中部第 89 经（Sujato 英译）第 2 阅读页 · Shrines to the Teaching · 2/2

And yet they don’t show me the same level of deference that they show to the Buddha.And yet they don’t show me the same level of deference that they show to the Buddha.Once it so happened that while I was leading a military campaign and testing Isidatta and Purāṇa I took up residence in a cramped house.Once it so happened that while I was leading a military campaign and testing Isidatta and Purāṇa I took up residence in a cramped house.They spent much of the night discussing the teaching, then they lay down with their heads toward where the Buddha was and their feet toward me.They spent much of the night discussing the teaching, then they lay down with their heads toward where the Buddha was and their feet toward me.

It occurred to me:It occurred to me:‘Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!‘Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!These chamberlains Isidatta and Purāṇa share my meals and my carriages. I give them a livelihood and bring them renown.These chamberlains Isidatta and Purāṇa share my meals and my carriages. I give them a livelihood and bring them renown.

And yet they don’t show me the same level of deference that they show to the Buddha.And yet they don’t show me the same level of deference that they show to the Buddha.Clearly these venerables have realized a higher distinction in the Buddha’s instructions than they had before.’Clearly these venerables have realized a higher distinction in the Buddha’s instructions than they had before.’So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:So I infer this about the Buddha from the teaching:

‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’‘The Blessed One is a fully awakened Buddha. The teaching is well explained. The Saṅgha is practicing well.’Furthermore, the Buddha is an aristocrat, and so am I.Furthermore, the Buddha is an aristocrat, and so am I.The Buddha is Kosalan, and so am I.The Buddha is Kosalan, and so am I.

The Buddha is eighty years old, and so am I.The Buddha is eighty years old, and so am I.Since this is so,Since this is so,it’s proper for me to act with such utmost deference for the Buddha and convey my manifest love.it’s proper for me to act with such utmost deference for the Buddha and convey my manifest love.

Well, now, sir, I must go.Well, now, sir, I must go.I have many duties, and much to do.”I have many duties, and much to do.”“Please, Great King, go at your convenience.”“Please, Great King, go at your convenience.”

Then King Pasenadi rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.Then King Pasenadi rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.Soon after the king had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants:Soon after the king had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants:“Mendicants, before he got up and left, King Pasenadi spoke shrines to the teaching.“Mendicants, before he got up and left, King Pasenadi spoke shrines to the teaching.

Learn these shrines to the teaching!Learn these shrines to the teaching!Memorize these shrines to the teaching!Memorize these shrines to the teaching!Remember these shrines to the teaching!Remember these shrines to the teaching!

These shrines to the teaching are beneficial and relate to the fundamentals of the spiritual life.”These shrines to the teaching are beneficial and relate to the fundamentals of the spiritual life.”That is what the Buddha said.That is what the Buddha said.Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.