#1. Shackles

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]

Even if protected by an entire army, one who does bad deeds is still unprotected.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. ‘Who are those who protect themselves? And who are those who don’t protect themselves?’ Then it occurred to me: ‘Those who do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind don’t protect themselves. [Read More]

Reporting on a reflection that arose while on retreat, Pasenadi says that those who do bad deeds treat themselves as enemy. The Buddha expresses his agreement in verse.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. ‘Who are those who love themselves? And who are those who don’t love themselves?’ Then it occurred to me: ‘Those who do bad things by way of body, speech, and mind don’t love themselves. [Read More]

Pasenadi asks if anything that is born can escape from old age and death.At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, for someone who has been reborn, is there anything apart from old age and death?” “Great king, for someone who has been reborn, there’s nothing apart from old age and death. Even for well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, or householders—rich, affluent, and wealthy, with lots of gold and silver, lots of property and assets, and lots of money and grain—when they’re born, there’s nothing apart from old age and death. [Read More]

Pasenadi asks of the things that cause suffering when they arise in oneself.At Sāvatthī. Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha, “Sir, how many things arise inside a person for their harm, suffering, and discomfort?” “Great king, three things arise inside a person for their harm, suffering, and discomfort. What three? Greed, hate, and delusion. These three things arise inside a person for their harm, suffering, and discomfort. [Read More]

King Pasenadi meets the Buddha for the first time. He wonders how the Buddha can claim to be awakened when he is still so young. The Buddha teaches him four things that should not be looked down on for their youth.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. [Read More]