#Linked Discourses 11

When Sakka asks what place is truly delightful, the Buddha replies that it is wherever the perfected ones dwell.Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. And then Sakka, lord of gods, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him, “Sir, what is a delightful place?” “Shrines in parks and forests, well-made lotus ponds, are not worth a sixteenth part of a delightful human being. Whether in village or wilderness, in a valley or the uplands, wherever the perfected ones live is a delightful place. [Read More]

The gods complain when a poor man is reborn in heaven. But Sakka points out that even though poor, he did many good deeds.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this: “Once upon a time, mendicants, there was a poor person, impoverished and pitiful. They took up faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom in the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One. [Read More]

Mahāli the Licchavi is skeptical as to whether the Buddha has really seen Sakka.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then Mahāli the Licchavi went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, have you seen Sakka, lord of gods?” “I have, Mahāli.” “But surely, sir, you must have seen someone who looked like Sakka. [Read More]

Sakka’s many names arose due to the diverse good deeds he did in the past.Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. There the Buddha said to the mendicants: “Mendicants, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he was a brahmanical student named Magha. That’s why he’s called Maghavā. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave gifts in stronghold after stronghold. That’s why he’s called Purindada, the Stronghold-Giver. [Read More]

Sakka achieved his status because of seven vows he kept in the past.At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka. What seven? As long as I live, may I support my parents. As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family. As long as I live, may I speak gently. [Read More]

In the past, when battle between the gods and demons loomed, some seers sought out the demon lord Sambara to beg for protection. But due to their devotion to Sakka, he rejected them, so they cursed him.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, several hermits who were ethical, of good character, settled in leaf huts by the ocean. Now at that time a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. [Read More]

In days gone by, Sakka, lord of gods, and Vepacitti, lord of demons, visited a hermitage of seers. But Vepacitti behaves rudely, while Sakka honors them. However, the seers beg Sakka to leave, on account of the stink of their unwashed bodies. But he says he loves their smell.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, several hermits who were ethical, of good character, settled in leaf huts in a wilderness region. [Read More]

Sakka, lord of gods, and Verocana, lord of demons, approach the Buddha’s hut and speak in praise of effort.Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. Now at that time the Buddha had gone into retreat for the day’s meditation. Then Sakka, lord of gods, and Verocana, lord of demons, approached the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post. Then Verocana recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “A man should make an effort until his goal is accomplished. [Read More]

Sakka reflects that one should not harm even one’s enemy. Knowing this, Vepacitti immediately takes advantage of it.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, as Sakka, lord of gods, was in private retreat this thought came to his mind, ‘I should never betray even a sworn enemy.’ And then Vepacitti, lord of demons, knowing what Sakka was thinking, approached him. Sakka saw Vepacitti coming off in the distance, and said to him, ‘Stop, Vepacitti, you’re caught! [Read More]

Fleeing the demon host, Sakka’s chariot risks endangering the nests of little birds in the forest. Rather than render the birds homeless, Sakka instructs his charioteer to turn back, even at the cost of his life.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. In that battle the demons won and the gods lost. Defeated, the gods fled north with the demons in pursuit. [Read More]