---
title: "Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 52 of 70
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/52/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya, section 52. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/52/"
---

# 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.

## 52. DN 26 · The Wheel-Turning Monarch · part 1

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/52/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/52/#p-N

[¶0] DN 26 · The Wheel-Turning Monarch

> Pali: DN 26 · Cakkavattisutta

[¶1] 1. Taking Refuge in Oneself

> Pali: 1. Attadīpasaraṇatā

[¶2] So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans at Mātulā. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!”

> Pali: Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā magadhesu viharati mātulāyaṁ. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

[¶3] “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

> Pali: “Bhaddante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

[¶4] “Mendicants, live as your own island, your own refuge, with no other refuge. Let the teaching be your island and your refuge, with no other refuge. And how does a mendicant do this? They meditate observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. They meditate observing an aspect of feelings … mind … principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world. That’s how a mendicant lives with themselves as island and refuge, without other refuge; with the teachings as island and refuge, without other refuge.

> Pali: “Attadīpā, bhikkhave, viharatha attasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā, dhammadīpā dhammasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā. Kathañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhu attadīpo viharati attasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo, dhammadīpo dhammasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Vedanāsu vedanānupassī …pe… citte cittānupassī …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu attadīpo viharati attasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo, dhammadīpo dhammasaraṇo anaññasaraṇo.

[¶5] You should roam inside your own territory, the domain of your fathers. If you roam inside your own territory, the domain of your fathers, Māra won’t find a vulnerability or get an opportunity. It is due to undertaking skillful qualities that merit grows.

> Pali: Gocare, bhikkhave, caratha sake pettike visaye. Gocare, bhikkhave, carataṁ sake pettike visaye na lacchati māro otāraṁ, na lacchati māro ārammaṇaṁ. Kusalānaṁ, bhikkhave, dhammānaṁ samādānahetu evamidaṁ puññaṁ pavaḍḍhati.

[¶6] 2. King Daḷhanemi

> Pali: 2. Daḷhanemicakkavattirājā

[¶7] Once upon a time, mendicants, there was a king named Daḷhanemi who was a wheel-turning monarch, a just and principled king. His dominion extended to all four sides, he achieved stability in the country, and he possessed the seven treasures. He had the following seven treasures: the wheel, the elephant, the horse, the jewel, the woman, the householder, and the commander as the seventh treasure. He had over a thousand sons who were valiant and heroic, crushing the armies of his enemies. After conquering this land girt by sea, he reigned by principle, without rod or sword.

> Pali: Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhikkhave, rājā daḷhanemi nāma ahosi cakkavattī dhammiko dhammarājā cāturanto vijitāvī janapadatthāvariyappatto sattaratanasamannāgato. Tassimāni satta ratanāni ahesuṁ seyyathidaṁ— cakkaratanaṁ hatthiratanaṁ assaratanaṁ maṇiratanaṁ itthiratanaṁ gahapatiratanaṁ pariṇāyakaratanameva sattamaṁ. Parosahassaṁ kho panassa puttā ahesuṁ sūrā vīraṅgarūpā parasenappamaddanā. So imaṁ pathaviṁ sāgarapariyantaṁ adaṇḍena asatthena dhammena abhivijiya ajjhāvasi.

[¶8] Then, after many years, many hundred years, many thousand years had passed, King Daḷhanemi addressed one of his men, ‘My man, when you see that the heavenly wheel-treasure has receded back from its place, please tell me.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā daḷhanemi bahunnaṁ vassānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi: ‘yadā tvaṁ, ambho purisa, passeyyāsi dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ ṭhānā cutaṁ, atha me āroceyyāsī’ti.

[¶9] ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied that man.

> Pali: ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, bhikkhave, so puriso rañño daḷhanemissa paccassosi.

[¶10] After many thousand years had passed, that man saw that the heavenly wheel-treasure had receded back from its place. So he went to King Daḷhanemi and said, ‘Please Your Majesty, you should know that your heavenly wheel-treasure has receded back from its place.’

> Pali: Addasā kho, bhikkhave, so puriso bahunnaṁ vassānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ ṭhānā cutaṁ, disvāna yena rājā daḷhanemi tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ daḷhanemiṁ etadavoca: ‘yagghe, deva, jāneyyāsi, dibbaṁ te cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ ṭhānā cutan’ti.

[¶11] So the king summoned the crown prince and said, ‘Dear prince, my heavenly wheel-treasure has receded back from its place. I’ve heard that when this happens to a wheel-turning monarch, he does not have long to live. I have enjoyed human pleasures. Now it is time for me to seek heavenly pleasures. Come, dear prince, rule this land surrounded by ocean! I shall shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā daḷhanemi jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca: ‘dibbaṁ kira me, tāta kumāra, cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ ṭhānā cutaṁ. Sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ— yassa rañño cakkavattissa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ osakkati ṭhānā cavati, na dāni tena raññā ciraṁ jīvitabbaṁ hotīti. Bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā, samayo dāni me dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ. Ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ paṭipajja. Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmī’ti.

[¶12] And so, after carefully instructing the crown prince in kingship, King Daḷhanemi shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and went forth from the lay life to homelessness. Seven days later the heavenly wheel-treasure vanished.

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā daḷhanemi jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. Sattāhapabbajite kho pana, bhikkhave, rājisimhi dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ antaradhāyi.

[¶13] Then a certain man approached the newly anointed aristocrat king and said, ‘Please Your Majesty, you should know that the heavenly wheel-treasure has vanished.’ At that the king was unhappy and experienced unhappiness. He went to the royal seer and said, ‘Please Your Majesty, you should know that the heavenly wheel-treasure has vanished.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, aññataro puriso yena rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ khattiyaṁ muddhābhisittaṁ etadavoca: ‘yagghe, deva, jāneyyāsi, dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ antarahitan’ti. Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto dibbe cakkaratane antarahite anattamano ahosi, anattamanatañca paṭisaṁvedesi. So yena rājisi tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājisiṁ etadavoca: ‘yagghe, deva, jāneyyāsi, dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ antarahitan’ti.

[¶14] When he said this, the royal seer said to him, ‘Don’t be unhappy at the vanishing of the wheel-treasure. My dear, the wheel-treasure is not inherited from your father. Come now, my dear, proceed in the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch. If you do so, it’s possible that—on a fifteenth day sabbath, having bathed your head and gone upstairs in the royal longhouse to observe the sabbath—the heavenly wheel-treasure will appear to you, with a thousand spokes, with rim and hub, complete in every detail.’

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, bhikkhave, rājisi rājānaṁ khattiyaṁ muddhābhisittaṁ etadavoca: ‘mā kho tvaṁ, tāta, dibbe cakkaratane antarahite anattamano ahosi, mā anattamanatañca paṭisaṁvedesi, na hi te, tāta, dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pettikaṁ dāyajjaṁ. Iṅgha tvaṁ, tāta, ariye cakkavattivatte vattāhi. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ vijjati, yaṁ te ariye cakkavattivatte vattamānassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavissati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūran’ti.

[¶15] 2.1. The Noble Duty of a Wheel-Turning Monarch

> Pali: 2.1. Cakkavattiariyavatta

[¶16] ‘But Your Majesty, what is the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch?’

> Pali: ‘Katamaṁ pana taṁ, deva, ariyaṁ cakkavattivattan’ti?

[¶17] ‘Well then, my dear, relying only on principle—honoring, respecting, and venerating principle, having principle as your flag, banner, and authority—provide just protection and security for your court, troops, aristocrats, vassals, brahmins and householders, people of town and country, ascetics and brahmins, beasts and birds. Do not let injustice prevail in the realm. Provide money to the penniless in the realm.

> Pali: ‘Tena hi tvaṁ, tāta, dhammaṁyeva nissāya dhammaṁ sakkaronto dhammaṁ garuṁ karonto dhammaṁ mānento dhammaṁ pūjento dhammaṁ apacāyamāno dhammaddhajo dhammaketu dhammādhipateyyo dhammikaṁ rakkhāvaraṇaguttiṁ saṁvidahassu antojanasmiṁ balakāyasmiṁ khattiyesu anuyantesu brāhmaṇagahapatikesu negamajānapadesu samaṇabrāhmaṇesu migapakkhīsu. Mā ca te, tāta, vijite adhammakāro pavattittha. Ye ca te, tāta, vijite adhanā assu, tesañca dhanamanuppadeyyāsi.

[¶18] And there are ascetics and brahmins in the realm who refrain from intoxication and negligence, are settled in patience and gentleness, and who tame, calm, and extinguish themselves. From time to time you should go up to them and ask and learn: “Sirs, what is skillful? What is unskillful? What is blameworthy? What is blameless? What should be cultivated? What should not be cultivated? Doing what leads to my lasting harm and suffering? Doing what leads to my lasting welfare and happiness?” Having heard them, you should shun what is unskillful and proceed having undertaken what is skillful.

> Pali: Ye ca te, tāta, vijite samaṇabrāhmaṇā madappamādā paṭiviratā khantisoracce niviṭṭhā ekamattānaṁ damenti, ekamattānaṁ samenti, ekamattānaṁ parinibbāpenti, te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā paripuccheyyāsi pariggaṇheyyāsi: “kiṁ, bhante, kusalaṁ, kiṁ akusalaṁ, kiṁ sāvajjaṁ, kiṁ anavajjaṁ, kiṁ sevitabbaṁ, kiṁ na sevitabbaṁ, kiṁ me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya assa, kiṁ vā pana me karīyamānaṁ dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya assā”ti? Tesaṁ sutvā yaṁ akusalaṁ taṁ abhinivajjeyyāsi, yaṁ kusalaṁ taṁ samādāya vatteyyāsi.

[¶19] This is the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch.’

> Pali: Idaṁ kho, tāta, taṁ ariyaṁ cakkavattivattan’ti.

[¶20] 2.2. The Wheel-Treasure Appears

> Pali: 2.2. Cakkaratanapātubhāva

[¶21] ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied the new king to the royal seer. And he proceeded in the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch.

> Pali: ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto rājisissa paṭissutvā ariye cakkavattivatte vatti.

[¶22] While he was proceeding in that duty, on a fifteenth day sabbath, he 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: Tassa ariye cakkavattivatte vattamānassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pāturahosi sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ. Disvāna rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa etadahosi: ‘sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ—yassa rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa tadahuposathe pannarase sīsaṁnhātassa uposathikassa uparipāsādavaragatassa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ pātubhavati sahassāraṁ sanemikaṁ sanābhikaṁ sabbākāraparipūraṁ, so hoti rājā cakkavattīti. Assaṁ nu kho ahaṁ rājā cakkavattī’ti.

[¶23] Then the anointed king, 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, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto uṭṭhāyāsanā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā vāmena hatthena bhiṅkāraṁ gahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena cakkaratanaṁ abbhukkiri: ‘pavattatu bhavaṁ cakkaratanaṁ, abhivijinātu bhavaṁ cakkaratanan’ti.

[¶24] 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. And any opposing rulers of the eastern quarter came to the wheel-turning monarch and said, ‘Come, Great King! Welcome, Great King! We are yours, Great King, instruct us.’ The wheel-turning monarch 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: Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā cakkavattī saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Yasmiṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā cakkavattī vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti. Rājā cakkavattī evamāha: ‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ nādātabbaṁ, kāmesumicchā na caritabbā, musā na bhāsitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, puratthimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño cakkavattissa anuyantā ahesuṁ.

[¶25] Then the wheel-treasure, having plunged into the eastern ocean and emerged again, rolled toward the south. … Having plunged into the southern ocean and emerged again, it rolled toward the west. …

> Pali: Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, cakkaratanaṁ puratthimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pavatti …pe… dakkhiṇaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā pacchimaṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā cakkavattī saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Yasmiṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā cakkavattī vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, pacchimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti. Rājā cakkavattī evamāha: ‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ nādātabbaṁ, kāmesumicchā na caritabbā, musā na bhāsitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, pacchimāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño cakkavattissa anuyantā ahesuṁ.

[¶26] 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. And any opposing rulers of the northern quarter came to the wheel-turning monarch and said, ‘Come, Great King! Welcome, Great King! We are yours, Great King, instruct us.’ The wheel-turning monarch 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 rulers of the northern quarter became his vassals.

> Pali: Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, cakkaratanaṁ pacchimaṁ samuddaṁ ajjhogāhetvā paccuttaritvā uttaraṁ disaṁ pavatti, anvadeva rājā cakkavattī saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Yasmiṁ kho pana, bhikkhave, padese cakkaratanaṁ patiṭṭhāsi, tattha rājā cakkavattī vāsaṁ upagacchi saddhiṁ caturaṅginiyā senāya. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ upasaṅkamitvā evamāhaṁsu: ‘ehi kho, mahārāja, svāgataṁ te, mahārāja, sakaṁ te, mahārāja, anusāsa, mahārājā’ti. Rājā cakkavattī evamāha: ‘pāṇo na hantabbo, adinnaṁ nādātabbaṁ, kāmesumicchā na caritabbā, musā na bhāsitabbā, majjaṁ na pātabbaṁ, yathābhuttañca bhuñjathā’ti. Ye kho pana, bhikkhave, uttarāya disāya paṭirājāno, te rañño cakkavattissa anuyantā ahesuṁ.

[¶27] 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.

> Pali: Atha kho taṁ, bhikkhave, cakkaratanaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ abhivijinitvā tameva rājadhāniṁ paccāgantvā rañño cakkavattissa antepuradvāre atthakaraṇapamukhe akkhāhataṁ maññe aṭṭhāsi rañño cakkavattissa antepuraṁ upasobhayamānaṁ.

[¶28] 3. On Subsequent Wheel-Turning Monarchs

> Pali: 3. Dutiyādicakkavattikathā

[¶29] And for a second time, and a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, and a seventh time, a wheel-turning monarch was established in exactly the same way. And after many years the seventh wheel-turning monarch went forth, handing the realm over to the crown prince.

> Pali: Dutiyopi kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī …pe… tatiyopi kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī … catutthopi kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī … pañcamopi kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī … chaṭṭhopi kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī … sattamopi kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī bahunnaṁ vassānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi: ‘yadā tvaṁ, ambho purisa, passeyyāsi dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ ṭhānā cutaṁ, atha me āroceyyāsī’ti. ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, bhikkhave, so puriso rañño cakkavattissa paccassosi. Addasā kho, bhikkhave, so puriso bahunnaṁ vassānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasatānaṁ bahunnaṁ vassasahassānaṁ accayena dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ ṭhānā cutaṁ. Disvāna yena rājā cakkavattī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ cakkavattiṁ etadavoca: ‘yagghe, deva, jāneyyāsi, dibbaṁ te cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ ṭhānā cutan’ti?

[¶30] > Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ āmantāpetvā etadavoca: ‘dibbaṁ kira me, tāta kumāra, cakkaratanaṁ osakkitaṁ, ṭhānā cutaṁ, sutaṁ kho pana metaṁ— yassa rañño cakkavattissa dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ osakkati, ṭhānā cavati, na dāni tena raññā ciraṁ jīvitabbaṁ hotīti. Bhuttā kho pana me mānusakā kāmā, samayo dāni me dibbe kāme pariyesituṁ, ehi tvaṁ, tāta kumāra, imaṁ samuddapariyantaṁ pathaviṁ paṭipajja. Ahaṁ pana kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajissāmī’ti.

[¶31] Seven days later the heavenly wheel-treasure vanished.

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā cakkavattī jeṭṭhaputtaṁ kumāraṁ sādhukaṁ rajje samanusāsitvā kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbaji. Sattāhapabbajite kho pana, bhikkhave, rājisimhi dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ antaradhāyi.

[¶32] Then a certain man approached the newly anointed aristocrat king and said, ‘Please Your Majesty, you should know that the heavenly wheel-treasure has vanished.’ At that the king was unhappy and experienced unhappiness. But he didn’t go to the royal seer and ask about the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch. He just governed the country according to his own ideas. So governed, the country’s people did not prosper like before, as they had when former kings proceeded in the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch.

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, aññataro puriso yena rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ khattiyaṁ muddhābhisittaṁ etadavoca: ‘yagghe, deva, jāneyyāsi, dibbaṁ cakkaratanaṁ antarahitan’ti? Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto dibbe cakkaratane antarahite anattamano ahosi. Anattamanatañca paṭisaṁvedesi; no ca kho rājisiṁ upasaṅkamitvā ariyaṁ cakkavattivattaṁ pucchi. So samateneva sudaṁ janapadaṁ pasāsati. Tassa samatena janapadaṁ pasāsato pubbenāparaṁ janapadā na pabbanti, yathā taṁ pubbakānaṁ rājūnaṁ ariye cakkavattivatte vattamānānaṁ.

[¶33] Then the ministers and councillors, the treasurers and chief ministers, military officers, guardsmen, and professional advisers gathered and said to the king, ‘Your Majesty, when governed according to your own ideas, the country’s people do not prosper like before, as they did when former kings proceeded in the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch. In your realm are found ministers and councillors, treasurers and chief ministers, military officers, guardsmen, and professional advisers—both ourselves and others—who remember the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch. Please, Your Majesty, ask us about the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch. We will answer you.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, amaccā pārisajjā gaṇakamahāmattā anīkaṭṭhā dovārikā mantassājīvino sannipatitvā rājānaṁ khattiyaṁ muddhābhisittaṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘na kho te, deva, samatena sudaṁ janapadaṁ pasāsato pubbenāparaṁ janapadā pabbanti, yathā taṁ pubbakānaṁ rājūnaṁ ariye cakkavattivatte vattamānānaṁ. Saṁvijjanti kho te, deva, vijite amaccā pārisajjā gaṇakamahāmattā anīkaṭṭhā dovārikā mantassājīvino mayañceva aññe ca ye mayaṁ ariyaṁ cakkavattivattaṁ dhārema. Iṅgha tvaṁ, deva, amhe ariyaṁ cakkavattivattaṁ puccha. Tassa te mayaṁ ariyaṁ cakkavattivattaṁ puṭṭhā byākarissāmā’ti.

[¶34] 4. On the Period of Decline

> Pali: 4. Āyuvaṇṇādiparihānikathā

[¶35] So the anointed king asked the assembled ministers and councillors, treasurers and chief ministers, military officers, guardsmen, and professional advisers about the noble duty of a wheel-turning monarch. And they answered him. After listening to them, he provided just protection and security. But he did not provide money to the penniless in the realm. And so poverty grew widespread.

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto amacce pārisajje gaṇakamahāmatte anīkaṭṭhe dovārike mantassājīvino sannipātetvā ariyaṁ cakkavattivattaṁ pucchi. Tassa te ariyaṁ cakkavattivattaṁ puṭṭhā byākariṁsu. Tesaṁ sutvā dhammikañhi kho rakkhāvaraṇaguttiṁ saṁvidahi, no ca kho adhanānaṁ dhanamanuppadāsi. Adhanānaṁ dhane ananuppadiyamāne dāliddiyaṁ vepullamagamāsi.

[¶36] When poverty was widespread, a certain person stole from others, with the intention to commit theft. They arrested him and presented him to the king, saying, ‘Your Majesty, this person stole from others with the intention to commit theft.’

> Pali: Dāliddiye vepullaṁ gate aññataro puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyi. Tamenaṁ aggahesuṁ. Gahetvā rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa dassesuṁ: ‘ayaṁ, deva, puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti.

[¶37] The king said to that person, ‘Is it really true, my man, that you stole from others with the intention to commit theft?’

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto taṁ purisaṁ etadavoca: ‘saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, ambho purisa, paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti?

[¶38] ‘It’s true, Your Majesty.’

> Pali: ‘Saccaṁ, devā’ti.

[¶39] ‘What was the reason?’

> Pali: ‘Kiṁ kāraṇā’ti?

[¶40] ‘Your Majesty, I can’t survive.’

> Pali: ‘Na hi, deva, jīvāmī’ti.

[¶41] So the king provided some money to that person, saying, ‘With this money, my man, keep yourself alive, and provide for your mother and father, partners and children. Work for a living, and establish an uplifting religious donation for ascetics and brahmins that’s conducive to heaven, ripens in happiness, and leads to heaven.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto tassa purisassa dhanamanuppadāsi: ‘iminā tvaṁ, ambho purisa, dhanena attanā ca jīvāhi, mātāpitaro ca posehi, puttadārañca posehi, kammante ca payojehi, samaṇabrāhmaṇesu uddhaggikaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ patiṭṭhāpehi sovaggikaṁ sukhavipākaṁ saggasaṁvattanikan’ti.

[¶42] ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied that man.

> Pali: ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, bhikkhave, so puriso rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa paccassosi.

[¶43] But then another man stole something from others. They arrested him and presented him to the king, saying, ‘Your Majesty, this person stole from others.’

> Pali: Aññataropi kho, bhikkhave, puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyi. Tamenaṁ aggahesuṁ. Gahetvā rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa dassesuṁ: ‘ayaṁ, deva, puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti.

[¶44] The king said to that person, ‘Is it really true, my man, that you stole from others?’

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto taṁ purisaṁ etadavoca: ‘saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, ambho purisa, paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti?

[¶45] ‘It’s true, Your Majesty.’

> Pali: ‘Saccaṁ, devā’ti.

[¶46] ‘What was the reason?’

> Pali: ‘Kiṁ kāraṇā’ti?

[¶47] ‘Your Majesty, I can’t survive.’

> Pali: ‘Na hi, deva, jīvāmī’ti.

[¶48] So the king provided some money to that person, saying, ‘With this money, my man, keep yourself alive, and provide for your mother and father, partners and children. Work for a living, and establish an uplifting religious donation for ascetics and brahmins that’s conducive to heaven, ripens in happiness, and leads to heaven.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto tassa purisassa dhanamanuppadāsi: ‘iminā tvaṁ, ambho purisa, dhanena attanā ca jīvāhi, mātāpitaro ca posehi, puttadārañca posehi, kammante ca payojehi, samaṇabrāhmaṇesu uddhaggikaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ patiṭṭhāpehi sovaggikaṁ sukhavipākaṁ saggasaṁvattanikan’ti.

[¶49] ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ replied that man.

> Pali: ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, bhikkhave, so puriso rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa paccassosi.

[¶50] People heard about this: ‘It seems the king is providing money to anyone who steals from others!’ It occurred to them, ‘Why don’t we steal from others?’ So then another man stole something from others.

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho, bhikkhave, manussā: ‘ye kira, bho, paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyanti, tesaṁ rājā dhanamanuppadetī’ti. Sutvāna tesaṁ etadahosi: ‘yannūna mayampi paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyeyyāmā’ti. Atha kho, bhikkhave, aññataro puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyi.

[¶51] They arrested him and presented him to the king, saying, ‘Your Majesty, this person stole from others.’

> Pali: Tamenaṁ aggahesuṁ. Gahetvā rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa dassesuṁ: ‘ayaṁ, deva, puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti.

[¶52] The king said to that person, ‘Is it really true, my man, that you stole from others?’

> Pali: Evaṁ vutte, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto taṁ purisaṁ etadavoca: ‘saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, ambho purisa, paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti?

[¶53] ‘It’s true, Your Majesty.’

> Pali: ‘Saccaṁ, devā’ti.

[¶54] ‘What was the reason?’

> Pali: ‘Kiṁ kāraṇā’ti?

[¶55] ‘Your Majesty, I can’t survive.’

> Pali: ‘Na hi, deva, jīvāmī’ti.

[¶56] Then the king thought, ‘If I provide money to anyone who steals from others, it will only increase the stealing. I’d better make an end of this person, finish him off, and chop off his head.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa etadahosi: ‘sace kho ahaṁ yo yo paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyissati, tassa tassa dhanamanuppadassāmi, evamidaṁ adinnādānaṁ pavaḍḍhissati. Yannūnāhaṁ imaṁ purisaṁ sunisedhaṁ nisedheyyaṁ, mūlaghaccaṁ kareyyaṁ, sīsamassa chindeyyan’ti.

[¶57] Then he ordered his men, ‘Well then, lads, tie this man’s arms tightly behind his back with a strong rope. Shave his head and march him from street to street and square to square to the beating of a harsh drum. Then take him out the south gate and make an end of him, finish him off, and chop off his head.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, rājā khattiyo muddhābhisitto purise āṇāpesi: ‘tena hi, bhaṇe, imaṁ purisaṁ daḷhāya rajjuyā pacchābāhaṁ gāḷhabandhanaṁ bandhitvā khuramuṇḍaṁ karitvā kharassarena paṇavena rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ parinetvā dakkhiṇena dvārena nikkhamitvā dakkhiṇato nagarassa sunisedhaṁ nisedhetha, mūlaghaccaṁ karotha, sīsamassa chindathā’ti.

[¶58] ‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ they replied, and did as he commanded.

> Pali: ‘Evaṁ, devā’ti kho, bhikkhave, te purisā rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa paṭissutvā taṁ purisaṁ daḷhāya rajjuyā pacchābāhaṁ gāḷhabandhanaṁ bandhitvā khuramuṇḍaṁ karitvā kharassarena paṇavena rathikāya rathikaṁ siṅghāṭakena siṅghāṭakaṁ parinetvā dakkhiṇena dvārena nikkhamitvā dakkhiṇato nagarassa sunisedhaṁ nisedhesuṁ, mūlaghaccaṁ akaṁsu, sīsamassa chindiṁsu.

[¶59] People heard about this: ‘It seems the king is chopping the head off anyone who steals from others!’ It occurred to them, ‘We’d better have sharp swords made. Then when we steal from others, we’ll make an end of them, finish them off, and chop off their heads.’ They had sharp swords made. Then they started to attack villages, towns, and cities, and to infest the highways. And they chopped the heads off anyone they stole from.

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho, bhikkhave, manussā: ‘ye kira, bho, paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyanti, te rājā sunisedhaṁ nisedheti, mūlaghaccaṁ karoti, sīsāni tesaṁ chindatī’ti. Sutvāna tesaṁ etadahosi: ‘yannūna mayampi tiṇhāni satthāni kārāpessāma, tiṇhāni satthāni kārāpetvā yesaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyissāma, te sunisedhaṁ nisedhessāma, mūlaghaccaṁ karissāma, sīsāni tesaṁ chindissāmā’ti. Te tiṇhāni satthāni kārāpesuṁ, tiṇhāni satthāni kārāpetvā gāmaghātampi upakkamiṁsu kātuṁ, nigamaghātampi upakkamiṁsu kātuṁ, nagaraghātampi upakkamiṁsu kātuṁ, panthaduhanampi upakkamiṁsu kātuṁ. Yesaṁ te adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyanti, te sunisedhaṁ nisedhenti, mūlaghaccaṁ karonti, sīsāni tesaṁ chindanti.

[¶60] And so, mendicants, from not providing money to the penniless, poverty became widespread. When poverty was widespread, theft became widespread. When theft was widespread, swords became widespread. When swords were widespread, killing living creatures became widespread. And for the sentient beings among whom killing was widespread, their lifespan and beauty declined. Those people lived for 80,000 years, but their children lived for 40,000 years.

> Pali: Iti kho, bhikkhave, adhanānaṁ dhane ananuppadiyamāne dāliddiyaṁ vepullamagamāsi, dāliddiye vepullaṁ gate adinnādānaṁ vepullamagamāsi, adinnādāne vepullaṁ gate satthaṁ vepullamagamāsi, satthe vepullaṁ gate pāṇātipāto vepullamagamāsi, pāṇātipāte vepullaṁ gate tesaṁ sattānaṁ āyupi parihāyi, vaṇṇopi parihāyi. Tesaṁ āyunāpi parihāyamānānaṁ vaṇṇenapi parihāyamānānaṁ asītivassasahassāyukānaṁ manussānaṁ cattārīsavassasahassāyukā puttā ahesuṁ.

[¶61] Among the humans who lived for 40,000 years, a certain person stole something from others. They arrested him and presented him to the king, saying, ‘Your Majesty, this person stole from others.’

> Pali: Cattārīsavassasahassāyukesu, bhikkhave, manussesu aññataro puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyi. Tamenaṁ aggahesuṁ. Gahetvā rañño khattiyassa muddhābhisittassa dassesuṁ: ‘ayaṁ, deva, puriso paresaṁ adinnaṁ theyyasaṅkhātaṁ ādiyī’ti.