Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

Evaṃ me sutaṃ – ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā vesāliyaṃ viharati sārandade cetiye.

Atha kho sambahulā licchavī yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṃsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ nisīdiṃsu.

Thus has been heard by me: At one time the Bhagavā was staying at Vesāliyaṃ at the Sārandada cave.

Here a number of Licchavī approached the Bhagavā. Having approached him, they greeted him respectfully and sat down at one side.

Ekamantaṃ nisinne kho te licchavī bhagavā etadavoca –

‘‘satta vo, licchavī, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi. Taṃ suṇātha, sādhukaṃ manasi karotha; bhāsissāmī’’ti.

‘‘Evaṃ, bhante’’ti kho te licchavī bhagavato paccassosuṃ.

Having sat down at one side, the Bhagavā addressed the Licchavī with the following words: “Licchavī, I will teach you seven principles of non-decline. Listen carefully and attentive, I will speak!”

“Well, Bhante,” replied the Licchavī to the Bhagavā.

Bhagavā etadavoca –

‘‘Katame ca, licchavī, satta aparihāniyā dhammā?

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, vajjī abhiṇhaṃ sannipātā bhavissanti sannipātabahulā; vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

Then the Bhagavā spoke thus:

“Now, Licchavī, what are these seven principles of non-decline?

As long, Licchavī, as the Vajjans will hold regular and frequent assemblies, it can be expected Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, vajjī samaggā sannipatissanti, samaggā vuṭṭhahissanti, samaggā vajjikaraṇīyāni karissanti; vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long, Licchavī, as the Vajjans will assemble in harmony, depart in harmony and carry on their affairs in harmony, it can be expected, Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, vajjī apaññattaṃ na paññāpessanti, paññattaṃ na samucchindissanti, yathāpaññatte porāṇe vajjidhamme samādāya vattissanti; vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long, Licchavī, as the Vajjans will not proclaim what has not been announced yet and will not derive from what has been proclaimed but proceed in accordance in the ancient Vajjan tradition as authorized, it can be expected, Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, vajjī ye te vajjīnaṃ vajjimahallakā te sakkarissanti garuṃ karissanti mānessanti pūjessanti, tesañca sotabbaṃ maññissanti; vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, vajjī yā tā kulitthiyo kulakumāriyo tā na okassa pasayha vāsessanti; vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long, Licchavī, as the Vajjans will keep in honour their elders, pay respect, venerate and revere them, and believe in their advice, it can be expected Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.

As long, Licchavī, as no women or any young girls are abducted and forced to live in another’s house, it can be expected Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, vajjī yāni tāni vajjīnaṃ vajjicetiyāni abbhantarāni ceva bāhirāni ca tāni sakkarissanti garuṃ karissanti mānessanti pūjessanti, tesañca dinnapubbaṃ katapubbaṃ dhammikaṃ baliṃ no parihāpessanti; vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long, Licchavī, as the Vajjans keep in honour the Vajjan shrines in vicinity and those further away, pay respect to them, venerate and revere them and arrange righteous oblations as provided and given before, it can be expected Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ arahantesu dhammikā rakkhāvaraṇagutti susaṃvihitā bhavissati – ‘kinti anāgatā ca arahanto vijitaṃ āgaccheyyuṃ,

āgatā ca arahanto vijite phāsuṃ vihareyyu’nti;

vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long, Licchavī, as the Vajjans provide suitable and necessary protection, guard and support for the Arahants – ‘let those Arahants, who are not yet dwelling amongst us come in future and those Arahants, who already are dwelling here, may they live comfortable!’ –

it can be expected Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.

Yāvakīvañca, licchavī, ime satta aparihāniyā dhammā vajjīsu ṭhassanti, imesu ca sattasu aparihāniyesu dhammesu vajjī sandississanti vuddhiyeva, licchavī, vajjīnaṃ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihānī’’ti.

As long, Licchavī, as these seven principles of non-decline will be maintained by the Vajjans, as long as these seven principles of non-decline will remain obvious amongst the Vajjans, it can be expected Licchavī, of the Vajjans to prosper and not to decline.”