“Eat, dear Raṭṭhapāla. The meal is ready.” Then Raṭṭhapāla’s father served and satisfied Venerable Raṭṭhapāla with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods.
“Bhuñja, tāta raṭṭhapāla, niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”ti. Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi.
When he had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, he spoke this verse while standing right there:
Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo bhuttāvī onītapattapāṇī ṭhitakova imā gāthā abhāsi:
“See this fancy puppet,a body built of sores,diseased, obsessed over,in which nothing lasts at all.
“Passa cittīkataṁ bimbaṁ,arukāyaṁ samussitaṁ;Āturaṁ bahusaṅkappaṁ,yassa natthi dhuvaṁ ṭhiti.
See this fancy figure,with its gems and earrings;it is bones swathed in skin,made pretty by its clothes.
Passa cittīkataṁ rūpaṁ,maṇinā kuṇḍalena ca;Aṭṭhi tacena onaddhaṁ,saha vatthebhi sobhati.
Rouged feetand powdered facemay be enough to beguile a fool,but not a seeker of the far shore.
Alattakakatā pādā,mukhaṁ cuṇṇakamakkhitaṁ;Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,no ca pāragavesino.
Hair in eight braidsand eyeshadowmay be enough to beguile a fool,but not a seeker of the far shore.
Aṭṭhāpadakatā kesā,nettā añjanamakkhitā;Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,no ca pāragavesino.
A rotting body all adornedlike a freshly painted makeup boxmay be enough to beguile a fool,but not a seeker of the far shore.
Añjanīva navā cittā,pūtikāyo alaṅkato;Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,no ca pāragavesino.
The hunter laid his snare,but the deer didn’t spring the trap.I’ve eaten the bait and now I go,leaving the trapper to lament.”
Odahi migavo pāsaṁ,nāsadā vākaraṁ migo;Bhutvā nivāpaṁ gacchāma,kandante migabandhake”ti.
Then Raṭṭhapāla, having spoke this verse while standing, went to King Koravya’s deer range and sat at the root of a tree for the day’s meditation.
Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo ṭhitakova imā gāthā bhāsitvā yena rañño korabyassa migacīraṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.
Then King Koravya addressed his gamekeeper, “My good gamekeeper, tidy up the park of the deer range. We will go to see the scenery.”
Atha kho rājā korabyo migavaṁ āmantesi: “sodhehi, samma migava, migacīraṁ uyyānabhūmiṁ; gacchāma subhūmiṁ dassanāyā”ti.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied the gamekeeper. While tidying the deer range he saw Raṭṭhapāla sitting in meditation. Seeing this, he went to the king, and said, “The deer range is tidy, Your Majesty. And the gentleman named Raṭṭhapāla, the son of the leading clan in Thullakoṭṭhika, of whom you have often spoken highly, is meditating there at the root of a tree.”
“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho migavo rañño korabyassa paṭissutvā migacīraṁ sodhento addasa āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisinnaṁ. Disvāna yena rājā korabyo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ korabyaṁ etadavoca: “suddhaṁ kho te, deva, migacīraṁ. Atthi cettha raṭṭhapālo nāma kulaputto imasmiṁyeva thullakoṭṭhike aggakulassa putto yassa tvaṁ abhiṇhaṁ kittayamāno ahosi, so aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisinno”ti.
“Well then, my good gamekeeper, that’s enough of the park for today. Now I shall pay homage to the worthy Raṭṭhapāla.”
“Tena hi, samma migava, alaṁ dānajja uyyānabhūmiyā. Tameva dāni mayaṁ bhavantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ payirupāsissāmā”ti.
And then King Koravya said, “Distribute the fresh and cooked foods that have been prepared there.” He had the finest carriages harnessed. Then he mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out in full royal pomp from Thullakoṭṭhika to see Raṭṭhapāla. He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and approached Raṭṭhapāla on foot, together with a group of eminent officials. They exchanged greetings, and, when the greetings and polite conversation were over, he stood to one side and said to Raṭṭhapāla:
Atha kho rājā korabyo “yaṁ tattha khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyattaṁ taṁ sabbaṁ vissajjethā”ti vatvā bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni yojāpetvā bhadraṁ yānaṁ abhiruhitvā bhadrehi bhadrehi yānehi thullakoṭṭhikamhā niyyāsi mahaccarājānubhāvena āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ dassanāya. Yāvatikā yānassa bhūmi yānena gantvā yānā paccorohitvā pattikova ussaṭāya ussaṭāya parisāya yenāyasmā raṭṭhapālo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā raṭṭhapālena saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho rājā korabyo āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ etadavoca:
“Here, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, sit on this elephant rug.”
“idha bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo hatthatthare nisīdatū”ti.
“Enough, Great King, you sit on it. I’m sitting on my own seat.”
“Alaṁ, mahārāja, nisīda tvaṁ; nisinno ahaṁ sake āsane”ti.
So the king sat down on the seat spread out, and said:
Nisīdi rājā korabyo paññatte āsane. Nisajja kho rājā korabyo āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ etadavoca:
“Worthy Raṭṭhapāla, there are these four kinds of decay. Because of these, some people shave off their hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. What four? Decay due to old age, decay due to sickness, decay of wealth, and decay of relatives.
“Cattārimāni, bho raṭṭhapāla, pārijuññāni yehi pārijuññehi samannāgatā idhekacce kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti. Katamāni cattāri? Jarāpārijuññaṁ, byādhipārijuññaṁ, bhogapārijuññaṁ, ñātipārijuññaṁ.
And what is decay due to old age? It’s when someone is old, elderly, and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. They reflect: ‘I’m now old, elderly, and senior. I’m advanced in years and have reached the final stage of life. It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired. Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’ So because of that decay due to old age they go forth. This is called decay due to old age. But worthy Raṭṭhapāla is now a youth, young, with pristine black hair, blessed with youth, in the prime of life. You have no decay due to old age. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?
Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, jarāpārijuññaṁ? Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekacco jiṇṇo hoti vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto. So iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘ahaṁ khomhi etarahi jiṇṇo vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto. Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti. So tena jarāpārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati. Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, jarāpārijuññaṁ. Bhavaṁ kho pana raṭṭhapālo etarahi daharo yuvā susukāḷakeso bhadrena yobbanena samannāgato paṭhamena vayasā. Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa jarāpārijuññaṁ natthi. Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?
And what is decay due to sickness? It’s when someone is sick, suffering, gravely ill. They reflect: ‘I’m now sick, suffering, gravely ill. It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired. Why don’t I go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’ So because of that decay due to sickness they go forth. This is called decay due to sickness. But worthy Raṭṭhapāla is now rarely ill or unwell. Your stomach digests well, being neither too hot nor too cold. You have no decay due to sickness. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?
Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, byādhipārijuññaṁ? Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekacco ābādhiko hoti dukkhito bāḷhagilāno. So iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘ahaṁ khomhi etarahi ābādhiko dukkhito bāḷhagilāno. Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti. So tena byādhipārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati. Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, byādhipārijuññaṁ. Bhavaṁ kho pana raṭṭhapālo etarahi appābādho appātaṅko samavepākiniyā gahaṇiyā samannāgato nātisītāya nāccuṇhāya. Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa byādhipārijuññaṁ natthi. Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?
And what is decay of wealth? It’s when someone is rich, affluent, and wealthy. But gradually their wealth dwindles away. They reflect: ‘I used to be rich, affluent, and wealthy. But gradually my wealth has dwindled away. It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired. Why don’t I go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’ So because of that decay of wealth they go forth. This is called decay of wealth. But worthy Raṭṭhapāla is the son of the leading clan here in Thullakoṭṭhika. You have no decay of wealth. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?
Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhogapārijuññaṁ? Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekacco aḍḍho hoti mahaddhano mahābhogo. Tassa te bhogā anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gacchanti. So iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘ahaṁ kho pubbe aḍḍho ahosiṁ mahaddhano mahābhogo. Tassa me te bhogā anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gatā. Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti. So tena bhogapārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati. Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhogapārijuññaṁ. Bhavaṁ kho pana raṭṭhapālo imasmiṁyeva thullakoṭṭhike aggakulassa putto. Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa bhogapārijuññaṁ natthi. Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?
And what is decay of relatives? It’s when someone has many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin. But gradually their relatives dwindle away. They reflect: ‘I used to have many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin. But gradually they’ve dwindled away. It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired. Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’ So because of that decay of relatives they go forth. This is called decay of relatives. But worthy Raṭṭhapāla has many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin right here in Thullakoṭṭhika. You have no decay of relatives. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?
Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, ñātipārijuññaṁ? Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekaccassa bahū honti mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā. Tassa te ñātakā anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gacchanti. So iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘mamaṁ kho pubbe bahū ahesuṁ mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā. Tassa me te anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gatā. Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti. So tena ñātipārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati. Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, ñātipārijuññaṁ. Bhoto kho pana raṭṭhapālassa imasmiṁyeva thullakoṭṭhike bahū mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā. Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa ñātipārijuññaṁ natthi. Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?
There are these four kinds of decay. Because of these, some people shave off their hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. Worthy Raṭṭhapāla has none of these. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?”
Imāni kho, bho raṭṭhapāla, cattāri pārijuññāni, yehi pārijuññehi samannāgatā idhekacce kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti. Tāni bhoto raṭṭhapālassa natthi. Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti?
“Great king, the Blessed One who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha has taught these four summaries of the teaching for recitation. It was after knowing and seeing and hearing these that I went forth from the lay life to homelessness.
“Atthi kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena cattāro dhammuddesā uddiṭṭhā, ye ahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.
What four?
Katame cattāro?
‘The world is unstable and swept away.’ This is the first summary.
‘Upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena paṭhamo dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.
‘The world has no shelter and no savior.’ This is the second summary.
‘Atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena dutiyo dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.
‘The world has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.’ This is the third summary.
‘Assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena tatiyo dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.
‘The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.’ This is the fourth summary.
‘Ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena catuttho dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.
The Blessed One who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha taught these four summaries of the teaching. It was after knowing and seeing and hearing these that I went forth from the lay life to homelessness.”
Ime kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena cattāro dhammuddesā uddiṭṭhā, ye ahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.
“‘The world is unstable and swept away.’ So the worthy Raṭṭhapāla said. How should I see the meaning of this statement?”
“‘Upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti— bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha. Imassa, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?
“What do you think, Great King? When you were twenty or twenty-five years of age, were you well-versed at riding elephants, horses, and chariots, and at archery and swordsmanship? Were you strong in thigh and arm, capable, and battle-hardened?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, tvaṁ vīsativassuddesikopi paṇṇavīsativassuddesikopi hatthismimpi katāvī assasmimpi katāvī rathasmimpi katāvī dhanusmimpi katāvī tharusmimpi katāvī ūrubalī bāhubalī alamatto saṅgāmāvacaro”ti?
“I was, worthy Raṭṭhapāla. Sometimes it seems as if I had superpowers then. I don’t see anyone who could have equaled me in strength.”
“Ahosiṁ ahaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, vīsativassuddesikopi paṇṇavīsativassuddesikopi hatthismimpi katāvī assasmimpi katāvī rathasmimpi katāvī dhanusmimpi katāvī tharusmimpi katāvī ūrubalī bāhubalī alamatto saṅgāmāvacaro. Appekadāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, iddhimāva maññe na attano balena samasamaṁ samanupassāmī”ti.
“What do you think, Great King? These days are you just as strong in thigh and arm, capable, and battle-hardened?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, evameva tvaṁ etarahi ūrubalī bāhubalī alamatto saṅgāmāvacaro”ti?
“No, worthy Raṭṭhapāla. For now I am old, elderly, and senior, I’m advanced in years and have reached the final stage of life. I am eighty years old. Sometimes I intend to step in one place, but my foot goes somewhere else.”
“No hidaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla. Etarahi jiṇṇo vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto āsītiko me vayo vattati. Appekadāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, ‘idha pādaṁ karissāmī’ti aññeneva pādaṁ karomī”ti.
“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: ‘The world is unstable and swept away.’”
“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.
“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world is indeed unstable and swept away.
“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla. Yāva subhāsitañcidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena: ‘upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti. Upaniyyati hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko addhuvo.
In this royal court you can find divisions of elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry. They will serve to defend us from any threats. Yet you said: ‘The world has no shelter and no savior.’ How should I see the meaning of this statement?”
Saṁvijjante kho, bho raṭṭhapāla, imasmiṁ rājakule hatthikāyāpi assakāyāpi rathakāyāpi pattikāyāpi, amhākaṁ āpadāsu pariyodhāya vattissanti. ‘Atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti— bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha. Imassa pana, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?
“What do you think, Great King? Do you have any chronic ailments?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, atthi te koci anusāyiko ābādho”ti?
“Yes, I do. Sometimes my friends and colleagues, relatives and kin surround me, thinking: ‘Now the king will die! Now the king will die!’”
“Atthi me, bho raṭṭhapāla, anusāyiko ābādho. Appekadā maṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā parivāretvā ṭhitā honti: ‘idāni rājā korabyo kālaṁ karissati, idāni rājā korabyo kālaṁ karissatī’”ti.
“What do you think, Great King? Can you get your friends and colleagues, relatives and kin to help: ‘Please, my dear friends and colleagues, relatives and kin, all of you here share my pain so that I may feel less pain.’ Or must you alone feel that pain?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, labhasi tvaṁ te mittāmacce ñātisālohite: ‘āyantu me bhonto mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā, sabbeva santā imaṁ vedanaṁ saṁvibhajatha, yathāhaṁ lahukatarikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyeyyan’ti— udāhu tvaṁyeva taṁ vedanaṁ vediyasī”ti?
“I can’t get my friends to share my pain. Rather, I alone must feel it.”
“Nāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, labhāmi te mittāmacce ñātisālohite: ‘āyantu me bhonto mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā, sabbeva santā imaṁ vedanaṁ saṁvibhajatha, yathāhaṁ lahukatarikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyeyyan’ti. Atha kho ahameva taṁ vedanaṁ vediyāmī”ti.
“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: ‘The world has no shelter and no savior.’”
“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.
“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world indeed has no shelter and no savior.
“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla. Yāva subhāsitaṁ cidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena: ‘atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti. Atāṇo hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko anabhissaro.
In this royal court you can find abundant gold, both coined and uncoined, stored above and below ground. Yet you said: ‘The world has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.’ How should I see the meaning of this statement?”
Saṁvijjati kho, bho raṭṭhapāla, imasmiṁ rājakule pahūtaṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇaṁ bhūmigatañca vehāsagatañca. ‘Assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti— bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha. Imassa pana, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?
“What do you think, Great King? These days you amuse yourself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. But is there any way to ensure that in the next life you will continue to amuse yourself in the same way, supplied and provided with the same five kinds of sensual stimulation? Or will others make use of this property, while you pass on according to your deeds?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, yathā tvaṁ etarahi pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāresi, lacchasi tvaṁ paratthāpi: ‘evamevāhaṁ imeheva pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāremī’ti, udāhu aññe imaṁ bhogaṁ paṭipajjissanti, tvaṁ pana yathākammaṁ gamissasī”ti?
“There’s no way to ensure that I will continue to amuse myself in the same way. Rather, others will take over this property, while I pass on according to my deeds.”
“Yathāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, etarahi pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāremi, nāhaṁ lacchāmi paratthāpi: ‘evameva imeheva pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāremī’ti. Atha kho aññe imaṁ bhogaṁ paṭipajjissanti; ahaṁ pana yathākammaṁ gamissāmī”ti.
“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: ‘The world has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.’”
“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.
“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world indeed has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.
“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla. Yāva subhāsitaṁ cidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena: ‘assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti. Assako hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyaṁ.
You also said this: ‘The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.’ How should I see the meaning of this statement?”
‘Ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti— bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha. Imassa, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?
“What do you think, Great King? Do you reign over the prosperous land of Kuru?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, phītaṁ kuruṁ ajjhāvasasī”ti?
“Indeed I do.”
“Evaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, phītaṁ kuruṁ ajjhāvasāmī”ti.
“What do you think, Great King? Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the east. He’d approach you and say: ‘Please, Great King, you should know this. I come from the east. There I saw a large country that is successful and prosperous, populous and full of people. They have many divisions of elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry. And there’s plenty of money and grain, plenty of gold, coined and uncoined, worked and unworked, and plenty of women for the taking. With your current forces you can conquer it. Conquer it, Great King!’ What would you do?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, idha puriso āgaccheyya puratthimāya disāya saddhāyiko paccayiko. So taṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘yagghe, mahārāja, jāneyyāsi, ahaṁ āgacchāmi puratthimāya disāya? Tatthaddasaṁ mahantaṁ janapadaṁ iddhañceva phītañca bahujanaṁ ākiṇṇamanussaṁ. Bahū tattha hatthikāyā assakāyā rathakāyā pattikāyā; bahu tattha dhanadhaññaṁ; bahu tattha hiraññasuvaṇṇaṁ akatañceva katañca; bahu tattha itthipariggaho. Sakkā ca tāvatakeneva balamattena abhivijinituṁ. Abhivijina, mahārājā’ti, kinti naṁ kareyyāsī”ti?
“I would conquer it and reign over it.”
“Tampi mayaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abhivijiya ajjhāvaseyyāmā”ti.
“What do you think, Great King? Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the west, north, south, or from over the ocean. He’d approach you and say the same thing. What would you do?”
“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, idha puriso āgaccheyya pacchimāya disāya … uttarāya disāya … dakkhiṇāya disāya … parasamuddato saddhāyiko paccayiko. So taṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘yagghe, mahārāja, jāneyyāsi, ahaṁ āgacchāmi parasamuddato? Tatthaddasaṁ mahantaṁ janapadaṁ iddhañceva phītañca bahujanaṁ ākiṇṇamanussaṁ. Bahū tattha hatthikāyā assakāyā rathakāyā pattikāyā; bahu tattha dhanadhaññaṁ; bahu tattha hiraññasuvaṇṇaṁ akatañceva katañca; bahu tattha itthipariggaho. Sakkā ca tāvatakeneva balamattena abhivijinituṁ. Abhivijina, mahārājā’ti, kinti naṁ kareyyāsī”ti?
“I would conquer it and reign over it.”
“Tampi mayaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abhivijiya ajjhāvaseyyāmā”ti.
“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: ‘The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.’ And it was after knowing and seeing and hearing this that I went forth from the lay life to homelessness.”
“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.
“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world is indeed wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.”
“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla. Yāva subhāsitañcidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena: ‘ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti. Ūno hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko atitto taṇhādāso”ti.
That is what Venerable Raṭṭhapāla said. Then he went on to say:
Idamavoca āyasmā raṭṭhapālo. Idaṁ vatvā athāparaṁ etadavoca:
“I see rich humans in the world who,because of delusion, give not <j>the wealth they’ve earned.Greedily, they hoard their riches,yearning for ever more sensual pleasures.
“Passāmi loke sadhane manusse,Laddhāna vittaṁ na dadanti mohā;Luddhā dhanaṁ sannicayaṁ karonti,Bhiyyova kāme abhipatthayanti.
A king who conquered the earth by force,ruling the land from sea to sea,unsatisfied with the near shore of the ocean,would still yearn for the further shore.
Rājā pasayhā pathaviṁ vijitvā,Sasāgarantaṁ mahimāvasanto;Oraṁ samuddassa atittarūpo,Pāraṁ samuddassapi patthayetha.
Not just the king, but others too,reach death not rid of craving.They leave the body still wanting,for in this world sensual pleasures never satisfy.
Rājā ca aññe ca bahū manussā,Avītataṇhā maraṇaṁ upenti;Ūnāva hutvāna jahanti dehaṁ,Kāmehi lokamhi na hatthi titti.
Relatives lament, their hair disheveled,saying ‘Ah! Alas! They’re not immortal!’They take out the body wrapped in a shroud,heap up a pyre, and burn it there.
Kandanti naṁ ñātī pakiriya kese,Ahovatā no amarāti cāhu;Vatthena naṁ pārutaṁ nīharitvā,Citaṁ samādāya tatoḍahanti.
It’s poked with stakes while being burnt,in just a single cloth, all wealth gone.Relatives, friends, and companionscan’t help you when you’re dying.
So ḍayhati sūlehi tujjamāno,Ekena vatthena pahāya bhoge;Na mīyamānassa bhavanti tāṇā,Ñātīdha mittā atha vā sahāyā.
Heirs take your riches,while beings fare on according to their deeds.Riches don’t follow you when you die;nor do children, wife, wealth, nor kingdom.
Dāyādakā tassa dhanaṁ haranti,Satto pana gacchati yena kammaṁ;Na mīyamānaṁ dhanamanveti kiñci,Puttā ca dārā ca dhanañca raṭṭhaṁ.
Longevity isn’t gained by riches,nor does wealth banish old age;for the attentive say this life is short,it’s perishable and not eternal.
Na dīghamāyuṁ labhate dhanena,Na cāpi vittena jaraṁ vihanti;Appaṁ hidaṁ jīvitamāhu dhīrā,Asassataṁ vippariṇāmadhammaṁ.
The rich and the poor feel its touch;the fool and the attentive one feel it too.But the fool lies stricken by their own folly,while the attentive don’t tremble at the touch.
Aḍḍhā daliddā ca phusanti phassaṁ,Bālo ca dhīro ca tatheva phuṭṭho;Bālo ca bālyā vadhitova seti,Dhīro ca na vedhati phassaphuṭṭho.
Therefore wisdom’s much better than wealth,since by wisdom <j>you reach consummation in this life.But if because of delusion <j>you don’t reach consummation,you’ll do evil deeds in life after life.
Tasmā hi paññāva dhanena seyyo,Yāya vosānamidhādhigacchati;Abyositattā hi bhavābhavesu,Pāpāni kammāni karonti mohā.
One who enters a womb and the world beyond,will transmigrate from one life to the next.While someone of little wisdom, <j>placing faith in them,also enters a womb and the world beyond.
Upeti gabbhañca parañca lokaṁ,Saṁsāramāpajja paramparāya;Tassappapañño abhisaddahanto,Upeti gabbhañca parañca lokaṁ.
As a bandit caught in a windowis punished for his own bad deeds;so after departing, in the world beyond,people are punished for their own bad deeds.
Coro yathā sandhimukhe gahito,Sakammunā haññati pāpadhammo;Evaṁ pajā pecca paramhi loke,Sakammunā haññati pāpadhammo.
Sensual pleasures are diverse, sweet, delightful;appearing in disguise they disturb the mind.Seeing danger in sensual stimulations,I went forth, O King.
Kāmāhi citrā madhurā manoramā,Virūparūpena mathenti cittaṁ;Ādīnavaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā,Tasmā ahaṁ pabbajitomhi rāja.
As fruit falls from a tree, so the sons of Manu fall,young and old, when the body breaks up.Seeing this, too, I went forth, O King;it’s a sure bet that the ascetic life is better.”
Dumapphalāneva patanti māṇavā,Daharā ca vuḍḍhā ca sarīrabhedā;Etampi disvā pabbajitomhi rāja,Apaṇṇakaṁ sāmaññameva seyyo”ti.
Raṭṭhapālasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dutiyaṁ.