SA-2 53（五三）

Thus have I heard:

Once, the Buddha was traveling through the country of Kusumapura and arrived at the Jetavana Anāthapiṇḍada-ārāma in Śrāvastī. King Prasenajit heard that the Buddha had come to Śrāvastī and went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat to one side. He said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! I heard that when you left home to seek the Way, you vowed to attain unsurpassed true and complete enlightenment. Is this really what you said? Is it not someone else falsely spreading it? Is it a slanderous criticism, leading to this accusation?" The Buddha told King Prasenajit, "Such words are true words, not slanderous, not increasing or decreasing. They are indeed my words, indeed spoken according to the Dharma, not contrary to the Dharma. No outsider can slander me.

King Prasenajit said again, "Although I have heard you say this, I still cannot believe it. Why do I not believe it? In the past, there were people who had been monastics for a long time, elderly and senior, such as the brahmins Pūraṇa Kāśyapa, Maskarin Gośālīputra, Sañjayī Vairaṭīputra, Ajita Keśakambalin, Kakuda Kātyāyana, Nirgrantha Jñātiputra, and others. Those elders did not believe they could attain anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi, let alone you, who left home not long ago, and could attain it?" The Buddha said, "Great King! There are four things in the world that should not be underestimated, even if they are small. What are the four? First, a prince, even if young, should not be underestimated. Second, a dragon, even if young, should not be underestimated. Third, fire, even if small, should not be underestimated. Fourth, a monk, even if young, should not be underestimated."

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke a verse, saying:

Although a king may be young, he is well-versed in all
skills and arts. Born into a true and genuine lineage, he
is not mixed with vulgarity. He has great beauty and fame
known by all. Although he is called young, he is actually
not to be underestimated. Those who wish to protect their own
lives should not underestimate the young. Although a kṣatriya may be
called young, he should inherit the throne according to the Dharma
Having inherited the throne, he should administer punishments according to the
Dharma. Therefore, he should be respected and not treated with contempt
In all villages and secluded places, if one sees a young
dragon, although its form is small, it can be large, small
and also create clouds. It can pour down heavy rain. If
one treats it lightly because it is small, it can certainly
unleash its venom. Those who wish to protect their own lives
should not treat it lightly. For the sake of one's own
benefit, one should protect oneself. It is like a small fire
If it has all the conditions, its fierce flames will be
very intense. Encountering a great violent wind, it can burn mountains
and fields. Having burned the forests and fields, it will grow
again when the time comes. Those who wish to protect their
own lives should not treat a small fire lightly. If one
curses and reviles those who uphold pure precepts, one's body and
descendants will all be slandered. In future lives, one will together
receive evil retribution. Therefore, one should protect oneself and not do
evil to them. A kṣatriya who is skilled in the arts
a young dragon, a fire, and a monk who upholds pure
precepts - these four should not be treated lightly. In order
to protect one's own life, one should be careful and avoid them.

At that time, King Prasenajit, having heard these words, his heart trembled and his body hair stood on end. He immediately rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, joined his palms towards the Buddha, and said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! I truly have faults and transgressions now. I know that I have violated them, just like a foolish child, insane and ignorant, doing what is unwholesome. I only pray that the World-Honored One will have compassion and allow me to repent." The Buddha told King Prasenajit, "I now have compassion for you and allow you to repent." At that time, King Prasenajit, having been granted repentance, was greatly delighted and took his leave.