8. Dīghāvu

Thus have I heard: 

At one time, the Buddha was in the Ghoṣila Monastery in Kauśambī. 

At that time, the bhikṣus of Kauśāmbī often took a liking to quarrels, committing various evil deeds. When speaking face to face, they sometimes even resorted to violence with swords and staves. At that time, the Bhagavān came to visit them in the early morning. Having arrived, the Bhagavān addressed the bhikṣus, "You bikṣus should be careful not to engage in disputes and quarrels and not to contradict each other. O bhikṣus! You should be unified in harmony, being united as companions of one teacher, just as milk and water. Why, then, are there disputes and quarrels?" 

At that time, the Kauśāmbī bhikṣus addressed the Bhagavān, saying, "We respectfully request that the Bhagavān not worry about this matter! We will think about this matter ourselves: such is the fault. We will recognise transgressions with our own discernment." 

The Bhagavān addressed them, saying:⁠"What do you think? ⁠Do you practise the path for the sake of the royal lineage? ⁠Do you practise the path out of fear and dread? ⁠Or do you practise the path because of the decline of this generation?" 

The bhikṣus answered him:⁠ "No, O⁠ Bhagavān!" 

The Bhagavān addressed them, saying: "Then why, O⁠ bhikṣus? Do you not practise the path because you wish to be parted from saṃsāra and seek the unconditioned path, considering also that the body, composed of the five aggregates, is genuinely impossible to preserve? 

The bhikṣus said to him, "Yes, O⁠ Bhagavān! As the bhagavān teaches, we, sons of great lineages, have renounced the household life and are training on the path to follow the path to the unconditioned, to extinguish the body of the five aggregates. Therefore, we are practising the path." 

The Bhagavān addressed them, saying, "Bhikṣus! It is not appropriate to cultivate the path while engaging in disputes, striking each other with fists, arguing face-to-face, and shouting harsh words at each other. You should, instead, engage in these actions:⁠ Sharing the same Dharma, receiving it from the same teacher, and practising these with body, speech, and mind—you should practise these as six dharmas. Moreover, you should also make offerings to those who practise noble conduct." 

The bhikṣus replied, saying, "These matters are our concern, O⁠ Bhagavān, do not worry about these matters." 

Then, the Bhagavān said to the Kauśāmbī bhikṣus, "Why, O⁠ foolish people, do you not believe in the Tathāgata's words? Instead, you tell the Tathāgata not to worry about this matter. But you will receive the retribution for these wrong views yourselves." 

Then, the Bhagavān further said to those bhikṣus, saying, "In the distant past, in this city of Śrāvastī, there was a king, named Dīghīti, who was intelligent and clever, with nothing that he did not know. However, he was not skilled in the art of swordsmanship and also lacked treasures.⁠ His storehouses were not full, and his wealth and goods were few. The four divisions of his army were also diminished. At that time, in the country of Vārāṇasī, there was a king named Brahmadatta, who was valiant and strong, with no one that he did not subdue. His storehouses were full of money, goods, and the seven treasures. The four divisions of his army were not diminished, and he had a full complement of vassals and retainers. 

"At that time, King Brahmadatta then thought, 'This kind Dīghīti has no vassals, and also lacks wealth and goods, and has no treasures. Now is the prime time to attack his country!' Then, King Brahmadatta raised his army and went to attack that country. 

"Thereupon, when King Dīghīti heard that an army had been raised to attack his country, he immediately divised a plan, 'Although I now have no wealth of the seven treasures, nor vassals and retainers, and no four divisions of the army, even though that King has many troops, with just my current strength today, I can entirely destroy those hundreds of thousands of foemen. However, to kill sentient beings would be an incalculable fault. I ⁠cannot, for the sake of a single lifetime's glory, create such eternal karmic transgressions. I⁠ shall, today, leave this city, and go to another country so that there will be no battle.' 

"Thereupon, King Dīghīti, without speaking to his ministers or advisors, took his first wife and one other person, left the city of Śrāvastī, and entered deep into the mountains. Then, the ministers, advisors, and populace in Śrāvastī city immediately sent messengers to King Brahmadatta's palace because they could not find King Dīghīti. They sent this message, 'We respectfully request that the Great⁠King come to this land, now that the whereabouts of King Dīghīti are unknown.' Then, King Brahmadatta came from Kāśī and personally governed and transformed it. 

"Now, King Dīghītī had two consorts, and both were pregnant and about to give birth. At that time, one wife dreamt she gave birth in a city while the sun was rising, with the four divisions of troops holding five-foot swords in their hands surrounding her, as she gave birth without any assistance. Having seen this, she was startled awake and told King Dīghītī. The King said to his wife, 'Now we are in the midst of these deep mountains. Why should you be in Śrāvastī, giving birth amid the city? Now, if you wish to give birth, you should give birth like a deer.' Then, his wife said, 'I ⁠cannot give birth in that way, I would rather choose to die!' Then, King Dīghītī, having heard her words, that very night, changed his clothes, and without taking anyone else, entered the city of Śrāvastī. 

"At that time, King Dīghītī had a high minister, whose name was Śubhapuṣpa, whom he cherished and loved deeply. As he was leaving the city for an errand, he saw King Dīghītī entering the city. Then, the high minister Śubhapuṣpa, having gazed intently at the King, left, sighing and shedding tears, going back on the same road he had been on. Thereupon, King Dīghītī followed that minister, and when he got to a secluded spot, he said to him, 'Be careful not to speak out!' The high minister replied, 'As you command, Great King!⁠ What command do you have that I⁠ do not know?' King Dīghītī said, 'Remember my old kindness, then there will be recompense.' The minister replied, 'O⁠ great king, if you have any commands, I⁠ shall carry them out.' King Dīghītī said, 'My wife dreamt that she gave birth in the city last night. Moreover, four divisions of troops were surrounding her, and she had an extremely handsome son. If her birth is not like in her dream, then within seven days, she will certainly meet her end.' The minister replied, "I can certainly handle this matter according to the king's command.' Having spoken these words, each left. 

"Then, the high minister went to King Brahmadatta. Having arrived, he said, 'Within seven days, I⁠ wish to observe the king's army: war elephants, cavalry, chariots, and infantry, to see how many there are.' Then, Brahmadatta ordered those nearby, 'Immediately assemble the troops as Śubhapuṣpa says.' Then, Minister Śubhapuṣpa gathered the troops within the city of Śrāvastī within seven days. At that time, the queen, within seven days, came into the city. Then, Minister Śubhapuṣpa saw the lady coming from a distance and said, 'Welcome, virtuous lady! Now is precisely the right time!' 

"At that time, having seen the four divisions of the army, the queen was delighted and ordered her attendants to set up a large tent. Then, as the sun rose, the queen gave birth to a son, uniquely handsome, rare in the world. Then, the queen, holding the child, returned to the mountains. At that time, King Dīghītī, seeing the queen holding the child and coming from afar, then spoke these words, 'May the child have a long life and limitless fortune!' The queen said to the King, 'May the king give him a name!' At that time, the King immediately gave him a name, calling him Dīghāvu. 

"In time, Prince Dīghāvu came to be about eight years old. His father, King Dīghītī, entered the city of Śrāvastī for a minor reason. At that time, Kapila, a former minister of King Dīghītī, saw the King entering the city, closely observing him from head to toe. Having seen him, he then went to where King Brahmadatta was. Having arrived, he then said this: "Great King! You are extremely negligent. King Dīghītī is now in this city." At that time, the King, filled with anger, ordered his attendants to arrest King Dīghītī quickly. 

"Then, the high ministers on the left and right went with Kapila. They were seeking everywhere, east and west. At that time, Kapila saw King Dīghītī at a distance. Then, he indicated with his eyes and said to the minister, 'This is King Dīghītī!' Immediately, they went forward to seize him and brought him before King Brahmadatta. Having arrived, he spoke, saying: "Great King! This person is King Dīghītī." The people in the country all heard and knew that King Dīghītī had been captured. 

"Thereupon, the queen also heard that King Dīghītī had been captured by Brahmadatta. Having heard this, she then thought, 'What use is there for me to live now? I would rather share the same fate as the Great King at the same time.' Then, the queen immediately took the Crown Prince Dīghāvu and entered Śrāvastī. The queen said to the Crown Prince Dīghāvu, 'Now, you should seek another place to live.' At that time, Crown Prince Dīghāvu, having heard this, remained silent and did not speak. Then, the queen went straight to King Brahmadatta's place. The King, distantly seeing her coming, was joyful and elated, unable to control himself, and immediately ordered the ministers, 'Bring this queen and King Dīghītī to the crossroads, and divide them into four parts.' Then, the ministers, receiving the King's order, took King Dīghītī and the queen, bound them, and paraded around Śrāvastī, so that the multitude could see. Then, no one there did not feel heartbroken! 

"Then, the Crown Prince Dīghāvu, within the great assembly, saw his parents being led to the marketplace to be executed, yet his countenance did not change. Then, King Dīghītī turned his head and said to Dīghāvu, 'Neither see the long, nor see the short.' Then, he spoke this gātha: 

"'Hatred by hatred never ceases,
From ancient times, this has been the Dharma,
Non-hatred conquers hatred,
This Dharma is eternally imperishable.' 

"At that time, the ministers said to each other, 'This King Dīghītī is extremely foolish and deluded, and who is this Crown Prince Dīghāvu, for him to utter this gātha before us?' Then, King Dīghītī said to the ministers, 'I am neither foolish nor deluded, but only those of middling wisdom understand my words. Gentlemen, know that, with my strength alone, I am fully able to destroy this million-strong army. However, I again think like this, 'The number of dead among these sentient beings is difficult to count, I cannot, for the sake of my own body, receive karmic retribution for future lifetimes. Hatred by hatred never ceases, from ancient times, this has been the Dharma; non-hatred conquers hatred, this Dharma is eternally imperishable.'

"At that time, those ministers brought the bodies of King Dīghītī and his queen to the crossroads of the four main roads, divided them into four parts, and then immediately abandoned them, each returning to their own places. Then, Prince Dīghāvu was gathering firewood in the evening, preparing to cremate his parents before leaving. 

"At that time, King Brahmadatta was in a tower, and from a distance saw the small child cremating the bodies of King Dīghītī and his queen. Having seen this, he ordered his attendants, saying, 'This must be a relative of King Dīghītī, you should quickly seize and arrest him.' Then, the ministers immediately went to that place, but before they arrived, the child had already run away. 

"Thereupon, Prince Dīghāvu then thought, 'This King Brahmadatta killed my parents, and also resides in my country, I will now avenge my parents.' Then, Prince Dīghāvu went to a veena teacher. Having arrived, he then said, 'I now wish to learn to play the veena.' Then, the veena teacher asked, 'What is your surname? Where do your parents live?' The child replied, 'I have no parents, I originally lived in this Śrāvastī, my parents died early.' The veena teacher said, 'If you want to learn, then learn.' 

"Bhikṣus, you should know, thereupon, Prince Dīghāvu then learned to play the veena and sing. Then, as Prince Dīghāvu was naturally intelligent, within a few days, he was able to play the veena and sing, having acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the instrument. Then, holding his veena, he went to King Brahmadatta's place. In the elephant stable, he played the veena and sang clearly. Then, King Brahmadatta was in a tower. Hearing the sound of the veena and singing, he ordered his attendants, saying, 'Who is this person in the elephant stable, playing the veena and singing alone?' The ministers replied, 'In this Śrāvastī city, a small child is playing the veena and singing alone.' Then, the King said to his attendants, 'You should give orders for this child to come and perform here. I want to see him.' Then, the messenger called the child to come to the King. Then, King Brahmadatta asked the child, 'Were you the one playing the veena in the elephant stable last night?' He replied, 'Yes, Great King!' Brahmadatta said, 'You can now stay by my side, playing the veena and singing. I will provide you with clothes, bedding, and food.' 

"Bhikṣus, you should know, at that time, Prince Dīghāvu, before Brahmadatta, played the veena and sang with great skill. Then, King Brahmadatta, hearing the sound of the veena, was highly delighted, and said to Prince Dīghāvu, 'You shall be the keeper of my hidden treasures.' Then, Prince Dīghāvu, receiving the King's order, never made a mistake, always followed the King's wishes, first smiling then speaking, and always assented to the King's will. In time, King Brahmadatta again ordered, "Excellent! Excellent! You have now become a remarkably intelligent person. I now order you to manage the palace affairs. You will know all of them.' Then, Prince Dīghāvu, within the inner palace, taught the courtesans to play the veena. He also taught them elephant riding, horse riding, and other skills, knowing everything. 

"Thereupon, Brahmadatta wanted to go on an excursion to the pleasure gardens to enjoy himself, and immediately ordered Dīghāvu to quickly prepare his jewelled feathered chariot. Then, Prince Dīghāvu immediately received the King's order, and at once prepared the jewelled feathered chariot, harnessed the elephants with gold and silver saddles, and returned to report to the King, 'The carriage is ready. King, you know what to do.' King Brahmadatta rode the jewelled feathered chariot, with Dīghāvu as the driver, and brought the four divisions of the army. 

"Then, Prince Dīghāvu, driving the chariot and leading the way, consistently stayed away from the main army. Then, King Brahmadatta asked Prince Dīghāvu, 'Where are the army divisions today?' Dīghāvu replied, 'I also don't know where the army is.' Then the King said, 'You can stop for a little while. My body is exhausted, and I want to rest a little.' Then, Prince Dīghāvu immediately stopped, allowing the King to rest. At that time, the army had not yet arrived. 

"Bhikṣus, you should know, at that time, King Brahmadatta lay down and slept with his head on Prince Dīghāvu's lap. Then, Prince Dīghāvu, seeing the King asleep, thought, 'This King is my greatest enemy. He also captured my parents and killed them, and lives in my country. If I don't avenge them now, when will I? I will now cut his life short.' Then, Prince Dīghāvu, with his right hand, drew his sword, and with his left hand, touched the King's hair. He then thought again, 'When my father was about to die, he told me, "Dīghāvu, you should know: do not see the long, nor see the short." And also said this gātha, 

"'"Hatred by hatred never ceases,
From ancient times, this has been the Dharma,
Non-hatred conquers hatred,
This Dharma is eternally imperishable." 

"'I will now abandon this resentment.' He then sheathed his sword. He did this two more times, and again thought, 'This King is my greatest enemy. He also captured my parents and killed them, and lives in my country. If I don't avenge them now, when will it be done? If I cut his life short right now, then I will truly have avenged them.' At this time, he again remembered, 'You, Dīghāvu, do not see the long, nor see the short. My father, the King, gave this order: "Hatred by hatred never ceases, from ancient times, this has been the Dharma, non-hatred conquers hatred, this Dharma is eternally imperishable." I should now abandon this resentment.' He then sheathed his sword. 

"Thereupon, King Brahmadatta dreamed that King Dīghītī's son, Prince Dīghāvu, wanted to kill him, and he was terrified, immediately waking up. Then, Prince Dīghāvu said, 'Great King, why did you startle awake to this extent?' Brahmadatta said, 'Just now, while sleeping, I dreamed that King Dīghītī's son, Prince Dīghāvu, drew his sword and wanted to kill me. That's why I was startled.' 

"At this time, Prince Dīghāvu thought, 'Now this king knows that I am Prince Dīghāvu.' He immediately drew his sword with his right hand, grabbed the King's hair with his left, and said to the King, 'I am indeed King Dīghītī's son, Prince Dīghāvu, and you are my great enemy. You also captured my parents and killed them, and live in my country. If I don't avenge them now, when will it be done?' Then, King Brahmadatta immediately spoke to Dīghāvu, saying, 'My life is now in your hands. I beg you to spare me, so I can preserve my life!' Dīghāvu replied, 'I can spare the King, but the King would not spare my life.' The King replied to Dīghāvu, 'I only ask that you spare me; I will never kill you!' At this time, Prince Dīghāvu and the King made a solemn vow, 'If we both spare each other's lives, we will never harm each other.' 

"Bhikṣus, you should know, at that time, Prince Dīghāvu spared the King's life. Then, King Brahmadatta said to Prince Dīghāvu, 'I wish, Prince, that you would prepare my jewelled feathered chariot again, and return to my country.' Then, the Prince immediately prepared the jewelled feathered chariot. The two of them rode together, going straight to Śrāvastī. 

"Then, King Brahmadatta immediately gathered his ministers and said, 'If you were to see King Dīghītī's son, what would you do to him?' Among them, some ministers said, 'We should cut off his hands and feet.' Some said, 'We should divide his body into three parts.' Some said, 'We should kill him.' At that time, Prince Dīghāvu sat beside the King, with a straight body and mind, contemplating their words. Then, King Brahmadatta personally took Prince Dīghāvu's hand and said to all the people, 'This is King Dīghītī's son, Prince Dīghāvu. This person is he. You must all refrain from speaking further or saying anything. The reason is that Prince Dīghāvu spared my life, and I will also spare his life.' Then, all the ministers, hearing these words, exclaimed, 'This is unprecedented! This King and Prince are truly extraordinary! Quite astonishing! They refuse to seek revenge on their enemies.' 

"Then, King Brahmadatta asked Dīghāvu, 'You should have killed me. Why did you spare me and not kill me? What was the reason? I wish to hear it now.' Dīghāvu replied, 'Great King, listen carefully! My father, when he was about to die, said, "You must not see the long, nor see the short." He also said, "Hatred by hatred never ceases, from ancient times, this has been the Dharma, non-hatred conquers hatred, this Dharma is eternally imperishable." At that time, when the ministers heard my father King's words, they all said to each other, "This madman speaks much. Who, after all, is this Dīghītī?" King Dīghītī replied, "You all should know that only those with wisdom among you will understand these words." Remembering my father, the King's, words, that's why I spared the King's life.' King Brahmadatta, upon hearing these words, found his actions remarkable and praised them as unprecedented, for upholding his deceased father's command and not allowing it to fall into disuse. 

"Then, King Brahmadatta said to the Prince, 'I still don't understand the meaning of what you've just said. Now, please explain its meaning to me so that I can understand it.' Then, Prince Dīghāvu replied, 'Great King, listen carefully! I will explain. King Brahmadatta killed King Dīghītī. If all the relatives and close ministers of King Dīghītī were to kill the King in return, and if all the ministers and aides of King Brahmadatta were to kill King Dīghītī's ministers and aides in return, this is how hatred by hatred would never end. If you want hatred to end, only a person who does not seek revenge can do it. Having understood the meaning of this, I did not harm the King.' At this time, King Brahmadatta, hearing these words, was extremely overjoyed and could not contain himself. This King and Prince are brilliant, able to expound something of such profound meaning. 

"Then, King Brahmadatta immediately repented, 'It was my wrongdoing that I killed King Dīghītī.' He then took off his jewelled crown and gave it to Dīghāvu to wear, and furthermore, he gave his daughter in marriage to him, and returned the country of Śrāvastī and its people to Dīghāvu to govern. The King then returned to rule in Vārāṇasī. 

"Bhikṣus, you should know that in ancient times, all kings had this constant Dharma; even though there was this law of contending for countries, they could still endure each other and not harm each other. How much more should you Bhikṣus, who have left home to study the Dharma with firm faith, abandoning greed, hatred, and delusion, now not contend and be harmonious, but rather be intolerant and unrepentant. O bhikṣus! For this reason, you should know that conflict is not appropriate. Being companions of the same teacher, being like water and milk, do not engage in quarrels." 

At that time, the Bhagavān then spoke this gātha: 

"Without conflict, without contention,
With a compassionate heart for all beings,
Without harm to anyone,
This is praised by all Buddhas.

"Therefore, bhikṣus, you should practice endurance and patience. This is how you, bhikṣus, should train yourselves." 

At that time, the Kauśāmbī bhikṣus said to the Bhagavān, 'May the Bhagavān not worry about this matter; we shall make clear this Dharma teaching for ourselves. O⁠ Bhagavān! Though you spoke these words, this matter is not like that.' At this, the Bhagavān then left and went to the Vṛji country. 

At that time, in the Vṛji country, there were three sons of noble lineage: Aniruddha, Nanda, and Kimbila. These sons of noble lineage had made an agreement among themselves. Whoever went out for alms, the one who remained behind would sweep and clean the ground, ensuring that nothing was neglected. When alms were brought back, they would share them, and if there was enough, that was good; if not, they would eat as they pleased. Any leftovers were poured into a vessel, and then they would leave. If the last one to return from alms-round had enough, that was good; if not, he would take the food from the vessel and put it into his own bowl. Then, he would take a water pitcher, place it elsewhere, and spend the whole day cleaning the dwelling. Afterwards, he would again go to a quiet place, straighten his body and mind, fix his attention, and meditate on the profound Dharma. They would never speak to each other, each remaining in silence. 

At that time, Venerable Aniruddha contemplated the impure nature of desire, abiding in bliss and rapture, and entered the first dhyāna. At this time, Nanda and Kimbila knew what Aniruddha was meditating on in his mind. They also contemplated the impure nature of desire, abiding in bliss and rapture, and entered the first dhyāna. If Venerable Aniruddha meditated in the second, third, or fourth dhyānas, then Venerable Nanda and Kimbila would also meditate in the second, third, or fourth dhyānas. If Venerable Aniruddha meditated in the sphere of infinite space, the sphere of infinite consciousness, the sphere of nothingness, or the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception, then Venerable Nanda and Kimbila would also meditate in the sphere of infinite space, the sphere of infinite consciousness, the sphere of nothingness, or the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. If Venerable Aniruddha meditated in the cessation of perception and feeling, then Venerable Nanda and Kimbila would also meditate in the cessation of perception and feeling. Thus, these noble ones meditated on the Dharma in this way. 

At that time, Bhagavān was in the Gośṛṅga Park [near the border of Vṛji]. At that time, the country's guard, seeing the Bhagavān approaching from afar, said, "Śrāmaṇa, do not enter this country! The reason is that in this country, there are three sons of noble lineage named Aniruddha, Nanda, and Kimbila. Be careful not to disturb them." 

Thereupon, Venerable Aniruddha, with his pure divine eye and divine ear, heard the country's guard speaking to the Bhagavān in such a way as to prevent the Bhagavān from entering the country. At this time, Venerable Aniruddha immediately went out and said to the gatekeeper, "Do not obstruct him! The Bhagavān is coming now and wishes to visit here." 

At this time, Venerable Aniruddha immediately came back and informed Kimbila, "Come quickly! The Bhagavān is now at the gate." At this time, the three venerable ones immediately arose from their samādhis and went to the Bhagavān. Having arrived, they prostrated themselves at his feet, stood to one side, and each exclaimed, "Welcome, Bhagavān!" Venerable Aniruddha stepped forward and took the Bhagavān's bowl. Venerable Nanda stepped forward and prepared a seat for him. Venerable Kimbila brought water for the Bhagavān to wash his feet. 

At that time, the Bhagavān said to Aniruddha, "Are you three living in harmony here, free from other thoughts? Is your alms-gathering satisfactory?" 

Aniruddha replied, "Yes, O⁠ Bhagavān! Our alms-gathering is not tiresome. The reason is that when I meditate in the first dhyāna, Nanda and Kimbila also meditate in the first dhyāna. If I meditate in the second, third, or fourth dhyānas, the sphere of infinite space, the sphere of infinite consciousness, the sphere of nothingness, the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception, or the cessation of perception and feeling, then Nanda and Kimbila also meditate in the second, third, or fourth dhyānas, the sphere of infinite space, the sphere of infinite consciousness, the sphere of nothingness, the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception, or the cessation of perception and feeling. This is how, Bhagavān, we meditate on the Dharma." 

The Bhagavān said, 'Excellent! Excellent! Aniruddha! Do you ever attain the Dharma of a superior person?" 

Aniruddha replied, 'Yes, Bhagavān, I do attain the Dharma of a superior person." 

Bhagavān said, "What is that Dharma of a superior person?" 

Aniruddha replied, "There is this profound Dharma, superior to the supramundane Dharma itself. If I, with a mind of loving-kindness, pervade one direction, and likewise the second, third, and fourth directions, and similarly the four intermediate directions, above and below, pervading everything in all directions with a mind of loving-kindness, countless, limitless, immeasurable, I abide in it. And similarly, with a mind of compassion, a mind of sympathetic joy, and a mind of equanimity, I pervade one direction, and likewise the second, third, and fourth directions, and similarly the four intermediate directions, above and below, and abide in it. This, Bhagavān, is the supramundane Dharma I attain." 

At that time, Venerable Nanda and Kimbila said to Aniruddha, "When did we ever come to you to ask about the meaning of this? Now, you proclaim it before the Bhagavān." 

Aniruddha replied, "You have never come to me to ask about the meaning of this. But the devas came to me and explained the meaning of this. That's why I am speaking of this meaning before the Bhagavān. But for a long time, I have known the thoughts of these noble ones, and because these noble ones have attained this samādhi, I am speaking these words before the Bhagavān." 

At that time, as this Dharma was being taught, the great general Dīghāyu came to the Bhagavān, prostrated himself at his feet, and sat to one side. At this time, the great general Dīghāyu said to the Bhagavān, "Today, O Bhagavān, are you teaching the Dharma to these people?" 

Then, the Bhagavān thoroughly explained the matter to the great general Dīghāyu. 

Thereupon, the great general said to the Bhagavān, "The great country of Vṛji has indeed gained great benefit by having these three sons of noble lineage travelling and teaching: Aniruddha, Nanda, and Kimbila." 

The Bhagavān said, "Indeed, great general, as you say, the great country of Vṛji has indeed gained great benefit. But setting aside the great country of Vṛji, the great country of Magadha has truly gained great benefit, for it has these three sons of noble lineage too. If the people of the great country of Magadha remember these three sons of noble lineage, they will gain peace and security for a long time. Great general, you should know that if any district, town, or city has these three sons of noble lineage, the people of that town or city will gain peace and security for a long time. The families where these three sons of noble lineage were born also gained great benefit, being able to give birth to such highly revered individuals. Their parents and five kinds of relatives will also gain great benefit if they remember these three individuals. If devas, nagas, or yakṣas remember these three sons of noble lineage, they will also gain great benefit. If anyone praises the arhats, they should also praise these three individuals. If anyone praises those free from greed, delusion, and hatred, they should also praise these three individuals. If anyone has praises for a field of merit, they should also praise these three individuals. Just as I, through diligent effort over three asaṃkhya kalpas, attained supreme awakening, these three individuals have accomplished this profound Dharma. Therefore, great general, you should feel joy towards these three sons of noble lineage. This is how, great general, you should train yourself." 

At that time, the great general, having heard what Bhagavān said, received it with joy and put it into practice.