Who is More Dear?

So I have heard.

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Now at that time King Pasenadi of Kosala was upstairs in the royal longhouse together with Queen Mallikā.

Then King Pasenadi addressed Queen Mallikā,

“Mallikā, is there anyone more dear to you than yourself?”

“No, great king, there isn’t.

But is there anyone more dear to you than yourself?”

“For me also, Mallikā, there’s no-one.”

Then King Pasenadi of Kosala came downstairs from the stilt longhouse, went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened.

Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

“Having explored every quarter with the mind,

one finds no-one dearer than oneself.

Likewise for others, each holds themselves dear;

so one who desires self-knowledge <j>would harm no other.”