SN 1–11 The Group of Connected Discourses With Verses – Sagāthāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 1 Connected Discourses With Deities – Devatāsaṁyutta > SN 1.37 The Congregation

Linked Discourses 1.37 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.37

4. The Satullapa Group – 4. Satullapakāyikavagga

SN 1.37 The Congregation – Samayasutta

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood, together with a large Saṅgha of around five hundred bhikkhū, all of whom were perfected ones.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;

And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Saṅgha of bhikkhū.

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

Then four deities of the Pure Abodes, aware of what was happening, thought:

Atha kho catunnaṁ suddhāvāsakāyikānaṁ devatānaṁ etadahosi:

“ayaṁ kho bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ mahāvane mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ pañcamattehi bhikkhusatehi sabbeheva arahantehi;

dasahi ca lokadhātūhi devatā yebhuyyena sannipatitā honti bhagavantaṁ dassanāya bhikkhusaṅghañca.

“Why don’t we go to the Buddha and each recite a verse in his presence?”

Yannūna mayampi yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyāma; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato santike paccekaṁ gāthaṁ bhāseyyāmā”ti.

Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from the Pure Abodes and reappeared in front of the Buddha.

Atha kho tā devatā—seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—suddhāvāsesu devesu antarahitā bhagavato purato pāturahesuṁ.

They bowed to the Buddha and stood to one side.

Atha kho tā devatā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.

Standing to one side, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“There’s a great congregation in the woods,

“Mahāsamayo pavanasmiṁ,

a host of gods have assembled.

Devakāyā samāgatā;

We’ve come to this righteous congregation

Āgatamha imaṁ dhammasamayaṁ,

to see the invincible Saṅgha!”

Dakkhitāye aparājitasaṅghan”ti.

Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“The bhikkhū there have samādhi,

“Tatra bhikkhavo samādahaṁsu,

they’ve straightened out their own minds.

Cittamattano ujukaṁ akaṁsu;

Like a charioteer who has taken the reins,

Sārathīva nettāni gahetvā,

the astute ones protect their senses.”

Indriyāni rakkhanti paṇḍitā”ti.

Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Having cut the stake and cut the bar,

“Chetvā khīlaṁ chetvā palighaṁ,

they’re unstirred, with boundary post uprooted.

Indakhīlaṁ ūhacca manejā;

They live pure and immaculate,

Te caranti suddhā vimalā,

the young dragons tamed by the seer.”

Cakkhumatā sudantā susunāgā”ti.

Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Anyone who has gone to the Buddha for refuge

“Ye keci buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatāse,

won’t go to a plane of loss.

Na te gamissanti apāyabhūmiṁ;

After giving up this human body,

Pahāya mānusaṁ dehaṁ,

they swell the hosts of gods.”

Devakāyaṁ paripūressantī”ti.