sn.11.14 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Poor

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus!”

“Venerable sir!” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:

“Bhikkhus, once in the past in this same Rajagaha there was a poor man, a pauper, an indigent. He undertook faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom in the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathagata. Having done so, with the breakup of the body, after death, he was reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Tavatiṁsa devas, where he outshone the other devas in regard to beauty and glory.

“Thereupon the Tavatiṁsa devas found fault with this, grumbled, and complained about it, saying: ‘It is wonderful indeed, sir! It is amazing indeed, sir! For formerly, when this young deva was a human being, he was a poor man, a pauper, an indigent. Yet with the breakup of the body, after death, he has been reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Tavatiṁsa devas, where he outshines the other devas in regard to beauty and glory.’

“Then, bhikkhus, Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed the Tavatiṁsa devas thus: ‘Dear sirs, do not find fault with this young deva. Formerly, when this young deva was a human being, he undertook faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom in the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathagata. Having done so, with the breakup of the body, after death, he has been reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world, in the company of the Tavatiṁsa devas, where he outshines the other devas in regard to beauty and glory.’

“Then, bhikkhus, instructing the Tavatiṁsa devas, Sakka, lord of the devas, on that occasion recited these verses:

“‘When one has faith in the Tathagata,
Unshakable and well established,
And good conduct built on virtue,
Dear to the noble ones and praised;

“‘When one has confidence in the Saṅgha
And one’s view is straightened out,
They say that one isn’t poor;
One’s life is not lived in vain.

“‘Therefore the person of intelligence,
Remembering the Buddha’s Teaching,
Should be devoted to faith and virtue,
To confidence and vision of the Dhamma.’”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Poor

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.
There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,
“Mendicants!”
“Venerable sir,” they replied.
The Buddha said this:
“Once upon a time, mendicants, there was a poor person, destitute and pitiful.
They took up faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom in the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One.
After undertaking these things, when their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm, in the company of the gods of the Thirty-Three.
There they outshone the other gods in beauty and glory.
But the gods of the Thirty-Three complained, grumbled, and objected,
‘It’s incredible, it’s amazing!
For when this god was a human being in their past life they were poor, destitute, and pitiful.
And when their body broke up, after death, they were reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm, in the company of the gods of the Thirty-Three.
Here they outshine the other gods in beauty and glory.’
Then Sakka, lord of gods, addressed the gods of the Thirty-Three,
‘Good sirs, don’t complain about this god.
When this god was a human being in their past life they took up faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom in the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One.
After undertaking these things, when their body broke up, after death, they’ve been reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm, in the company of the gods of the Thirty-Three.
Here they outshine the other gods in beauty and glory.’
Then Sakka, lord of gods, guiding the gods of the Thirty-Three, recited this verse:
‘Whoever has faith in the Realized One,
unwavering and well grounded;
whose ethical conduct is good,
praised and loved by the noble ones;
who has confidence in the Saṅgha,
and correct view:
they’re said to be prosperous,
their life is not in vain.
So let the wise devote themselves
to faith, ethical behaviour,
confidence, and insight into the teaching,
remembering the instructions of the Buddhas.’”