The Long Āgama Sūtra 3.62

3.62

「爾時，七國王語大典尊曰：『汝可留住七歲之中，極世五欲，共相娛樂，然後捨國，各付子弟，俱共出家，不亦善耶？如汝所獲，我亦當同。』時，大典尊報七王曰：『世間無常，人命逝速，喘息之間，猶亦難保，乃至七歲，不亦遠耶？』七王又言：『七歲遠者，六歲、五歲，乃至一歲，留住靜宮，極世五欲，共相娛樂，然後捨國，各付子弟，俱共出家，不亦善耶？如汝所得，我亦宜同。』時，大典尊復報王曰：『此世間無常，人命逝速，喘息之間，猶亦難保，乃至一歲尚亦久爾，如是七月，至于一月，猶復不可。』王又語言：『可至七日，留住深宮，極世五欲，共相娛樂，然後捨國，各付子弟，俱共出家，不亦善耶？』大典尊答曰：『七日不遠，自可留爾，唯願大王勿違信誓，過七日已，王若不去，我自出家。』

“‘The seven kings said to Great Govinda, “You could stay for a period of seven years. Enjoy the best of the world’s five desires, and share in their enjoyment. Afterward, we’ll renounce the kingdom. We’ll each be your disciple, and we’ll leave home together. Wouldn’t that also be good? You would get what you want, and we’ll also get something equal.”

“‘Great Govinda replied to the seven kings, “The world is impermanent, and people’s lives end quickly. Even the span of a cough or a sigh is hard to safeguard. Wouldn’t seven years be far away?”

“‘The seven kings also said, “Seven years is far away. Wait in the quiet of the palace for six years … five years … one year. Enjoy the best of the world’s five desires, and share in their enjoyment. Afterward, we’ll renounce the kingdom. We’ll each be your disciple, and we’ll leave home together. Wouldn’t that also be good? You would get what you want, and we’ll also get something equal.”

“‘Great Govinda again replied to the kings, “The world is impermanent, and people’s lives end quickly. Even the span of a cough or a sigh is hard to safeguard. Wouldn’t seven years be far away. Thus, seven months … one month would still not be possible.”

“‘The kings said, “You could wait hidden in the palace for up to seven days. Enjoy the best of the world’s five desires, and share in their enjoyment. Afterward, renounce the world. We’ll each become your disciple, and we’ll leave home together. Wouldn’t that also be good? …”

“‘Great Govinda answered, “Seven days isn’t far away. One could wait that long. Please, great king, don’t break your promise. After seven days, if the king doesn’t leave, I will leave home by myself.”