This is as I heard from the Blessed One. At one time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthī, in Prince Jeta’s park, at Anāthapiṇdika’s monastery. One day, a large number of monks, on returning from their alms round, were gathered together in the assembly hall. There, this discussion arose, “Friends, which of these two kings has greater wealth, greater positions, the greater treasury, the larger territory, the greatest stock of riding animals, the greater army, the greater prosperity, the greater power: King Seniya Bimbisāra of the Magadha kingdom or King Pasenadi of Kosala kingdom?” This discussion of those monks continued with no conclusion.
At the same time the Blessed One got out of his meditation, went to the assembly hall and sat down on a seat prepared for him. Seated the Blessed One asked the monks, “Monks, what were you talking about just now while gathered here together? What was the discussion that you had left unfinished?” “Bhante, after returning from our alms round, we gathered together in the assembly hall. There this discussion arose, “Friends, which of these two kings has greater wealth, greater positions, the greater treasury, the larger territory, the greatest stock of riding animals, the greater army, the greater prosperity, the greater power: King Seniya Bimbisāra of the Magadha kingdom or King Pasenadi of Kosala kingdom?” This was our discussion that was left unfinished. When the Blessed One arrived.”
“Monks, it is not right that you monks who have become ordained after giving up the home life, out of faith in me, should talk on such a topic. Monks, when you have gathered together you should do one of two things: Either discuss the Dhamma or practice meditation.”
Then, on realizing the best happiness in the world, the Blessed One spoke the following inspired verses:
“Any sense pleasure in the human world, any divine pleasure, is not worth even a sixteenth part of the happiness of the ending of craving.”
