In short: in SN 3.17 King Pasenadi asks for one thing that secures benefit in this life and the next. The Buddha answers: diligence. Just as every animal's footprint fits inside an elephant's, every good quality fits inside diligence.
King Pasenadi asked the Buddha: "Is there one thing that secures benefits for both this life and lives to come?" The answer:
Diligence, Great King, is one thing that secures benefits for both this life and lives to come. The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant's footprint.
What it means
Diligence (appamāda), meaning care and heedfulness, contains all other good qualities, as the elephant's footprint contains all others. It is the same word as in the Buddha's last words: "Persist with diligence." Read Dhammapada chapter 2, Diligence.
Read the full guide
The full text in Pāli and English
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral (SN3.17). Ellipses (…) are abbreviations in the original. Notes are ANEW's.
| Pāli | English |
|---|---|
| Sāvatthinidānaṁ. | At Sāvatthī. |
| Ekamantaṁ nisīdi. | |
| Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: | Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha, |
| “atthi nu kho, bhante, eko dhammo yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— | “Sir, is there one thing that secures benefits for both |
| diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti? | this life and lives to come?” |
| “Atthi kho, mahārāja, eko dhammo yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— | “There is, Great King.” |
| diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti. | |
| “Katamo pana, bhante, eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— | “So what is that one thing?” |
| diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti? | |
| “Appamādo kho, mahārāja, eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— | “Diligence, Great King, is one thing that secures benefits for both |
| diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcāti. | this life and lives to come. |
| Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, yāni kānici jaṅgalānaṁ pāṇānaṁ padajātāni, sabbāni tāni hatthipade samodhānaṁ gacchanti, hatthipadaṁ tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati—yadidaṁ mahantattena; | The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint. So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all. |
| evameva kho, mahārāja, appamādo eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— | In the same way, diligence is one thing that secures benefits for both |
| diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti. | this life and lives to come.” |
| Idamavoca …pe… | That is what the Buddha said. … |
| “Āyuṁ arogiyaṁ vaṇṇaṁ, | “For one who desires high delights |
| saggaṁ uccākulīnataṁ; | again and again— |
| Ratiyo patthayantena, | long life, beauty, and health, |
| uḷārā aparāparā. | heaven, and an eminent family— |
| Appamādaṁ pasaṁsanti, | the astute praise diligence |
| puññakiriyāsu paṇḍitā; | in making merit. |
| Appamatto ubho atthe, | Being diligent, an astute person |
| adhiggaṇhāti paṇḍito. | secures both benefits: |
| Diṭṭhe dhamme ca yo attho, | the benefit in this life, |
| yo cattho samparāyiko; | and in lives to come. |
| Atthābhisamayā dhīro, | An attentive one, comprehending the meaning, |
| paṇḍitoti pavuccatī”ti. | is said to be astute.” |
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Questions people ask
What is the one quality the Buddha praised most?
In SN 3.17 he tells King Pasenadi that diligence (heedfulness) is the one thing that secures benefits in this life and the next, like the elephant's footprint that contains all others.