Gaggara Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in Champa on the bank of the Gaggara pond with about five hundred bhikkhus, seven hundred male lay disciples, about seven hundred female lay disciples and with innumerable thousands of deities. There the Blessed One supercedes all of them in beauty and fame.

2. Then it occurred to venerable Vaïgãsa: "The Blessed One is living in Champa on the bank of the Gaggara pond with about five hundred bhikkhus, seven hundred male lay disciples, about seven hundred female lay disciples and with innumerable thousands of deities. There the Blessed One supercedes all of them in beauty and fame. What if I praise the Blessed One in his presence with a meaningful stanza."

3. Then venerable Vaïgãsa got up from his seat, arranged his robe and clasping hands towards the Blessed One said: "Venerable sir, Blessed One, it occurs to me."

4. The Blessed One said "Vaïgãsa, say it."

5. Venerable Vaïgãsa said these meaningful stanzas in the presence of the Blessed One:


 * "The moon spreads its rays in a cloudless sky, in the same manner,
 * Great sage, you supercede in fame in the whole world."