The Madhyama Āgama (Middle-Length Discourses) Volume I

67. The Discourse on Mahādeva’s Mango Grove

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Thereupon the World-honored One thought: "This Māra the Bad has come here, wanting to hinder and confuse [my disciples]. " Knowing [this],

the World-honored One recited a verse to Māra the Bad: One will certainly attain [the state] Free of oppression, free of doubt and delusion, Eradicating birth, old age, disease, and death, [Attaining] freedom from the taints, completing what has to be done, If one practices the holy life In the realm of Metteyya.

Then Māra the Bad again recited a verse: One will certainly obtain

Fame and superior, excellent clothes Sandalwood [oil] to apply to the body, And an even, straight, beautiful, and slender body, If one stays in the town of Ketumatī, In the realm of King Saṅkha. Then, the World-honored One again recited a verse: One will certainly attain [the state] of Non-ownership and homelessness, Holding no golden treasures in his hands, Free from activity, with nothing to fear, If one practices the holy life In the realm of Metteyya.

Then Māra the Bad again recited a verse: One will certainly obtain

Fame, wealth, and fine food and drink. Knowing well how to sing and dance, [One] will make merry and constantly delight [in it]. If one stays in the town of Ketumatī, In the realm of King Saṅkha. Then, the World-honored One again recited a verse: 446

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One will certainly cross to the other shore, As a bird breaks a net and escapes,

And achieve absorption, abiding in it freely, Possessed of happiness, always joyful.

Māra, you must know

That I have overcome [you].

Then King Māra thought: "The World-honored One knows me. The Well-gone One has seen me.

" Anxious, worried, aggrieved, and unable to remain there, he suddenly disappeared from that place. This is what the Buddha said. Having heard the Buddha's words, Metteyya, Ajita, the venerable Ānanda, and the [other] monks were delighted and remembered them well.

67. The Discourse on Mahādeva's

Mango Grove168

Thus have I heard: At one time the Buddha was staying in the country of Videha together with a large company of monks. They approached Mithilā and stayed in Mahādeva's Mango Grove. On that occasion, while on the journey, the World-honored One smiled joyfully. Venerable Ānanda, on seeing the World-honored One smile, placed his palms together [in respect] toward the Buddha and said: World-honored One, what is the reason for this smile? Tathāgatas, free from attachment and fully awakened, do not smile randomly, for no reason. May I hear the meaning [of this smile]. Then the World-honored One told him:

Ānanda, in the distant past, in a different era, there was in this Mango Grove at Mithilā a king named Mahādeva. He was a wheel-turning monarch, intelligent and wise, equipped with a fourfold army to reign over the entire world, freely, as he liked. Being a righteous Dharma king he possessed seven treasures and had acquired four kinds of success. Ānanda, what were the seven treasures that King Mahādeva possessed? They were the wheel treasure, the elephant treasure, the horse 447

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treasure, the jewel treasure, the woman treasure, the steward treasure, and the counselor treasure—these were the seven. Ānanda, what is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the wheel treasure? Ānanda, at one time on the fifteenth day of the [half-]month, the time for reciting the code of rules, after having bathed, King Mahādeva ascended to the main hall. [Then] the divine wheel treasure manifested, coming from the east. It had a thousand spokes, was complete in every aspect, pure and natural, not man-made, flamelike in color, bright and shining.

On seeing it, King Mahādeva delighted and rejoiced, thinking to himself:

The auspicious wheel treasure has arisen! The wonderful wheel treasure has arisen! I heard from the ancients thus: if a duly anointed khattiyaking, on the fifteenth day of the [half-]month, the time for reciting the code of rules, after having bathed, ascends to the main hall, and the divine wheel treasure manifests, coming from the east, with a thousand spokes, complete in every aspect, pure and natural, not man-made, flamelike in color, bright and shining, then he will become a wheel-turning monarch. Will I not be a wheel-turning monarch?

Ānanda, in those former times, when King Mahādeva wanted to test for himself the divine wheel treasure, he assembled his fourfold army, namely elephant troops, cavalry, chariot troops, and infantry. Having assembled his fourfold army, he approached the divine wheel treasure. He placed his left hand on the wheel and rotated it with his right hand, saying [to his fourfold army]: "Follow the divine wheel treasure! Follow the divine wheel treasure wherever it goes!"

Ānanda, the divine wheel treasure rolled and moved toward the east and King Mahādeva followed it himself, together with his fourfold army. Wherever the divine wheel treasure stopped, there King Mahādeva took up residence with his fourfold army. Then the kings of the small countries in the east all approached King Mahādeva and said:

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Welcome, your majesty! Your majesty, these lands, which are extremely large, rich, pleasant, and with many inhabitants, all belong to your majesty. May your majesty teach them the Dharma! We shall assist your majesty.

Thereupon King Mahādeva told those minor kings: Each of you should rule his own territory by the Dharma, not by what is against the Dharma. Let your country be free of evil actions and of people of impure behavior!

Ānanda, the divine wheel treasure passed through the east and crossed the eastern ocean. Then it turned to the south . . . to the west . . . to the north. . . .

Ānanda, as the divine wheel treasure rolled and moved on, King Mahādeva followed it himself, together with his fourfold army. Wherever the divine wheel treasure stopped, there King Mahādeva took up residence with his fourfold army. Then the kings of the small countries in the north all approached King Mahādeva and said: Welcome, your majesty! Your majesty, these lands, which are extremely rich and pleasant, with many inhabitants, all belong to your majesty. May your majesty teach them the Dharma! We shall assist your majesty.

Thereupon King Mahādeva told those minor kings: Each of you should rule his own territory by the Dharma, not by what is against the Dharma. Let your country be free of evil actions and of people of impure behavior!

Ānanda, the divine wheel treasure passed through the north and crossed the northern ocean. Then it quickly returned to its point of departure in the royal capital. While King Mahādeva was sitting in the main hall managing his properties, the divine wheel treasure remained in the sky. Such is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the divine wheel treasure.

Ānanda, what is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of 449

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the elephant treasure? Ānanda, at one time the elephant-treasure appeared to King Mahādeva. That elephant was completely white and had the seven limbs.

169 The elephant was named Usabha.

170 Having

seen it, King Mahādeva delighted and rejoiced, [thinking:] "If it can be tamed, let it be made thoroughly virtuous and good. " Afterward,

Ānanda, King Mahādeva said to his elephant trainer: "Quickly tame the elephant and make it thoroughly well trained. Come and report to me when the elephant is trained.

"

Then, following the king's instructions, the elephant trainer approached the elephant treasure, quickly controlled the elephant treasure, and made it thoroughly well trained. At that time the elephant treasure was thoroughly controlled and tamed, and quickly became well trained. Just as in ancient times a fine elephant with a life span of countless hundreds and thousands of years had been thoroughly controlled and tamed and quickly became well trained for countless hundreds and thousands of years, so the elephant treasure was also thoroughly controlled and tamed and quickly became well trained. Ānanda, at that time the elephant trainer, having quickly controlled the elephant treasure, made it thoroughly well trained. And having trained the elephant treasure, he approached King Mahādeva and said: "May your majesty know that I have thoroughly controlled and tamed the elephant treasure and it has been trained. It is at your majesty's disposal.

"

Ānanda, in those former times, when King Mahādeva tested the elephant treasure, he approached the elephant treasure in the morning as the sun rose. Mounting the elephant treasure, he traveled all over the land as far as the ocean, then quickly returned to his point of departure in the royal capital. Such is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the white elephant treasure. Ānanda, what is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the horse treasure? Ānanda, at one time the horse treasure appeared to King Mahādeva. The horse treasure was completely dark blue in color, with a head like a crow, with its body adorned with hair, and was named "King Hairy-horse.

" Seeing it, King Mahādeva delighted and rejoiced, [thinking:] "If it can be tamed, let it be made thoroughly virtuous and 450

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good.

" Afterward, Ānanda, King Mahādeva said to his horse trainer: "Quickly tame the horse and make it thoroughly well trained. Come and report to me when the horse is trained.

"

Then, following the king's instructions, the horse trainer approached the horse treasure, quickly controlled the horse treasure, and made it thoroughly well trained. At that time the horse treasure was thoroughly controlled and tamed, and quickly became well trained. Just as in ancient times a fine horse with a life span of countless hundreds and thousands of years had been thoroughly controlled and tamed and quickly became well trained for countless hundreds and thousands of years, so the horse treasure was also thoroughly controlled and tamed and quickly became well trained.

Ānanda, at that time the horse trainer, having quickly controlled the horse treasure, made it thoroughly well trained. And having trained the horse treasure, he approached King Mahādeva and said: "May your majesty know that I have thoroughly controlled and tamed the horse treasure and it has been trained. It is at your majesty's disposal. "

Ānanda, in those former times, when King Mahādeva tested the horse treasure, he approached the horse treasure in the morning as the sun rose. Mounting the horse treasure, he traveled all over the land as far as the ocean, then quickly returned to his point of departure in the royal capital. Such is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the dark blue horse treasure.

Ānanda, what is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the jewel treasure? Ānanda, at one time the jewel treasure appeared to King Mahādeva. The jewel treasure was bright and pure, natural, not artificial, eight-faceted, without any flaw, very well polished, and was strung on a thread of five colors, namely, blue, yellow, red, white, and black. Ānanda, at that time King Mahādeva wanted a lamp to light the inner hall of his palace, so he used the jewel treasure. Ānanda, in those former times, when King Mahādeva tested his jewel treasure, he assembled his fourfold army, that is, elephant troops, cavalry, chariot troops, and infantry.The fourfold army having been assembled, in the dark of night a tall banner was raised, the jewel was placed on top of it, and it was taken out to the pleasure park. The brilliance of 451

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the jewel illuminated the fourfold army, and its light extended over an area measuring half a league in [any] direction. Such is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the bright jewel treasure. Ānanda, what is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the woman treasure? Ānanda, at one time the woman treasure appeared to King Mahādeva. The woman treasure had a lustrous body, splendid and pure, with a beauty surpassing that of human beings, almost like a goddess. Her appearance was graceful, and whoever saw her would be pleased. From her mouth came forth the fragrant scent of blue lotuses, and from the pores of her body came forth the scent of sandalwood. Her body was warm in winter and cool in summer. This woman sincerely served the king, her words were pleasant, and her behavior was agile, intelligent, and wise. She rejoiced in doing good. She was attentive to the king and always attached to him in thought, not to mention in bodily actions and words. Such is reckoned to be King Mahādeva's possession of the beautiful woman treasure. Ānanda, what is [reckoned to be] King Mahādeva's possession of the steward treasure? Ānanda, at one time the steward treasure appeared to King Mahādeva. The steward treasure was extremely rich, with immeasurable wealth, and possessed in abundance all kinds of livestock, feudatories, and manors. He was endowed in various ways with the results of meritorious actions, and had thereby acquired the divine eye. He saw all treasure vaults, [knowing] whether they were empty or not, guarded or not. He saw hoards of gold, hoards of coin, wrought treasure and unwrought treasure. Ānanda, the steward treasure approached King Mahādeva and said: "If your majesty wishes to have hoards of gold and coin, please do not worry. I will know the [right] time.

"

Ānanda, in those former times, when King Mahādeva tested the steward treasure, he boarded a boat, pulled out into the Ganges River, and said: "Steward, I want to have hoards of gold and coin. " The steward said: "May your majesty have the boat pull in to shore!" Then King Mahādeva said: "Steward, I want to have them right here! I want to have them right here!" The steward said: "Then may your majesty have the boat stop!"

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Then, Ānanda, the steward treasure moved to the front of the boat. Kneeling down and reaching out with his hands, he drew up four coffers from the water, a coffer [filled] with gold, a coffer with coins, a coffer with wrought [treasure], and a coffer with unwrought [treasure]. He said: "May your majesty do with them as he wishes! The hoards of gold and coin are at your disposal. After you have made use of them, the remainder will be returned to the water.

" Such is reckoned to be

King Mahādeva's possession of the steward treasure. Ānanda, what is [reckoned to be] King Mahādeva's possession of the counselor treasure? Ānanda, at one time the counselor treasure appeared to King Mahādeva. The counselor treasure was intelligent, wise, eloquent, knowledgeable, and discriminating. For King Mahādeva the counselor treasure established [policies for] the benefit of the present generation and encouraged peace and stability for it, for King Mahā deva he established [policies for] the benefit of future generations and encouraged peace and stability for them. He planned for the benefit of present and future generations and encouraged peace and stability for them.

For King Mahādeva the counselor treasure assembled and dismissed the army as the king wished. He desired to prevent King Mahā deva's fourfold army from becoming fatigued and aimed to help. He did the same in regard to the officials. Such is reckoned to be King Mahā deva's possession of the counselor treasure. These, Ānanda, are reckoned to be the seven treasures that King Mahādeva possessed. Ānanda, what are the four kinds of success acquired by King Mahā deva? King Mahādeva had an extremely long life span. As a prince, he played games for eighty-four thousand years. He was the king of a small country for eighty-four thousand years, and the king of a large country for eighty-four thousand years. [Then,] having shaved off his hair and beard, donned the yellow robe, left home out of faith, and gone forth, he practiced the path for eighty-four thousand years. As a royal sage,

171 he practiced the holy life, dwelling here at Mithilā in Mahādeva's Mango Grove.

Ānanda, that King Mahādeva had an extremely long life span; [that] as a prince, he played games for eighty-four thousand years; 453

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[that] he was king of a small country for eighty-four thousand years, and king of a large country for eighty-four thousand years; [that] having shaved off his hair and beard, donned the yellow robe, left home out of faith, and gone forth, he practiced the path for eighty-four thousand years; [that] as a royal sage, he practiced the holy life, dwelling here at Mithilā in Mahādeva's Mango Grove—this is reckoned to be the first kind of success of King Mahādeva.

Again, Ānanda, King Mahādeva was free of illness, he was endowed with an even digestion, [his digestion became] neither [too] cold nor [too] hot, [was] comfortable and non-afflictive, so that whatever he ate and drank was well digested. Ānanda, that King Mahādeva was free of illness, that he had developed a balanced manner of eating, [he ate things] neither too hot not too cold, comfortable and peaceful, so that whatever he ate and drank was well digested—this is reckoned to be the second kind of success of King Mahādeva.

Again, Ānanda, King Mahādeva had a lustrous body, splendid and pure, with a beauty surpassing that of human beings, almost like a god. He was graceful and handsome, so that whoever saw him was pleased. Ānanda, that King Mahādeva had a lustrous body, fresh and bright, with a beauty surpassing that of human beings, almost like a god; and that he was graceful and handsome, so that whoever saw him was pleased—this is reckoned to be the third kind of success of King Mahādeva.

Again, Ānanda, King Mahādeva always had thoughts of affection for brahmins and householders, just as a father thinks of his children; and the brahmins and householders, too, greatly respected King Mahādeva, just as children respect their father. Ānanda, once while in his pleasure park, King Mahādeva told his charioteer, "Drive slowly. I

wish to see the brahmins and householders longer. " The brahmins and

householders, too, told their charioteers,

"Drive slowly. We wish to

see King Mahādeva longer.

"

Ānanda, that King Mahādeva always had thoughts of affection for brahmins and householders just as a father thinks of his children; and that the brahmins and householders, too, greatly respected King Mahādeva, just as children respect their father—this is reckoned to be 454

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the fourth kind of success of King Mahādeva. These, Ānanda, are reckoned to be the four kinds of success that King Mahādeva had acquired. Ānanda, at a later time King Mahādeva told his barber, "If you

see gray hairs growing on my head, then tell me. " Thereupon, after

some time, while washing the king's head, the barber saw that some gray hairs had grown. Following the king's instructions, on seeing them he said: "May your majesty know that the divine messengers have arrived! Gray hairs are growing on your head. " King Mahādeva

told his barber,

"Pull out the gray hairs gently with golden tweezers and place them in my hand!"

Then, following the king's instructions, the barber pulled out the gray hairs gently with golden tweezers and placed them in the king's hand. Ānanda, holding the gray hairs in his hand, King Mahādeva said in verse:

Gray hairs are growing on my head.

My life is going into decline.

The divine messengers have come.

It is time for me to practice the path.

Ānanda, having seen the gray hairs, King Mahādeva told the crown prince:

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Crown prince, you should know that the divine messengers have come; gray hairs are growing on my head. Crown prince, I have enjoyed worldly pleasures. Now I will seek divine pleasures. Crown prince, I want to shave off hair and beard, don the yellow robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. Crown prince, I now entrust to you the four continents of the world. You should rule by the Dharma, not by what is against the Dharma. Let the country be free of evil actions and of people with impure behavior! Later on, crown prince, when the divine messengers arrive and you see that gray hairs have grown on your head, then you should in turn entrust the country's affairs to your crown prince and instruct him properly. Having entrusted the country to your crown prince, you too should shave off your hair and 455

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beard, don the yellow robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path.

Crown prince, I now pass on to you this transmitted Dharma. Likewise, you should in turn pass on this transmitted Dharma. Do not let the people fall into extremes! Crown prince, what do I mean by saying: "I now pass on to you this transmitted Dharma. Likewise, you should in turn pass on this transmitted Dharma. Do not let the people fall into extremes"? Crown prince, if in this country this transmission of Dharma is broken and no longer continues, this is reckoned to be "letting the people fall into extremes. "

For this reason, crown prince, I now pass [this Dharma] on to you. Crown prince, as I have passed this transmitted Dharma on to you, you should in turn likewise pass on this transmitted Dharma. Do not let the people fall into extremes! Ānanda, having entrusted the country's affairs to the crown prince and instructed him properly, King Mahādeva shaved off his hair and beard, donned the yellow robe, left home out of faith, and went forth to practice the path. As a royal sage, he practiced the holy life, dwelling here at Mithilā, in King Mahādeva's Mango Grove.

[The crown prince] also became a wheel-turning monarch, possessing the seven treasures, and acquiring the four kinds of success. What are the seven treasures that he possessed and the four kinds of success that he acquired? . . . (as described above) ... These are the seven treasures and the four kinds of success.

Ānanda, later on, this wheel-turning monarch similarly told his barber: "If you see gray hairs growing on my head, then tell me!" Thereupon, after some time, while washing the king's head, the barber saw that some gray hairs had grown. Following the king's instructions, on seeing them he said: "May your majesty know that the divine messengers have arrived! Gray hairs are growing on your head. "

The wheel-turning monarch told his barber: "Pull out the gray hairs gently with golden tweezers and place them in my hand!" Then, following the king's instructions, the barber pulled out the gray hairs gently with golden tweezers and placed them in the king's hand. 456

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Ānanda, while holding the gray hairs in his hand, the wheel-turning monarch said in verse:

Gray hairs are growing on my head.

My life is going into decline.

The divine messengers have come.

It is time for me to practice the path.

Ānanda, having seen the gray hairs, the wheel-turning monarch told his crown prince:

Crown prince, you should know that the divine messengers have come; gray hairs are growing on my head. Crown prince, I have enjoyed worldly pleasures. Now I will seek divine pleasures. Crown prince, I want to shave off my hair and beard, don the yellow robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. I now entrust to you the four continents of the world. You should rule by the Dharma, not by what is against the Dharma. Let the country be free of evil actions and of people with impure behavior! Later on, crown prince, when the divine messengers arrive and you see that gray hairs have grown on your head, then you should in turn entrust the country's affairs to your crown prince and instruct him properly. Having entrusted the country to your crown prince, you in turn should shave off hair and beard, don the yellow robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path.

Crown prince, I now pass on to you this transmitted Dharma. Likewise, you should in turn pass on this transmitted Dharma. Do not let the people fall into extremes! What do I mean by saying: "I now pass on to you this transmitted Dharma. Likewise, you should in turn pass on this transmitted Dharma. Do not let the people fall into extremes"? Crown prince, if in this country this transmission of Dharma is broken and no longer continues, this is reckoned to be "letting the people fall into extremes. "

For this reason, crown prince, I now pass [this Dharma] on to you. Crown prince, as I have passed this transmitted Dharma 457

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on to you, you should in turn likewise pass on this transmitted Dharma. Do not let the people fall into extremes! Ānanda, having entrusted the country's affairs to the crown prince and instructed him properly, the wheel-turning monarch shaved off his hair and beard, donned the yellow robe, left home out of faith, and went forth to practice the path. As a royal sage, he practiced the holy life, dwelling here at Mithilā in King Mahādeva's Mango Grove. Thus, Ānanda, from son to son, from grandson to grandson, from generation to generation, from tradition to tradition,

172 eighty-four thousand

wheel-turning monarchs in succession shaved off their hair and beards, donned the yellow robe, left home out of faith, and went forth to practice the path. As royal sages, they practiced the holy life, dwelling here at Mithilā, in King Mahādeva's Mango Grove. The last of those kings, named Nimi, was a righteous Dharma king, who practiced the Dharma in accordance with the Dharma.

He held a Dharma feast173 for the sake of his crown prince, queen, concubines, maids, subjects, renunciants, brahmins and [all sentient beings] including insects, on the eighth day and the fourteenth and fifteenth days of each [half-]month, when he practiced charity, providing those in need, the renunciants and brahmins, [as well as] those in poverty, those without kin, and beggars from far away, with food and drink, clothes and bedding, vehicles, flower garlands, scattered flowers, perfume, dwellings, mattresses, woolen blankets, shawls, servants, and lamps.

At that time, the thirty-three gods, who were sitting together in the Sudhamma Hall, extolled and praised King Nimi thus: Friends, the people of Videha are endowed with great benefits and great merits. Why is that? The last [of their] kings, named Nimi, is a righteous Dharma king who practices the Dharma according to the Dharma. He holds a Dharma feast for the sake of his crown prince, queen, concubines, maids, subjects, renunciants, brahmins, and [all sentient beings] including insects, on the eighth day and the fourteenth and fifteenth days of each [half-]month, when he practices charity, providing those in need, the renunciants and 458

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brahmins, [as well as] those in poverty, those without kin, and beggars from far away, with food and drink, clothes and bedding, vehicles, flower garlands, scattered flowers, perfume, dwellings, mattresses, woolen blankets, shawls, servants, and lamps. At that time Sakka, king of the gods, was also among them. Then Sakka, king of the gods, addressed the thirty-three gods, "Friends,

would you like to see King Nimi right here?" The thirty-three gods replied,

"Kosiya, we would like to see King

Nimi right here.

"

At that time, just as quickly as a strong man might bend or stretch his arm, Sakka suddenly vanished from the heaven of the thirty-three and arrived at King Nimi's palace.

There, having seen Sakka, king of the gods, King Nimi asked, "Who are you?"

Sakka replied,

"Great king, have you heard of Sakka, king of the gods?"

He replied,

"Yes, I have heard of Sakka.

"

Sakka said:

I am he. Great king, you are endowed with great benefits and great merits. Why is that? The thirty-three gods sat together in the Sudhamma Hall on your account and praised you, exclaiming: "Friends, the people of Videha are endowed with great benefits and great merits. Why is that? The last [of their] kings, named Nimi, is a righteous Dharma king who practices the Dharma according to the Dharma. He holds a Dharma feast for the sake of his crown prince, queen, concubines, maids, subjects, renunciants, brahmins, and [all sentient beings] including insects, on the eighth day and the fourteenth and fifteenth days of each [half-]month, practicing charity, providing those in need, the renunciants and brahmins, [as well as] those in poverty, those without kin, and beggars from far away, with food and drink, clothes and bedding, vehicles, flower garlands, scattered flowers, perfume, dwellings, mattresses, woolen blankets, shawls, servants, and lamps.

"

Great king, would you like to see the thirty-three gods? 459

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He replied,

"I would like to see them.

"

Sakka told King Nimi:

I shall return to [my] heaven and order the preparation of a chariot drawn by a thousand elephants. The great king can board that chariot and enjoy the ride while ascending to heaven. Then King Nimi expressed his assent to Sakka, king of the gods, by remaining silent. Sakka, understanding that King Nimi had assented by remaining silent, just as quickly as a strong man might bend or stretch his arm, suddenly vanished from King Nimi's palace and returned to the heaven of the thirty-three.

Having arrived, Sakka told the charioteer:

Quickly prepare a chariot drawn by a thousand elephants and go to receive King Nimi. Having arrived, you should say: "Great king, may you know that Sakka, king of the gods, has sent this chariot drawn by a thousand elephants to receive you! May you board this chariot and enjoy the ride while ascending to heaven!" After the king has boarded the chariot, you should ask: "By which route would you like me to drive you: by the route on which evildoers experience the results of evil or by the route on which doers of good experience the results of good?"

Thereupon, following Sakka's instructions, the charioteer prepared a chariot drawn by a thousand elephants and went to King Nimi. Having arrived there, he said:

Great king, may you know that Sakka has sent this chariot drawn by a thousand elephants to receive you! May you board this chariot and enjoy the ride while ascending to heaven!

Then, after King Nimi had boarded the chariot, the charioteer addressed the king again:

By which route would you like me to drive you: by the route on which evildoers experience the results of evil or by the route on which doers of good experience the results of good? 460

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Then King Nimi told the charioteer:

You may drive me between the two routes: [the route on which] evildoers experience the results of evil and [the route on which] doers of good experience the results of good. So the charioteer drove the king between the two routes: [the route on which] evildoers experience the results of evil and [the route on which] doers of good experience the results of good. Then the thirty-three gods saw King Nimi coming in the distance. Seeing him, they praised him, [saying:] "Welcome, great king! Welcome, great king! May you dwell together with the thirty-three gods and enjoy yourself!"

Then King Nimi addressed the thirty-three gods in verse: Just like riding in a borrowed chariot,

A vehicle acquired temporarily,

So is this place;

That is to say, it belongs to others.

I shall return to Mithilā,

[Where] I shall do immeasurable good,

Because this results in rebirth in heaven.

Making merit is provision [for rebirth in heaven]. Ānanda, do you regard King Mahādeva on that former occasion as someone other [than me]? Do not think like this! You should know that he was me.

Ānanda, on that former occasion I and the eighty-four thousand wheel-turning monarchs descending from me in succession—from son to son, from grandson to grandson, from generation to generation— shaved off our hair and beards, donned the yellow robe, left home out of faith, and went forth to practice the path. As royal sages, we practiced the holy life dwelling here at Mithilā in King Mahādeva's Mango Grove. Ānanda, at that time I benefited myself, benefited others, and benefited many people. I had compassion for the whole world and I sought prosperity, benefit, peace and happiness for gods and human beings. The teaching I gave at that time did not lead to the ultimate, was not 461

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68. The Discourse on Mahāsudassana1

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the ultimate purity, not the ultimate holy life, not the ultimate completion of the holy life. Not having fulfilled the holy life, I did not at that time become free from birth, old age, sickness, death, sorrow, and distress, and I was not able to attain liberation from all suffering. Ānanda, I have now appeared in this world as a Tathāgata, free from attachment, fully awakened, perfect in knowledge and conduct, a Well-gone One, a knower of the world, incomparable leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and human beings, a buddha, a Fortunate One.

I now benefit myself, benefit others, benefit many people. I have compassion for the whole world, and I seek prosperity, benefit, peace, and happiness for gods and human beings. My teaching of the Dharma has now reached fulfillment, I have fulfilled my purification, fulfilled the holy life. Having fulfilled the holy life, I am now free from birth, old age, sickness, death, sorrow, and distress. I have now attained liberation from all suffering. Ānanda, I now pass on to you this transmitted Dharma. Likewise, you should in turn pass on this transmitted Dharma. Do not let the Buddha's lineage be broken! What is this transmitted Dharma that I now pass on to you, this transmitted Dharma that you should in turn pass on, not letting the Buddha's lineage be broken? Ānanda, it is the noble eightfold path consisting of right view . . . (and so on up to) . . . right concentration. This, Ānanda, is the transmitted Dharma that I now pass on to you, the transmitted Dharma that you should in turn pass on, not letting the Buddha's lineage be broken. This is what the Buddha said.

Having heard the Buddha's words, Venerable Ānanda and the [other] monks were delighted and remembered them well.

68. The Discourse on

Mahāsudassana174

Thus have I heard: At one time the Buddha was staying at Kusinārā, staying in the Sāla Grove of the Mallas at Upavattana.

At that time the World-honored One, who was about to attain final nirvana, said: 462

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Ānanda, go to the twin sālatrees and prepare a bed for the Tathāgata between the trees with its head toward the north. The Tathāgata will attain final nirvana at midnight.

Following the Tathāgata's instruction, Venerable Ānanda went to the twin trees and prepared a bed for the Tathāgata, between the twin trees with its head toward the north. Having prepared the bed, he returned to where the Buddha was. After making obeisance with his head at the Buddha's feet, he stood to one side and said:

World-honored One, I have prepared a bed for the Tathāgata between the twin trees with its head toward the north. May the World-honored One know the [right] time!

Then the World-honored One, together with Venerable Ānanda, approached the place between the twin trees. He folded his outer robe in four and placed it on the bed, folded the inner robe to use as a pillow, and lay down on his right side, one foot on the other, ready to attain final nirvana. At that time Venerable Ānanda, holding a fly whisk, was attending on the Buddha. Venerable Ānanda placed his palms together [in respect] toward the Buddha and said:

World-honored One, there are also great cities, such as Campā, Sāvatthī, Vesālī, Rājagaha, Benares, and Kapilavatthu. Rather than attaining final nirvana in [one of] these cities, why is the World-honored One [attaining final nirvana] in this small mud-built town, this lowliest of all towns?

Then the World-honored One said:

Ānanda, do not call this "a small mud-built town, the lowliest of all towns.

" Why is that? In the past, this Kusinārā was called "the royal city of Kusinārā.

" It was extremely rich and pleasant, with many inhabitants. Ānanda, the royal city of Kusinārā was twelve leagues long and seven leagues wide. Ānanda, the watchtowers that had been set up were as tall as a man, or two, three, four, or even seven times a man's height. Ānanda, the royal city of Kusinārā was surrounded on all sides by seven moats, which were built of four precious materials: gold, silver, 463

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beryl, and crystal. The bottom of each moat was covered with sand of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. Ānanda, the royal city of Kusinārā was surrounded on all sides by seven walls, which were also built out of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Ānanda, the royal city of Kusinārā was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden palm trees had silver leaves, flowers, and fruits. The silver palm trees had golden leaves, flowers, and fruits. The beryl palm trees had crystal leaves, flowers, and fruits. The crystal palm trees had beryl leaves, flowers, and fruits.

Ānanda, between the palm trees were ponds with various flowers: ponds with blue lotuses, ponds with pink lotuses, ponds with red lotuses, and ponds with white lotuses. Ānanda, the banks of those lotus ponds were built of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The bottom of each pond was covered with sand of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. Ānanda, the ponds were equipped with staircases made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden staircases had silver stairs. The silver staircases had golden stairs. The beryl staircases had crystal stairs. The crystal staircases had beryl stairs.

Ānanda, the ponds were surrounded by railings made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden railings had silver fittings. The silver railings had golden fittings. The beryl railings had crystal fittings. The crystal railings had beryl fittings. Ānanda, the ponds were draped with canopies, from which hung bells made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden bells had silver clappers. The silver bells had golden clappers. The beryl bells had crystal clappers. The crystal bells had beryl clappers. Ānanda, in those ponds grew various water flowers: blue lotuses, pink lotuses, red lotuses, and white lotuses. Water and flowers were always there, under no guard, and accessible to everyone. Ānanda, on the banks of the ponds grew various terrestrial flowers: jasmine, great-flowered-jasmine, campaka,white water lily, honey tree, pearl bush, and trumpet flower.

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Ānanda, on the banks of the lotus ponds were a multitude of women, with lustrous bodies, splendid and pure, with a beauty surpassing that of human beings, almost like goddesses. Their appearance was graceful, and pleasing to whoever saw them. They were sumptuously adorned with many strings of gems. They practiced charity according to what the people needed, providing food and drink, clothes and bedding, vehicles, dwellings, mattresses, woolen blankets, servants, and lamps—all of this they gave away.

Ānanda, the leaves of the palm trees, when stirred by the wind, produced sounds of the most marvelous kind of music. Just like the five kinds of music produced by skillful musicians, 176 marvelous and

harmonious sounds, Ānanda, such [was the sound of] the leaves of the palm trees when stirred by the wind. Ānanda, in the city of Kusinārā, if low-class libertines desired to hear the five kinds of music, they would go together to the palm trees, all indulging and enjoying themselves to the full. Ānanda, the royal city of Kusinārā was never free of twelve sounds: the sound of elephants, the sound of horses, the sound of carriages, the sound of footsteps, the sound of conchs being blown, the sound of drums, the sound of kettledrums, the sound of side drums, the sound of singing, the sound of dancing, the sound of eating and drinking, and the sound of charitable giving.

Ānanda, in the city of Kusinārā lived a king named Mahā sudassana, a wheel-turning monarch, intelligent and wise, equipped with a fourfold army to reign over the entire world, freely, as he liked. As a righteous Dharma king he possessed the seven treasures and had acquired the four kinds of success. What are the seven treasures that King Mahāsudassana possessed and the four kinds of success that he had acquired? . . . (as described above)— these were the seven treasures and the four kinds of success.

Then, Ānanda, brahmins and householders in the royal city of Kusinārā took many jewels and precious fabrics and went to King Mahāsudassana, saying,

"Your majesty, here are many jewels and precious fabrics. May your majesty accept them out of compassion!" King Mahāsudassana told the brahmins and householders,

"I do not really

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need what you are offering, as I already have [enough of] such things myself.

"

Again, Ānanda, the kings of eighty-four thousand small countries approached King Mahāsudassana, saying,

"Your majesty, we wish to

build a palace for you.

" King Mahāsudassana told these minor kings,

"You wish to build a palace for me, but I do not need it, as I already have one.

" The kings of the eighty-four thousand small countries all lifted their hands, placed their palms together [in respect] toward [the king] and said a second and a third time,

"Your majesty, we wish to

build a palace for you. We wish to build a palace for you. "

Thereupon, King Mahāsudassana consented by remaining silent for the sake of the eighty-four thousand minor kings. Then the kings of the eighty-four thousand small countries, understanding that King Mahāsudassana had consented by remaining silent, paid homage to take leave of him, circumambulated him three times, and departed. Returning to their respective countries, they loaded eighty-four thousand carriages with their own weight in gold, coin, and wrought and unwrought treasures, and jeweled pillars, and transported them to the city of Kusinārā. They built a great palace not far away from the city. Ānanda, the great palace was one league long and one league wide. Ānanda, the great palace was built of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. Ānanda, the great palace was equipped with staircases made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden staircases had silver stairs. The silver staircases had golden stairs. The beryl staircases had crystal stairs. The crystal staircases had beryl stairs. Ānanda, in the great palace there were eighty-four thousand pillars made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden pillars had silver capitals and bases. The silver pillars had golden capitals and bases. The beryl pillars had crystal capitals and bases. The crystal pillars had beryl capitals and bases.

Ānanda, in the great palace stood eighty-four thousand buildings made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden buildings had silver coverings. The silver buildings had golden 466

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coverings. The beryl buildings had crystal coverings. The crystal buildings had beryl coverings. Ānanda, the great palace was furnished with eighty-four thousand thrones, which were also made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden buildings were furnished with silver thrones, which were covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends.

Likewise, the silver buildings were furnished with golden thrones. . . . The beryl buildings were furnished with crystal thrones. . . . The crystal buildings were furnished with beryl thrones, which were covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends.

Ānanda, the great palace was surrounded by railings made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden railings had silver fittings. The silver railings had golden fittings. The beryl railings had crystal fittings. The crystal railings had beryl fittings. Ānanda, the great palace was draped with canopies, from which hung bells made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden bells had silver clappers. The silver bells had golden clappers. The beryl bells had crystal clappers. The crystal bells had beryl clappers.

Ānanda, when the great palace had been completed, the kings of the eighty-four thousand small countries built a great flower pond not far from the palace. Ānanda, the great flower pond was one league long and one league wide. Ānanda, the great flower pond was built of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. Its bottom was covered with sand of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal.

Ānanda, the great flower pond was equipped with staircases made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden staircases had silver stairs. The silver staircases had golden stairs. The beryl staircases had crystal stairs. The crystal staircases had beryl stairs. Ānanda, the great flower pond was surrounded by railings made of 467

516c

four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden railings had silver fittings. The silver railings had golden fittings. The beryl railings had crystal fittings. The crystal railings had beryl fittings. Ānanda, the great flower pond was draped with canopies, from which hung bells made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden bells had silver clappers. The silver bells had golden clappers. The beryl bells had crystal clappers. The crystal bells had beryl clappers. Ānanda, in the great flower pond grew various water flowers: blue lotuses, pink lotuses, red lotuses, and white lotuses. Water and flowers were always there, [but] were guarded and not accessible to everyone. Ānanda, on the banks of the great flower pond grew various terrestrial flowers: jasmine, great-flowered jasmine, campaka,white water lily, honey tree, pearl bush, and trumpet flower. Then, Ānanda, when the great palace and the great flower pond had been completed, the kings of the eighty-four thousand small countries built a grove of palm trees, not far from the palace. Ānanda, the grove of palm trees was one league long and one league wide.

Ānanda, in the grove of palm trees there were eighty-four thousand palm trees made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden palm trees had silver leaves, flowers, and fruits. The silver palm trees had golden leaves, flowers, and fruits. The beryl palm trees had crystal leaves, flowers, and fruits. The crystal palm trees had beryl leaves, flowers, and fruits.

Ānanda, the grove of palm trees was surrounded by railings made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden railings had silver fittings. The silver railings had golden fittings. The beryl railings had crystal fittings. The crystal railings had beryl fittings. Ānanda, the grove of palm trees was draped with canopies, from which hung bells made of four precious materials: gold, silver, beryl, and crystal. The golden bells had silver clappers. The silver bells had golden clappers. The beryl bells had crystal clappers. The crystal bells had beryl clappers.

Ānanda, when the great palace, the flower pond, and the grove of palm trees had been completed in this way, the kings of the eighty-four 468

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thousand small countries went together to King Mahāsudassana and said:

May your majesty know that the great palace, the flower pond, and the grove of palm trees have all been completed! They are at your majesty's disposal.

Then, Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana thought:

I should not be the first to ascend to this great palace. There are most highly regarded renunciants and brahmins living in this royal city of Kusinārā. Let me invite them all to sit together in this great palace. I will have delicious, wonderful, delicate food prepared, various rich food to eat, savor and digest, and serve it with my own hands, making sure everybody will eat his fill. After the meal is finished, the utensils have been cleared away, and water for washing has been offered, they will be dismissed and allowed to return. Ānanda, having thought thus, King Mahāsudassana invited all of the most highly regarded renunciants and brahmins living in that royal city of Kusinārā to ascend to the great palace. Having had them seated, [the king] himself brought water for washing. Then delicious, wonderful, delicate food was brought. And with his own hands he served the various rich food to eat, savor and digest, making sure everybody ate his fill. After the meal was finished, the utensils had been cleared away, and water for washing had been offered, [the king], having received a blessing, dismissed them and allowed them to return. Ānanda, again King Mahāsudassana thought:

It would not be proper for me to engage in sensual pleasures in the great palace. Let me rather take a single attendant and ascend to the great palace and reside there.

Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana therefore took a single attendant and ascended to the great palace. Then he entered a golden building and sat on a silver royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. After 469

517a

sitting down, separated from desires, separated from evil and unwholesome states, he dwelled having attained the first absorption, which is accompanied by initial and sustained application of mind, with rapture and pleasure born of seclusion.

He came out of the golden building and entered a silver building. He sat on a golden royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. After sitting down, separated from desires, separated from evil and unwholesome states, he dwelled having attained the first absorption, which is accompanied by initial and sustained application of mind, with rapture and pleasure born of seclusion.

He came out of the silver building and entered a beryl building. He sat on a crystal royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. After sitting down, separated from desires, separated from evil and unwholesome states, he dwelled having attained the first absorption, which is accompanied by initial and sustained application of mind, with rapture and pleasure born of seclusion.

He came out of the beryl building and entered a crystal building. He sat on a beryl royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. After sitting down, separated from desire, separated from evil and unwholesome states, he dwelled having attained the first absorption, which is accompanied by initial and sustained application of mind, with rapture and pleasure born of seclusion.

At that time, Ānanda, the eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure had not seen King Mahāsudassana for a long time, and were keen and eager to see him. Therefore, his eighty-four thousand wives approached the woman treasure and said:

Your majesty, may you know that we have not had an audience with the great king for a long time. Your majesty, we now wish to [go and] see the great king together.

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Having heard that, the woman treasure told the counselor treasure, "May you know that we have not had an audience with the great king for a long time. We now wish to go and see him. "

On hearing this, the counselor treasure accompanied the [king's] eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure to the great palace. They were also escorted by eighty-four thousand elephants, eightyfour thousand horses, eighty-four thousand chariots, eighty-four thousand infantry troops, and eighty-four thousand minor kings. As they approached, they produced a tremendous noise, reverberating [all around]. King Mahāsudassana heard the tremendous noise, reverberating [all around].

Hearing it, he asked the attendant at his side, "Who is making that

tremendous noise, reverberating [all around]?" The attendant said:

Your majesty, it is being made by your eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure, who are all coming to the great palace; the eighty-four thousand elephants, eighty-four thousand horses, eighty-four thousand chariots, eighty-four thousand infantry troops, and eighty-four thousand minor kings are also coming together to the great palace; consequently there is this tremendous noise, reverberating [all around].

On hearing this, King Mahāsudassana told the attendant, "Descend

from the palace immediately and promptly prepare a golden couch out of doors. Return and tell me when this is finished. "

Following these instructions, the attendant descended from the palace and promptly prepared a golden couch out of doors. When he had finished, he returned and said,

"I have finished preparing a golden couch out of doors for your majesty. It is at your majesty's disposal. " Then, Ānanda,

King Mahāsudassana, accompanied by the attendant, descended from the palace and sat down cross-legged on the golden couch. Then, Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana's eighty-four thousand wives and the woman-treasure all advanced toward him. Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana saw his eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure in the distance. Having seen them, he swiftly restrained his senses. 471

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Then, having noticed that the king had restrained his senses, his eightyfour thousand wives and the woman treasure thought, "His majesty

must have no need of us. Why is that? His majesty restrained his senses as soon as he saw us.

"

Thereupon, Ānanda, the woman treasure approached King Mahāsudassana. Having arrived, she said: May your majesty know that these eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure all belong to your majesty! May your majesty be always attentive to us, until death! The eighty-four thousand elephants, eighty-four thousand horses, eighty-four thousand chariots, eighty-four thousand infantry troops, and eightyfour thousand minor kings all belong to your majesty. May your majesty be always attentive to us, until death! Then, having heard those words, King Mahāsudassana told the woman treasure:

Sister, all of you have long encouraged me into evil ways and not into the way of practicing loving-kindness. Sister, from now on you should all encourage me into the way of practicing lovingkindness and not into evil ways. Ānanda, the eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure stood to one side, weeping and crying with grief, and said, "We are not his

majesty's sisters, yet now he calls us sisters. "

Ānanda, those eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure each wiped away their tears with their clothes. They approached nearer to King Mahāsudassana. Having arrived there, they said, "Your majesty,

how should we encourage you into the way of practicing loving-kindness and not into evil ways?" King Mahāsudassana answered:

Sisters, for my sake you should say this:

Did your majesty know that a human being has a very short life span and will soon pass on to the next life? One should practice the holy life, because whatever is born is bound to end. 472

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May your majesty know this: there will surely come the phenomenon which is neither desirable nor agreeable and which destroys everything in the world, namely death. Therefore, if your majesty has any longing or desire for the eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure, may your majesty completely abandon and renounce it, and never have such longing, until death! If your majesty has any longing or desire for the eighty-four thousand elephants, eighty-four thousand horses, eighty-four thousand chariots, eighty-four thousand infantry troops, and eighty-four thousand minor kings, may your majesty completely abandon and renounce it, and never have such longing, until death!

Thus, sisters, should you encourage me to practice loving-kindness and not cause [me] to do evil.

Ānanda, those eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure said:

Your majesty, from now on we will encourage you to practice loving-kindness and not cause you to do evil. Your majesty, a human being has a very short life span and will soon pass on to the next life. There will surely come the phenomenon which is neither desirable nor agreeable and which destroys everything in the world, namely death.

Therefore, if your majesty has any longing or desire for the eighty-four thousand wives and the woman-treasure, may your majesty completely abandon and renounce it, and never have such longing, until death! If your majesty has any longing or desire for the eighty-four thousand elephants, eighty-four thousand horses, eighty-four thousand chariots, eighty-four thousand infantry troops, and eighty-four thousand minor kings, may your majesty completely abandon and renounce it, and never have such longing until death!

Ānanda, King Mahāsudassana taught the Dharma to his eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure, exhorting, encouraging, and 473

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delighting them. Having with countless skillful means taught them the Dharma, having exhorted, encouraged, and delighted them, he dismissed them and allowed them to return. Ānanda, understanding that King Mahāsudassana had dismissed them, his eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure each paid homage to him and returned. Ānanda, not long after his eighty-four thousand wives and the woman treasure had left, King Mahāsudassana ascended to the great palace together with his attendant. Then he entered a golden building and sat on a silver royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. Having sat down, he contemplated thus:

I am putting an end to thoughts of desire, thoughts of anger, thoughts of malice, strife, hatred, flattery, hypocrisy, deceit, and false speech. These countless evil and unwholesome states shall come to an end.

He [then] abided pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, likewise the second, the third, and the fourth quarters, the four intermediate directions, above and below, encompassing all. Free from fetters or resentment, without ill will or quarrel, he dwelled pervading the entire world [with a mind that was] boundless, exalted, immeasurable, and well cultivated.

He came out of the golden building and in turn entered a silver building. He sat on a golden royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. Having sat down, he contemplated thus: I am putting an end to thoughts of desire, thoughts of anger, thoughts of malice, strife, hatred, flattery, hypocrisy, deceit, and false speech. These countless evil and unwholesome states shall come to an end.

He [then] abided pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with compassion, likewise the second, the third, and the fourth quarters, the four 474

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intermediate directions, above and below, encompassing all. Free from fetters or resentment, without ill will or quarrel, he abided pervading the entire world [with a mind that was] boundless, exalted, immeasurable, and well cultivated. He came out of the silver building and entered a beryl building. He sat on a crystal royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. Having sat down, he contemplated thus:

I am putting an end to thoughts of desire, thoughts of anger, thoughts of malice, strife, hatred, flattery, hypocrisy, deceit, and false speech. These countless evil and unwholesome states shall come to an end.

He [then] abided pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with empathic joy, likewise the second, the third, and the fourth quarters, the four intermediate directions, above and below, encompassing all. Free from fetters or resentment, without ill will or quarrel, he abided pervading the entire world [with a mind that was] boundless, exalted, immeasurable, and well cultivated.

He came out of the beryl building and entered a crystal building. He sat on a beryl royal couch, which was covered with woolen blankets, draped with brocades and fine silk fabric, with lined and quilted coverlets, and with cushions [made of] antelope hide at both ends. Having sat down, he contemplated thus:

I am putting an end to thoughts of desire, thoughts of anger, thoughts of malice, strife, hatred, flattery, hypocrisy, deceit, and false speech. These countless evil and unwholesome states shall come to an end.

He [then] abided pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with equanimity, likewise the second, the third, and the fourth quarters, the four intermediate directions, above and below, encompassing all. Free from fetters or resentment, without ill will or quarrel, he abided pervading 518b

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