1. Sabbhi Suttta
SOURCE: "FIVE SAMYUTTAS FROM SAGATHAVAGGA
SAMYUTTA" |
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Discourse Concerning the Virtuous |
31. Thus have I heard: At one time the Bhagava was staying at the Jetavana monastery of Anathapindika in Savatthi. During that time soon after 'the middle watch of the night, many devas of exceeding beauty, who became devas1 by (practising and) imparting the doctrine of the virtuous,2 approached the Bhagava, illuminating the entire Jetavana monastery. They made their obeisance to the Bhagava and stood at a suitable place. Having stood thus, one of them spoke thus in verse in the presence of the Bhagava: "One should associate only with the virtuous; one should make friends with the virtuous, knowing the moral principles from the virtuous, one becomes nobler, and is not base." Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:
Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:
Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava;.
Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:
Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:
Then another deva said to the Bhagava thus: "Bhagava, whose words are well-spoken?" (And the Bhagava said:)
So said the Bhagava. The devas were delighted. After paying obeisance and showing respect to the Bhagava, they vanished then and there. End of the Sabbhi Sutta, the first in this vagga. FOOTNOTES 1. This discourse derives from the following story: The devas recited verses in praise of their teacher who exhorted them to practise the doctrine of the virtuous just before their death. They had been seafaring traders, seven hundred of them all, in their previous existence. They met with violent storms at sea. Death by shipwreck was imminent. They wailed and prayed to the devas for their lives. But one of them remained calm; he sat squatting, reflecting on the purity of his faith in the Three Jewels and of the five moral precepts. His comrades asked him why he was so calm and composed. He told them about the doctrine of the virtuous in which he had taken refuge. They asked him to share the good doctrine with them. He was only too glad to do so. He divided them into seven groups of a hundred each and, administering the five precepts, exhorted them to reflect on their observance of the precepts, for that was the doctrine of the virtuous that would save them, and there was nothing else that they could lean on. The seven hundred sailor merchants met a watery grave but because of their observance of the doctrine of the virtuous just before their death they were reborn in the Realm of the Thirty three (Tavatimsa) devas. 2. the doctrine of the virtuous: It is a generic term for a wide range of moral or virtuous practices including the five precepts, the ten precepts, the four bases of mindfulness, the four right endeavours etc., but here the five precepts are meant. |
Alphabetical Index |