Saṃyutta Nikāya
I. Sagatha Vagga
3. Kosala Saṃyutta

Sutta 5

Atta-rakkhita Sutta

Self-protected

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Provenance, terms and conditons

 

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[5][pts] At Sāvatthi. As he was sitting to one side, King Pasenadi Kosala said to the Blessed One:

"Just now, lord,
while I was alone in seclusion,
this train of thought arose in my awareness:
'Who have themselves protected,
and who leave themselves unprotected?'
Then it occurred to me:

'Those who engage in bodily misconduct,
verbal misconduct,
and mental misconduct
leave themselves unprotected.
Even though a squadron of elephant troops
might protect them,
a squadron of cavalry troops,
a squadron of chariot troops,
a squadron of infantry troops
might protect them,
still they leave themselves unprotected.
Why is that?

Because that's an external protection,
not an internal one.
Therefore they leave themselves unprotected.

But those who engage in good bodily conduct,
good verbal conduct,
and good mental conduct
have themselves protected.
Even though neither a squadron of elephant troops,
a squadron of cavalry troops,
a squadron of chariot troops,
nor a squadron of infantry troops
might protect them,
still they have themselves protected.
Why is that?

Because that's an internal protection,
not an external one.
Therefore they have themselves protected.'"

"That's the way it is, great king!
That's the way it is!
Those who engage in bodily misconduct,
verbal misconduct,
and mental misconduct
leave themselves unprotected.
Even though a squadron of elephant troops
might protect them,
a squadron of cavalry troops,
a squadron of chariot troops,
a squadron of infantry troops
might protect them,
still they leave themselves unprotected.
Why is that?

Because that's an external protection,
not an internal one.
Therefore they leave themselves unprotected.

But those who engage in good bodily conduct,
good verbal conduct,
and good mental conduct
have themselves protected.
Even though neither a squadron of elephant troops,
a squadron of cavalry troops,
a squadron of chariot troops,
nor a squadron of infantry troops
might protect them,
still they have themselves protected.
Why is that?

Because that's an internal protection,
not an external one.
Therefore they have themselves protected."

That is what the Blessed One said.
Having said that,
the One Well-Gone, the Teacher, said further:

"Restraint with the body is good,
good is restraint with speech.
Restraint with the heart is good,
good is restraint     everywhere.
Restrained everywhere,
    conscientious,
one is said to be
        protected."