---
title: "Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 26 of 70
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/26/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya, section 26. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/26/"
---

# Long Discourses · Dīgha Nikāya

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

The thirty-four long discourses of the Buddha: the Divine Net of views, the fruits of the ascetic life, the Great Discourse on Mindfulness, and the last days and passing of the Buddha.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 26. DN 14 · The Great Discourse on Traces Left Behind · part 4

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/26/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-digha-nikaya/26/#p-N

[¶0] The Buddha Vipassī taught them step by step, with a talk on giving, ethical conduct, and heaven. He revealed the drawbacks of sensual pleasures, so sordid and corrupt, and the benefit of renunciation. And when he knew that their minds were ready, pliable, rid of hindrances, elated, and confident he revealed the special teaching of the Buddhas: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. Just as a clean cloth rid of stains would properly absorb dye, in that very seat the stainless, immaculate vision of the Dhamma arose in those 84,000 people: ‘Everything that is liable to arise is liable to cease.’

> Pali: Tesaṁ vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho anupubbiṁ kathaṁ kathesi. Seyyathidaṁ—dānakathaṁ sīlakathaṁ saggakathaṁ kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ pakāsesi. Yadā te bhagavā aññāsi kallacitte muducitte vinīvaraṇacitte udaggacitte pasannacitte, atha yā buddhānaṁ sāmukkaṁsikā dhammadesanā, taṁ pakāsesi— dukkhaṁ samudayaṁ nirodhaṁ maggaṁ. Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya; evameva tesaṁ caturāsītipāṇasahassānaṁ tasmiṁyeva āsane virajaṁ vītamalaṁ dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi: ‘yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ nirodhadhamman’ti.

[¶1] They saw, attained, understood, and fathomed the Dhamma. They went beyond doubt, got rid of indecision, and became self-assured and independent of others regarding the Teacher’s instructions. They said to the Buddha Vipassī, ‘Excellent, sir! Excellent!’ And just like Khaṇḍa and Tissa they asked for and received ordination. Then the Buddha taught them further.

> Pali: Te diṭṭhadhammā pattadhammā viditadhammā pariyogāḷhadhammā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane vipassiṁ bhagavantaṁ arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante. Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: “cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī”ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Ete mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Labheyyāma mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ labheyyāma upasampadan’ti.

[¶2] Being taught like this their minds were soon freed from defilements by not grasping.

> Pali: Alatthuṁ kho, bhikkhave, tāni caturāsītipāṇasahassāni vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa santike pabbajjaṁ, alatthuṁ upasampadaṁ. Te vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi; saṅkhārānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ nibbāne ānisaṁsaṁ pakāsesi. Tesaṁ vipassinā bhagavatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena dhammiyā kathāya sandassiyamānānaṁ samādapiyamānānaṁ samuttejiyamānānaṁ sampahaṁsiyamānānaṁ nacirasseva anupādāya āsavehi cittāni vimucciṁsu.

[¶3] 15. The 84,000 Who Had Gone Forth Previously

> Pali: 15. Purimapabbajitānaṁ dhammābhisamaya

[¶4] The 84,000 people who had gone forth previously also heard: ‘It seems the Blessed One Vipassī, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, has arrived at Bandhumatī and is staying in the deer park named Sanctuary. And he is teaching the Dhamma!’ Then they too went to the Buddha Vipassī, realized the Dhamma, went forth, and became freed from defilements.

> Pali: Assosuṁ kho, bhikkhave, tāni purimāni caturāsītipabbajitasahassāni: ‘vipassī kira bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bandhumatiṁ rājadhāniṁ anuppatto kheme migadāye viharati, dhammañca kira desetī’ti. Atha kho, bhikkhave, tāni caturāsītipabbajitasahassāni yena bandhumatī rājadhānī yena khemo migadāyo yena vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā vipassiṁ bhagavantaṁ arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu.

[¶5] > Pali: Tesaṁ vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho anupubbiṁ kathaṁ kathesi. Seyyathidaṁ—dānakathaṁ sīlakathaṁ saggakathaṁ kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ nekkhamme ānisaṁsaṁ pakāsesi. Yadā te bhagavā aññāsi kallacitte muducitte vinīvaraṇacitte udaggacitte pasannacitte, atha yā buddhānaṁ sāmukkaṁsikā dhammadesanā, taṁ pakāsesi— dukkhaṁ samudayaṁ nirodhaṁ maggaṁ. Seyyathāpi nāma suddhaṁ vatthaṁ apagatakāḷakaṁ sammadeva rajanaṁ paṭiggaṇheyya; evameva tesaṁ caturāsītipabbajitasahassānaṁ tasmiṁyeva āsane virajaṁ vītamalaṁ dhammacakkhuṁ udapādi: ‘yaṁ kiñci samudayadhammaṁ sabbaṁ taṁ nirodhadhamman’ti.

[¶6] > Pali: Te diṭṭhadhammā pattadhammā viditadhammā pariyogāḷhadhammā tiṇṇavicikicchā vigatakathaṅkathā vesārajjappattā aparappaccayā satthusāsane vipassiṁ bhagavantaṁ arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante. Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya: “cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī”ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Ete mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāma dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Labheyyāma mayaṁ, bhante, bhagavato santike pabbajjaṁ labheyyāma upasampadan’ti.

[¶7] > Pali: Alatthuṁ kho, bhikkhave, tāni caturāsītipabbajitasahassāni vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa santike pabbajjaṁ alatthuṁ upasampadaṁ. Te vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi; saṅkhārānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ nibbāne ānisaṁsaṁ pakāsesi. Tesaṁ vipassinā bhagavatā arahatā sammāsambuddhena dhammiyā kathāya sandassiyamānānaṁ samādapiyamānānaṁ samuttejiyamānānaṁ sampahaṁsiyamānānaṁ nacirasseva anupādāya āsavehi cittāni vimucciṁsu.

[¶8] 16. The Allowance to Wander

> Pali: 16. Cārikāanujānana

[¶9] Now at that time a large Saṅgha of 6,800,000 mendicants were residing at Bandhumatī. As the Buddha Vipassī was in private retreat this thought came to his mind, ‘The Saṅgha residing at Bandhumatī now is large. What if I was to urge them:

> Pali: Tena kho pana, bhikkhave, samayena bandhumatiyā rājadhāniyā mahābhikkhusaṅgho paṭivasati aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ. Atha kho, bhikkhave, vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘mahā kho etarahi bhikkhusaṅgho bandhumatiyā rājadhāniyā paṭivasati aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ, yannūnāhaṁ bhikkhū anujāneyyaṁ:

[¶10] “Wander forth, mendicants, for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. Let not two go by one road. Teach the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. There are beings with little dust in their eyes. They’re in decline because they haven’t heard the teaching. There will be those who understand the teaching! But when six years have passed, you must all come to Bandhumatī to recite the monastic code.”’

> Pali: “caratha, bhikkhave, cārikaṁ bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ; mā ekena dve agamittha; desetha, bhikkhave, dhammaṁ ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsetha. Santi sattā apparajakkhajātikā, assavanatā dhammassa parihāyanti, bhavissanti dhammassa aññātāro. Api ca channaṁ channaṁ vassānaṁ accayena bandhumatī rājadhānī upasaṅkamitabbā pātimokkhuddesāyā”’ti.

[¶11] Then a certain Great Divinity, knowing the Buddha Vipassī’s train of thought, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from the realm of divinity and reappeared in front of the Buddha Vipassī. He arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his cupped palms toward the Buddha Vipassī, and said, ‘That’s so true, Blessed One! That’s so true, Holy One! The Saṅgha residing at Bandhumatī now is large. Please urge them to wander, as you thought. And sir, I’ll make sure that when six years have passed the mendicants will return to Bandhumatī to recite the monastic code.’

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, aññataro mahābrahmā vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito vipassissa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa purato pāturahosi. Atha kho so, bhikkhave, mahābrahmā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā yena vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā vipassiṁ bhagavantaṁ arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ etadavoca: ‘evametaṁ, bhagavā, evametaṁ, sugata. Mahā kho, bhante, etarahi bhikkhusaṅgho bandhumatiyā rājadhāniyā paṭivasati aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ, anujānātu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhū: “caratha, bhikkhave, cārikaṁ bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ; mā ekena dve agamittha; desetha, bhikkhave, dhammaṁ ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsetha. Santi sattā apparajakkhajātikā, assavanatā dhammassa parihāyanti, bhavissanti dhammassa aññātāro”ti. Api ca, bhante, mayaṁ tathā karissāma yathā bhikkhū channaṁ channaṁ vassānaṁ accayena bandhumatiṁ rājadhāniṁ upasaṅkamissanti pātimokkhuddesāyā’ti.

[¶12] That is what that Great Divinity said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha Vipassī, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.

> Pali: Idamavoca, bhikkhave, so mahābrahmā. Idaṁ vatvā vipassiṁ bhagavantaṁ arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tattheva antaradhāyi.

[¶13] Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha Vipassī came out of retreat and addressed the mendicants, telling them all that had happened. Then he said,

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito bhikkhū āmantesi: ‘idha mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: “mahā kho etarahi bhikkhusaṅgho bandhumatiyā rājadhāniyā paṭivasati aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ bhikkhū anujāneyyaṁ— caratha, bhikkhave, cārikaṁ bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ; mā ekena dve agamittha; desetha, bhikkhave, dhammaṁ ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsetha. Santi sattā apparajakkhajātikā, assavanatā dhammassa parihāyanti, bhavissanti dhammassa aññātāro. Api ca channaṁ channaṁ vassānaṁ accayena bandhumatī rājadhānī upasaṅkamitabbā pātimokkhuddesāyā”’ti.

[¶14] > Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, aññataro mahābrahmā mama cetasā cetoparivitakkamaññāya seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—brahmaloke antarahito mama purato pāturahosi. Atha kho so, bhikkhave, mahābrahmā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā yenāhaṁ tenañjaliṁ paṇāmetvā maṁ etadavoca: ‘evametaṁ, bhagavā, evametaṁ, sugata. Mahā kho, bhante, etarahi bhikkhusaṅgho bandhumatiyā rājadhāniyā paṭivasati aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ. Anujānātu, bhante, bhagavā bhikkhū— caratha, bhikkhave, cārikaṁ bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ; mā ekena dve agamittha; desetha, bhikkhave, dhammaṁ …pe… santi sattā apparajakkhajātikā, assavanatā dhammassa parihāyanti, bhavissanti dhammassa aññātāroti. Api ca, bhante, mayaṁ tathā karissāma, yathā bhikkhū channaṁ channaṁ vassānaṁ accayena bandhumatiṁ rājadhāniṁ upasaṅkamissanti pātimokkhuddesāyā’ti.

[¶15] > Pali: Idamavoca, bhikkhave, so mahābrahmā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tattheva antaradhāyi.

[¶16] ‘Wander forth, mendicants, for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. Let not two go by one road. Teach the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. There are beings with little dust in their eyes. They’re in decline because they haven’t heard the teaching. There will be those who understand the teaching! But when six years have passed, you must all come to Bandhumatī to recite the monastic code.’

> Pali: ‘Anujānāmi, bhikkhave, caratha cārikaṁ bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ; mā ekena dve agamittha; desetha, bhikkhave, dhammaṁ ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsetha. Santi sattā apparajakkhajātikā, assavanatā dhammassa parihāyanti, bhavissanti dhammassa aññātāro. Api ca, bhikkhave, channaṁ channaṁ vassānaṁ accayena bandhumatī rājadhānī upasaṅkamitabbā pātimokkhuddesāyā’ti.

[¶17] Then most of the mendicants left to wander the country that very day.

> Pali: Atha kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhū yebhuyyena ekāheneva janapadacārikaṁ pakkamiṁsu.

[¶18] Now at that time there were 84,000 monasteries in the Black Plum Tree Land. And when the first year came to an end the deities raised the cry: ‘Good fellows, the first year has ended. Now five years are left. When five years have passed, you must all go to Bandhumatī to recite the monastic code.’

> Pali: Tena kho pana samayena jambudīpe caturāsīti āvāsasahassāni honti. Ekamhi hi vasse nikkhante devatā saddamanussāvesuṁ: ‘nikkhantaṁ kho, mārisā, ekaṁ vassaṁ; pañca dāni vassāni sesāni; pañcannaṁ vassānaṁ accayena bandhumatī rājadhānī upasaṅkamitabbā pātimokkhuddesāyā’ti.

[¶19] And when the second year … the third year … the fourth year … the fifth year came to an end, the deities raised the cry: ‘Good fellows, the fifth year has ended. Now one year is left. When one year has passed, you must all go to Bandhumatī to recite the monastic code.’

> Pali: Dvīsu vassesu nikkhantesu … tīsu vassesu nikkhantesu … catūsu vassesu nikkhantesu … pañcasu vassesu nikkhantesu devatā saddamanussāvesuṁ: ‘nikkhantāni kho, mārisā, pañcavassāni; ekaṁ dāni vassaṁ sesaṁ; ekassa vassassa accayena bandhumatī rājadhānī upasaṅkamitabbā pātimokkhuddesāyā’ti.

[¶20] And when the sixth year came to an end the deities raised the cry: ‘Good fellows, the sixth year has ended. Now is the time that you must go to Bandhumatī to recite the monastic code.’ Then that very day the mendicants went to Bandhumatī to recite the monastic code. Some went by their own psychic power, and some by the psychic power of the deities.

> Pali: Chasu vassesu nikkhantesu devatā saddamanussāvesuṁ: ‘nikkhantāni kho, mārisā, chabbassāni, samayo dāni bandhumatiṁ rājadhāniṁ upasaṅkamituṁ pātimokkhuddesāyā’ti. Atha kho te, bhikkhave, bhikkhū appekacce sakena iddhānubhāvena appekacce devatānaṁ iddhānubhāvena ekāheneva bandhumatiṁ rājadhāniṁ upasaṅkamiṁsu pātimokkhuddesāyāti.

[¶21] And there the Blessed One Vipassī, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha, recited the monastic code thus:

> Pali: Tatra sudaṁ, bhikkhave, vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho bhikkhusaṅghe evaṁ pātimokkhaṁ uddisati:

[¶22] ‘Patient acceptance is the ultimate fervor.
Extinguishment is the ultimate, say the Buddhas.
No true renunciate injures another,
nor does an ascetic hurt another.

> Pali: ‘Khantī paramaṁ tapo titikkhā,
Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ vadanti buddhā;
Na hi pabbajito parūpaghātī,
Na samaṇo hoti paraṁ viheṭhayanto.

[¶23] Not to do any evil;
to embrace the good;
to purify one’s mind:
this is the instruction of the Buddhas.

> Pali: Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṁ,
kusalassa upasampadā;
Sacittapariyodapanaṁ,
etaṁ buddhānasāsanaṁ.

[¶24] Not speaking ill nor doing harm;
restraint in the monastic code;
moderation in eating;
staying in remote lodgings;
commitment to the higher mind—
this is the instruction of the Buddhas.’

> Pali: Anūpavādo anūpaghāto,
Pātimokkhe ca saṁvaro;
Mattaññutā ca bhattasmiṁ,
Pantañca sayanāsanaṁ;
Adhicitte ca āyogo,
Etaṁ buddhānasāsanan’ti.

[¶25] 17. Being Informed by Deities

> Pali: 17. Devatārocana

[¶26] This one time, mendicants, I was staying near Ukkaṭṭhā in the Subhaga Forest at the root of a magnificent sal tree. As I was in private retreat this thought came to mind, ‘It’s not easy to find an abode of sentient beings where I haven’t previously abided in all this long time, except the gods of the pure abodes. Why don’t I go to see them?’

> Pali: Ekamidāhaṁ, bhikkhave, samayaṁ ukkaṭṭhāyaṁ viharāmi subhagavane sālarājamūle. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, rahogatassa paṭisallīnassa evaṁ cetaso parivitakko udapādi: ‘na kho so sattāvāso sulabharūpo, yo mayā anāvutthapubbo iminā dīghena addhunā aññatra suddhāvāsehi devehi. Yannūnāhaṁ yena suddhāvāsā devā tenupasaṅkameyyan’ti.

[¶27] Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, I vanished from the Subhaga Forest and reappeared with the gods of Aviha.

> Pali: Atha khvāhaṁ, bhikkhave, seyyathāpi nāma balavā puriso samiñjitaṁ vā bāhaṁ pasāreyya, pasāritaṁ vā bāhaṁ samiñjeyya; evameva—ukkaṭṭhāyaṁ subhagavane sālarājamūle antarahito avihesu devesu pāturahosiṁ.

[¶28] In that order of gods, many thousands, many hundreds of thousands of deities approached me, bowed, stood to one side, and said to me, ‘Ninety-one eons ago, good fellow, the Buddha Vipassī arose in the world, perfected and fully awakened. He was born as an aristocrat into an aristocrat family. Koṇḍañña was his clan. He lived for 80,000 years. He was awakened at the root of a patala tree. He had a fine pair of chief disciples named Khaṇḍa and Tissa. He had three gatherings of disciples—one of 6,800,000, one of 100,000, and one of 80,000—all of them mendicants who had ended their defilements. He had as chief attendant a mendicant named Asoka. His father was King Bandhumā, his birth mother was Queen Bandhumatī, and their capital city was named Bandhumatī. And such was his renunciation, such his going forth, such his striving, such his awakening, and such his rolling forth of the Wheel of Dhamma. And good fellow, after leading the spiritual life under that Buddha Vipassī we lost our desire for sensual pleasures and were reborn here.’

> Pali: Tasmiṁ, bhikkhave, devanikāye anekāni devatāsahassāni anekāni devatāsatasahassāni yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, tā devatā maṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘ito so, mārisā, ekanavutikappe yaṁ vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Vipassī, mārisā, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho khattiyo jātiyā ahosi, khattiyakule udapādi. Vipassī, mārisā, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho koṇḍañño gottena ahosi. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asītivassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Vipassī, mārisā, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho pāṭaliyā mūle abhisambuddho. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa khaṇḍatissaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi bhikkhusatasahassaṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi asītibhikkhusahassāni. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ime tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asoko nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa bandhumā nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Bandhumatī nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Bandhumassa rañño bandhumatī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa evaṁ abhinikkhamanaṁ ahosi evaṁ pabbajjā evaṁ padhānaṁ evaṁ abhisambodhi evaṁ dhammacakkappavattanaṁ. Te mayaṁ, mārisā, vipassimhi bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā kāmesu kāmacchandaṁ virājetvā idhūpapannā’ti …

[¶29] And other deities came and similarly recounted the details of the Buddhas Sikhī, Vessabhū, Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, and Kassapa.

> Pali: pe…

[¶30] In that order of gods, many thousands, many hundreds of thousands of deities approached me, bowed, stood to one side, and said to me, ‘In the present fortunate eon, good fellow, you have arisen in the world, perfected and fully awakened. You were born as an aristocrat into an aristocrat family. Gotama is your clan. For you the lifespan is short, brief, and fleeting. A long life is a hundred years or a little more. You were awakened at the root of a peepal tree. You have a fine pair of chief disciples named Sāriputta and Moggallāna. You have had one gathering of disciples—1,250 mendicants who had ended their defilements. You have as chief attendant a mendicant named Ānanda. Your father was King Suddhodana, your birth mother was Queen Māyā, and your capital city was Kapilavatthu. And such was your renunciation, such your going forth, such your striving, such your awakening, and such your rolling forth of the Wheel of Dhamma. And good fellow, after leading the spiritual life under you we lost our desire for sensual pleasures and were reborn here.’

> Pali: Tasmiṁyeva kho, bhikkhave, devanikāye anekāni devatāsahassāni anekāni devatāsatasahassāni yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, tā devatā maṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘imasmiṁyeva kho, mārisā, bhaddakappe bhagavā etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke uppanno. Bhagavā, mārisā, khattiyo jātiyā khattiyakule uppanno. Bhagavā, mārisā, gotamo gottena. Bhagavato, mārisā, appakaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ yo ciraṁ jīvati, so vassasataṁ appaṁ vā bhiyyo. Bhagavā, mārisā, assatthassa mūle abhisambuddho. Bhagavato, mārisā, sāriputtamoggallānaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Bhagavato, mārisā, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi aḍḍhateḷasāni bhikkhusatāni. Bhagavato, mārisā, ayaṁ eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ. Bhagavato, mārisā, ānando nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Bhagavato, mārisā, suddhodano nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Māyā nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Kapilavatthu nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi. Bhagavato, mārisā, evaṁ abhinikkhamanaṁ ahosi evaṁ pabbajjā evaṁ padhānaṁ evaṁ abhisambodhi evaṁ dhammacakkappavattanaṁ. Te mayaṁ, mārisā, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā kāmesu kāmacchandaṁ virājetvā idhūpapannā’ti.

[¶31] Then together with the gods of Aviha I went to see the gods of Atappa … the gods fair to see … and the fair seeing gods. Then together with all these gods I went to see the gods of Akaniṭṭha, where we had a similar conversation.

> Pali: Atha khvāhaṁ, bhikkhave, avihehi devehi saddhiṁ yena atappā devā tenupasaṅkamiṁ …pe… atha khvāhaṁ, bhikkhave, avihehi ca devehi atappehi ca devehi saddhiṁ yena sudassā devā tenupasaṅkamiṁ. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhikkhave, avihehi ca devehi atappehi ca devehi sudassehi ca devehi saddhiṁ yena sudassī devā tenupasaṅkamiṁ. Atha khvāhaṁ, bhikkhave, avihehi ca devehi atappehi ca devehi sudassehi ca devehi sudassīhi ca devehi saddhiṁ yena akaniṭṭhā devā tenupasaṅkamiṁ. Tasmiṁ, bhikkhave, devanikāye anekāni devatāsahassāni anekāni devatāsatasahassāni yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu, upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, tā devatā maṁ etadavocuṁ:

[¶32] > Pali: ‘ito so, mārisā, ekanavutikappe yaṁ vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Vipassī, mārisā, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho khattiyo jātiyā ahosi. Khattiyakule udapādi. Vipassī, mārisā, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho koṇḍañño gottena ahosi. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asītivassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Vipassī, mārisā, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho pāṭaliyā mūle abhisambuddho. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa khaṇḍatissaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi bhikkhusatasahassaṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi asītibhikkhusahassāni. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ime tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asoko nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa bandhumā nāma rājā pitā ahosi bandhumatī nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Bandhumassa rañño bandhumatī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi. Vipassissa, mārisā, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa evaṁ abhinikkhamanaṁ ahosi evaṁ pabbajjā evaṁ padhānaṁ evaṁ abhisambodhi, evaṁ dhammacakkappavattanaṁ. Te mayaṁ, mārisā, vipassimhi bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā kāmesu kāmacchandaṁ virājetvā idhūpapannā’ti. Tasmiṁyeva kho, bhikkhave, devanikāye anekāni devatāsahassāni anekāni devatāsatasahassāni yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, tā devatā maṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘ito so, mārisā, ekatiṁse kappe yaṁ sikhī bhagavā …pe… te mayaṁ, mārisā, sikhimhi bhagavati tasmiññeva kho, mārisā, ekatiṁse kappe yaṁ vessabhū bhagavā …pe… te mayaṁ, mārisā, vessabhumhi bhagavati …pe… imasmiṁyeva kho, mārisā, bhaddakappe kakusandho koṇāgamano kassapo bhagavā …pe… te mayaṁ, mārisā, kakusandhamhi koṇāgamanamhi kassapamhi bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā kāmesu kāmacchandaṁ virājetvā idhūpapannā’ti.

[¶33] > Pali: Tasmiṁyeva kho, bhikkhave, devanikāye anekāni devatāsahassāni anekāni devatāsatasahassāni yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, tā devatā maṁ etadavocuṁ: ‘imasmiṁyeva kho, mārisā, bhaddakappe bhagavā etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke uppanno. Bhagavā, mārisā, khattiyo jātiyā, khattiyakule uppanno. Bhagavā, mārisā, gotamo gottena. Bhagavato, mārisā, appakaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ yo ciraṁ jīvati, so vassasataṁ appaṁ vā bhiyyo. Bhagavā, mārisā, assatthassa mūle abhisambuddho. Bhagavato, mārisā, sāriputtamoggallānaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Bhagavato, mārisā, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi aḍḍhateḷasāni bhikkhusatāni. Bhagavato, mārisā, ayaṁ eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ. Bhagavato, mārisā, ānando nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko aggupaṭṭhāko ahosi. Bhagavato, mārisā, suddhodano nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Māyā nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Kapilavatthu nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi. Bhagavato, mārisā, evaṁ abhinikkhamanaṁ ahosi, evaṁ pabbajjā, evaṁ padhānaṁ, evaṁ abhisambodhi, evaṁ dhammacakkappavattanaṁ. Te mayaṁ, mārisā, bhagavati brahmacariyaṁ caritvā kāmesu kāmacchandaṁ virājetvā idhūpapannā’ti.

[¶34] And that is how the Realized One is able to recollect the birth, names, clans, lifespan, chief disciples, and gatherings of disciples of the Buddhas of the past who have become fully quenched, cut off proliferation, cut off the course, finished off the cycle, and passed beyond all suffering. It is both because I have clearly penetrated the principle of the teachings, and also because the deities told me.”

> Pali: Iti kho, bhikkhave, tathāgatassevesā dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ’ itipi. ‘Evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ’ itipīti. Devatāpi tathāgatassa etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ, yena tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ’ itipi. ‘Evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ’ itipī”ti.

[¶35] That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

> Pali: Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

[¶36] > Pali: Mahāpadānasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.