Gopālakasuttaṃ [Ud 4.3, PTS 39]

3.

The Discourse on the Cowherd

33. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was wandering on a journey among the Kosalans together with a large Community of monks. Then the Blessed One, having turned aside from the road, approached a certain tree-root; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat.

Then a certain cowherd approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. The Blessed One instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened that cowherd seated to one side with a talk on the Teaching.

Then that cowherd, having been instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One with a talk on the Teaching, said this to the Blessed One - "May the Blessed One consent to accept a meal from me tomorrow together with the Community of monks, venerable sir." The Blessed One consented by silence. Then that cowherd, having learned of the Blessed One's acceptance, rose from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and departed.

Then that cowherd, after that night had passed, having had abundant milk-rice with little water and fresh ghee prepared at his own dwelling, announced the time to the Blessed One - "It is time, venerable sir, the meal is ready." Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking his bowl and robe, together with the Community of monks, approached that cowherd's dwelling; having approached, he sat down on the prepared seat. Then that cowherd with his own hand satisfied and served the Community of monks headed by the Buddha with milk-rice with little water and fresh ghee. Then that cowherd, when the Blessed One had finished eating and had removed his hand from the bowl, having taken a certain low seat, sat down to one side. The Blessed One, having instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened that cowherd seated to one side with a talk on the Teaching, rose from his seat and departed. Then, not long after the Blessed One had departed, a certain man deprived that cowherd of life at the boundary between villages.

Then several monks approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One - "The cowherd, venerable sir, by whom the Community of monks headed by the Buddha was today satisfied and served with his own hand with milk-rice with little water and fresh ghee - that cowherd, venerable sir, has been deprived of life by a certain man at the boundary between villages."

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