Marvels (d)^[1]

Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.

[1] Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these four wonderful, marvellous things about a wheel-turning ruler.

What four?

If a company of noblemen comes to visit a wheel-turning ruler, they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if the ruler speaks they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied, monks, is a company of noblemen when the wheel-turning ruler becomes silent.

If a company of brahmins comes to visit a wheel-turning ruler, they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if the ruler speaks they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied, monks, is a company of brahmins when the wheel-turning ruler becomes silent.

If a company of householders comes to visit a wheel-turning ruler, they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if the ruler speaks they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied, monks, is a company of householders when the wheel-turning ruler becomes silent.

If a company of noblemen comes to visit a wheel-turning ruler, they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if the ruler speaks they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied, monks, is a company of recluses when the wheel-turning ruler becomes silent.

These then, monks, are the four wonderful, marvellous things about a wheel-turning ruler.

Just in the same way, monks, there are four wonderful, marvellous things about Ānanda.'

"What are the four?

If a company of monks comes to visit Ānanda,
they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if Ānanda speaks Dhamma,
they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied is the company of monks
when Ānanda becomes silent.

If a company of nuns comes to visit Ānanda,
they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if Ānanda speaks Dhamma
they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied is the company of nuns
when Ānanda becomes silent.

If a company of disciples who are laymen
comes to visit Ānanda,
they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if Ānanda speaks Dhamma
they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied is the company of disciples who are laymen
when Ānanda becomes silent.

If a company of disciples who are laywomen
comes to visit Ānanda,
they are delighted at the sight of him.

Then if Ānanda speaks Dhamma
they are delighted with what he says.

Dissatisfied is the company of disciples
that are laywomen
when Ānanda becomes silent.

These, monks, are the four wonderful, marvellous things about Ānanda.'

^[1] Cf. D. ii, 146. Here Comy. gives us some imaginary conversations with the rajah.

Marvels (d)[1]