1.1.1PTS 2.263Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.¹1.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā magadhesu viharati, pācīnato rājagahassa ambasaṇḍā nāma brāhmaṇagāmo, tassuttarato vediyake pabbate indasālaguhāyaṁ.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Magadhans, where east of Rājagaha there is a brahmin village named Ambasaṇḍā, north of which, on Mount Vediyaka, is Indra’s hill cave.²

1.1.3Tena kho pana samayena sakkassa devānamindassa ussukkaṁ udapādi bhagavantaṁ dassanāya.Now at that time Sakka, the lord of gods, grew eager to see the Buddha.1.1.4Atha kho sakkassa devānamindassa etadahosi:He thought,1.1.5“kahaṁ nu kho bhagavā etarahi viharati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho”ti?“Where is the Blessed One at present, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha?”

1.1.6Addasā kho sakko devānamindo bhagavantaṁ magadhesu viharantaṁ pācīnato rājagahassa ambasaṇḍā nāma brāhmaṇagāmo, tassuttarato vediyake pabbate indasālaguhāyaṁ.Seeing that the Buddha was at Indra’s hill cave,1.1.7Disvāna deve tāvatiṁse āmantesi:he addressed the gods of the thirty-three,1.1.8“ayaṁ, mārisā, bhagavā magadhesu viharati, pācīnato rājagahassa ambasaṇḍā nāma brāhmaṇagāmo, tassuttarato vediyake pabbate indasālaguhāyaṁ.“Good fellows, the Buddha is staying in the land of the Magadhans at Indra’s hill cave.1.1.9Yadi pana, mārisā, mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkameyyāma arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhan”ti?What if we were to go and see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha?”

1.1.10“Evaṁ, bhaddantavā”ti kho devā tāvatiṁsā sakkassa devānamindassa paccassosuṁ.“Yes, lord,” replied the gods.

1.2.1PTS 2.264Atha kho sakko devānamindo pañcasikhaṁ gandhabbadevaputtaṁ āmantesi:Then Sakka addressed the centaur Pañcasikha,³1.2.2“ayaṁ, tāta pañcasikha, bhagavā magadhesu viharati pācīnato rājagahassa ambasaṇḍā nāma brāhmaṇagāmo, tassuttarato vediyake pabbate indasālaguhāyaṁ.“Dear Pañcasikha, the Buddha is staying in the land of the Magadhans at Indra’s hill cave.1.2.3Yadi pana, tāta pañcasikha, mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkameyyāma arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhan”ti?What if we were to go and see that Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha?”

1.2.4“Evaṁ, bhaddantavā”ti kho pañcasikho gandhabbadevaputto sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā beluvapaṇḍuvīṇaṁ ādāya sakkassa devānamindassa anucariyaṁ upāgami.“Yes, lord,” replied the centaur Pañcasikha. Taking his arched harp made from the pale timber of wood-apple, he went as Sakka’s attendant.⁴

1.2.5Atha kho sakko devānamindo devehi tāvatiṁsehi parivuto pañcasikhena gandhabbadevaputtena purakkhato—Then Sakka went at the head of a retinue consisting of the gods of the thirty-three and the godling centaur Pañcasikha.⁵1.2.6seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—devesu tāvatiṁsesu antarahito magadhesu pācīnato rājagahassa ambasaṇḍā nāma brāhmaṇagāmo, tassuttarato vediyake pabbate paccuṭṭhāsi.As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from the heaven of the gods of the thirty-three and landed on Mount Vediyaka north of Ambasaṇḍā.

1.3.1Tena kho pana samayena vediyako pabbato atiriva obhāsajāto hoti ambasaṇḍā ca brāhmaṇagāmo yathā taṁ devānaṁ devānubhāvena.Now at that time a dazzling light appeared over Mount Vediyaka and Ambasaṇḍā, as happens through the glory of the gods.1.3.2Apissudaṁ parito gāmesu manussā evamāhaṁsu:People in the villages round about, terrified, shocked, and awestruck, said,1.3.3“ādittassu nāmajja vediyako pabbato jhāyatisu nāmajja vediyako pabbato jalatisu. Nāmajja vediyako pabbato.“Mount Vediyaka must be on fire today, blazing and burning!1.3.4Kiṁsu nāmajja vediyako pabbato atiriva obhāsajāto ambasaṇḍā ca brāhmaṇagāmo”ti;Oh why has such a dazzling light appeared over Mount Vediyaka and Ambasaṇḍā?”1.3.5saṁviggā lomahaṭṭhajātā ahesuṁ.

1.4.1PTS 2.265Atha kho sakko devānamindo pañcasikhaṁ gandhabbadevaputtaṁ āmantesi:Then Sakka addressed the centaur Pañcasikha,1.4.2“durupasaṅkamā kho, tāta pañcasikha, tathāgatā mādisena, jhāyī jhānaratā, tadantaraṁ paṭisallīnā.“My dear Pañcasikha, it is hard for one like me to get near the Realized Ones while they are on retreat practicing absorption, enjoying absorption.⁶1.4.3Yadi pana tvaṁ, tāta pañcasikha, bhagavantaṁ paṭhamaṁ pasādeyyāsi, tayā, tāta, paṭhamaṁ pasāditaṁ pacchā mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkameyyāma arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhan”ti.But if you were to charm the Buddha first, then I could go to see him.”

1.4.4“Evaṁ, bhaddantavā”ti kho pañcasikho gandhabbadevaputto sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā beluvapaṇḍuvīṇaṁ ādāya yena indasālaguhā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā:“Yes, lord,” replied the centaur Pañcasikha. Taking his arched harp made from the pale timber of wood-apple, he went to Indra’s hill cave. When he had drawn near, he stood to one side, thinking,1.4.5“ettāvatā me bhagavā neva atidūre bhavissati nāccāsanne, saddañca me sossatī”ti—“This is neither too far nor too near; and he’ll hear my voice.”1.4.6ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.

1.4.7.01. Pañcasikhagītagāthā1. Pañcasikha’s Song

1.4.8Ekamantaṁ ṭhito kho pañcasikho gandhabbadevaputto beluvapaṇḍuvīṇaṁ assāvesi, imā ca gāthā abhāsi buddhūpasañhitā dhammūpasañhitā saṅghūpasañhitā arahantūpasañhitā kāmūpasañhitā:Standing to one side, Pañcasikha played his arched harp, and sang these verses on the Buddha, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the perfected ones, and sensual love.⁷

1.5.1“Vande te pitaraṁ bhadde,“O Bhaddā Suriyavaccasā, my Darling Sunshine,⁸1.5.2timbaruṁ sūriyavacchase;I pay homage to your father Timbaru,⁹1.5.3Yena jātāsi kalyāṇī,through whom was born a lady so fine,1.5.4ānandajananī mama.to fill me with a joy I never knew.

1.5.5Vātova sedataṁ kanto,As sweet as a breeze to one who’s sweating,1.5.6pānīyaṁva pipāsato;or when thirsty, a sweet and cooling drink,1.5.7Aṅgīrasi piyāmesi,so dear are you, Aṅgīrasi, to me—¹⁰1.5.8dhammo arahatāmiva.just like the teaching is to all the saints!¹¹

1.5.9PTS 2.266Āturasseva bhesajjaṁ,Like a cure when you’re struck by fever dire,1.5.10bhojanaṁva jighacchato;or food to ease the hunger pain,1.5.11Parinibbāpaya maṁ bhadde,come on, Bhaddā, please put out my fire,¹²1.5.12jalantamiva vārinā.quench me like water on a flame.

1.5.13Sītodakaṁ pokkharaṇiṁ,As elephants burning in the heat of summer,1.5.14yuttaṁ kiñjakkhareṇunā;sink down in a lotus pond to rest,1.5.15Nāgo ghammābhitattova,so cool, full of petals and of pollen—1.5.16ogāhe te thanūdaraṁ.that’s how I would plunge into your breast.

1.5.17Accaṅkusova nāgova,Like elephants bursting bonds in rutting season,¹³1.5.18jitaṁ me tuttatomaraṁ;beating off the pricks of lance and pikes—1.5.19Kāraṇaṁ nappajānāmi,I just don’t understand what is the reason1.5.20sammatto lakkhaṇūruyā.I’m so crazy for your shapely thighs!

1.5.21Tayi gedhitacittosmi,For you, my heart is full of passion,1.5.22cittaṁ vipariṇāmitaṁ;I’m in a besotted state of mind.1.5.23Paṭigantuṁ na sakkomi,There is no going back, I’m just not able,1.5.24vaṅkaghastova ambujo.I’m like a fish that’s hooked up on the line.

1.5.25Vāmūru saja maṁ bhadde,Come on, my Bhaddā, hold me, fair of thighs!1.5.26saja maṁ mandalocane;Embrace me, maid of captivating eyes!1.5.27Palissaja maṁ kalyāṇi,Take me in your arms, my lovely lady,1.5.28etaṁ me abhipatthitaṁ.that’s all I’d ever want or could desire.

1.5.29Appako vata me santo,Ah, then my desire was such a small thing,1.5.30kāmo vellitakesiyā;my sweet, with your curling wavy hair;1.5.31Anekabhāvo samuppādi,now, like to arahants an offering,1.5.32arahanteva dakkhiṇā.it’s grown so very much from there.

1.5.33Yaṁ me atthi kataṁ puññaṁ,Whatever the merit I have forged1.5.34arahantesu tādisu;by giving to such perfected beings—1.5.35Taṁ me sabbaṅgakalyāṇi,may that, my altogether gorgeous,1.5.36tayā saddhiṁ vipaccataṁ.ripen in togetherness with you.¹⁴

1.5.37PTS 2.267Yaṁ me atthi kataṁ puññaṁ,Whatever the merit I have forged1.5.38asmiṁ pathavimaṇḍale;in this vast territory,1.5.39Taṁ me sabbaṅgakalyāṇi,may that, my altogether gorgeous,1.5.40tayā saddhiṁ vipaccataṁ.ripen in togetherness with you.

1.5.41Sakyaputtova jhānena,As the Sakyan, absorbed, did meditate1.5.42ekodi nipako sato;at one, alert, and mindful too,¹⁵1.5.43Amataṁ muni jigīsāno,the sage seeking the state free of death—¹⁶1.5.44tamahaṁ sūriyavacchase.so I, oh my Sunshine, seek for you!

1.5.45Yathāpi muni nandeyya,And just like the sage would delight,1.5.46patvā sambodhimuttamaṁ;once he had awakened to the truth,1.5.47Evaṁ nandeyyaṁ kalyāṇi,so I would delight, my fine lady,1.5.48missībhāvaṁ gato tayā.were I to become one with you.

1.5.49Sakko ce me varaṁ dajjā,If Sakka were to grant me one wish,¹⁷1.5.50tāvatiṁsānamissaro;as Lord of the Thirty and Three,1.5.51Tāhaṁ bhadde vareyyāhe,my Bhaddā, you’re all I would wish for,1.5.52evaṁ kāmo daḷho mama.so strong is the love in me.

1.5.53Sālaṁva na ciraṁ phullaṁ,Like a freshly blossoming sal tree1.5.54pitaraṁ te sumedhase;is your father, my lady so wise.1.5.55Vandamāno namassāmi,I pay homage to he, bowing humbly,1.5.56yassāsetādisī pajā”ti.whose daughter is of such a kind.”

1.6.1PTS 2.268Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā pañcasikhaṁ gandhabbadevaputtaṁ etadavoca:When Pañcasikha had spoken, the Buddha said to him,1.6.2“saṁsandati kho te, pañcasikha, tantissaro gītassarena, gītassaro ca tantissarena;“Pañcasikha, the sound of your strings blends well with the sound of your singing,¹⁸1.6.3na ca pana te, pañcasikha, tantissaro gītassaraṁ ativattati, gītassaro ca tantissaraṁ.so that neither overpowers the other.1.6.4Kadā saṁyūḷhā pana te, pañcasikha, imā gāthā buddhūpasañhitā dhammūpasañhitā saṅghūpasañhitā arahantūpasañhitā kāmūpasañhitā”ti?But when did you compose these verses on the Buddha, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the perfected ones, and sensual love?”¹⁹

1.6.5“Ekamidaṁ, bhante, samayaṁ bhagavā uruvelāyaṁ viharati najjā nerañjarāya tīre ajapālanigrodhe paṭhamābhisambuddho.“This one time, sir, when you were first awakened, you were staying in Uruvelā at the goatherd’s banyan tree on the bank of the Nerañjarā River.1.6.6Tena kho panāhaṁ, bhante, samayena bhaddā nāma sūriyavacchasā timbaruno gandhabbarañño dhītā, tamabhikaṅkhāmi.And at that time I was in love with Bhaddā Suriyavaccasā, who they call ‘Darling Sunshine’, the daughter of the centaur king Timbaru.1.6.7Sā kho pana, bhante, bhaginī parakāminī hoti;But the sister desired another.²⁰1.6.8sikhaṇḍī nāma mātalissa saṅgāhakassa putto, tamabhikaṅkhati.It was the one named Sikhaṇḍī, the son of Mātali the chariot handler, who she loved.²¹1.6.9Yato kho ahaṁ, bhante, taṁ bhaginiṁ nālatthaṁ kenaci pariyāyena.Since I couldn’t win that sister by any means,1.6.10Athāhaṁ beluvapaṇḍuvīṇaṁ ādāya yena timbaruno gandhabbarañño nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁ; upasaṅkamitvā beluvapaṇḍuvīṇaṁ assāvesiṁ, imā ca gāthā abhāsiṁ buddhūpasañhitā dhammūpasañhitā saṅghūpasañhitā arahantūpasañhitā kāmūpasañhitā—I took my arched harp to Timbaru’s home, where I played those verses.

1.7.1Vande te pitaraṁ bhadde,1.7.2timbaruṁ sūriyavacchase;1.7.3Yena jātāsi kalyāṇī,1.7.4ānandajananī mama.

1.7.5…pe…

1.7.6Sālaṁva na ciraṁ phullaṁ,1.7.7pitaraṁ te sumedhase;1.7.8Vandamāno namassāmi,1.7.9yassāsetādisī pajāti.

1.7.10PTS 2.269Evaṁ vutte, bhante, bhaddā sūriyavacchasā maṁ etadavoca:When I finished, Suriyavaccasā said to me,1.7.11‘na kho me, mārisa, so bhagavā sammukhā diṭṭho, api ca sutoyeva me so bhagavā devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sudhammāyaṁ sabhāyaṁ upanaccantiyā.‘Good fellow, I have not personally seen the Buddha. But I did hear about him when I went to dance for the gods of the thirty-three in the Hall of Clear Right.1.7.12Yato kho tvaṁ, mārisa, taṁ bhagavantaṁ kittesi, hotu no ajja samāgamo’ti.Since you extol the Buddha, let us meet up today.’1.7.13Soyeva no, bhante, tassā bhaginiyā saddhiṁ samāgamo ahosi.And that’s when I met up with that sister.1.7.14Na ca dāni tato pacchā”ti.But we have not met since.”

1.8.02. Sakkūpasaṅkama2. The Approach of Sakka

1.8.1Atha kho sakkassa devānamindassa etadahosi:Then Sakka, lord of gods, thought,1.8.2“paṭisammodati pañcasikho gandhabbadevaputto bhagavatā, bhagavā ca pañcasikhenā”ti.“Pañcasikha is exchanging pleasantries with the Buddha.”

1.8.3Atha kho sakko devānamindo pañcasikhaṁ gandhabbadevaputtaṁ āmantesi:So he addressed Pañcasikha,1.8.4“abhivādehi me tvaṁ, tāta pañcasikha, bhagavantaṁ:“My dear Pañcasikha, please bow to the Buddha for me, saying:1.8.5‘sakko, bhante, devānamindo sāmacco saparijano bhagavato pāde sirasā vandatī’”ti.‘Sir, Sakka, lord of gods, with his ministers and retinue, bows with his head at your feet.’”

1.8.6“Evaṁ, bhaddantavā”ti kho pañcasikho gandhabbadevaputto sakkassa devānamindassa paṭissutvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādeti:“Yes, lord,” replied Pañcasikha. He bowed to the Buddha and said,1.8.7“sakko, bhante, devānamindo sāmacco saparijano bhagavato pāde sirasā vandatī”ti.“Sir, Sakka, lord of gods, with his ministers and retinue, bows with his head at your feet.”

1.8.8“Evaṁ sukhī hotu, pañcasikha, sakko devānamindo sāmacco saparijano;“So may Sakka with his ministers and retinue be happy, Pañcasikha,” said the Buddha,1.8.9sukhakāmā hi devā manussā asurā nāgā gandhabbā ye caññe santi puthukāyā”ti.“for all want to be happy—whether gods, humans, titans, dragons, centaurs, or any of the other diverse creatures there may be.”

1.8.10Evañca pana tathāgatā evarūpe mahesakkhe yakkhe abhivadanti.For that is how the Realized Ones salute such illustrious spirits.1.8.11Abhivadito sakko devānamindo bhagavato indasālaguhaṁ pavisitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.And being saluted by the Buddha, Sakka entered Indra’s hill cave, bowed to the Buddha, and stood to one side.1.8.12Devāpi tāvatiṁsā indasālaguhaṁ pavisitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.And the gods of the thirty-three did likewise,1.8.13Pañcasikhopi gandhabbadevaputto indasālaguhaṁ pavisitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi.as did Pañcasikha.

1.9.1PTS 2.270Tena kho pana samayena indasālaguhā visamā santī samā samapādi, sambādhā santī urundā samapādi, andhakāro guhāyaṁ antaradhāyi, āloko udapādi yathā taṁ devānaṁ devānubhāvena.And at that time the uneven places were evened out, the cramped places were opened up, the darkness vanished in the cave and light appeared, as happens through the glory of the gods.

1.9.2PTS 2.271Atha kho bhagavā sakkaṁ devānamindaṁ etadavoca:Then the Buddha said to Sakka,1.9.3“acchariyamidaṁ āyasmato kosiyassa, abbhutamidaṁ āyasmato kosiyassa tāva bahukiccassa bahukaraṇīyassa yadidaṁ idhāgamanan”ti.“It’s incredible and amazing that you, the venerable Kosiya, who has so many duties and so much to do, should come here.”²²

1.9.4“Cirapaṭikāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamitukāmo; api ca devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ kehici kehici kiccakaraṇīyehi byāvaṭo; evāhaṁ nāsakkhiṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamituṁ.“For a long time I’ve wanted to come and see the Buddha, but I wasn’t able, being prevented by my many duties and responsibilities for the gods of the thirty-three.1.9.5Ekamidaṁ, bhante, samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati salaḷāgārake.This one time, sir, the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in the <i lang='pi' translate='no'>salaḷa</i> tree hut.²³1.9.6Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, sāvatthiṁ agamāsiṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya.Then I went to Sāvatthī to see the Buddha.1.10.1Tena kho pana, bhante, samayena bhagavā aññatarena samādhinā nisinno hoti, bhūjati ca nāma vessavaṇassa mahārājassa paricārikā bhagavantaṁ paccupaṭṭhitā hoti, pañjalikā namassamānā tiṭṭhati.But at that time the Buddha was sitting immersed in some kind of meditation. And a divine maiden of Great King Vessavaṇa named Bhūjati was attending on the Buddha, standing there paying homage to him with cupped palms.²⁴

1.10.2Atha khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhūjatiṁ etadavocaṁ:So I said to her,1.10.3‘abhivādehi me tvaṁ, bhagini, bhagavantaṁ:‘Sister, please bow to the Buddha for me, saying:1.10.4“sakko, bhante, devānamindo sāmacco saparijano bhagavato pāde sirasā vandatī”’ti.“Sir, Sakka, lord of gods, with his ministers and retinue, bows with his head at your feet.”’

1.10.5Evaṁ vutte, bhante, sā bhūjati maṁ etadavoca:When I said this, she said to me,1.10.6‘akālo kho, mārisa, bhagavantaṁ dassanāya;‘It’s the wrong time to see the Buddha,1.10.7paṭisallīno bhagavā’ti.as he’s in retreat.’

1.10.8‘Tena hi, bhagini, yadā bhagavā tamhā samādhimhā vuṭṭhito hoti, atha mama vacanena bhagavantaṁ abhivādehi:‘Well then, sister, please convey my message when the Buddha emerges from that immersion.’1.10.9“sakko, bhante, devānamindo sāmacco saparijano bhagavato pāde sirasā vandatī”’ti.1.10.10Kacci me sā, bhante, bhaginī bhagavantaṁ abhivādesi?I hope that sister bowed to you?1.10.11Sarati bhagavā tassā bhaginiyā vacanan”ti?Do you remember what she said?”

1.10.12“Abhivādesi maṁ sā, devānaminda, bhaginī, sarāmahaṁ tassā bhaginiyā vacanaṁ.“She did bow, lord of gods, and I remember what she said.1.10.13Api cāhaṁ āyasmato nemisaddena tamhā samādhimhā vuṭṭhito”ti.I also remember that it was the sound of your chariot wheels that pulled me out of that immersion.”²⁵

1.11.1“Ye te, bhante, devā amhehi paṭhamataraṁ tāvatiṁsakāyaṁ upapannā, tesaṁ me sammukhā sutaṁ sammukhā paṭiggahitaṁ:“Sir, I have heard and learned this in the presence of the gods who were reborn in the host of the thirty-three before me:1.11.2‘yadā tathāgatā loke uppajjanti arahanto sammāsambuddhā, dibbā kāyā paripūrenti, hāyanti asurakāyā’ti.‘When a Realized One arises in the world, perfected and fully awakened, the heavenly hosts swell, while the titan hosts dwindle.’1.11.3Taṁ me idaṁ, bhante, sakkhidiṭṭhaṁ yato tathāgato loke uppanno arahaṁ sammāsambuddho, dibbā kāyā paripūrenti, hāyanti asurakāyāti.And I have seen this with my own eyes.

1.11.4.02.1. Gopakavatthu2.1. The Story of Gopikā

1.11.5PTS 2.272Idheva, bhante, kapilavatthusmiṁ gopikā nāma sakyadhītā ahosi buddhe pasannā dhamme pasannā saṅghe pasannā sīlesu paripūrakārinī.Right here in Kapilavatthu there was a Sakyan lady named Gopikā who had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled her ethics.²⁶1.11.6Sā itthittaṁ virājetvā purisattaṁ bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapannā.Losing her attachment to femininity, she developed masculinity. When her body broke up, after death, she was reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.²⁷1.11.7Devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sahabyataṁ amhākaṁ puttattaṁ ajjhupagatā.In the company of the gods of the thirty-three she became one of my sons.1.11.8Tatrapi naṁ evaṁ jānanti:There they knew him as1.11.9‘gopako devaputto, gopako devaputto’ti.the godling Gopaka.

1.11.10Aññepi, bhante, tayo bhikkhū bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā hīnaṁ gandhabbakāyaṁ upapannā.Meanwhile three others, mendicants who had led the spiritual life under the Buddha, were reborn in the inferior centaur realm.²⁸1.11.11Te pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappitā samaṅgībhūtā paricārayamānā amhākaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgacchanti amhākaṁ pāricariyaṁ.There they amused themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation, and became my servants and attendants.

1.11.12Te amhākaṁ upaṭṭhānaṁ āgate amhākaṁ pāricariyaṁ gopako devaputto paṭicodesi:At that, Gopaka scolded them,1.11.13‘kutomukhā nāma tumhe, mārisā, tassa bhagavato dhammaṁ assuttha—‘Where on earth were you at, good fellows, when you heard the Buddha’s teaching!²⁹1.11.14ahañhi nāma itthikā samānā buddhe pasannā dhamme pasannā saṅghe pasannā sīlesu paripūrakārinī itthittaṁ virājetvā purisattaṁ bhāvetvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapannā, devānaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ sahabyataṁ sakkassa devānamindassa puttattaṁ ajjhupagatā.For while I was still a woman I had confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and had fulfilled my ethics. I lost my attachment to femininity and developed masculinity. When my body broke up, after death, I was reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. In the company of the gods of the thirty-three I became one of Sakka’s sons.1.11.15Idhāpi maṁ evaṁ jānanti:Here they know me as1.11.16“gopako devaputto gopako devaputto”ti.the godling Gopaka.1.11.17Tumhe pana, mārisā, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā hīnaṁ gandhabbakāyaṁ upapannā.But you, having led the spiritual life under the Buddha, were reborn in the inferior centaur realm.1.11.18Duddiṭṭharūpaṁ vata bho addasāma, ye mayaṁ addasāma sahadhammike hīnaṁ gandhabbakāyaṁ upapanne’ti.It is a sad sight indeed to see fellow practitioners reborn in the inferior centaur realm.’

1.11.19Tesaṁ, bhante, gopakena devaputtena paṭicoditānaṁ dve devā diṭṭheva dhamme satiṁ paṭilabhiṁsu kāyaṁ brahmapurohitaṁ, eko pana devo kāme ajjhāvasi.When scolded by Gopaka, two of those gods regained their memory right away. They went to the host of the priests of Divinity, but one god remained attached to sensual pleasures.³⁰

1.12.1‘Upāsikā cakkhumato ahosiṁ,‘“I was a laywoman disciple of the Clear-eyed One,1.12.2Nāmampi mayhaṁ ahu “gopikā”ti;and my name was Gopikā.1.12.3Buddhe ca dhamme ca abhippasannā,I was devoted to the Buddha and the teaching,1.12.4Saṅghañcupaṭṭhāsiṁ pasannacittā.and I faithfully served the Saṅgha.

1.12.5Tasseva buddhassa sudhammatāya,Because of the clear rightness of the Buddha’s teaching,1.12.6Sakkassa puttomhi mahānubhāvo;I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,1.12.7Mahājutīko tidivūpapanno,reborn in the Third Heaven.1.12.8Jānanti maṁ idhāpi “gopako”ti.And here they know me as Gopaka.

1.12.9Athaddasaṁ bhikkhavo diṭṭhapubbe,Then I saw some mendicants who I’d seen before,1.12.10Gandhabbakāyūpagate vasīne;dwelling in the host of centaurs.1.12.11Imehi te gotamasāvakāse,They were disciples of Gotama1.12.12Ye ca mayaṁ pubbe manussabhūtā.when I used to be a human.

1.12.13PTS 2.273Annena pānena upaṭṭhahimhā,I served them with food and drink,1.12.14Pādūpasaṅgayha sake nivesane;and clasped their feet in my own home.³¹1.12.15Kutomukhā nāma ime bhavanto,Where on earth were these good fellows at1.12.16Buddhassa dhammāni paṭiggahesuṁ.when they learned the Buddha’s teachings?

1.12.17Paccattaṁ veditabbo hi dhammo,For each must know for themselves the teaching1.12.18Sudesito cakkhumatānubuddho;so well-taught, realized by the Clear-eyed One.1.12.19Ahañhi tumheva upāsamāno,I was one who followed you,³²1.12.20Sutvāna ariyāna subhāsitāni.having heard the fine words of the noble ones.

1.12.21Sakkassa puttomhi mahānubhāvo,I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,1.12.22Mahājutīko tidivūpapanno;reborn in the Third Heaven.1.12.23Tumhe pana seṭṭhamupāsamānā,But you followed the best of men,1.12.24Anuttaraṁ brahmacariyaṁ caritvā.and led the supreme spiritual life,

1.12.25Hīnaṁ kāyaṁ upapannā bhavanto,but still you’re born in this lesser realm,1.12.26Anānulomā bhavatūpapatti;a rebirth unbefitting.1.12.27Duddiṭṭharūpaṁ vata addasāma,It’s a sad sight I see, good fellows,1.12.28Sahadhammike hīnakāyūpapanne.fellow practitioners in a lesser realm.

1.12.29Gandhabbakāyūpagatā bhavanto,Reborn in the host of centaurs,1.12.30Devānamāgacchatha pāricariyaṁ;only to wait upon the gods.1.12.31Agāre vasato mayhaṁ,Meanwhile, I dwelt in a house—³³1.12.32Imaṁ passa visesataṁ.but see my distinction now!

1.12.33Itthī hutvā svajja pumomhi devo,Having been a woman now I’m a male god,1.12.34Dibbehi kāmehi samaṅgibhūto’;blessed with heavenly sensual pleasures.”1.12.35Te coditā gotamasāvakena,Scolded by that disciple of Gotama,³⁴1.12.36Saṁvegamāpādu samecca gopakaṁ.comprehending Gopaka, <j>they were struck with urgency.

1.12.37PTS 2.274‘Handa viyāyāma byāyāma,“Let’s strive, let’s try hard—1.12.38Mā no mayaṁ parapessā ahumhā’;we won’t serve others any more!”1.12.39Tesaṁ duve vīriyamārabhiṁsu,Two of them roused up energy,1.12.40Anussaraṁ gotamasāsanāni.recalling the Buddha’s instructions.

1.12.41Idheva cittāni virājayitvā,Right away they became dispassionate,1.12.42Kāmesu ādīnavamaddasaṁsu;seeing the drawbacks in sensual pleasures.1.12.43Te kāmasaṁyojanabandhanāni,The fetters and bonds of sensual pleasures—1.12.44Pāpimayogāni duraccayāni.the ties of the Wicked One so hard to break—

1.12.45Nāgova sannāni guṇāni chetvā,they burst them like a bull elephant his ropes,1.12.46Deve tāvatiṁse atikkamiṁsu;and passed right over the thirty-three.1.12.47Saindā devā sapajāpatikā,The gods with Indra and the Progenitor1.12.48Sabbe sudhammāya sabhāyupaviṭṭhā.were all gathered in the Hall of Clear Right.

1.12.49Tesaṁ nisinnānaṁ abhikkamiṁsu,As they sat there, they passed over them,1.12.50Vīrā virāgā virajaṁ karontā;the heroes desireless, practicing purity.1.12.51Te disvā saṁvegamakāsi vāsavo,Seeing them, Vāsava was struck with urgency;³⁵1.12.52Devābhibhū devagaṇassa majjhe.the master of gods in the midst of the group said,

1.12.53‘Imehi te hīnakāyūpapannā,“These were born in the lesser centaur realm,1.12.54Deve tāvatiṁse abhikkamanti’;but now they pass us by!”1.12.55Saṁvegajātassa vaco nisamma,Heeding the speech of one so moved,1.12.56So gopako vāsavamajjhabhāsi.Gopaka addressed Vāsava,

1.12.57‘Buddho janindatthi manussaloke,“There is a Buddha, a lord of men, in the world.³⁶1.12.58Kāmābhibhū sakyamunīti ñāyati;Known as the Sakyan Sage, <j>he’s mastered the senses.³⁷1.12.59Tasseva te puttā satiyā vihīnā,Those sons of his lost their memory;³⁸1.12.60Coditā mayā te satimajjhalatthuṁ’.but when scolded by me they gained it back.

1.12.61PTS 2.275Tiṇṇaṁ tesaṁ āvasinettha eko,Of the three, there is one who remains1.12.62Gandhabbakāyūpagato vasīno;dwelling in the host of centaurs.1.12.63Dve ca sambodhipathānusārino,But two, recollecting the path to awakening,1.12.64Devepi hīḷenti samāhitattā.serene, spurn even the gods.

1.12.65Etādisī dhammappakāsanettha,∥Such is the explanation of the teaching here:³⁹1.12.66Na tattha kiṅkaṅkhati koci sāvako;not a single disciple doubts that.⁴⁰1.12.67Nitiṇṇaoghaṁ vicikicchachinnaṁ,We venerate the Buddha, the victor, lord of men,1.12.68Buddhaṁ namassāma jinaṁ janindaṁ.who has crossed the flood and cut off doubt.

1.12.69Yaṁ te dhammaṁ idhaññāya,They attained distinction to the extent1.12.70visesaṁ ajjhagaṁsu te;they understood the teaching here;1.12.71Kāyaṁ brahmapurohitaṁ,two of them distinguished1.12.72duve tesaṁ visesagū.in the host of the priests of Divinity.”’⁴¹

1.12.73Tassa dhammassa pattiyā,We have come here, dear sir,1.12.74āgatamhāsi mārisa;to realize this same teaching.1.12.75Katāvakāsā bhagavatā,If the Buddha would give me a chance,1.12.76pañhaṁ pucchemu mārisā”ti.I would ask a question, dear sir.”

1.13.1Atha kho bhagavato etadahosi:Then it occurred to the Buddha,1.13.2“dīgharattaṁ visuddho kho ayaṁ yakkho, yaṁ kiñci maṁ pañhaṁ pucchissati, sabbaṁ taṁ atthasañhitaṁyeva pucchissati, no anatthasañhitaṁ.“For a long time now this spirit has led a pure life. Any question he asks me will be beneficial, not unbeneficial.1.13.3Yañcassāhaṁ puṭṭho byākarissāmi, taṁ khippameva ājānissatī”ti.And he will quickly understand any answer I give to his question.”

1.13.4Atha kho bhagavā sakkaṁ devānamindaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:So the Buddha addressed Sakka in verse:

1.13.5“Puccha vāsava maṁ pañhaṁ,∥“Ask me your question, Vāsava,1.13.6yaṁ kiñci manasicchasi;whatever you want.1.13.7Tassa tasseva pañhassa,I’ll solve each and every1.13.8ahaṁ antaṁ karomi te”ti.question you have.”

1.13.9Paṭhamabhāṇavāro niṭṭhito.The first recitation section is complete.

2.1.1PTS 2.276Katāvakāso sakko devānamindo bhagavatā imaṁ bhagavantaṁ paṭhamaṁ pañhaṁ apucchi:Having been granted an opportunity by the Buddha, Sakka asked the first question.

2.1.2“Kiṁsaṁyojanā nu kho, mārisa, devā manussā asurā nāgā gandhabbā ye caññe santi puthukāyā, te:“Good fellow, what fetters bind the gods, humans, titans, dragons, centaurs—and any of the other diverse creatures—2.1.3‘averā adaṇḍā asapattā abyāpajjā viharemu averino’ti iti ca nesaṁ hoti, atha ca pana saverā sadaṇḍā sasapattā sabyāpajjā viharanti saverino”ti?so that, though they wish to be free of enmity, violence, hostility, and hate, they still have enmity, violence, hostility, and hate?”⁴²

2.1.4Itthaṁ sakko devānamindo bhagavantaṁ pañhaṁ apucchi.Such was Sakka’s question to the Buddha.2.1.5Tassa bhagavā pañhaṁ puṭṭho byākāsi:And the Buddha answered him:

2.1.6“Issāmacchariyasaṁyojanā kho, devānaminda, devā manussā asurā nāgā gandhabbā ye caññe santi puthukāyā, te:“Lord of gods, the fetters of jealousy and stinginess bind the gods, humans, titans, dragons, centaurs—and any of the other diverse creatures—⁴³2.1.7‘averā adaṇḍā asapattā abyāpajjā viharemu averino’ti iti ca nesaṁ hoti, atha ca pana saverā sadaṇḍā sasapattā sabyāpajjā viharanti saverino”ti.so that, though they wish to be free of enmity, violence, hostility, and hate, they still have enmity, violence, hostility, and hate.”

2.1.8Itthaṁ bhagavā sakkassa devānamindassa pañhaṁ puṭṭho byākāsi.Such was the Buddha’s answer to Sakka.2.1.9Attamano sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandi anumodi:Delighted, Sakka approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, saying,2.1.10“evametaṁ, bhagavā, evametaṁ, sugata.“That’s so true, Blessed One! That’s so true, Holy One!2.1.11Tiṇṇā mettha kaṅkhā vigatā kathaṅkathā bhagavato pañhaveyyākaraṇaṁ sutvā”ti.Hearing the Buddha’s answer, I’ve gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision.”

2.2.1PTS 2.277Itiha sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā bhagavantaṁ uttari pañhaṁ apucchi:And then, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, Sakka asked another question:

2.2.2“Issāmacchariyaṁ pana, mārisa, kiṁnidānaṁ kiṁsamudayaṁ kiṁjātikaṁ kiṁpabhavaṁ;“But good fellow, what is the source, origin, birthplace, and inception of jealousy and stinginess?⁴⁴2.2.3kismiṁ sati issāmacchariyaṁ hoti;When what exists is there jealousy and stinginess?2.2.4kismiṁ asati issāmacchariyaṁ na hotī”ti?When what doesn’t exist is there no jealousy and stinginess?”

2.2.5“Issāmacchariyaṁ kho, devānaminda, piyāppiyanidānaṁ piyāppiyasamudayaṁ piyāppiyajātikaṁ piyāppiyapabhavaṁ;“The liked and the disliked, lord of gods, are the source of jealousy and stinginess.2.2.6piyāppiye sati issāmacchariyaṁ hoti,When the liked and the disliked exist there is jealousy and stinginess.2.2.7piyāppiye asati issāmacchariyaṁ na hotī”ti.When the liked and the disliked don’t exist there is no jealousy and stinginess.”

2.2.8“Piyāppiyaṁ pana, mārisa, kiṁnidānaṁ kiṁsamudayaṁ kiṁjātikaṁ kiṁpabhavaṁ;“But good fellow, what is the source of what is liked and disliked?”2.2.9kismiṁ sati piyāppiyaṁ hoti;2.2.10kismiṁ asati piyāppiyaṁ na hotī”ti?

2.2.11“Piyāppiyaṁ kho, devānaminda, chandanidānaṁ chandasamudayaṁ chandajātikaṁ chandapabhavaṁ;“Desire is the source of what is liked and disliked.”⁴⁵2.2.12chande sati piyāppiyaṁ hoti;2.2.13chande asati piyāppiyaṁ na hotī”ti.

2.2.14“Chando pana, mārisa, kiṁnidāno kiṁsamudayo kiṁjātiko kiṁpabhavo;“But what is the source of desire?”2.2.15kismiṁ sati chando hoti;2.2.16kismiṁ asati chando na hotī”ti?

2.2.17“Chando kho, devānaminda, vitakkanidāno vitakkasamudayo vitakkajātiko vitakkapabhavo;“Thought is the source of desire.”⁴⁶2.2.18vitakke sati chando hoti;2.2.19vitakke asati chando na hotī”ti.

2.2.20“Vitakko pana, mārisa, kiṁnidāno kiṁsamudayo kiṁjātiko kiṁpabhavo;“But what is the source of thought?”2.2.21kismiṁ sati vitakko hoti;2.2.22kismiṁ asati vitakko na hotī”ti?

2.2.23“Vitakko kho, devānaminda, papañcasaññāsaṅkhānidāno papañcasaññāsaṅkhāsamudayo papañcasaññāsaṅkhājātiko papañcasaññāsaṅkhāpabhavo;“Judgments driven by the proliferation of perceptions are the source of thoughts.”⁴⁷2.2.24papañcasaññāsaṅkhāya sati vitakko hoti;2.2.25papañcasaññāsaṅkhāya asati vitakko na hotī”ti.

2.3.1“Kathaṁ paṭipanno pana, mārisa, bhikkhu papañcasaññāsaṅkhānirodhasāruppagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hotī”ti?“But how does a mendicant fittingly practice for the cessation of judgments driven by the proliferation of perceptions?”

2.3.2.02.2. Vedanākammaṭṭhāna2.2. Meditation on Feelings

2.3.3PTS 2.278“Somanassampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—“Lord of gods, there are two kinds of happiness, I say:2.3.4sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.2.3.5Domanassampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—There are two kinds of sadness, I say:2.3.6sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.2.3.7Upekkhampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—There are two kinds of equanimity, I say:2.3.8sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.

2.3.9Somanassampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?Why did I say that there are two kinds of happiness?2.3.10Tattha yaṁ jaññā somanassaṁWell, should you know of a happiness:⁴⁸2.3.11‘imaṁ kho me somanassaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evarūpaṁ somanassaṁ na sevitabbaṁ.‘When I cultivate this kind of happiness, unskillful qualities grow, and skillful qualities decline.’ You should not cultivate that kind of happiness.2.3.12Tattha yaṁ jaññā somanassaṁWhereas, should you know of a happiness:2.3.13‘imaṁ kho me somanassaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evarūpaṁ somanassaṁ sevitabbaṁ.‘When I cultivate this kind of happiness, unskillful qualities decline, and skillful qualities grow.’ You should cultivate that kind of happiness.2.3.14Tattha yañce savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ, yañce avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ, ye avitakke avicāre, te paṇītatare.And that which is free of placing the mind and keeping it connected is better than that which still involves placing the mind and keeping it connected.⁴⁹2.3.15Somanassampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti.That’s why I said there are two kinds of happiness.2.3.16Iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

2.3.17PTS 2.279Domanassampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?Why did I say that there are two kinds of sadness?2.3.18Tattha yaṁ jaññā domanassaṁWell, should you know of a sadness:2.3.19‘imaṁ kho me domanassaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evarūpaṁ domanassaṁ na sevitabbaṁ.‘When I cultivate this kind of sadness, unskillful qualities grow, and skillful qualities decline.’ You should not cultivate that kind of sadness.2.3.20Tattha yaṁ jaññā domanassaṁWhereas, should you know of a sadness:2.3.21‘imaṁ kho me domanassaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evarūpaṁ domanassaṁ sevitabbaṁ.‘When I cultivate this kind of sadness, unskillful qualities decline, and skillful qualities grow.’ You should cultivate that kind of sadness.⁵⁰2.3.22Tattha yañce savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ, yañce avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ, ye avitakke avicāre, te paṇītatare.And that which is free of placing the mind and keeping it connected is better than that which still involves placing the mind and keeping it connected.⁵¹2.3.23Domanassampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi sevitabbampi, asevitabbampītiThat’s why I said there are two kinds of sadness.2.3.24iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

2.3.25Upekkhampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?Why did I say that there are two kinds of equanimity?2.3.26Tattha yaṁ jaññā upekkhaṁWell, should you know of an equanimity:2.3.27‘imaṁ kho me upekkhaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evarūpā upekkhā na sevitabbā.‘When I cultivate this kind of equanimity, unskillful qualities grow, and skillful qualities decline.’ You should not cultivate that kind of equanimity.2.3.28Tattha yaṁ jaññā upekkhaṁWhereas, should you know of an equanimity:2.3.29‘imaṁ kho me upekkhaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evarūpā upekkhā sevitabbā.‘When I cultivate this kind of equanimity, unskillful qualities decline, and skillful qualities grow.’ You should cultivate that kind of equanimity.2.3.30Tattha yañce savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ, yañce avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ, ye avitakke avicāre, te paṇītatare.And that which is free of placing the mind and keeping it connected is better than that which still involves placing the mind and keeping it connected.2.3.31Upekkhampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi sevitabbampi, asevitabbampītiThat’s why I said there are two kinds of equanimity.2.3.32iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

2.3.33Evaṁ paṭipanno kho, devānaminda, bhikkhu papañcasaññāsaṅkhānirodhasāruppagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hotī”ti.That’s how a mendicant fittingly practices for the cessation of judgments driven by the proliferation of perceptions.”

2.3.34Itthaṁ bhagavā sakkassa devānamindassa pañhaṁ puṭṭho byākāsi.Such was the Buddha’s answer to Sakka.2.3.35Attamano sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandi anumodi:Delighted, Sakka approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, saying,2.3.36“evametaṁ, bhagavā, evametaṁ, sugata.“That’s so true, Blessed One! That’s so true, Holy One!2.3.37Tiṇṇā mettha kaṅkhā vigatā kathaṅkathā bhagavato pañhaveyyākaraṇaṁ sutvā”ti.Hearing the Buddha’s answer, I’ve gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision.”

2.4.02.3. Pātimokkhasaṁvara2.3. Restraint in the Monastic Code

2.4.1Itiha sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā bhagavantaṁ uttari pañhaṁ apucchi:And then Sakka asked another question:

2.4.2“Kathaṁ paṭipanno pana, mārisa, bhikkhu pātimokkhasaṁvarāya paṭipanno hotī”ti?“But good fellow, how does a mendicant practice for restraint in the monastic code?”

2.4.3“Kāyasamācārampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—“Lord of gods, I say that there are two kinds of bodily behavior:⁵²2.4.4sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.2.4.5Vacīsamācārampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—I say that there are two kinds of verbal behavior:2.4.6sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.2.4.7Pariyesanaṁpāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—There are two kinds of search, I say:2.4.8sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.

2.4.9PTS 2.280Kāyasamācārampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi sevitabbampi asevitabbampīti iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?Why did I say that there are two kinds of bodily behavior?2.4.10Tattha yaṁ jaññā kāyasamācāraṁWell, should you know of a bodily behavior:2.4.11‘imaṁ kho me kāyasamācāraṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evarūpo kāyasamācāro na sevitabbo.‘When I cultivate this kind of bodily behavior, unskillful qualities grow, and skillful qualities decline.’ You should not cultivate that kind of bodily conduct.2.4.12Tattha yaṁ jaññā kāyasamācāraṁWhereas, should you know of a bodily behavior:2.4.13‘imaṁ kho me kāyasamācāraṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evarūpo kāyasamācāro sevitabbo.‘When I cultivate this kind of bodily behavior, unskillful qualities decline, and skillful qualities grow.’ You should cultivate that kind of bodily conduct.2.4.14Kāyasamācārampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—That’s why I said there are two kinds of bodily behavior.2.4.15sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti2.4.16iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

2.4.17Vacīsamācārampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—Why did I say that there are two kinds of verbal behavior?2.4.18sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?2.4.19Tattha yaṁ jaññā vacīsamācāraṁ ‘imaṁ kho me vacīsamācāraṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evarūpo vacīsamācāro na sevitabbo.Well, should you know of a kind of verbal behavior that it causes unskillful qualities to grow while skillful qualities decline, you should not cultivate it.2.4.20Tattha yaṁ jaññā vacīsamācāraṁ ‘imaṁ kho me vacīsamācāraṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evarūpo vacīsamācāro sevitabbo.Whereas, should you know of a kind of verbal behavior that it causes unskillful qualities to decline while skillful qualities grow, you should cultivate it.2.4.21Vacīsamācārampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—That’s why I said there are two kinds of verbal behavior.2.4.22sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti2.4.23iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

2.4.24Pariyesanaṁpāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—Why did I say that there are two kinds of search?2.4.25sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ, kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ?2.4.26Tattha yaṁ jaññā pariyesanaṁ ‘imaṁ kho me pariyesanaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyantī’ti, evarūpā pariyesanā na sevitabbā.Well, should you know of a kind of search that it causes unskillful qualities to grow while skillful qualities decline, you should not cultivate it.⁵³2.4.27Tattha yaṁ jaññā pariyesanaṁ ‘imaṁ kho me pariyesanaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhantī’ti, evarūpā pariyesanā sevitabbā.Whereas, should you know of a kind of search that it causes unskillful qualities to decline while skillful qualities grow, you should cultivate it.2.4.28Pariyesanaṁpāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—That’s why I said there are two kinds of search.2.4.29sevitabbampi, asevitabbampīti2.4.30iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ, idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

2.4.31PTS 2.281Evaṁ paṭipanno kho, devānaminda, bhikkhu pātimokkhasaṁvarāya paṭipanno hotī”ti.That’s how a mendicant practices for restraint in the monastic code.”

2.4.32Itthaṁ bhagavā sakkassa devānamindassa pañhaṁ puṭṭho byākāsi.Such was the Buddha’s answer to Sakka.2.4.33Attamano sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandi anumodi:Delighted, Sakka approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, saying,2.4.34“evametaṁ, bhagavā, evametaṁ, sugata.“That’s so true, Blessed One! That’s so true, Holy One!2.4.35Tiṇṇā mettha kaṅkhā vigatā kathaṅkathā bhagavato pañhaveyyākaraṇaṁ sutvā”ti.Hearing the Buddha’s answer, I’ve gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision.”

2.5.02.4. Indriyasaṁvara2.4. Sense Restraint

2.5.1Itiha sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā bhagavantaṁ uttari pañhaṁ apucchi:And then Sakka asked another question:

2.5.2“Kathaṁ paṭipanno pana, mārisa, bhikkhu indriyasaṁvarāya paṭipanno hotī”ti?“But good fellow, how does a mendicant practice for restraint of the sense faculties?”

2.5.3“Cakkhuviññeyyaṁ rūpampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—“Lord of gods, I say that there are two kinds of sight known by the eye:2.5.4sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.2.5.5Sotaviññeyyaṁ saddampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—There are two kinds of sound known by the ear …2.5.6sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.2.5.7Ghānaviññeyyaṁ gandhampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—smells known by the nose …2.5.8sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.2.5.9Jivhāviññeyyaṁ rasampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—tastes known by the tongue …2.5.10sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.2.5.11Kāyaviññeyyaṁ phoṭṭhabbampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—touches known by the body …2.5.12sevitabbampi, asevitabbampi.2.5.13Manoviññeyyaṁ dhammampāhaṁ, devānaminda, duvidhena vadāmi—ideas known by the mind:2.5.14sevitabbampi, asevitabbampī”ti.that which you should cultivate, and that which you should not cultivate.”

2.5.15Evaṁ vutte, sakko devānamindo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:When the Buddha said this, Sakka said to him:

2.5.16PTS 2.282“Imassa kho ahaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmi.“Sir, this is how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement:⁵⁴2.5.17Yathārūpaṁ, bhante, cakkhuviññeyyaṁ rūpaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyanti, evarūpaṁ cakkhuviññeyyaṁ rūpaṁ na sevitabbaṁ.You should not cultivate the kind of sight known by the eye which causes unskillful qualities to grow while skillful qualities decline.⁵⁵2.5.18Yathārūpañca kho, bhante, cakkhuviññeyyaṁ rūpaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, evarūpaṁ cakkhuviññeyyaṁ rūpaṁ sevitabbaṁ.And you should cultivate the kind of sight known by the eye which causes unskillful qualities to decline while skillful qualities grow.2.5.19Yathārūpañca kho, bhante, sotaviññeyyaṁ saddaṁ sevato …pe…You should not cultivate the kind of sound,2.5.20ghānaviññeyyaṁ gandhaṁ sevato …smell,2.5.21jivhāviññeyyaṁ rasaṁ sevato …taste,2.5.22kāyaviññeyyaṁ phoṭṭhabbaṁ sevato …touch,2.5.23manoviññeyyaṁ dhammaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, kusalā dhammā parihāyanti, evarūpo manoviññeyyo dhammo na sevitabbo.or idea known by the mind which causes unskillful qualities to grow while skillful qualities decline.2.5.24Yathārūpañca kho, bhante, manoviññeyyaṁ dhammaṁ sevato akusalā dhammā parihāyanti, kusalā dhammā abhivaḍḍhanti, evarūpo manoviññeyyo dhammo sevitabbo.And you should cultivate the kind of idea known by the mind which causes unskillful qualities to decline while skillful qualities grow.

2.5.25Imassa kho me, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānatoSir, that’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.2.5.26tiṇṇā mettha kaṅkhā vigatā kathaṅkathā bhagavato pañhaveyyākaraṇaṁ sutvā”ti.Hearing the Buddha’s answer, I’ve gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision.”

2.6.1Itiha sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā bhagavantaṁ uttari pañhaṁ apucchi:And then Sakka asked another question:

2.6.2“Sabbeva nu kho, mārisa, samaṇabrāhmaṇā ekantavādā ekantasīlā ekantachandā ekantaajjhosānā”ti?“Good fellow, do all ascetics and brahmins have a single doctrine, ethics, desire, and attachment?”⁵⁶

2.6.3“Na kho, devānaminda, sabbe samaṇabrāhmaṇā ekantavādā ekantasīlā ekantachandā ekantaajjhosānā”ti.“No, lord of gods, they do not.”

2.6.4“Kasmā pana, mārisa, na sabbe samaṇabrāhmaṇā ekantavādā ekantasīlā ekantachandā ekantaajjhosānā”ti?“Why not?”

2.6.5“Anekadhātu nānādhātu kho, devānaminda, loko.“The world has many and diverse elements.2.6.6Tasmiṁ anekadhātunānādhātusmiṁ loke yaṁ yadeva sattā dhātuṁ abhinivisanti, taṁ tadeva thāmasā parāmāsā abhinivissa voharanti:Whatever element sentient beings insist on in this world of many and diverse elements, they obstinately stick to it, insisting that:⁵⁷2.6.7‘idameva saccaṁ moghamaññan’ti.‘This is the only truth, anything else is futile.’2.6.8Tasmā na sabbe samaṇabrāhmaṇā ekantavādā ekantasīlā ekantachandā ekantaajjhosānā”ti.That’s why not all ascetics and brahmins have a single doctrine, ethics, desire, and attachment.”

2.6.9PTS 2.283“Sabbeva nu kho, mārisa, samaṇabrāhmaṇā accantaniṭṭhā accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosānā”ti?“Good fellow, have all ascetics and brahmins reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal?”⁵⁸

2.6.10“Na kho, devānaminda, sabbe samaṇabrāhmaṇā accantaniṭṭhā accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosānā”ti.“No, lord of gods, they have not.”

2.6.11“Kasmā pana, mārisa, na sabbe samaṇabrāhmaṇā accantaniṭṭhā accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosānā”ti?∥“Why not?”

2.6.12“Ye kho, devānaminda, bhikkhū taṇhāsaṅkhayavimuttā te accantaniṭṭhā accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosānā.“Those mendicants who are freed through the ending of craving have reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal.⁵⁹2.6.13Tasmā na sabbe samaṇabrāhmaṇā accantaniṭṭhā accantayogakkhemī accantabrahmacārī accantapariyosānā”ti.That’s why not all ascetics and brahmins have reached the ultimate end, the ultimate sanctuary from the yoke, the ultimate spiritual life, the ultimate goal.”

2.6.14Itthaṁ bhagavā sakkassa devānamindassa pañhaṁ puṭṭho byākāsi.Such was the Buddha’s answer to Sakka.2.6.15Attamano sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandi anumodi:Delighted, Sakka approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, saying,2.6.16“evametaṁ, bhagavā, evametaṁ, sugata.“That’s so true, Blessed One! That’s so true, Holy One!2.6.17Tiṇṇā mettha kaṅkhā vigatā kathaṅkathā bhagavato pañhaveyyākaraṇaṁ sutvā”ti.Hearing the Buddha’s answer, I’ve gone beyond doubt and got rid of indecision.”⁶⁰

2.6.18Itiha sakko devānamindo bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinanditvā anumoditvā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:And then Sakka, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, said to him,

2.7.1“Ejā, bhante, rogo, ejā gaṇḍo, ejā sallaṁ, ejā imaṁ purisaṁ parikaḍḍhati tassa tasseva bhavassa abhinibbattiyā.“Turbulence, sir, is a disease, a boil, a dart. Turbulence drags a person to be regenerated in one state of existence or another.⁶¹2.7.2Tasmā ayaṁ puriso uccāvacamāpajjati.That’s why a person finds themselves in states high and low.2.7.3Yesāhaṁ, bhante, pañhānaṁ ito bahiddhā aññesu samaṇabrāhmaṇesu okāsakammampi nālatthaṁ, te me bhagavatā byākatā.Elsewhere, among other ascetics and brahmins, I wasn’t even given a chance to ask these questions that the Buddha has answered.2.7.4Dīgharattānusayitañca pana me vicikicchākathaṅkathāsallaṁ, tañca bhagavatā abbuḷhan”ti.The dart of doubt and indecision has lain within me for a long time, but the Buddha has plucked it out.”

2.7.5PTS 2.284“Abhijānāsi no tvaṁ, devānaminda, ime pañhe aññe samaṇabrāhmaṇe pucchitā”ti?“Lord of gods, do you recall having asked this question of other ascetics and brahmins?”⁶²

2.7.6“Abhijānāmahaṁ, bhante, ime pañhe aññe samaṇabrāhmaṇe pucchitā”ti.“I do, sir.”

2.7.7“Yathā kathaṁ pana te, devānaminda, byākaṁsu? Sace te agaru bhāsassū”ti.“If you wouldn’t mind, lord of gods, tell me how they answered.”

2.7.8“Na kho me, bhante, garu yatthassa bhagavā nisinno bhagavantarūpo vā”ti.“It’s no trouble when someone such as the Blessed One is sitting here.”

2.7.9“Tena hi, devānaminda, bhāsassū”ti.“Well, speak then, lord of gods.”

2.7.10“Yesvāhaṁ, bhante, maññāmi samaṇabrāhmaṇā āraññikā pantasenāsanāti, tyāhaṁ upasaṅkamitvā ime pañhe pucchāmi, te mayā puṭṭhā na sampāyanti, asampāyantā mamaṁyeva paṭipucchanti:“Sir, I approached those who I imagined were ascetics and brahmins living in the wilderness, in remote lodgings. But they were stumped by my question, and they even questioned me in return:2.7.11‘ko nāmo āyasmā’ti?‘What is the venerable’s name?’2.7.12Tesāhaṁ puṭṭho byākaromi:So I answered them:2.7.13‘ahaṁ kho, mārisa, sakko devānamindo’ti.‘Good fellow, I am Sakka, lord of gods.’2.7.14Te mamaṁyeva uttari paṭipucchanti:So they asked me another question:2.7.15‘kiṁ panāyasmā, devānaminda, kammaṁ katvā imaṁ ṭhānaṁ patto’ti?‘But lord of gods, what deed brought you to this position?’2.7.16Tesāhaṁ yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ desemi.So I taught them the Dhamma as I had learned and memorized it.2.7.17Te tāvatakeneva attamanā honti:And they were pleased with just that much:2.7.18‘sakko ca no devānamindo diṭṭho, yañca no apucchimhā, tañca no byākāsī’ti.‘We have seen Sakka, lord of gods! And he answered our questions!’2.7.19Te aññadatthu mamaṁyeva sāvakā sampajjanti, na cāhaṁ tesaṁ.Invariably, they become my disciples, I don’t become theirs.2.7.20Ahaṁ kho pana, bhante, bhagavato sāvako sotāpanno avinipātadhammo niyato sambodhiparāyaṇo”ti.But sir, I am the Buddha’s disciple, a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the underworld, assured, destined for awakening.”

2.7.21.02.5. Somanassapaṭilābhakathā2.5. On Feeling Happy

2.7.22PTS 2.285“Abhijānāsi no tvaṁ, devānaminda, ito pubbe evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhan”ti?“Lord of gods, do you recall ever feeling such joy and happiness before?”

2.7.23“Abhijānāmahaṁ, bhante, ito pubbe evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhan”ti.“I do, sir.”

2.7.24“Yathā kathaṁ pana tvaṁ, devānaminda, abhijānāsi ito pubbe evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhan”ti?“But how?”

2.7.25“Bhūtapubbaṁ, bhante, devāsurasaṅgāmo samupabyūḷho ahosi.“Once upon a time, sir, a battle was fought between the gods and the titans.2.7.26Tasmiṁ kho pana, bhante, saṅgāme devā jiniṁsu, asurā parājayiṁsu.In that battle the gods won and the titans lost.2.7.27Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, taṁ saṅgāmaṁ abhivijinitvā vijitasaṅgāmassa etadahosi:It occurred to me as victor,2.7.28‘yā ceva dāni dibbā ojā yā ca asurā ojā, ubhayametaṁ devā paribhuñjissantī’ti.‘Now the gods shall enjoy both the nectar of the gods and the nectar of the titans.’⁶³2.7.29So kho pana me, bhante, vedapaṭilābho somanassapaṭilābho sadaṇḍāvacaro sasatthāvacaro na nibbidāya na virāgāya na nirodhāya na upasamāya na abhiññāya na sambodhāya na nibbānāya saṁvattati.But sir, that joy and happiness is in the sphere of the rod and the sword. It doesn’t lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.2.7.30Yo kho pana me ayaṁ, bhante, bhagavato dhammaṁ sutvā vedapaṭilābho somanassapaṭilābho, so adaṇḍāvacaro asatthāvacaro ekantanibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya upasamāya abhiññāya sambodhāya nibbānāya saṁvattatī”ti.But the joy and happiness I feel listening to the Buddha’s teaching is not in the sphere of the rod and the sword. It does lead to disillusionment, dispassion, cessation, peace, insight, awakening, and extinguishment.”⁶⁴

2.8.1“Kiṁ pana tvaṁ, devānaminda, atthavasaṁ sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedesī”ti?“But lord of gods, what reason do you see for speaking of such joy and happiness?”

2.8.2“Cha kho ahaṁ, bhante, atthavase sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.“I see six reasons to speak of such joy and happiness, sir.

2.8.3Idheva tiṭṭhamānassa,While staying right here,2.8.4devabhūtassa me sato;remaining in the godly form,2.8.5Punarāyu ca me laddho,I have gained an extended life:⁶⁵2.8.6evaṁ jānāhi mārisa.know this, dear sir.

2.8.7PTS 2.286Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, paṭhamaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.This is the first reason.

2.8.8Cutāhaṁ diviyā kāyā,When I fall from the heavenly host,2.8.9āyuṁ hitvā amānusaṁ;leaving behind the non-human life,2.8.10Amūḷho gabbhamessāmi,I shall consciously go to a new womb,⁶⁶2.8.11yattha me ramatī mano.wherever my mind delights.

2.8.12Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, dutiyaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.This is the second reason.

2.8.13Svāhaṁ amūḷhapaññassa,Living happily under the guidance2.8.14viharaṁ sāsane rato;of the one of unclouded wisdom,2.8.15Ñāyena viharissāmi,I shall practice systematically,⁶⁷2.8.16sampajāno paṭissato.aware and mindful.

2.8.17Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, tatiyaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.This is the third reason.

2.8.18Ñāyena me carato ca,And if awakening should arise2.8.19sambodhi ce bhavissati;as I practice systematically,2.8.20Aññātā viharissāmi,I shall live as one who understands,2.8.21sveva anto bhavissati.and my end shall come right there.⁶⁸

2.8.22Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, catutthaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.This is the fourth reason.

2.8.23Cutāhaṁ mānusā kāyā,When I fall from the human realm,2.8.24āyuṁ hitvāna mānusaṁ;leaving behind the human life,2.8.25Puna devo bhavissāmi,I shall become a god again,2.8.26devalokamhi uttamo.supreme in the heaven realm.⁶⁹

2.8.27Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, pañcamaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.This is the fifth reason.

2.8.28Te paṇītatarā devā,They are the finest of gods,2.8.29akaniṭṭhā yasassino;the glorious Akaniṭṭhas.2.8.30Antime vattamānamhi,So long as my final life goes on,⁷⁰2.8.31so nivāso bhavissati.there my home will be.

2.8.32PTS 2.287Imaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, chaṭṭhaṁ atthavasaṁ sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.This is the sixth reason.

2.8.33Ime kho ahaṁ, bhante, cha atthavase sampassamāno evarūpaṁ vedapaṭilābhaṁ somanassapaṭilābhaṁ pavedemi.Seeing these six reasons I speak of such joy and happiness.

2.9.1Apariyositasaṅkappo,My wishes unfulfilled,2.9.2vicikiccho kathaṅkathī;doubting and indecisive,2.9.3Vicariṁ dīghamaddhānaṁ,I wandered for such a long time,2.9.4anvesanto tathāgataṁ.in search of the Realized One.

2.9.5Yassu maññāmi samaṇe,I imagined that ascetics2.9.6pavivittavihārino;living in seclusion2.9.7Sambuddhā iti maññāno,must surely be awakened,2.9.8gacchāmi te upāsituṁ.so I went to sit near them.

2.9.9‘Kathaṁ ārādhanā hoti,‘How is there success?2.9.10kathaṁ hoti virādhanā’;How is there failure?’2.9.11Iti puṭṭhā na sampāyanti,But they were stumped by such questions2.9.12magge paṭipadāsu ca.about the path and practice.

2.9.13Tyassu yadā maṁ jānanti,And when they found out that I2.9.14sakko devānamāgato;was Sakka, come from the gods,2.9.15Tyassu mameva pucchanti,they questioned me instead about2.9.16‘kiṁ katvā pāpuṇī idaṁ’.the deed that brought me to this state.

2.9.17Tesaṁ yathāsutaṁ dhammaṁ,I taught them the Dhamma2.9.18desayāmi jane sutaṁ;as I had learned it among men.2.9.19Tena attamanā honti,They were delighted with that, saying:2.9.20‘diṭṭho no vāsavoti ca’.‘We’ve seen Vāsava!’

2.9.21Yadā ca buddhamaddakkhiṁ,Now since I’ve seen the Buddha,2.9.22vicikicchāvitāraṇaṁ;who helps us overcome doubt,2.9.23Somhi vītabhayo ajja,today, free of fear,2.9.24sambuddhaṁ payirupāsiya.I pay homage to the awakened one.

2.9.25Taṇhāsallassa hantāraṁ,Destroyer of the dart of craving,2.9.26buddhaṁ appaṭipuggalaṁ;the Buddha is unrivaled.2.9.27Ahaṁ vande mahāvīraṁ,I bow to the great hero,2.9.28buddhamādiccabandhunaṁ.the Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun.

2.9.29PTS 2.288Yaṁ karomasi brahmuno,In the same way that divinity ought be revered⁷¹2.9.30samaṁ devehi mārisa;by we gods, dear sir,⁷²2.9.31Tadajja tuyhaṁ kassāma,today we shall revere you—2.9.32handa sāmaṁ karoma te.come, let us revere you ourselves!⁷³

2.9.33Tvameva asi sambuddho,You alone are the Awakened!2.9.34tuvaṁ satthā anuttaro;You are the Teacher supreme!2.9.35Sadevakasmiṁ lokasmiṁ,In the world with its gods,2.9.36natthi te paṭipuggalo”ti.you have no rival.”

2.10.1Atha kho sakko devānamindo pañcasikhaṁ gandhabbaputtaṁ āmantesi:Then Sakka addressed the centaur Pañcasikha,2.10.2“bahūpakāro kho mesi tvaṁ, tāta pañcasikha, yaṁ tvaṁ bhagavantaṁ paṭhamaṁ pasādesi.“Dear Pañcasikha, you were very helpful to me, since you first charmed the Buddha,2.10.3Tayā, tāta, paṭhamaṁ pasāditaṁ pacchā mayaṁ taṁ bhagavantaṁ dassanāya upasaṅkamimhā arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ.after which I went to see him.2.10.4Pettike vā ṭhāne ṭhapayissāmi, gandhabbarājā bhavissasi, bhaddañca te sūriyavacchasaṁ dammi, sā hi te abhipatthitā”ti.I shall appoint you to your father’s position—you shall be king of the centaurs. And I give you Bhaddā Suriyavaccasā, for she loves you very much.”⁷⁴

2.10.5Atha kho sakko devānamindo pāṇinā pathaviṁ parāmasitvā tikkhattuṁ udānaṁ udānesi:Then Sakka, touching the ground with his hand, expressed this heartfelt sentiment three times:⁷⁵

2.10.6“Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa.“Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

2.10.7Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa.Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

2.10.8Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassā”ti.Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!”

2.10.9PTS 2.289Imasmiñca pana veyyākaraṇasmiṁ bhaññamāne sakkassa devānamindassa virajaṁ vītamalaṁ dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi:And while this discourse was being spoken, the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in Sakka, lord of gods:2.10.10“yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ nirodhadhamman”ti.“Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.”2.10.11Aññesañca asītiyā devatāsahassānaṁ;And also for another 80,000 deities.⁷⁶

2.10.12iti ye sakkena devānamindena ajjhiṭṭhapañhā puṭṭhā, te bhagavatā byākatā.Such were the questions Sakka was invited to ask, and which were answered by the Buddha.2.10.13Tasmā imassa veyyākaraṇassa sakkapañhātveva adhivacananti.And that’s why the name of this discussion is “Sakka’s Questions”.

2.10.14Sakkapañhasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.