“Then again when I was the renowned One King, resolved on highest ethics, I ruled the great earth.
Without exception I followed the ten ways of skillful deeds. With the four ways of being inclusive, I brought together the population.
As I was being diligent, for the sake of this world and the next, Dabbasena attacked and sacked my city.
The royal dependents in the city, with the military and the citizens—he captured them all, and buried me in a pit.
The court ministers, the flourishing kingdom, and my royal court—were captured and held, I even saw my beloved son. There is no one to equal my love: this is my perfection of love.”
The One King’s Conduct
Cp 34 · Ekarājacariya
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- CariyāpiṭakaThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
About this edition
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0
This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.
Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.