7.
The Discourse on the Great Congregation
331.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones;
and deities from ten world systems had for the most part gathered together to see the Blessed One and the Community of monks.
Then this occurred to four deities belonging to the Pure Abodes -
"This Blessed One is dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood together with a large Community of monks, about five hundred monks, all of them Worthy Ones;
and deities from ten world systems had for the most part gathered together to see the Blessed One and the Community of monks.
What if we too were to approach the Blessed One;
having approached, we should each speak a verse in the presence of the Blessed One."
332.
Then those deities, just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, even so, having vanished from among the Pure Abode gods, appeared before the Blessed One.
Then those deities, having paid respect to the Blessed One, stood to one side.
Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
We have come to this Teaching assembly, to see the unconquered Community."
Then another deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
Like a charioteer having taken the reins, the wise ones guard their faculties."
Then another deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
They walk about pure, spotless, well tamed by the one with vision, young elephants."
Then another deity spoke this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
Having abandoned the human body, they will fill up the group of gods."
The Gathering of Deities
333.
Then the Blessed One addressed the monks:
"Mostly, monks, deities from the ten world systems have gathered together to see the Tathāgata and the Community of monks.
Monks, those who were Worthy Ones, Fully Self-Enlightened Ones in the past period of time, for those Blessed Ones too, just such a supreme gathering of deities occurred, just as for me now.
Monks, those who will be Worthy Ones, Fully Self-Enlightened Ones in the future period of time, for those Blessed Ones too, just such a supreme gathering of deities will occur, just as for me now.
I will tell, monks, the names of the groups of deities;
I will explain, monks, the names of the groups of deities;
I will teach, monks, the names of the groups of deities.
Listen to that, pay close attention, I will speak."
"Yes, venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One.
334.
The Blessed One said this -
Those who are attached to mountain caves, resolute, concentrated.
With pure minds, purified, clear and untroubled."
Then the Teacher addressed the disciples delighted in the teaching.
And they made ardent effort, having heard the Buddha's teaching.
Some saw a hundred, a thousand, then seventy thousand.
Some saw without end, all directions were pervaded.
Then the Teacher addressed the disciples delighted in the teaching.
Those whom I will explain to you, with words in due order.
335.
"Seven thousand demons, terrestrial, belonging to Kapilavatthu,
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
More than a hundred thousand demons attend upon him;
Kumbhīra of Rājagaha, he too came to the forest, to the assembly.
336.
"The king Dhataraṭṭha rules the eastern direction,
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The lord of the kumbhaṇḍas, the great king of fame.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The lord of the nāgas, the great king of fame.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The lord of the yakkhas, the great king of fame.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
Virūpakkha in the west, Kuvera in the northern direction.
Stood shining brightly, in the forest near Kapilavatthu.
337.
"Their deceitful slaves came, fraudulent and deceptive.
Panāda and Opamañña, and Mātali the charioteer of the gods.
Pañcasikha came too, Timbarū and Sūriyavaccasā.
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
338.
"Then came the serpents from Nāgasa, the Vesālā together with the Tacchaka.
Erāvaṇa the great serpent, he too came to the forest, to the assembly.
Through the sky they arrived in the midst of the forest, the variegated supaṇṇas - such is their name.
Addressing each other with smooth words, the serpents and supaṇṇas made the Buddha their refuge.
339.
"Conquered by the one with the thunderbolt in hand, the titans dwelling in the ocean.
Vepacitti and Sucitti, Pahārāda together with Namuci.
Having arrayed the army of Bali, they approached the august Rāhu;
'Now is the time, venerable sir, to the forest, to the assembly of monks.'
340.
"The water gods and earth gods, fire and air gods came there.
These ten classes in ten ways, all of diverse colours.
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The gods dependent on the moon came, having put the moon in front.
Having put the constellations in front, the slow-moving cloud gods came.
These ten classes in ten ways, all of diverse colours.
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The Ariṭṭhaka and Roja gods, shining like flax flowers.
The Sūleyya and Rucirā came, the Vāsavanesī came;
These ten classes in ten ways, all of diverse colours.
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The corrupted by play came, the corrupted by mind came.
The Pāragā and Mahāpāragā, famous gods came;
These ten classes in ten ways, all of diverse colours.
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The Odātagayhā, the eminent ones, the wise gods came.
Pajjunna came thundering, he who rains upon the directions.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
The Lambītakā and Lāmaseṭṭhā, the Jotināmā and Āsā;
The Nimmānaratī came, then came the Paranimmitā.
Possessing supernormal power, brilliant, beautiful, famous;
Rejoicing, they proceeded to the forest, to the assembly of monks.
Came according to their names, and others similar together with them.
The serpent who has crossed the mental floods, like the moon gone beyond darkness.'
341.
"Subrahmā and Paramatta, sons together with the one of supernormal power,
Reborn, brilliant, of fearsome body, glorious.
And from their midst came Hārita, surrounded by his retinue.
342.
"And when all those had come forward, the gods with Indra, including the Brahmās,
Surround them on all sides, let none of you release any of them.'
Having struck the ground with his palm, having made a terrifying sound.
Then he turned back, enraged, not in control of himself.
343.
And having directly known all that, having analysed, the one with eyes;
And they made ardent effort, having heard the Buddha's teaching;
They departed from those without lust, they did not stir even a hair of theirs.
They rejoice together with beings, those disciples renowned among people.'"
The Discourse on the Great Assembly is concluded as seventh.