{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn6.4/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn6.4","id":"suttacentral_sn6.4","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn6.4/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. Now at that time Baka the Divinity had the following harmful misconception: \u201cThis is permanent, this is everlasting, this is eternal, this is whole, this is not liable to pass away. For this is where there\u2019s no being born, growing old, dying, passing away, or being reborn. And there\u2019s no other escape beyond this.\u201d Then the Buddha knew Baka the Divinity\u2019s train of thought. As easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, he vanished from Jeta\u2019s Grove and reappeared in that realm of divinity. Baka the Divinity saw the Buddha coming off in the distance and said to him, \u201cCome, good fellow! Welcome, good fellow! It\u2019s been a long time since you took the opportunity to come here. For this is permanent, this is everlasting, this is eternal, this is whole, this is not liable to pass away. For this is where there\u2019s no being born, growing old, dying, passing away, or being reborn. And there\u2019s no other escape beyond this.\u201d When he had spoken, the Buddha said to him, \u201cAlas, Baka the Divinity is lost in ignorance! Alas, Baka the Divinity is lost in ignorance! Because what is actually impermanent, not lasting, transient, incomplete, and liable to pass away, he says is permanent, everlasting, eternal, whole, and not liable to pass away. And where there is being born, growing old, dying, passing away, and being reborn, he says that there\u2019s no being born, growing old, dying, passing away, or being reborn. And although there is another escape beyond this, he says that there\u2019s no other escape beyond this.\u201d \u201cGotama, we seventy-two merit-makers <j>are now wielders of power, having passed beyond rebirth and old age. This is our last rebirth as the Divinity, <j>O knowledge master. And now many people pray to us.\u201d \u201cBut, Baka, the lifespan here is short, not long, though you think it\u2019s long. A hundred thousand times a hundred million years\u2014 I understand your lifespan, Divinity.\u201d \u201cI am the blessed one of infinite vision, who has gone beyond rebirth and old age and sorrow. What was my past practice of precept and observance? Explain to me so that I may understand.\u201d \u201cYou gave drink to many humans who were oppressed by thirst and heat. That\u2019s your past practice of precept and observance. I recollect it like one who has wakened from sleep. When people at Deer River Bank were seized, you released the captives as they were led away. That\u2019s your past practice of precept and observance. I recollect it like one who has wakened from sleep. When a boat on the Ganges River was seized by a fierce dragon desiring human flesh, you freed it wielding mighty force. That\u2019s your past practice of precept and observance. I recollect it like one who has wakened from sleep. I used to be your footman named Kappa. You thought he was intelligent and loyal. That\u2019s your past practice <j>of precept and observance. I recollect it like one who has wakened from sleep.\u201d \u201cYou certainly understand this lifespan of mine. And others, too, you know; <j>that\u2019s why you\u2019re the Buddha. And that\u2019s why your blazing glory lights up even the realm of divinity.\u201d","title":"With Baka the Divinity","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":546}