#3. Various Sectarians

A series of deities who had formerly been ascetics in the non-Buddhist sects came to the Buddha, speaking verses in praise—or occasional criticism—of their former teachersSo I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Then, late at night, several glorious gods lit up the entire Bamboo Grove. They were Asama, Sahalī, Niṅka, Ākoṭaka, Vetambarī, and Māṇavagāmiya, and all of them were disciples of various sectarian teachers. [Read More]

The Buddha asks Ānanda if he likes Sāriputta, and when he replies that he does, the god Susīma and his assembly appear, rejoicing in Sāriputta’s praises, and radiating in lustrous colors.At Sāvatthī. Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him, “Ānanda, do you like Sāriputta?” “Sir, who on earth would not like Venerable Sāriputta unless they’re a fool, a hater, delusional, or mentally deranged? [Read More]

The god Nandivisāla gives an elaborate metaphor for the body, and asks how to escape from it. Standing to one side, the god Nandivisāla addressed the Buddha in verse: “Four are its wheels, and nine its doors; it’s filled with greed and tied up; and it’s born from a bog. Great hero, how am I supposed to live like this?” “Having cut the strap and harness—wicked desire and greed—and having plucked out craving, root and all: that’s how you’re supposed to live like this. [Read More]

Nanda 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.Standing to one side, the god Nanda recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Time flies, nights pass by, the stages of life leave us one by one. Seeing this peril in death, you should do good deeds that bring happiness.” “Time flies, nights pass by, the stages of life leave us one by one. [Read More]

Rohitassa asks the Buddha if it is possible to reach the end of the world by traveling. The Buddha says no; and Rohitassa tells of how in a past life as a seer he had tried to accomplish this very feat and failed. The Buddha says the end of the world is found in this body.At Sāvatthī. Standing to one side, the god Rohitassa said to the Buddha: “Sir, is it possible to know or see or reach the end of the world by traveling to a place where there’s no being born, growing old, dying, passing away, or being reborn? [Read More]

Some monks in Kosala fell into negligence, and were admonished by the deity Jantu.So I have heard. Now at that time several mendicants were staying in the Kosalan lands, in a wilderness hut on the slopes of the Himalayas. They were restless, insolent, fickle, gossipy, loose-tongued, unmindful, lacking situational awareness and immersion, with straying minds and undisciplined faculties. Then on the fifteenth day sabbath the god Jantu went up to those mendicants and addressed them in verse: “The mendicants used to live happily, as disciples of Gotama. [Read More]

The deity Ghaṭīkāra speaks of the seven mendicants reborn in the Aviha realm. The sutta is similar to SN 1.50.Standing to one side, the god Ghaṭikāra recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Seven mendicants reborn in Aviha have been freed. With the complete ending of greed and hate, they’ve crossed over clinging to the world.” “Who are those who’ve crossed the bog, Death’s domain so hard to pass? Who, after leaving behind the human body, have risen above celestial yokes? [Read More]

The deity Serī speaks of how everyone loves food., to which the Buddha responds with verses in praise of giving. Serī speaks of his own generosity in a past life.Standing to one side, the god Serī addressed the Buddha in verse: “Both gods and humans enjoy their food. So what’s the name of the spirit who doesn’t like food?” “Those who give with faith and a clear and confident heart, partake of food in this world and the next. [Read More]

The deity Khema utters a series of verses in praise of good deeds. The Buddha responds with a simile for someone who departs the path of the good.Standing to one side, the god Khema recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence: “Foolish and unintelligent people treat themselves like an enemy. They do bad deeds with bitter fruit. It’s not good to do a deed after which you will regret. you experience the result weeping, with a tearful face. [Read More]

The deity Siva says one should associate only with the good, and this will lead to happiness. The Buddha adds that associating with the good leads to the end of suffering. Siva is the Pali spelling of Sanskrit Śiva, and this marks a rare appearance of a god of this name in the early texts.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. [Read More]