This instruction was given by the Teacher while he was in residence among the Sakiyas[4] with reference to the cessation of a quarrel among kinsmen.

     The story goes that the Sakiyas and the Koliyas caused the waters of the river Rohini to be confined by a single dam between the city of Kapilavatthu and the city of Koliya and cultivated the fields on both sides of the river. Now in the month Jetthamula the crops began to droop, whereupon the laborers employed by the residents of both cities assembled. Said the residents of the city of Koliya, "If this water is diverted to both sides of the river, there will not be enough both for you and for us too. But our crops will ripen with a single watering. Therefore let us have the water."

     Said the laborers employed by the Koliyas, "You who live in the city of Kapilavatthu, take your children and go where you belong. Are we likely to suffer harm from the elephants and horses and shields and weapons of those who, like dogs and jackals, have cohabited with their own sisters?" The laborers employed by the Sakiyas replied. "You lepers, take your children and go where you belong. Are we likely to suffer harm from the elephants and horses and shields and weapons of destitute outcasts who have lived in jujube-trees like animals?" Both parties of laborers went and reported the quarrel to the ministers who had charge of the work, and the ministers reported the matter to the royal households. Thereupon the Sakiyas came forth armed for the battle and cried out, "We will show what strength and power belong to those who have cohabited with their sisters." Likewise the Koliyas came forth armed for battle and cried out, "We will show what strength and power belong to those who dwell in jujube-trees."

     As the Teacher surveyed the world at dawn and beheld his kinsmen, he thought to himself, "If I refrain from going to them, these men will destroy each other. It is clearly my duty to go to them." Accordingly he flew through the air quite alone to the spot where his kinsmen were gathered together, and seated himself cross-legged in the air over the middle of the river Rohini. When the Teacher's kinsmen saw the Teacher, they threw away their weapons and did reverence to him. Said the Teacher to his kinsmen, "What is all this quarrel about, great king?" — "We do not know, reverend sir." — "Who then would be likely to know?" — "The commander-in-chief of the army would be likely to know." The commander-in-chief of the army said, "The viceroy would be likely to know." Thus the Teacher put the question first to one and then to another, asking the slave-laborers last of all. The slave-laborers replied, "The quarrel is about water, reverend sir."

T     hen the Teacher asked the king, "How much is water worth, great king?" — "Very little, reverend sir." — "How much are Khattiyas[5] worth, great king?" — "Khattiyas are beyond price, reverend sir." — "It is not fitting that because of a little water you should destroy khattiyas who are beyond price." They were silent. Then the Teacher addressed them and said, "Great kings, why do you act in this manner? Were I not here present today, you would set flowing a river of blood. You have done what should not be done. You live in strife, I live free from strife. You live afflicted with the sickness of the evil passions, I live free from disease. You live in eager pursuit of the five kinds of sensual pleasure, but I live free from eager pursuit." So saying, he pronounced the following stanzas:

We live indeed so happily
Unhating amidst the haters;
Among those who hate
We dwell free from hate.

We live indeed so happily
Unailing amidst the ailers;
Among those who are ailing
We dwell free from illness.

We live indeed so happily
Ungreedy amidst the greedy;
Among those who are greedy
We dwell free from greed.
                                           — Dhp 197-199