21(1)Sārandada
[16]Thus have I heard.On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī at the Sarandada Shrine.
Then a number of Licchavis approached the Blessed One,
paid homage to him,and sat down to one side.
The Blessed One said this to them:
"I will teach you,Licchavis,seven principles of non-decline.
Listen and attend closely.
I will speak."
This teaching is referred to at DN 16.1.5,II75,23-31.
"Yes,Bhante,"those Licchavis replied.
The Blessed One said this:
"And what,Licchavis,are the seven principles of non-decline?
(1)"Licchavis,as long as the Vajjis assemble often and hold
frequent assemblies,
only growth is to be expected for them,
not decline.
(2)"As long as the Vajjis assemble in harmony,adjourn in
harmony,and conduct the affairs of the Vajjis in harmony,
only
growth is to be expected for them,not decline.
(3)"As long as the Vajjis do not decree anything that has
not been decreed or abolish anything that has already been
decreed but undertake and follow the ancient Vajji principles
as they have been decreed,
only
growth is to be expected for them,not decline.
(4)“As long as the Vajjis honor,respect,esteem,and venerate
the Vajji elders and think they should be heeded,
only growth is to be expected for
them,not decline.
(5)"As long as the Vajjis do not abduct women and girls from
their families and force them to live with them,
only growth
is to be expected for them,not decline.
(6)"As long as the Vajjis honor,respect,esteem,and venerate their traditional shrines,both those within [the city] I add"the city"on the basis of Mp's gloss:"situated inside the city"(antonagare thitani).and
those outside,[17]and do not neglect the righteous oblations
as given and done to them in the past,Mp:"When people neglect the righteous oblations,the deities do not protect them,and even if they cannot create new suffering, they intensify arisen suffering,such as coughs and headaches, etc.;and in time of war,the people have no allies.But when people don't neglect the oblations,the deities protect them well, and even if they cannot create new happiness,they remove old illnesses;and when war breaks out,the people have allies."
only growth is
to be expected for them,not decline.
(7)"As long as the Vajjis provide righteous protection,shelter,and guard for arahants,[with the intention]:
'How can those
arahants who have not yet come here come to our realm,and
how can those arahants who have already come dwell at ease
here?'
only growth is to be
expected for them,not decline.
"Licchavis,as long as these seven principles of non-decline
continueamong the Vajjis,and the Vajjis are seen [established]
in them,
only growth is to be expected for them,not decline."