1. Discourse
  2. ud.2.2
  3. html
  4. text
  1. ud.2.1 <<
  2. >> ud.2.3
buddha daily wisdom image

ud.2.2 Udana

The Discourse about the Kings

Thus I heard: At one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Wood, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then at that time, amongst many monks, after returning from the alms-round after the meal, assembling together, and sitting in the attendance hall, this conversation arose:

“Now, venerable friends, which of these two kings has the greater wealth, the greater riches, the greater treasury, the greater realm, the greater vehicles, the greater strength, the greater power, the greater majesty—the Magadhan King Seniya Bimbisāra, or the Kosalan King Pasenadi?”

Now this conversation amongst those monks was left unfinished. Then the Gracious One, having risen from seclusion in the evening time, went to the assembly hall, and after going, he sat down on the prepared seat. Having sat down the Gracious One addressed the monks, saying:

“What is the talk about, monks, amongst those who have assembled together and are sitting here at present, and what is the conversation that you left unfinished?”

“Here, reverend Sir, after returning from the alms-round after the meal, assembling together, and sitting in the attendance hall, this conversation arose:

“Now, venerable friends, which of these two kings has the greater wealth, the greater riches, the greater treasury, the greater realm, the greater vehicles, the greater strength, the greater power, the greater majesty—the Magadhan King Seniya Bimbisāra, or the Kosalan King Pasenadi?” This is the conversation, reverend Sir, that we left unfinished, then the Gracious One arrived.”

“This is certainly not suitable, monks, for you sons of good family who through faith have gone forth from the home to homelessness, that you should talk such talk. When you have assembled together, monks, there are two things that you ought to do: talk about the Dhamma, or maintain noble silence.”

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“That which is sensual happiness in the world,
and that happiness which is divine,
To the happiness of the destruction of craving,
these are not worth a sixteenth part.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

Kings

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Now at that time, after the meal, on return from almsround, several mendicants sat together in the assembly hall and this discussion came up among them:
“Which of these two kings has greater wealth, riches, treasury, dominion, vehicles, forces, might, and power: King Seniya Bimbisāra of Māgadha or King Pasenadi of Kosala?”
At that point the conversation among those mendicants was left unfinished.
Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat, went to the assembly hall, sat down on the seat spread out,
and addressed the mendicants:
“Mendicants, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?”
So the mendicants told him what they had been talking about when the Buddha arrived. The Buddha said,
“Mendicants, it is not appropriate for you gentlemen who have gone forth in faith from the lay life to homelessness to talk about such things.
When you’re sitting together you should do one of two things:
discuss the teachings or keep noble silence.”
Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“Neither the pleasures of the senses,
nor even divine happiness,
is worth even a sixteenth part
of the happiness of craving’s end.”