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Theravāda — Pali Canon · Khuddaka Nikāya — The Minor Collection
Cp 3The Conduct of the King of Kuru
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kururājacariya
📖196 words · ~1 min read
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Full translation (English)
– The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood
The Chapter With Akitti The Perfection of Giving (3rd)
Kururāja’s Conduct
“Then again when I reignedin Indapatta, the capital city,as the king named DhanañjayaI was blessed with the ten skillful deeds.From the realm of Kaliṅgabrahmins came to merequesting the royal elephantthat was lucky and deemed auspicious.‘Our nation is suffering from drought,food is scarce and famine abounds,please give the noble elephantof midnight hue named Añjana.’‘When supplicants come to meit is unbefitting to refuse.Let not my vow be broken,I shall give the mighty elephant.’Taking the elephant by the trunk,and a bejeweled ceremonial vessel,I sprinkled water on the hand,and gave the elephant to the brahmins.When I had given the elephant,my ministers said,‘Why did you give the noble elephantto the supplicants?He was lucky and endowed with the auspicious,supreme victor in battle.Now you have given the elephant,how shall you govern the realm?’‘I would give the entire realmand my physical body as well.Omniscience is precious to me,which is why I gave away the elephant.’”
Translation source: Bhikkhu Indacanda (SuttaCentral)License: VI © Bhikkhu Indacanda (qua SuttaCentral) · EN CC0-1.0 (Bhikkhu Sujato)
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