AN 6 The Book of the Sixes – Chakkanipāta > AN 6.33 Non-decline (2nd)

Numbered Discourses 6.33 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 6.33

4. Deities – 4. Devatāvagga

AN 6.33 Non-decline (2nd) – Dutiyaaparihānasutta

1.1

“Tonight, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, came to me, bowed, stood to one side, and said to me:

“Imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, sā devatā maṁ etadavoca:

1.2

‘Sir, these six things don’t lead to the decline of a bhikkhu.

‘chayime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti.

1.3

What six?

Katame cha?

1.4

Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for conscience, and for prudence.

Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, hirigāravatā, ottappagāravatā—

1.5

These six things don’t lead to the decline of a bhikkhu.’

ime kho, bhante, cha dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.

1.6

That is what that deity said.

Idamavoca, bhikkhave, sā devatā.

1.7

Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.

Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.

2.1

Respect for the Teacher and the teaching,

Satthugaru dhammagaru,

2.2

and keen respect for the Saṅgha;

saṅghe ca tibbagāravo;

2.3

having both conscience and prudence,

Hiriottappasampanno,

2.4

reverential and respectful,

sappatisso sagāravo;

2.5

such a one can’t decline,

Abhabbo parihānāya,

2.6

and has drawn near to extinguishment.”

nibbānasseva santike”ti.

2.7

Tatiyaṁ.