SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 55 Linked Discourses on Stream-Entry – Sotāpattisaṁyutta > SN 55.35 Footprints of the Gods (2nd)

Linked Discourses 55.35 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 55.35

4. Overflowing Merit – 4. Puññābhisandavagga

SN 55.35 Footprints of the Gods (2nd) – Dutiyadevapadasutta

“Bhikkhū, these four footprints of the gods are in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

What four?

Katamāni cattāri?

Firstly, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha:

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti—

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

Then they reflect:

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

‘What now is the footprint of the gods?’

‘kiṁ nu kho devānaṁ devapadan’ti?

They understand:

So evaṁ pajānāti:

‘I hear that these days the gods consider non-harming to be supreme.

‘abyābajjhaparame khvāhaṁ etarahi deve suṇāmi.

But I don’t hurt any creature firm or frail.

Na ca kho panāhaṁ kiñci byābādhemi tasaṁ vā thāvaraṁ vā.

I definitely live in possession of a footprint of the gods.’

Addhāhaṁ devapadadhammasamannāgato viharāmī’ti.

This is the first footprint of the gods in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.

Idaṁ paṭhamaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

Furthermore, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the teaching …

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako dhamme …pe…

the Saṅgha …

saṅghe …pe….

Furthermore, a noble disciple’s ethical conduct is loved by the noble ones, unbroken, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to samādhi.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato hoti akhaṇḍehi …pe… samādhisaṁvattanikehi.

Then they reflect:

So iti paṭisañcikkhati:

‘What now is the footprint of the gods?’

‘kiṁ nu kho devānaṁ devapadan’ti?

They understand:

So evaṁ pajānāti:

‘I hear that these days the gods consider non-harming to be supreme.

‘abyābajjhaparame khvāhaṁ etarahi deve suṇāmi.

But I don’t hurt any creature firm or frail.

Na kho panāhaṁ kiñci byābādhemi tasaṁ vā thāvaraṁ vā.

I definitely live in possession of a footprint of the gods.’

Addhāhaṁ devapadadhammasamannāgato viharāmī’ti.

This is the fourth footprint of the gods in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.

Idaṁ catutthaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.

These four footprints of the gods are in order to purify unpurified beings and cleanse unclean beings.”

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāyā”ti.