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HIS SERMONS
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So he spoke to the Brahmin Vasakara, the Prime Minister of Magadha, and said :
“Come now, O Brahmin, do you go to the Blessed One, and bow down in adoration at his feet on my behalf and enquire on my behalf whether he is free from illness and suffering and in the enjoyment of ease and comfort and vigorous health.
“Then tell him that Ajatasatru, son of Videhi, the King of Magadha, is eager to attack the Vajjins, mighty and powerful though they be, I will destroy these Vajjins, I will bring these Vajjins to utter ruin !
“And bear carefully in mind whatever the Blessed One may predict and repeat it to me. For the Buddha speaks nothing untrue.”
Then the Brahmin Vasakara hearkened to the words of the king, saying, “Be it as you say.” And ordering a number of magnificent carriages to be ready he went to the Vultures’ Peak.
On arriving there he exchanged with the Blessed One the greetings and compliments and then delivered to him the message even as the king had commanded.
Now at that time the venerable Ananda was standing behind the Blessed One. And the Blessed One said to him: “ Have you heard, Ananda, that the Vajjins hold full and frequent public assemblies?
“Lord, so I have heard,” replied he.
“So long, Ananda,” rejoined the Blessed One, “as the Vajjins hold these full and frequent public assemblies; so long may they be expected not to decline, but to prosper.
“So long, Ananda, as the Vajjins meet together in concord, and rise in concord, and carry out their undertakings in concord.
“So long as they enact nothing not already established, abrogate nothing that has been already enacted and act in accordance with the ancient institutions of the Vajjins as established in former days.
“So long as they honour and esteem and revere and support the Vajjin Elders, and make it a point of duty to hearken to their words.
IV