Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 06/07/2019

Kokālika goes to the Buddha and criticizes Sāriputta and Moggallāna. But having deliberately slandered such great monks, he dies and Brahmā Sahampati informs the Buddha he has been reborn in hell. The Buddha gives a memorable simile of the length of life in hell.At Sāvatthī. Then the mendicant Kokālika went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him, “Sir, Sāriputta and Moggallāna have wicked desires. [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 06/06/2019

The brahmā Tudu tries to persuade Kokālika to have faith in Sāriputta and Moggallāna, but Kokālika wants none of it.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time the mendicant Kokālika was sick, suffering, gravely ill. Then, late at night, the beautiful independent brahmā Tudu, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the mendicant Kokālika, and standing in the air he said to him, “Kokālika, have confidence in Sāriputta and Moggallāna, they’re good monks. [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 06/05/2019

The brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa come to the Buddha’s hut and speak on the monk Katamorakatissaka, a follower of Devadatta.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time the Buddha had gone into retreat for the day’s meditation. Then the independent brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa went to the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post. Then Suddhāvāsa recited this verse about the mendicant Katamorakatissaka in the Buddha’s presence: “What wise person here would judge the immeasurable by measuring them? [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 06/04/2019

The brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa come to the Buddha’s hut and speak on the monk Kokālika, a follower of Devadatta.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time the Buddha had gone into retreat for the day’s meditation. Then the independent brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa went to the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post. Then Subrahmā recited this verse about the mendicant Kokālika in the Buddha’s presence: “What wise person here would judge the immeasurable by measuring them? [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 06/03/2019

The brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa note that a fellow-brahmā is living in negligence, overly impressed with his own glory, so they go to shake him from his complacence.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time the Buddha had gone into retreat for the day’s meditation. Then the independent brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa went to the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post. But Subrahmā said to Suddhāvāsa, “Good sir, it’s the wrong time to pay homage to the Buddha. [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 06/02/2019

An unnamed brahmā god thinks to himself that he is so powerful no asctic can approach him. The Buddha goes straight to his realm and appears wrapped in flame above his head. Mahāmoggallāna and several other disciples follow him. The brahmā and his retinue are sutiably impressed.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time a certain Brahmā had the following harmful misconception: “No ascetic or brahmin can come here!” Then the Buddha knew what that Brahmā was thinking. [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 06/01/2019

Baka the Brahmā conceives the wrong view that his status is permanent and imperishable. The Buddha goes to dissuade him, and they have an exchange in verse, with the Buddha telling Baka of his past lives. So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time Baka the Brahmā had the following harmful misconception: “This is permanent, this is everlasting, this is eternal, this is whole, this is imperishable. [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 05/31/2019

Brahmā Sahampati appears before a woman who is a devotee of his, and tells her to offer food instead to her son, a Buddhist monk, as Brahmās don’t eat the food she offers.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a certain brahmin lady had a son called Brahmadeva, who had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness in the presence of the Buddha. [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 05/30/2019

After his awakening, the Buddha reflects that one should live with reverence; but who is he to revere, since he is fully awakened? He realizes that he should live revering the Dhamma. Brahmā Sahampati appears and agrees with him, saying that this is how all Buddhas of past and future live too.So I have heard. At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying near Uruvelā at the root of the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River. [Read More]

Your Daily Digital Buddhist Devotion for 05/29/2019

After his awakening, the Buddha hesitated to teach, thinking that the Dhamma is too subtle for people to understand. But the high divinity Brahmā Sahampati appears and encourages him to teach, pointing out that there are some with “little dust in their eyes” who will understand.So I have heard. At one time, when he was first awakened, the Buddha was staying near Uruvelā at the root of the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River. [Read More]