Samaya Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the great forest in kapilavatthu, in the country of the Sakkyas, with about five hundred bhikkhus all worthy ones. All heavenly beings of the tenfold world systems had gathered there, to see the Blessed One and the Community of bhikkhus.

Then it occurred to the four gods of the pure abodes: The Blessed One is in the great forest in kapilavatthu, in the country of the Sakkyas, with about five hundred bhikkhus all worthy ones. All heavenly beings of the tenfold world systems have gathered there, to see the Blessed One and the Community of bhikkhus. We too should approach and each one should say a stanza in the presence of the Blessed One.

Then those deities disappeared from the pure abodes and appeared before the Blessed One, as quickly as a strong man would bend his stretched arm or stretch his bent arm.

One of those deities standing on a side said this stanza:


 * "Heavenly beings have gathered in the woodlands
 * We approached this righteous assembly,
 * Will see the victorious, Community of bhikkhus."

Another deity said this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "Here, the bhikkhus are concentrated
 * Their minds are in a single point,
 * Like charioteers who have taken hold of the reins.
 * The wise protect the mental faculties."

Another deity said this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "Pulling out the arrow, destroying the obstacle,
 * Not wavering, to leave behind the strong pillar,
 * They abide pure, with faith,
 * Like, wise, tamed, young elephants."

Another deity said this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "He takes refuge in the Enlightened One and does not go to decrease.
 * Giving up the human body, he procures a heavenly one."