1. Shackles

Young

sn3.1:1 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. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha, “Does the worthy Gotama claim to have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening?” “If anyone should rightly be said to have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening, it’s me. For, Great King, I have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening.”

sn3.1:2 “Well, there are those ascetics and brahmins who lead an order and a community, and tutor a community. They’re well-known and famous religious founders, deemed holy by many people. That is, Pūraṇa Kassapa, the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gosāla, the Jain ascetic of the Ñātika clan, Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta, Pakudha Kaccāyana, and Ajita of the hair blanket. I also asked them whether they claimed to have awakened to the supreme perfect awakening, but they made no such claim. So why do you, given that you’re so young in age and newly gone forth?”

sn3.1:3 “Great king, these four things should not be looked down upon or disparaged because they are young. What four? An aristocrat, a serpent, a fire, and a mendicant. These four things should not be looked down upon or disparaged because they are young.”

sn3.1:4 That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

sn3.1:5 “A man should not despise an aristocrat of impeccable lineage, high-born and famous, just because they’re young.

sn3.1:6 For it’s possible that that lord of mankind, as aristocrat, will gain the throne. And in his anger he’ll execute a royal punishment, and have you violently beaten. Hence you should avoid him for the sake of your own life.

sn3.1:7 Whether in village or wilderness, wherever a serpent is seen, a man should not look down on it or despise it for its youth.

sn3.1:8 With its rainbow of colors, the serpent of fiery breath glides along. It lashes out and bites the fool, both men and women alike. Hence you should avoid it for the sake of your own life.

sn3.1:9 A fire devours a vast amount, a conflagration with a blackened trail. A man should not look down on it just because it’s young.

sn3.1:10 For once it gets fuel it’ll become a big conflagration. It’ll lash out and burn the fool, both men and women alike. Hence you should avoid it for the sake of your own life.

sn3.1:11 When a forest is burned by fire, a conflagration with a blackened trail, the shoots will spring up there again, with the passing of the days and nights.

sn3.1:12 But if a mendicant endowed with ethics burns you with their power, you’ll have no children or livestock, nor will your heirs find wealth. Childless and heirless you become, like a palm-tree stump.

sn3.1:13 That’s why an astute person, seeing what’s good for themselves, would always treat these properly: a serpent, a conflagration, a famous aristocrat, and a mendicant endowed with ethics.”

sn3.1:14 When this was said, King Pasenadi of Kosala said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

1. Shackles

A Person

sn3.2:1 At Sāvatthī. Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, how many things arise inside a person for their harm, suffering, and discomfort?”

sn3.2:2 “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.” That is what the Buddha said. …

sn3.2:3 “When greed, hate, and delusion, originate inside oneself, they harm a person of wicked heart, as a bamboo is destroyed by its own fruit.”

1. Shackles

Old Age and Death

sn3.3:1 At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, for someone who has been born, is there any exemption from old age and death?” “Great king, for someone who has been born, there’s no exemption 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 no exemption from old age and death. Even for mendicants who are perfected—who have ended the defilements, completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and are rightly freed through enlightenment—their bodies are liable to break up and be laid to rest.” That is what the Buddha said. …

sn3.3:2 “Fancy chariots of kings wear out, and even this body gets old. But the truth of the good never gets old— so the good proclaim to the good.”

1. Shackles

Loved

sn3.4:1 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. Even though they may say: “I love myself”, they don’t really. Why is that? It’s because they treat themselves like an enemy. That’s why they don’t love themselves. Those who do good things by way of body, speech, and mind do love themselves. Even though they may say: “I don’t love myself”, they do really. Why is that? It’s because they treat themselves like a loved one. That’s why they do love themselves.’”

sn3.4:2 “That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true!” said the Buddha. And he repeated the king’s statement, adding:

sn3.4:3 “If you knew your self as beloved, you’d not yoke yourself to wickedness. For happiness is not easy to find by someone who does bad deeds.

sn3.4:4 When you’re seized by the terminator as you give up your human life, what can you call your own? What do you take when you go? What goes with you, like a shadow that never leaves?

sn3.4:5 Both the good and the bad that a mortal does in this life is what they can call their own. That’s what they take when they go. That’s what goes with them, like a shadow that never leaves.

sn3.4:6 That’s why you should do good, investing in the future life. The good deeds of sentient beings support them in the next world.”

1. Shackles

Self-Protected

sn3.5:1 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. Even if they’re protected by a company of elephants, cavalry, chariots, or infantry, they still don’t protect themselves. Why is that? Because such protection is exterior, not interior. That’s why they don’t protect themselves. Those who do good things by way of body, speech, and mind do protect themselves. Even if they’re not protected by a company of elephants, cavalry, chariots, or infantry, they still protect themselves. Why is that? Because such protection is interior, not exterior. That’s why they do protect themselves.’”

sn3.5:2 “That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true!” said the Buddha. And he repeated the king’s statement, adding:

sn3.5:3 “Restraint of the body is good; restraint of speech is good; restraint of mind is good; everywhere, restraint is good. A sincere person, restrained everywhere, is said to be ‘protected’.”

1. Shackles

Few

sn3.6:1 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 grow indulgent and negligent, giving in to greed for sensual pleasures, and doing the wrong thing by others. There are many more who, when they obtain luxury possessions, do grow indulgent and negligent, giving in to greed for sensual pleasures, and doing the wrong thing by others.’”

sn3.6:2 “That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true!” said the Buddha. And he repeated the king’s statement, adding:

sn3.6:3 “Full of desire for possessions and pleasures, greedy, infatuated by sensual pleasures; they don’t notice that they’ve gone too far, like deer ensnared in a trap set out. It’ll be bitter later on; for the result will be bad for them.”

1. Shackles

Judgment

sn3.7:1 At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, when I’m sitting in court 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. Then it occurred to me: ‘Enough with passing judgment today. Now my dearest will be known by the judgments he makes.’”

sn3.7:2 “That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true! Those who are well-to-do aristocrats, brahmins, and householders tell deliberate lies for the sake of sensual pleasures. That is for their lasting harm and suffering.” That is what the Buddha said. …

sn3.7:3 “Full of desire for possessions and pleasures, greedy, infatuated by sensual pleasures; they don’t notice that they’ve gone too far, like fish swiftly snared. It’ll be bitter later on; for the result will be bad for them.”

1. Shackles

With Queen Mallikā

sn3.8:1 At Sāvatthī. Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala was upstairs in the royal 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?” “For me also, Mallikā, there’s no one.”

sn3.8:2 Then King Pasenadi of Kosala came downstairs from the stilt longhouse, went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

sn3.8:3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha spoke this verse:

sn3.8:4 “Having explored every quarter with the mind, one finds no one dearer than oneself. Likewise for others, each holds themselves dear; so one who desires self-knowledge <j>would harm no other.”

1. Shackles

Sacrifice

sn3.9:1 At Sāvatthī. Now at that time a grand sacrifice had been set up for King Pasenadi of Kosala. Bulls, bullocks, heifers, goats and rams—five hundred of each—had been led to the pillar for the sacrifice. His bondservants, servants, and workers did their jobs under threat of punishment and danger, weeping with tearful faces.

sn3.9:2 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 almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.

sn3.9:3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

sn3.9:4 “Horse sacrifice, human sacrifice, the ‘casting of the yoke-pin’, <j>the ‘royal soma drinking’, and the ‘unimpeded’— these grand, violent sacrifices yield no great fruit.

sn3.9:5 The great sages of right comportment don’t attend sacrifices where goats, sheep, and cattle and various creatures are killed.

sn3.9:6 But the great sages of right comportment do attend those sacrifices that are non-violent and propitious, where goats, sheep, and cattle, and various creatures are not killed.

sn3.9:7 An intelligent person should sacrifice like this, for this sacrifice is very fruitful. For a sponsor of sacrifices like this, things get better, not worse. Such a sacrifice is truly abundant, and even the angels are pleased.”

1. Shackles

Shackles

sn3.10:1 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.

sn3.10:2 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 almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what was happening.

sn3.10:3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

sn3.10:4 “The attentive say that shackle is not strong that’s made of iron, wood, or knots. But obsession with jeweled earrings, concern for your partners and children:

sn3.10:5 this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape. Having cut this one too they go forth, unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.”

2. Childless

Seven Matted-Hair Ascetics

sn3.11:1 At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the stilt longhouse of Migāra’s mother in the Eastern Monastery. Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat and sat outside the gate. Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side.

sn3.11:2 Now at that time seven matted-hair ascetics, seven Jain ascetics, seven naked ascetics, seven one-cloth ascetics, and seven wanderers passed by not far from the Buddha. Their armpits and bodies were hairy, and their nails were long; and they carried their pack with shoulder-poles. Then King Pasenadi got up from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, knelt on his right knee, raised his joined palms toward those various ascetics, and pronounced his name three times: “Sirs, I am Pasenadi, king of Kosala! … I am Pasenadi, king of Kosala!”

sn3.11:3 Then, not long after those ascetics had left, King Pasenadi went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, these are among those in the world who are perfected or who are on the path to perfection!”

sn3.11:4 “Great king, as a layman enjoying sensual pleasures, living at home with your children, using sandalwood imported from Kāsi, wearing garlands, fragrance, and makeup, and accepting gold and currency, it’s hard for you to know who is perfected or on the path to perfection.

sn3.11:5 You can get to know a person’s ethics by living with them. But only after a long time, not casually; only when attentive, not when inattentive; and only by the wise, not the witless. You can get to know a person’s purity by dealing with them. … You can get to know a person’s resilience in times of trouble. … You can get to know a person’s wisdom by discussion. But only after a long time, not casually; only when attentive, not when inattentive; and only by the wise, not the witless.”

sn3.11:6 “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing, how well said this was by the Buddha. …

sn3.11:7 Sir, these are my spies, my undercover agents returning after spying on the country. I shall later make use of what they first spied out. Now—when they have rinsed off the dust and dirt, and are nicely bathed and anointed, with hair and beard dressed, and dressed in white—they will amuse themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.”

sn3.11:8 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

sn3.11:9 “It’s not easy to know a man by his appearance. You shouldn’t trust them at first sight. For undisciplined men live in this world disguised as the disciplined.

sn3.11:10 Like a fake earring made of clay, like a copper halfpenny covered with gold, they live hidden in the world, corrupt inside but beautiful outside.”

2. Childless

Five Kings

sn3.12:1 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?” Some of them said, “Sights are the best of sensual pleasures!” Others said, “Sounds are best!” Others said, “Smells are best!” Others said, “Tastes are best!” Others said, “Touches are best!” Since those kings were unable to persuade each other,

sn3.12:2 King Pasenadi said to them, “Come, good fellows, let’s go to the Buddha and ask him about this. As he answers, so we’ll remember it.” “Yes, good fellows,” replied those kings.

sn3.12:3 Then those five kings headed by Pasenadi went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. King Pasenadi reported their conversation to the Buddha, and said, “Sir, what’s the best of sensual pleasures?”

sn3.12:4 “Great king, which kind of sensual stimulation is best is defined by which is most agreeable, I say. The very same sights that are agreeable to some are disagreeable to others. When you’re happy with certain sights, as you’ve got all you wished for, you don’t want any other sight that’s better or finer. For you, those sights are perfect and supreme.

sn3.12:5 The very same sounds …

sn3.12:6 smells …

sn3.12:7 tastes …

sn3.12:8 touches that are agreeable to some are disagreeable to others. When you’re happy with certain touches, as you’ve got all you wished for, you don’t want any other touch that’s better or finer. For you, those touches are perfect and supreme.”

sn3.12:9 Now at that time the lay follower Candanaṅgalika was sitting in that assembly. Then he rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his cupped palms toward the Buddha, and said, “I feel inspired to speak, Blessed One! I feel inspired to speak, Holy One!” “Then speak as you feel inspired,” said the Buddha.

sn3.12:10 Then the lay follower Candanaṅgalika extolled the Buddha in his presence with an appropriate verse:

sn3.12:11 “Like a fragrant pink lotus that blooms at daybreak, its fragrance unfaded— see Aṅgīrasa dazzle, bright as the sun in the sky!”

sn3.12:12 Then those five kings clothed Candanaṅgalika with five upper robes. And Candanaṅgalika in turn endowed the Buddha with those robes.

2. Childless

A Bucketful of Rice

sn3.13:1 At Sāvatthī. Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala used to eat boiled rice by the bucketful. Then after eating King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, huffing and puffing. He bowed and sat down to one side.

sn3.13:2 Then, knowing that King Pasenadi was huffing and puffing after eating, on that occasion the Buddha spoke this verse:

sn3.13:3 “When a man is always mindful, knowing moderation in eating, his discomfort fades, and he ages slowly, taking care of his life.”

sn3.13:4 Now at that time the student Sudassana was standing behind the king. Then King Pasenadi addressed him, “Please, dear Sudassana, memorize this verse in the Buddha’s presence and recite it to me whenever I am served a meal. I’ll set up a regular daily allowance of a hundred dollars for you.” “Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Sudassana. He memorized that verse in the Buddha’s presence, and then whenever the king was served a meal he would repeat it:

sn3.13:5 “When a man is always mindful, knowing moderation in eating, his discomfort fades, and he ages slowly, taking care of his life.”

sn3.13:6 Then the king gradually got used to having at most a cup of rice. After some time King Pasenadi’s body slimmed right down. Stroking his limbs with his hands, at that time he expressed this heartfelt sentiment: “In both ways the Buddha has sympathy for me: in the good of this life and the good of lives to come.”

2. Childless

Battle (1st)

sn3.14:1 At Sāvatthī. Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, 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.

sn3.14:2 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 almsround, they went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. Then the Buddha said:

sn3.14:4 “Mendicants, King Ajātasattu has bad friends, companions, and associates. But King Pasenadi has good friends, companions, and associates. Yet on this day King Pasenadi will have a bad night’s sleep as one defeated.” That is what the Buddha said. …

sn3.14:5 “Victory breeds enmity; the defeated sleep badly. The peaceful sleep at ease, having left victory and defeat behind.”

2. Childless

Battle (2nd)

sn3.15:1 Then King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, 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 Pasenadi defeated Ajātasattu and captured him alive. Then King Pasenadi thought, “Even though I’ve never betrayed this King Ajātasattu, he betrayed me. Still, he is my nephew. Now that I’ve vanquished all of Ajātasattu’s elephant troops, cavalry, chariots, and infantry, why don’t I let him loose with just his life?”

sn3.15:2 And that’s what he did.

sn3.15:3 Then several mendicants … told the Buddha what had happened.

sn3.15:6 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

sn3.15:7 “A man goes on plundering as long as it serves his ends. But as soon as others plunder him, the plunderer is plundered.

sn3.15:8 For the fool thinks they’re on solid ground, so long as their wickedness has not ripened. But as soon as that wickedness ripens, they fall into suffering.

sn3.15:9 A killer creates a killer; a conqueror creates a conqueror; an abuser creates abuse, and a bully creates a bully. And so as deeds unfold the plunderer is plundered.”

2. Childless

A Daughter

sn3.16:1 At Sāvatthī. Then King Pasenadi of Kosala went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Then a man went up to the king and whispered in his ear, “Your Majesty, Queen Mallikā has given birth to a daughter.” When this was said, King Pasenadi was disappointed.

sn3.16:2 Then, knowing that King Pasenadi was disappointed, on that occasion the Buddha recited these verses:

sn3.16:3 “Well, some women are better than men, O ruler of the people. Wise and virtuous, a devoted wife whose mother-in-law is her queen.

sn3.16:4 And when she has a son, he becomes a hero, O lord of the land. The son of such a blessed lady may even rule the realm.”

2. Childless

Diligence

sn3.17:1 At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, “Sir, is there one thing that secures benefits for both this life and lives to come?”

sn3.17:2 “There is, Great King.”

sn3.17:3 “So what is that one thing?”

sn3.17:4 “Diligence, Great King, is one thing that secures benefits for both this life and lives to come. The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint. So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all. In the same way, diligence is one thing that secures benefits for both this life and lives to come.” That is what the Buddha said. …

sn3.17:5 “For one who desires high delights again and again— long life, beauty, and health, heaven, and an eminent family—

sn3.17:6 the astute praise diligence in making merit. Being diligent, an astute person secures both benefits:

sn3.17:7 the benefit in this life, and in lives to come. An attentive one, comprehending the meaning, is said to be astute.”

2. Childless

Good Friends

sn3.18:1 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. ‘The teaching is well explained by the Buddha. But it’s for someone with good friends, companions, and associates, not for someone with bad friends, companions, and associates.’”