#4. The Satullapa Group

A goddess identified as Kokanada, possibly the sister of the previous, sums up the teaching in a pithy verse.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, late at night, the beautiful Kokanadā the Younger, Pajjunna’s daughter, lighting up the entire Great Wood, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence: “Kokanadā, Pajjunna’s daughter, came here, beautiful as a flash of lightning. [Read More]

A goddess identifying herself as Kokanadā claims to confirm with her own experience the Buddha’s teachings on karma.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, late at night, the beautiful Kokanadā, Pajjunna’s daughter, lighting up the entire Great Wood, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence: “Staying in the woods of Vesālī is the Buddha, best of beings. [Read More]

A series of deities praise the Buddha’s resilience and composure when his foot is injured by a stone.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Maddakucchi deer park. Now at that time the Buddha’s foot had been cut by a splinter. The Buddha was stricken by harrowing pains; physical feelings that were painful, sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, and disagreeable. But he endured with mindfulness and situational awareness, without worrying. [Read More]

A vast congregation of deities assembles to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha at Kapilavatthu.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood, together with a large Saṅgha of around five hundred mendicants, all of whom were perfected ones. And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of mendicants. [Read More]

A series of Satullapa gods address the Buddha with verses on various topics. The identifications of the verses in this unclear, and comparison with the Chinese parallels suggests the Pali may have suffered textual loss.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. [Read More]

Some deities come to find fault with the Buddha. He responds to their critique, which stimulates a further discussion on wrong-doing and forgiveness.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Disdainful Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, and stood in the air. Standing in the air, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Someone who pretends to be other than they really are, is like a cheating gambler who enjoys what was gained by theft. [Read More]

Two deities exchange verses with the Buddha on how sensual pleasures give rise to suffering.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Among humans there are no sensual pleasures that are permanent. [Read More]

A series of deities give verses praising generosity, and the Buddha gives his own response, saying that practice of the Dhamma goes beyond this.At Sāvatthī. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, one deity was inspired to exclaim in the Buddha’s presence: “Good, sir, is giving! [Read More]

A series of deities give verses praising generosity, and the Buddha gives his own response.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Because of stinginess and negligence a gift is not given. [Read More]

A series of deities give verses praising association with the good, and the Buddha gives his own response.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, 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: “Associate only with the virtuous! [Read More]