5.
The Discourse on Self-Protected
116.
At Sāvatthī.
Seated to one side, King Pasenadi of Kosala said this to the Blessed One -
"Here, venerable sir, when I had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind:
'For whom is the self protected, and for whom is the self unprotected?'
Then, venerable sir, this occurred to me:
'Whatever persons practise misconduct by body, practise misconduct by speech, practise misconduct by mind;
for them the self is unprotected.
Even though an elephant corps might protect them, or a cavalry might protect them, or a chariot corps might protect them, or an infantry might protect them;
yet for them the self is unprotected.
What is the reason for this?
For this is external protection, this is not internal protection;
therefore for them the self is unprotected.
Whatever persons practise good conduct by body, practise good conduct by speech, practise good conduct by mind;
for them the self is protected.
Even though neither an elephant corps might protect them, nor a cavalry might protect them, nor a chariot corps might protect them, nor an infantry might protect them;
yet for them the self is protected.
What is the reason for this?
For this is internal protection, this is not external protection;
therefore for them the self is protected.'"
"So it is, great king, so it is, great king! Whatever persons, great king, practise misconduct by body, etc. for them the self is unprotected. What is the reason for this? For this, great king, is external protection, this is not internal protection; therefore for them the self is unprotected. Whatever persons, great king, practise good conduct by body, practise good conduct by speech, practise good conduct by mind; for them the self is protected. Even though neither an elephant corps might protect them, nor a cavalry might protect them, nor a chariot corps might protect them, nor an infantry might protect them; yet for them the self is protected. What is the reason for this? For this, great king, is internal protection, this is not external protection; therefore for them the self is protected." This he said, etc.
Restraint by mind is good, good is restraint everywhere;
One who has shame, restrained everywhere, is called protected."