Linked Discourses With Divinities

After his awakening, the Buddha hesitated to teach, thinking that the Dhamma is too subtle for people to understand. But the high divinity Brahmā Sahampati appears and encourages him to teach, pointing out that there are some with “little dust in their eyes” who will understand.

After his awakening, the Buddha reflects that one should live with reverence; but who is he to revere, since he is fully awakened? He realizes that he should live revering the Dhamma. Brahmā Sahampati appears and agrees with him, saying that this is how all Buddhas of past and future live too.

Brahmā Sahampati appears before a woman who is a devotee of his, and tells her to offer food instead to her son, a Buddhist monk, as Brahmās don’t eat the food she offers.

Baka the Brahmā conceives the wrong view that his status is permanent and imperishable. The Buddha goes to dissuade him, and they have an exchange in verse, with the Buddha telling Baka of his past lives.

An unnamed brahmā god thinks to himself that he is so powerful no ascetic can approach him. The Buddha goes straight to his realm and appears wrapped in flame above his head. Mahāmoggallāna and several other disciples follow him. The divinity and his retinue are suitably impressed.

The brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa note that a fellow-brahmā is living in negligence, overly impressed with his own glory, so they go to shake him from his complacence.

The brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa come to the Buddha’s hut and speak on the monk Kokālika, a follower of Devadatta.

The brahmās Subrahmā and Suddhāvāsa come to the Buddha’s hut and speak on the monk Katamorakatissaka, a follower of Devadatta.

The brahmā Tudu tries to persuade Kokālika to have faith in Sāriputta and Moggallāna, but Kokālika wants none of it.

Kokālika goes to the Buddha and criticizes Sāriputta and Moggallāna. But having deliberately slandered such great monks, he dies and Brahmā Sahampati informs the Buddha he has been reborn in hell. The Buddha gives a memorable simile of the length of life in hell.

Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra appears to the Buddha and asserts that the aristocrat or khattiya is the best caste, but the Buddha is the best of people.

Brahmā Sahampati, referring to Devadatta, points out that honors destroy a scoundrel.

Brahmā Sahampati appears to the Buddha and speaks in praise of the renunciates staying fearless in the deep forest, and celebrates the many who have found freedom.

The Buddha tells a story of the past Buddha Sikhī and his disciple Abhibhū. They visit a brahmā realm where they perform many astounding feats and give teachings.

After the Buddha became finally extinguished, Brahmā Sahampati led a series of distinguished beings who uttered verses in commemoration.