Thus have I heard. The Blessed One was once staying at Kusinara in the Upavattana, the Sala grove of the Mallas, between the twin Sala trees, at the time of his death.
Now the venerable Ananda went up to the place where the Blessed One was, and bowed down before him, and took his seat respectfully on one side. And when he was so seated, the venerable Ananda said to the Blessed One:
“Let not the Blessed One die in this little wattle and daub town, in this town in the midst of the jungle, in this branch township. For, Lord, there are other great cities, such as Champa, Rajagaha, Savatthi, Saketa, Kosambi, and Benares. Let the Blessed One die in one of them. There there are many wealthy nobles and Brahmans and heads of houses, believers in the Tathagata, who will pay due honour to the remains of the Tathagata.”
Now the venerable Ananda went up to the place where the Blessed One was, and bowed down before him, and took his seat respectfully on one side. And when he was so seated, the venerable Ananda said to the Blessed One:
“Let not the Blessed One die in this little wattle and daub town, in this town in the midst of the jungle, in this branch township. For, Lord, there are other great cities, such as Champa, Rajagaha, Savatthi, Saketa, Kosambi, and Benares. Let the Blessed One die in one of them. There there are many wealthy nobles and Brahmans and heads of houses, believers in the Tathagata, who will pay due honour to the remains of the Tathagata.”
“Say not so, Ananda! Say not so, Ananda, that this is but a small wattle and daub town, a town in the midst of the jungle, a branch township. Long ago, Ananda, there was a king, by name Maha-Sudassana, a king of kings, a righteous man who ruled in righteousness, an anointed Kshatriya, Lord of the four quarters of the earth, conqueror, the protector of his people, possessor of the seven royal treasures. This Kusinara, Ananda, was the royal city of king Maha-Sudassana, under the name of Kusavati, and on the east and on the west it was twelve leagues in length, and on the north and on the south it was seven leagues in breadth. That royal city Kusavati, Ananda, was mighty, and prosperous, and full of people, crowded with men, and provided with all things for food. Just, Ananda, as the royal city of the gods, Alakamanda by name, is mighty, prosperous, and full of people, crowded with the gods, and provided with all kinds of food, so, Ananda, was the royal city Kusavati mighty and prosperous, full of people, crowded with men, and provided with all kinds of food.
Both by day and by night, Ananda, the royal city Kusavati resounded
‘The royal city Kusavati, Ananda, was surrounded by Seven Ramparts. Of these, one rampart was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal, and one of agate, and one of coral, and one of all kinds of gems!’
‘To the royal city Kusavati, Ananda, there were Four Gates. One gate was of gold, and one of silver, and one of jade, and one of crystal. At each gate seven pillars were fixed; in height as three times or as four times the height of a man. And one pillar was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal, and one of agate, and one of coral, and one of all kinds of gems.
‘The royal city Kusavati, Ananda, was surrounded by Seven Ramparts. Of these, one rampart was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal, and one of agate, and one of coral, and one of all kinds of gems!’
‘To the royal city Kusavati, Ananda, there were Four Gates. One gate was of gold, and one of silver, and one of jade, and one of crystal. At each gate seven pillars were fixed; in height as three times or as four times the height of a man. And one pillar was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal, and one of agate, and one of coral, and one of all kinds of gems.
‘The royal city Kusavati, Ananda, was surrounded by Seven Rows of Palm Trees. One row was of palms of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal, and one of agate, and one of coral, and one of all kinds of gems.
‘And the Golden Palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. And the Silver Palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. And the Palms of Beryl had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal. And the Crystal Palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. And the Agate Palms had trunks of agate, and leaves and fruits of coral. And the Coral Palms had trunks of coral, and leaves and fruits of agate. And the Palms of every kind of Gem had trunks and leaves and fruits of every kind of gem.
‘And the Golden Palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. And the Silver Palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. And the Palms of Beryl had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal. And the Crystal Palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. And the Agate Palms had trunks of agate, and leaves and fruits of coral. And the Coral Palms had trunks of coral, and leaves and fruits of agate. And the Palms of every kind of Gem had trunks and leaves and fruits of every kind of gem.
‘And when those rows of palm trees, Ananda,
Maṇi. 7. Rājataṃ.
Veḷuriyo. 8. Gatarupaṃ.
Saṅkho. 9. Lohitaṅko.
Sila. 10. Masāragallaṃ.
'And again, O Sāriputra, when those rows of palm trees and strings of bells in that Buddha country are moved by the wind, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds from them. Yes, O Sāriputra, as from a heavenly musical instrument consisting of a hundred thousand koṭis of sounds, when played by Aryas, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds; a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds from those rows of palm trees and strings of bells moved by the wind.
'And when the men there hear that sound, reflection on Buddha arises in their body, reflection on the Law, reflection on the Assembly.'
Maṇi. 7. Rājataṃ.
Veḷuriyo. 8. Gatarupaṃ.
Saṅkho. 9. Lohitaṅko.
Sila. 10. Masāragallaṃ.
'And again, O Sāriputra, when those rows of palm trees and strings of bells in that Buddha country are moved by the wind, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds from them. Yes, O Sāriputra, as from a heavenly musical instrument consisting of a hundred thousand koṭis of sounds, when played by Aryas, a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds; a sweet and enrapturing sound proceeds from those rows of palm trees and strings of bells moved by the wind.
'And when the men there hear that sound, reflection on Buddha arises in their body, reflection on the Law, reflection on the Assembly.'
'Just, Ananda, as the seven kinds of instruments yield, when well played upon, to the skilful man, a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating—just even so, Ananda, when those rows of palm trees were shaken by the wind, there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
'And whoever, Ananda, in the royal city Kusavati were at that time gamblers, drunkards, and given to drink, they used to dance round together to the sound of those palms when shaken by the wind.
'The Great King of Glory, Ananda, was the possessor of Seven Precious Things, and was gifted with Four Marvellous Powers.'
'What are those seven?'
'In the first place, Ananda, when the Great King of Glory, on the Sabbath day, on the day of the full moon, had purified himself, and had gone up into the upper story of his palace to keep the sacred day, there then appeared to him the heavenly Treasure of the Wheel, with its nave, its tire, and all its thousand spokes complete.
'And whoever, Ananda, in the royal city Kusavati were at that time gamblers, drunkards, and given to drink, they used to dance round together to the sound of those palms when shaken by the wind.
'The Great King of Glory, Ananda, was the possessor of Seven Precious Things, and was gifted with Four Marvellous Powers.'
'What are those seven?'
'In the first place, Ananda, when the Great King of Glory, on the Sabbath day, on the day of the full moon, had purified himself, and had gone up into the upper story of his palace to keep the sacred day, there then appeared to him the heavenly Treasure of the Wheel, with its nave, its tire, and all its thousand spokes complete.
'When he beheld it the Great King of Glory thought:
'"This saying have I heard, ‘When a king of the warrior race, an anointed king, has purified himself on the Sabbath day, on the day of the full moon, and has gone up into the upper story of his palace to keep the sacred day; if there appear to him the heavenly Treasure of the Wheel, with its nave, its tire, and all its thousand spokes complete—that king becomes a king of kings invincible.’ May I, then, become a king of kings invincible."
'Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory rose from his seat, and reverently uncovering from one shoulder his robe, he held in his left hand a pitcher, and with his right hand he sprinkled water up over the Wheel, as he said:
'"This saying have I heard, ‘When a king of the warrior race, an anointed king, has purified himself on the Sabbath day, on the day of the full moon, and has gone up into the upper story of his palace to keep the sacred day; if there appear to him the heavenly Treasure of the Wheel, with its nave, its tire, and all its thousand spokes complete—that king becomes a king of kings invincible.’ May I, then, become a king of kings invincible."
'Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory rose from his seat, and reverently uncovering from one shoulder his robe, he held in his left hand a pitcher, and with his right hand he sprinkled water up over the Wheel, as he said:
'"Roll onward, O my Lord, the Wheel! O my Lord, go forth and overcome!"
'Then the wondrous Wheel, Ananda, rolled onwards towards the region of the East, and after it went the Great King of Glory and with him his
army, horses, and chariots, and elephants, and men. And in whatever place, Ananda, the Wheel stopped, there the Great King of Glory took up his abode, and with him his army, horses, and chariots, and elephants, and men.
‘Then, Ananda, all the rival kings in the region of the East came to the Great King of Glory and said:
‘“Come, O mighty king! Welcome, O mighty king! All is thine, O mighty king! Do thou, O mighty king, be a Teacher to us!”
'Then the wondrous Wheel, Ananda, rolled onwards towards the region of the East, and after it went the Great King of Glory and with him his
army, horses, and chariots, and elephants, and men. And in whatever place, Ananda, the Wheel stopped, there the Great King of Glory took up his abode, and with him his army, horses, and chariots, and elephants, and men.
‘Then, Ananda, all the rival kings in the region of the East came to the Great King of Glory and said:
‘“Come, O mighty king! Welcome, O mighty king! All is thine, O mighty king! Do thou, O mighty king, be a Teacher to us!”
Thus spake the Great King of Glory:
“Ye shall slay no living thing.
Ye shall not take that which has not been given.
Ye shall not act wrongly touching the bodily desires.
Ye shall speak no lie,
Ye shall drink no maddening drink.
Ye shall eat as ye have eaten.”
‘Then, Ananda, all the rival kings in the region of the East became subject unto the Great King of Glory.
‘But the wondrous Wheel, Ananda, having plunged down into the great waters in the East, rose up out again, and rolled onward to the region of the South [and there all happened as had happened in the region of the East. And in like manner the wondrous Wheel rolled onward to the extremest boundary of the West and of the North; and there, too, all happened as had happened in the region of the East].
“Ye shall slay no living thing.
Ye shall not take that which has not been given.
Ye shall not act wrongly touching the bodily desires.
Ye shall speak no lie,
Ye shall drink no maddening drink.
Ye shall eat as ye have eaten.”
‘Then, Ananda, all the rival kings in the region of the East became subject unto the Great King of Glory.
‘But the wondrous Wheel, Ananda, having plunged down into the great waters in the East, rose up out again, and rolled onward to the region of the South [and there all happened as had happened in the region of the East. And in like manner the wondrous Wheel rolled onward to the extremest boundary of the West and of the North; and there, too, all happened as had happened in the region of the East].
‘Now when the wondrous Wheel, Ananda, had gone forth conquering and to conquer o’er the whole earth to its very ocean boundary, it returned back again to the royal city of Kusavatt and remained fixed on the open terrace in front of the entrance to the inner apartments of the Great King of Glory, as a glorious adornment to the inner apartments of the Great King of Glory.
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Wheel which appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Elephant Treasure, all white, sevenfold firm, wonderful in power, flying through the sky—the Elephant-King, whose name was “The Changes of the Moon.”
‘When he beheld it the Great King of Glory was pleased at heart at the thought:
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Wheel which appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Elephant Treasure, all white, sevenfold firm, wonderful in power, flying through the sky—the Elephant-King, whose name was “The Changes of the Moon.”
‘When he beheld it the Great King of Glory was pleased at heart at the thought:
‘Then, Ananda, the wondrous Elephant—like a fine elephant of noble blood long since well trained—submitted to control.
‘When as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wondrous Elephant, mounted on to it early in the morning, it passed over along the broad earth to its very ocean boundary, and then returned again, in time for the morning meal, to the royal city of Kusavati.
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Elephant that appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Horse Treasure, all white with a black head, and a dark mane, wonderful in power, flying through the sky—the Charger-King, whose name was “Thunder-cloud.”
‘When he beheld it, the Great King of Glory was pleased at heart at the thought:
‘When as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wondrous Elephant, mounted on to it early in the morning, it passed over along the broad earth to its very ocean boundary, and then returned again, in time for the morning meal, to the royal city of Kusavati.
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Elephant that appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Horse Treasure, all white with a black head, and a dark mane, wonderful in power, flying through the sky—the Charger-King, whose name was “Thunder-cloud.”
‘When he beheld it, the Great King of Glory was pleased at heart at the thought:
‘“Auspicious were it to ride upon that Horse if only it would submit to be controlled!”
‘Then, Ananda, the wondrous Horse—like a fine horse of the best blood long since well trained—submitted to control.
‘When as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wondrous Horse, mounted on to it early in the morning, it passed over along the broad earth to its very ocean boundary, and then returned again, in time for the morning meal, to the royal city of Kusavati.
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Horse that appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Gem-Treasured. That Gem was the Veḷuriya, bright, of the finest species, with eight facets, excellently wrought, clear, transparent, perfect in every way.
‘Then, Ananda, the wondrous Horse—like a fine horse of the best blood long since well trained—submitted to control.
‘When as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wondrous Horse, mounted on to it early in the morning, it passed over along the broad earth to its very ocean boundary, and then returned again, in time for the morning meal, to the royal city of Kusavati.
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Horse that appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Gem-Treasured. That Gem was the Veḷuriya, bright, of the finest species, with eight facets, excellently wrought, clear, transparent, perfect in every way.
‘The splendour, Ananda, of that wondrous Gem spread round about a league on every side.
‘When as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wondrous Gem, set all his fourfold army in array and raised aloft the Gem upon his standard top, he was able to march out in the gloom and darkness of the night.
‘And then too, Ananda, all the dwellers in the villages, round about, set about their daily work, thinking, “The daylight hath appeared.”
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Gem that appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Woman-Treasure, graceful in figure, beautiful in appearance, charming in manner, and of the most fine complexion; neither very tall, nor very short; neither very stout, nor very slim; neither very dark, nor very fair; surpassing human beauty, she had attained unto the beauty of the gods.
‘When as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wondrous Gem, set all his fourfold army in array and raised aloft the Gem upon his standard top, he was able to march out in the gloom and darkness of the night.
‘And then too, Ananda, all the dwellers in the villages, round about, set about their daily work, thinking, “The daylight hath appeared.”
‘Such, Ananda, was the wondrous Gem that appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory the Woman-Treasure, graceful in figure, beautiful in appearance, charming in manner, and of the most fine complexion; neither very tall, nor very short; neither very stout, nor very slim; neither very dark, nor very fair; surpassing human beauty, she had attained unto the beauty of the gods.
‘The touch too, Ananda, of the skin of that wondrous Woman was as the touch of cotton or of cotton wool: in the cold her limbs were warm, in the heat her limbs were cool; while from her body was wafted the perfume of sandal wood and from her mouth the perfume of the lotus.
‘That Pearl among Women too, Ananda, used to rise up before the Great King of Glory, and after him retire to rest; pleasant was she in speech, and ever on the watch to hear what she might do in order so to act as to give him pleasure.
‘That Pearl among Women too, Ananda, was never, even in thought, unfaithful to the Great King of Glory—how much less then could she be so with the body!
‘That Pearl among Women too, Ananda, used to rise up before the Great King of Glory, and after him retire to rest; pleasant was she in speech, and ever on the watch to hear what she might do in order so to act as to give him pleasure.
‘That Pearl among Women too, Ananda, was never, even in thought, unfaithful to the Great King of Glory—how much less then could she be so with the body!
‘Such, Ananda, was the Pearl among Women who appeared to the Great King of Glory.
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared unto the Great King of Glory a Wonderful Treasurer, possessed, through good deeds done in a former birth, of a marvellous power of vision by which he could discover treasure, whether it had an owner or whether it had not.
‘He went up to the Great King of Glory, and said:
“Do thou, O King, take thine ease! I will deal with thy wealth even as wealth should be dealt with.”
‘Then, as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wonderful Treasurer, went on board a boat, and had it pushed out into the current in the midst of the river Ganges. Then he said to the wonderful steward:
‘Now further, Ananda, there appeared unto the Great King of Glory a Wonderful Treasurer, possessed, through good deeds done in a former birth, of a marvellous power of vision by which he could discover treasure, whether it had an owner or whether it had not.
‘He went up to the Great King of Glory, and said:
“Do thou, O King, take thine ease! I will deal with thy wealth even as wealth should be dealt with.”
‘Then, as before, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, to test that wonderful Treasurer, went on board a boat, and had it pushed out into the current in the midst of the river Ganges. Then he said to the wonderful steward:
“I have need, O Treasurer, of yellow gold!”
“Let the ship then, O Great King, go alongside either of the banks.”
“It is here, O Treasurer, that I have need of yellow gold.”
‘Then the wonderful Treasurer reached down to the water with both his hands, and drew up a jar
'Is that enough, O Great King? Have I done enough, O Great King?'
'And the Great King of Glory replied:
'It is enough, O Treasurer. You have done enough, O Treasurer. You have offered me enough, O Treasurer!'
Such was the wonderful Treasurer, Ananda, who appeared to the Great King of Glory.
'Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory a Wonderful Adviser, learned, clever, and wise; and qualified to lead the Great King of Glory to undertake what he ought to undertake, and to leave undone what he ought to leave undone.
“Let the ship then, O Great King, go alongside either of the banks.”
“It is here, O Treasurer, that I have need of yellow gold.”
‘Then the wonderful Treasurer reached down to the water with both his hands, and drew up a jar
'Is that enough, O Great King? Have I done enough, O Great King?'
'And the Great King of Glory replied:
'It is enough, O Treasurer. You have done enough, O Treasurer. You have offered me enough, O Treasurer!'
Such was the wonderful Treasurer, Ananda, who appeared to the Great King of Glory.
'Now further, Ananda, there appeared to the Great King of Glory a Wonderful Adviser, learned, clever, and wise; and qualified to lead the Great King of Glory to undertake what he ought to undertake, and to leave undone what he ought to leave undone.
'He went up to the Great King of Glory, and said:
'"Do thou, O King, take thine ease! I will be thy guide."
'Such, Ananda, was the wonderful Adviser who appeared to the Great King of Glory.
'The Great King of Glory was possessed of these Seven Precious Things.
'Now further, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was gifted with Four Marvellous Gifts.'
'What are the Four Marvellous Gifts?'
'In the first place, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was graceful in figure, handsome in appearance, pleasing in manner, and of most beautiful complexion, beyond what other men are.
'The Great King of Glory, Ananda, was endowed with this First Marvellous Gift.
'And besides that, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was of long life, and of many years, beyond those of other men.
'"Do thou, O King, take thine ease! I will be thy guide."
'Such, Ananda, was the wonderful Adviser who appeared to the Great King of Glory.
'The Great King of Glory was possessed of these Seven Precious Things.
'Now further, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was gifted with Four Marvellous Gifts.'
'What are the Four Marvellous Gifts?'
'In the first place, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was graceful in figure, handsome in appearance, pleasing in manner, and of most beautiful complexion, beyond what other men are.
'The Great King of Glory, Ananda, was endowed with this First Marvellous Gift.
'And besides that, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was of long life, and of many years, beyond those of other men.
'The Great King of Glory, Ananda, was endowed with this Second Marvellous Gift.
'And besides that, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was free from disease, and free from bodily suffering; and his internal fire was neither too hot nor too cold, but such as to promote good digestion, beyond that of other men.
‘And besides that, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was beloved and popular with Brahmans and with laymen alike. Just, Ananda, as a father is near and dear to his own sons, just so, Ananda, was the Great King of Glory beloved and popular with Brahmans and with laymen alike. And just, Ananda, as his sons are near and dear to a father, just so, Ananda, were Brahmans and laymen alike near and dear to the Great King of Glory.
'And besides that, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was free from disease, and free from bodily suffering; and his internal fire was neither too hot nor too cold, but such as to promote good digestion, beyond that of other men.
‘And besides that, Ananda, the Great King of Glory was beloved and popular with Brahmans and with laymen alike. Just, Ananda, as a father is near and dear to his own sons, just so, Ananda, was the Great King of Glory beloved and popular with Brahmans and with laymen alike. And just, Ananda, as his sons are near and dear to a father, just so, Ananda, were Brahmans and laymen alike near and dear to the Great King of Glory.
‘Once, Ananda, the Great King of Glory marched out with all his fourfold army to the pleasure ground. There, Ananda, the Brahmans and laymen went up to the Great King of Glory, and said:
‘“O King, pass slowly by, that we may look upon thee for a longer time!”
‘But the Great King of Glory, Ananda, addressed his charioteer, and said:
‘“Drive on the chariot slowly, charioteer, that I may look upon my people (Brahmans and laymen) for a longer time!”
‘This was the Fourth Marvellous Gift, Ananda, with which the Great King of Glory was endowed.
‘These are the Four Marvellous Gifts, Ananda, with which the Great King of Glory was endowed.
‘Now to the Great King of Glory, Ananda, there occurred the thought:
‘“O King, pass slowly by, that we may look upon thee for a longer time!”
‘But the Great King of Glory, Ananda, addressed his charioteer, and said:
‘“Drive on the chariot slowly, charioteer, that I may look upon my people (Brahmans and laymen) for a longer time!”
‘This was the Fourth Marvellous Gift, Ananda, with which the Great King of Glory was endowed.
‘These are the Four Marvellous Gifts, Ananda, with which the Great King of Glory was endowed.
‘Now to the Great King of Glory, Ananda, there occurred the thought:
‘“Suppose, now, I were to make Lotus-ponds in the spaces between these palms, at every hundred bow lengths.”
‘Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, in the spaces between those palms, at distances of a hundred bow lengths, made Lotus-ponds.
‘And those Lotus-ponds, Ananda, were faced with tiles of four kinds. One kind of tile was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
‘And to each of those Lotus-ponds, Ananda, there were four flights of steps, of four different kinds. One flight of steps was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal. The flight of golden steps had balustrades of gold, with the cross bars and the figure head of silver. The flight of silver steps had balustrades of silver, with the cross bars and the figure head of gold. The flight of beryl steps had balustrades of beryl, with the cross bars and the figure head of crystal. The flight of crystal steps had balustrades of crystal, with cross bars and figure head of beryl.
‘Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory, in the spaces between those palms, at distances of a hundred bow lengths, made Lotus-ponds.
‘And those Lotus-ponds, Ananda, were faced with tiles of four kinds. One kind of tile was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
‘And to each of those Lotus-ponds, Ananda, there were four flights of steps, of four different kinds. One flight of steps was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal. The flight of golden steps had balustrades of gold, with the cross bars and the figure head of silver. The flight of silver steps had balustrades of silver, with the cross bars and the figure head of gold. The flight of beryl steps had balustrades of beryl, with the cross bars and the figure head of crystal. The flight of crystal steps had balustrades of crystal, with cross bars and figure head of beryl.
‘And round those Lotus-ponds there ran, Ananda, a double railing. One railing was of gold, and one was of silver. The golden railing had its posts of gold, and its cross bars and its capitals of silver. The silver railing had its posts of silver, and its cross bars and its capitals of gold.
‘Now, to the Great King of Glory, Ananda, there occurred the thought:
‘“Suppose, now, I were to have flowers of every season planted in those Lotus-ponds for the use of all the people—to wit, blue water lilies and blue lotuses, white lotuses and white water lilies.”
‘Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory had flowers of every season planted in those Lotus-ponds for the use of all the people—to wit, blue water lilies and blue lotuses, white lotuses and white water lilies.
‘Now, to the Great King of Glory, Ananda, there occurred the thought:
‘“Suppose, now, I were to have flowers of every season planted in those Lotus-ponds for the use of all the people—to wit, blue water lilies and blue lotuses, white lotuses and white water lilies.”
‘Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory had flowers of every season planted in those Lotus-ponds for the use of all the people—to wit, blue water lilies and blue lotuses, white lotuses and white water lilies.
‘Now, to the Great King of Glory, Ananda, occurred the thought:
‘“Suppose, now, I were to place bathing-men on the banks of those Lotus-ponds, to bathe such of the people as come there from time to time.”
‘Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory placed bathing-men on the banks of those Lotus-ponds, to bathe such of the people as come there from time to time.
‘Now, to the Great King of Glory, Ananda, occurred the thought:
‘“Suppose, now, I were to establish a perpetual grant by the banks of those Lotus-ponds—to wit, food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked, means of conveyance for those who have need of it, couches for the tired, wives for those who want wives, gold for the poor, and money for those who are in want.”
‘“Suppose, now, I were to place bathing-men on the banks of those Lotus-ponds, to bathe such of the people as come there from time to time.”
‘Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory placed bathing-men on the banks of those Lotus-ponds, to bathe such of the people as come there from time to time.
‘Now, to the Great King of Glory, Ananda, occurred the thought:
‘“Suppose, now, I were to establish a perpetual grant by the banks of those Lotus-ponds—to wit, food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked, means of conveyance for those who have need of it, couches for the tired, wives for those who want wives, gold for the poor, and money for those who are in want.”
'Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory established a perpetual grant by the banks of those Lotus-ponds—to wit, food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked, means of conveyance for those who needed it, couches for the tired, wives for those who wanted wives, gold for the poor, and money for those who were in want.
'Now, Ananda, the people (Brahmans and laymen) went to the Great King of Glory, taking with them much wealth. And they said:
'“This abundant wealth, O King, have we brought here for the use of the King of Kings. Let the King accept it of us!”
'“I have enough wealth, my friends, laid up for myself, the produce of righteous taxation. Do you keep this, and take away more with you!”
'Now, Ananda, the people (Brahmans and laymen) went to the Great King of Glory, taking with them much wealth. And they said:
'“This abundant wealth, O King, have we brought here for the use of the King of Kings. Let the King accept it of us!”
'“I have enough wealth, my friends, laid up for myself, the produce of righteous taxation. Do you keep this, and take away more with you!”
'When those men were thus refused by the King they went aside and considered together, saying:
'“It would not beseem us now, were we to take back this wealth to our own houses. Suppose, now, we were to build a mansion for the Great King of Glory.”
'Then they went to the Great King of Glory, and said:
'“A mansion would we build for thee, O King!”
'Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory signified, by silence, his consent.
'Now, Ananda, when Sakka, the king of the gods, became aware in his mind of the thoughts that were in the heart of the Great King of Glory, he addressed Vissakamma the god, and said:
'“Come now, Vissakamma, create me a mansion for the Great King of Glory—a palace which shall be called ‘Righteousness.’”
'“It would not beseem us now, were we to take back this wealth to our own houses. Suppose, now, we were to build a mansion for the Great King of Glory.”
'Then they went to the Great King of Glory, and said:
'“A mansion would we build for thee, O King!”
'Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory signified, by silence, his consent.
'Now, Ananda, when Sakka, the king of the gods, became aware in his mind of the thoughts that were in the heart of the Great King of Glory, he addressed Vissakamma the god, and said:
'“Come now, Vissakamma, create me a mansion for the Great King of Glory—a palace which shall be called ‘Righteousness.’”
'“Even so, Lord!” said Vissakamma, in assent, Ananda, to Sakka, the king of the gods. And as instantaneously as a strong man might stretch forth his folded arm, or draw in his arm again when it was stretched forth, so quickly did he vanish from the heaven of the Great Thirty-Three, and appeared before the Great King of Glory.
'Then, Ananda, Vissakamma the god said to the Great King of Glory:
'“I would create for thee, O King, a mansion—a palace which shall be called ‘Righteousness!’”
'Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory signified, by silence, his consent.
'So Vissakamma the god, Ananda, created for the Great King of Glory a mansion—a palace to be called “Righteousness.”
'The Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was on the east and on the west a league in length, and on the north and on the south half a league in breadth.
'Then, Ananda, Vissakamma the god said to the Great King of Glory:
'“I would create for thee, O King, a mansion—a palace which shall be called ‘Righteousness!’”
'Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory signified, by silence, his consent.
'So Vissakamma the god, Ananda, created for the Great King of Glory a mansion—a palace to be called “Righteousness.”
'The Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was on the east and on the west a league in length, and on the north and on the south half a league in breadth.
'The ground-floor, Ananda, of the Palace of Righteousness, in height as three times the height to which a man can reach, was built of bricks, of four kinds. One kind of brick was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
'To the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, there were eighty-four thousand pillars of four kinds. One kind of pillar was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
'The Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was fitted up with seats of four kinds. One kind of seat was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
'To the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, there were eighty-four thousand pillars of four kinds. One kind of pillar was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
'The Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was fitted up with seats of four kinds. One kind of seat was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
‘In the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, there were twenty-four staircases of four kinds. One staircase was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal. The staircase of gold had balustrades of gold, with the cross bars and the figure head of silver. The staircase of silver had balustrades of silver, with the cross bars and the figure head of gold. The staircase of beryl had balustrades of beryl, with the cross bars and the figure head of crystal. The staircase of crystal had balustrades of crystal, with cross bars and figure head of beryl.
‘In the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, there were eighty-four thousand chambers of four kinds. One kind of chamber was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
‘In the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, there were eighty-four thousand chambers of four kinds. One kind of chamber was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
‘In the golden chamber a silver couch was spread; in the silver chamber a golden couch; in the beryl chamber a couch of ivory; and in the crystal chamber a couch of coral.
‘At the door of the golden chamber there stood a palm tree of silver; and its trunk was of silver, and its leaves and fruits of gold.
‘At the door of the silver chamber there stood a palm tree of gold; and its trunk was of gold, and its leaves and fruits of silver.
‘At the door of the beryl chamber there stood a palm tree of crystal; and its trunk was of crystal, and its leaves and fruits of beryl.
‘At the door of the crystal chamber there stood a palm tree of beryl; and its trunk was of beryl, and its leaves and fruits of crystal.
‘At the door of the golden chamber there stood a palm tree of silver; and its trunk was of silver, and its leaves and fruits of gold.
‘At the door of the silver chamber there stood a palm tree of gold; and its trunk was of gold, and its leaves and fruits of silver.
‘At the door of the beryl chamber there stood a palm tree of crystal; and its trunk was of crystal, and its leaves and fruits of beryl.
‘At the door of the crystal chamber there stood a palm tree of beryl; and its trunk was of beryl, and its leaves and fruits of crystal.
‘Now there occurred, Ananda, to the Great King of Glory this thought:
“Suppose, now, I were to make a grove of palm trees, all of gold, at the entrance to the chamber of the Great Complex, under the shade of which I may pass the heat of the day.”
Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory made a grove of palm trees, all of gold, at the entrance to the chamber of the Great Complex, under the shade of which he might pass the heat of the day.
‘The Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was surrounded by a double railing. One railing was of gold, and one was of silver. The golden railing had its posts of gold, and its cross bars and its figure head of silver. The silver railing had its posts of silver, and its cross bars and its figure head of gold.
“Suppose, now, I were to make a grove of palm trees, all of gold, at the entrance to the chamber of the Great Complex, under the shade of which I may pass the heat of the day.”
Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory made a grove of palm trees, all of gold, at the entrance to the chamber of the Great Complex, under the shade of which he might pass the heat of the day.
‘The Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was surrounded by a double railing. One railing was of gold, and one was of silver. The golden railing had its posts of gold, and its cross bars and its figure head of silver. The silver railing had its posts of silver, and its cross bars and its figure head of gold.
‘The Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was hung round with two networks of bells. One network of bells was of gold, and one was of silver.
The golden network had bells of silver, and the silver network had bells of gold.
‘And when those networks of bells, Ananda, were shaken by the wind there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
Just, Ananda, as the seven kind of instruments yield, when well played upon, to the skilful man, a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating—just even so, Ananda, when those networks of bells were shaken by the wind, there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
‘And whoever, Ananda, in the royal city Kusavati were at that time gamblers, drunkards, and given to drink, they used to dance round together to the sound of those networks of bells when shaken by the wind.
The golden network had bells of silver, and the silver network had bells of gold.
‘And when those networks of bells, Ananda, were shaken by the wind there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
Just, Ananda, as the seven kind of instruments yield, when well played upon, to the skilful man, a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating—just even so, Ananda, when those networks of bells were shaken by the wind, there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
‘And whoever, Ananda, in the royal city Kusavati were at that time gamblers, drunkards, and given to drink, they used to dance round together to the sound of those networks of bells when shaken by the wind.
‘When the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was finished it was hard to look at, destructive to the eyes. Just, Ananda, as in the last month of the rains in the autumn time, when the sky has become clear and the clouds have vanished away, the sun, springing up along the heavens, is hard to look at, and destructive to the eyes,—just so, Ananda, when the Palace of Righteousness was finished was it hard to look at, and destructive to the eyes.
‘Now there occurred, Ananda, to the Great King of Glory this thought:
“Suppose, now, in front of the Palace of Righteousness, I were to make a Lotus-lake to bear the name of ‘Righteousness.’”
Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory made a Lotus-lake to bear the name of “Righteousness.”
‘Now there occurred, Ananda, to the Great King of Glory this thought:
“Suppose, now, in front of the Palace of Righteousness, I were to make a Lotus-lake to bear the name of ‘Righteousness.’”
Then, Ananda, the Great King of Glory made a Lotus-lake to bear the name of “Righteousness.”
‘The Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, was on the east and on the west a league in length, and on the north and on the south half a league in breadth,
‘The Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, was faced with tiles of four kinds. One kind of tile was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
‘The Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, had four and twenty flights of steps, of four different kinds. One flight of steps was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal. The flight of golden steps had balustrades of gold, with the cross bars and the figure head of silver. The flight of silver steps had balustrades of silver, with the cross bars and the figure head of gold. The flight of beryl steps had balustrades of beryl, with the cross bars and the figure head of crystal. The flight of crystal steps had balustrades of crystal, with cross bars and figure head of beryl.
‘The Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, was faced with tiles of four kinds. One kind of tile was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal.
‘The Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, had four and twenty flights of steps, of four different kinds. One flight of steps was of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal. The flight of golden steps had balustrades of gold, with the cross bars and the figure head of silver. The flight of silver steps had balustrades of silver, with the cross bars and the figure head of gold. The flight of beryl steps had balustrades of beryl, with the cross bars and the figure head of crystal. The flight of crystal steps had balustrades of crystal, with cross bars and figure head of beryl.
‘Round the Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, there ran a double railing. One railing was of gold, and one was of silver. The golden railing had its posts of gold, and its cross bars and its capitals of silver. The silver railing had its posts of silver, and its cross bars and its capitals of gold.
‘The Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees. One row was of palms of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal, and one of agate, and one of coral, and one of all kinds of gems.
‘The Lake of Righteousness, Ananda, was surrounded by seven rows of palm trees. One row was of palms of gold, and one of silver, and one of beryl, and one of crystal, and one of agate, and one of coral, and one of all kinds of gems.
‘And the golden palms had trunks of gold, and leaves and fruits of silver. And the silver palms had trunks of silver, and leaves and fruits of gold. And the palms of beryl had trunks of beryl, and leaves and fruits of crystal. And the crystal palms had trunks of crystal, and leaves and fruits of beryl. And the agate palms had trunks of agate, and leaves and fruits of coral. And the coral palms had trunks of coral, and leaves and fruits of agate. And the palms of every kind of gem had trunks and leaves and fruits of every kind of gem.
“And when those rows of palm trees, Ananda, were shaken by the wind, there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
“And when those rows of palm trees, Ananda, were shaken by the wind, there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
“Just, Ananda, as the seven kinds of instruments yield, when well played upon, to the skilful man, a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating,—just even so, Ananda, when those rows of palm trees were shaken by the wind, there arose a sound sweet, and pleasant, and charming, and intoxicating.
“And whoever, Ananda, in the royal city Kusāvattī were at that time gamblers, drunkards, and given to drink, they used to dance round together to the sound of those palms when shaken by the wind.
“When the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was finished, and the Lotus-lake of Righteousness was finished, the Great King of Glory entertained with all good things those of the Samaṇas who, at that time, were held in high esteem, and those of the Brahmans who, at that time, were held in high esteem. Then he ascended up into the Palace of Righteousness.”
“And whoever, Ananda, in the royal city Kusāvattī were at that time gamblers, drunkards, and given to drink, they used to dance round together to the sound of those palms when shaken by the wind.
“When the Palace of Righteousness, Ananda, was finished, and the Lotus-lake of Righteousness was finished, the Great King of Glory entertained with all good things those of the Samaṇas who, at that time, were held in high esteem, and those of the Brahmans who, at that time, were held in high esteem. Then he ascended up into the Palace of Righteousness.”