#Linked Discourses 9

A mendicant takes a bath in a pond and sniffs a lotus. A deity accuses him of being a “thief of scent”. For a person living a life of purity, even such a small matter is a cause for concernAt one time one of the mendicants was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time, after the meal, on their return from alms-round, that mendicant plunged into a lotus pond and sniffed a pink lotus. [Read More]

A group of mendicants in the forest had fallen into bad ways, becoming conceited and confused. A deity came to admonish them, making clear that they were only speaking of the badly behaved, not all mendicants.Now at that time several mendicants were staying in the Kosalan lands in a certain forest grove. They were restless, insolent, fickle, gossipy, loose-tongued, unmindful, lacking situational awareness and immersion, with straying minds and undisciplined faculties. [Read More]

A deity speaks of the fearfulness of the murmuring forest. But to a mendicant it seems delightful.At one time one of the mendicants was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. The deity haunting that forest approached that mendicant and recited this verse in their presence: “In the still of high noon, when the birds have settled down, the formidable jungle whispers to itself: that seems so scary to me! [Read More]

A mendicant plagued by bad thoughts is encouraged by a deity.At one time one of the mendicants was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time that mendicant, during their day’s meditation, was thinking bad, unskillful thoughts, that is: sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts. The deity haunting that forest had compassion for that mendicant, and wanted what’s best for them. So they approached that mendicant wanting to stir them up, and addressed them in verse: “Because of improper attention, you’re consumed by your thoughts. [Read More]

When a mendicant gives up their habit of reciting the texts, a deity questions them. But it seems they have now found peace.At one time one of the mendicants was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time that mendicant had previously been spending too much time in recitation. But some time later they adhered to passivity and silence. Not hearing the teaching, the deity haunting that forest approached that mendicant, and addressed them in verse: “Mendicant, why don’t you recite passages of the teaching, living together with other mendicants? [Read More]

Hearing the sounds of a city festival, a mendicant feels lonely in the forest. A deity comes to give them solace and support.At one time a certain Vajjian mendicant was staying near Vesālī in a certain forest grove. Now at that time the Vajjis were holding an all-night event in Vesālī. Then that mendicant, groaning at the noise of musical instruments being beaten and played, on that occasion recited this verse: “We dwell alone in the wilderness, like a cast-off log in the forest. [Read More]

A deity becomes concerned of the gossip about a certain monk who had become close with a family in the village. Taking the form of one of the women of the family, she tries to warn him; but he says a true practitioner is not concerned with gossip.At one time one of the monks was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time that monk had become too closely involved in the affairs of a certain family. [Read More]

When Venerable Nāgadatta spends too much time in the village, a deity admonishes him.At one time Venerable Nāgadatta was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time Venerable Nāgadatta had been entering the village too early and returning late in the day. Then the deity haunting that forest had compassion for Nāgadatta, wanting what’s best for him. So they approached him wanting to stir him up, and recited these verses: “Entering too early, and returning after spending too much of the day, Nāgadatta socializes with lay people, sharing their joys and sorrows. [Read More]

A former partner of Venerable Anuruddha, now a deity named Jālinī, tries to tempt him with heavenly pleasures. But he has seen a higher happiness.At one time Venerable Anuruddha was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Then a certain deity of the company of the Thirty-Three named Penelope had been Anuruddha’s partner in a former life. She went up to Anuruddha, and recited these verses: “Set your heart there, where you used to live; among the gods of the Thirty-Three, whose every desire is granted! [Read More]

A deity warns Ānanda about getting too involved with teaching lay folk.At one time Venerable Ānanda was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove. Now at that time Ānanda was spending too much time informing the lay people. Then the deity haunting that forest had compassion for Ānanda, wanting what’s best for him. So they approached him wanting to stir him up, and recited these verses: “You’ve left for the jungle, the root of a tree, with quenching in your heart. [Read More]