Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Budha was staying at the Kalandaka Venuvana in Raajagriha, accompanied by a great assembly of five hundred bhikshus.
At that time, the wicked Devadatta went to Prince Bhallika and said:
“In the past, people lived extremely long lives, but now human lifespans do not exceed a hundred years. Prince, you should know that human life is impermanent. If you do not ascend to the throne and die midway, would that not be tragic? Prince, now is the time to end your father’s life and rule over the people.
I will kill the ascetic Gautama!
Then, in the land of Magadha, there will be a new king and a new Budha—how wonderful that would be!
Like the sun piercing through the clouds, illuminating all, or like the moon dispersing the clouds, shining brightly among the stars.”
At that time, Prince Bhallika imprisoned his father in an iron cell, appointed new ministers, and took control of the people.
At that time, many bhikshus entered Raajagriha to beg for alms and heard that Devadatta had advised Prince Bhallika to imprison his father in an iron cell and appoint new ministers.
After begging for alms, the bhikshus returned to their dwelling, gathered their robes and bowls, and went to the Bhagavaan. They bowed at his feet and said:
“This morning, while begging for alms in the city, we heard that the foolish Devadatta advised Prince Bhallika to imprison his father in a cell and appoint new ministers. He also told the prince: ‘You kill your father, and I will kill the Tathaagata. In the land of Magadha, there will be a new king and a new Budha—how wonderful that would be!’“
At that time, the ministers also acted unrighteously.
When the ministers acted unrighteously, the crown prince also acted unrighteously.
When the crown prince acted unrighteously, the officials and administrators also acted unrighteously.
When the officials and administrators acted unrighteously, the people of the kingdom also acted unrighteously.
When the people acted unrighteously, the soldiers and armies also acted unrighteously.
When the soldiers acted unrighteously, the sun and moon reversed their courses, and timekeeping became disordered.
When the sun and moon lost their proper course, years and months became meaningless.
When years and months became meaningless, the sun and moon deviated from their paths and lost their brilliance.
When the sun and moon lost their brilliance, the stars and constellations displayed strange omens.
When the stars displayed strange omens, violent winds arose.
When violent winds arose, the deities became angry.
When the deities became angry, the rains and winds became untimely.
When the rains and winds became untimely, the crops in the fields failed to grow.
The people, along with all creatures—whether crawling or flying—changed in appearance, and their lifespans became extremely short.”
On the other hand, when the king governs with righteous laws,
The ministers also act righteously.
When the ministers act righteously, the crown prince also acts righteously.
When the crown prince acts righteously, the officials and administrators also act righteously.
When the officials and administrators act righteously, the people of the kingdom also act righteously.
The sun and moon follow their proper courses,
The winds and rains come at the right time,
Disasters and omens do not appear,
The deities are joyful,
And the five grains flourish abundantly.
The king and his ministers live in harmony,
Treating each other like brothers,
Without conflict or harm.
All living beings are radiant in appearance,
Their food is easily digested,
There are no disasters or calamities,
Lifespans are extremely long,
And they are loved and respected by all.”
At that time, the Bhagavaan spoke this verse:
“Just as when cattle cross water,
If the leader strays from the path,
All will stray—
This is because of the leader’s guidance.
So too with living beings:
Among them, there must be a leader.
If the leader acts unrighteously,
How much more so will the common people?
All will suffer,
For the king’s laws are unrighteous.
Thus, when unrighteousness prevails,
All the people suffer alike.
But when cattle cross water,
If the leader follows the right path,
All will follow—
This is because of the leader’s guidance.
So too with living beings:
Among them, there must be a leader.
If the leader acts righteously,
How much more so will the common people?
All will experience joy,
For the king’s laws are righteous.
Thus, when righteousness prevails,
All the people rejoice alike.”
“Therefore, bhikshus, you should abandon unrighteousness and practice righteousness. In this way, bhikshus, you should train yourselves.”
At that time, the bhikshus, hearing the Budha’s words, accepted them with joy and practiced accordingly.