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Chapter Seventy-Eight
Two Thousand Saffron Robes
One afternoon as the Buddha was doing walking meditation along the mountain slope, two bhikkhus arrived carrying Venerable Devadatta
on a stretcher. Venerable Devadatta’s health had been poor for several years, and now, on the point of death, he wished to see the
Buddha. He had only six remaining disciples, having lost even his most fervent supporters years earlier. His closest associate, Venerable
Kokalika, died years before of an unusual skin disease. During Devadatta’s final years at Gayasisa, he had much time alone to examine his
actions.
When the Buddha was informed that Venerable Devadatta wished to see him, he returned to his hut at once in order to receive him.
Venerable Devadatta was too weak to sit up. He had barely enough strength to speak. He looked at the Buddha and with great pain,
joined his palms and spoke the words, “I take refuge in the Buddha.” The Buddha gently placed his hand on Devadatta’s forehead. That
evening Venerable Devadatta died.
It was Summer and the skies were clear and blue. The Buddha was preparing to depart on a journey, when a messenger from King
Ajatasattu arrived. It was Vassakara, the king’s minister of foreign affairs. He had been asked by the king to inform the Buddha about the
king’s intentions to send his army to conquer Vajji, a country which lay north of the Ganga. Before carrying out his attack, the king wanted
to ask what the Buddha thought of his plans.
Venerable Ananda was also present, standing behind the Buddha and fanning him. The Buddha turned to Ananda and asked,
“Venerable Ananda, have you heard whether or not the people of Vajji still regularly gather together in large numbers to discuss politics?”
Ananda answered, “Lord, I have heard that the people of Vajji often assemble in large numbers to discuss the political situation.”
“Then Vajji still prospers, Ananda. And tell me, do you know whether or not they still display a spirit of cooperation and unity during
their meetings?”
“Lord, I have heard they enjoy great cooperation and unity.”
“Well then, Vajji still prospers. Ananda, do the people of Vajji still respect and follow the laws that have been enacted in their country?”
“Lord, I have heard that they respect and follow all their laws.”
“Then it is certain Vajji still prospers. Ananda, do the people of Vajji respect and listen to worthy leaders?”
“Lord, I have heard that the people of Vajji respect and listen to worthy leaders.”
“Then it is certain their country still prospers. Ananda, have you heard whether or not there is rape and other violent crime in Vajji?”
“Lord, there is almost no rape or other violent crime in their country.”
“Then Vajji continues to prosper. Ananda, have you heard whether or not the people of Vajji still protect and maintain the shrines of
their ancestors?”
“Lord, it is said that they protect and maintain the shrines of their ancestors.”
“Then Vajji still prospers. Have you heard whether or not the people of Vajji respect, make offerings to, and study with spiritual teachers
who have attained the Way?”
“Lord, they continue to respect, make offerings to, and study with spiritual teachers who have attained the Way.”
“Ananda, it is then certain that Vajji still prospers. Ananda, some time ago the Tathagata had the opportunity to speak with Vajji’s
leaders about the seven practices which make a country prosper. They are called the Seven Practices of No-Regression. They include:
gathering together for discussion, cooperation and unity, respecting laws that have been enacted, respecting and following worthy leaders,
refraining from rape and other violent crimes, protecting the ancestral shrines, and respecting teachers who have attained the Way. As the
people of Vajji continue to observe these seven practices, it is certain that their country still prospers. Because of that, the Tathagata
believes it would be impossible for Magadha to defeat Vajji.”
Minister Vassakara spoke, “Lord, if the people of Vajji observed only one of those seven practices, their country would prosper. Lord,
I do not think King Ajatasattu can win a war with Vajji with power and weapons alone. He could only succeed if he sowed seeds of
discord among Vajji’s leaders. Thank you, Lord, for your counsel. I will return now to my duties.”
After Vassakara departed, the Buddha turned to Ananda and said, “Vassakara knows how to scheme. The Tathagata fears that in the