#2. The Second Chapter

When Sakka sets out on a pleasure jaunt, he begins by lifting his joined palms to the Saṅgha of mendicants. His charioteer Mātal asks why Sakka venerates smelly mendicants. Sakka replies that he venerates them for their renunciation and peacefulness.Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. “Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali, ‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. We will go to a park and see the scenery. [Read More]

When Sakka sets out on a pleasure jaunt, he begins by lifting his joined palms to the Buddha. His charioteer Mātali points out that Sakka is venerated by gods and men, and asks who he is venerating. Sakka replies that he venerates the Buddha, the perfected mendicants as well as trainees on the path.Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. “Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali, ‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. [Read More]

When Sakka sets out on a pleasure jaunt, he begins by lifting his joined palms to the four quarters . His charioteer Mātali points out that Sakka is venerated by gods and men, and asks who he is venerating. Sakka replies that he venerates both well-practiced mendicants as well as virtuous lay folk.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his charioteer Mātali, ‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. [Read More]

Sakka and Brahmā Sahampati come to the Buddha’s hut and speak in his praise.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 Brahmā Sahampati approached the Buddha and stationed themselves one by each door-post. Then Sakka recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Rise, hero! Victor in battle, with burden put down, wander the world without obligation. [Read More]

When Sakka asks where a gift is most fruitful, the Buddha replies that it is the Saṅgha.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. And then Sakka, lord of gods, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and addressed him in verse: “For humans, those merit-seeking creatures, who sponsor sacrifices, making merit with attachments, where is a gift very fruitful?” “Four practicing the path, and four established in the fruit. [Read More]

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]