#Buddhist

The demon lord Vepacitti proposes to Sakka that they engage in a battle of wits in debate rather than war. Vepacitti speaks in praise of forceful punishment, while Sakka stands up for patience and forgiveness.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. Then Vepacitti, lord of demons, said to Sakka, lord of gods, ‘Lord of gods, let there be victory by fine words! [Read More]

In a battle between the gods and the demons, and the demon lord Vepacitti is captured and brought in chains to Sakka’s hall. Vepacitti abuses Sakka, who endures his harsh words in patience. The charioteer Mātali asks whether he is silent out of weakness or fear, but Sakka says there is no point is wasting words arguing with a fool.At Sāvatthī. “Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. [Read More]

Sakka rallies his troops with the sight of his banner. But the Buddha points out that the deities, powerful as they are, are not free of fear, but he is. He encourages the mendicants to recollect the Triple Gem to abandon fear.At Sāvatthī. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this: “Once upon a time, mendicants, a battle was fought between the gods and the demons. [Read More]

When Sakka, the Lord of Gods, tries to organize a conterattack against the demons, he is frustrated by his lazy general Susīma. Sakka asks Suvīra how one might get what one wants without effort; but Suvīra apparently believes Sakka can grant any wish he wants. The Buddha emphasizes that if effort is valuable among the gods, how much more so for mendicants.At Sāvatthī. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. [Read More]

When Sakka, the Lord of Gods, tries to organize a counterattack against the demons, he is frustrated by his lazy general Suvīra. Sakka asks Suvīra how one might get what one wants without effort; but Suvīra apparently believes Sakka can grant any wish he wants. The Buddha emphasizes that if effort is valuable among the gods, how much more so for mendicants.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. [Read More]

The famous story of the spirit Āḷavaka, who tries to bully the Buddha, but is soon persuaded through a surprisingly insightful series of questions and answers. This discourse provided the background for several elaborate legends in the later traditionsSo I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Āḷavī in the haunt of the native spirit Āḷavaka. Then the native spirit Āḷavaka went up to the Buddha, and said to him: “Get out, ascetic! [Read More]

A spirit was full of faith in the nun Cirā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave a robe to the nun Cīrā. Then a native spirit was so devoted to Cīrā that he went street to street and square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses: “O! [Read More]

A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave food to the nun Sukkā. Then a native spirit was so devoted to Sukkā that he went street to street and square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses: “O! [Read More]

A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages encouraging people to listen to her teaching.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now, at that time the nun Sukkā was teaching Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly. Then a native spirit was so devoted to Sukkā that he went street to street and square to square, and on that occasion recited these verses: “What’s up with these people in Rājagaha? [Read More]

When Anāthapiṇḍika heard that a Buddha had arisen in the world, he rose first thing in the morning to go and visit him. But a mysterious darkness caused him to hesitate, so a spirit repeatedly encouraged him to step forward. Finally he reached the Buddha, and asked if he had slept well.At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Cool Grove. Now at that time the householder Anāthapiṇḍika had arrived at Rājagaha on some business. [Read More]