[19] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī, at the Sārandada Shrine (cetiya). Then several Licchavis approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. As they were seated to one side, the Blessed One said this to those Licchavis: "Licchavis, I will teach you seven principles of non-decline (aparihāniyā dhammā). Listen to it and attend closely; I will speak." "Yes, venerable sir," those Licchavis replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"And what, Licchavis, are the seven principles of non-decline? As long as, Licchavis, the Vajjīs assemble frequently and hold many assemblies, only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline. As long as, Licchavis, the Vajjīs assemble in harmony, rise from assembly in harmony, and carry out the affairs of the Vajjīs in harmony, only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline. As long as, Licchavis, the Vajjīs do not enact what has not been enacted, do not abolish what has been enacted, and proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjī principles as they were enacted, only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline. As long as, Licchavis, the Vajjīs honour, respect, esteem, and venerate those who are the Vajjī elders among the Vajjīs, and think them worth listening to, only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline. As long as, Licchavis, the Vajjīs do not abduct the women and girls of good families and compel them to live with them, only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline. As long as, Licchavis, the Vajjīs honour, respect, esteem, and venerate the Vajjī shrines of the Vajjīs, both those within and those without, and do not let lapse the righteous offerings previously given and previously made to them, only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline. As long as, Licchavis, righteous watch, ward, and protection is well provided by the Vajjīs for the arahants, thinking: 'How may arahants who have not yet come, come to the realm, and how may arahants who have come dwell at ease in the realm?'—only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline. As long as, Licchavis, these seven principles of non-decline stand among the Vajjīs, and the Vajjīs are seen established in these seven principles of non-decline, only growth is to be expected for the Vajjīs, not decline."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.