dn27:8.1 King Pasenadi of Kosala knows that
dn27:8.2 the ascetic Gotama has gone forth from the neighboring clan of the Sakyans.
dn27:8.3 And the Sakyans are his vassals.
dn27:8.4 The Sakyans show deference to King Pasenadi by bowing down, rising up, greeting him with cupped palms, and observing proper etiquette for him.
dn27:8.5 Now, King Pasenadi shows the same kind of deference to the Realized One. But he doesn’t think: ‘The ascetic Gotama is well-born, I am ill-born.
dn27:8.6 He is powerful, I am weak.
dn27:8.7 He is handsome, I am ugly.
dn27:8.8 He is illustrious, I am insignificant.’
dn27:8.9 Rather, in showing such deference to the Realized One he is only honoring, respecting, and venerating principle.
dn27:8.10 And here’s another way to understand how principle is the best thing for people in both this life and the next.


