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MN 89PTS MN 2.1188 min read

Shrines to the Teaching

Dhammacetiyasutta

King Pasenadi, near the end of his life, visits the Buddha, and shows moving devotion and love for his teacher.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 89Middle Discourses 89

0.2DhammacetiyasuttaShrines to the Teaching

1.1PTS 2.118Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati medāḷupaṁ nāma sakyānaṁ nigamo.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near the Sakyan town named Medaḷumpa.1

2.1Tena kho pana samayena rājā pasenadi kosalo nagarakaṁ anuppatto hoti kenacideva karaṇīyena.Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala had arrived at Townsville on some business.2

2.2Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo dīghaṁ kārāyanaṁ āmantesi:Then he addressed Dīgha Kārāyana,2.3“yojehi, samma kārāyana, bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni, uyyānabhūmiṁ gacchāma subhūmiṁ dassanāyā”ti.“My good Kārāyana, harness the finest chariots. We will go to a park and see the scenery.”

2.4“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho dīgho kārāyano rañño pasenadissa kosalassa paṭissutvā bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni yojāpetvā rañño pasenadissa kosalassa paṭivedesi:“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Dīgha Kārāyana. He harnessed the chariots and informed the king,2.5“yuttāni kho te, deva, bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni.“Your Majesty, the finest chariots are harnessed.2.6Yassadāni kālaṁ maññasī”ti.Please go at your convenience.”

3.1Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhadraṁ yānaṁ abhiruhitvā bhadrehi bhadrehi yānehi nagarakamhā niyyāsi mahaccā rājānubhāvena.Then King Pasenadi mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out in full royal pomp from Townsville,3.2Yena ārāmo tena pāyāsi.heading for the park grounds.33.3Yāvatikā yānassa bhūmi, yānena gantvā yānā paccorohitvā pattikova ārāmaṁ pāvisi.He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and entered the park on foot.

4.1Addasā kho rājā pasenadi kosalo ārāme jaṅghāvihāraṁ anucaṅkamamāno anuvicaramāno rukkhamūlāni pāsādikāni pasādanīyāni appasaddāni appanigghosāni vijanavātāni manussarāhasseyyakāni paṭisallānasāruppāni.As he was going for a walk in the park he saw roots of trees that were impressive and inspiring, quiet and still, far from the madding crowd, remote from human settlements, and fit for retreat.4.2Disvāna bhagavantaṁyeva ārabbha sati udapādi:The sight reminded him right away of the Buddha:4.3“imāni kho tāni rukkhamūlāni pāsādikāni pasādanīyāni appasaddāni appanigghosāni vijanavātāni manussarāhasseyyakāni paṭisallānasāruppāni, yattha sudaṁ mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ payirupāsāma arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhan”ti.“These roots of trees, so impressive and inspiring, are like those where we used to pay homage to the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.”4

4.4Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo dīghaṁ kārāyanaṁ āmantesi:He addressed Dīgha Kārāyana,4.5“imāni kho, samma kārāyana, tāni rukkhamūlāni pāsādikāni pasādanīyāni appasaddāni appanigghosāni vijanavātāni manussarāhasseyyakāni paṭisallānasāruppāni, yattha sudaṁ mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ payirupāsāma arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ.“These roots of trees, so impressive and inspiring, are like those where we used to pay homage to the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha.4.6Kahaṁ nu kho, samma kārāyana, etarahi so bhagavā viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho”ti?My good Kārāyana, where is that Buddha at present?”

5.1PTS 2.119“Atthi, mahārāja, medāḷupaṁ nāma sakyānaṁ nigamo.“Great king, there is a Sakyan town named Medaḷumpa.5.2Tattha so bhagavā etarahi viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho”ti.That’s where the Buddha is now staying.”

5.3“Kīvadūre pana, samma kārāyana, nagarakamhā medāḷupaṁ nāma sakyānaṁ nigamo hotī”ti?“But how far away is that town?”

5.4“Na dūre, mahārāja;“Not far, Great King,5.5tīṇi yojanāni;it’s three leagues.5.6sakkā divasāvasesena gantun”ti.We can get there while it’s still light.”

5.7“Tena hi, samma kārāyana, yojehi bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni, gamissāma mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhan”ti.“Well then, harness the chariots, and we shall go to see the Buddha.”

5.8“Evaṁ, devā”ti kho dīgho kārāyano rañño pasenadissa kosalassa paṭissutvā bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni yojāpetvā rañño pasenadissa kosalassa paṭivedesi:“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Dīgha Kārāyana. He harnessed the chariots and informed the king,5.9“yuttāni kho te, deva, bhadrāni bhadrāni yānāni.“Your Majesty, the finest chariots are harnessed.5.10Yassadāni kālaṁ maññasī”ti.Please go at your convenience.”

6.1Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhadraṁ yānaṁ abhiruhitvā bhadrehi bhadrehi yānehi nagarakamhā yena medāḷupaṁ nāma sakyānaṁ nigamo tena pāyāsi.Then King Pasenadi mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out from Townsville to Medaḷumpa.6.2Teneva divasāvasesena medāḷupaṁ nāma sakyānaṁ nigamaṁ sampāpuṇi.He reached the town while it was still light6.3Yena ārāmo tena pāyāsi.and headed for the monastery grounds.6.4Yāvatikā yānassa bhūmi, yānena gantvā yānā paccorohitvā pattikova ārāmaṁ pāvisi.He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and entered the monastery on foot.

7.1PTS 2.120Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā bhikkhū abbhokāse caṅkamanti.At that time several mendicants were walking mindfully in the open air.7.2Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yena te bhikkhū tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te bhikkhū etadavoca:King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to them and said,7.3“kahaṁ nu kho, bhante, etarahi so bhagavā viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho?“Sirs, where is the Blessed One at present, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha?7.4Dassanakāmā hi mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhan”ti.For I want to see him.”

8.1“Eso, mahārāja, vihāro saṁvutadvāro. Tena appasaddo upasaṅkamitvā ataramāno āḷindaṁ pavisitvā ukkāsitvā aggaḷaṁ ākoṭehi. Vivarissati bhagavā te dvāran”ti.“Great king, that’s his dwelling, with the door closed. Approach it quietly, without hurrying; go onto the porch, clear your throat, and knock on the door-panel. The Buddha will open the door.”8.2Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo tattheva khaggañca uṇhīsañca dīghassa kārāyanassa pādāsi.The king right away presented his sword and turban to Dīgha Kārāyana,8.3Atha kho dīghassa kārāyanassa etadahosi:who thought,8.4“rahāyati kho dāni rājā, idheva dāni mayā ṭhātabban”ti.“Now the king seeks privacy. I should wait here.”5

8.5Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yena so vihāro saṁvutadvāro tena appasaddo upasaṅkamitvā ataramāno āḷindaṁ pavisitvā ukkāsitvā aggaḷaṁ ākoṭesi. Vivari bhagavā dvāraṁ.Then the king approached the Buddha’s dwelling, cleared his throat and knocked on the door-panel, and the Buddha opened the door.

9.1Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo vihāraṁ pavisitvā bhagavato pādesu sirasā nipatitvā bhagavato pādāni mukhena ca paricumbati, pāṇīhi ca parisambāhati, nāmañca sāveti:King Pasenadi entered the dwelling, and bowed with his head to the Buddha’s feet, caressing them and covering them with kisses, and pronounced his name:69.2“rājāhaṁ, bhante, pasenadi kosalo;“Sir, I am Pasenadi, king of Kosala!9.3rājāhaṁ, bhante, pasenadi kosalo”ti.I am Pasenadi, king of Kosala!”

9.4“Kiṁ pana tvaṁ, mahārāja, atthavasaṁ sampassamāno imasmiṁ sarīre evarūpaṁ paramanipaccakāraṁ karosi, mittūpahāraṁ upadaṁsesī”ti?“But, Great King, for what reason do you demonstrate such utmost deference for this body, conveying your manifest love?”

10.1“Atthi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:“Sir, I infer about the Buddha from the teaching:710.2‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’810.3Idhāhaṁ, bhante, passāmi eke samaṇabrāhmaṇe pariyantakataṁ brahmacariyaṁ carante dasapi vassāni, vīsampi vassāni, tiṁsampi vassāni, cattārīsampi vassāni.It happens, sir, that I see some ascetics and brahmins leading the spiritual life only for a limited period: ten, twenty, thirty, or forty years.10.4Te aparena samayena sunhātā suvilittā kappitakesamassū pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappitā samaṅgībhūtā paricārenti.Some time later—nicely bathed and anointed, with hair and beard dressed—they amuse themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.910.5Idha panāhaṁ, bhante, bhikkhū passāmi yāvajīvaṁ āpāṇakoṭikaṁ paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carante.But here I see the mendicants leading the spiritual life entirely full and pure as long as they live, to their last breath.1010.6Na kho panāhaṁ, bhante, ito bahiddhā aññaṁ evaṁ paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ samanupassāmi.I don’t see any other spiritual life elsewhere so full and pure.10.7Ayampi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:That’s why I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:10.8‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

11.1PTS 2.121Puna caparaṁ, bhante, rājānopi rājūhi vivadanti, khattiyāpi khattiyehi vivadanti, brāhmaṇāpi brāhmaṇehi vivadanti, gahapatayopi gahapatīhi vivadanti, mātāpi puttena vivadati, puttopi mātarā vivadati, pitāpi puttena vivadati, puttopi pitarā vivadati, bhātāpi bhaginiyā vivadati, bhaginīpi bhātarā vivadati, sahāyopi sahāyena vivadati.Furthermore, kings fight with kings, aristocrats fight with aristocrats, brahmins fight with brahmins, householders fight with householders. A mother fights with her child, child with mother, father with child, and child with father. Brother fights with brother, brother with sister, sister with brother, and friend fights with friend.1111.2Idha panāhaṁ, bhante, bhikkhū passāmi samagge sammodamāne avivadamāne khīrodakībhūte aññamaññaṁ piyacakkhūhi sampassante viharante.But here I see the mendicants living in harmony, appreciating each other, without dispute, blending like milk and water, and regarding each other with kindly eyes.11.3Na kho panāhaṁ, bhante, ito bahiddhā aññaṁ evaṁ samaggaṁ parisaṁ samanupassāmi.I don’t see any other assembly elsewhere so harmonious.11.4Ayampi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:11.5‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

12.1Puna caparāhaṁ, bhante, ārāmena ārāmaṁ, uyyānena uyyānaṁ anucaṅkamāmi anuvicarāmi.Furthermore, I have walked and wandered from monastery to monastery and from park to park.12.2Sohaṁ tattha passāmi eke samaṇabrāhmaṇe kise lūkhe dubbaṇṇe uppaṇḍuppaṇḍukajāte dhamanisanthatagatte, na viya maññe cakkhuṁ bandhante janassa dassanāya.There I’ve seen some ascetics and brahmins who are thin, haggard, pale, and veiny—hardly a captivating sight for people, you’d think.1212.3Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi:It occurred to me:12.4‘addhā ime āyasmanto anabhiratā vā brahmacariyaṁ caranti, atthi vā tesaṁ kiñci pāpaṁ kammaṁ kataṁ paṭicchannaṁ;‘Clearly these venerables lead the spiritual life dissatisfied, or they’re hiding some bad deed they’ve done.12.5tathā hi ime āyasmanto kisā lūkhā dubbaṇṇā uppaṇḍuppaṇḍukajātā dhamanisanthatagattā, na viya maññe cakkhuṁ bandhanti janassa dassanāyā’ti.That’s why they’re thin, haggard, pale, and veiny—hardly a captivating sight for people, you’d think.’12.6Tyāhaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadāmi:I went up to them and said:12.7‘kiṁ nu kho tumhe āyasmanto kisā lūkhā dubbaṇṇā uppaṇḍuppaṇḍukajātā dhamanisanthatagattā, na viya maññe cakkhuṁ bandhatha janassa dassanāyā’ti?‘Venerables, why are you so thin, haggard, pale, and veiny—hardly a captivating sight for people, you’d think?’12.8Te evamāhaṁsu:They say:12.9‘bandhukarogo no, mahārājā’ti.‘We have jaundice, Great King.’1312.10Idha panāhaṁ, bhante, bhikkhū passāmi haṭṭhapahaṭṭhe udaggudagge abhiratarūpe pīṇindriye appossukke pannalome paradattavutte migabhūtena cetasā viharante.But here I see mendicants always smiling and joyful, obviously happy, with cheerful faces, living relaxed, unruffled, surviving on charity, their hearts free as a wild deer.12.11Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi:It occurred to me:12.12‘addhā ime āyasmanto tassa bhagavato sāsane uḷāraṁ pubbenāparaṁ visesaṁ jānanti;‘Clearly these venerables have realized a higher distinction in the Buddha’s instructions than they had before.12.13tathā hi ime āyasmanto haṭṭhapahaṭṭhā udaggudaggā abhiratarūpā pīṇindriyā appossukkā pannalomā paradattavuttā migabhūtena cetasā viharantī’ti.That’s why these venerables are always smiling and joyful, obviously happy, with cheerful faces, living relaxed, unruffled, surviving on charity, their hearts free as a wild deer.’12.14Ayampi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:12.15‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

13.1PTS 2.122Puna caparāhaṁ, bhante, rājā khattiyo muddhāvasitto;Furthermore, as an anointed aristocratic king13.2pahomi ghātetāyaṁ vā ghātetuṁ, jāpetāyaṁ vā jāpetuṁ, pabbājetāyaṁ vā pabbājetuṁ.I am able to execute, fine, or banish those who are guilty.13.3Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, aḍḍakaraṇe nisinnassa antarantarā kathaṁ opātenti.Yet when I’m sitting in court they interrupt me.1413.4Sohaṁ na labhāmi:And I can’t get them13.5‘mā me bhonto aḍḍakaraṇe nisinnassa antarantarā kathaṁ opātetha, kathāpariyosānaṁ me bhonto āgamentū’ti.to stop interrupting me and wait until I’ve finished speaking.1513.6Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, antarantarā kathaṁ opātenti.13.7Idha panāhaṁ, bhante, bhikkhū passāmi;But here I see the mendicants13.8yasmiṁ samaye bhagavā anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ deseti, neva tasmiṁ samaye bhagavato sāvakānaṁ khipitasaddo vā hoti ukkāsitasaddo vā.while the Buddha is teaching an assembly of many hundreds, and there is no sound of his disciples coughing or clearing their throats.13.9Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhante, bhagavā anekasatāya parisāya dhammaṁ deseti.Once it so happened that the Buddha was teaching an assembly of many hundreds.13.10Tatraññataro bhagavato sāvako ukkāsi.Then one of his disciples cleared their throat.13.11Tamenaṁ aññataro sabrahmacārī jaṇṇukena ghaṭṭesi:And one of their spiritual companions nudged them with their knee, to indicate:13.12‘appasaddo āyasmā hotu, māyasmā saddamakāsi; satthā no bhagavā dhammaṁ desetī’ti.‘Hush, venerable, don’t make a sound! Our teacher, the Blessed One, is teaching!’13.13Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi:It occurred to me:13.14‘acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.‘Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing,13.15Adaṇḍena vata kira, bho, asatthena evaṁ suvinītā parisā bhavissatī’ti.how an assembly can be so well trained without rod or sword!’1613.16Na kho panāhaṁ, bhante, ito bahiddhā aññaṁ evaṁ suvinītaṁ parisaṁ samanupassāmi.I don’t see any other assembly elsewhere so well trained.1713.17Ayampi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:13.18‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

14.1PTS 2.123Puna caparāhaṁ, bhante, passāmi idhekacce khattiyapaṇḍite nipuṇe kataparappavāde vālavedhirūpe. Te bhindantā maññe caranti paññāgatena diṭṭhigatāni.Furthermore, I’ve seen some astute aristocrats who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. You’d think they live to demolish convictions with their intellect.1814.2Te suṇanti:They hear:14.3‘samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osarissatī’ti.‘So, gentlemen, that ascetic Gotama will come down to such-and-such village or town.’14.4Te pañhaṁ abhisaṅkharonti:They formulate a question, thinking:14.5‘imaṁ mayaṁ pañhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchissāma.‘We’ll approach the ascetic Gotama and ask him this question.14.6Evañce no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evamassa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāma;If he answers like this, we’ll refute him like that;14.7evañcepi no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evampissa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāmā’ti.and if he answers like that, we’ll refute him like this.’14.8Te suṇanti:When they hear that14.9‘samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osaṭo’ti.he has come down14.10Te yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamanti.they approach him.14.11Te bhagavā dhammiyā kathāya sandasseti samādapeti samuttejeti sampahaṁseti.The Buddha educates, encourages, fires up, and inspires them with a Dhamma talk.14.12Te bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā na ceva bhagavantaṁ pañhaṁ pucchanti, kuto vādaṁ āropessanti?They don’t even get around to asking their question to the Buddha, so how could they refute his answer?14.13Aññadatthu bhagavato sāvakā sampajjanti.Invariably, they become his disciples.14.14Ayampi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:14.15‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

15.1Puna caparāhaṁ, bhante, passāmi idhekacce brāhmaṇapaṇḍite …pe…Furthermore, I see some astute brahmins …16.1gahapatipaṇḍite …pe…some astute householders …17.1samaṇapaṇḍite nipuṇe kataparappavāde vālavedhirūpe. Te bhindantā maññe caranti paññāgatena diṭṭhigatāni.some astute ascetics who are subtle, accomplished in the doctrines of others, hair-splitters. …17.2Te suṇanti:17.3‘samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osarissatī’ti.17.4Te pañhaṁ abhisaṅkharonti:17.5‘imaṁ mayaṁ pañhaṁ samaṇaṁ gotamaṁ upasaṅkamitvā pucchissāma.17.6Evañce no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evamassa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāma;17.7evañcepi no puṭṭho evaṁ byākarissati, evampissa mayaṁ vādaṁ āropessāmā’ti.17.8Te suṇanti:17.9‘samaṇo khalu, bho, gotamo amukaṁ nāma gāmaṁ vā nigamaṁ vā osaṭo’ti.17.10Te yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamanti.17.11Te bhagavā dhammiyā kathāya sandasseti samādapeti samuttejeti sampahaṁseti.17.12Te bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā na ceva bhagavantaṁ pañhaṁ pucchanti, kuto vādaṁ āropessanti?They don’t even get around to asking their question to the Buddha, so how could they refute his answer?17.13Aññadatthu bhagavantaṁyeva okāsaṁ yācanti agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajjāya.Invariably, they ask the Buddha for the chance to go forth.17.14Te bhagavā pabbājeti.And he gives them the going-forth.17.15Te tathāpabbajitā samānā ekā vūpakaṭṭhā appamattā ātāpino pahitattā viharantā nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti.Soon after going forth, living withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, they realize the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. They live having achieved with their own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.17.16Te evamāhaṁsu:They say:17.17‘manaṁ vata, bho, anassāma; manaṁ vata, bho, panassāma’.‘We were almost lost! We almost perished!17.18Mayañhi pubbe assamaṇāva samānā samaṇāmhāti paṭijānimhā, abrāhmaṇāva samānā brāhmaṇāmhāti paṭijānimhā, anarahantova samānā arahantāmhāti paṭijānimhā.For we used to claim that we were ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones, but we were none of these things.17.19‘Idāni khomha samaṇā, idāni khomha brāhmaṇā, idāni khomha arahanto’ti.But now we really are ascetics, brahmins, and perfected ones!’17.20Ayampi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:17.21‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

18.1PTS 2.124Puna caparāhaṁ, bhante, ime isidattapurāṇā thapatayo mamabhattā mamayānā, ahaṁ nesaṁ jīvikāya dātā, yasassa āhattā;Furthermore, these chamberlains Isidatta and Purāṇa share my meals and my carriages. I give them a livelihood and bring them renown.18.2atha ca pana no tathā mayi nipaccakāraṁ karonti yathā bhagavati.And yet they don’t show me the same level of deference that they show to the Buddha.18.3Bhūtapubbāhaṁ, bhante, senaṁ abbhuyyāto samāno ime ca isidattapurāṇā thapatayo vīmaṁsamāno aññatarasmiṁ sambādhe āvasathe vāsaṁ upagacchiṁ.Once it so happened that while I was leading a military campaign and testing Isidatta and Purāṇa I took up residence in a cramped house.18.4Atha kho, bhante, ime isidattapurāṇā thapatayo bahudeva rattiṁ dhammiyā kathāya vītināmetvā, yato ahosi bhagavā tato sīsaṁ katvā maṁ pādato karitvā nipajjiṁsu.They spent much of the night discussing the teaching, then they lay down with their heads toward where the Buddha was and their feet toward me.18.5Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, etadahosi:It occurred to me:18.6‘acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.‘Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!18.7Ime isidattapurāṇā thapatayo mamabhattā mamayānā, ahaṁ nesaṁ jīvikāya dātā, yasassa āhattā;These chamberlains Isidatta and Purāṇa share my meals and my carriages. I give them a livelihood and bring them renown.18.8atha ca pana no tathā mayi nipaccakāraṁ karonti yathā bhagavati.And yet they don’t show me the same level of deference that they show to the Buddha.18.9Addhā ime āyasmanto tassa bhagavato sāsane uḷāraṁ pubbenāparaṁ visesaṁ jānantī’ti.Clearly these venerables have realized a higher distinction in the Buddha’s instructions than they had before.’1918.10Ayampi kho me, bhante, bhagavati dhammanvayo hoti:So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:18.11‘sammāsambuddho bhagavā, svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo, suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho’ti.‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’

19.1Puna caparaṁ, bhante, bhagavāpi khattiyo, ahampi khattiyo;Furthermore, the Buddha is an aristocrat, and so am I.19.2bhagavāpi kosalo, ahampi kosalo;The Buddha is Kosalan, and so am I.2019.3bhagavāpi āsītiko, ahampi āsītiko.The Buddha is eighty years old, and so am I.2119.4Yampi, bhante, bhagavāpi khattiyo ahampi khattiyo, bhagavāpi kosalo ahampi kosalo, bhagavāpi āsītiko ahampi āsītiko;Since this is so,19.5imināvārahāmevāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavati paramanipaccakāraṁ kātuṁ, mittūpahāraṁ upadaṁsetuṁ.it’s proper for me to act with such utmost deference for the Buddha and convey my manifest love.

20.1Handa ca dāni mayaṁ, bhante, gacchāma;Well, now, sir, I must go.20.2bahukiccā mayaṁ bahukaraṇīyā”ti.I have many duties, and much to do.”

20.3“Yassadāni tvaṁ, mahārāja, kālaṁ maññasī”ti.“Please, Great King, go at your convenience.”20.4Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi.Then King Pasenadi rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.22

21.1PTS 2.125Atha kho bhagavā acirapakkantassa rañño pasenadissa kosalassa bhikkhū āmantesi:Soon after the king had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants:21.2“eso, bhikkhave, rājā pasenadi kosalo dhammacetiyāni bhāsitvā uṭṭhāyāsanā pakkanto.“Mendicants, before he got up and left, King Pasenadi spoke shrines to the teaching.21.3Uggaṇhatha, bhikkhave, dhammacetiyāni;Learn these shrines to the teaching!21.4pariyāpuṇātha, bhikkhave, dhammacetiyāni;Memorize these shrines to the teaching!21.5dhāretha, bhikkhave, dhammacetiyāni.Remember these shrines to the teaching!21.6Atthasaṁhitāni, bhikkhave, dhammacetiyāni ādibrahmacariyakānī”ti.These shrines to the teaching are beneficial and relate to the fundamentals of the spiritual life.”

21.7Idamavoca bhagavā.That is what the Buddha said.21.8Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

21.9Dhammacetiyasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ navamaṁ.

Translator’s notes

  1. This town, the spelling of which is uncertain, is not mentioned elsewhere.

    ↩ mn89:1.2
  2. “Townsville” is a literal rendering of nagaraka. I translate it in homage to the town in northern Queensland where a chance encounter with a roadside joey set me on the path to the Dhamma.

    ↩ mn89:2.1
  3. The word ārāma, from a root meaning “to enjoy”, originally referred to a cultivated and pleasant parkland enjoyed for recreation. Such places were favorite dwelling places for ascetics, and became the sites for developed monasteries. In this sutta we see both senses. Here Pasenadi enjoys an ārāma (“park”) for recreation. Below we see the Buddha staying in an ārāma with a community of mendicants, featuring substantial private dwellings (vihāra) with lockable doors; in other words, a “monastery” (MN 89:8.1).

    ↩ mn89:3.2
  4. Evidently the Buddha used to meditate on emptiness in these very woods (MN 121:3.1).

    ↩ mn89:4.3
  5. Kārāyana’s response gives no hint of anything other than loyal service.

    ↩ mn89:8.4
  6. For similar gestures, see Koṇḍañña at SN 8.9:1.2, the brahmin Mānatthaddha (“Stuck-up”) at SN 7.15:3.2, the brahmin Brahmāyu at MN 91:34.1, and Pasenadi again at AN 10.30:2.2.

    ↩ mn89:9.1
  7. See SN 12.33 and notes for discussion.

    ↩ mn89:10.1
  8. This is an abbreviated form of the full devotions to the Triple Gem.

    ↩ mn89:10.2
  9. He knows this because they worked for him as spies (SN 3.11:7.3, Ud 6.2:8.3).

    ↩ mn89:10.4
  10. While Buddhist mendicants may disrobe at any time, their intention is to practice for life.

    ↩ mn89:10.5
  11. PTS text includes brother with brother.

    ↩ mn89:11.1
  12. This is a standard description of monastics who are unhappy and dissatisfied for whatever reason, eg. Bu Ss 1:1.1.3.

    ↩ mn89:12.2
  13. The commentary glosses kularogo (“family sickness”), showing it must accept the reading bandhu (“relative”). However, the parallel at MA 213 has 白病, which supports the variant paṇḍukarogino (“jaundice”).

    ↩ mn89:12.9
  14. Read aḍḍa (variants attha, aṭṭa) which in Sanskrit has the senses “solve, infer, argue, discern”. The commentary interprets aḍḍakaraṇa as the “place of judgment” i.e. the court, which is clearly the case at DN 17:1.11.1.

    ↩ mn89:13.3
  15. Pasenadi speaks of his frustrations in judging at SN 3.7. He was getting old and passing his duties to his son.

    ↩ mn89:13.5
  16. The future tense bhavissati here expresses surprise or wonder, for which compare AN 4.36:1.6.

    ↩ mn89:13.15
  17. For the poor behavior of other ascetics, see MN 77:6.21.

    ↩ mn89:13.16
  18. This passage on conversion of disputants is also found at MN 27:4.2.

    ↩ mn89:14.1
  19. They were at least stream-enterers (SN 55.6:18.1, AN 6.120–139:1.12), and died as once-returners (AN 6.44:2.3, AN 10.75:2.2).

    The king refers to his subordinates with āyasmā, normally reserved for addressing mendicants. When used by lay people of other lay people it indicates deep respect, often, as here, in reference to noble individuals on the path (MN 68:18.5, SN 55.54:2.2), or else used by a criminal beseeching the mercy of the crowd (AN 4.244:2.2).

    ↩ mn89:18.9
  20. The Sakyans were vassals of Kosala (Snp 3.1:18.4).

    ↩ mn89:19.2
  21. This sets these events in the last year of the Buddha’s life.

    ↩ mn89:19.3
  22. While the sutta and its parallels do not hint at anything other than a respectful visit to the Buddha, there is a tradition that this event led to Pasenadi’s downfall. Apparently, Dīgha Kārāyana blamed Pasenadi for the death of his uncle, Pasenadi’s former general Bandhula. Seeking revenge, he took the royal insignia and crowned Pasanadi’s dubious son Viḍūḍabha (MN 90:6.1) in his stead. Abandoned and alone, Pasenadi sought shelter in Rājagaha with his nephew Ajātasattu, but arrived too late and died while spending the night outside the walls. The details are improbable—why flee his friends the Sakyans for the untrustworthy Ajātasattu, 500 km distant? And why would a city watch bar a king in need? Nonetheless, the outline of this story is found widely, not just in the Pali commentary (see Ja 465, T 1451 at T xxiv 238c1, T 211 at T iv 583a16, D (6) ’dul ba, tha 86a7).

    ↩ mn89:20.4