The Jewel of Crown

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the squirrels' sanctuary in the bamboo grove in Rajagaha.

2. At that time when the king was sitting in the royal assembly hall this conversation arose in the assembly `Gold, silver and coins are suitable for the sons of the recluse Gotama. They beget, earn and accept gold, silver and coins.”

3. At that time Gāmaṇi the crown jewel, was sitting in that assembly.

4. Then Gāmaṇi, the crown jewel said to that assembly: “Sirs, do not say that! The sons of the recluse Gotama do not beget, earn, or accept gold, silver, and coins; the sons of the recluse Gotama are freed from and have got rid of gold, silver, and coins.” Yet, Gāmaṇi the crown jewel could not convince that assembly.

5. Then Gāmaṇi, the crown jewel approached the Blessed One, worshipped and sat on a side.

6. Sitting on a side Gāmaṇi, the crown jewel said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, when the king was sitting in the royal assembly this conversation arose in the assembly `Gold, silver and coins are suitable for the sons of the recluse Gotama. They beget, earn and accept gold, silver and coins.' Venerable sir, then I said to that assembly, `Good sirs, do not say that! Gold, silver and coins are not suitable for the sons of the recluse Gotama They do not beget, earn, or accept gold, silver, and coins. The sons of the recluse Gotama are freed from and have got rid of gold, silver, and coins.' Yet, venerable sir I could not convince that assembly.

7. “Venerable sir, saying it how would I be in accordance of the words of the Blessed One, not saying something faulty and not blaming the Blessed One.”

“There, Gāmaṇi, saying it thus you would be in accordance with my words not saying something faulty and not blaming me.

8. “Gāmaṇi, gold, silver and coins are not suitable for the sons of the recluse Gotama They do not beget, earn, or accept gold, silver, and coins. The sons of the recluse Gotama are freed from and have got rid of gold, silver, and coins. Gāmaṇi, to whomever gold, silver, and coins are suitable to him the five strands of sense pleasures are also suitable. Gāmaṇi, if the five strands of sense pleasures are suitable to someone, this should be borne in mind, it is not the ways of recluses, they are not the sons of the recluse Gotama.

9. “Yet, Gāmaṇi, I say that grass should be sought for whatever grass is needed, firewood should be sought for whatever firewood is needed, a cart should be sought for whatever a cart is needed, a man should be sought for whatever a man is needed, yet Gāmaṇi, I do not say that for any reason gold, silver and coins should be sought and obtained in any way.”