Linked Discourses with Sakka

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.

When Sakka, the Lord of Gods, tries to organize a conterattack against the demons, he is frustrated by his lazy general Susīma. Sakka asks Susīma how one might get what one wants without effort; but Susīma 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.

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.

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.

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.

Fleeing the demon host, Sakka’s chariot risks endangering the nests of little birds in the forest. Rather than render the birds homeless, Sakka instructs his charioteer to turn back, even at the cost of his life.

Sakka reflects that one should not harm even one’s enemy. Knowing this, Vepacitti immediately takes advantage of it.

Sakka, lord of gods, and Verocana, lord of demons, approach the Buddha’s hut and speak in praise of effort.

In days gone by, Sakka, lord of gods, and Vepacitti, lord of demons, visited a hermitage of seers. But Vepacitti behaves rudely, while Sakka honors them. However, the seers beg Sakka to leave, on account of the stink of their unwashed bodies. But he says he loves their smell.

In the past, when battle between the gods and demons loomed, some seers sought out the demon lord Sambara to beg for protection. But due to their devotion to Sakka, he rejected them, so they cursed him.

Sakka achieved his status because of seven vows he kept in the past.

Sakka’s many names arose due to the diverse good deeds he did in the past.

Mahāli the Licchavi is skeptical as to whether the Buddha has really seen Sakka.

The gods complain when a poor man is reborn in heaven. But Sakka points out that even though poor, he did many good deeds.

When Sakka asks what place is truly delightful, the Buddha replies that it is wherever the perfected ones dwell.

When Sakka asks where a gift is most fruitful, the Buddha replies that it is the Saṅgha.

Sakka and Brahmā Sahampati come to the Buddha’s hut and speak in his praise.

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.

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.

When Sakka sets out on a pleasure jaunt, he begins by lifting his joined palms to the Saṅgha of mendicants. His charioteer Mātali asks why Sakka venerates smelly mendicants. Sakka replies that he venerates them for their renunciation and peacefulness.

Anger is the only thing whose slaying the Buddha commends.

When an ugly spirit takes Sakka’s throne, the gods were outraged. But the more they complained, the prettier he became. Sakka realized this was the so-called “anger eating spirit”, and treated him with kindness and respect.

When Vepacitti fell ill, Sakka visited his old adversary, who begged to be cured. But Sakka demanded to be taught a powerful magic spell first.

When two mendicants have a falling out, the Buddha recalls the wise words of Sakka on not letting anger ruin friendship.

The Buddha recalls the words of Sakka warning of how anger crushes people like a mountain.