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Chapter 1

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        1. On Vultures’ Peak

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        Thus have I heard. Once the Buddha (Respected One) was staying at Rājagaha on the mountain

called Vultures’ Peak. At that time, King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha wanted to conquer the

Vajjians. He declared: ‘I will conquer the Vajjians even though they are prosperous and influential. I will

obliterate them. I will bring them to ruin and destruction!’

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        And King Ajātasattu said to his chief minister, the Brahmin Vassakāra: ‘ Brahmin, go to the Buddha,

bow to him with your head to his feet in my name, ask if he is well and free from illness, if he is living

comfortably, robustly and at ease, and then say: “Sir, King Ajātasattu Vedehiputta of Magadha wishes to

conquer the Vajjians and says: ‘I will conquer the Vajjians …, I will bring them to ruin and destruction!’”

And whatever the Buddha proclaims, remember it well and report faithfully back to me, for Tathāgatas

(Perfected Ones) never lie.’

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        ‘Very good, Sire’, said Vassakāra and, having had the royal carriages harnessed, he mounted one of

them and set out in full ceremonial style, from Rājagaha to Vultures’ Peak, riding as far as the road would

allow, then continuing on foot to where the Buddha was staying. He exchanged courtesies and

pleasantries with Buddha, then sat down to one side … [and delivered the King’s message].

At that time, youthful Ānanda was standing behind the Buddha, fanning him. And the Buddha said:

‘Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjians hold frequent, well-attended assemblies?’ ‘I have heard, sir,

that they do.’

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        ‘Ānanda, as long as the Vajjians hold frequent, well-attended assemblies, they will prosper and not

decline. Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjians convene harmoniously, conclude harmoniously, and

carry out what must be done harmoniously?’ ‘I have heard, sir, that they do.’

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        ‘Ānanda, as long as the Vajjians convene harmoniously, conclude harmoniously, and carry out what

must be done harmoniously, they will prosper and not decline. Have you heard that the Vajjians do not

sanction what has not already been authorized, and do not reject what has been established, but proceed

according to their ancient tradition?’ ‘I have, sir.’ … ‘Have you heard that they honor, respect, revere and

bow to their elders and consider their words carefully? … that they do not forcibly abduct wives and

daughters from good families and compel them to live with them? … that they honor, respect, revere and

salute sacred Vajjian sites inside and outside of their domain, never failing to provide the proper offerings

and support in accordance with tradition? … that proper care is taken to ensure the safety of Arahants

(respected spiritual seekers), so that Arahants will continue to come live there in the future, and those already there may abide in comfort?’ ‘I have, sir.’

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        ‘Ānanda, as long as such proper provisions are made, … the Vajjians will prosper and not decline.’

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        Then the Buddha said to the Brahmin Vassakāra: ‘Brahmin, I once resided at the Sārandada Shrine in

Vesālī. There I taught the Vajjians the seven dharmas for preventing decline and destruction. As long as

these seven dharmas persist among the Vajjians, and as long as they strongly maintain them, the Vajjians

will prosper and not decline.’ At this, Vassakāra replied: ‘Reverend Gotama, if the Vajjians adhere to even one of these dharmas, they will prosper and not decline – far less all seven. Certainly, the Vajjians will never be conquered by King Ajātasattu by force, but only by divisive propaganda to set them against one another. And now, Reverend Gotama, it is time for me to depart. I am busy and have much to do.’

‘Do as you wish, Brahmin,’ the Buddha replied. Thereupon, Vassakāra, rejoicing and delighted by the

Buddha’s words, rose from his seat and departed.