Rājasuttaṃ [Ud 2.2, PTS 11]

2.

The Discourse on the King

12. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time, when several monks, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, were seated together assembled in the assembly hall, this discussion arose - "Who now, friends, of these two kings is of greater wealth, or of greater possessions, or of greater treasury, or of greater realm, or of greater vehicles, or of greater power, or of greater supernormal power, or of greater might - King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, or King Pasenadi of Kosala?" And this discussion among those monks was not finished.

Then the Blessed One, in the evening, having emerged from seclusion, went to the assembly hall; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat. Having sat down, the Blessed One addressed the monks: "Monks, what discussion were you having as you sat together here? And what was the conversation that was interrupted?"

"Here, venerable sir, when we, after the meal, having returned from our alms round, were seated together assembled in the assembly hall, this discussion arose - 'Who now, friends, of these two kings is of greater wealth, or of greater possessions, or of greater treasury, or of greater realm, or of greater vehicles, or of greater power, or of greater supernormal power, or of greater might - King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, or King Pasenadi of Kosala?' This, venerable sir, was our discussion that was interrupted when the Blessed One arrived."

"This indeed, monks, is not proper for you, sons of good family who have gone forth from home into homelessness through faith, that you should engage in such talk. When you have gathered together, monks, there are two things to be done - either a talk on the Teaching or noble silence."

Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -