#Linked Discourses 10

The famous story of the spirit Āḷavaka, who tries to bully the Buddha, but is soon persuaded through a surprisingly insightful series of questions and answers. This discourse provided the background for several elaborate legends in the later traditionsSo I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Āḷavī in the haunt of the native spirit Āḷavaka. Then the native spirit Āḷavaka went up to the Buddha, and said to him: “Get out, ascetic! [Read More]

A spirit was full of faith in the nun Cirā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave a robe to the nun Cīrā. Then a native spirit was so devoted to Cīrā that he went street to street and square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses: “O! [Read More]

A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave food to the nun Sukkā. Then a native spirit was so devoted to Sukkā that he went street to street and square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses: “O! [Read More]

A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages encouraging people to listen to her teaching.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now, at that time the nun Sukkā was teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly. Then a native spirit was so devoted to Sukkā that he went street to street and square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses: “What’s up with these people in Rājagaha? [Read More]

When Anāthapiṇḍika heard that a Buddha had arisen in the world, he rose first thing in the morning to go and visit him. But a mysterious darkness caused him to hesitate, so a spirit repeatedly encouraged him to step forward. Finally he reached the Buddha, and asked if he had slept well.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Cool Grove. Now at that time the householder Anāthapiṇḍika had arrived at Rājagaha on some business. [Read More]

A female spirit hushes her children as she listens to the teaching. But her son Punabbasu says that he had not been talking, as he too wants to learn.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the Buddha was educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the mendicants with a Dhamma talk about extinguishment. And those mendicants were paying heed, paying attention, engaging wholeheartedly, and lending an ear. [Read More]

A female spirit hushes her son Piyaṅkara so she can hear the teaching and pursue harmlessness.At one time Venerable Sāriputta was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time Venerable Anuruddha rose at the crack of dawn and recited passages of the teaching. Then the native spirit Piyaṅkara’s Mother soothed her little child, saying: “Don’t make a sound, Piyaṅkara! A mendicant recites passages of the teaching. When we understand a passage, we can practice for our welfare. [Read More]

It seems that the novice Sānu had returned to his home intending to disrobe. To prevent him, a spirit possessed him, encouraging him to pursue the path of good. Sānu’s mother, weeping for her son, also tries to make him stay in robes.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain lay woman had a son named Sānu who had been possessed by a native spirit. [Read More]

The spirit Maṇibhadda speaks in praise of mindfulness, opining that a mindful one is free of hate. The Buddha responds that yes, mindfulness is wonderful, but only through developing love is one free of hate.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans at the Maṇimālika tree shrine, the haunt of the native spirit Maṇibhadda. Then the native spirit Maṇibhadda went up to the Buddha, and recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “It’s always auspicious for the mindful; the mindful prosper in happiness. [Read More]

The spirits Khara and Sūciloma argue about whether the Buddha is a true ascetic or not. They approach him initially with threats, but then ask as to the origin of greed and hate.At one time the Buddha was staying near Gayā on the cut-stone ledge in the haunt of Spiky the native spirit. Now at that time the native spirits Shaggy and Spiky were passing by not far from the Buddha. [Read More]