In the Buddha's Words - Bhikkhu Bodhi [74]
1.4. Now the Venerable Ānanda was standing behind the Blessed One, fanning him. And the Blessed One said:
(1) “Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjians hold regular and frequent assemblies?”—“I have heard, venerable sir, that they do.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjians hold regular and frequent assemblies, they may be expected to prosper and not decline.
(2) “Have you heard that the Vajjians meet in harmony, break up in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony?”—“I have heard, venerable sir, that they do.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjians meet in harmony, break up in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they may be expected to prosper and not decline.
(3) “Have you heard that the Vajjians do not authorize what has not been authorized already, and do not abolish what has been authorized, but proceed according to what has been authorized by their ancient tradition?”—“I have, venerable sir.”… (4) “Have you heard that they honor, respect, revere, and salute the elders among them, and consider them worth listening to?… (5) that they do not forcibly abduct others’ wives and daughters and compel them to live with them?… (6) that they honor, respect, revere, and salute the Vajjian shrines at home and abroad, not withdrawing the proper support made and given before?… (7) that proper provision is made for the safety of arahants, so that such arahants may come in future to live there and those already there may dwell in comfort?”—“I have, Lord.”
“Ānanda, so long as such proper provision is made ... the Vajjians may be expected to prosper and not decline.”
1.5. Then the Lord said to the brahmin Vassakāra: “Once, brahmin, when I was at the Sārandada Shrine in Vesāli, I taught the Vajjians these seven principles for preventing decline, and as long as they keep to these seven principles, as long as these principles remain in force, the Vajjians may be expected to prosper and not decline.”
At this, Vassakāra replied: “Master Gotama, if the Vajjians keep to even one of these principles, they may be expected to prosper and not decline—far less all seven. Certainly the Vajjians will never be conquered by King Ajātasattu by force of arms, but only by means of propaganda and setting them against one another. And now, Master Gotama, I must depart. I am busy and have much to do.”
“Brahmin, do as you think fit.” Then Vassakāra, rejoicing and delighted at the Blessed One’s words, rose from his seat and departed.
1.6. Soon after Vassakāra had gone, the Blessed One said: “Ānanda, go to whatever monks there are living around Rājagaha, and summon them to the assembly hall.”
“Yes, venerable sir,” said Ānanda, and he did so. Then he came to the Blessed One, saluted him, stood to one side, and said: “Venerable sir, the Saṅgha of monks is assembled. Now is the time for the Blessed One to do as he sees fit.” Then the Blessed One rose from his seat, went to the assembly hall, sat down on the prepared seat, and said: “Monks, I will teach you seven things that are conducive to welfare. Listen, pay careful attention, and I will speak.”
“Yes, venerable sir,” said the monks, and the Blessed One said:
“As long as the monks hold regular and frequent assemblies, they may be expected to prosper and not decline. As long as they meet in harmony, break up in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they may be expected to prosper and not decline. As long as they do not authorize what has not been authorized already, and do not abolish what has been authorized, but proceed according to what has been authorized by the rules of training…; as long as they honor, respect, revere, and salute the elders of long standing who are long ordained, fathers and leaders of the order…; as long as they do not fall prey to the craving that arises in them and leads to rebirth…; as long as they are devoted to forest-lodgings…; as long as they preserve their mindfulness regarding the body, so that in future the good among their companions will come to them, and those who have already come will feel at ease with them…; as long as the