2.
The Second Chapter
1.
The Discourse on the Item of Good Practice
257. At Sāvatthī. "Monks, when Sakka, the lord of the gods, was formerly a human being, he had seven items of good practice that were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka. What are the seven items of good practice? For as long as life lasts I would be a supporter of my mother and father, for as long as life lasts I would be one who honours the elders in the family, for as long as life lasts I would be one of smooth speech, for as long as life lasts I would be one of non-divisive speech, for as long as life lasts I would dwell in a house with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, generous in giving, with purified hands, delighting in relinquishment, accessible to requests, delighting in giving and sharing, for as long as life lasts I would be one who speaks the truth, for as long as life lasts I would be without wrath - even if wrath should arise in me, I would quickly dispel it." "Monks, when Sakka, the lord of the gods, was formerly a human being, these seven items of good practice were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka."
Smooth, of kindly conversation, one who has abandoned slander.
Him indeed the gods of the Thirty-three have called a good person."
2.
The Discourse on Sakka's Name
258. At Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove. There the Blessed One said this to the monks - "Monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, when formerly being a human being, was a young man named Magha, therefore he is called Maghavā.
"Monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, when formerly being a human being, gave gifts first, therefore he is called Purindada.
"Monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, when formerly being a human being, gave gifts carefully, therefore he is called Sakka.
"Monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, when formerly being a human being, gave a public rest-house, therefore he is called Vāsava.
"Monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, thinks of a thousand matters in a moment, therefore he is called Sahassakkha.
"Monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, has a titan maiden named Sujā as his consort, therefore he is called Sujampati.
"Monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, exercises sovereign lordship over the kingdom of the gods of the Thirty-three, therefore he is called the lord of the gods.
"Monks, when Sakka, the lord of the gods, was formerly a human being, he had seven items of good practice that were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka. What are the seven items of good practice? For as long as life lasts I would be a supporter of my mother and father, for as long as life lasts I would be one who honours the elders in the family, for as long as life lasts I would be one of smooth speech, for as long as life lasts I would be one of non-divisive speech, for as long as life lasts I would dwell in a house with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, generous in giving, with purified hands, delighting in relinquishment, accessible to requests, delighting in giving and sharing, for as long as life lasts I would be one who speaks the truth, for as long as life lasts I would be without wrath - even if wrath should arise in me, I would quickly dispel it." "Monks, when Sakka, the lord of the gods, was formerly a human being, these seven items of good practice were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka."
Smooth, of kindly conversation, one who has abandoned slander.
Him indeed the gods of the Thirty-three have called a good person."
3.
The Discourse to Mahāli
259. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the Great Wood in the Pinnacled Hall. Then Mahāli the Licchavi approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Mahāli the Licchavi said this to the Blessed One -
"Has Sakka, the lord of the gods, been seen by the Blessed One, venerable sir?"
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, has indeed been seen by me, Mahāli."
"That, venerable sir, must surely have been an imposter of Sakka. For Sakka, the lord of the gods, is difficult to see, venerable sir."
"I understand Sakka, Mahāli, and I understand the qualities that make one Sakka, because of which undertaking of qualities Sakka attained the position of Sakka, that too I understand.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, was a young man named Magha, therefore he is called Maghavā.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, gave gifts carefully, therefore he is called Sakka.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, gave gifts first, therefore he is called Purindada.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, when formerly being a human being, gave a public rest-house, therefore he is called Vāsava.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, thinks of a thousand matters in a moment, therefore he is called Sahassakkha.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, has a titan maiden named Sujā as his consort, therefore he is called Sujampati.
"Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, exercises sovereign lordship over the kingdom of the gods of the Thirty-three, therefore he is called the lord of the gods.
"When Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, was formerly a human being, he had seven items of good practice that were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka. What are the seven items of good practice? For as long as life lasts I would be a supporter of my mother and father, for as long as life lasts I would be one who honours the elders in the family, for as long as life lasts I would be one of smooth speech, for as long as life lasts I would be one of non-divisive speech, for as long as life lasts I would dwell in a house with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, generous in giving, with purified hands, delighting in relinquishment, accessible to requests, delighting in giving and sharing, for as long as life lasts I would be one who speaks the truth, for as long as life lasts I would be without wrath - even if wrath should arise in me, I would quickly dispel it." "When Sakka, the lord of the gods, Mahāli, was formerly a human being, these seven items of good practice were complete and undertaken, because of which undertaking Sakka attained the position of Sakka."
Smooth, of kindly conversation, one who has abandoned slander.
Him indeed the gods of the Thirty-three have called a good person."
4.
The Discourse on the Poor
260. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. There the Blessed One addressed the monks - "Monks." "Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this -
"Once upon a time, monks, a certain man in this very Rājagaha was a poor human being, a wretched human being, a miserable human being. He took upon himself faith in the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he took upon himself morality, he took upon himself learning, he took upon himself generosity, he took upon himself wisdom. Having taken upon himself faith in the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, having taken upon himself morality, having taken upon himself learning, having taken upon himself generosity, having taken upon himself wisdom, upon the body's collapse at death, he was reborn in a fortunate realm, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Thirty-three gods. He outshines the other gods in beauty and glory. Thereupon, monks, the gods of the Thirty-three grumbled, criticised, and complained - 'Wonderful indeed, friend, marvellous indeed, friend! For this young god, when formerly being a human being, was a poor human being, a wretched human being, a miserable human being; upon the body's collapse at death, he was reborn in a fortunate realm, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Thirty-three gods. He outshines the other gods in beauty and glory.'
"Then, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed the gods of the Thirty-three - 'Do not, sirs, grumble at this young god. This young god, sirs, when formerly being a human being, took upon himself faith in the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, he took upon himself morality, he took upon himself learning, he took upon himself generosity, he took upon himself wisdom. Having taken upon himself faith in the Teaching and discipline proclaimed by the Truth-finder, having taken upon himself morality, having taken upon himself learning, having taken upon himself generosity, having taken upon himself wisdom, upon the body's collapse at death, he was reborn in a fortunate realm, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Thirty-three gods. He outshines the other gods in beauty and glory.' Then, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, conciliating the gods of the Thirty-three, at that time spoke these verses -
And whose morality is good, dear to the noble ones, praised.
They call him 'not poor', his life is not in vain.
The wise one should pursue, remembering the Buddhas' teaching."
5.
The Discourse on the Pleasant
261. At Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove. Then Sakka, the lord of the gods, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and stood to one side. Standing to one side, Sakka, the lord of the gods, said this to the Blessed One - "What indeed, venerable sir, makes a place pleasant?"
Are not worth a sixteenth fraction of what is pleasant for humans.
Wherever Worthy Ones dwell, that place is pleasant."
6.
The Discourse on the Sacrificer
262. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha on the Vulture's Peak mountain. Then Sakka, the lord of the gods, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and stood to one side. Standing to one side, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed the Blessed One in verse -
Making merit leading to acquisition, where is what is given of great fruit?"
This is the Community, upright, concentrated in wisdom and morality.
Making merit leading to acquisition, what is given to the Community is of great fruit."
7.
The Discourse on Homage to the Buddha
263. At Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove. Now at that time the Blessed One had gone for his day residence and was in seclusion. Then Sakka, the lord of the gods, and Brahmā Sahampati approached the Blessed One; having approached, they stood each leaning against a door-post. Then Sakka, the lord of the gods, spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
Burden-dropper, free from debt, wander in the world;
And your mind is well liberated,
Like the moon on the fifteenth night."
"Indeed, lord of the gods, Truth-finders should not be praised thus. But thus, lord of the gods, Truth-finders should be praised:
Caravan leader, free from debt, wander in the world;
Let the Blessed One teach the Teaching,
There will be those who understand.'
8.
The Discourse on Homage by the Householder
264. At Sāvatthī. There, etc. said this - "Once upon a time, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed Mātali the charioteer - 'Harness, my dear Mātali, the chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds. Let us go to the pleasure ground to see the beautiful grounds.' 'Yes, venerable sir,' monks, Mātali the charioteer, having assented to Sakka, the lord of the gods, having yoked the chariot harnessed to a thousand thoroughbreds, announced to Sakka, the lord of the gods - 'The chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed for you, sir. Now do as you think fit.' Then, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, descending from the Vejayanta palace, having made salutation with joined palms, paid homage to the various directions. Then, monks, Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka, the lord of the gods, in verse -
And the four great kings, and the glorious gods of the Thirty-three;
Then who is that demon whom you, Sakka, pay homage to?"
And the four great kings, and the glorious gods of the Thirty-three.
I venerate those rightly gone forth, whose goal is the holy life.
Who support their wives righteously, I pay homage to them, Mātali."
I too pay homage to those whom you pay homage to, Vāsava."
Having paid homage to the various directions, the chief one mounted the chariot."
9.
The Discourse on Homage to the Teacher
265. At Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove. "Once upon a time, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed Mātali the charioteer - 'Harness, my dear Mātali, the chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds. Let us go to the pleasure ground to see the beautiful grounds.' 'Yes, venerable sir,' monks, Mātali the charioteer, having assented to Sakka, the lord of the gods, having yoked the chariot harnessed to a thousand thoroughbreds, announced to Sakka, the lord of the gods - 'The chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed for you, sir. Now do as you think fit.' Then, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, descending from the Vejayanta palace, having made salutation with joined palms, paid homage to the Blessed One. Then, monks, Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka, the lord of the gods, in verse -
Then who is that demon whom you, Sakka, pay homage to?"
The Teacher of superior name, I pay homage to him, Mātali.
Those who have eliminated the mental corruptions, the Worthy Ones, I pay homage to them, Mātali.
Trainees delighting in diminution, diligently train themselves;
I pay homage to them, Mātali."
I too pay homage to those whom you pay homage to, Vāsava."
Having paid homage to the Blessed One, the chief one mounted the chariot."
10.
The Discourse on Homage to the Community
266. At Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove. There, etc. said this - "Once upon a time, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, addressed Mātali the charioteer - 'Harness, my dear Mātali, the chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds. Let us go to the pleasure ground to see the beautiful grounds.' 'Yes, venerable sir,' monks, Mātali the charioteer, having assented to Sakka, the lord of the gods, having yoked the chariot harnessed to a thousand thoroughbreds, announced to Sakka, the lord of the gods - 'The chariot yoked with a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed for you, sir. Now do as you think fit.' Then, monks, Sakka, the lord of the gods, descending from the Vejayanta palace, having made salutation with joined palms, paid homage to the Community of monks. Then, monks, Mātali the charioteer addressed Sakka, the lord of the gods, in verse -
Submerged in this corpse, afflicted by hunger and thirst.
Tell me the conduct of the sages, let us hear your word."
From whatever village they depart, without longing they go.
Seeking what is prepared by others, by that the virtuous sustain themselves.
The gods are opposed to the titans, and many mortals too, Mātali.
Without grasping among those with grasping, I pay homage to them, Mātali."
I too pay homage to those whom you pay homage to, Vāsava."
Having paid homage to the Community of monks, the chief one mounted the chariot."
The second chapter.
Its summary:
The sacrificer and homage, three on Sakka's paying homage.