7:4 Devatavaggo

Aguttara Nikāya
004. Devatāvaggo –– On gods

1. Appamādagāravasuttaṃ –– Honouring diligence

004.01. When the night was waning, a certain deity, with a resplendent light illuminated the whole of Jeta’s grove, approached The Blessed One, worshipped, stood on a side and said:

Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. What seven?

Revering the Teacher, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the training, concentration, diligence and friendly welcome. Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. Having said it, that deity waited for the approval of the Teacher. Then that deity knowing the Teacher approves my words, worshipped The Blessed One, circumambulated and vanished from there .

At the end of that night The Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:

Bhikkhus, last night, when the night was waning, a certain deity, with a resplendent light illuminated the whole of Jeta’s grove, approached me, worshipped, stood on a side and said:

Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. What seven?

Revering the Teacher, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the training, concentration, diligence and friendly welcome. Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. Having said it, that deity waited for my approval. Then that deity knowing that I approve her words, worshipped me, circumambulated and vanished from there.

The bhikkhu revering the Teacher, Teaching, Community of bhikkhus,
Concentration, dispelling, revering the training much,
Diligence and the friendly welcome
Could not decrease, he is close upon extinction.

2. Hirīgāravasuttaṃ –– Honouring shame

004.02. Bhikkhus, last night, when the night was waning,a certain deity, with a resplendent light illuminated the whole of Jeta’s grove, approached me, worshipped, stood on a side and said:

Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. What seven?

Revering the Teacher, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the training, concentration, shame and remorse Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. Having said it, that deity waited for my approval. Then that deity knowing that I approve her words, worshipped me, circumambulated and vanished from there.

The bhikkhu revering the Teacher’s extinction.

3. Paṭhamasovacassatāsuttaṃ –– First on gentleness

004.03. Bhikkhus, last night, when the night was waning, a certain deity, with a resplendent light illuminated the whole of Jeta’s grove, approached me, worshipped, stood on a side and said:

Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. What seven?

Revering the Teacher, the Teaching, the Community of bhikkhus, the training, concentration, gentleness and spiritual companions Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. Having said it, that deity waited for my approval. Then that deity knowing that I approve her words, worshipped me, circumambulated and vanished from there.

The bhikkhu revering the Teacher, Teaching, Community of bhikkhus,
Concentration, dispelling, revering the training much,
A gentle spiritual friend, mindful and full of respect
Could not decrease, he is close upon extinction.

4. Dutiyasovacassatāsuttaṃ –– Second on gentleness

004.04. Bhikkhus, last night, when the night was waning, a certain deity, with a resplendent light illuminated the whole of Jeta’s grove, approached me, worshipped, stood on a side and said:

Venerable sir, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the bhikkhu. What seven?

When this was said, venerable Sāriputta said thus to The Blessed One: Venerable sir, of this short exposition of The Blessed One, I know the detailed meaning thus: Here, the bhikkhu himself reveres the Teacher, praises revering the Teacher, incites those other bhikkhus who do not revere the Teacher to do it and he praises the bhikkhus who revere the Teacher, at the right time, truthfully. Here, the bhikkhu himself reveres the Teaching, ... re ... the Community, ... re ... the training, ... re ... concentration, ... re ... gentleness, ... re ... and spiritual companionship praises revering spiritual companionship, incites those other bhikkhus who do not revere spiritual companionship to do it and he praises the bhikkhus who revere apiritual companionship, at the right time, truthfully. I know the detailed meaning of this short exposition given by The Blessed One thus: Good! Sāriputta, know the detailed meaning of this short exposition thus. Here, the bhikkhu himself reveres the Teacher, praises revering the Teacher, incites those other bhikkhus who do not revere the Teacher to do it and he praises the bhikkhus who revere the Teacher, at the right time, truthfully. Here, the bhikkhu himself reveres the Teaching, ... re ... the Community, ... re ... the training, ... re ... concentration, ... re ... gentleness, ... re ... and spiritual companionship praises revering spiritual companionship, incites those other bhikkhus who do not revere spiritual companionship to do it and he praises the bhikkhus who revere spiritual companionship, at the right time, truthfully. This is the detailed meaning of the short exposition given by me.

5. Paṭhamamittasuttaṃ –– First on friends

004.05. Bhikkhus, a friend endowed with seven things should be associated. What seven? Gives something difficult to give, does something difficult to do, pardons somebody difficult to pardon, hidden good qualities he discloses, hidden bad qualities he further hides, does not let down one in difficulty, does not belittle even a small gift. A friend endowed with these seven should be associated.

A friend gives something difficult to give and does something difficult to do.
Hidden good qualities are disclosed and hidden evil are further hidden
Does not let down a friend in difficulty and does not belittle even a small gift.
If these qualities are seen in someone, he should be associated as a friend.

6. Dutiyamittasuttaṃ –– Second on friends

004.06. Bhikkhus, a friend endowed with seven things should be associated, even when repelled should be followed after What seven?

Is loveable and agreeable, is reverential, developed, does what he says, says something deep and does not get involved unsuitably. Bhikkhus, a friend endowed with these seven things should be associated, even when repelled should be followed after .

Amiability, reverence, development, not going beyond his words,
And saying something deep, does not get involved,
If these qualities are evident in a person, he should be associated as a friend,
For one’s own good, that friendship should not be destroyed.

7. Paṭhamapaṭisambhidāsuttaṃ –– First on analytical knowledge

004.07. Bhikkhus, the bhikkhu endowed with seven things soon abides by himself realizing the four analytical knowledges. What seven?

Bhikkhus, the bhikkhu knows as it really is, here my mind is sticky; when the mind is internally concentrated knows as it really is, here my mind is concentrated. When the mind is externally distracted knows as it really is, here my mind is externally distracted. Knowing feelings arise to him, with his knowledge they persist and with his knowledge they fade. Knowing perceptions arise to him, with his knowledge they persist and with his knowledge they fade. Knowing thoughts arise to him, with his knowledge they persist and with his knowledge they fade. Unexalted or exalted signs taken up in suitable and unsuitable things, as impure and pure counterparts are wisely considered borne in mind and penetratingly seen Bhikkhus, the bhikkhu endowed with these seven things soon abides by himself realizing the four analytical knowledges.

8. Dutiyapaṭisambhidāsuttaṃ –– Second on analytical knowledge

004.08. Bhikkhus, Sāriputta endowed with seven things abides by himself realizing the four analytical knowledges. What seven?

Here, bhikkhus, Sāriputta knows as it really is, here my mind is sticky; when the mind is internally concentrated knows as it really is, here my mind is concentrated. When the mind is externally distracted knows as it really is, here my mind is externally distracted. Knowing feelings arise to him, with his knowledge they persist and with his knowledge they fade. Knowing perceptions arise to him, with his knowledge they persist and with his knowledge they fade. Knowing thoughts arise to him, with his knowledge they persist and with his knowledge they fade. Unexalted or exalted signs taken up in suitable and unsuitable things, as impure and pure counterparts are wisely considered borne in mind and penetratingly seen Bhikkhus, Sāriputta endowed with these seven things abides by himself realizing the four analytical knowledges.

9. Paṭhamavasasuttaṃ –– First on wielding power

004.09. Bhikkhus, the bhikkhu endowed with seven things wields power over the mind, his mind does not wield power over him; what seven?

Here, the bhikkhu is clever in concentration, clever in attainments of concentration, clever in enduring in concentration, clever in rising from concentrations, is clever in seeing the benefits of concentration, is clever in pasture for concentrations, is clever in throwing out in concentrations. Bhikkhus, the bhikkhu endowed with these seven things wields power over the mind, the mind does not wield power over him.

10. Dutiyavasasuttaṃ –– Second on wielding power

004.10. Bhikkhus, Sāriputta endowed with seven things wields power over the mind, his mind does not wield power over him What seven?

Here, bhikkhus Sāriputta is clever in concentration, clever in attainments of concentration, clever in enduring in concentration, clever in rising from concentrations, is clever in seeing the benefits of concentration, is clever in pasture for concentrations, is clever in throwing out in concentrations. Bhikkhus, Sāriputta endowed with these seven things wields power over the mind, the mind does not wield power over him.

11. Paṭhamaniddasasuttaṃ –– First on distinction

004.11. Venerable Sāriputta putting on robes in the morning, taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Then it occured to venerable Sāriputta, it is too early to go the alms round, what if I go to the monastery of the wandering acetics. Venerable Sāriputta entered the monastery of the wandering ascetics, exchanged friendly greetings with the wandering ascetics of other sects and sat on a side. To the wandering ascetics of other sects assembled there, this conversation arose. “Friends, whoever leads the holy life pure and complete for twelve years, is the bhikkhu of distinction, without any doubts.

Then venerable Sāriputta neither pleased nor showing displeasure for the words of the wandering ascetics of other sects, got up from his seat and went away, thinking I will know the meaning of these words from The Blessed One.

Venerable Sāriputta wandering for alms in Sāvatthi and after the meal, returning from the alms round approachd The Blessed One, worshipped sat on side and said to The Blessed One:

Here, venerable sir, I put on robes in the morning, and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Then it occured to me, it is too early to go for the alms round, what if I go to the monastery of the wandering acetics. Venerable sir, I entered the monastery of the wandering ascetics, exchanged friendly greetings with the wandering ascetics of other sects and sat on a side. To the wandering ascetics of other sects assembled there, this conversation arose. “Friends, whoever leads the holy life pure and complete for twelve years, is the bhikkhu of distinction, without any doubts.

Venerable sir, I was not pleased, not showing displeasure for the words of the wandering ascetics of other sects, I got up from my seat and went away, thinking I will know the meaning of these words from The Blessed One. Venerable sir, is it possible to appoint a bhikkhu of distinction in this dispensation, merely counting the number of rains that he has spent?

Sāriputta, it is not possible to appoint a bhikkhu of distinction in this dispensation, merely by counting the number of rains that he has spent. Sāriputta, I have by myself realized and declare these seven attributes to appoint a bhikkhu of distinct.

What seven? Here, Sāriputta, the bhikkhu has keen interest in observing the precepts, and has not lost the love for future observing of the precepts. The bhikkhu has keen interest in attending to the Teaching, has not lost the love for future attention to the Teaching. The bhikkhu has keen interest in training desires, and has not lost the love for future training of desires. The bhikkhu has keen interest for seclusion, and has not lost the love for future seclusions. The bhikkhu has keen interest for arousing effort, and has not lost the love for future arousing of effort. The bhikkhu has keen interest in careful discriminating mindfulness and has not lost the love for future careful discriminating mindfulness. The bhikkhu has a keen interest to penetrate to right view, and has not lost the love for future penetration to right vīew. Sāriputta, the bhikkhu endowed with these seven attributes leading the holy life complete and pure for twelve years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts. ... re ... for twenty four years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts ... re ... for thirty six years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts ... re ... for forty eight years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts.

12. Dutiyaniddasasuttaṃ –– Second on distinction

004.12. I heard thus. At one time The Blessed One was living in Gosita’s monastery in Kosambi. Venerable Ānanda putting on robes in the morning, taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Then it occured to venerable Ānanda, it is too early to go the alms round, what if I go to the monastery of the wandering acetics. Venerable Ānanda entered the monastery of the wandering ascetics, exchanged friendly greetings with the wandering ascetics of other sects and sat on a side. To the wandering ascetics of other sects assembled there, this conversation arose. “Friends, whoever leads the holy life pure and complete for twelve years, is the bhikkhu of distinction, without any doubts.

Then venerable Ānanda neither pleased nor showing displeasure for the words of the wandering ascetics of other sects, got up from his seat and went away, thinking I will know the meaning of these words from The Blessed One.

Venerable Ānanda wandering for alms in Sāvatthi and after the meal, returning from the alms round approached The Blessed One, worshipped sat on side and said to The Blessed One:

Ānanda, it is not possible to appoint a bhikkhu of distinction in this dispensation, merely by counting the number of rains that he has spent. Ānanda, I have by myself realized and declare these seven attributes to appoint a bhikkhu of distinct.

What seven? Here, Ānanda, the bhikkhu has keen interest in observing the precepts, and has not lost the love for future observing of the precepts. The bhikkhu has keen interest in attending to the Teaching, has not lost the love for future attention to the Teaching. The bhikkhu has keen interest in training desires, and has not lost the love for future training of desires. The bhikkhu has keen interest for seclusion, and has not lost the love for future seclusions. The bhikkhu has keen interest for arousing effort, and has not lost the love for future arousing of effort. The bhikkhu has keen interest in careful discriminating mindfulness and has not lost the love for future careful discriminating mindfulness. The bhikkhu has a keen interest to penetrate to right view, and has not lost the love for future penetration to right vīew. Ānanda, the bhikkhu endowed with these seven attributes leading the holy life complete and pure for twelve years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts. ... re ... for twenty four years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts ... re ... for thirty six years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts ... re ... for forty eight years is a bhikkhu of distinction without any doubts.