12.
The Discourse on Āḷavaka
246.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Āḷavī in the abode of the demon Āḷavaka.
Then the demon Āḷavaka approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he said this to the Blessed One -
"Get out, ascetic!"
"Good, friend," the Blessed One went out.
"Enter, ascetic!"
"Good, friend," the Blessed One entered.
For the second time the demon Āḷavaka said this to the Blessed One -
"Get out, ascetic!"
"Good, friend," the Blessed One went out.
"Enter, ascetic!"
"Good, friend," the Blessed One entered.
For the third time the demon Āḷavaka said this to the Blessed One -
"Get out, ascetic!"
"Good, friend," the Blessed One went out.
"Enter, ascetic!"
"Good, friend," the Blessed One entered.
For the fourth time the demon Āḷavaka said this to the Blessed One -
"Get out, ascetic!"
"I will not go out for you, friend.
Whatever is to be done by you, do that."
"I will ask you a question, ascetic.
If you do not answer me, I will derange your mind, or I will split your heart, or having seized you by the feet I will hurl you across the Ganges."
"I do not see anyone, friend, in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, who could derange my mind or split my heart or having seized me by the feet hurl me across the Ganges.
But ask, friend, whatever you are uncertain about."
What indeed is sweeter among flavours, living how do they call life foremost?"
Truth indeed is sweeter among flavours, living by wisdom they call life foremost."
How does one get over suffering, how does one become purified?"
By energy one gets over suffering, by wisdom one becomes purified."
How does one attain fame, how does one bind friends;
From this world to the world beyond, how does one not grieve after death?"
Listening attentively one obtains wisdom, being diligent and discerning.
By truth one attains fame, by giving one binds friends;
From this world to the world beyond, thus after death one does not grieve.
Truth, self-control, steadfastness, generosity - he indeed after death does not grieve.
Whether more than truth, self-control, generosity, and patience is found here."
I who today understand what is the benefit pertaining to the future life.
I who today understand where what is given is of great fruit.
Paying homage to the Enlightened by himself and to the good nature of the Teaching."