1.
The First Discourse on Uruvelā
21.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
There the Blessed One addressed the monks thus:
"Monks."
"Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this:
"On one occasion, monks, I was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the goatherd's banyan tree, newly fully enlightened. When I had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, monks, this reflection arose in my mind: 'It is painful indeed to dwell disrespectful, not deferential. What ascetic or brahmin might I, having honoured and respected, dwell in dependence on?'
"This occurred to me, monks - For the fulfilment of an unfulfilled aggregate of morality, I might dwell in dependence on another ascetic or brahmin, having honoured and respected him. But I do not see in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in morality than myself, whom I might dwell in dependence on, having honoured and respected.
"For the fulfilment of an unfulfilled aggregate of concentration, I might dwell in dependence on another ascetic or brahmin, having honoured and respected him. But I do not see in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in concentration than myself, whom I might dwell in dependence on, having honoured and respected.
"For the fulfilment of an unfulfilled aggregate of wisdom, I might dwell in dependence on another ascetic or brahmin, having honoured and respected him. But I do not see in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in wisdom than myself, whom I might dwell in dependence on, having honoured and respected.
"For the fulfilment of an unfulfilled aggregate of liberation, I might dwell in dependence on another ascetic or brahmin, having honoured and respected him. But I do not see in the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, among the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in liberation than myself, whom I might dwell in dependence on, having honoured and respected."
"This occurred to me, monks - 'What if I were to dwell in dependence on this very Teaching to which I have fully awakened, having honoured and respected it?'
"Then, monks, Brahmā Sahampati, having known with his mind the reflection in my mind - just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, even so - having vanished from the Brahma world, appeared before me. Then, monks, Brahmā Sahampati, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having placed his right knee on the ground, having extended joined palms in salutation towards me, said this to me - 'So it is, Blessed One, so it is, Fortunate One! Those too, venerable sir, who were Worthy Ones, Perfectly Enlightened Ones in the past period of time, those Blessed Ones too dwelt in dependence on the Teaching itself, having honoured and respected it; those too, venerable sir, who will be Worthy Ones, Perfectly Enlightened Ones in the future period of time, those Blessed Ones too will dwell in dependence on the Teaching itself, having honoured and respected it; may the Blessed One too, venerable sir, at present a Worthy One, a Perfectly Enlightened One, dwell in dependence on the Teaching itself, having honoured and respected it.' This Brahmā Sahampati said. Having said this, he further said this -
And he who is now the Perfectly Enlightened One, the destroyer of sorrow for many.
And also they will dwell, this is the nature of Buddhas.
The Good Teaching should be revered, remembering the Buddhas' teaching."
"This, monks, Brahmā Sahampati said. Having said this, having paid respect to me, having circumambulated me keeping me on his right, he disappeared right there. Then I, monks, having understood Brahmā's request and what was proper for myself, dwelt in dependence on this very Teaching to which I have fully awakened, having honoured and respected it. And when, monks, the Community too was possessed of greatness, then I had respect for the Community also." The first.