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5. The Discourse on Janavasabha The Declaration concerning the people of Natika 273. Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Blessed One was staying in Natika, in the Brick Hall. Now at that time, the Blessed One was declaring the destinations of the lay followers who had passed away and died in the surrounding districts: in Kasi-Kosala, in Vajji-Malla, in Ceti-Vamsa, in Kuru-Pañcala, in Maccha-Surasena: “So-and-so has been reborn there, so-and-so has been reborn there.” More than fifty lay followers from Natika, who had passed away and died, through the destruction of the five lower fetters, were spontaneously reborn, there to attain final Nibbāna, never to return from that world. More than ninety lay followers from Natika, who had passed away and died, through the destruction of three fetters, and the attenuation of lust, hatred, and delusion, were once-returners, who, having returned to this world just once, will make an end of suffering. More than five hundred lay followers from Natika, who had passed away and died, through the destruction of three fetters, were stream-enterers, never again destined for states of woe, certain of enlightenment. 274. The lay followers from Natika heard: “It is said that the Blessed One is declaring the destinations of the lay followers who have passed away and died in the surrounding districts: in Kasi-Kosala, in Vajji-Malla, in Ceti-Vamsa, in Kuru-Pañcala, in Maccha-Surasena: ‘So-and-so has been reborn there, so-and-so has been reborn there.’ More than fifty lay followers from Natika, who have passed away and died, through the destruction of the five lower fetters, are spontaneously reborn, there to attain final Nibbāna, never to return from that world. More than ninety lay followers from Natika, who have passed away and died, through the destruction of three fetters, and the attenuation of lust, hatred, and delusion, are once-returners, who, having returned to this world just once, will make an end of suffering. More than five hundred lay followers from Natika, who have passed away and died, adorned, with the destruction of the three fetters, they are stream-enterers, not liable to fall, certain of enlightenment. And the Nātika devotees, hearing the Buddha's explanation of the questions, were pleased, delighted, filled with joy and happiness. 275. Then the Venerable Ānanda heard: "Indeed, the Blessed One in various surrounding regions declares the destinies of devotees who have passed away, in Kosala, in the Vajji-Malla lands, among the Cetiya clans, among the Kuru-Pañcālas, among the Majjha-Sūrasenas: 'Such a one has been reborn there, such a one has been reborn there. More than fifty Nātika devotees who have passed away, with the destruction of the five lower fetters, are spontaneously arisen, there they attain final Nibbāna, not liable to return from that world. More than ninety Nātika devotees who have passed away, with the destruction of the three fetters, and with the attenuation of lust, hatred, and delusion, are once-returners, they will return to this world just once and make an end of suffering. More than five hundred Nātika devotees who have passed away, with the destruction of the three fetters, are stream-enterers, not liable to fall, certain of enlightenment.' And the Nātika devotees, hearing the Buddha's explanation of the questions, were pleased, delighted, filled with joy and happiness." Ānanda's Reflection 276. Then it occurred to the Venerable Ānanda: "These Māgadha devotees, many and long-standing, have passed away. I think Aṅga-Magadha is empty of Aṅga-Māgadha devotees who have passed away. They too had faith in the Buddha, faith in the Dhamma, faith in the Saṅgha, and were complete in their virtues. They have passed away, and have not been declared by the Blessed One; it would be good if their destiny were declared, many people would gain confidence, and thereby go to a good destination. And this King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, Oh, the righteous king of Dhamma, beneficial to brahmins and householders, to townspeople and country folk. And people live, praising him, saying: ‘Thus that righteous king of Dhamma, having made us happy, has passed away. Thus we lived comfortably in the domain of that righteous king of Dhamma.’ And he was devoted to the Buddha, devoted to the Dhamma, devoted to the Saṅgha, a perfect performer of the precepts. And people said this: ‘Even until the time of his death, King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha passed away praising the Blessed One.’ He has passed away, gone beyond, but has not been declared by the Blessed One. A good declaration concerning him would make many people pleased, and from that they would go to a good destination. But the Blessed One's enlightenment was in Magadha. Where the Blessed One's enlightenment was in Magadha, how could the Blessed One not declare the destinations of the Magadhan attendants who have passed away, gone beyond? If the Blessed One were not to declare the destinations of the Magadhan attendants who have passed away, gone beyond, then the Magadhan attendants would be disheartened; and since the Magadhan attendants would be disheartened, how could the Blessed One not declare them?’’ 277. Then Venerable Ānanda, having pondered alone in solitude concerning the Magadhan attendants, rose at dawn and approached the Blessed One; having approached, he saluted the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Venerable Ānanda said this to the Blessed One: ‘‘I have heard this, venerable sir: ‘The Blessed One, it is said, declares the destinations of attendants who have passed away, gone beyond, in various surrounding regions— in Kāsī-Kosala, in the Vajji-Mallas, in the Ceti-Vaṃsas, in the Kuru-Pañcālas, in the Majjha-Sūrasenas— saying: “So-and-so is reborn there, so-and-so is reborn there.” More than fifty relatives and attendants have passed away, gone beyond, and by the destruction of the five lower fetters, they are reborn spontaneously... Some there attained final Nibbāna, never to return from that world. More than ninety relatives and attendants, who have passed away, have died, having destroyed the three fetters, with lust, hatred, and delusion attenuated, are once-returners, who will come to this world only once more and make an end of suffering. More than five hundred relatives and attendants, who have passed away, have died, having destroyed the three fetters, are stream-enterers, not subject to falling into lower states, certain of enlightenment. And because of this, the relatives and attendants were delighted, joyful, filled with rapture and happiness, having heard the Blessed One's declaration of insight. And these, too, Venerable Sir, were Magadhan attendants, many and long-experienced, who have passed away, have died. Anga and Magadha, I think, are empty of Anga-Magadhan attendants who have passed away, have died. And these, too, Venerable Sir, were confident in the Buddha, confident in the Dhamma, confident in the Sangha, and fulfilled the precepts. They have passed away, have died, but have not been declared by the Blessed One. It would be good if there were a declaration for them too, so that many people might be confident, and from that go to a good destination. And this, too, Venerable Sir, was King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, a righteous king of righteousness, beneficial to brahmins and householders, to townspeople and country folk alike. And people used to live praising him, saying: 'That righteous king of righteousness made us happy and then died. Thus we lived comfortably in the domain of that righteous king of righteousness.' And he, too, Venerable Sir, was confident in the Buddha, confident in the Dhamma, confident in the Sangha, and fulfilled the precepts. And people used to say this: 'Even until the time of his death, King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha died praising the Blessed One.' He has passed away, has died, but has not been declared by the Blessed One; it would be good if there were a declaration for him too, so that many people might be confident, and from that go to a good destination. And the Blessed One's enlightenment, Venerable Sir, was in Magadha. And where, Venerable Sir, the Blessed One... Therefore, the enlightenment in Magadha, how could the Blessed One there not declare the destinations of the Magadhan attendants who have passed away and died? If, indeed, venerable sir, the Blessed One would not declare the destinations of the Magadhan attendants who have passed away and died, then the Magadhan attendants would be dejected; and since the Magadhan attendants would be dejected, how could the Blessed One not declare them? Having made this remark concerning the Magadhan attendants in the presence of the Blessed One, Venerable Ānanda rose from his seat, saluted the Blessed One, circumambulated him, and departed. 278. Then, not long after Venerable Ānanda had departed, the Blessed One, having dressed in the morning, taking his bowl and robe, entered Nātika for alms. Having walked for alms in Nātika, and after his meal, having returned from his alms-round, he washed his feet, entered the brick hall, and sitting on the appointed seat, having focused his mind, having paid full attention, having gathered all with his mind, concerning the Magadhan attendants, [he thought]: "I will know their destination, their future state, what destination these venerable ones have, what future state." Then the Blessed One saw the Magadhan attendants, "what destination these venerable ones have, what future state." Then, in the evening, the Blessed One, having risen from his seclusion, came out of the brick hall and sat on the appointed seat in the shade behind the monastery. 279. Then Venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One; having approached, he saluted the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Venerable Ānanda said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, the Blessed One's countenance is serene, like a brother's,