1 At one time the Auspicious One was dwelling at Vesali in the Great Wood, at the Hall with the Peaked Roof. Then in the morning, the Auspicious One having dressed, having taken bowl and robe, entered Vesali for alms food.

2 At that time, as much as five hundred Licchavis, having assembled at the Sarandada shrine, this topic of conversation arose as they settled: “The appearance of five gems are rare in the world. Which five? The elephant gem's appearance is rare in the world. The horse gem's appearance is rare in the world. The jewel gem's appearance is rare in the world. The woman gem's appearance is rare in the world. The head of household gem's appearance is rare in the world. The appearance of these five gems are rare in the world.”

3 So then, those Licchavis placed a man on the road [and said], “If you, good man, were to see the Auspicious One approaching, then you should inform us.” The man saw the Auspicious One approaching from afar. Having seen, he went to those Licchavis. Upon arrival, he said this to those Licchavis: “Honorables, here comes that Auspicious One, the Arahant, the rightly self-awakened One. Now is the time for you to do as you think fit.”

4 So then, those Licchavis went to the Auspicious One. Upon arrival, they bowed down to the Auspicious One and sat down to one side. Having sat down to one side, those Licchavis said this to the Auspicious One: “It would be good, O Bhante, if the Auspicious One would approach the Sarandada shrine, out of compassion.” The Auspicious One consented by silence. So then, the Auspicious One went to the Sarandada shrine. Upon arrival, he sat down on a prepared seat. Having sat down, the Auspicious One said this to those Licchavis:

5 “What discussion, O Licchavis, were you having now as you have settled here? And what was the talk underway that was left unfinished by you?” Here, O Bhante, having assembled, this topic of conversation arose as we settled: “The appearance of five gems are rare in the world. Which five? The elephant gem's appearance is rare in the world. The horse gem's appearance is rare in the world. The jewel gem's appearance is rare in the world. The woman gem's appearance is rare in the world. The head of household gem's appearance is rare in the world. The appearance of these five gems are rare in the world.”

6 Surely, intent on sensual pleasures, for you Licchavis, only talk concerning sensual pleasures arose between you.

7 “The appearance of five gems, O Licchavis, are rare in the world. Which five? The appearance of the Tathagata, the arahant, the rightly self-awakened One is rare in the world. An individual who can teach the Dhamma and discipline proclaimed by the Tathagata is rare in the world. When the Dhamma and discipline proclaimed by the Tathagata has been taught, an individual who can understand it is rare in the world. When the Dhamma and discipline proclaimed by the Tathagata has been taught and understood, an individual who practices the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma is rare in the world. An appreciative and grateful individual is rare in the world. The appearance of these five gems, O Licchavis, are rare in the world.”

1 ekaṃ samayaṃ bhagavā vesāliyaṃ viharati mahāvane kūṭāgārasālāyaṃ. atha kho bhagavā pubbanhasamayaṃ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya vesāliṃ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

2 tena kho pana samayena pañcamattānaṃ licchavīsatānaṃ sārandadecetiye sannisinnānaṃ sannipatitānaṃ ayamantarā kathā udapādi: 'pañcannaṃ ratanānaṃ pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. katamesaṃ pañcannaṃ: hatthiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. assaratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. maṇiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ, itthiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ gahapatiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ imesaṃ pañcannaṃ ratanānaṃ pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmi'nti. pts page 168

3 atha kho te licchavī magge purisaṃ ṭhapesuṃ, 'yadā tvaṃ ambho purisa passeyyāsi bhagavantaṃ āgacchantaṃ, atha ambhākaṃ āroceyyāsī'ti. addasā kho so puriso bhagavantaṃ dūratova āgacchantaṃ. disvāna yena te licchavī tenupasaṅkami. upasaṅkamitvā te licchavī etadavoca: 'ayaṃ so bhonto bhagavā āgacchati arahaṃ sammāsambuddho, yassadāni kālaṃ maññathā'ti.

4 atha kho te licchavi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṃsu. upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṃ abhivādetvā ekamantaṃ aṭṭhaṃsu. ekamantaṃ ṭhitā kho te licchavī bhagavantaṃ etadavocuṃ: 'sādhu bhante bhagavā yena sārandadaṃ cetiyaṃ tenupasaṅkamatu anukampaṃ upādāyā'ti. adhivāsesi bhagavā tuṇhībhāvena. atha kho bhagavā yena sārandadaṃ cetiyaṃ tenupasaṅkami. upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. nisajja kho bhagavā te licchavī etadavoca: bjt page 274

5 "kāyanuttha licchavi, etarahi kathāya sannisinnā? kā ca pana vo antarā kathā vippakatā"ti? idha bhante amhākaṃ sannisinnānaṃ sannipatinānaṃ ayamantarā kathā udapādi: pañcannaṃ ratanānaṃ pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. katamesaṃ pañcannaṃ: hatthiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. assaratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. maṇiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. itthiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ gahapatiratanassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. imesaṃ pañcannaṃ ratanānaṃ pātubhāvo dullabho lokasminti.

6 kāmādhimuttānaṃ vata vo licchavīnaṃ kāmaṭṭeva arabbha antarā kathā udapādi.

7 pañcannaṃ licchavī, ratanānaṃ pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. katamesaṃ pañcannaṃ: tathāgatassa arahato sammāsambuddhassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṃ. tathāgatappaveditassa dhammavinayassa desetā puggalo dullabho lokasmiṃ. tathāgatappaveditassa dhammavinayassa desitassa viññātā puggalo dullabho lokasmiṃ. tathāgatappaveditassa dhammavinayassa desitassa viññātassa dhammānudhammapaṭipanno puggalo dullabho lokasmiṃ. kataññū katavedi puggalo dullabho lokasmiṃ. imesaṃ kho licchavī, pañcannaṃ ratanānaṃ pātubhāvo dullabho lokasminti. pts page 169