Attharakkhita Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. In Sàvatthi.

2. King Pasenadi of Kosala approached the Blessed One, worshipped, sat on a side and said to the Blessed One:


 * "Venerable sir, when I was lost in my thoughts, this occurred to me, `Who protects the self and who does not protect the self? Then it occurred to me:

3. "He that misbehaves by body, by words and by mind, does not protect the self.


 * "How ever much he may be protected by his array of elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers, yet his self is not protected. What is the reason? His external is protected yet his internal is not protected. Therefore the self is not protected.

4. "Of his that behaves correctly by body, by words and by mind the self is protected. Even if he is not protected by his array of elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers, yet his self is protected. What is the reason? His internal is protected, his external is unprotected. Therefore the self is protected."

5. "Great king, that is right. Whoever misbehaves by body, words and mind, has an unprotected self. Whoever behaves correctly by body, words and mind, has a protected self. What is the reason? Great king, his internal is protected, although his external is not protected.

6. Bodily restraint is good! Verbal restraint is good!
 * Mental restraint is good! Restraint of all is good!
 * The shameful one, restrained all round, is protected."