Date: 01/24/2026 01/25/2026
Location: Star Ocean Meditation Center
Teacher: Jason
Dharma Talk
An Account of King Ajātaśatru’s Taking Refuge in the World-Honored One
In the past, when the World-Honored One was teaching and transforming beings in Rājagṛha, King Ajātaśatru wished to seek an audience with him and therefore set out for the Buddha’s abode.
Knowing that the king was about to arrive, the World-Honored One soon appeared. A great assembly of disciples also manifested, gathering around the Buddha.
Upon witnessing this scene, King Ajātaśatru thought to himself, “I am an outsider here; at this moment I should take care to protect myself,” and he instructed Jīvaka, who accompanied him, to see to his safety.
Yet in but a brief moment, the king personally beheld a scene of extraordinary beauty and excellence. He saw the World-Honored One adorned with majestic marks and features, incomparable in dignity, fully endowed with compassion, wisdom, and meditative concentration.
The sound of his teaching was subtle and elegant, like that of a king bee. All around the grove, flowers and fruits flourished in abundance, unstained by worldly dust, while many bhikṣus surrounded the World-Honored One before and behind.
Seeing this, King Ajātaśatru repeatedly turned to Jīvaka and asked, “What is that at the center of the World-Honored One’s crown?” Jīvaka respectfully replied, “It is called the uṣṇīṣa.” The king asked further, “Is it something innate, or was it formed later?” Jīvaka answered, “It is the wholesome fruition obtained through cultivation over innumerable lifetimes; it is not something produced by actions in this present life.”
The king then inquired again, “By what causes and conditions are the merits and virtues of a bodhisattva accomplished?” Jīvaka said, “They arise from the pure karmic results summoned by meritorious practice in past lives; on the basis of these one takes conception and, relying upon them, perfects this body.”
Moved by what he had seen, King Ajātaśatru uttered the following verse:
“Like the radiant light of the sun,
Appearing in manifold forms,
The crown protuberance has none above it.
How much less the other marks!
His countenance is gentle and serene;
The Able One is without fear.
From him this light already shines forth,
Illuminating the lands of the ten directions.”
The king then reflected: “The World-Honored One’s appearance is upright and dignified; his body and mind are tranquil and at ease, and all the perfect marks are fully complete.
His form is exquisitely subtle; his deportment and bearing are as stable and immovable as Mount Sumeru. Truly, the World-Honored One is the unsurpassed field of merit.
I ought to plant abundant wholesome roots here. Yet I am a king—how can I bow to him? He wears no splendid garments, whereas I am now clad in royal robes and adorned with the crown of a sovereign.”
Wishing further to awaken the king’s wholesome roots, Jīvaka again addressed him respectfully: “If Your Majesty can subdue the arrogance in your mind, in the future you will be born among the noble and wealthy; if you harbor arrogance, you will be reborn in lowly circumstances.” Reflecting upon Jīvaka’s words, King Ajātaśatru extinguished his pride.
When the king reached the gate of the monastery, he felt great joy in his heart, so much so that the hairs on his body stood on end. At that moment, a sense of renunciation arose within him; no thought of craving remained.
He prostrated himself fully upon the ground, paying reverent homage to the World-Honored One, and said: “May the World-Honored One and the assembly of bhikṣus compassionately grant that my crown prince, Udayabhadraka, may likewise perfect all merits and virtues, just as the Buddha has done.”
King Ajātaśatru then requested instruction in the essential principles of the Dharma. Having heard the teaching, he rejoiced deeply and again uttered a verse:
“As the ocean has no bounds,
When wind blows, the waters stir;
The Noble One cannot be moved.
Now beholding the Supreme among humankind,
Indra comes with palms joined,
Along with the hosts of Brahmā-heavens.
I now shall revere and honor,
And take refuge in the World-Honored One.”
