Samyutta Nikaya Masthead


[Home]  [Sutta Indexes]  [Glossology]  [Site Sub-Sections]


 

Saṃyutta Nikāya
I. Sagatha Vagga
11. Sakka Saṃyutta

Sutta 14

Daḷidda Suttaṃ

Poor

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Sourced from the edition at dhammatalks.org
Provenance, terms and conditons

a

 


 

[14.1][piya][rhyc][bodh] On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Forest, the Squirrels' Sanctuary.

There he addressed the monks:

"Monks!"

"Yes, lord," the monks responded to the Blessed One.

The Blessed One said, "Monks, once there was a man living in this very Rājagaha — a poor, pitiful wretch of a person.[1]

He undertook conviction in the Dhamma and Vinaya proclaimed by the Blessed One, undertook virtue, undertook learning, undertook relinquishment, undertook discernment.

He — having undertaken conviction in the Dhamma and Vinaya proclaimed by the Blessed One, having undertaken virtue, having undertaken learning, having undertaken relinquishment, having undertaken discernment — on the breakup of the body, after death, reappeared in a good destination, a heavenly world, in the company of the devas of the Thirty-three.

There he outshone the other devas in beauty and in rank.

"Then the devas of the Thirty-three were indignant, annoyed, and complained:

'Isn't it amazing, good sirs! Isn't it astounding!

Before, this young deva, when he was a human being, was a poor, pitiful wretch of a person.

But now, with the breakup of the body, after death, he has reappeared in a good destination, a heavenly world, in the company of the devas of the Thirty-three.

There he outshines the other devas in beauty and in rank.'

"Then Sakka the deva-king addressed the devas of the Thirty-three, 'Dear sirs, don't be indignant with this young deva.

Before, this young deva, when he was a human being, undertook conviction in the Dhamma and Vinaya proclaimed by the Blessed One, undertook virtue, undertook learning, undertook relinquishment, undertook discernment.

He — having undertaken conviction in the Dhamma and Vinaya proclaimed by the Blessed One, having undertaken virtue, having undertaken learning, having undertaken relinquishment, having undertaken discernment — on the breakup of the body, after death, has reappeared in a good destination, a heavenly world, in the company of the devas of the Thirty-three.

There he outshines the other devas in beauty and in rank.'

"Then, conciliating the devas of the Thirty-three, Sakka the deva-king on that occasion recited these verses:

'One whose conviction in the Tathāgata
is well-established, unshakable;
whose virtue is admirable,
appealing to the noble ones, praised;
who has confidence in the Saṇgha,
and vision made straight:
"Not poor," they say of him.
Not in vain his life.
So conviction and virtue,
confidence and Dhamma-vision
should be cultivated by the intelligent,
remembering the Buddhas' teachings.'"[2]

 


[1] The Commentary confirms that this is a reference to the story of Suppabuddha the leper, recounted in Ud 5:3.

[2] These verses also appear in SN 55:26. In Thailand, they are often chanted in ceremonies for dedicating merit to those who have passed away.

 


 

Of Related Interest:

SN 3:21;
Thag 12:2

 


Contact:
E-mail
Copyright Statement