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如是思惟時，聞空中聲言：汝若行見難值希有處，汝應是中作舍住！作是語已，便不復聞聲。未經幾時，王出田獵，見有一鹿走疾如風，王便逐之而不可及；遂逐不止，百官侍從無能及者。轉前見有五山周匝峻固，其地平正，生草細軟，好華遍地，種種林木，華果茂盛，溫泉浴池，皆悉清淨。其地莊嚴，處處有散天華、天香，聞天伎樂。爾時，乾闥婆伎適見王來，各自還去。是處希有，未曾所見，今我正當在是中作舍住。如是思惟已，群臣百官尋跡而到。王告諸臣：我前所聞空中聲言：汝行若見希有難值之處，汝應是中作舍住！我今見此希有之處，我應是中作合住。即捨本城，於此山中住。是王初始在是中住，從是已後，次第止住。是王先起造立宮舍，故名王舍城。略說王舍城竟。
（「王舍城」篇完）
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When he was thinking like this, he heard a voice from space,
saying, "If when travelling, you see a place which is seldom
seen and rare, you ought to build a home and live there."
After it had made this statement, he no longer heard the
voice.
It was not long after that the King ventured into the
country to go hunting. He saw a deer that was running as
fast as the wind. The King then chased after it but could
not catch up to it. He pursued it without stopping. None of
the multitude of officials and retainers could keep up. As
he travelled on farther ahead he saw a ridge of five
mountains which ran in a steep and solid circle. The ground
was flat and even. Delicate grasses which were fine and
soft together with fine flowers covered the soil. All kinds
of trees and flowers and fruits flourished there. The land
was enhanced by pure-watered warm springs and bathing pools.
Heavenly flowers and heavenly incense floated down
everywhere and everywhere there was the sound of heavenly
music. At that time the gandharva music-makers retreated on
seeing the king approach. This place was rare and such as
never had been seen before.
"Now I ought to build a home right in center of this area
and live here," he thought. Just as he had finished this
thought, the multitude of ministers and the numerous
officials, following his tracks, arrived at the spot. The
king told the ministers, "Formerly, the voice which I heard
from empty space said, 'If when travelling, you see a place
which is seldom seen and rare, you ought to build a home and
live there.' Now I have seen this rare place. I ought to
build a home and live here." He then abandoned the original
city and came to dwell amidst these mountains. This king was
the first to dwell there. After that the succeeding kings
each dwelt there as well. Because formerly this king
established his palace there, the place was named "City of
the Kings' Abode."
End of the section "The City of The Kings' Abode"
English translation © 1996 Dharmamitra.
All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission of Kalavinka.
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