SA 1239（一二三九） 一法

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, King Prasenajit was alone in quiet contemplation, and he thought, "Is there a single practice that, when cultivated and practiced much, leads to the fulfillment of one's wishes in this life, the fulfillment of one's wishes in the next life, and the fulfillment of one's wishes in both this life and the next life?" Having had this thought, he went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head at the Buddha's feet, sat to one side, and said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One! I was alone in quiet contemplation, and I had this thought: 'Is there a single practice that, when cultivated and practiced much, leads to the fulfillment of one's wishes in this life, the fulfillment of one's wishes in the next life, and the fulfillment of one's wishes in both this life and the next life?'"

The Buddha told King Prasenajit, "So it is, great king! So it is, great king! There is a single practice that, when cultivated and practiced much, leads to the fulfillment of one's wishes in this life, the fulfillment of one's wishes in the next life, and the fulfillment of one's wishes in both this life and the next life. It is the good practice of non-distraction. The good practice of non-distraction, when cultivated and practiced much, leads to the fulfillment of one's wishes in this life, the fulfillment of one's wishes in the next life, and the fulfillment of one's wishes in both this life and the next life.

"Great King! It is like the coarse work done in the world, which all depends on the earth for establishment. The good practice of non-distraction is also like this. When cultivated and practiced much, it leads to the fulfillment of one's wishes in this life, the fulfillment of one's wishes in the next life, and the fulfillment of one's wishes in both this life and the next life. Like strength, so are seeds, roots, firmness, land, water, feet, walking, a lion, and a house. It is said to be like this. Therefore, Great King! You should abide in non-distraction and rely on non-distraction. Having abided in non-distraction and relied on non-distraction, the people should think like this: 'The Great King abides in non-distraction and relies on non-distraction. I should also abide in non-distraction and rely on non-distraction like this.' In this way, the people, the ministers, the crown prince, and the generals should also be like this. The people of the country should think like this: 'The Great King abides in non-distraction and relies on non-distraction. The people, the crown prince, the ministers, and the generals also abide in non-distraction and rely on non-distraction. We should also abide in non-distraction and rely on non-distraction like this.' Great King! If one abides in non-distraction and relies on non-distraction, one will be able to protect oneself. The people, the harem women, and the granaries of wealth and treasures will also be able to increase and flourish." At that time, the World-Honored One spoke a verse, saying:

Praising non-distraction and criticizing those who are distracted, Śakra
not being distracted, can rule over the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven
Praising non-distraction and criticizing those who are distracted, being
fully non-distracted, encompasses two meanings. One is the benefit
in this life, and the other is the same
in the next life. This is called the profound
wisdom of the uninterrupted.

Having spoken this sūtra, King Prasenajit, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and paid homage before departing.