1.1PTS 2.55Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.¹1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kurūsu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena thullakoṭṭhikaṁ nāma kurūnaṁ nigamo tadavasari.At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kurus together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants when he arrived at a town of the Kurus named Thullakoṭṭhika.²

2.1Assosuṁ kho thullakoṭṭhikā brāhmaṇagahapatikā:The brahmins and householders of Thullakoṭṭhika heard:

2.2“samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito kurūsu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ thullakoṭṭhikaṁ anuppatto.“It seems the ascetic Gotama—a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family—has arrived at Thullakoṭṭhika, together with a large Saṅgha of mendicants.2.3Taṁ kho pana bhavantaṁ gotamaṁ evaṁ kalyāṇo kittisaddo abbhuggato:He has this good reputation:2.4‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’2.5So imaṁ lokaṁ sadevakaṁ samārakaṁ sabrahmakaṁ sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiṁ pajaṁ sadevamanussaṁ sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā pavedeti.He has realized with his own insight this world—with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others.2.6So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti.He teaches Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.2.7Sādhu kho pana tathārūpānaṁ arahataṁ dassanaṁ hotī”ti.It’s good to see such perfected ones.”

3.1Atha kho thullakoṭṭhikā brāhmaṇagahapatikā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā appekacce bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu, sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce yena bhagavā tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce bhagavato santike nāmagottaṁ sāvetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu; appekacce tuṇhībhūtā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.Then the brahmins and householders of Thullakoṭṭhika went up to the Buddha. Before sitting down to one side, some bowed, some exchanged greetings and polite conversation, some held up their cupped palms toward the Buddha, some announced their name and clan, while some kept silent.3.2Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho thullakoṭṭhike brāhmaṇagahapatike bhagavā dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi.When they were seated, the Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired them with a Dhamma talk.

4.1PTS 2.56Tena kho pana samayena raṭṭhapālo nāma kulaputto tasmiṁyeva thullakoṭṭhike aggakulassa putto tissaṁ parisāyaṁ nisinno hoti.Now at that time a gentleman named Raṭṭhapāla, the son of the leading clan in Thullakoṭṭhika, was sitting in the assembly.4.2Atha kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa etadahosi:He thought,4.3“yathā yathā khvāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, nayidaṁ sukaraṁ agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā ekantaparipuṇṇaṁ ekantaparisuddhaṁ saṅkhalikhitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carituṁ.“As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, it’s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell.³4.4Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan”ti.Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from lay life to homelessness?”

5.1Atha kho thullakoṭṭhikā brāhmaṇagahapatikā bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.Then, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, the brahmins and householders of Thullakoṭṭhika got up from their seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before leaving.

6.1Atha kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto acirapakkantesu thullakoṭṭhikesu brāhmaṇagahapatikesu yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Soon after they left, Raṭṭhapāla went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,6.2“yathā yathāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, nayidaṁ sukaraṁ agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā ekantaparipuṇṇaṁ ekantaparisuddhaṁ saṅkhalikhitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carituṁ.“Sir, as I understand the Buddha’s teaching, it’s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell.6.3Icchāmahaṁ, bhante, kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ.I wish to shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.6.4Labheyyāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, labheyyaṁ upasampadaṁ.Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence?6.5Pabbājetu maṁ bhagavā”ti.May the Buddha please give me the going forth!”

6.6“Anuññātosi pana tvaṁ, raṭṭhapāla, mātāpitūhi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti?“But, Raṭṭhapāla, do you have your parents’ permission?”⁴

6.7“Na khohaṁ, bhante, anuññāto mātāpitūhi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti.“No, sir.”

6.8“Na kho, raṭṭhapāla, tathāgatā ananuññātaṁ mātāpitūhi puttaṁ pabbājentī”ti.“Raṭṭhapāla, Buddhas don’t give the going forth to the child of parents who haven’t given their permission.”

6.9“Svāhaṁ, bhante, tathā karissāmi yathā maṁ mātāpitaro anujānissanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti.“I’ll make sure, sir, to get my parents’ permission.”

7.1PTS 2.57Atha kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā yena mātāpitaro tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mātāpitaro etadavoca:Then Raṭṭhapāla rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha. Then he went to his parents and said,7.2“ammatātā, yathā yathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, nayidaṁ sukaraṁ agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā ekantaparipuṇṇaṁ ekantaparisuddhaṁ saṅkhalikhitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carituṁ.“Mum and dad, as I understand the Buddha’s teachings, it’s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell.7.3Icchāmahaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ.I wish to shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness.7.4Anujānātha maṁ agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti.Please give me permission to go forth.”

7.5Evaṁ vutte, raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa mātāpitaro raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:When he said this, Raṭṭhapāla’s parents said to him,7.6“tvaṁ khosi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, amhākaṁ ekaputtako piyo manāpo sukhedhito sukhaparibhato.“But, dear Raṭṭhapāla, you’re our only child. You’re dear to us and we love you. You’re pampered and raised in comfort.7.7Na tvaṁ, tāta raṭṭhapāla, kassaci dukkhassa jānāsi.You know nothing of suffering.7.8(…) Maraṇenapi te mayaṁ akāmakā vinā bhavissāma.Even when you die we will lose you against our wishes.7.9Kiṁ pana mayaṁ taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti?So how can we allow you to go forth while you’re still alive?”

7.10Dutiyampi kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto …pe…For a second time …7.11tatiyampi kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto mātāpitaro etadavoca:For a third time, Raṭṭhapāla asked his parents for permission, but got the same reply.7.12“ammatātā, yathā yathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, nayidaṁ sukaraṁ agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā ekantaparipuṇṇaṁ ekantaparisuddhaṁ saṅkhalikhitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carituṁ.7.13Icchāmahaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajituṁ.7.14Anujānātha maṁ agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti.7.15Tatiyampi kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa mātāpitaro raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:7.16“tvaṁ khosi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, amhākaṁ ekaputtako piyo manāpo sukhedhito sukhaparibhato.7.17Na tvaṁ, tāta raṭṭhapāla, kassaci dukkhassa jānāsi.7.18Maraṇenapi te mayaṁ akāmakā vinā bhavissāma.7.19Kiṁ pana mayaṁ taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti?

7.20PTS 2.58Atha kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto:Then Raṭṭhapāla thought,7.21“na maṁ mātāpitaro anujānanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti tattheva anantarahitāya bhūmiyā nipajji:“My parents don’t allow me to go forth.” He laid down right there on the bare ground, saying,⁵7.22“idheva me maraṇaṁ bhavissati pabbajjā vā”ti.“I’ll either die right here or go forth.”7.23Atha kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto ekampi bhattaṁ na bhuñji, dvepi bhattāni na bhuñji, tīṇipi bhattāni na bhuñji, cattāripi bhattāni na bhuñji, pañcapi bhattāni na bhuñji, chapi bhattāni na bhuñji, sattapi bhattāni na bhuñji.And he refused to eat, up to the seventh meal.

8.1Atha kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa mātāpitaro raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:Then Raṭṭhapāla’s parents said to him,8.2“tvaṁ khosi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, amhākaṁ ekaputtako piyo manāpo sukhedhito sukhaparibhato.“Dear Raṭṭhapāla, you’re our only child. You’re dear to us and we love you. You’re pampered and raised in comfort.8.3Na tvaṁ, tāta raṭṭhapāla, kassaci, dukkhassa jānāsi.You know nothing of suffering.8.4Maraṇenapi te mayaṁ akāmakā vinā bhavissāma.When you die we will lose you against our wishes.8.5Kiṁ pana mayaṁ taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.So how can we allow you to go forth from lay life to homelessness while you’re still living?8.6Uṭṭhehi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, bhuñja ca piva ca paricārehi ca;Get up, Raṭṭhapāla! Eat, drink, and amuse yourself.8.7bhuñjanto pivanto paricārento kāme paribhuñjanto puññāni karonto abhiramassu.While enjoying sensual pleasures, delight in making merit.8.8Na taṁ mayaṁ anujānāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.We don’t allow you to go forth.8.9Maraṇenapi te mayaṁ akāmakā vinā bhavissāma.When you die we will lose you against our wishes.8.10Kiṁ pana mayaṁ taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti?So how can we allow you to go forth while you’re still alive?”

8.11Evaṁ vutte, raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tuṇhī ahosi.When they said this, Raṭṭhapāla kept silent.

8.12Dutiyampi kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa mātāpitaro raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ …pe…For a second time,8.13dutiyampi kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tuṇhī ahosi.8.14Tatiyampi kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa mātāpitaro raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:and a third time, Raṭṭhapāla’s parents made the same request.8.15“tvaṁ khosi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, amhākaṁ ekaputtako piyo manāpo sukhedhito sukhaparibhato.8.16Na tvaṁ, tāta raṭṭhapāla, kassaci dukkhassa jānāsi.8.17Maraṇenapi te mayaṁ akāmakā vinā bhavissāma, kiṁ pana mayaṁ taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.8.18Uṭṭhehi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, bhuñja ca piva ca paricārehi ca;8.19bhuñjanto pivanto paricārento kāme paribhuñjanto puññāni karonto abhiramassu.8.20Na taṁ mayaṁ anujānāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.8.21Maraṇenapi te mayaṁ akāmakā vinā bhavissāma.8.22Kiṁ pana mayaṁ taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissāma agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti?

9.1Tatiyampi kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tuṇhī ahosi.And for a third time, Raṭṭhapāla kept silent. Raṭṭhapāla’s parents then went to see his friends. They told them of the situation and asked for their help.

10.1PTS 2.59Atha kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa sahāyakā yena raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:Then Raṭṭhapāla’s friends went to him and said,10.2“tvaṁ khosi, samma raṭṭhapāla, mātāpitūnaṁ ekaputtako piyo manāpo sukhedhito sukhaparibhato.“Our dear Raṭṭhapāla, you are your parents’ only child. You’re dear to them and they love you. You’re pampered and raised in comfort.10.3Na tvaṁ, samma raṭṭhapāla, kassaci dukkhassa jānāsi.You know nothing of suffering.10.4Maraṇenapi te mātāpitaro akāmakā vinā bhavissanti.When you die your parents will lose you against their wishes.10.5Kiṁ pana te taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.So how can they allow you to go forth while you’re still alive?10.6Uṭṭhehi, samma raṭṭhapāla, bhuñja ca piva ca paricārehi ca;Get up, Raṭṭhapāla! Eat, drink, and amuse yourself.10.7bhuñjanto pivanto paricārento kāme paribhuñjanto puññāni karonto abhiramassu.While enjoying sensual pleasures, delight in making merit.10.8Na taṁ mātāpitaro anujānissanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.Your parents will not allow you to go forth.10.9Maraṇenapi te mātāpitaro akāmakā vinā bhavissanti.Even when you die your parents will lose you against their wishes.10.10Kiṁ pana te taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti?So how can they allow you to go forth while you’re still alive?”

10.11Evaṁ vutte, raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tuṇhī ahosi.When they said this, Raṭṭhapāla kept silent.

10.12Dutiyampi kho …For a second time …10.13tatiyampi kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa sahāyakā raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:For a third time, Raṭṭhapāla’s friends made the same request.10.14“tvaṁ khosi, samma raṭṭhapāla, mātāpitūnaṁ ekaputtako piyo manāpo sukhedhito sukhaparibhato, na tvaṁ, samma raṭṭhapāla, kassaci dukkhassa jānāsi, maraṇenapi te mātāpitaro akāmakā vinā bhavissanti.10.15Kiṁ pana te taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya?10.16Uṭṭhehi, samma raṭṭhapāla, bhuñja ca piva ca paricārehi ca, bhuñjanto pivanto paricārento kāme paribhuñjanto puññāni karonto abhiramassu.10.17Na taṁ mātāpitaro anujānissanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya, maraṇenapi te mātāpitaro akāmakā vinā bhavissanti.10.18Kiṁ pana te taṁ jīvantaṁ anujānissanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti?10.19Tatiyampi kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tuṇhī ahosi.And for a third time, Raṭṭhapāla kept silent.

11.1PTS 2.60Atha kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa sahāyakā yena raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa mātāpitaro tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa mātāpitaro etadavocuṁ:Then Raṭṭhapāla’s friends went to his parents and said,11.2“ammatātā, eso raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tattheva anantarahitāya bhūmiyā nipanno:“Mum and dad, Raṭṭhapāla is lying there on the bare ground saying:11.3‘idheva me maraṇaṁ bhavissati pabbajjā vā’ti.‘I’ll either die right here or go forth.’11.4Sace tumhe raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ nānujānissatha agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya, tattheva maraṇaṁ āgamissati.If you don’t allow him to go forth, he’ll die there.11.5Sace pana tumhe raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ anujānissatha agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya, pabbajitampi naṁ dakkhissatha.But if you do allow him to go forth, you’ll see him again afterwards.11.6Sace raṭṭhapālo kulaputto nābhiramissati agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya, kā tassa aññā gati bhavissati? Idheva paccāgamissati.And if he doesn’t enjoy the renunciate life, where else will he have to go? He’ll come right back here.11.7Anujānātha raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāyā”ti.Please give Raṭṭhapāla permission to go forth.”

11.8“Anujānāma, tātā, raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.“Then, dears, we give Raṭṭhapāla permission to go forth.11.9Pabbajitena ca pana mātāpitaro uddassetabbā”ti.But once gone forth he must visit his parents.”

11.10Atha kho raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa sahāyakā yena raṭṭhapālo kulaputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā raṭṭhapālaṁ kulaputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:Then Raṭṭhapāla’s friends went to him and said,11.11“uṭṭhehi, samma raṭṭhapāla, anuññātosi mātāpitūhi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.“Get up, Raṭṭhapāla! Your parents have given you permission to go forth from lay life to homelessness.11.12Pabbajitena ca pana te mātāpitaro uddassetabbā”ti.But once gone forth you must visit your parents.”

12.1PTS 2.61Atha kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto uṭṭhahitvā balaṁ gāhetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Raṭṭhapāla got up and regained his strength. He went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,12.2“anuññāto ahaṁ, bhante, mātāpitūhi agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.“Sir, I have my parents’ permission to go forth from the lay life to homelessness.12.3Pabbājetu maṁ bhagavā”ti.May the Buddha please give me the going forth.”

13.1Alattha kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ, alattha upasampadaṁ.And Raṭṭhapāla received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha’s presence.13.2Atha kho bhagavā acirūpasampanne āyasmante raṭṭhapāle aḍḍhamāsupasampanne thullakoṭṭhike yathābhirantaṁ viharitvā yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.Not long after Venerable Raṭṭhapāla’s ordination, a fortnight later, the Buddha—having stayed in Thullakoṭṭhika as long as he pleased—set out for Sāvatthī.13.3Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi tadavasari.Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Sāvatthī,13.4Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.where he stayed in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

14.1Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsi.Then Venerable Raṭṭhapāla, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.⁶

14.2“Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi.He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.”14.3Aññataro kho panāyasmā raṭṭhapālo arahataṁ ahosi.And Venerable Raṭṭhapāla became one of the perfected.

15.1PTS 2.62Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then he went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,15.2“icchāmahaṁ, bhante, mātāpitaro uddassetuṁ, sace maṁ bhagavā anujānātī”ti.“Sir, I would like to visit my parents, if the Buddha allows it.”

15.3Atha kho bhagavā āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa cetasā ceto paricca manasākāsi.Then the Buddha focused on encompassing Raṭṭhapāla’s mind.15.4Yathā bhagavā aññāsi:When he knew that15.5“abhabbo kho raṭṭhapālo kulaputto sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattitun”ti, atha kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ etadavoca:it was impossible for Raṭṭhapāla to resign the training and return to a lesser life, he said,15.6“yassadāni tvaṁ, raṭṭhapāla, kālaṁ maññasī”ti.“Please, Raṭṭhapāla, go at your convenience.”

16.1Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena thullakoṭṭhikaṁ tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.And then Raṭṭhapāla rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right. Then he set his lodgings in order and, taking his bowl and robe, set out for Thullakoṭṭhika.16.2Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena thullakoṭṭhiko tadavasari.Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Thullakoṭṭhika,16.3Tatra sudaṁ āyasmā raṭṭhapālo thullakoṭṭhike viharati rañño korabyassa migacīre.where he stayed in King Koravya’s deer range.16.4Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya thullakoṭṭhikaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.Then Raṭṭhapāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Thullakoṭṭhika for alms.16.5Thullakoṭṭhike sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno yena sakapitu nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami.Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood, he approached his own father’s house.

17.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā majjhimāya dvārasālāya ullikhāpeti.Now at that time Raṭṭhapāla’s father was having his hair dressed in the hall of the middle gate.⁷17.2Addasā kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.He saw Raṭṭhapāla coming off in the distance17.3Disvāna etadavoca:and said,

17.4“imehi muṇḍakehi samaṇakehi amhākaṁ ekaputtako piyo manāpo pabbājito”ti.“Our dear and beloved only son was made to go forth by these shavelings, these fake ascetics!”17.5Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo sakapitu nivesane neva dānaṁ alattha na paccakkhānaṁ;And at his own father’s home Raṭṭhapāla received neither alms nor a polite refusal,17.6aññadatthu akkosameva alattha.but only abuse.

18.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa ñātidāsī ābhidosikaṁ kummāsaṁ chaḍḍetukāmā hoti.Now at that time a family bondservant wanted to throw away the previous night’s porridge.18.2Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo taṁ ñātidāsiṁ etadavoca:So Raṭṭhapāla said to her,18.3“sacetaṁ, bhagini, chaḍḍanīyadhammaṁ, idha me patte ākirā”ti.“If that’s to be thrown away, sister, pour it here in my bowl.”18.4Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa ñātidāsī taṁ ābhidosikaṁ kummāsaṁ āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa patte ākirantī hatthānañca pādānañca sarassa ca nimittaṁ aggahesi.As she was pouring the porridge into his bowl, she recognized the features of his hands, feet, and voice.⁸

18.5PTS 2.63Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa ñātidāsī yenāyasmato raṭṭhapālassa mātā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa mātaraṁ etadavoca:She then went to his mother and said,18.6“yaggheyye, jāneyyāsi:“Please, madam, you should know this.18.7‘ayyaputto raṭṭhapālo anuppatto’”ti.Master Raṭṭhapāla has arrived.”

18.8“Sace, je, saccaṁ bhaṇasi, adāsiṁ taṁ karomī”ti.“If you speak the truth, wench, I’ll make you a free woman!”

18.9Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa mātā yenāyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitaraṁ etadavoca:Then Raṭṭhapāla’s mother went to his father and said,18.10“yagghe, gahapati, jāneyyāsi:“Please householder, you should know this.18.11‘raṭṭhapālo kira kulaputto anuppatto’”ti?It seems our son Raṭṭhapāla has arrived.”

19.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā raṭṭhapālo taṁ ābhidosikaṁ kummāsaṁ aññataraṁ kuṭṭamūlaṁ nissāya paribhuñjati.Now at that time Raṭṭhapāla was eating last night’s porridge by a wall.19.2Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā yenāyasmā raṭṭhapālo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ etadavoca:Then Raṭṭhapāla’s father went up to him and said,19.3“atthi nāma, tāta raṭṭhapāla, ābhidosikaṁ kummāsaṁ paribhuñjissasi?“Dear Raṭṭhapāla! How can you be eating last night’s porridge?⁹19.4Nanu, tāta raṭṭhapāla, sakaṁ gehaṁ gantabban”ti?Why not go to your own home?”¹⁰

19.5“Kuto no, gahapati, amhākaṁ gehaṁ agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitānaṁ?“Householder, how could those of us who have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness have a house?19.6Anagārā mayaṁ, gahapati.We are homeless, householder.19.7Agamamha kho te, gahapati, gehaṁ, tattha neva dānaṁ alatthamha na paccakkhānaṁ;I came to your house, but there I received neither alms nor a polite refusal,19.8aññadatthu akkosameva alatthamhā”ti.but only abuse.”

19.9“Ehi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, gharaṁ gamissāmā”ti.“Come, dear Raṭṭhapāla, let’s go to the house.”

19.10“Alaṁ, gahapati, kataṁ me ajja bhattakiccaṁ”.“Enough, householder. My meal is finished for today.”

19.11“Tena hi, tāta raṭṭhapāla, adhivāsehi svātanāya bhattan”ti.“Well then, dear Raṭṭhapāla, please accept tomorrow’s meal from me.”19.12Adhivāsesi kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo tuṇhībhāvena.Raṭṭhapāla consented with silence.

20.1Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa adhivāsanaṁ viditvā yena sakaṁ nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā mahantaṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa puñjaṁ kārāpetvā kilañjehi paṭicchādetvā āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa purāṇadutiyikā āmantesi:Then, knowing that Raṭṭhapāla had consented, his father went back to his own house. He made a heap of gold, both coined and uncoined, and hid it under mats. Then he addressed Raṭṭhapāla’s former wives,20.2“etha tumhe, vadhuyo, yena alaṅkārena alaṅkatā pubbe raṭṭhapālassa kulaputtassa piyā hotha manāpā tena alaṅkārena alaṅkarothā”ti.“Please, daughters-in-law, adorn yourselves in the way that our son Raṭṭhapāla found you most adorable.”

21.1PTS 2.64Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā tassā rattiyā accayena sake nivesane paṇītaṁ khādanīyaṁ bhojanīyaṁ paṭiyādāpetvā āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa kālaṁ ārocesi:And when the night had passed Raṭṭhapāla’s father had delicious fresh and cooked foods prepared in his own home, and announced the time to the Venerable Raṭṭhapāla, saying,21.2“kālo, tāta raṭṭhapāla, niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”ti.“Sir, it’s time. The meal is ready.”

22.1Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena sakapitu nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā taṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa puñjaṁ vivarāpetvā āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ etadavoca:Then Raṭṭhapāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to his father’s home, and sat down on the seat spread out. Raṭṭhapāla’s father, revealing the heap of gold, both coined and uncoined, said to him,22.2“idaṁ te, tāta raṭṭhapāla, mātu mattikaṁ dhanaṁ, aññaṁ pettikaṁ, aññaṁ pitāmahaṁ.“Dear Raṭṭhapāla, this is your maternal fortune. There’s another paternal fortune, and an ancestral one.22.3Sakkā, tāta raṭṭhapāla, bhoge ca bhuñjituṁ puññāni ca kātuṁ.You can both enjoy your wealth and make merit.22.4Ehi tvaṁ, tāta raṭṭhapāla, hīnāyāvattitvā bhoge ca bhuñjassu puññāni ca karohī”ti.Come, return to a lesser life, enjoy wealth, and make merit!”

22.5“Sace me tvaṁ, gahapati, vacanaṁ kareyyāsi, imaṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇassa puñjaṁ sakaṭe āropetvā nibbāhāpetvā majjhegaṅgāya nadiyā sote opilāpeyyāsi.“If you’d follow my advice, householder, you’d have this heap of gold, both coined and uncoined, loaded on a cart and carried away to be dumped in the middle of the Ganges River.22.6Taṁ kissa hetu?Why is that?22.7Ye uppajjissanti hi te, gahapati, tatonidānaṁ sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā”ti.Because this will bring you nothing but sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress.”

23.1Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa purāṇadutiyikā paccekaṁ pādesu gahetvā āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ etadavocuṁ:Then Raṭṭhapāla’s former wives each clasped his feet and said,23.2“kīdisā nāma tā, ayyaputta, accharāyo yāsaṁ tvaṁ hetu brahmacariyaṁ carasī”ti?“What are they like, master, the nymphs for whom you lead the spiritual life?”

23.3“Na kho mayaṁ, bhaginī, accharānaṁ hetu brahmacariyaṁ carāmā”ti.“Sisters, I don’t lead the spiritual life for the sake of nymphs.”¹¹

23.4“Bhaginivādena no ayyaputto raṭṭhapālo samudācaratī”ti tā tattheva mucchitā papatiṁsu.Saying, “Our master Raṭṭhapāla addresses us as sisters!” they fainted right away.

24.1Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo pitaraṁ etadavoca:Then Raṭṭhapāla said to his father,24.2“sace, gahapati, bhojanaṁ dātabbaṁ, detha;“If there is food to be given, householder, please give it.24.3mā no viheṭhethā”ti.But don’t harass me.”

24.4“Bhuñja, tāta raṭṭhapāla, niṭṭhitaṁ bhattan”ti.“Eat, dear Raṭṭhapāla. The meal is ready.”24.5Atha kho āyasmato raṭṭhapālassa pitā āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi.Then Raṭṭhapāla’s father served and satisfied Venerable Raṭṭhapāla with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods.

24.6Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo bhuttāvī onītapattapāṇī ṭhitakova imā gāthā abhāsi:When he had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, he spoke this verse while standing right there:

25.1“Passa cittīkataṁ bimbaṁ,∥“See this fancy puppet,¹²25.2arukāyaṁ samussitaṁ;a body built of sores,25.3Āturaṁ bahusaṅkappaṁ,diseased, obsessed over,25.4yassa natthi dhuvaṁ ṭhiti.in which nothing lasts at all.

25.5Passa cittīkataṁ rūpaṁ,See this fancy figure,25.6maṇinā kuṇḍalena ca;with its gems and earrings;25.7Aṭṭhi tacena onaddhaṁ,it is bones swathed in skin,25.8saha vatthebhi sobhati.made pretty by its clothes.

25.9Alattakakatā pādā,Rouged feet25.10mukhaṁ cuṇṇakamakkhitaṁ;and powdered face25.11Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,may be enough to beguile a fool,25.12no ca pāragavesino.but not a seeker of the far shore.

25.13PTS 2.65Aṭṭhāpadakatā kesā,Hair in eight braids25.14nettā añjanamakkhitā;and eyeshadow25.15Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,may be enough to beguile a fool,25.16no ca pāragavesino.but not a seeker of the far shore.

25.17Añjanīva navā cittā,A rotting body all adorned25.18pūtikāyo alaṅkato;like a freshly painted makeup box25.19Alaṁ bālassa mohāya,may be enough to beguile a fool,25.20no ca pāragavesino.but not a seeker of the far shore.

25.21Odahi migavo pāsaṁ,The hunter laid his snare,25.22nāsadā vākaraṁ migo;but the deer didn’t spring the trap.25.23Bhutvā nivāpaṁ gacchāma,I’ve eaten the bait and now I go,25.24kandante migabandhake”ti.leaving the trapper to lament.”

26.1Atha kho āyasmā raṭṭhapālo ṭhitakova imā gāthā bhāsitvā yena rañño korabyassa migacīraṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisīdi.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.

27.1PTS 2.66Atha kho rājā korabyo migavaṁ āmantesi:Then King Koravya addressed his gamekeeper,¹³27.2“sodhehi, samma migava, migacīraṁ uyyānabhūmiṁ;“My good gamekeeper, tidy up the park of the deer range.27.3gacchāma subhūmiṁ dassanāyā”ti.We will go to see the scenery.”

27.4“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho migavo rañño korabyassa paṭissutvā migacīraṁ sodhento addasa āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisinnaṁ.“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied the gamekeeper. While tidying the deer range he saw Raṭṭhapāla sitting in meditation.27.5Disvāna yena rājā korabyo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā rājānaṁ korabyaṁ etadavoca:Seeing this, he went to the king, and said,27.6“suddhaṁ kho te, deva, migacīraṁ.“The deer range is tidy, Your Majesty.27.7Atthi cettha raṭṭhapālo nāma kulaputto imasmiṁyeva thullakoṭṭhike aggakulassa putto yassa tvaṁ abhiṇhaṁ kittayamāno ahosi, so aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle divāvihāraṁ nisinno”ti.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.”

27.8“Tena hi, samma migava, alaṁ dānajja uyyānabhūmiyā.“Well then, my good gamekeeper, that’s enough of the park for today.27.9Tameva dāni mayaṁ bhavantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ payirupāsissāmā”ti.Now I shall pay homage to the worthy Raṭṭhapāla.”

28.1Atha 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.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.28.2Yāvatikā 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: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:

28.3“idha bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo hatthatthare nisīdatū”ti.“Here, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, sit on this elephant rug.”

28.4“Alaṁ, mahārāja, nisīda tvaṁ;“Enough, Great King, you sit on it.28.5nisinno ahaṁ sake āsane”ti.I’m sitting on my own seat.”

28.6Nisīdi rājā korabyo paññatte āsane. Nisajja kho rājā korabyo āyasmantaṁ raṭṭhapālaṁ etadavoca:So the king sat down on the seat spread out, and said:

29.1“Cattārimāni, bho raṭṭhapāla, pārijuññāni yehi pārijuññehi samannāgatā idhekacce kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti.“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.29.2Katamāni cattāri?What four?29.3Jarāpārijuññaṁ, byādhipārijuññaṁ, bhogapārijuññaṁ, ñātipārijuññaṁ.Decay due to old age, decay due to sickness, decay of wealth, and decay of relatives.

30.1Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, jarāpārijuññaṁ?And what is decay due to old age?30.2Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekacco jiṇṇo hoti vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto.It’s when someone is old, elderly, and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life.30.3So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:30.4‘ahaṁ khomhi etarahi jiṇṇo vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto.‘I’m now old, elderly, and senior. I’m advanced in years and have reached the final stage of life.30.5Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired.30.6Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti.Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’30.7So tena jarāpārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati.So because of that decay due to old age they go forth.30.8Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, jarāpārijuññaṁ.This is called decay due to old age.30.9Bhavaṁ kho pana raṭṭhapālo etarahi daharo yuvā susukāḷakeso bhadrena yobbanena samannāgato paṭhamena vayasā.But worthy Raṭṭhapāla is now a youth, young, with pristine black hair, blessed with youth, in the prime of life.¹⁴30.10Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa jarāpārijuññaṁ natthi.You have no decay due to old age.30.11Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?

31.1PTS 2.67Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, byādhipārijuññaṁ?And what is decay due to sickness?31.2Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekacco ābādhiko hoti dukkhito bāḷhagilāno.It’s when someone is sick, suffering, gravely ill.31.3So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:31.4‘ahaṁ khomhi etarahi ābādhiko dukkhito bāḷhagilāno.‘I’m now sick, suffering, gravely ill.31.5Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired.31.6Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti.Why don’t I go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’31.7So tena byādhipārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati.So because of that decay due to sickness they go forth.31.8Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, byādhipārijuññaṁ.This is called decay due to sickness.31.9Bhavaṁ kho pana raṭṭhapālo etarahi appābādho appātaṅko samavepākiniyā gahaṇiyā samannāgato nātisītāya nāccuṇhāya.But worthy Raṭṭhapāla is now rarely ill or unwell. Your stomach digests well, being neither too hot nor too cold.31.10Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa byādhipārijuññaṁ natthi.You have no decay due to sickness.31.11Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?

32.1Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhogapārijuññaṁ?And what is decay of wealth?32.2Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekacco aḍḍho hoti mahaddhano mahābhogo.It’s when someone is rich, affluent, and wealthy.32.3Tassa te bhogā anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.But gradually their wealth dwindles away.32.4So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:32.5‘ahaṁ kho pubbe aḍḍho ahosiṁ mahaddhano mahābhogo.‘I used to be rich, affluent, and wealthy.32.6Tassa me te bhogā anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gatā.But gradually my wealth has dwindled away.32.7Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired.32.8Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti.Why don’t I go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’32.9So tena bhogapārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati.So because of that decay of wealth they go forth.32.10Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhogapārijuññaṁ.This is called decay of wealth.32.11Bhavaṁ kho pana raṭṭhapālo imasmiṁyeva thullakoṭṭhike aggakulassa putto.But worthy Raṭṭhapāla is the son of the leading clan here in Thullakoṭṭhika.32.12Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa bhogapārijuññaṁ natthi.You have no decay of wealth.32.13Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?

33.1PTS 2.68Katamañca, bho raṭṭhapāla, ñātipārijuññaṁ?And what is decay of relatives?33.2Idha, bho raṭṭhapāla, ekaccassa bahū honti mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā.It’s when someone has many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin.33.3Tassa te ñātakā anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gacchanti.But gradually their relatives dwindle away.33.4So iti paṭisañcikkhati:They reflect:33.5‘mamaṁ kho pubbe bahū ahesuṁ mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā.‘I used to have many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin.33.6Tassa me te anupubbena parikkhayaṁ gatā.But gradually they’ve dwindled away.33.7Na kho pana mayā sukaraṁ anadhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ adhigataṁ vā bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.It’s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I’ve already acquired.33.8Yannūnāhaṁ kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyan’ti.Why don’t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?’33.9So tena ñātipārijuññena samannāgato kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajati.So because of that decay of relatives they go forth.33.10Idaṁ vuccati, bho raṭṭhapāla, ñātipārijuññaṁ.This is called decay of relatives.33.11Bhoto kho pana raṭṭhapālassa imasmiṁyeva thullakoṭṭhike bahū mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā.But worthy Raṭṭhapāla has many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin right here in Thullakoṭṭhika.33.12Taṁ bhoto raṭṭhapālassa ñātipārijuññaṁ natthi.You have no decay of relatives.33.13Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito?So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?

34.1Imāni kho, bho raṭṭhapāla, cattāri pārijuññāni, yehi pārijuññehi samannāgatā idhekacce kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti.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.34.2Tāni bhoto raṭṭhapālassa natthi.Worthy Raṭṭhapāla has none of these.34.3Kiṁ bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo ñatvā vā disvā vā sutvā vā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti?So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?”

35.1PTS 2.69“Atthi kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena cattāro dhammuddesā uddiṭṭhā, ye ahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.“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.¹⁵

35.2Katame cattāro?What four?

36.1‘Upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti‘The world is unstable and swept away.’36.2kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena paṭhamo dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.This is the first summary.

36.3‘Atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti‘The world has no shelter and no savior.’36.4kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena dutiyo dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.This is the second summary.

36.5‘Assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti‘The world has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.’36.6kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena tatiyo dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.This is the third summary.

36.7‘Ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti‘The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.’36.8kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena catuttho dhammuddeso uddiṭṭho, yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito.This is the fourth summary.

37.1Ime kho, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena cattāro dhammuddesā uddiṭṭhā, ye ahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.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.”

38.1“‘Upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti—“‘The world is unstable and swept away.’38.2bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha.So the worthy Raṭṭhapāla said.38.3Imassa, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?How should I see the meaning of this statement?”

38.4“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?38.5tvaṁ vīsativassuddesikopi paṇṇavīsativassuddesikopi hatthismimpi katāvī assasmimpi katāvī rathasmimpi katāvī dhanusmimpi katāvī tharusmimpi katāvī ūrubalī bāhubalī alamatto saṅgāmāvacaro”ti?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?”¹⁶

38.6“Ahosiṁ ahaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, vīsativassuddesikopi paṇṇavīsativassuddesikopi hatthismimpi katāvī assasmimpi katāvī rathasmimpi katāvī dhanusmimpi katāvī tharusmimpi katāvī ūrubalī bāhubalī alamatto saṅgāmāvacaro.“I was, worthy Raṭṭhapāla.38.7Appekadāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, iddhimāva maññe na attano balena samasamaṁ samanupassāmī”ti.Sometimes it seems as if I had superpowers then. I don’t see anyone who could have equaled me in strength.”

38.8“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?38.9evameva tvaṁ etarahi ūrubalī bāhubalī alamatto saṅgāmāvacaro”ti?These days are you just as strong in thigh and arm, capable, and battle-hardened?”

38.10“No hidaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla.“No, worthy Raṭṭhapāla.38.11Etarahi jiṇṇo vuḍḍho mahallako addhagato vayoanuppatto āsītiko me vayo vattati.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.38.12Appekadāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, ‘idha pādaṁ karissāmī’ti aññeneva pādaṁ karomī”ti.Sometimes I intend to step in one place, but my foot goes somewhere else.”

38.13“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ:“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said:38.14‘upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti,‘The world is unstable and swept away.’”38.15yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.

38.16“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla.“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing,38.17Yāva subhāsitañcidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena:how well said this was by the Buddha.38.18‘upaniyyati loko addhuvo’ti.38.19Upaniyyati hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko addhuvo.For the world is indeed unstable and swept away.

39.1PTS 2.70Saṁvijjante kho, bho raṭṭhapāla, imasmiṁ rājakule hatthikāyāpi assakāyāpi rathakāyāpi pattikāyāpi, amhākaṁ āpadāsu pariyodhāya vattissanti.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:39.2‘Atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti—‘The world has no shelter and no savior.’39.3bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha.39.4Imassa pana, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?How should I see the meaning of this statement?”

39.5“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?39.6atthi te koci anusāyiko ābādho”ti?Do you have any chronic ailments?”

39.7“Atthi me, bho raṭṭhapāla, anusāyiko ābādho.“Yes, I do.39.8Appekadā maṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā parivāretvā ṭhitā honti:Sometimes my friends and colleagues, relatives and kin surround me, thinking:39.9‘idāni rājā korabyo kālaṁ karissati, idāni rājā korabyo kālaṁ karissatī’”ti.‘Now the king will die! Now the king will die!’”

39.10“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?39.11labhasi tvaṁ te mittāmacce ñātisālohite:Can you get your friends and colleagues, relatives and kin to help:39.12‘āyantu me bhonto mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā, sabbeva santā imaṁ vedanaṁ saṁvibhajatha, yathāhaṁ lahukatarikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyeyyan’ti—‘Please, my dear friends and colleagues, relatives and kin, all of you here share my pain so that I may feel less pain.’39.13udāhu tvaṁyeva taṁ vedanaṁ vediyasī”ti?Or must you alone feel that pain?”

39.14“Nāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, labhāmi te mittāmacce ñātisālohite:“I can’t get my friends to share my pain.39.15‘āyantu me bhonto mittāmaccā ñātisālohitā, sabbeva santā imaṁ vedanaṁ saṁvibhajatha, yathāhaṁ lahukatarikaṁ vedanaṁ vediyeyyan’ti.39.16Atha kho ahameva taṁ vedanaṁ vediyāmī”ti.Rather, I alone must feel it.”

39.17“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ:“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said:39.18‘atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti,‘The world has no shelter and no savior.’”39.19yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.

39.20“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla.“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing,39.21Yāva subhāsitaṁ cidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena:how well said this was by the Buddha.39.22‘atāṇo loko anabhissaro’ti.39.23Atāṇo hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko anabhissaro.For the world indeed has no shelter and no savior.

40.1PTS 2.71Saṁvijjati kho, bho raṭṭhapāla, imasmiṁ rājakule pahūtaṁ hiraññasuvaṇṇaṁ bhūmigatañca vehāsagatañca.In this royal court you can find abundant gold, both coined and uncoined, stored above and below ground. Yet you said:40.2‘Assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti—‘The world has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.’40.3bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha.40.4Imassa pana, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?How should I see the meaning of this statement?”

40.5“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?40.6yathā tvaṁ etarahi pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāresi, lacchasi tvaṁ paratthāpi: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 life40.7‘evamevāhaṁ imeheva pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāremī’ti, udāhu aññe imaṁ bhogaṁ paṭipajjissanti, tvaṁ pana yathākammaṁ gamissasī”ti?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?”

40.8“Yathāhaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, etarahi pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāremi, nāhaṁ lacchāmi paratthāpi:“There’s no way to ensure that I will continue to amuse myself in the same way.40.9‘evameva imeheva pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappito samaṅgībhūto paricāremī’ti.40.10Atha kho aññe imaṁ bhogaṁ paṭipajjissanti; ahaṁ pana yathākammaṁ gamissāmī”ti.Rather, others will take over this property, while I pass on according to my deeds.”

40.11“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ:“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said:40.12‘assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti,‘The world has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.’”40.13yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.

40.14“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla.“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing,40.15Yāva subhāsitaṁ cidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena:how well said this was by the Buddha.40.16‘assako loko, sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyan’ti.40.17Assako hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko sabbaṁ pahāya gamanīyaṁ.For the world indeed has no owner—you must leave it all behind and pass on.

41.1PTS 2.72‘Ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti—You also said this: ‘The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.’41.2bhavaṁ raṭṭhapālo āha.41.3Imassa, bho raṭṭhapāla, bhāsitassa kathaṁ attho daṭṭhabbo”ti?How should I see the meaning of this statement?”

41.4“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?41.5phītaṁ kuruṁ ajjhāvasasī”ti?Do you reign over the prosperous land of Kuru?”

41.6“Evaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, phītaṁ kuruṁ ajjhāvasāmī”ti.“Indeed I do.”

41.7“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?41.8idha puriso āgaccheyya puratthimāya disāya saddhāyiko paccayiko.Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the east.41.9So taṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadeyya:He’d approach you and say:41.10‘yagghe, mahārāja, jāneyyāsi, ahaṁ āgacchāmi puratthimāya disāya?‘Please, Great King, you should know this. I come from the east.41.11Tatthaddasaṁ mahantaṁ janapadaṁ iddhañceva phītañca bahujanaṁ ākiṇṇamanussaṁ.There I saw a large country that is successful and prosperous, populous and full of people.41.12Bahū tattha hatthikāyā assakāyā rathakāyā pattikāyā;They have many divisions of elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry.41.13bahu tattha dhanadhaññaṁ;And there’s plenty of money and grain,41.14bahu tattha hiraññasuvaṇṇaṁ akatañceva katañca;plenty of gold, coined and uncoined, worked and unworked,41.15bahu tattha itthipariggaho.and plenty of women for the taking.41.16Sakkā ca tāvatakeneva balamattena abhivijinituṁ.With your current forces you can conquer it.41.17Abhivijina, mahārājā’ti, kinti naṁ kareyyāsī”ti?Conquer it, Great King!’ What would you do?”

41.18“Tampi mayaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abhivijiya ajjhāvaseyyāmā”ti.“I would conquer it and reign over it.”

41.19“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja,“What do you think, Great King?41.20idha puriso āgaccheyya pacchimāya disāya …Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the west,41.21uttarāya disāya …north,41.22dakkhiṇāya disāya …south,41.23parasamuddato saddhāyiko paccayiko.or from over the ocean.¹⁷41.24So taṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadeyya:He’d approach you and say the same thing.41.25‘yagghe, mahārāja, jāneyyāsi, ahaṁ āgacchāmi parasamuddato?41.26Tatthaddasaṁ mahantaṁ janapadaṁ iddhañceva phītañca bahujanaṁ ākiṇṇamanussaṁ.41.27Bahū tattha hatthikāyā assakāyā rathakāyā pattikāyā;41.28bahu tattha dhanadhaññaṁ;41.29bahu tattha hiraññasuvaṇṇaṁ akatañceva katañca;41.30bahu tattha itthipariggaho.41.31Sakkā ca tāvatakeneva balamattena abhivijinituṁ.41.32Abhivijina, mahārājā’ti, kinti naṁ kareyyāsī”ti?What would you do?”

41.33“Tampi mayaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abhivijiya ajjhāvaseyyāmā”ti.“I would conquer it and reign over it.”

41.34“Idaṁ kho taṁ, mahārāja, tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena sandhāya bhāsitaṁ:“This is what the Buddha was referring to when he said:41.35‘ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti,‘The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.’¹⁸41.36yamahaṁ ñatvā ca disvā ca sutvā ca agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito”ti.And it was after knowing and seeing and hearing this that I went forth from the lay life to homelessness.”

41.37“Acchariyaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla, abbhutaṁ, bho raṭṭhapāla.“It’s incredible, worthy Raṭṭhapāla, it’s amazing,41.38Yāva subhāsitañcidaṁ tena bhagavatā jānatā passatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena:how well said this was by the Buddha.41.39‘ūno loko atitto taṇhādāso’ti.41.40Ūno hi, bho raṭṭhapāla, loko atitto taṇhādāso”ti.For the world is indeed wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.”

42.1Idamavoca āyasmā raṭṭhapālo.That is what Venerable Raṭṭhapāla said.42.2Idaṁ vatvā athāparaṁ etadavoca:Then he went on to say:

42.3“Passāmi loke sadhane manusse,“I see rich humans in the world who,42.4Laddhāna vittaṁ na dadanti mohā;because of delusion, give not <j>the wealth they’ve earned.42.5Luddhā dhanaṁ sannicayaṁ karonti,Greedily, they hoard their riches,42.6Bhiyyova kāme abhipatthayanti.yearning for ever more sensual pleasures.

42.7Rājā pasayhā pathaviṁ vijitvā,∥A king who conquered the earth by force,42.8Sasāgarantaṁ mahimāvasanto;ruling the land from sea to sea,42.9Oraṁ samuddassa atittarūpo,unsatisfied with the near shore of the ocean,42.10Pāraṁ samuddassapi patthayetha.would still yearn for the further shore.

42.11PTS 2.73Rājā ca aññe ca bahū manussā,Not just the king, but others too,42.12Avītataṇhā maraṇaṁ upenti;reach death not rid of craving.42.13Ūnāva hutvāna jahanti dehaṁ,They leave the body still wanting,42.14Kāmehi lokamhi na hatthi titti.for in this world sensual pleasures never satisfy.

42.15Kandanti naṁ ñātī pakiriya kese,Relatives lament, their hair disheveled,42.16Ahovatā no amarāti cāhu;saying ‘Ah! Alas! They’re not immortal!’42.17Vatthena naṁ pārutaṁ nīharitvā,They take out the body wrapped in a shroud,42.18Citaṁ samādāya tatoḍahanti.heap up a pyre, and burn it there.

42.19So ḍayhati sūlehi tujjamāno,It’s poked with stakes while being burnt,42.20Ekena vatthena pahāya bhoge;in just a single cloth, all wealth gone.42.21Na mīyamānassa bhavanti tāṇā,Relatives, friends, and companions42.22Ñātīdha mittā atha vā sahāyā.can’t help you when you’re dying.

42.23Dāyādakā tassa dhanaṁ haranti,Heirs take your riches,42.24Satto pana gacchati yena kammaṁ;while beings fare on according to their deeds.42.25Na mīyamānaṁ dhanamanveti kiñci,Riches don’t follow you when you die;42.26Puttā ca dārā ca dhanañca raṭṭhaṁ.nor do children, wife, wealth, nor kingdom.

42.27Na dīghamāyuṁ labhate dhanena,Longevity isn’t gained by riches,42.28Na cāpi vittena jaraṁ vihanti;nor does wealth banish old age;42.29Appaṁ hidaṁ jīvitamāhu dhīrā,for the attentive say this life is short,42.30Asassataṁ vippariṇāmadhammaṁ.it’s perishable and not eternal.

42.31Aḍḍhā daliddā ca phusanti phassaṁ,The rich and the poor feel its touch;42.32Bālo ca dhīro ca tatheva phuṭṭho;the fool and the attentive one feel it too.42.33Bālo ca bālyā vadhitova seti,But the fool lies stricken by their own folly,42.34Dhīro ca na vedhati phassaphuṭṭho.while the attentive don’t tremble at the touch.

42.35Tasmā hi paññāva dhanena seyyo,Therefore wisdom’s much better than wealth,42.36Yāya vosānamidhādhigacchati;since by wisdom <j>you reach consummation in this life.42.37Abyositattā hi bhavābhavesu,But if because of delusion <j>you don’t reach consummation,42.38Pāpāni kammāni karonti mohā.you’ll do evil deeds in life after life.

42.39Upeti gabbhañca parañca lokaṁ,One who enters a womb and the world beyond,42.40Saṁsāramāpajja paramparāya;will transmigrate from one life to the next.42.41Tassappapañño abhisaddahanto,While someone of little wisdom, <j>placing faith in them,42.42Upeti gabbhañca parañca lokaṁ.also enters a womb and the world beyond.

42.43PTS 2.74Coro yathā sandhimukhe gahito,∥As a bandit caught in a window42.44Sakammunā haññati pāpadhammo;is punished for his own bad deeds;42.45Evaṁ pajā pecca paramhi loke,so after departing, in the world beyond,42.46Sakammunā haññati pāpadhammo.people are punished for their own bad deeds.

42.47Kāmāhi citrā madhurā manoramā,∥Sensual pleasures are diverse, sweet, delightful;42.48Virūparūpena mathenti cittaṁ;appearing in disguise they disturb the mind.¹⁹42.49Ādīnavaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā,Seeing danger in sensual stimulations,42.50Tasmā ahaṁ pabbajitomhi rāja.I went forth, O King.

42.51Dumapphalāneva patanti māṇavā,∥As fruit falls from a tree, so the sons of Manu fall,²⁰42.52Daharā ca vuḍḍhā ca sarīrabhedā;young and old, when the body breaks up.42.53Etampi disvā pabbajitomhi rāja,Seeing this, too, I went forth, O King;42.54Apaṇṇakaṁ sāmaññameva seyyo”ti.it’s a sure bet that the ascetic life is better.”

42.55Raṭṭhapālasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dutiyaṁ.