The
Great Assembly
(Maha-samayta-Sutta) (1)
Thus have
I heard:
On one occasion
the Blessed One was living in the Maha-vana (great wood) near
the city of Kapilavatthu in the province of the Sakyans together
with a great retinue of monks, all of them Arahants, and five
hundred in number. Devas (gods) from ten thousand world-systems
frequently assembled for the purpose of seeing the Blessed One
and the Bhikkhu Sangha (ordained monks).
Then to
four devas of the Suddhavasa (pure Abodes) brahma world, this
thought occurred: 'The Blessed One is living in the Mahavana
near the city of Kapilavatthu in the province of the Sakyans
with a great retinue of monks, all of them Arahants, and five
hundred in number. Devas are frequently assembling there for
the purpose of seeing the Blessed One and the Bhikkhu-Sangha.
It is well if we were also to repair to the place where the
Blessed One is, and each of us recite a stanza in his presence.
Then those
devas as quickly as a strong man might stretch out his arm,
or bend his out-stretched arm, vanished from the pure abodes,
and appeared before the Blessed One, saluted him, and stood
beside him. So standing one of the devas recited this stanza
in his presence:
1. 'There
is a great assembly in the forest. A host of devas has assembled.
We have come to this Dhamma-assembly to see the invincible (2)
Sangha.'
Then another
deva recited this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:
2. 'The
monks in this (assembly) (3) have collected
their thoughts, and made their minds upright. The wise (monks)
guard their senses even as a charioteer holds the reins.'
Then another
deva recited this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:
3. 'Having
cut off the stake, having dug up the cross-bar (of lust, hate
and delusion), devoid of desire, they go their way, pure, stainless,
with vision clear, and well tamed, these young Arahants move
about like elephants.' (4)
Then another
deva recited this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:
4. 'They
who go for refuge to the Buddha shall not go to evil state of
existence; but will quit the human body and fill the ranks of
the devas.'
The Blessed
One then addressed the monks: 'Often, monks, devas from the
ten world-systems foregather to see the Tathagata (the Buddha)
and the monks, the community of bhikkhus. Devas have assembled
before the consummate (arahanto), supreme Buddhas of
the past; devas will appear before the consummate, supreme Buddhas
of the future as they do assemble now before me. I will tell
you, monks, the names of the host of devas, I will reveal the
names of the host of devas. Listen, pay attention. I will speak.'
'Yes, Venerable Sir', said the monks by way of assent. The Blessed
One said this: (5)
5-6. 'In
measured speech (6) I will give utterance.
The terrestrial devas remain in their realm. Those bent on meditation
frequent rocky clefts. Well composed they (Arahants) live like
solitary lions overcoming the fear that causes hair to stand
on end, with immaculate minds, pure, serene and undefiled.'
7. Knowing
that there were in the forest, near the city of Kapilavatthu,
five hundred and more disciples, delighted in the word of the
Buddha, the Master thereupon addressed them:
8. 'Monks,
hosts of devas have assembled. Do know them well.' And they
(the monks) hearing the word (sasanam) of the Buddha,
strove ardently (to see and know them).
9. There
arose in them knowledge of perceiving the non-humans. Some saw
one hundred, some thousand non-humans (devas and brahmas), and
others seventy thousand non-humans.
10.Some
saw one hundred thousand non-humans, others saw countless numbers,
every quarter being filled with them.
11. Thereupon
the seeing One (the Buddha) knowing all things through super
knowledge, addressed the disciples delighted in the word of
the Buddha:
12. 'Monks,
host of devas have assembled. I will announce them to you in
words, and in due order. Know ye them.'
13. Seven
thousand terrestrial yakkhas (7)
of Kapilavatthu possessed of iddhi (super normal) power,
radiant, comely, and followed by a retinue of attendants
(8) have come rejoicing to the forest to see (9)
the assembly of (Arahant) monks.
14. Six
thousand Yakkhas from the Himalayan mountain, diverse in hue,
possessed of iddhi power, radiant, comely, and followed
by a retinue of attendants, have come rejoicing to this forest
to see the assembly of monks.
15. Three
thousand Yakkhas from the Sata's mountain (satagira),
diverse in hue, possessed of iddhi power, radiant, comely,
and followed by a retinue of attendants, have come rejoicing
to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
16. Thus
sixteen thousand Yakkhas, diverse in hue, possessed of iddhi
power, radiant, comely, and followed by a retinue of attendants,
have come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
17. Five
hundred Yakkhas from the Vessamitta mountain, diverse in hue,
possessed of iddhi power, radiant, comely, and followed
by a retinue of attendants, have come rejoicing to the forest
to see the assembly of monks.
18. Kumbhira
of Rajagala town, having his dwelling on Vepulla's Mountain,
with more than a hundred thousand Yakkhas in his train, has
come to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
19-20. Dhatarattha,
King of the East, adviser to the Eastern clime, and Chief of
the Gandhabbas, followed by a retinue of attendants, and with
his many mighty sons (devaputtas), Inda their names,
possessed of iddhi power, radiant, comely, and with a
retinue, has come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly
of monks.
21-22. Virulha,
King of the South, adviser to the Southern clime, and Chief
of the Kumbhandas, followed by a retinue of attendants, and
with his many mighty sons, Inda their names, possessed of iddhi
power, radiant, comely, and with a retinue of attendants, has
come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
23-24. Virupakkha,
King of the West, adviser to the Western clime, and Chief of
the Nagas, followed by a retinue of attendants, and with his
many mighty sons, Inda their names, possessed of iddhi
power, radiant, comely, and with a retinue of attendants, has
come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
25-26. Kuvera,
King of the North, adviser to the Northern clime, and Chief
of the Yakkhas, followed by a retinue of attendants, and with
his many mighty sons, Inda their names, possessed of iddhi
power, radiant, comely, and with a retinue of attendants, has
come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
27-28. Dhatarattha
over the East, to the South Virulhaka, Westward Virupakkha,
Kuvera over the North - these four great Kings stood illuminating
the four quarters of the forest in the vicinity of Kapilavatthu.
29. With
them came their crafty, deceitful, cunning slaves: enticing
Kutendu, Vetendu, Vitucca and Vituda.
30. And
(also the slaves) Candana, Kamasettha, Kinnughandu, and Nighandu.
There also came Panada and Opamanna and Matali charioteer of
the Devas.
31. Citta
and Sena, the Ghandhabbas, Nala (kara), Janesabha (Janavasabha,
Pancasikha, the Devas, Timbaru, the Gandhabba, and Suriyavaccasa
(the daughter of Timbaru) also came.
32. Along
with these (Gandhabba) kings, other Gandhabba kings too, have
come rejoicing with each other to the forest to see the assembly
of monks.
33. Then
came the (divine) Nagas of the (lake Nabhasa), those of the
Naga realm Visali together with the Nagas named Tacchaka. Also
came Nagas of Kambala and Assatara and Payaga accompanied by
their relatives.
34. Nagas
from Yamuna, and those of the race of Dhatarattha came with
their retinue of attendants, and Eravana, the great Naga too,
came to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
35. Those
birds (harpies, garula or suppana) who carry away
Nagas by force, endowed with divine power, and twice born (10),
with clear eyes (keen of sight), have flown into the middle
of the forest from the sky - Citra and Supanna are their names.
36. At that
time the Naga king (with other Nagas) were free from fear. The
Buddha vouchsafed his protection to the Nagas from the harpies
(suppana). Entreating one another with gentle words,
the Nagas and Suppanas (harpies) took refuge in the Buddha.
37. The
Asuras dwelling in the ocean were defeated by Vajirahattha (Sakka).
They are brethren of Vasavassa (Sakka) (11) possessed
of iddhi power, and are followed by a retinue of attendants.
38. The
terrible Kalakanjas, the Danaveghasas, Vepacitti, Sucitti and
Paharada - all Asuras have also come with Namuci (the Vasavatti
Mara, the Evil One).
39. Hundreds
of the sons of Bali, all of them named after Veroca (that is
their uncle Rahu), with an armed host of warriors, approached
Rahu (Asurendra, the lord of Asuras), and said: 'Lord, it is
time to go to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
40. The
Devas Apo and Pathavi, Tejo and Vayo (12) have
also come to the forest, and the Devas Varuna, Varuna and Soma
with Yasa.
41-42. There
also came the Devas Metta-kayika and Karunakayika (13)
followed by their attendants. These ten groups of Devas of diverse
hue, possessed of iddhi power, radiant, comely, and with
a retinue of attendants, have come rejoicing to the forest to
see the assembly of monks.
43. The
Devas Venhu, Sahali, Asama, the two Yama, (ka), and those
who attend on the Moon god came preceded by him.
44. Those
Devas attending on the Sun god too, came preceded by him. Those
Devas attending the Planets came preceded by them. The Devas
of the rain clouds too, came.
45. Also
came Sakka, the chief of gods, who is also called Vasava and
Purindada. Also those ten groups of Devas of diverse hue, possessed
of iddhi power, radiant, comely, and with a retinue of
attendants, have come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly
of monks.
47. Then
too, came the Deva Sahabhu, shining like unto a flame of fire,
the Devas Aritthaka, Roja and Ummapupphanibha.
48-49. There
came also the Devas Varuna Sahadhamma, Accuta and Anojaka, Suleyya,
Rucira, and Vasavanesi. All those ten groups of Devas of diverse
hue, possessed of iddhi power, radiant, comely, and with
a retinue of attendants, have come rejoicing to the forest to
see the assembly of monks.
50. The
Devas Samana, Mahasamana, Manusa, Manusuttama, Khiddapadusika
and Manopadusika all have come.
51. Then
came the Devas Hari, those of Lohita, Paraga and Maha-paraga
with their retinue of attendants.
52. All
those ten groups of Devas of diverse hue, possessed of iddhi
power, radiant, comely, and with a retinue of attendants, have
come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
53. There
also came the Devas Sukha, Karumha, Aruna with Veghanasa. The
Deva Odatagayha, Pamokkha, and Vicakkhana also came.
54. Sadamatta,
Haragaja, mighty Missaka and Pajjuna, who causes rain to pour
in every direction, came thundering.
55. All
these ten groups of Devas of diverse hue, possessed of Iddhi
power, radiant, comely, and with a retinue of attendants, have
come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
56. The
Devas Khemiya, Tusita, Yama, the mighty Katthaka, Lambhitaka,
Lamasettha, Joti, and Asava also came.
57-58. There
also came the Devas Nimmanarati, and Paranimmita (Vasavatthi).
All these ten groups of Devas of diverse hue, possessed of Iddhi
power, radiant, comely, and with a retinue of attendants, have
come rejoicing to the forest to see the assembly of monks.
59. These
sixty (six of ten groups, indicated in the order of Apo Deva,
etc.) Devas of diverse hue, according to their name and class,
have come with others (similar in name and class).
60. (These
Devas came saying:) 'Let us see (the Sangha, the Arahant monks),
who have outlived birth, who have removed the stake (of lust,
hate and delusion), who have crossed the four currents or streams
(of sense-pleasures, becoming, wrong views and ignorance) (14)
free from taints. (Let us also see the Buddha) who has crossed
the streams, who is called Naga (in the sense of one who commits
no evil) (15) and shining like the unclouded
moon.
61. The
Brahmas Subrahma and Paramatta, came (with other Brahmas) who
are possessed of iddhi power, and sons (disciples of
the Buddha). The Brahmas Sanankumara and Tissa also came to
the forest (to see the assembly of monks).
62-63. There
is born a Mahabrahma (for every Brahma world) excelling other
Brahmas, mighty in power, with a formidable stature, and of
great glory. Among them, ten chief Brahmas, lords over their
retinues have come, and in the midst of them with all his attendants
came Brahma Harita.
64. When
all the Devas headed by Inda (Sakka), and all Brahmas headed
by Haritta had come, there came the host of Mara. Lo! The folly
of Mara, the Murky One, (Kanha). (16)
65. 'Come
on, seize them, bind them, let them all be bound by lust, surrounded
on every side, suffer not anybody to escape' (Thus Vasavatti
Mara gave order).
66-67. Mara
thus striking the earth with his palm and thereby producing
a dreadful sound as when a storm cloud thunders and causes lightening
during rainy season, sent his black army to the midst of the
Devas. Nevertheless, unable to bring the Devas under his sway,
he filled with anger. He recoiled.
68. Then
the Seeing One (the Buddha) knowing perfectly well what had
transpired, addressed his disciples who take delight in the
word of the Buddha.
69. 'Monks,
the host of Mara have come (and gone). Know them (beware of
them). And they (non-Arahants) hearing the word of the Buddha,
strove (to gain Deliverance) from their defilements. (From the
passion-free Arahants) the army of Mara has departed; even so
much as a hair in them (Arahants) was not affected.
70. 'All
those disciples (monks) are victors in the war of passions;
they are free from fear, glorious and renown among mankind.
They live rejoicing with Aryan disciples.' (Praising thus Mara
departed.)
NOTES:
1. D.
No. 20.
2. Aparajita, because they are Arahants, the Consummate
Ones, who have overcome all defilements.
3. Tatra' in the text means 'there', but the preceding
stanza has 'imam' this (assembly), and the devas are
already in the presence of the Blessed One; so the rending 'in
this'.
4. The word 'naga' admits of dual meaning. It can mean
an elephant, or it can mean an Arahant. An elephant is physically
steadfast, an Arahant can be referred to as one who is mentally
steadfast. He is faultless: he does no evil. 'Na hi agum
karoti so' vide Thera gatha, No. 692, cf. Sutta-nipata,
stanza 522.
5. In most of the Paritta books the numbering of stanzas
is not consecutive. I have adopted a consecutive method.
6. Akkhara pada niyamitam vacanam, Com.
7. Yakkha here used in the sense of Devas.
8. Parivara sampanna, Com.
9. Bhikkhu das anatthaya agata, Com. This meaning is
clear from the words dakkhitaya (to see) stanza No.1,
dakkhema (shall see) No. 60.
10. Twice-born is a reference to birds since they first come
out as an egg, and when hatched a complete bird is born.
11. Vajirahattha and Vasavassa are other names
for Sakka, the chief of Devas.
12. The Devas born in brahma-loka by practicing the kasina
or devices for concentration, namely: water (apo) kasina;
earth (pathavi) kasina; fire (tejo) kasina; air
(vayo) kasina.
13. The Devas who have developed jhana, or mental absorption
by practicing metta and karuna, lovingkindness
and compassion, two of the four sublime states (brahma-vihara).
14. Kama-ogha, bhava-o., ditthi-o., avijja-o.
15. See above comment No. 4.
16. Kanha, is a name for Mara.