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  • The Perfection of Ethics (9th) Sīlapāramī 9

Alīnasattu’s Conduct Alīnasattucariya

“In the fine city of kingdom of Pañcāla, “Pañcālaraṭṭhe nagaravare, in the capital city of Kapilā, Kapilāyaṁ puruttame; the king named Jayaddisa Rājā jayaddiso nāma, was furnished with virtuous qualities. Sīlaguṇamupāgato.

I was that king’s son, Tassa rañño ahaṁ putto, well educated and virtuous; Sutadhammo susīlavā; Alīnasattu of fine qualities, Alīnasatto guṇavā, I always cared for the attendants. Anurakkhaparijano sadā.

My father had gone deer hunting Pitā me migavaṁ gantvā, when he came across a cannibal, porisādaṁ upāgami; who seized my father, saying, So me pitumaggahesi, ‘You are my prey, don’t move!’ ‘bhakkhosi mama mā cali’.

When he heard these words, Tassa taṁ vacanaṁ sutvā, he was scared and trembled with fear, bhīto tasitavedhito; his thighs became stiff Ūrukkhambho ahu tassa, when he saw the cannibal. disvāna porisādakaṁ.

‘Let me go, take the deer meat!’ he said, Migavaṁ gahetvā muñcassu, ‘I promise to return.’ katvā āgamanaṁ puna; Having paid the brahmin, Brāhmaṇassa dhanaṁ datvā, my father said to me: pitā āmantayī mamaṁ.

‘Son, rule the realm. ‘Rajjaṁ putta paṭipajja, Do not neglect this city. mā pamajji puraṁ idaṁ; I promised the cannibal Kataṁ me porisādena, that I will return.’ mama āgamanaṁ puna’.

I bowed to my mother and father, Mātāpitū ca vanditvā, and substituted myself. nimminitvāna attanā; Tossing my bow and sword, Nikkhipitvā dhanuṁ khaggaṁ, I approached the cannibal. porisādaṁ upāgamiṁ.

Perhaps if I have weapons in hand Sasatthahatthūpagataṁ, that might make him afraid. kadāci so tasissati; And that would violate my ethics, Tena bhijjissati sīlaṁ, were I to frighten him. parittāsaṁ kate mayi.

For fear of violating my ethics, Sīlakhaṇḍabhayā mayhaṁ, I said nothing hateful to him. tassa dessaṁ na byāhariṁ; Lovingly and beneficially, Mettacitto hitavādī, I said the following. idaṁ vacanamabraviṁ.

‘Kindle a great fire. ‘Ujjālehi mahāaggiṁ, I will drop into it from a tree. papatissāmi rukkhato; When you know I am cooked, Tvaṁ pakkakālamaññāya, eat me, Grandfather.’ bhakkhaya maṁ pitāmaha’.

And so for the sake of my ethical vows Iti sīlavataṁ hetu, I did not protect my life. nārakkhiṁ mama jīvitaṁ; And I drove out forever Pabbājesiṁ cahaṁ tassa, his attacks on living creatures.” sadā pāṇātipātikan”ti.

Alīnasattucariyaṁ navamaṁ.