An Episode from the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16)

After spending the rainy season retreat at Beluva, the Buddha informed the monk Ānanda that in three months’ time he would attain final extinguishment (Mahāparinibbāna). After this, they set out on the journey toward Kusinārā.
This discourse recounts the Buddha’s gradual journey, during which he continued to teach the Dhamma until his final passing into Nibbāna. It is the longest of all the early discourses and among the most poignant. What follows is an excerpt from that sutta.
At one time, the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on Vulture’s Peak.
At that time, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wished to attack the Vajjis, thinking:
“I will wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I will destroy them and lay ruin and devastation upon them.”
Then King Ajātasattu addressed his brahmin minister Vassakāra:
“Come, brahmin, go to the Buddha. Bow your head at his feet in my name and ask whether he is well, healthy, and living comfortably.
Then say this:
‘Sir, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wants to attack the Vajjis. He says:
“I will wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I will destroy them and lay ruin and devastation upon them.”’
Carefully remember whatever the Buddha says, and report it back to me. For a Realized One never speaks falsely.”
Vassakāra replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
He had fine chariots prepared, mounted one himself, and departed from Rājagaha with a large retinue, heading toward Vulture’s Peak. Going as far as the road allowed by chariot, he then continued on foot to the place where the Buddha was staying. After exchanging greetings, he sat to one side and said:
“Sir Gotama, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, bows his head at your feet and asks whether you are well, healthy, and living comfortably.
Sir Gotama, the king wishes to attack the Vajjis, saying:
‘I will wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I will destroy them and lay ruin and devastation upon them.’”
At that time, Ānanda was standing behind the Buddha, fanning him. The Buddha then addressed Ānanda:
“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet together frequently and hold many assemblies?”
“I have heard so, sir.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis meet together frequently and hold many assemblies, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
The Buddha continued:
“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet in harmony, adjourn in harmony, and conduct their business in harmony?”
“I have heard so, sir.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis meet in harmony, adjourn in harmony, and conduct their business in harmony, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
Again the Buddha said:
“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis neither enact new laws nor abolish existing ones, but proceed according to their ancient traditions?”
“I have heard so, sir.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis neither enact new laws nor abolish existing ones, but proceed according to their ancient traditions, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
The Buddha asked further:
“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and revere their elders, and listen to them?”
“I have heard so, sir.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and revere their elders, and listen to them, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
Again the Buddha said:
“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis do not abduct women or girls, nor force them to live together against their will?”
“I have heard so, sir.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis do not abduct women or girls, nor force them to live together against their will, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
The Buddha continued:
“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and revere the shrines—both within and outside the city—and do not neglect the proper offerings established since ancient times?”
“I have heard so, sir.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and revere the shrines, and do not neglect the proper offerings, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
Finally, the Buddha asked:
“Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis properly protect, support, and care for the arahants, so that arahants who have not yet come may come to dwell there, and those who have come may dwell in comfort?”
“I have heard so, sir.”
“Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis properly protect, support, and care for the arahants, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
Then the Buddha addressed Vassakāra:
“Brahmin, once I was staying near Vesālī, at the shrine called Sārandaḍa, where I taught the Vajjis these seven principles that prevent decline.
As long as these seven principles endure among the Vajjis, and as long as they practice them, they can be expected to prosper and not decline.”
On hearing this, Vassakāra said:
“Sir Gotama, even if the Vajjis were to uphold just one of these principles, they could be expected to prosper and not decline—how much more so if they uphold all seven!
King Ajātasattu will not be able to defeat the Vajjis by force. Only by bribery or by sowing dissension might they be overcome.”
Then he added:
“Sir Gotama, now I must go. I have many duties awaiting me on the king’s command.”
The Buddha replied:
“Brahmin, go at your convenience.”
Then Vassakāra rose from his seat, bowed respectfully to the Buddha, expressed his appreciation, and departed.

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Editorial Note:
This English article presents a narrative-style rendering based on selected passages from the Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16), following the canonical translation by Bhikkhu Sujato as published on SuttaCentral.
In presenting the text in article form, the original meaning of the Buddha’s words and the translational style of Bhikkhu Sujato have been preserved and not altered.