Dialogues of the Buddha, Part II — trans. T. W. and C. A. F. Rhys Davids (1910)

[XVIII. JANA-VASABHA SUTTANTA.

jana-vasabha's story.]

Thus have I heard.

i. [200] 1 The Exalted One was once staying in Nadika, at the Brick House. Now at that time the Exalted One was wont to make declarations as to the rebirths of such followers (of the doctrine) as had passed away in death among the tribes round about on every side — among the Kasis and Kosalans, the Vajjians and Mallas, the Chetis and Va;?zsas, the Kurus and Panchalas, the Macchas and Surasenas — saying : ' Such an one has been reborn there, and such an one there 2. From Nadika upwards of fifty adherents, who passed away in death after having completely destroyed the Five Bonds that bind people to this world 3, have become inheritors of the highest heavens, there to pass utterly away, thence never to return. Full ninety adherents in Nadika, who have passed away in death after having completely destroyed the Three Bonds, and reduced to a minimum lust ill-will and delusion, have become Once-returners, and on their first return to this world shall make an end of pain. Over five hundred adherents of Nadika, who have passed away in death after having completely destroyed the Three Bonds, and become converted, cannot be reborn in any state of woe, but are assured of attaining to the Insight (of the higher stages of the Path).'

2. [201] Now the adherents at Nadika, when they heard these revelations, were pleased, gladdened and filled with joy and happiness at these solutions by the

1 See above pp. 97 ff., and the notes there.

2 For the details see above, p. 98, § 7.

3 See 'Dialogues,' I, pp. 200, 201.

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Exalted One of the problems that had been put to him.

3. Now the venerable Ananda heard [of these declarations made by the Exalted One, and of the satisfaction felt by the adherents at Nadika].

4. And this idea occurred to him : — ' But there were also [202] adherents in Magadha, many of them, and of long religious experience, who have passed away in death. One might think that Anga and Magadha were void of adherents who have passed away in death. For they too had entire faith in the Buddha the Law and the Order, they had fulfilled the moral precepts. And yet concerning them, since they passed away in death, nothing has been declared by the Exalted One. It were surely a good thing to evoke a response as to them ; for much folk would believe, and would hereafter enter into bliss. Then too there was Seniya Bimbisara, king of Magadha, righteous and ruling righteously, benign to priests and laymen, to town-folk and country-folk. His fame are men verily spreading abroad saying: — " Dead is our so righteous king of righteous rule who made us so happy! How well have we lived in the kingdom of that righteous king ! " Now he too had entire faith in the Buddha the Law and the Order, and fulfilled the moral precepts. And people verily have also said, " Seniya Bimbisara, king of Magadha, who up to the day of his death was given to praises of the Exalted One, is dead." Concerning him who has passed away in death nothing has been declared by the Exalted One. It were surely a good thing to evoke a response as to him ; for much folk would believe, and would hereafter enter into bliss. Moreover the Exalted One attained supreme Insight in Magadha. Now where that took place, how should there be no declaration from the Exalted One concerning adherents in Magadha who have passed away in death ? [203] If the Exalted One declare nothing concerning them they will be hurt. And since they wouM be hurt, how can the Exalted One keep silence ? '