{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn1.37/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn1.37","id":"suttacentral_sn1.37","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn1.37/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, in the Great Wood near Kapilavatthu, together with a large Sa\u1e45gha of five hundred mendicants, all of whom were perfected ones. And most of the deities from ten solar systems had gathered to see the Buddha and the Sa\u1e45gha of mendicants. Then four deities of the pure abodes, aware of what was happening, thought: \u201cWhy don\u2019t we go to the Buddha and each recite a verse in his presence?\u201d Then, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, they vanished from the Pure Abodes and reappeared in front of the Buddha. They bowed to the Buddha and stood to one side. Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cThere\u2019s a great congregation in the woods, where heavenly hosts have assembled. We\u2019ve come to this righteous congregation to see the invincible Sa\u1e45gha!\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cThe mendicants there are immersed in sam\u0101dhi, they\u2019ve straightened their own minds. Like a charioteer holding the reins, the astute ones protect their senses.\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cThey snapped the post and snapped the cross-bar, unstirred, they tore out Indra\u2019s pillar. They live pure and immaculate, the young giants tamed by the Clear-eyed One.\u201d Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cAnyone who has gone to the Buddha for refuge won\u2019t go to a plane of loss. After giving up this human body, they swell the heavenly host.\u201d","title":"The Congregation","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":266}