The Long Āgama Sūtra 23.32

23.32

佛言：「時，王復召諸臣語言：『我國富兵強，庫藏盈溢，給諸人民，使無所乏，養育子孫，共相娛樂。我今欲設大祀，汝說祀法悉何所須？』諸臣白王：『如是，如是，如王所說。國富兵強，庫藏盈溢，給諸人民，使其無乏，養育子孫，共相娛樂。王欲祀者，可語宮內使知。』時，王即如臣言，入語宮內：『我國富兵強，庫藏盈溢，多有財寶，欲設大祀。』時，諸夫人尋白王言：『如是，如是，如大王言。國富兵強，庫藏盈溢，多有珍寶，欲設大祀，今正是時。』王出報諸臣言：『我國富兵強，庫藏盈溢，給諸人民，使其無乏，養育子孫，共相娛樂。今欲大祀，已語宮內，汝盡語我，斯須何物？』」

The Buddha said, “The king summoned the ministers again and told them, ‘My country is wealthy, the army is strong, and the treasury is overflowing. I’ve provided for the people so that they want for nothing. They raise their children and are happy together. Now, I want to arrange a large sacrifice. Tell me about the way of sacrifices. What will be needed?’

“The ministers told the king, ‘So it is, so it is! It’s as the king says. The country is fortunate, the army is strong, and the treasury is overflowing. You’ve provided for the people so that they want for nothing. They raise their children and are happy together. If the king wants a sacrifice, he may speak with his palace wives and let them know about it.’

“The king then did as the minister said. He went into the palace and said to his wives, ‘My country is wealthy, the army is strong, and the treasury is overflowing. I possess many treasures. I want to arrange a large sacrifice.’

“Then the wives said to the king, ‘So it is, so it is! It’s as the king says. The country is wealthy, the army is strong, and the treasure is overflowing. He possesses many treasures. If he wants to arrange a large sacrifice, now would be the right time for it.’

“The king returned and told the ministers, ‘My country is wealthy, the army is strong, and the treasury is overflowing. I’ve provided for the people so that they want for nothing. They raise their children and are happy together. Now, I want a large sacrifice. I’ve told the palace wives. All of you, tell me what things will be needed for this.’