1.
The Discourse on the Young
112.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then King Pasenadi of Kosala approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to the Blessed One -
"Does Master Gotama also claim to have fully awakened to the unsurpassed perfect enlightenment?"
"If anyone, great king, speaking rightly would say 'he has fully awakened to the unsurpassed perfect enlightenment', it is of me indeed that one speaking rightly would say this.
For I, great king, have fully awakened to the unsurpassed perfect enlightenment."
"Even those ascetics and brahmins, Master Gotama, who have followings, who have groups, who are teachers of groups, who are well-known, famous, founders of sects, highly honoured by many people, as follows - Pūraṇa Kassapa, Makkhali Gosāla, Nigaṇṭha Nāṭaputta, Sañcaya Belaṭṭhaputta, Pakudha Kaccāyana, Ajita Kesakambala; even they, when asked by me 'do you claim to have fully awakened to the unsurpassed perfect enlightenment?', do not claim to have fully awakened to the unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. How then can Master Gotama, who is young in years and new to the going forth?"
"There are four, great king, who should not be despised as young, should not be looked down upon as young. Which four? A warrior, great king, should not be despised as young, should not be looked down upon as young. A snake, great king, should not be despised as young, should not be looked down upon as young. A fire, great king, should not be despised as young, should not be looked down upon as young. A monk, great king, should not be despised as young, should not be looked down upon as young. These, great king, are the four who should not be despised as young, should not be looked down upon as young."
This is what the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this -
One should not despise him as young, a man should not look down upon him.
He, angered, with royal punishment, proceeds harshly against that person;
Therefore one should avoid him, protecting one's own life.
One should not despise him as young, a man should not look down upon him.
Having approached, it may bite a fool, a man or a woman at some time;
Therefore one should avoid him, protecting one's own life.
One should not despise him as young, a man should not look down upon him.
Having approached, it may burn a fool, a man or a woman at some time;
Therefore one should avoid him, protecting one's own life.
Shoots spring up there, after the passing of days and nights.
Neither his sons nor cattle, nor heirs would obtain wealth;
Without offspring, without heirs, they become like palm stumps.
The snake and the fire, and the glorious warrior;
And the monk accomplished in morality, should treat them properly."
When this was said, King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to the Blessed One - "Excellent, venerable sir, excellent, venerable sir! Just as, venerable sir, one might set upright what had been overturned, or reveal what had been concealed, or point out the path to one who was lost, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness - 'so that those with good eyesight might see forms'; so too, the Teaching has been made clear by the Blessed One in many ways. I, venerable sir, go for refuge to the Blessed One, to the Teaching, and to the Community of monks. May the Blessed One remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for life."