King Udena (UD7.10)

Heartfelt Sayings 7.10

King Udena

So I have heard.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Kosambī in Ghosita’s monastery.

Now at that time, while King Udena was visiting a park, his royal compound burned down. Five hundred women died, with Queen Sāmāvatī at their head.

Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Kosambī for alms.

Then, after the meal, when they returned from almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him had happened. They asked the Buddha,

“Sir, where have those laywomen been reborn in the next life?”

“Among those laywomen there were stream-enterers, once-returners, and non-returners.

None of those laywomen died without some fruit of the practice.”

Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

“The world is caught up in delusion,

but is looked on as making sense.

The fool caught up in attachment

is surrounded by darkness.

It seems as if eternal,

but for one who sees, there is nothing.”