ‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahaṁ te dhanena dhanakaraṇīyaṁ karissāmī’ti.

[¶38] Once it so happened that the wheel-turning monarch, testing that same householder-treasure, boarded a boat and sailed to the middle of the Ganges River. Then he said to the householder-treasure, ‘Householder, I need gold, both coined and uncoined.’

> Pali: Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tameva gahapatiratanaṁ vīmaṁsamāno nāvaṁ abhiruhitvā majjhe gaṅgāya nadiyā sotaṁ ogāhitvā gahapatiratanaṁ etadavoca: ‘attho me, gahapati, hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.

[¶39] ‘Well then, Great King, draw the boat up to one shore.’

> Pali: ‘Tena hi, mahārāja, ekaṁ tīraṁ nāvā upetū’ti.

[¶40] ‘It’s right here, householder, that I need gold, both coined and uncoined.’

> Pali: ‘Idheva me, gahapati, attho hiraññasuvaṇṇenā’ti.

[¶41] Then that householder-treasure, immersing both hands in the water, pulled up a pot full of gold, both coined and uncoined, and said to the king, ‘Is this sufficient, Great King? Has enough been done, Great King, enough offered?’

> Pali: Atha kho taṁ, ānanda, gahapatiratanaṁ ubhohi hatthehi udakaṁ omasitvā pūraṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa kumbhiṁ uddharitvā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca: ‘alamettāvatā, mahārāja, katamettāvatā, mahārāja, pūjitamettāvatā, mahārājā’ti?

[¶42] The king said, ‘That is sufficient, householder. Enough has been done, enough offered.’

> Pali: Rājā mahāsudassano evamāha: ‘alamettāvatā, gahapati, katamettāvatā, gahapati, pūjitamettāvatā, gahapatī’ti.

[¶43] Such is the householder-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ gahapatiratanaṁ pāturahosi.

[¶44] 2.7. The Commander-Treasure

> Pali: 2.7. Pariṇāyakaratana

[¶45] Next, the commander-treasure appeared to King Mahāsudassana. He is astute, competent, intelligent, and capable regarding who should be ushered in to the king’s presence, who should be ushered out, and who should be kept by his side.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi paṇḍito viyatto medhāvī paṭibalo rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upayāpetabbaṁ upayāpetuṁ, apayāpetabbaṁ apayāpetuṁ, ṭhapetabbaṁ ṭhapetuṁ.

[¶46] He approached the king and said, ‘Relax, Your Majesty. I shall issue instructions.’

> Pali: So rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāha: ‘appossukko tvaṁ, deva, hohi, ahamanusāsissāmī’ti.

[¶47] Such is the commander-treasure that appeared to King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Rañño, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa evarūpaṁ pariṇāyakaratanaṁ pāturahosi.

[¶48] These are the seven treasures possessed by King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imehi sattahi ratanehi samannāgato ahosi.

[¶49] 3. The Four Blessings

> Pali: 3. Catuiddhisamannāgata

[¶50] King Mahāsudassana possessed four blessings. And what are the four blessings?

> Pali: Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi. Katamāhi catūhi iddhīhi?

[¶51] He was attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty, more so than other humans. This is the first blessing.

> Pali: Idhānanda, rājā mahāsudassano abhirūpo ahosi dassanīyo pāsādiko paramāya vaṇṇapokkharatāya samannāgato ativiya aññehi manussehi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya paṭhamāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.

[¶52] Furthermore, he was long-lived, more so than other humans. This is the second blessing.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dīghāyuko ahosi ciraṭṭhitiko ativiya aññehi manussehi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya dutiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.

[¶53] Furthermore, he was rarely ill or unwell, and his stomach digested well, being neither too hot nor too cold, more so than other humans. This is the third blessing.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano appābādho ahosi appātaṅko samavepākiniyā gahaṇiyā samannāgato nātisītāya nāccuṇhāya ativiya aññehi manussehi. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya tatiyāya iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.

[¶54] Furthermore, he was as dear and beloved to the brahmins and householders as a father is to his children. And the brahmins and householders were as dear to the king as children are to their father.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitā puttānaṁ piyo hoti manāpo; evameva kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano brāhmaṇagahapatikānaṁ piyo ahosi manāpo. Raññopi, ānanda, mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pitu puttā piyā honti manāpā; evameva kho, ānanda, raññopi mahāsudassanassa brāhmaṇagahapatikā piyā ahesuṁ manāpā.

[¶55] Once it so happened that King Mahāsudassana went with his army of four divisions to visit a park. Then the brahmins and householders went up to him and said, ‘Slow down, Your Majesty, so we may see you longer!’ And the king addressed his charioteer, ‘Drive slowly, charioteer, so I can see the brahmins and householders longer!’ This is the fourth blessing.

> Pali: Bhūtapubbaṁ, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano caturaṅginiyā senāya uyyānabhūmiṁ niyyāsi. Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ataramāno, deva, yāhi, yathā taṁ mayaṁ cirataraṁ passeyyāmā’ti. Rājāpi, ānanda, mahāsudassano sārathiṁ āmantesi: ‘ataramāno, sārathi, rathaṁ pesehi, yathā ahaṁ brāhmaṇagahapatike cirataraṁ passeyyan’ti. Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāya catutthiyā iddhiyā samannāgato ahosi.

[¶56] These are the four blessings possessed by King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: Rājā, ānanda, mahāsudassano imāhi catūhi iddhīhi samannāgato ahosi.

[¶57] 4. Lotus Ponds in the Palace of Principle

> Pali: 4. Dhammapāsādapokkharaṇī

[¶58] Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I have lotus ponds built between the palms, at intervals of a hundred bow lengths?’

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo māpeyyan’ti.

[¶59] So that’s what he did. The lotus ponds were lined with tiles of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

> Pali: Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu tālantarikāsu dhanusate dhanusate pokkharaṇiyo. Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahesuṁ— ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.

[¶60] And four flights of stairs of four colors descended into each lotus pond, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold. The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal. The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl. Those lotus ponds were surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver. The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

> Pali: Tāsu kho panānanda, pokkharaṇīsu cattāri cattāri sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ, ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Tā kho panānanda, pokkharaṇiyo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhittā ahesuṁ ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā. Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.

[¶61] Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I plant flowers in the lotus ponds such as blue water lilies, and lotuses of pink, yellow, and white, blooming all year round, and accessible to the public?’ So that’s what he did.

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ ropāpeyyaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭan’ti. Ropāpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsu pokkharaṇīsu evarūpaṁ mālaṁ uppalaṁ padumaṁ kumudaṁ puṇḍarīkaṁ sabbotukaṁ sabbajanassa anāvaṭaṁ.

[¶62] Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I appoint bath attendants to help bathe the people who come to bathe in the lotus ponds?’ So that’s what he did.

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise ṭhapeyyaṁ, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpessantī’ti. Ṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre nhāpake purise, ye āgatāgataṁ janaṁ nhāpesuṁ.

[¶63] Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I set up charities on the banks of the lotus ponds, so that those in need of food, drink, clothes, vehicles, beds, women, coined gold, or uncoined gold can get what they need?’ So that’s what he did.

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ imāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ paṭṭhapeyyaṁ— annaṁ annaṭṭhikassa, pānaṁ pānaṭṭhikassa, vatthaṁ vatthaṭṭhikassa, yānaṁ yānaṭṭhikassa, sayanaṁ sayanaṭṭhikassa, itthiṁ itthiṭṭhikassa, hiraññaṁ hiraññaṭṭhikassa, suvaṇṇaṁ suvaṇṇaṭṭhikassā’ti. Paṭṭhapesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tāsaṁ pokkharaṇīnaṁ tīre evarūpaṁ dānaṁ— annaṁ annaṭṭhikassa, pānaṁ pānaṭṭhikassa, vatthaṁ vatthaṭṭhikassa, yānaṁ yānaṭṭhikassa, sayanaṁ sayanaṭṭhikassa, itthiṁ itthiṭṭhikassa, hiraññaṁ hiraññaṭṭhikassa, suvaṇṇaṁ suvaṇṇaṭṭhikassa.

[¶64] Then the brahmins and householders came to the king bringing abundant wealth and said, ‘Your Majesty, this abundant wealth is specially for you alone; may Your Majesty accept it!’

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, brāhmaṇagahapatikā pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ ādāya rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘idaṁ, deva, pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ devaññeva uddissa ābhataṁ, taṁ devo paṭiggaṇhatū’ti.

[¶65] ‘There’s enough raised for me through regular taxes. Let this be for you; and here, take even more!’

> Pali: ‘Alaṁ, bho, mamapidaṁ pahūtaṁ sāpateyyaṁ dhammikena balinā abhisaṅkhataṁ, tañca vo hotu, ito ca bhiyyo harathā’ti.

[¶66] When the king turned them down, they withdrew to one side to think up a plan, ‘It wouldn’t be proper for us to take this abundant wealth back to our own homes. Why don’t we build a home for King Mahāsudassana?’

> Pali: Te raññā paṭikkhittā ekamantaṁ apakkamma evaṁ samacintesuṁ: ‘na kho etaṁ amhākaṁ patirūpaṁ, yaṁ mayaṁ imāni sāpateyyāni punadeva sakāni gharāni paṭihareyyāma. Yannūna mayaṁ rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpeyyāmā’ti.

[¶67] They went up to the king and said, ‘We shall have a home built for you, Your Majesty!’ King Mahāsudassana consented with silence.

> Pali: Te rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmā’ti. Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena.

[¶68] And then Sakka, lord of gods, knowing the king’s train of thought, addressed the godling Vissakamma, ‘Come, dear Vissakamma, build a palace named Principle as a home for King Mahāsudassana.’

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, sakko devānamindo rañño mahāsudassanassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya vissakammaṁ devaputtaṁ āmantesi: ‘ehi tvaṁ, samma vissakamma, rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ māpehi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti.

[¶69] ‘Yes, lord,’ replied Vissakamma. Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the gods of the thirty-three and appeared in front of King Mahāsudassana.

> Pali: ‘Evaṁ, bhaddantavā’ti kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito rañño mahāsudassanassa purato pāturahosi.

[¶70] Vissakamma said to the king, ‘I shall build a palace named Principle as a home for you, Your Majesty.’ King Mahāsudassana consented with silence.

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rājānaṁ mahāsudassanaṁ etadavoca: ‘nivesanaṁ te, deva, māpessāmi dhammaṁ nāma pāsādan’ti. Adhivāsesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano tuṇhībhāvena.

[¶71] And so that’s what Vissakamma did.

> Pali: Māpesi kho, ānanda, vissakammo devaputto rañño mahāsudassanassa nivesanaṁ dhammaṁ nāma pāsādaṁ.

[¶72] The Palace of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south. It was lined with tiles of four colors, three fathoms high, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

> Pali: Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi. Uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena. Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa tiporisaṁ uccatarena vatthu citaṁ ahosi catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi— ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.

[¶73] It had 84,000 pillars of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. It was covered with panels of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

> Pali: Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa caturāsītithambhasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— eko thambho sovaṇṇamayo, eko rūpiyamayo, eko veḷuriyamayo, eko phalikamayo. Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ phalakehi santhato ahosi— ekaṁ phalakaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ.

[¶74] It had twenty-four staircases of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold. The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal. The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.

> Pali: Dhammassa, ānanda, pāsādassa catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.

[¶75] It had 84,000 chambers of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. In each chamber a couch was spread: in the golden chamber a couch of silver; in the silver chamber a couch of gold; in the beryl chamber a couch of ivory; in the crystal chamber a couch of hardwood. At the door of the golden chamber stood a palm tree of silver, with trunk of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. At the door of the silver chamber stood a palm tree of gold, with trunk of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. At the door of the beryl chamber stood a palm tree of crystal, with trunk of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. At the door of the crystal chamber stood a palm tree of beryl, with trunk of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal.

> Pali: Dhamme, ānanda, pāsāde caturāsītikūṭāgārasahassāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— ekaṁ kūṭāgāraṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamaye kūṭāgāre rūpiyamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, rūpiyamaye kūṭāgāre sovaṇṇamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, veḷuriyamaye kūṭāgāre dantamayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi, phalikamaye kūṭāgāre sāramayo pallaṅko paññatto ahosi. Sovaṇṇamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre rūpiyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa rūpiyamayo khandho sovaṇṇamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Rūpiyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sovaṇṇamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa sovaṇṇamayo khandho, rūpiyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Veḷuriyamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre phalikamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa phalikamayo khandho, veḷuriyamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca. Phalikamayassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre veḷuriyamayo tālo ṭhito ahosi, tassa veḷuriyamayo khandho, phalikamayāni pattāni ca phalāni ca.

[¶76] Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I build a grove of golden palm trees at the door to the Chamber of the Grand Tower, where I can sit for the day?’ So that’s what he did.

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ māpeyyaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdissāmī’ti. Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano mahāviyūhassa kūṭāgārassa dvāre sabbasovaṇṇamayaṁ tālavanaṁ, yattha divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.

[¶77] The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two balustrades, made of gold and silver. The golden balustrades had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver balustrades had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold.

> Pali: Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi vedikāhi parikkhitto ahosi, ekā vedikā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā. Sovaṇṇamayāya vedikāya sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayāya vedikāya rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ, sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.

[¶78] The Palace of Principle was surrounded by two nets of bells, made of gold and silver. The golden net had bells of silver, and the silver net had bells of gold. When those nets of bells were blown by the wind they sounded graceful, tantalizing, sensuous, lovely, and intoxicating, like a quintet made up of skilled musicians who had practiced well and kept excellent rhythm. And any addicts, carousers, or drunkards in Kusāvatī at that time were entertained by that sound. When it was finished, the palace was hard to look at, dazzling to the eyes. It was like how in the last month of the rainy season, in autumn, when the heavens are sunny and cloudless, as the sun is rising to the firmament, it is hard to look at, dazzling to the eyes.

> Pali: Dhammo, ānanda, pāsādo dvīhi kiṅkiṇikajālehi parikkhitto ahosi— ekaṁ jālaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa jālassa rūpiyamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ, rūpiyamayassa jālassa sovaṇṇamayā kiṅkiṇikā ahesuṁ. Tesaṁ kho panānanda, kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, pañcaṅgikassa tūriyassa suvinītassa suppaṭitāḷitassa sukusalehi samannāhatassa saddo hoti, vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca; evameva kho, ānanda, tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddo ahosi vaggu ca rajanīyo ca khamanīyo ca madanīyo ca. Ye kho panānanda, tena samayena kusāvatiyā rājadhāniyā dhuttā ahesuṁ soṇḍā pipāsā, te tesaṁ kiṅkiṇikajālānaṁ vāteritānaṁ saddena paricāresuṁ. Niṭṭhito kho panānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni. Seyyathāpi, ānanda, vassānaṁ pacchime māse saradasamaye viddhe vigatavalāhake deve ādicco nabhaṁ abbhussakkamāno duddikkho hoti musati cakkhūni; evameva kho, ānanda, dhammo pāsādo duddikkho ahosi musati cakkhūni.

[¶79] Then King Mahāsudassana thought, ‘Why don’t I build a lotus pond named Principle in front of the palace?’ So that’s what he did. The Lotus Pond of Principle stretched for a league from east to west, and half a league from north to south. It was lined with tiles of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

> Pali: Atha kho, ānanda, rañño mahāsudassanassa etadahosi: ‘yannūnāhaṁ dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ māpeyyan’ti. Māpesi kho, ānanda, rājā mahāsudassano dhammassa pāsādassa purato dhammaṁ nāma pokkharaṇiṁ. Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī puratthimena pacchimena ca yojanaṁ āyāmena ahosi, uttarena dakkhiṇena ca aḍḍhayojanaṁ vitthārena. Dhammā, ānanda, pokkharaṇī catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ iṭṭhakāhi citā ahosi— ekā iṭṭhakā sovaṇṇamayā, ekā rūpiyamayā, ekā veḷuriyamayā, ekā phalikamayā.

[¶80] It had twenty-four staircases of four colors, made of gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden stairs had posts of gold, and banisters and finials of silver. The silver stairs had posts of silver, and banisters and finials of gold. The beryl stairs had posts of beryl, and banisters and finials of crystal. The crystal stairs had posts of crystal, and banisters and finials of beryl.

> Pali: Dhammāya, ānanda, pokkharaṇiyā catuvīsati sopānāni ahesuṁ catunnaṁ vaṇṇānaṁ— ekaṁ sopānaṁ sovaṇṇamayaṁ, ekaṁ rūpiyamayaṁ, ekaṁ veḷuriyamayaṁ, ekaṁ phalikamayaṁ. Sovaṇṇamayassa sopānassa sovaṇṇamayā thambhā ahesuṁ rūpiyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Rūpiyamayassa sopānassa rūpiyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ sovaṇṇamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Veḷuriyamayassa sopānassa veḷuriyamayā thambhā ahesuṁ phalikamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca. Phalikamayassa sopānassa phalikamayā thambhā ahesuṁ veḷuriyamayā sūciyo ca uṇhīsañca.