{"collection":"Majjhima Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_mn82/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_mn82","id":"suttacentral_mn82","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/mn82/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Majjhima Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was wandering in the land of the Kurus together with a large Sa\u1e45gha of mendicants when he arrived at a town of the Kurus named Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika. The brahmins and householders of Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika heard: \u201cIt seems the ascetic Gotama\u2014a Sakyan, gone forth from a Sakyan family\u2014has arrived at Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika, together with a large Sa\u1e45gha of mendicants. He has this good reputation: \u2018That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.\u2019 He has realized with his own insight this world\u2014with its gods, M\u0101ras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans\u2014and he makes it known to others. He teaches Dhamma that\u2019s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that\u2019s entirely full and pure. It\u2019s good to see such perfected ones.\u201d Then the brahmins and householders of Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika went up to the Buddha. Before sitting down to one side, some bowed, some exchanged greetings and polite conversation, some held up their cupped palms toward the Buddha, some announced their name and clan, while some kept silent. When they were seated, the Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired them with a Dhamma talk. Now at that time a gentleman named Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, the son of the leading clan in Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika, was sitting in the assembly. He thought, \u201cAs I understand the Buddha\u2019s teaching, it\u2019s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell. Why don\u2019t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from lay life to homelessness?\u201d Then, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, the brahmins and householders of Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika got up from their seat, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before leaving. Soon after they left, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, \u201cSir, as I understand the Buddha\u2019s teaching, it\u2019s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell. I wish to shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. Sir, may I receive the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha\u2019s presence? May the Buddha please give me the going forth!\u201d \u201cBut, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, do you have your parents\u2019 permission?\u201d \u201cNo, sir.\u201d \u201cRa\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, Buddhas don\u2019t give the going forth to the child of parents who haven\u2019t given their permission.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll make sure, sir, to get my parents\u2019 permission.\u201d Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha. Then he went to his parents and said, \u201cMum and dad, as I understand the Buddha\u2019s teachings, it\u2019s not easy for someone living at home to lead the spiritual life utterly full and pure, like a polished shell. I wish to shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. Please give me permission to go forth.\u201d When he said this, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s parents said to him, \u201cBut, dear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, you\u2019re our only child. You\u2019re dear to us and we love you. You\u2019re pampered and raised in comfort. You know nothing of suffering. Even when you die we will lose you against our wishes. So how can we allow you to go forth while you\u2019re still alive?\u201d For a second time \u2026 For a third time, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la asked his parents for permission, but got the same reply. Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la thought, \u201cMy parents don\u2019t allow me to go forth.\u201d He laid down right there on the bare ground, saying, \u201cI\u2019ll either die right here or go forth.\u201d And he refused to eat, up to the seventh meal. Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s parents said to him, \u201cDear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, you\u2019re our only child. You\u2019re dear to us and we love you. You\u2019re pampered and raised in comfort. You know nothing of suffering. When you die we will lose you against our wishes. So how can we allow you to go forth from lay life to homelessness while you\u2019re still living? Get up, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la! Eat, drink, and amuse yourself. While enjoying sensual pleasures, delight in making merit. We don\u2019t allow you to go forth. When you die we will lose you against our wishes. So how can we allow you to go forth while you\u2019re still alive?\u201d When they said this, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la kept silent. For a second time, and a third time, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s parents made the same request. And for a third time, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la kept silent. Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s parents then went to see his friends. They told them of the situation and asked for their help. Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s friends went to him and said, \u201cOur dear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, you are your parents\u2019 only child. You\u2019re dear to them and they love you. You\u2019re pampered and raised in comfort. You know nothing of suffering. When you die your parents will lose you against their wishes. So how can they allow you to go forth while you\u2019re still alive? Get up, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la! Eat, drink, and amuse yourself. While enjoying sensual pleasures, delight in making merit. Your parents will not allow you to go forth. Even when you die your parents will lose you against their wishes. So how can they allow you to go forth while you\u2019re still alive?\u201d When they said this, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la kept silent. For a second time \u2026 For a third time, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s friends made the same request. And for a third time, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la kept silent. Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s friends went to his parents and said, \u201cMum and dad, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la is lying there on the bare ground saying: \u2018I\u2019ll either die right here or go forth.\u2019 If you don\u2019t allow him to go forth, he\u2019ll die there. But if you do allow him to go forth, you\u2019ll see him again afterwards. And if he doesn\u2019t enjoy the renunciate life, where else will he have to go? He\u2019ll come right back here. Please give Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la permission to go forth.\u201d \u201cThen, dears, we give Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la permission to go forth. But once gone forth he must visit his parents.\u201d Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s friends went to him and said, \u201cGet up, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la! Your parents have given you permission to go forth from lay life to homelessness. But once gone forth you must visit your parents.\u201d Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la got up and regained his strength. He went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, \u201cSir, I have my parents\u2019 permission to go forth from the lay life to homelessness. May the Buddha please give me the going forth.\u201d And Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la received the going forth, the ordination in the Buddha\u2019s presence. Not long after Venerable Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s ordination, a fortnight later, the Buddha\u2014having stayed in Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika as long as he pleased\u2014set out for S\u0101vatth\u012b. Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at S\u0101vatth\u012b, where he stayed in Jeta\u2019s Grove, An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika\u2019s monastery. Then Venerable Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness. He understood: \u201cRebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.\u201d And Venerable Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la became one of the perfected. Then he went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, \u201cSir, I would like to visit my parents, if the Buddha allows it.\u201d Then the Buddha focused on encompassing Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s mind. When he knew that it was impossible for Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la to resign the training and return to a lesser life, he said, \u201cPlease, Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, go at your convenience.\u201d And then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right. Then he set his lodgings in order and, taking his bowl and robe, set out for Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika. Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika, where he stayed in King Koravya\u2019s deer range. Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika for alms. Wandering indiscriminately for almsfood, he approached his own father\u2019s house. Now at that time Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s father was having his hair dressed in the hall of the middle gate. He saw Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la coming off in the distance and said, \u201cOur dear and beloved only son was made to go forth by these shavelings, these fake ascetics!\u201d And at his own father\u2019s home Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la received neither alms nor a polite refusal, but only abuse. Now at that time a family bondservant wanted to throw away the previous night\u2019s porridge. So Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la said to her, \u201cIf that\u2019s to be thrown away, sister, pour it here in my bowl.\u201d As she was pouring the porridge into his bowl, she recognized the features of his hands, feet, and voice. She then went to his mother and said, \u201cPlease, madam, you should know this. Master Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la has arrived.\u201d \u201cIf you speak the truth, wench, I\u2019ll make you a free woman!\u201d Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s mother went to his father and said, \u201cPlease householder, you should know this. It seems our son Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la has arrived.\u201d Now at that time Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la was eating last night\u2019s porridge by a wall. Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s father went up to him and said, \u201cDear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la! How can you be eating last night\u2019s porridge? Why not go to your own home?\u201d \u201cHouseholder, how could those of us who have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness have a house? We are homeless, householder. I came to your house, but there I received neither alms nor a polite refusal, but only abuse.\u201d \u201cCome, dear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, let\u2019s go to the house.\u201d \u201cEnough, householder. My meal is finished for today.\u201d \u201cWell then, dear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, please accept tomorrow\u2019s meal from me.\u201d Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la consented with silence. Then, knowing that Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la had consented, his father went back to his own house. He made a heap of gold, both coined and uncoined, and hid it under mats. Then he addressed Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s former wives, \u201cPlease, daughters-in-law, adorn yourselves in the way that our son Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la found you most adorable.\u201d And when the night had passed Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s father had delicious fresh and cooked foods prepared in his own home, and announced the time to the Venerable Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, saying, \u201cSir, it\u2019s time. The meal is ready.\u201d Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to his father\u2019s home, and sat down on the seat spread out. Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s father, revealing the heap of gold, both coined and uncoined, said to him, \u201cDear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, this is your maternal fortune. There\u2019s another paternal fortune, and an ancestral one. You can both enjoy your wealth and make merit. Come, return to a lesser life, enjoy wealth, and make merit!\u201d \u201cIf you\u2019d follow my advice, householder, you\u2019d have this heap of gold, both coined and uncoined, loaded on a cart and carried away to be dumped in the middle of the Ganges River. Why is that? Because this will bring you nothing but sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress.\u201d Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s former wives each clasped his feet and said, \u201cWhat are they like, master, the nymphs for whom you lead the spiritual life?\u201d \u201cSisters, I don\u2019t lead the spiritual life for the sake of nymphs.\u201d Saying, \u201cOur master Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la addresses us as sisters!\u201d they fainted right away. Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la said to his father, \u201cIf there is food to be given, householder, please give it. But don\u2019t harass me.\u201d \u201cEat, dear Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la. The meal is ready.\u201d Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la\u2019s father served and satisfied Venerable Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la with his own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. When he had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, he spoke this verse while standing right there: \u201cSee this fancy puppet, a body built of sores, diseased, obsessed over, in which nothing lasts at all. See this fancy figure, with its gems and earrings; it is bones swathed in skin, made pretty by its clothes. Rouged feet and powdered face may be enough to beguile a fool, but not a seeker of the far shore. Hair in eight braids and eyeshadow may be enough to beguile a fool, but not a seeker of the far shore. A rotting body all adorned like a freshly painted makeup box may be enough to beguile a fool, but not a seeker of the far shore. The hunter laid his snare, but the deer didn\u2019t spring the trap. I\u2019ve eaten the bait and now I go, leaving the trapper to lament.\u201d Then Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, having spoke this verse while standing, went to King Koravya\u2019s deer range and sat at the root of a tree for the day\u2019s meditation. Then King Koravya addressed his gamekeeper, \u201cMy good gamekeeper, tidy up the park of the deer range. We will go to see the scenery.\u201d \u201cYes, Your Majesty,\u201d replied the gamekeeper. While tidying the deer range he saw Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la sitting in meditation. Seeing this, he went to the king, and said, \u201cThe deer range is tidy, Your Majesty. And the gentleman named Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, the son of the leading clan in Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika, of whom you have often spoken highly, is meditating there at the root of a tree.\u201d \u201cWell then, my good gamekeeper, that\u2019s enough of the park for today. Now I shall pay homage to the worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la.\u201d And then King Koravya said, \u201cDistribute the fresh and cooked foods that have been prepared there.\u201d He had the finest carriages harnessed. Then he mounted a fine carriage and, along with other fine carriages, set out in full royal pomp from Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika to see Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la. He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and approached Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la on foot, together with a group of eminent officials. They exchanged greetings, and, when the greetings and polite conversation were over, he stood to one side and said to Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la: \u201cHere, worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, sit on this elephant rug.\u201d \u201cEnough, Great King, you sit on it. I\u2019m sitting on my own seat.\u201d So the king sat down on the seat spread out, and said: \u201cWorthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, there are these four kinds of decay. Because of these, some people shave off their hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. What four? Decay due to old age, decay due to sickness, decay of wealth, and decay of relatives. And what is decay due to old age? It\u2019s when someone is old, elderly, and senior, advanced in years, and has reached the final stage of life. They reflect: \u2018I\u2019m now old, elderly, and senior. I\u2019m advanced in years and have reached the final stage of life. It\u2019s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I\u2019ve already acquired. Why don\u2019t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?\u2019 So because of that decay due to old age they go forth. This is called decay due to old age. But worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la is now a youth, young, with pristine black hair, blessed with youth, in the prime of life. You have no decay due to old age. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth? And what is decay due to sickness? It\u2019s when someone is sick, suffering, gravely ill. They reflect: \u2018I\u2019m now sick, suffering, gravely ill. It\u2019s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I\u2019ve already acquired. Why don\u2019t I go forth from the lay life to homelessness?\u2019 So because of that decay due to sickness they go forth. This is called decay due to sickness. But worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la is now rarely ill or unwell. Your stomach digests well, being neither too hot nor too cold. You have no decay due to sickness. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth? And what is decay of wealth? It\u2019s when someone is rich, affluent, and wealthy. But gradually their wealth dwindles away. They reflect: \u2018I used to be rich, affluent, and wealthy. But gradually my wealth has dwindled away. It\u2019s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I\u2019ve already acquired. Why don\u2019t I go forth from the lay life to homelessness?\u2019 So because of that decay of wealth they go forth. This is called decay of wealth. But worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la is the son of the leading clan here in Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika. You have no decay of wealth. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth? And what is decay of relatives? It\u2019s when someone has many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin. But gradually their relatives dwindle away. They reflect: \u2018I used to have many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin. But gradually they\u2019ve dwindled away. It\u2019s not easy for me to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth I\u2019ve already acquired. Why don\u2019t I shave off my hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness?\u2019 So because of that decay of relatives they go forth. This is called decay of relatives. But worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la has many friends and colleagues, relatives and kin right here in Thullako\u1e6d\u1e6dhika. You have no decay of relatives. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth? There are these four kinds of decay. Because of these, some people shave off their hair and beard, dress in ocher robes, and go forth from the lay life to homelessness. Worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la has none of these. So what did you know or see or hear that made you go forth?\u201d \u201cGreat king, the Blessed One who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha has taught these four summaries of the teaching for recitation. It was after knowing and seeing and hearing these that I went forth from the lay life to homelessness. What four? \u2018The world is unstable and swept away.\u2019 This is the first summary. \u2018The world has no shelter and no savior.\u2019 This is the second summary. \u2018The world has no owner\u2014you must leave it all behind and pass on.\u2019 This is the third summary. \u2018The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.\u2019 This is the fourth summary. The Blessed One who knows and sees, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha taught these four summaries of the teaching. It was after knowing and seeing and hearing these that I went forth from the lay life to homelessness.\u201d \u201c\u2018The world is unstable and swept away.\u2019 So the worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la said. How should I see the meaning of this statement?\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? When you were twenty or twenty-five years of age, were you well-versed at riding elephants, horses, and chariots, and at archery and swordsmanship? Were you strong in thigh and arm, capable, and battle-hardened?\u201d \u201cI was, worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la. Sometimes it seems as if I had superpowers then. I don\u2019t see anyone who could have equaled me in strength.\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? These days are you just as strong in thigh and arm, capable, and battle-hardened?\u201d \u201cNo, worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la. For now I am old, elderly, and senior, I\u2019m advanced in years and have reached the final stage of life. I am eighty years old. Sometimes I intend to step in one place, but my foot goes somewhere else.\u201d \u201cThis is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: \u2018The world is unstable and swept away.\u2019\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, it\u2019s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world is indeed unstable and swept away. In this royal court you can find divisions of elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry. They will serve to defend us from any threats. Yet you said: \u2018The world has no shelter and no savior.\u2019 How should I see the meaning of this statement?\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? Do you have any chronic ailments?\u201d \u201cYes, I do. Sometimes my friends and colleagues, relatives and kin surround me, thinking: \u2018Now the king will die! Now the king will die!\u2019\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? Can you get your friends and colleagues, relatives and kin to help: \u2018Please, my dear friends and colleagues, relatives and kin, all of you here share my pain so that I may feel less pain.\u2019 Or must you alone feel that pain?\u201d \u201cI can\u2019t get my friends to share my pain. Rather, I alone must feel it.\u201d \u201cThis is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: \u2018The world has no shelter and no savior.\u2019\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, it\u2019s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world indeed has no shelter and no savior. In this royal court you can find abundant gold, both coined and uncoined, stored above and below ground. Yet you said: \u2018The world has no owner\u2014you must leave it all behind and pass on.\u2019 How should I see the meaning of this statement?\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? These days you amuse yourself, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation. But is there any way to ensure that in the next life you will continue to amuse yourself in the same way, supplied and provided with the same five kinds of sensual stimulation? Or will others make use of this property, while you pass on according to your deeds?\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s no way to ensure that I will continue to amuse myself in the same way. Rather, others will take over this property, while I pass on according to my deeds.\u201d \u201cThis is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: \u2018The world has no owner\u2014you must leave it all behind and pass on.\u2019\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, it\u2019s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world indeed has no owner\u2014you must leave it all behind and pass on. You also said this: \u2018The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.\u2019 How should I see the meaning of this statement?\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? Do you reign over the prosperous land of Kuru?\u201d \u201cIndeed I do.\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the east. He\u2019d approach you and say: \u2018Please, Great King, you should know this. I come from the east. There I saw a large country that is successful and prosperous, populous and full of people. They have many divisions of elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry. And there\u2019s plenty of money and grain, plenty of gold, coined and uncoined, worked and unworked, and plenty of women for the taking. With your current forces you can conquer it. Conquer it, Great King!\u2019 What would you do?\u201d \u201cI would conquer it and reign over it.\u201d \u201cWhat do you think, Great King? Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the west, north, south, or from over the ocean. He\u2019d approach you and say the same thing. What would you do?\u201d \u201cI would conquer it and reign over it.\u201d \u201cThis is what the Buddha was referring to when he said: \u2018The world is wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.\u2019 And it was after knowing and seeing and hearing this that I went forth from the lay life to homelessness.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, worthy Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la, it\u2019s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. For the world is indeed wanting, insatiable, the slave of craving.\u201d That is what Venerable Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la said. Then he went on to say: \u201cI see rich humans in the world who, because of delusion, give not <j>the wealth they\u2019ve earned. Greedily, they hoard their riches, yearning for ever more sensual pleasures. A king who conquered the earth by force, ruling the land from sea to sea, unsatisfied with the near shore of the ocean, would still yearn for the further shore. Not just the king, but others too, reach death not rid of craving. They leave the body still wanting, for in this world sensual pleasures never satisfy. Relatives lament, their hair disheveled, saying \u2018Ah! Alas! They\u2019re not immortal!\u2019 They take out the body wrapped in a shroud, heap up a pyre, and burn it there. It\u2019s poked with stakes while being burnt, in just a single cloth, all wealth gone. Relatives, friends, and companions can\u2019t help you when you\u2019re dying. Heirs take your riches, while beings fare on according to their deeds. Riches don\u2019t follow you when you die; nor do children, wife, wealth, nor kingdom. Longevity isn\u2019t gained by riches, nor does wealth banish old age; for the attentive say this life is short, it\u2019s perishable and not eternal. The rich and the poor feel its touch; the fool and the attentive one feel it too. But the fool lies stricken by their own folly, while the attentive don\u2019t tremble at the touch. Therefore wisdom\u2019s much better than wealth, since by wisdom <j>you reach consummation in this life. But if because of delusion <j>you don\u2019t reach consummation, you\u2019ll do evil deeds in life after life. One who enters a womb and the world beyond, will transmigrate from one life to the next. While someone of little wisdom, <j>placing faith in them, also enters a womb and the world beyond. As a bandit caught in a window is punished for his own bad deeds; so after departing, in the world beyond, people are punished for their own bad deeds. Sensual pleasures are diverse, sweet, delightful; appearing in disguise they disturb the mind. Seeing danger in sensual stimulations, I went forth, O King. As fruit falls from a tree, so the sons of Manu fall, young and old, when the body breaks up. Seeing this, too, I went forth, O King; it\u2019s a sure bet that the ascetic life is better.\u201d","title":"With Ra\u1e6d\u1e6dhap\u0101la","tradition":"Majjhima Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":4355}