The Suttanipata by Bodhi

Author:Bodhi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wisdom Publications

All here should be understood in the way stated in the Sagāthāvagga.1246

Having gone, one brahmā found room at the top of the eastern world sphere, where he stood and recited this verse:

“A great gathering takes place in the woods . . .

to see the invincible Saṅgha.”

As he recited this verse, one standing on the mountain of the western world sphere heard his voice. The second brahmā found room at the top of the western world sphere, where he stood and recited this verse:

“The bhikkhus there are concentrated . . .

the wise ones guard their faculties.”

The third found room at the top of the southern world sphere, where he stood and recited this verse:

“Having cut through barrenness, cut the cross-bar . . .

young nāgas.”

The fourth found room at the top of the northern world sphere, where he stood and recited this verse:

“Those who have gone to the Buddha for refuge . . .

will fill up the hosts of devas.”

The one standing on the mountain of the southern world sphere heard his voice. In this way, these four brahmās stood there praising the assembly, while Mahābrahmā stood having covered one world sphere.

Then the Blessed One, having looked up at the assembly of devas, announced to the bhikkhus: [361] “Bhikkhus, the deities that assembled before the Blessed Ones of the past, those who were arahants and perfectly enlightened buddhas, were at most like those now present before me. The deities that will assemble before the Blessed Ones of the future, those who will be arahants and perfectly enlightened buddhas, will be at most like those now present before me.” He then divided that assembly of devas into two types according to whether or not they were capable: “These are capable, those are incapable.” He knew of them: “The assembly of the incapable would not understand the Dhamma even if a hundred buddhas were teaching it, while the assembly of the capable is able to understand it.” Again, he divided the capable persons into six types by way of temperament: “This many have a lustful temperament; this many have temperaments governed by hatred, delusion, thought, faith, and intelligence.” Having comprehended them by way of temperament, he considered what kind of Dhamma teaching to give thus: “What kind of Dhamma teaching would be suitable for this assembly?” Again, he considered the assembly thus: “Would they understand a teaching given according to my own inclination, or through the inclination of others, or because of a special incident, or in response to a question?”1247 He then realized: “They would understand a teaching given in response to a question.”

He next turned his attention to the entire assembly, asking himself: “Is there anyone able to ask a question?” Having known that there was no one who could do so, he then considered: “It would not be suitable for this assembly if I were both to pose the question and answer it myself. Let me then create a mind-created buddha.”1248 He then entered and emerged from the basic jhāna, and

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