[130] Bhikkhus, there are these four astonishing and marvellous qualities (acchariyā abbhutadhammā) in a wheel-turning monarch (rājā cakkavattī). What four? If, bhikkhus, a company of noblemen (khattiyaparisā) approaches to see the wheel-turning monarch, it is pleased even by the sight of him; and if the wheel-turning monarch speaks there, it is pleased even by his speech; and the company of noblemen, bhikkhus, is still unsated when the wheel-turning monarch falls silent.
If, bhikkhus, a company of brahmins (brāhmaṇaparisā) approaches to see the wheel-turning monarch, it is pleased even by the sight of him; and if the wheel-turning monarch speaks there, it is pleased even by his speech; and the company of brahmins, bhikkhus, is still unsated when the wheel-turning monarch falls silent.
If, bhikkhus, a company of householders (gahapatiparisā) approaches to see the wheel-turning monarch, it is pleased even by the sight of him; and if the wheel-turning monarch speaks there, it is pleased even by his speech; and the company of householders, bhikkhus, is still unsated when the wheel-turning monarch falls silent.
If, bhikkhus, a company of recluses (samaṇaparisā) approaches to see the wheel-turning monarch, it is pleased even by the sight of him; and if the wheel-turning monarch speaks there, it is pleased even by his speech; and the company of recluses, bhikkhus, is still unsated when the wheel-turning monarch falls silent.
These, bhikkhus, are the four astonishing and marvellous qualities in a wheel-turning monarch.
Just so, bhikkhus, there are four astonishing and marvellous qualities in Ānanda. What four? If, bhikkhus, a company of bhikkhus approaches to see Ānanda, it is pleased even by the sight of him; and if Ānanda speaks the Dhamma there, it is pleased even by what he speaks; and the company of bhikkhus, bhikkhus, is still unsated when Ānanda falls silent.
If, bhikkhus, a company of bhikkhunīs … . If, bhikkhus, a company of laymen (upāsakaparisā) … . If, bhikkhus, a company of laywomen (upāsikāparisā) approaches to see Ānanda, it is pleased even by the sight of him; and if Ānanda speaks the Dhamma there, it is pleased even by what he speaks; and the company of laywomen, bhikkhus, is still unsated when Ānanda falls silent.
These, bhikkhus, are the four astonishing and marvellous qualities in Ānanda.
The Chapter on Peril (Bhayavagga), the Third
[Editorial footnote in the Siam Raṭṭha edition — summary verse (uddāna), with variant readings noted:
"Self-reproach and the waves, two on diversity, two more; loving-kindness, and two on the astonishing and marvellous; and two others besides." (Variant: "abbhūtadhammā parā dve" in the Yu. edition.)]
The Chapter on Persons (Puggalavagga), the Fourth
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.