Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya »
Udana » Context of this sutta
- Udana II.2
- Raja Sutta
- Kings
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi,
in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time a large
number of monks, after the meal, on returning from their alms round, had gathered at the
meeting hall when this discussion arose: "Friends, which of these two kings has
greater wealth, greater possessions, the greater treasury, the greater stock of riding
animals, the greater army, greater power, greater might: King Seniya
Bimbisara of Magadha or King Pasenadi of Kosala?" And this
discussion came to no conclusion.
Then the Blessed One, emerging from his seclusion in the late afternoon, went to the
meeting hall and, on arrival, sat down on a seat made ready. As he sat down there, he
addressed the monks: "For what topic are you gathered together here? And what was the
discussion that came to no conclusion?"
"Just now, lord, after the meal, on returning from our alms round, we gathered at
the meeting hall when this discussion arose: 'Friends, which of these two kings has
greater wealth, greater possessions, the greater treasury, the greater stock of riding
animals, the greater army, greater power, greater might: King Seniya Bimbisara of Magadha
or King Pasenadi of Kosala?' This was the discussion that had come to no conclusion when
the Blessed One arrived.
"It isn't right, monks, that sons of good families, on having gone forth out of
faith from home to the homeless life, should talk on such a topic. When you have gathered
you have two duties: either Dhamma-talk or noble silence."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
Any sensual bliss in the world,
any heavenly bliss,
isn't worth one sixteenth-sixteenth
of the bliss of the ending of craving.
See also: AN X.69.