Cp 24 - The Conduct of the Lotus-eaters
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato
Source: https://suttacentral.net/cp24/en/sujato
License: CC0-1.0

The Conduct Leading to Buddhahood
The Chapter With Yudhañjaya
The Perfection of Renunciation (4th)
The Conduct of the Lotus-eaters
“Then again when I was
in the capital citadel of Kāsi,
a sister and seven brothers
were born in a learned family.
I was the first-born of them all,
furnishing with pure conscience.
Seeing rebirth as fearful,
I longed for renunciation.
Sent for by my mother and father,
my friends with one mind
invited me to enjoy sensual pleasures, saying:
‘Maintain the family lineage.’
The words they said
about the ways a householder can find happiness,
were hard for me to hear,
like a heated ploughshare.
When I turned down their proposal,
they asked me what I wished for:
‘My dear, what is it that you wish,
since you do not long for sensual pleasures?’
I spoke to my beneficiaries,
wanting what is best.
‘I wish not for the householder’s state,
I long for renunciation.’
Hearing my words,
they told my mother and father.
My parents said this:
‘Sirs, let all of us go forth!’
So both my mother and father,
sister and seven brothers,
discarding countless riches,
entered the great forest.”