From this book you will learn about the gods that live in the highest heavens, the brahma realms. You will see how arrogant gods became disciples of the Buddha. These stories are a translation of the Brahma Samyutta in the Samyutta Nikaya, found in the Sutta Pitaka.
KokΔlika Chapter
1. AyΔcana SuttaαΉ: The Discourse on Brahmaβs Request
2. GΔrava SuttaαΉ: The Discourse on Honoring the Teacher
3. Brahmadeva SuttaαΉ: Discourse on Brahmadeva Bhante
4. Baka Brahma SuttaαΉ: The Discourse Given to Brahma Baka
5. AparΔ DiαΉαΉhi SuttaαΉ: The Discourse about a Certain Wrong View of a Brahma
6. PamΔda SuttaαΉ: The Discourse about the Negligence of a Certain Brahma
7. KokΔlika SuttaαΉ: The Discourse about Monk KokΔlika
8. Katamoraka Tissa SuttaαΉ: The Discourse about Monk Katamoraka Tissa
9. Tudu Brahma SuttaαΉ: The Discourse About Brahma Tudu
10. Dutiya KokΔlika SuttaαΉ: The Second Discourse about Monk KokΔlika
Final Extinguishing Chapter
11. SanaαΉ
kumΔra SuttaαΉ: The Discourse Given to Brahma SanaαΉ
kumΔra Approving His Verse
12. Devadatta SuttaαΉ: The Discourse Given to Brahma Sahampati Approving His Verse about Devadatta
13. Andhakavinda SuttaαΉ: The Discourse of Approving the Verses Recited by Brahma Sahampati in the City of Andhakavinda
14. Arunavati SuttaαΉ: The Discourse of the Arunavati Capital
15. ParinibbΔna SuttaαΉ: The Discourse about the Final Extinguishing of the Buddha
2. GΔrava SuttaαΉ:Β The Discourse on Honoring the Teacher
This is how I heard. One time the Blessed One was staying at the province of UruvelΔ on the NeraΓ±jarΔ river bank at the foot of the Goatherdβs Banyan Tree, just after he had become fully enlightened. Then, while the Blessed One was alone in meditation, a thought occurred in his mind thus: βOne lives in suffering if one is without a teacher and the guidance of a teacher. Now what ascetic or Brahmin can I honor, respect and stay following his guidance?β
Then it occurred to the Blessed One: βIt would be for the sake of fulfilling an unfulfilled aspect of virtue that I would honor, respect, and stay following the guidance of another ascetic or Brahmin. However, in this world with its gods, MΔra, and brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and Brahmins, its gods and humans, I do not see another ascetic or Brahmin more perfect in virtue than myself, whom I could honor, respect, and remain following his guidance.
It would be for the sake of fulfilling an unfulfilled aspect of concentration that I would honor, respect, and stay following the guidance of another ascetic or Brahmin. However, in this world with its gods, MΔra, and brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and Brahmins, its gods and humans, I do not see another ascetic or Brahmin more perfect in concentration than myself, whom I could honor, respect, and stay following his guidance.
It would be for the sake of fulfilling an unfulfilled aspect of wisdom that I would honor, respect, and stay following the guidance of another ascetic or Brahmin. However, in this world with its gods, MΔra, and brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and Brahmins, its gods and humans, I do not see another ascetic or Brahmin more perfect in wisdom than myself, whom I could honor, respect, and stay following his guidance.
It would be for the sake of fulfilling an unfulfilled aspect of liberation that I would honor, respect, and stay following the guidance of another ascetic or Brahmin. However, in this world with its gods, MΔra, and brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and Brahmins, its gods and humans, I do not see another ascetic or Brahmin more perfect in liberation than myself, whom I could honor, respect, and stay following his guidance.
It would be for the sake of fulfilling an unfulfilled aspect of the knowledge and vision of liberation that I would honor, respect, and stay following the guidance of another ascetic or Brahmin. However, in this world with its gods, MΔra, and brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and Brahmins, its gods and humans, I do not see another ascetic or Brahmin more perfect in the knowledge and vision of liberation than myself, whom I could honor, respect, and stay following his guidance.
Therefore, let me honor and live in dependence on this very Dhamma as my teacher, which I have fully realized.β
Then brahma Sahampati, having known the reflection in the Blessed Oneβs mind, just as quickly as a strong man extends his drawn-in arm or draws in his extended arm, disappeared from the brahma world and reappeared in front of the Blessed One. Brahma Sahampati arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, knelt down with his right knee on the ground, worshipping respectfully, he said to the Blessed One: βSo it is, Blessed One! So it is, Well Gone One! Bhante, those who were the Arahants, the Supremely Enlightened Buddhas in the pastβthose Blessed Ones too honored, respected, and lived in dependence just on the Dhamma itself as a teacher. Those who will be the Arahants, the Supremely Enlightened Buddhas in the futureβthose Blessed Ones too will honor, respect, and live in dependence just on the Dhamma itself as a teacher. Let the Blessed One too, who is at present the Arahant, the Supremely Enlightened One, honor, respect, and live in dependence just on the Dhamma itself as a teacher.β
This is what brahma Sahampati said. Having said this, he further said this in verse:
βThere lived the Supreme Buddhas in the past. There will live the Buddhas in the future. Removing the sorrow of many beings, there lives the Supreme Buddha in the present.
βAll the Buddhas who lived, will live, and live now, regarded the Dhamma as their teacher, deeply respecting it. This is a natural law for all the Buddhas.
βTherefore, the person desiring his own good, wishing for great spiritual growth, should deeply respect the Supreme Dhamma, recollecting the Buddhaβs training.β
In Sri Lanka
All of these books are available at the book shops in our monasteries and our online store Mahamegha.store
In Colombo they are available at the Tripitaka Sadaham Poth Medura in the YMBA building on Austin Place. Phone 01 14 255 987.
