Donapaka Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. At that time the Blessed One was living in Sàvatthi, and king Pasenadi of Kosala ate a measure of cooked rice for his meal.

2. King Pasenadi of Kosala having partaken his food and breathing heavily, approached the Blessed One, worshipped and sat on a side.

3. The Blessed One, knowing that King Pasenadi of Kosala had eaten his food and was heavy with food, said this stanza.


 * "Humans should be always mindful,
 * To partake the right amount of food
 * Food arouses feelings, decay sets in quickly
 * And the life span of humans, dwindle."

4. At that time the young man Sudassana was standing behind the king.

5. King Pasenadi of Kosala addressed the young man Sudassana: "Dear, Sudassana learn this stanza from the Blessed One and when I partake food say it to me, I will pay you a hundred gold coins daily for it."

6. The young man Sudassana agreed and learned the stanza from the Blessed One, and when king Pasenadi of Kosàla was taking his meal he said:

Humans should be always mindful,
 * To partake the right amount of food
 * Food arouses feelings, decay sets in quickly
 * And the life span of humans dwindle

7. Then king Pasenadi of Kosala gradually lessened the amount of food he took to one fourth the previous amount.

8. After some time king Pasenadi's body emaciated and stroking his body king Pasenadi of Kosala made this solemn utterance:


 * "The Blessed One, was compassionate about my welfare,
 * Both, of this world and the other world"