{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn1.31/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn1.31","id":"suttacentral_sn1.31","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn1.31/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near S\u0101vatth\u012b in Jeta\u2019s Grove, An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika\u2019s monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the host of a hundred felicities, lighting up the entire Jeta\u2019s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cAssociate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, things get better, not worse.\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cAssociate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, wisdom is gained\u2014but not from anyone else.\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cAssociate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you grieve not among the grieving.\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cAssociate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you dazzle among your relatives.\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cAssociate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, sentient beings go to a good place.\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cAssociate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, sentient beings live happily.\u201d Then another deity said to the Buddha, \u201cSir, who has spoken well?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also: Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you\u2019re released from all suffering.\u201d That is what the Buddha said. Delighted, those deities bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before vanishing right there.","title":"Virtuous","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":333}