142. （一四二）雨势经

Uṣa, Karṇa, Saṃkhyā, Gautama, Hastin
Śrutadharma, Duḥkha, Kāma, Uttara, Aśvajit,

I have heard thus:

At one time the Buddha was dwelling in Rājagṛha, in the Vulture Peak Mountain.

At that time, King Ajātaśatru of Magadha, the son of Vaidehī, was hostile towards the Licchavis. He often said among his retinue, "The people of the Licchavi country have great supernatural powers, great virtue, great merit, and great spiritual power. I shall destroy the Licchavi people, destroy the Licchavis, and cause the Licchavis to suffer immeasurable calamities."

Then King Ajātaśatru of Magadha, the son of Vaidehī, heard that the World-Honored One was dwelling in Rājagṛha, in the Vulture Peak Mountain. He then told his chief minister Varṣākāra, "I have heard that the Śramaṇa Gautama is dwelling in Rājagṛha, in the Vulture Peak Mountain. Varṣākāra, you go to where the Śramaṇa Gautama is. You should say on my behalf, 'Gautama, King Ajātaśatru of Magadha, the son of Vaidehī, asks about your well-being, whether you are free from illness and your strength is as usual?' You should also say, 'Gautama, King Ajātaśatru of Magadha, the son of Vaidehī, is hostile towards the Licchavis. He often says among his retinue, "The people of the Licchavi country have great supernatural powers, great virtue, great merit, and great spiritual power. I shall destroy the Licchavi people, destroy the Licchavis, and cause the Licchavis to suffer immeasurable calamities." What would the Śramaṇa Gautama say about this?' Varṣākāra, if the Śramaṇa Gautama says anything, you should remember it well. Why is that? Because such a person would never speak falsely.

The chief minister Varṣākāra, having received the king's instructions, took the best carriage and left Rājagṛha with five hundred carriages. He then went to the Vulture Peak Mountain. He climbed the Vulture Peak Mountain, got off the carriage, and walked on foot to where the Buddha was. He then exchanged greetings with the World-Honored One and sat to one side. He said, "Gautama, King Ajātaśatru of Magadha, the son of Vaidehī, asks about your well-being, whether you are free from illness and your strength is as usual? Gautama, King Ajātaśatru of Magadha, the son of Vaidehī, is hostile towards the Licchavis. He often says among his retinue, "The people of the Licchavi country have great supernatural powers, great virtue, great merit, and great spiritual power. I shall destroy the Licchavi people, destroy the Licchavis, and cause the Licchavis to suffer immeasurable calamities." What would the Śramaṇa Gautama say about this?"

The World-Honored One, having heard this, said, "Varṣākāra, I once traveled to the Licchavi country. There was a temple there called Chagela. Varṣākāra, at that time I spoke to the people of the Licchavi country about the seven unwaning dharmas. The people of the Licchavi country then practiced the seven unwaning dharmas. Varṣākāra, if the people of the Licchavi country practice the seven unwaning dharmas without violating them, the Licchavis will certainly be victorious and will not decline."

The chief minister Varṣākāra said to the World-Honored One, "The Śramaṇa Gautama briefly spoke about this matter but did not explain it in detail. We cannot understand its meaning. May the Śramaṇa Gautama explain it in detail so that we may understand its meaning."

The World-Honored One said, "Varṣākāra, listen carefully and keep it in mind. I will explain this meaning to you in detail." The chief minister Varṣākāra accepted the teaching and listened.

At that time, Venerable Ānanda was holding a whisk and attending to the Buddha. The World-Honored One turned to him and asked, "Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjians often gather together in large numbers?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! I have heard that the Vajjians often gather together in large numbers."

The World-Honored One then said to the minister Varṣākāra, "If the Vajjians often gather together in large numbers, the Vajjians will surely prevail and not decline."

The World-Honored One further asked Venerable Ānanda, "Have you heard that the Vajjians gather together, perform Vajjian affairs, and rise together?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! I have heard that the Vajjians gather together, perform Vajjian affairs, and rise together."

The World-Honored One further told Minister Vāsava, "If the Vajjians gather together, perform Vajjian affairs, and rise together, the Vajjians will surely prevail and not decline."

The World-Honored One further asked Venerable Ānanda, "Have you heard that the Vajjians do not establish what has not been established, and do not change what has been established, but uphold the old Vajjian practices well?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! I have heard that the Vajjians do not establish what has not been established, and do not change what has been established, but uphold the old Vajjian practices well."

The World-Honored One further told Minister Vāsava, "If the Vajjians do not establish what has not been established, and do not change what has been established, but uphold the old Vajjian practices well, then the Vajjians will surely prevail and not decline."

The World-Honored One further asked Venerable Ānanda, "Have you heard that the Vajjians do not use force to violate the wives or daughters of others?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! I have heard that the Vajjians do not use force to violate the wives or daughters of others."

The World-Honored One further told Minister Vāsava, "If the Vajjians do not use force to violate the wives or daughters of others, the Vajjians will surely prevail and not decline."

The World-Honored One further asked Venerable Ānanda, "Have you heard that the Vajjians all respect, honor, and make offerings to those of great virtue and respect, and that they listen to their teachings?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! I have heard that the Vajjians all respect, honor, and make offerings to those of great virtue and respect, and that they listen to their teachings."

The World-Honored One further told Minister Vāsava, "If the Vajjians all respect, honor, and make offerings to those of great virtue and respect, and that they listen to their teachings, then the Vajjians will surely prosper and not decline."

The World-Honored One further asked Venerable Ānanda, "Have you heard that the Vajjians all repair and maintain their old temples, honor and make offerings to them, and continue to make offerings as they did before, without reducing their efforts?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! I have heard that the Vajjians all repair and maintain their old temples, honor and make offerings to them, and continue to make offerings as they did before, without reducing their efforts."

The World-Honored One further told Minister Vāsava, "If the Vajjians all repair and maintain their old temples, honor and make offerings to them, and continue to make offerings as they did before, without reducing their efforts, then the Vajjians will surely prevail and not decline."

The World-Honored One further asked Venerable Ānanda, "Have you heard that the Vajjians all protect the arhats with great love and respect, and always wish for future arhats to come, and for those who have come to stay for a long time, always providing them with robes, food and drink, bedding, medicine, and other necessities of life?"

Venerable Ānanda replied, "World-Honored One! I have heard that the Vajjians all protect the arhats with great love and respect, and always wish for future arhats to come, and for those who have come to stay for a long time, always providing them with robes, food and drink, bedding, medicine, and other necessities of life."

The World-Honored One further told Minister Vāsava, "If the Vajjians all protect the arhats with great love and respect, and always wish for future arhats to come, and for those who have come to stay for a long time, always providing them with robes, food and drink, bedding, medicine, and other necessities of life, the Vajjians will surely prevail and not decline. Vāsava! The Vajjians practice these seven undiminishing principles. Those who uphold these seven undiminishing principles, the Vajjians will surely prevail and not decline."

Then Minister Vāsava rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms towards the Buddha, and said, "Gautama! If the Vajjians accomplish even one undiminishing principle, King Ajātaśatru of Magadha will not be able to subdue them, let alone the seven undiminishing principles. Gautama! I have many affairs in my country. I will now take leave and return."

The World-Honored One replied, "You may leave as you wish."

Then Minister Vāsava, having heard the Buddha's teachings, accepted them well and upheld them. He rose, circumambulated the World-Honored One three times, and departed.

Not long after Minister Vāsava left, the World-Honored One turned to Ānanda and said, "If there are any monks dwelling in various places on Vulture Peak Mountain, order them all to gather in the Dharma hall. When they have all gathered, come and inform me."

Venerable Ānanda accepted the Buddha's instruction, saying, "Yes, World-Honored One!" Then Venerable Ānanda went to proclaim, "If there are any monks dwelling in various places on Vulture Peak Mountain, now order them all to gather in the Dharma hall." When they had all gathered, he returned to the Buddha, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, stood to one side, and said, "World-Honored One! I have already proclaimed, 'If there are any monks dwelling in various places on Vulture Peak Mountain, now order them all to gather in the Dharma hall.' They have all gathered now. May the World-Honored One know the time himself."

Then the World-Honored One, together with Venerable Ānanda, went to the Dharma hall, sat down in front of the assembly of monks, and said to the monks, "Now I will explain to you the seven unwaning dharmas. Listen carefully and keep them in mind."

At that time, the monks said, "Yes."

The Buddha said, "What are the seven? If the monks gather frequently and assemble in large numbers, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks gather together, perform various tasks, and rise together, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks do not establish new rules for things that have not been established, and do not change the rules that have been established, and if they practice the precepts I have taught well, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks do not follow the arising of future desires, joy, and attachment, and do not delight in them, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks respect and honor the elders who practice the holy life together, and receive their teachings, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks dwell in secluded places in the mountains, forests, and high cliffs, in quiet places far from noise, away from evil and people, and enjoy sitting in meditation without leaving, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks protect and cherish all those who practice the holy life, always wishing for future practitioners to come, and for those who have come to stay for a long time, and provide them with robes, food and drink, bedding, medicine, and other necessities for living, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks practice and uphold these seven unwaning dharmas without violating them, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline."

Then the World-Honored One again said to the monks, "I will further explain the seven unwaning dharmas to you. Listen carefully and keep them in mind."

The monks replied, "Yes, World-Honored One."

The Buddha said, "What are the seven? If the monks respect, deeply revere, and serve their teachers, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks respect, deeply revere, and serve the Dharma, the Sangha, the precepts, non-distraction, support, and concentration, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If the monks practice these seven unwaning dharmas and uphold them without transgression, the monks will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline."

The World-Honored One again said to the monks, "I will further explain the seven unwaning dharmas for you. Listen carefully and keep them in mind."

The monks replied, "Yes, World-Honored One."

The Buddha said, "What are the seven? If a monk does not engage in activities, does not enjoy activities, and does not practice activities, the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. Not engaging in frivolous talk, not enjoying frivolous talk, and not practicing frivolous talk; not engaging in gatherings, not enjoying gatherings, and not practicing gatherings; not engaging in mixed associations, not enjoying mixed associations, and not practicing mixed associations; not engaging in sleep, not enjoying sleep, and not practicing sleep; not for the sake of gain, not for the sake of fame, and not for the sake of others practicing the holy life; not for a short while, not for the sake of surpassing others, and in the meantime abandoning skillful means to surpass others; the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If a monk practices these seven unwaning dharmas and upholds them without transgression, the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline."

The World-Honored One again said to the monks, "I will further explain the seven unwaning dharmas for you. Listen carefully and keep them in mind."

The monks replied, "Yes, World-Honored One."

The Buddha said, "What are the seven? If a monk possesses the wealth of faith, the wealth of precepts, the wealth of shame, the wealth of modesty, the wealth of extensive learning, the wealth of generosity, and the wealth of wisdom, then the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If a monk practices these seven unwaning dharmas and upholds them without transgression, then the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline."

The World-Honored One again said to the monks, "I will further explain the seven unwaning dharmas for you. Listen carefully and contemplate them well."

The monks replied, "Yes, indeed."

The Buddha said, "What are the seven? If a monk accomplishes the power of faith, the power of diligence, the power of shame, the power of remorse, the power of mindfulness, the power of concentration, and the power of wisdom, then the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If a monk practices these seven unwaning dharmas and upholds them without transgression, then the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline."

The World-Honored One again said to the monks, "I will further explain the seven unwaning dharmas for you. Listen carefully and keep them in mind."

The monks replied, "Yes, indeed."

The Buddha said, "What are the seven? If a monk cultivates the mindfulness factor of awakening based on renunciation, based on dispassion, based on cessation, leading to letting go, the investigation of phenomena, the energy, joy, tranquility, and concentration factors of awakening, based on renunciation, based on dispassion, based on cessation, leading to letting go, then the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline. If a monk practices these seven unwaning dharmas and upholds them without transgression, then the monk will surely prevail and the Dharma will not decline."

The World-Honored One again said to the monks, "I will further explain the seven unwaning dharmas for you. Listen carefully and keep them in mind."

The monks replied, "Yes, indeed."

The Buddha said, "What are the seven? If a monk should be given a face-to-face resolution, he should be given a face-to-face resolution; if he should be given a resolution by recollection, he should be given a resolution by recollection; if he should be given a resolution of non-delusion, he should be given a resolution of non-delusion; if he should be given self-disclosure, he should be given self-disclosure; if he should be given a resolution by the majority, he should be given a resolution by the majority; if he should be given a resolution by covering over as if with grass, he should be given a resolution by covering over as if with grass; if a dispute arises in the assembly, it should be resolved by the method of discarding as if it were filth. If the monk is victorious, the Dharma will not decline. If a monk practices these seven unwaning dharmas and upholds them without transgression, he will be victorious, and the Dharma will not decline."

The World-Honored One again said to the monks, "Now I will explain to you the six methods of consolation. Listen carefully and keep them in mind."

The monks replied, "Yes, World-Honored One."

The Buddha said, "What are the six? To use compassionate physical actions towards those who practice the Brahma way is a method of consolation. It is to love the Dharma, enjoy the Dharma, to make them love, to make them respect, to make them follow, to make them revere, to make them practice, to make them embrace, to attain the state of a monk, to attain single-mindedness, to attain diligence, to attain nirvana. In the same way, compassionate verbal actions and compassionate mental actions. If there is any Dharma benefit, to obtain benefits according to the Dharma, to share one's own food, even down to what is in one's bowl, to give such benefits to those who practice the Brahma way is a method of consolation. It is to love the Dharma, enjoy the Dharma, to make them love, to make them respect, to make them follow, to make them revere, to make them practice, to make them embrace, to attain the state of a monk, to attain single-mindedness, to attain diligence, to attain nirvana. If one has precepts that are not lacking, not pierced, not defiled, not black, not following others, praised by the sages, fully upholding them, to give such precepts to those who practice the Brahma way is a method of consolation. It is to love the Dharma, enjoy the Dharma, to make them love, to make them respect, to make them follow, to make them revere, to make them practice, to make them embrace, to attain the state of a monk, to attain single-mindedness, to attain diligence, to attain nirvana. If one has a view that is noble, that leads to transcendence, that is clear and profound, that is able to truly end suffering, to give such a view to those who practice the Brahma way is a method of consolation. It is to love the Dharma, enjoy the Dharma, to make them love, to make them respect, to make them follow, to make them revere, to make them practice, to make them embrace, to attain the state of a monk, to attain single-mindedness, to attain diligence, to attain nirvana. The six methods of consolation that I mentioned earlier are based on this.

The Buddha spoke thus. The monks, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.