#Linked Discourses 11

The demon lord Vepacitti proposes to Sakka that they engage in a battle of wits in debate rather than war. Vepacitti speaks in praise of forceful punishment, while Sakka stands up for patience and forgiveness.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. Then Vepacitti, lord of demons, said to Sakka, lord of gods, ‘Lord of gods, let there be victory by fine words! [Read More]

In a battle between the gods and the demons, and the demon lord Vepacitti is captured and brought in chains to Sakka’s hall. Vepacitti abuses Sakka, who endures his harsh words in patience. The charioteer Mātali asks whether he is silent out of weakness or fear, but Sakka says there is no point is wasting words arguing with a fool.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. [Read More]

Sakka rallies his troops with the sight of his banner. But the Buddha points out that the deities, powerful as they are, are not free of fear, but he is. He encourages the mendicants to recollect the Triple Gem to abandon fear.At Sāvatthī. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this: “Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. [Read More]

When Sakka, the Lord of Gods, tries to organize a conterattack against the demons, he is frustrated by his lazy general Susīma. Sakka asks Suvīra how one might get what one wants without effort; but Suvīra apparently believes Sakka can grant any wish he wants. The Buddha emphasizes that if effort is valuable among the gods, how much more so for mendicants.At Sāvatthī. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. [Read More]

When Sakka, the Lord of Gods, tries to organize a counterattack against the demons, he is frustrated by his lazy general Suvīra. Sakka asks Suvīra how one might get what one wants without effort; but Suvīra apparently believes Sakka can grant any wish he wants. The Buddha emphasizes that if effort is valuable among the gods, how much more so for mendicants.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. [Read More]