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Theravāda — Pali Canon · Khuddaka Nikāya — The Minor Collection
Cp 19The Conduct of Alīnasattu
Pāli / Sanskrit:Alīnasattucariya
📖251 words · ~1 min read
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Full translation (English)
– The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood
The Chapter on an Elephant The Perfection of Ethics (9th)
Alīnasattu’s Conduct
“In the fine city of kingdom of Pañcāla, in the capital city of Kapilā,the king named Jayaddisawas furnished with virtuous qualities.I was that king’s son,well educated and virtuous;Alīnasattu of fine qualities,I always cared for the attendants.My father had gone deer huntingwhen he came across a cannibal,who seized my father, saying,‘You are my prey, don’t move!’When he heard these words,he was scared and trembled with fear,his thighs became stiffwhen he saw the cannibal.‘Let me go, take the deer meat!’ he said,‘I promise to return.’Having paid the brahmin,my father said to me:‘Son, rule the realm.Do not neglect this city.I promised the cannibalthat I will return.’I bowed to my mother and father,and substituted myself.Tossing my bow and sword,I approached the cannibal.Perhaps if I have weapons in handthat might make him afraid.And that would violate my ethics,were I to frighten him.For fear of violating my ethics,I said nothing hateful to him.Lovingly and beneficially,I said the following.‘Kindle a great fire.I will drop into it from a tree.When you know I am cooked,eat me, Grandfather.’And so for the sake of my ethical vowsI did not protect my life.And I drove out foreverhis attacks on living creatures.”
Translation source: Bhikkhu Indacanda (SuttaCentral)License: VI © Bhikkhu Indacanda (qua SuttaCentral) · EN CC0-1.0 (Bhikkhu Sujato)
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