#Linked Discourses 3

In a battle subsequent to SN 3.14, Pasenadi defeats Ajātasattu and takes him prisoner. Acting compassionately, he confiscates Ajātasattu’s military assets but releases him alive.Then King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha mobilized an army of four divisions and marched to Kāsi to attack King Pasenadi of Kosala. When King Pasenadi heard of this, he mobilized an army of four divisions and marched to Kāsi to defend it against Ajātasattu. Then the two kings met in battle. [Read More]

Pasenadi loses a battle against his nephew King Ajātasattu of Magadha.At Sāvatthī. Then King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha mobilized an army of four divisions and marched to Kāsi to attack King Pasenadi of Kosala. When King Pasenadi heard of this, he mobilized an army of four divisions and marched to Kāsi to defend it against Ajātasattu. Then the two kings met in battle. And in that battle Ajātasattu defeated Pasenadi, who withdrew to his own capital at Sāvatthī. [Read More]

In what is probably the world’s first weight loss diet, when Pasenadi shows up overweight and out of breath, the Buddha advises him to cut down his eating. He gives a verse to one of the king’s attendants, and asks him to recite it whenever the king is eating.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala used to eat rice by the bucket. Then after eating King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, huffing and puffing. [Read More]

Five kings including Pasenadi are enjoying themselves and wonder which of the senses affords the highest pleasure. They ask the Buddha, who replies that it is subjective, depending on a persons preferences. Inspired, the laymen Candanaṅgalika offers a verse in praise of the Buddha.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time five kings headed by Pasenadi were amusing themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, and this discussion came up among them: “What’s the best of sensual pleasures? [Read More]

A diverse group of ascetics passes by, and Pasenadi asks the Buddha if any of them are perfected ones. The Buddha says it is not easy for one such as Pasenadi to judge the spiritual achievements of others. Pasenadi reveals that the men are, in fact, his spies.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the Eastern Monastery, the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother. Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat and sat outside the gate. [Read More]

When many people are put in chains by Pasenadi, the matter is reported to the Buddha.Now at that time a large group of people had been put in shackles by King Pasenadi of Kosala—some in ropes, some in manacles, some in chains. Then several mendicants robed up in the morning and, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then, after the meal, when they returned from alms-round, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening. [Read More]

A great sacrifice involving the slaughter of many animals was being prepared for King Pasenadi. The Buddha condemns such sacrifices and says a fruitful sacrifice involves a blameless and harmless offering.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time a big sacrifice had been set up for King Pasenadi of Kosala. Five hundred chief bulls, five hundred bullocks, five hundred heifers, five hundred goats, and five hundred rams had been led to the pillar for the sacrifice. [Read More]

Pasandi asks Queen Mallikā who is most dear. They both agree that the one most dear is oneself, and the Buddha agrees.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala was upstairs in the stilt longhouse together with Queen Mallikā. Then the king said to the queen, “Mallikā, is there anyone more dear to you than yourself?” “No, great king, there isn’t. But is there anyone more dear to you than yourself? [Read More]

Pasenadi laments how in his judgment hall he sees people lying all the time for the sake of sensual pleasures.At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, when I’m sitting in judgment I see well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders—rich, affluent, and wealthy, with lots of gold and silver, lots of property and assets, and lots of money and grain. But they tell deliberate lies for the sake of sensual pleasures. [Read More]

There are few in the world who do not become negligent and complacent once they obtain material luxuries. At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Just now, sir, as I was in private retreat this thought came to mind: ‘Few are the sentient beings in the world who, when they obtain luxury possessions, don’t get indulgent and negligent, giving in to greed for sensual pleasures, and doing the wrong thing by others. [Read More]