SN 3.1 · Young
SN 3.1 · Daharasutta
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha, “Does the worthy Gotama claim to have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening?”
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi. Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “bhavampi no gotamo anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddhoti paṭijānātī”ti?
“If anyone should rightly be said to have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening, it’s me. For, Great King, I have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening.”
“Yañhi taṁ, mahārāja, sammā vadamāno vadeyya ‘anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddho’ti, mameva taṁ sammā vadamāno vadeyya. Ahañhi, mahārāja, anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddho”ti.
“Well, there are those ascetics and brahmins who lead an order and a community, and tutor a community. They’re well-known and famous religious founders, deemed holy by many people. That is, Pūraṇa Kassapa, the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla, the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan, Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta, Pakudha Kaccāyana, and Ajita of the hair blanket. I also asked them whether they claimed to have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening, but they made no such claim. So why do you, given that you’re so young in age and newly gone forth?”
“Yepi te, bho gotama, samaṇabrāhmaṇā saṅghino gaṇino gaṇācariyā ñātā yasassino titthakarā sādhusammatā bahujanassa, seyyathidaṁ— pūraṇo kassapo, makkhali gosālo, nigaṇṭho nāṭaputto, sañcayo belaṭṭhaputto, pakudho kaccāyano, ajito kesakambalo; tepi mayā ‘anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddhoti paṭijānāthā’ti puṭṭhā samānā anuttaraṁ sammāsambodhiṁ abhisambuddhoti na paṭijānanti. Kiṁ pana bhavaṁ gotamo daharo ceva jātiyā navo ca pabbajjāyā”ti?
“Great king, these four things should not be looked down upon or disparaged because they are young. What four? An aristocrat, a serpent, a fire, and a mendicant. These four things should not be looked down upon or disparaged because they are young.”
“Cattāro kho me, mahārāja, daharāti na uññātabbā, daharāti na paribhotabbā. Katame cattāro? Khattiyo kho, mahārāja, daharoti na uññātabbo, daharoti na paribhotabbo. Urago kho, mahārāja, daharoti na uññātabbo, daharoti na paribhotabbo. Aggi kho, mahārāja, daharoti na uññātabbo, daharoti na paribhotabbo. Bhikkhu, kho, mahārāja, daharoti na uññātabbo, daharoti na paribhotabbo. Ime kho, mahārāja, cattāro daharāti na uññātabbā, daharāti na paribhotabbā”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:
Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:
“A man should not despisean aristocrat of impeccable lineage,high-born and famous,just because they’re young.
“Khattiyaṁ jātisampannaṁ,abhijātaṁ yasassinaṁ;Daharoti nāvajāneyya,na naṁ paribhave naro.
For it’s possible that that lord of mankind,as aristocrat, will gain the throne.And in his anger he’ll execute a royal punishment,and have you violently beaten.Hence you should avoid himfor the sake of your own life.
Ṭhānañhi so manujindo,rajjaṁ laddhāna khattiyo;So kuddho rājadaṇḍena,tasmiṁ pakkamate bhusaṁ;Tasmā taṁ parivajjeyya,rakkhaṁ jīvitamattano.
Whether in village or wilderness,wherever a serpent is seen,a man should not look down on itor despise it for its youth.
Gāme vā yadi vā raññe,yattha passe bhujaṅgamaṁ;Daharoti nāvajāneyya,na naṁ paribhave naro.
With its rainbow of colors,the serpent of fiery breath glides along.It lashes out and bites the fool,both men and women alike.Hence you should avoid itfor the sake of your own life.
Uccāvacehi vaṇṇehi,urago carati tejasī;So āsajja ḍaṁse bālaṁ,naraṁ nāriñca ekadā;Tasmā taṁ parivajjeyya,rakkhaṁ jīvitamattano.
A fire devours a vast amount,a conflagration with a blackened trail.A man should not look down on itjust because it’s young.
Pahūtabhakkhaṁ jālinaṁ,pāvakaṁ kaṇhavattaniṁ;Daharoti nāvajāneyya,na naṁ paribhave naro.
For once it gets fuelit’ll become a big conflagration.It’ll lash out and burn the fool,both men and women alike.Hence you should avoid itfor the sake of your own life.
Laddhā hi so upādānaṁ,mahā hutvāna pāvako;So āsajja ḍahe bālaṁ,naraṁ nāriñca ekadā;Tasmā taṁ parivajjeyya,rakkhaṁ jīvitamattano.
When a forest is burned by fire,a conflagration with a blackened trail,the shoots will spring up there again,with the passing of the days and nights.
Vanaṁ yadaggi ḍahati,pāvako kaṇhavattanī;Jāyanti tattha pārohā,ahorattānamaccaye.
But if a mendicant endowed with ethicsburns you with their power,you’ll have no children or livestock,nor will your heirs find wealth.Childless and heirless you become,like a palm-tree stump.
Yañca kho sīlasampanno,bhikkhu ḍahati tejasā;Na tassa puttā pasavo,dāyādā vindare dhanaṁ;Anapaccā adāyādā,tālāvatthū bhavanti te.
That’s why an astute person,seeing what’s good for themselves,would always treat these properly:a serpent, a conflagration,a famous aristocrat,and a mendicant endowed with ethics.”
Tasmā hi paṇḍito poso,sampassaṁ atthamattano;Bhujaṅgamaṁ pāvakañca,khattiyañca yasassinaṁ;Bhikkhuñca sīlasampannaṁ,sammadeva samācare”ti.
When this was said, King Pasenadi of Kosala said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”
Evaṁ vutte, rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante. Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Esāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Upāsakaṁ maṁ, bhante, bhagavā dhāretu ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.
SN 3.2 · A Person
SN 3.2 · Purisasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, how many things arise inside a person for their harm, suffering, and discomfort?”
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “kati nu kho, bhante, purisassa dhammā ajjhattaṁ uppajjamānā uppajjanti ahitāya dukkhāya aphāsuvihārāyā”ti?
“Great king, three things arise inside a person for their harm, suffering, and discomfort. What three? Greed, hate, and delusion. These three things arise inside a person for their harm, suffering, and discomfort.”
“Tayo kho, mahārāja, purisassa dhammā ajjhattaṁ uppajjamānā uppajjanti ahitāya dukkhāya aphāsuvihārāya. Katame tayo? Lobho kho, mahārāja, purisassa dhammo ajjhattaṁ uppajjamāno uppajjati ahitāya dukkhāya aphāsuvihārāya. Doso kho, mahārāja, purisassa dhammo ajjhattaṁ uppajjamāno uppajjati ahitāya dukkhāya aphāsuvihārāya. Moho kho, mahārāja, purisassa dhammo ajjhattaṁ uppajjamāno uppajjati ahitāya dukkhāya aphāsuvihārāya. Ime kho, mahārāja, tayo purisassa dhammā ajjhattaṁ uppajjamānā uppajjanti ahitāya dukkhāya aphāsuvihārāyā”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. …
Idamavoca …pe…
“When greed, hate, and delusion,originate inside oneself,they harm a person of wicked heart,as a bamboo is destroyed by its own fruit.”
“Lobho doso ca moho ca,purisaṁ pāpacetasaṁ;Hiṁsanti attasambhūtā,tacasāraṁva samphalan”ti.
SN 3.3 · Old Age and Death
SN 3.3 · Jarāmaraṇasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, for someone who has been reborn, is there any exemption from old age and death?”
Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “atthi nu kho, bhante, jātassa aññatra jarāmaraṇā”ti?
“Great king, for someone who has been reborn, there’s no exemption from old age and death. Even for well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, or householders—rich, affluent, and wealthy, with lots of gold and silver, lots of property and assets, and lots of money and grain—when they’re born, there’s no exemption from old age and death. Even for mendicants who are perfected—who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and are rightly freed through enlightenment—their bodies are liable to break up and be laid to rest.”
“Natthi kho, mahārāja, jātassa aññatra jarāmaraṇā. Yepi te, mahārāja, khattiyamahāsālā aḍḍhā mahaddhanā mahābhogā pahūtajātarūparajatā pahūtavittūpakaraṇā pahūtadhanadhaññā, tesampi jātānaṁ natthi aññatra jarāmaraṇā. Yepi te, mahārāja, brāhmaṇamahāsālā …pe… gahapatimahāsālā aḍḍhā mahaddhanā mahābhogā pahūtajātarūparajatā pahūtavittūpakaraṇā pahūtadhanadhaññā, tesampi jātānaṁ natthi aññatra jarāmaraṇā. Yepi te, mahārāja, bhikkhū arahanto khīṇāsavā vusitavanto katakaraṇīyā ohitabhārā anuppattasadatthā parikkhīṇabhavasaṁyojanā sammadaññāvimuttā, tesampāyaṁ kāyo bhedanadhammo nikkhepanadhammo”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. …
Idamavoca …pe…
“Fancy chariots of kings wear out,and even this body gets old.But the truth of the good never gets old—so the good proclaim to the good.”
“Jīranti ve rājarathā sucittā,Atho sarīrampi jaraṁ upeti;Satañca dhammo na jaraṁ upeti,Santo have sabbhi pavedayantī”ti.
SN 3.4 · Loved
SN 3.4 · Piyasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Just now, sir, as I was in private retreat this thought came to mind. ‘Who are those who love themselves? And who are those who don’t love themselves?’
Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idha mayhaṁ, bhante, rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘kesaṁ nu kho piyo attā, kesaṁ appiyo attā’ti?
Then it occurred to me: ‘Those who do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind don’t love themselves. Even though they may say: “I love myself”, they don’t really. Why is that? It’s because they treat themselves like an enemy. That’s why they don’t love themselves.
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi: ‘ye ca kho keci kāyena duccaritaṁ caranti, vācāya duccaritaṁ caranti, manasā duccaritaṁ caranti; tesaṁ appiyo attā. Kiñcāpi te evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: “piyo no attā”ti, atha kho tesaṁ appiyo attā’. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yañhi appiyo appiyassa kareyya, taṁ te attanāva attano karonti; tasmā tesaṁ appiyo attā.
Those who do good things by way of body, speech, and mind do love themselves. Even though they may say: “I don’t love myself”, they do really. Why is that? It’s because they treat themselves like a loved one. That’s why they do love themselves.’”
Ye ca kho keci kāyena sucaritaṁ caranti, vācāya sucaritaṁ caranti, manasā sucaritaṁ caranti; tesaṁ piyo attā. Kiñcāpi te evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘appiyo no attā’ti; atha kho tesaṁ piyo attā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yañhi piyo piyassa kareyya, taṁ te attanāva attano karonti; tasmā tesaṁ piyo attā”ti.
“That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true!” said the Buddha. And he repeated the king’s statement, adding:
“Evametaṁ, mahārāja, evametaṁ, mahārāja. Ye hi keci, mahārāja, kāyena duccaritaṁ caranti, vācāya duccaritaṁ caranti, manasā duccaritaṁ caranti; tasmā tesaṁ appiyo attā. Kiñcāpi te evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘piyo no attā’ti, atha kho tesaṁ appiyo attā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yañhi, mahārāja, appiyo appiyassa kareyya, taṁ te attanāva attano karonti; tasmā tesaṁ appiyo attā. Ye ca kho keci, mahārāja, kāyena sucaritaṁ caranti, vācāya sucaritaṁ caranti, manasā sucaritaṁ caranti; tesaṁ piyo attā. Kiñcāpi te evaṁ vadeyyuṁ: ‘appiyo no attā’ti; atha kho tesaṁ piyo attā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Yañhi, mahārāja, piyo piyassa kareyya, taṁ te attanāva attano karonti; tasmā tesaṁ piyo attā”ti.
Idamavoca …pe…
“If you knew your self as beloved,you’d not yoke yourself to wickedness.For happiness is not easy to findby someone who does bad deeds.
“Attānañce piyaṁ jaññā,na naṁ pāpena saṁyuje;Na hi taṁ sulabhaṁ hoti,sukhaṁ dukkaṭakārinā.
When you’re seized by the terminatoras you give up your human life,what can you call your own?What do you take when you go?What goes with you,like a shadow that never leaves?
Antakenādhipannassa,jahato mānusaṁ bhavaṁ;Kiñhi tassa sakaṁ hoti,kiñca ādāya gacchati;Kiñcassa anugaṁ hoti,chāyāva anapāyinī.
Both the good and the badthat a mortal does in this lifeis what they can call their own.That’s what they take when they go.That’s what goes with them,like a shadow that never leaves.
Ubho puññañca pāpañca,yaṁ macco kurute idha;Tañhi tassa sakaṁ hoti,taṁva ādāya gacchati;Taṁvassa anugaṁ hoti,chāyāva anapāyinī.
That’s why you should do good,investing in the future life.The good deeds of sentient beingssupport them in the next world.”
Tasmā kareyya kalyāṇaṁ,nicayaṁ samparāyikaṁ;Puññāni paralokasmiṁ,patiṭṭhā honti pāṇinan”ti.
SN 3.5 · Self-Protected
SN 3.5 · Attarakkhitasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Just now, sir, as I was in private retreat this thought came to mind. ‘Who are those who protect themselves? And who are those who don’t protect themselves?’
Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idha mayhaṁ, bhante, rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘kesaṁ nu kho rakkhito attā, kesaṁ arakkhito attā’ti?
Then it occurred to me: ‘Those who do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind don’t protect themselves. Even if they’re protected by a company of elephants, cavalry, chariots, or infantry, they still don’t protect themselves. Why is that? Because such protection is exterior, not interior. That’s why they don’t protect themselves.
Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi: ‘ye kho keci kāyena duccaritaṁ caranti, vācāya duccaritaṁ caranti, manasā duccaritaṁ caranti; tesaṁ arakkhito attā. Kiñcāpi te hatthikāyo vā rakkheyya, assakāyo vā rakkheyya, rathakāyo vā rakkheyya, pattikāyo vā rakkheyya; atha kho tesaṁ arakkhito attā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Bāhirā hesā rakkhā, nesā rakkhā ajjhattikā; tasmā tesaṁ arakkhito attā.
Those who do good things by way of body, speech, and mind do protect themselves. Even if they’re not protected by a company of elephants, cavalry, chariots, or infantry, they still protect themselves. Why is that? Because such protection is interior, not exterior. That’s why they do protect themselves.’”
Ye ca kho keci kāyena sucaritaṁ caranti, vācāya sucaritaṁ caranti, manasā sucaritaṁ caranti; tesaṁ rakkhito attā. Kiñcāpi te neva hatthikāyo rakkheyya, na assakāyo rakkheyya, na rathakāyo rakkheyya, na pattikāyo rakkheyya; atha kho tesaṁ rakkhito attā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Ajjhattikā hesā rakkhā, nesā rakkhā bāhirā; tasmā tesaṁ rakkhito attā’”ti.
“That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true!” said the Buddha. And he repeated the king’s statement, adding:
“Evametaṁ, mahārāja, evametaṁ, mahārāja. Ye hi keci, mahārāja, kāyena duccaritaṁ caranti …pe… tesaṁ arakkhito attā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Bāhirā hesā, mahārāja, rakkhā, nesā rakkhā ajjhattikā; tasmā tesaṁ arakkhito attā. Ye hi keci, mahārāja, kāyena sucaritaṁ caranti, vācāya sucaritaṁ caranti, manasā sucaritaṁ caranti; tesaṁ rakkhito attā. Kiñcāpi te neva hatthikāyo rakkheyya, na assakāyo rakkheyya, na rathakāyo rakkheyya, na pattikāyo rakkheyya; atha kho tesaṁ rakkhito attā. Taṁ kissa hetu? Ajjhattikā hesā, mahārāja, rakkhā, nesā rakkhā bāhirā; tasmā tesaṁ rakkhito attā”ti.
Idamavoca …pe…
“Restraint of the body is good;restraint of speech is good;restraint of mind is good;everywhere, restraint is good.A sincere person, restrained everywhere,is said to be ‘protected’.”
“Kāyena saṁvaro sādhu,sādhu vācāya saṁvaro;Manasā saṁvaro sādhu,sādhu sabbattha saṁvaro;Sabbattha saṁvuto lajjī,rakkhitoti pavuccatī”ti.
SN 3.6 · Few
SN 3.6 · Appakasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Just now, sir, as I was in private retreat this thought came to mind: ‘Few are the sentient beings in the world who, when they obtain luxury possessions, don’t grow indulgent and negligent, giving in to greed for sensual pleasures, and doing the wrong thing by others. There are many more who, when they obtain luxury possessions, do grow indulgent and negligent, giving in to greed for sensual pleasures, and doing the wrong thing by others.’”
Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idha mayhaṁ, bhante, rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘appakā te sattā lokasmiṁ ye uḷāre uḷāre bhoge labhitvā na ceva majjanti, na ca pamajjanti, na ca kāmesu gedhaṁ āpajjanti, na ca sattesu vippaṭipajjanti. Atha kho eteva bahutarā sattā lokasmiṁ ye uḷāre uḷāre bhoge labhitvā majjanti ceva pamajjanti ca kāmesu ca gedhaṁ āpajjanti, sattesu ca vippaṭipajjantī’”ti.
“That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true!” said the Buddha. And he repeated the king’s statement, adding:
“Evametaṁ, mahārāja, evametaṁ, mahārāja. Appakā te, mahārāja, sattā lokasmiṁ, ye uḷāre uḷāre bhoge labhitvā na ceva majjanti, na ca pamajjanti, na ca kāmesu gedhaṁ āpajjanti, na ca sattesu vippaṭipajjanti. Atha kho eteva bahutarā sattā lokasmiṁ, ye uḷāre uḷāre bhoge labhitvā majjanti ceva pamajjanti ca kāmesu ca gedhaṁ āpajjanti, sattesu ca vippaṭipajjantī”ti.
Idamavoca …pe…
“Full of desire for possessions and pleasures,greedy, infatuated by sensual pleasures;they don’t notice that they’ve gone too far,like deer ensnared in a trap set out.It’ll be bitter later on;for the result will be bad for them.”
“Sārattā kāmabhogesu,giddhā kāmesu mucchitā;Atisāraṁ na bujjhanti,migā kūṭaṁva oḍḍitaṁ;Pacchāsaṁ kaṭukaṁ hoti,vipāko hissa pāpako”ti.
SN 3.7 · Judgment
SN 3.7 · Aḍḍakaraṇasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, when I’m sitting in court I see well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders—rich, affluent, and wealthy, with lots of gold and silver, lots of property and assets, and lots of money and grain. But they tell deliberate lies for the sake of sensual pleasures. Then it occurred to me: ‘Enough with passing judgment today. Now my dearest will be known by the judgments he makes.’”
Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idhāhaṁ, bhante, aḍḍakaraṇe nisinno passāmi khattiyamahāsālepi brāhmaṇamahāsālepi gahapatimahāsālepi aḍḍhe mahaddhane mahābhoge pahūtajātarūparajate pahūtavittūpakaraṇe pahūtadhanadhaññe kāmahetu kāmanidānaṁ kāmādhikaraṇaṁ sampajānamusā bhāsante. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi: ‘alaṁ dāni me aḍḍakaraṇena, bhadramukho dāni aḍḍakaraṇena paññāyissatī’”ti.
“That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true! Those who are well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders tell deliberate lies for the sake of sensual pleasures. That is for their lasting harm and suffering.”
“Evametaṁ, mahārāja, evametaṁ, mahārāja. Yepi te, mahārāja, khattiyamahāsālā brāhmaṇamahāsālā gahapatimahāsālā aḍḍhā mahaddhanā mahābhogā pahūtajātarūparajatā pahūtavittūpakaraṇā pahūtadhanadhaññā kāmahetu kāmanidānaṁ kāmādhikaraṇaṁ sampajānamusā bhāsanti; tesaṁ taṁ bhavissati dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāyā”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. …
Idamavoca …pe…
“Full of desire for possessions and pleasures,greedy, infatuated by sensual pleasures;they don’t notice that they’ve gone too far,like fish swiftly snared.It’ll be bitter later on;for the result will be bad for them.”
“Sārattā kāmabhogesu,giddhā kāmesu mucchitā;Atisāraṁ na bujjhanti,macchā khippaṁva oḍḍitaṁ;Pacchāsaṁ kaṭukaṁ hoti,vipāko hissa pāpako”ti.
SN 3.8 · With Queen Mallikā
SN 3.8 · Mallikāsutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala was upstairs in the royal longhouse together with Queen Mallikā.
Tena kho pana samayena rājā pasenadi kosalo mallikāya deviyā saddhiṁ uparipāsādavaragato hoti.
Then the king said to the queen, “Mallikā, is there anyone more dear to you than yourself?”
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo mallikaṁ deviṁ etadavoca: “atthi nu kho te, mallike, kocañño attanā piyataro”ti?
“No, Great King, there isn’t. But is there anyone more dear to you than yourself?”
“Natthi kho me, mahārāja, kocañño attanā piyataro. Tuyhaṁ pana, mahārāja, atthañño koci attanā piyataro”ti?
“For me also, Mallikā, there’s no one.”
“Mayhampi kho, mallike, natthañño koci attanā piyataro”ti.
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala came downstairs from the stilt longhouse, went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo pāsādā orohitvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idhāhaṁ, bhante, mallikāya deviyā saddhiṁ uparipāsādavaragato mallikaṁ deviṁ etadavocaṁ: ‘atthi nu kho te, mallike, kocañño attanā piyataro’ti? Evaṁ vutte, bhante, mallikā devī maṁ etadavoca: ‘natthi kho me, mahārāja, kocañño attanā piyataro. Tuyhaṁ pana, mahārāja, atthañño koci attanā piyataro’ti? Evaṁ vuttāhaṁ, bhante, mallikaṁ deviṁ etadavocaṁ: ‘mayhampi kho, mallike, natthañño koci attanā piyataro’”ti.
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha spoke this verse:
Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
“Having explored every quarter with the mind,one finds no one dearer than oneself.Likewise for others, each holds themselves dear;so one who desires self-knowledge <j>would harm no other.”
“Sabbā disā anuparigamma cetasā,Nevajjhagā piyataramattanā kvaci;Evaṁ piyo puthu attā paresaṁ,Tasmā na hiṁse paramattakāmo”ti.
SN 3.9 · Sacrifice
SN 3.9 · Yaññasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Now at that time a grand sacrifice had been set up for King Pasenadi of Kosala. Bulls, bullocks, heifers, goats and rams—five hundred of each—had been led to the pillar for the sacrifice. His bondservants, servants, and workers did their jobs under threat of punishment and danger, weeping with tearful faces.
Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa mahāyañño paccupaṭṭhito hoti, pañca ca usabhasatāni pañca ca vacchatarasatāni pañca ca vacchatarisatāni pañca ca ajasatāni pañca ca urabbhasatāni thūṇūpanītāni honti yaññatthāya. Yepissa te honti dāsāti vā pessāti vā kammakarāti vā, tepi daṇḍatajjitā bhayatajjitā assumukhā rudamānā parikammāni karonti.
Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.
Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: “idha, bhante, rañño pasenadissa kosalassa mahāyañño paccupaṭṭhito hoti, pañca ca usabhasatāni pañca ca vacchatarasatāni pañca ca vacchatarisatāni pañca ca ajasatāni pañca ca urabbhasatāni thūṇūpanītāni honti yaññatthāya. Yepissa te honti dāsāti vā pessāti vā kammakarāti vā, tepi daṇḍatajjitā bhayatajjitā assumukhā rudamānā parikammāni karontī”ti.
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:
Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:
“Horse sacrifice, human sacrifice,the ‘casting of the yoke-pin’, <j>the ‘royal soma drinking’,and the ‘unimpeded’—these grand, violent sacrifices yield no great fruit.
“Assamedhaṁ purisamedhaṁ,sammāpāsaṁ vājapeyyaṁ;Niraggaḷaṁ mahārambhā,na te honti mahapphalā.
The great sages of right comportmentdon’t attend sacrificeswhere goats, sheep, and cattleand various creatures are killed.
Ajeḷakā ca gāvo ca,vividhā yattha haññare;Na taṁ sammaggatā yaññaṁ,upayanti mahesino.
But the great sages of right comportmentdo attend those sacrificesthat are non-violent and propitious,where goats, sheep, and cattle,and various creatures are not killed.
Ye ca yaññā nirārambhā,yajanti anukulaṁ sadā;Ajeḷakā ca gāvo ca,vividhā nettha haññare;Etaṁ sammaggatā yaññaṁ,upayanti mahesino.
An intelligent person should sacrifice like this,for this sacrifice is very fruitful.For a sponsor of sacrifices like this,things get better, not worse.Such a sacrifice is truly abundant,and even the deities are pleased.”
Etaṁ yajetha medhāvī,eso yañño mahapphalo;Etañhi yajamānassa,seyyo hoti na pāpiyo;Yañño ca vipulo hoti,pasīdanti ca devatā”ti.
SN 3.10 · Shackles
SN 3.10 · Bandhanasutta
Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains.
Tena kho pana samayena raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito hoti, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhi.
Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.
Atha kho sambahulā bhikkhū pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pavisiṁsu. Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: “idha, bhante, raññā pasenadinā kosalena mahājanakāyo bandhāpito, appekacce rajjūhi appekacce andūhi appekacce saṅkhalikāhī”ti.
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:
Atha kho bhagavā etamatthaṁ viditvā tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imā gāthāyo abhāsi:
“The attentive say that shackle is not strongthat’s made of iron, wood, or knots.But obsession with jeweled earrings,concern for your partners and children:
“Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,Yadāyasaṁ dārujaṁ pabbajañca;Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.
this, say the attentive, is a strong shackledragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.Having cut this one too they go forth,unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”
Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāyā”ti.
Paṭhamo vaggo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Daharo puriso jarā,piyaṁ attānarakkhito;Appakā aḍḍakaraṇaṁ,mallikā yaññabandhananti.