40.2 （二）

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at the Karanda Bamboo Grove in the city of Rajagriha, together with a great assembly of five hundred bhikshus.

At that time, King Ajatasatru of Magadha said to his ministers, "The country of Vatsa is very prosperous, with many people. I shall attack and annex that territory.

At that time, King Ajatasatru told the Brahmin Varakarama, "Now go to the World-Honored One and convey my name. Inquire about the World-Honored One's well-being and pay respects on my behalf. Say: 'King Ajatasatru informs the World-Honored One that he wishes to attack the country of Vatsa. Is this permissible?' If the Tathāgata says anything, you should contemplate it well and come back to tell me. Because the words of the Tathāgata are never contradictory.

At that time, the Brahmin received the king's instructions and went to where the World-Honored One was. They exchanged greetings and sat to one side. The Brahmin then said to the Buddha, "King Ajatasatru pays respects to the World-Honored One, serves and inquires about his well-being, and further asks: 'I wish to attack the great country of Vatsa. I first come to ask the Buddha if this is permissible?'"

At that time, the Brahmin covered his head and feet with his robe, wore ivory clogs, and fastened a sharp sword at his waist. It was not appropriate to teach the Dharma.

At that time, the World-Honored One told Ānanda, "If the people of Vatsa practice seven dharmas, they will never be destroyed by external enemies. What are the seven? If the people of Vatsa gather together in one place and do not disperse, they will not be destroyed by other countries. This is called the first dharma that will not be defeated by external enemies.

Furthermore, Ānanda! The people of Vatsa are harmonious with each other. The people of Vatsa are not captured by outsiders. This is called the second dharma that will not be destroyed by external enemies.

Furthermore, Ānanda! If the people of Vatsa do not lust after others, and do not become attached to the appearance of other women, this is called the third dharma that will not be destroyed by external enemies.

Furthermore, Ānanda! If the people of Vatsa do not spread from here to there, nor from there to here, this is called the fourth dharma that will not be destroyed by external enemies.

Furthermore, Ānanda! If the people of Vatsa honor śramaṇas and brāhmaṇas, and serve and respect those who practice the holy life, this is called the fifth dharma, and at that time they will not be conquered by external enemies.

Furthermore, Ānanda! If the people of Vatsa do not greedily cling to the wealth and treasures of others, this is called the sixth dharma that will not be destroyed by external enemies.

Furthermore, Ānanda! If the people of Vatsa all have the same mind, do not go to the temples of gods, and concentrate their minds, they will not be destroyed by external enemies. This is called the seventh dharma that will not be destroyed by external enemies. This is called, Ānanda! The seven dharmas practiced by the people of Vatsa will never be destroyed by outsiders.

At that time, the brāhman said to the Buddha, "If those people accomplish even one dharma, they cannot be destroyed, let alone seven dharmas. Stop, stop! World-Honored One! There are many affairs of state. I wish to return to my residence." At that time, the brāhman immediately rose from his seat and departed.

Not far from there, at that time the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "I will now explain the seven dharmas of non-retrogression. Listen carefully and contemplate them well!"

The bhikṣus said to the Buddha, "Yes, World-Honored One!"

At that time, the bhikṣus received the Buddha's instruction. The World-Honored One said, "What are the seven dharmas of non-retrogression? Bhikṣus should know, if bhikṣus gather together in one place, all harmoniously and respectfully, advancing upwards, cultivating good dharmas without retrogression, and not being taken advantage of by Māra, this is called the first dharma of non-retrogression.

Furthermore, the harmonious Sangha follows his teachings, advancing upwards without retrogression, not being destroyed by Māra, this is called the second dharma of non-retrogression.

Furthermore, bhikṣus! Not attached to worldly affairs, not cultivating worldly glory, advancing upwards without retrogression, not being taken advantage of by Māra, this is called the third dharma of non-retrogression.

Furthermore, bhikṣus! Not reciting miscellaneous books, all day long exerting their minds, advancing upwards without retrogression, not being taken advantage of by Māra, this is called the fourth dharma of non-retrogression.

Furthermore, bhikṣus! Diligent in cultivating the Dharma, removing sleepiness, always self-alert, advancing upwards without retrogression, not being taken advantage of by Māra, this is called the fifth dharma of non-retrogression.

Furthermore, bhikṣus! Not studying mathematics, nor teaching others, delighting in quiet places, cultivating the Dharma, advancing upwards without retrogression, not being taken advantage of by Māra, this is called the sixth dharma of non-retrogression.

Furthermore, bhikṣus! Arousing the thought of the impermanence of all worldly things, practicing dhyāna, enduring the teachings of the Dharma, advancing upwards without retrogression, not being taken advantage of by Māra, this is called the seventh dharma of non-retrogression. If a bhikṣu accomplishes these seven dharmas, and harmonizes with them, then Māra will not be able to take advantage of him.

At that time, the World Honored One spoke this verse:

Eliminating worldly activities, not being disturbed by thoughts, if
one does not practice this, one will not attain
samādhi. Those who delight in the Dharma, discern its
meaning, bhikṣus who delight in this practice, will attain samādhi.

"Therefore, bhikṣus! You should seek skillful means to accomplish these seven dharmas. Thus, bhikṣus! You should train in this way."

At that time, the bhikṣus heard the Buddha's teaching and joyfully upheld it.