9.
The Sacrifice Discourse
120.
At Sāvatthī.
Now at that time a great sacrifice had been prepared for King Pasenadi of Kosala, and five hundred bulls, five hundred bullocks, five hundred heifers, five hundred goats, and five hundred rams had been brought to the sacrificial post for the sacrifice.
And those who are his slaves, or servants, or labourers, they too, threatened by punishment, threatened by fear, with tearful faces, weeping, make the preparations.
Then several monks, having dressed in the earlier period of the day, taking their bowls and robes, entered Sāvatthī for almsfood. Having walked for almsfood in Sāvatthī, after the meal, having returned from their alms round, they 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 - "Here, venerable sir, a great sacrifice has been prepared for King Pasenadi of Kosala, and five hundred bulls, five hundred bullocks, five hundred heifers, five hundred goats, and five hundred rams have been brought to the sacrificial post for the sacrifice. And those who are his slaves, or servants, or labourers, they too, threatened by punishment, threatened by fear, with tearful faces, weeping, make the preparations."
Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time spoke these verses -
Great sacrifices, great undertakings, they are not rich in result.
Those who have gone the right way, the great sages, do not approach that sacrifice.
Goats and sheep and cattle, various kinds, are not killed therein;
Those who have gone the right way, the great sages, approach that sacrifice.
For indeed, for one sacrificing this, it is better, not worse;
And the sacrifice is vast, and the deities are pleased."