#2. With Anāthapiṇḍika

A deity who had been the Buddha’s supporter Anāthapiṇḍika in his former life comes to Buddha and speaks verses in celebration of the Jeta’s Grove monastery—which he had offered for the Buddha’s use—good deeds, the Dhamma, and Venerable Sāriputta.Standing to one side, the god Anāthapiṇḍika recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence: “This is indeed that Jeta’s Grove, frequented by the Saṅgha of hermits, where the King of Dhamma stayed: it brings me joy! [Read More]

The god Uttara speaks of the transience of life, saying one should do good to be reborn in a happy future life. The Buddha replies that one should let go attachment.At Rājagaha. Standing to one side, the god Uttara recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “This life, so very short, is led onward. There’s no shelter for one led on by old age. Seeing this peril in death, do good deeds that bring happiness. [Read More]

At Sāketa the god Kakudha asks the Buddha if he delights or sorrows. The Buddha replies that since he has no attachments he neither delights nor sorrows.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāketa in the deer park at the Añjana Wood. Then, late at night, the glorious god Kakudha, lighting up the entire Añjana Wood, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him, “Do you delight, ascetic? [Read More]

Subrahmā the god asks for the escape from fear. The Buddha says there is no escape from fear without letting go of everything.Standing to one side, the god Subrahmā addressed the Buddha in verse: “This mind is always anxious, this mind is always stressed about stresses that haven’t arisen and those that have. If there is a state free of anxiety, please answer my question.” “Not without understanding and austerity, not without restraining the sense faculties, not without letting go of everything, do I see safety for living creatures. [Read More]

The deity Vasudatta says that a mendicant should live like their hair is on fire so as to give up lust. The Buddha changes his verse to emphasize giving up attachment to self.Standing to one side, the god Vāsudatta recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Like they’re struck by a sword, like their head was on fire, a mendicant should go forth mindfully, to give up sensual desire.” “Like they’re struck by a sword, like their head was on fire, a mendicant should go forth mindfully, to give up identity view. [Read More]

Candana asks who crosses the flood. The Buddha replies that it is one who is virtuous , wise, peaceful, and beyond attachment to rebirth.Standing to one side, the god Candana addressed the Buddha in verse: “Who here crosses the flood, tireless all day and night? Who, not standing and unsupported, does not sink in the deep?” “Someone who is always endowed with ethics, wise and serene, energetic and resolute, crosses the flood so hard to cross. [Read More]

The deity Nandana asks the Buddha who is virtuous, wise, beyond suffering, worshiped by the gods themselves. The Buddha replies that such a person is an arahant.Standing to one side, the god Nandana addressed the Buddha in verse: “I ask you, Gotama, whose wisdom is vast, the Blessed One of unhindered knowledge and vision. What kind of person do they call ethical? What kind of person do they call wise? What kind of person lives on after transcending suffering? [Read More]

Dīghalaṭṭhi the god comes to the Buddha at Rājagaha and praises a mendicant who is a meditator.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Then, late at night, the glorious god Dīghalaṭṭhi, lighting up the entire Bamboo Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Suppose a mendicant is a meditator, freed in mind. [Read More]

The deity Veṇhu celebrates the joy of those who follow the Buddha’s teaching. The Buddha affirms that such will escape death. Veṇhu is the Pali spelling of Sanskrit Viṣṇu, and this marks a rare appearance of a god of this name in the early texts.Standing to one side, the god Vishnu recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Happy are the children of Manu who pay homage to the Holy One! [Read More]

The deity Candimasa says that those who practice absorption will surely find escape. The Buddha adds that they must also be diligent and discard flaws.At Sāvatthī. Then, late at night, the glorious god Candimasa, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Like deer in a mosquito-free marsh, they will reach a safe place having entered the absorptions, unified, alert, and mindful. [Read More]