{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn2.30/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn2.30","id":"suttacentral_sn2.30","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn2.30/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near R\u0101jagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels\u2019 feeding ground. Then, late at night, several glorious godlings lit up the entire Bamboo Grove. They were Asama, Sahal\u012b, Ni\u1e45ka, \u0100ko\u1e6daka, Ve\u1e6dambar\u012b, and M\u0101\u1e47avag\u0101miya, and all of them were disciples of various monastics of other religions. They went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side. Standing to one side, the godling Asama spoke this verse about P\u016bra\u1e47a Kassapa in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cIn injuring and killing here, in beating and extortion, Kassapa saw no evil, nor any merit for oneself. What he taught should truly be trusted, he\u2019s worthy of esteem as Teacher.\u201d Then the godling Sahal\u012b spoke this verse about the bamboo-staffed ascetic Gos\u0101la in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cThrough fervent mortification in disgust of sin he became well restrained. He gave up quarreling with people. Refraining from false speech, he spoke the truth. Surely such a man does no wrong!\u201d Then the godling Ni\u1e45ka spoke this verse about the Jain ascetic of the \u00d1\u0101tika clan in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cDisgusted at sin, an alert mendicant, well restrained in the fourfold constraint; explaining what is seen and heard: surely he can be no sinner!\u201d Then the godling \u0100ko\u1e6daka spoke this verse about various sectarian teachers in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cPakudhaka K\u0101tiy\u0101na and the Jain ascetic, as well as this bamboo-staffed ascetic and P\u016bra\u1e47a: Teachers of communities, attained ascetics, surely they weren\u2019t far from truly good men!\u201d Then the godling Ve\u1e6dambar\u012b replied to the godling \u0100ko\u1e6daka in verse: \u201cThough the wretched jackal howls along, it never equals the lion. A nude liar with suspicious conduct, though they teach a community, is not like the good.\u201d Then M\u0101ra the Wicked took possession of the godling Ve\u1e6dambar\u012b and spoke this verse in the Buddha\u2019s presence: \u201cThose dedicated to mortification in disgust of sin, safeguarding their seclusion, entrenched in form, they rejoice in the heavenly realm. Indeed, those mortals give correct instructions regarding the next world.\u201d Then the Buddha, knowing that this was M\u0101ra the Wicked, replied to him in verse: \u201cWhatever forms there are in this life or the next, and those of shining beauty in the sky, all of these you praise, Namuci, like bait tossed out for catching fish.\u201d Then the godling M\u0101\u1e47avag\u0101miya spoke this verse about the Buddha in his presence: \u201cOf all the mountains of R\u0101jagaha, Vepulla\u2019s said to be the best. Seta is the best of the Himalayan peaks, and the sun, of travelers in space. The ocean is the best of seas, and the moon, of lights that shine at night. But in all the world with its gods, the Buddha is declared foremost.\u201d The Linked Discourses on Godlings are complete.","title":"The Disciples of Various Monastics of Other Religions","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":456}