132. （一三二）赖咤惒罗经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was traveling in Kuru and Kaurava, together with a great assembly of bhikṣus. He went to Thūlu and stayed in the Śiṃśapā Grove north of the village of Thūlu.

At that time, the brāhmaṇas and householders of Thūlu heard: "The śramaṇa Gautama, the son of the Śākya clan, having renounced his Śākya family and gone forth to practice the path, is traveling in Kuru and Kaurava, together with a great assembly of bhikṣus. He has come to Thūlu and is staying in the Śiṃśapā Grove north of the village of Thūlu. That śramaṇa Gautama has a great reputation that is heard in the ten directions. He is a Tathāgata, an Arhat, a Perfectly Enlightened One, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, a Sugata, an unsurpassed knower of the world, a charioteer of people to be tamed, a teacher of gods and men, a Buddha, a Blessed One. He has realized for himself and accomplished the supreme perfect enlightenment in this world, among gods, Māras, Brahmā, śramaṇas, and brāhmaṇas, from humans to gods. He teaches the Dharma that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing, complete and pure, revealing the holy life. If one sees the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One, and pays respect, makes offerings, and serves him, it is a great gain. We should all go together to see the śramaṇa Gautama and pay respect and make offerings to him."

Having heard this, the brāhmaṇas and householders of Thūlu, each accompanied by their own kind of retinue, left Thūlu and went north to the Śiṃśapā Grove, wishing to see the World-Honored One, pay respect, and make offerings. Having approached the Buddha, some of the brāhmaṇas and householders of Thūlu bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet and then sat to one side, some greeted the Buddha and then sat to one side, some joined their palms towards the Buddha and then sat to one side, and some silently sat down upon seeing the Buddha from afar. At that time, when the brāhmaṇas and householders of Thūlu were each seated, the Buddha spoke the Dharma for them, inspiring them with yearning and bringing them to accomplishment and joy. Having used immeasurable skillful means to speak the Dharma for them, inspiring them with yearning and bringing them to accomplishment and joy, he remained silent. At that time, the brāhmaṇas and householders of Thūlu, having had the Dharma spoken for them by the Buddha, inspired with yearning and brought to accomplishment and joy, each rose from their seats, bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated the Buddha three times, and departed.

At that time, the householder's son Rāṣṭrapāla remained seated. Then, not long after the brāhmaṇas and householders of Thūlu had left, the householder's son Rāṣṭrapāla rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms towards the Buddha, and said: "World-Honored One! According to my understanding of the Dharma taught by the Buddha, if I were to stay at home, I would be bound by fetters and would not be able to practice the pure holy life for the rest of my life. World-Honored One! I wish to go forth from the householder life to practice the path under the World-Honored One, to receive full ordination and become a bhikṣu, and to cultivate the pure holy life.

The World-Honored One asked: "Householder's son! Do your parents allow you to go forth from the household life to practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya?"

The householder's son Rāṣṭrapāla said: "World-Honored One! My parents have not yet allowed me to go forth from the household life to practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya."

The World-Honored One said: "Householder's son! If your parents do not allow you to go forth from the household life to practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya, I cannot ordain you to practice the path.

The householder's son Rāṣṭrapāla said: "World-Honored One! I will find a way to ask my parents for permission to go forth from the household life to practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya."

The World-Honored One said: "Householder's son! Do as you wish."

Then the householder's son Rāṣṭrapāla, having heard the Buddha's words, accepted them well and upheld them well. He bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and returned home. He said: "Venerable Ones! According to my understanding of the Dharma taught by the Buddha, if I stay at home, I will be bound by fetters and will not be able to practice the pure and holy life for the rest of my life. I only wish that the Venerable Ones would allow me to go forth from the household life to practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya."

Rāṣṭrapāla's parents said: "Rāṣṭrapāla! We only have one son, whom we love and cherish deeply. We are always delighted to see him and never tire of it. If you were to die, we would not want to abandon you, let alone be separated from you and not see you again."

The householder's son Rāṣṭrapāla then spoke a second and a third time, saying: "Venerable Ones! According to my understanding of the Dharma taught by the Buddha, if I stay at home, I will be bound by fetters and will not be able to practice the pure and holy life for the rest of my life. I only wish that the Venerable Ones would allow me to go forth from the household life to practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya."

Rāṣṭrapāla's parents also spoke a second and a third time, saying: "Rāṣṭrapāla! We only have one son, whom we love and cherish deeply. We are always delighted to see him and never tire of it. If you were to die, we would not want to abandon you, let alone be separated from you and not see you again."

Then Rāṣṭrapāla immediately lay down on the ground, saying: "From now on, I will not get up, not drink, not eat, until my parents allow me to go forth from the household life to practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya." Then Rāṣṭrapāla did not eat for one day, and then for two, three, four, and many days.

Then Rāṣṭrapāla's parents went to their son and said: "Rāṣṭrapāla! You are very tender and your body is extremely good. You always sit and lie on good beds. Do you not know suffering now? Rāṣṭrapāla! You should quickly get up and practice giving and making merit. Why is that? Rāṣṭrapāla! The realm of the World-Honored One is very difficult, very difficult, and going forth to practice the path is also very difficult." At that time, Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son remained silent and did not answer.

Then Rāṣṭrapāla's parents went to Rāṣṭrapāla's relatives and ministers and said: "You should all come to Rāṣṭrapāla and encourage him to get up from the ground."

Rāṣṭrapāla's relatives and ministers then went together to Rāṣṭrapāla and said: "Rāṣṭrapāla! You are very tender and your body is extremely good. You always sit and lie on good beds. Do you not know suffering now? Rāṣṭrapāla! You should quickly get up and practice giving and making merit. Why is that? The realm of the World-Honored One is very difficult, very difficult, and going forth to practice the path is also very difficult." At that time, Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son remained silent and did not answer.

Then Rāṣṭrapāla's parents went to Rāṣṭrapāla's good friends, companions, and contemporaries and said: "You should all come to Rāṣṭrapāla and encourage him to get up from the ground."

Then Rāṣṭrapāla's good friends, companions, and contemporaries went together to Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son and said: "Rāṣṭrapāla! You are very tender and your body is extremely good. You always sit and lie on good beds. Do you not know suffering now? Rāṣṭrapāla! You should quickly get up and practice giving and making merit. Why is that? Rāṣṭrapāla! The realm of the World-Honored One is very difficult, very difficult, and going forth to practice the path is also very difficult." At that time, Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son remained silent and did not answer.

Then Rāṣṭrapāla's good friends, companions, and contemporaries went to Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son's parents and said: "Please allow Rāṣṭrapāla to go forth and practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya. If he is happy, he can still see you in this life; if he is not happy, he will definitely come back to his parents. If you do not allow it now, he will definitely die without a doubt. What benefit is there in that?"

Then Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son's parents heard and said to Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son's good friends, companions, and contemporaries: "We now allow Rāṣṭrapāla to go forth and practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya. If he comes back after practicing the path, we can still see him."

Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son's good friends, companions, and contemporaries then went together to Rāṣṭrapāla and said: "Householder's son! Your parents allow you to go forth and practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya. If you practice the path, you can still see your parents."

Having heard these words, Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son was greatly delighted, joyful, and happy. He got up from the ground, gradually nourished his body, and when his body was healed, he left Trāyastriṃśa and went to where the Buddha was. He bowed his head at the Buddha's feet and said: "World-Honored One! My parents allow me to go forth and practice the path in the true Dharma and Vinaya. I only wish that the World-Honored One would allow me to go forth and practice the path under the World-Honored One, receive full ordination, and become a bhikṣu."

Then the World-Honored One allowed Rāṣṭrapāla the householder's son to go forth and practice the path, gave him full ordination, and after giving him full ordination, stayed in Trāyastriṃśa for some time. Later, he put on his robe, took his bowl, and traveled to Śrāvastī, staying in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍada's Park. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, having gone forth and received full ordination, stayed in seclusion, dwelling alone, without negligence, practicing diligently. Having stayed in seclusion, dwelling alone, without negligence, practicing diligently, he, a clansman who had shaved off his hair and beard, put on the saffron robes, and with true faith, left home for homelessness, only to complete the unsurpassed holy life, to know and realize for himself, to dwell having personally accomplished it, to end the cycle of rebirth, to establish the holy life, to do what needs to be done, to not depend on others for the knowledge that birth is ended, the holy life has been established, what was to be done has been done, there is no more of this mundane state - Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, having known the Dharma, attained arahantship.

Then Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, having attained arahantship, thought after nine or ten years: "I originally promised to go home and see my parents after going forth and practicing the path. I should now fulfill that promise." Then Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, sat to one side, and said: "World-Honored One! I originally promised to go home and see my parents after going forth and practicing the path. World-Honored One! I now wish to take leave and go home to see my parents, fulfilling that promise."

At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "If this Rāṣṭrapāla clansman were to abandon the precepts, return to the household life, and engage in desires as before, it would not be possible." Knowing this, the World-Honored One said: "Go! Liberate those who are not liberated, free those who are not free, and extinguish those who have not extinguished. Rāṣṭrapāla! Now do as you wish."

At that time, Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, having heard the Buddha's teaching, accepted it well and upheld it well. He then rose from his seat, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, circumambulated him three times, and departed. Arriving at his own room, he packed his bedding, put on his robe, took his alms bowl, and traveled on to Tārāvat, staying in the Śiṃśapā Grove north of the village. Then, Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, having passed the night, put on his robe, took his alms bowl, entered Tārāvat, and went for alms. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla thought: "The World-Honored One praises begging for alms in sequence. I should now beg for alms in sequence in this Tārāvat." Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla then begged for alms in sequence in Tārāvat, gradually arriving at his own home.

At that time, Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father was standing in the middle gate, grooming his beard and hair. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father saw Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla coming from afar and said: "This shaven-headed śramaṇa is bound by darkness, cutting off the lineage and making it childless, destroying my family. I have a son whom I love and cherish, always willing to endure and enjoy, seeing him without ever tiring. He took him away to ordain. Do not give him food."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla himself did not receive alms from his father's house, but only heard scolding: "This shaven-headed śramaṇa is bound by darkness, cutting off the lineage and making it childless, destroying my family. I have a son whom I love and cherish, always willing to endure and enjoy, seeing him without ever tiring. He took him away to ordain. Do not give him food." Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, knowing this, quickly left.

At that time, a servant girl in Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father's house was carrying a basket full of foul-smelling food to throw into the latrine. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla saw his father's servant girl carrying a basket full of foul-smelling food to throw into the latrine, and said: "Sister! If this foul-smelling food is to be thrown away, put it in my bowl. I will eat it."

At that time, the servant girl in Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father's house poured the foul-smelling food from the basket into his bowl. When pouring it into the bowl, she took note of two characteristics, recognizing his voice and his hands and feet. Having taken note of the two characteristics, she went to Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father and said: "You should know, Venerable One, your son Rāṣṭrapāla has returned to this city of Rājagṛha. You should go see him." Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father, upon hearing this, was greatly delighted and leaped for joy. He put his left hand on his robe, rubbed his beard and hair with his right hand, and quickly went to where Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla was.

At that time, Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla ate that foul-smelling food facing the wall. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father saw Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla eating that foul-smelling food facing the wall, and said: "Rāṣṭrapāla! You are so tender and your body is so fine. You always eat good food. Rāṣṭrapāla! How can you eat this foul-smelling food? Rāṣṭrapāla! What is your intention in coming to this Rājagṛha, yet not returning to your parents' home? "

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said: "Householder! I did not receive any alms when I entered my father's house. I only heard scolding: 'This bald-headed śramaṇa is bound by darkness, has cut off the lineage and has no offspring, and has destroyed my family. I only have one son, whom I love dearly and always love to see without ever tiring of it. He has been taken away and ordained. Do not give him food.' Having heard this, I quickly left.

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father then apologized: "Rāṣṭrapāla, please forgive me! Rāṣṭrapāla, please forgive me! I really did not know that Rāṣṭrapāla would return to his father's house." Then Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's father respectfully supported Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla and brought him inside. He prepared a seat and asked him to sit down. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla then took his seat.

Then his father, seeing that Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla was seated, went to his wife and said: "You should know that Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of a noble family, has now returned home. Please quickly prepare food and drink.

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's mother, upon hearing this, was greatly delighted and leaped for joy. She quickly prepared food and drink. Having prepared the food and drink, she quickly brought out the money and piled it up in the courtyard, forming a large heap. The large pile of coins was so high that a person standing on one side could not see a person sitting on the other side. Having made the large pile of coins, she went to Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla and said: "Rāṣṭrapāla! This is the money and wealth that belongs to your mother. Your father's wealth is immeasurable, hundreds of thousands, beyond calculation. It is now all given to you. Rāṣṭrapāla! You should abandon the precepts, give up the monastic life, enjoy sensual pleasures, and quickly practice giving and making merit. Why is that? The realm of the World-Honored One is very difficult, very difficult. Renouncing the householder's life to study the path is also very difficult.

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said to his mother: "I wish to say something. Can you listen?"

Rāṣṭrapāla's mother said: "Householder's son! Whatever you wish to say, I shall listen."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said to his mother: "Make a new cloth bag, fill it with money, load it on a cart, and take it to the Ganges River to pour it into the deep water. Why? Because of this money, it causes people to be worried, sorrowful, crying, and unable to be happy."

Then Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's mother thought: "By this means I cannot make my son Rāṣṭrapāla give up the precepts and return to lay life. I should go to his former wife and say: 'All you new wives! You should adorn yourselves with the necklaces and ornaments that you used to wear. Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of a noble family, cherished them greatly when he was at home. Quickly adorn yourselves and go together to where Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of a noble family, is. Each of you should embrace one of his feet and say: "I wonder, my husband, is there a heavenly maiden who is superior to me, that you abandon me and practice the holy life for her?"'

Then his mother went to Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's former wife and said: "All you new wives! You should adorn yourselves with the necklaces and ornaments that you used to wear. Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of a noble family, cherished them greatly when he was at home. Quickly adorn yourselves and go together to where Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of a noble family, is. Each of you should embrace one of his feet and say: "I wonder, my husband, is there a heavenly maiden who is superior to me, that you abandon me and practice the holy life for her?"'

At that time, Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's former wife and the others each adorned themselves with the necklaces and ornaments that they used to wear. Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of a noble family, cherished them greatly when he was at home. Having adorned themselves, they went to where Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla was. Each of them embraced one of his feet and said: "I wonder, my husband, is there a heavenly maiden who is superior to me, that you abandon me and practice the holy life for her?"'

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said to his former wife: "Sisters! You should know that I do not practice the holy life for the sake of heavenly maidens. The meaning of what I practice is already attained, and what the Buddha taught me to do is now accomplished."'

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's former wives and others stood to one side, weeping and shedding tears, saying: "We are not the sister of the virtuous husband, but the virtuous husband calls us sisters."'

Then Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla turned back and looked, and said to his parents: "Householder! If you are going to give food, give it promptly. Why bother me?"'

Then his parents rose from their seats, served the water for washing, and offered him various abundant and delicious food and drink, which he ate and digested well. They served him with their own hands until he was fully satisfied. After the meal was finished and the dishes were put away, they served the water for washing. They then took a small seat and sat apart to listen to the Dharma. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla taught the Dharma to his parents, inspiring them with yearning and bringing them to accomplishment and joy. Having taught the Dharma to them with immeasurable skillful means, inspiring them with yearning and bringing them to accomplishment and joy, he rose from his seat and spoke a verse:

Looking at this adorned form, with precious necklaces and so on, with
hair coiled to the right, and eyebrows and eyes painted with collyrium
and mascara. This deceives the foolish, not the one who has crossed
to the other shore. With various fine colors, adorning this foul body
This deceives the foolish, not the one who has crossed to the
other shore. With various fragrances applied to the body, and yellow orpiment
applied to the feet. This deceives the foolish, not the one who
has crossed to the other shore. Wearing pure and fine clothes, adorned
like an illusion. This deceives the foolish, not the one who has
crossed to the other shore. Cutting off the deer's leather straps, and
destroying the deer's gate. I have abandoned the bait and left. Who
delights in the deer's bondage?

After Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla had spoken this verse, he used his supernatural power to fly through the air and went to the Tulasī forest. He entered the forest and sat cross-legged under a Vibhītaka tree, spreading out his sitting mat. At that time, King Kṛkī and his ministers were sitting in the main hall, surrounded by their attendants, praising Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, saying, "If we hear that Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of the Rāṣṭrapāla clan, has come to this Tulasī forest, we will definitely go to see him."

Then King Kṛkī told the hunter, "Go and search the Tulasī forest. I want to go hunting." The hunter accepted the order and immediately searched the Tulasī forest. Then the hunter searched the Tulasī forest and saw Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla sitting cross-legged under a Vibhītaka tree, spreading out his sitting mat. He thought, "The one for whom King Kṛkī and his ministers were sitting in the main hall, praising, is now here."

Then the hunter, having searched the Tulasī forest, returned to King Kṛkī and said, "Great King! You should know that I have searched the Tulasī forest as you wished. Great King, you were sitting in the main hall with your ministers, praising Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, saying, 'If we hear that Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of the Rāṣṭrapāla clan, has come to this Tulasī forest, we will definitely go to see him.' Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla, the son of the Rāṣṭrapāla clan, is now under a Vibhītaka tree in the Tulasī forest, spreading out his sitting mat and sitting cross-legged. If the Great King wants to see him, he may go now."

King Kṛkī, having heard this, told the charioteer, "Quickly prepare the chariot. I want to go see Rāṣṭrapāla now."

The charioteer, having received the order, quickly prepared the chariot and returned to report, "Great King! You should know that the chariot is ready. Please do as you wish."

Then King Kṛkī mounted the chariot and left. He went to the Tulasī forest and saw Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla from afar. He then got off the chariot and walked to where Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla was. Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla saw King Kṛkī coming and said, "Great King! Have you come to sit down by yourself?"

King Kṛkī said, "Although I have now arrived in my own territory, I wish for Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla to invite me to sit down."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla then invited King Kṛkī, saying, "There is another seat here, Great King, you may sit down."

Then King Kṛkī and Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla exchanged greetings and sat down to one side. The king said to Rāṣṭrapāla, "Did you leave home to study the path because your family was in decline? Or did you leave home to study the path because you had no wealth? Rāṣṭrapāla, the Kṛkī royal family has much wealth. I will give you wealth, Rāṣṭrapāla, and persuade you to abandon the precepts and return to lay life. Enjoy the pleasures of the senses and quickly practice giving and making merit. Why is this? Rāṣṭrapāla, it is very difficult to have a teacher, and it is also very difficult to leave home to study the path."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla heard this and said, "Great King, you are now inviting me with impurity, not with purity."

King Kṛkī heard this and asked, "How can I invite Rāṣṭrapāla with purity, not with impurity?"

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said, "Great King, you should say this: 'Rāṣṭrapāla! My country's people are peaceful and happy, without fear or fighting, also without thorns or suffering, with abundant rice and grain, and begging for food is easy. Rāṣṭrapāla, if you stay in my country, I will protect you according to the Dharma.' Great King, this is inviting me with purity, not with impurity."

King Kṛkī heard this and said, "I now invite Rāṣṭrapāla with purity, not with impurity. My country's people are peaceful and happy, without fear or fighting, also without thorns or suffering, with abundant rice and grain, and begging for food is easy. Rāṣṭrapāla, if you stay in my country, I will protect you according to the Dharma.

Furthermore, Rāṣṭrapāla, there are four kinds of decline. Because of decline, one shaves off hair and beard, puts on the dyed robe, leaves home out of faith, and goes forth to practice the path. What are the four? Illness decline, old age decline, wealth decline, and relatives decline. Rāṣṭrapāla, what is illness decline? If a person is long sick and afflicted, extremely heavy and very painful, they think, 'I am long sick and afflicted, extremely heavy and very painful. I really have desires, but I cannot act on them. I should now shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path.' Later, because of illness decline, they shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. This is called illness decline.

Rāṣṭrapāla, what is old age decline? If a person is old, with aged faculties, and their life is almost over, they think, 'I am old, with aged faculties, and my life is almost over. I really have desires, but I cannot act on them. I should now shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path.' Later, because of old age decline, they shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. This is called old age decline.

Rāṣṭrapāla, what is wealth decline? If a person is poor and powerless, they think, 'I am poor and powerless. I should now shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path.' Later, because of wealth decline, they shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. This is called wealth decline.

Rāṣṭrapāla, what is family decline? If a person's family line is cut off, and they have died out, they think, 'My family line is cut off, and they have died out. I should now shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path.' Later, because of family decline, they shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. This is called family decline.

Rāṣṭrapāla, in the past you were healthy, free from illness, with a balanced diet, neither cold nor hot, peaceful and comfortable, in harmony and without conflict. Therefore, your food was digested easily and you were able to transform peacefully. Rāṣṭrapāla did not shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path because of illness.

Rāṣṭrapāla, in the past you were young, with black and pure hair, and your body was strong and healthy. At that time, you were a performer, amusing yourself with music, adorning your body, and always enjoying games. At that time, your relatives did not want you to study the path. Your parents wept, were distressed and upset, and did not allow you to leave home to study the path. Yet you shaved off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, left home out of faith, and went forth to practice the path. Rāṣṭrapāla did not shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path because of old age.

Rāṣṭrapāla, this is the first, best, supreme, and highest family of Tṛṣṇas, namely, wealth. Rāṣṭrapāla did not shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path because of the decline of wealth.

Rāṣṭrapāla, this is the forest of Tṛṣṇas, where the great and noble relatives are all present. Rāṣṭrapāla did not shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path because of the decline of relatives.

"Rāṣṭrapāla, these four kinds of decline may cause some to shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. I see that Rāṣṭrapāla has none of these declines. I can make Rāṣṭrapāla shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. Rāṣṭrapāla, what knowledge and views do you have, and what have you heard, that you shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path?"

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla replied, "Great King! The World-Honored One, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One, spoke of four things that I wish to endure and enjoy. I know, see, and hear these, and therefore I shave off hair and beard, put on the dyed robe, leave home out of faith, and go forth to practice the path. What are the four? Great King! This world has no protector, no one to rely on. This world is heading towards old age. This world is impermanent and will be left behind. This world is not full and has no satisfaction. It is driven by craving.

King Kālāma asked, "Rāṣṭrapāla! What you said just now, 'Great King! This world has no protector, no one to rely on.' Rāṣṭrapāla! I have sons, grandsons, brothers, relatives, elephant troops, chariot troops, cavalry, and infantry, all skilled in archery and riding, strict, brave, princes, and strongmen. There are astrologers, strategists, calculators, those skilled in writing, and those skilled in debate. There are rulers and ministers, and relatives who know mantras and spells. They can subdue any fear in any direction. If what Rāṣṭrapāla said is true, 'Great King! This world has no protector, no one to rely on.' What is the meaning of what Rāṣṭrapāla said just now?"

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla replied, "Great King! I will ask the king a question, and the king can answer as he pleases. Great King! Does this body ever get sick?"

King Kālāma replied, "Rāṣṭrapāla! My body always has wind illness."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla asked, "Great King! When the wind illness flares up, causing extreme pain, Great King! Can you then tell your grandchildren, brothers, elephant troops, horse troops, chariot troops, infantry troops who are all skilled in archery and horsemanship, stern and brave, princes, strongmen, Tilo-khenti Mahā-naga, astrologers, strategists, calculators, those who know writing, those who are good at debate, ministers, relatives, those who hold mantras and know mantras, 'Come together and temporarily take on my extreme pain for me, so that I may be free from illness and at ease'?"

King Kālāma replied, "No. Why? Because I myself created the karma, and due to the causes and conditions of karma, I alone will experience the extreme suffering, the very heavy suffering."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said, "Great King! For this reason, the World-Honored One said that in this world there is no protector, no one to rely on. I endure and enjoy this, I know, see, and hear this, therefore I shave my beard and hair, put on the monastic robe, with utmost faith, leave home, become homeless, and study the path."

King Kālāma said, "Rāṣṭrapāla, if you say, 'Great King! In this world there is no protector, no one to rely on,' Rāṣṭrapāla, I also want to endure and enjoy this. Why? Because in this world there truly is no protector, no one to rely on."

King Kālāma further asked, "Rāṣṭrapāla, if you say, 'Great King! In this world, everything tends towards old age,' what is the meaning of what you said before?"

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla replied, "Great King! I ask you, please answer as you see fit. If the Great King was twenty-four or twenty-five years old, what do you think? How is your speed now compared to then? How is your strength, body, and complexion now compared to then?"

King Kālāma replied, "Rāṣṭrapāla! If I was twenty-four or twenty-five years old, I remember that at that time, no one was faster, stronger, or more handsome than me. Rāṣṭrapāla! Now I am very old, my faculties are declining, my life is almost over, and I am eighty years old. I can no longer stand up."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said, "Great King! For this reason, the World-Honored One said that all beings in this world are heading towards old age. I endure and enjoy this, I know, see, and hear this. Therefore, I shave my beard and hair, wear the monastic robe, leave home out of true faith, become a homeless monk, and practice the path."

King Kālāma said, "If Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla says, 'Great King! All beings in this world are heading towards old age,' I also endure and enjoy this. Why is that? It is true that all beings in this world are heading towards old age."

King Kālāma further asked, "If Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla says, 'Great King! This world is impermanent and will be abandoned,' what is the meaning of what Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla has just said?"

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said, "Great King! I ask the king a question. Please answer as you see fit. Great King! Is there a prosperous country of Kuṇḍalā, a prosperous inner palace, and prosperous granaries?"

King Kālāma replied, "Yes, there is."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla further asked, "Great King! If there is a prosperous country of Kuṇḍalā, a prosperous inner palace, and prosperous granaries, but when the Dharma comes, one cannot rely on it, and one endures destruction, and all in the world will die and return to nothing. At that time, can the prosperous country of Kuṇḍalā, the prosperous inner palace, and the prosperous granaries be brought from this world to the next world?"

King Kālāma replied, "No, one cannot. Why is that? Because I alone have no second, no companion to bring from this world to the next world."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said, "Great King! For this reason, the World-Honored One said that this world is impermanent and must be abandoned. I wish to endure and enjoy this. I know, see, and hear this. Therefore, I shave my beard and hair, wear the monastic robe, leave home with true faith, become a homeless monk, and study the path."

King Kālāma said, "If Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla says, 'Great King! This world is impermanent and must be abandoned,' I also wish to endure and enjoy this. Why is that? This world is truly impermanent and must be abandoned."

King Kālāma further asked, "If Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla says, 'Great King! This world is insatiable and is driven by desire,' what is the meaning of what Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla has just said?"

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla replied, "Great King! I ask the king, please answer as you see fit. Great King! Is there a prosperous country of Kuṇḍa, a prosperous harem, and prosperous granaries?"

King Kālāma replied, "Yes, there is."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla further asked, "Great King! If there is a prosperous country of Kuṇḍa, a prosperous harem, and prosperous granaries, and if someone comes from the east who is trustworthy, reliable, and not deceitful, and tells the king, 'I have come from the east and have seen that country to be extremely rich and happy, with many people. Great King! You can obtain all those wealth, people, and labor from that country. Do you wish to rule that country?'"

King Kālāma replied, "Rāṣṭrapāla! If I knew that there was such a prosperous country with all that wealth, people, and labor, and could rule and govern those people, I would certainly take it."

"In the same way, if someone comes from the south, west, or north, from the other shore of the great ocean, who is trustworthy, reliable, and not deceitful, and tells the king, 'I have come from the other shore of the great ocean and have seen that country to be extremely rich and happy, with many people. Great King! You can obtain all that wealth, people, and labor from that country. Do you wish to rule that country?'"

King Kālāma replied, "Rāṣṭrapāla! If I knew that there was such a prosperous country with all that wealth, people, and labor, and could rule and govern those people, I would certainly take it."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said, "Great King! For this reason, the World-Honored One said that in this world there is no satisfaction, no contentment, and one is driven by desire. I wish to endure and enjoy this. I know, see, and hear this. Therefore, I shave my beard and hair, wear the monastic robes, leave home out of true faith, become a homeless monk, and practice the path."

King Kālāma said, "If what Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla says is true, that 'Great King! In this world there is no satisfaction, no contentment, and one is driven by desire,' I also wish to endure and enjoy this. Why is that? Because in this world it is true that there is no satisfaction, no contentment, and one is driven by desire."

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla said, "Great King! The World-Honored One, the Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One, knows and sees. He has spoken to me about these four things. I know and endure this. I know, see, and hear this. Therefore, I shave my beard and hair, wear the monastic robes, leave home out of true faith, become a homeless monk, and practice the path."

Then Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla spoke this verse:

Then
Venerable
Rāṣṭrapāla
spoke
this verse:

Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla spoke thus. King Prasenajit, having heard Venerable Rāṣṭrapāla's words, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.