Anatahpindika Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. Anàthapiõóika the son of the gods, standing on a side, said this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "This Jeta's grove, home of many sages,
 * And inhabited by the king of righteousness, arouses joy in me.
 * Beings who have to die, are purified by actions, knowledge, righteousness,
 * Virtues and noble livelihood, not by birth or wealth
 * Therefore the wise for their own welfare
 * Penetrate into the Teaching and purify their selves
 * In wisdom, virtues and appeasement like Sàriputta,
 * Of those bhikkhus who have crossed over, he is the foremost."

2. Anàthapiõóika the son of gods said this stanza, worshipped and circumambulated the Blessed One and vanished from there.

3. At the end of that night the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus.

4. Bhikkhus, when the night was waning a certain deity illuminating the complete Jeta's grove with an effulgent light approached me worshipped, stood on a side and said this stanza:

5. "This Jeta's grove, home of many sages,
 * And inhabited by the king of righteousness, arouses joy in me.
 * Beings who have to die, are purified by actions, knowledge, righteousness,
 * Virtues and noble livelihood, not by birth or wealth
 * Therefore the wise for their own welfare
 * Penetrate into the Teaching and purify their selves
 * In wisdom, virtues and appeasement like Sàriputta,
 * Of those bhikkhus who have crossed over, he is the foremost."

6. That son of the gods, having said this stanza, worshipped and circumambulated me and vanished from there."

7. When this was said, venerable ânanda said thus to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, isn't he Anàthapiõóika the son of the gods? He was very pleased with the ways of venerable Sàriputta."

The Blessed One said: "Excellent! ânanda, you have managed to arrive at a logical conclusion. It was Anàthapiõóika the son of the gods.