8.
The Discourse on More Than a Thousand
216.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park, together with a large Community of monks, twelve hundred and fifty monks.
Now at that time the Blessed One was instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching connected with Nibbāna.
And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching with ears inclined.
Then this occurred to the Venerable Vaṅgīsa -
"This Blessed One is instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the monks with a talk on the Teaching connected with Nibbāna.
And those monks, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listen to the Teaching with ears inclined.
What if I were to praise the Blessed One face to face with fitting verses."
Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having risen from his seat, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "It occurs to me, Blessed One, it occurs to me, Fortunate One." "Let it occur to you, Vaṅgīsa" - the Blessed One said. Then the Venerable Vaṅgīsa praised the Blessed One face to face with fitting verses -
Teaching the stainless Teaching, Nibbāna, fearless from any quarter.
Indeed the Self-awakened One shines, honoured by the Community of monks.
Having become like a great cloud, he rains upon the disciples.
Your disciple, O Great Hero, Vaṅgīsa pays homage at your feet."
"Were these verses, Vaṅgīsa, previously thought out by you, or do they occur to you on the spot?" "These verses, venerable sir, were not previously thought out by me, but they occur to me on the spot." "Well then, Vaṅgīsa, let verses not previously thought out occur to you even more exceedingly." "Yes, venerable sir," the Venerable Vaṅgīsa, having assented to the Blessed One, praised the Blessed One even more exceedingly with verses not previously thought out -
See him, the releaser from bonds, unattached, analysing in parts.
When that Deathless has been declared, the seers of the Teaching stand unshakable.
Having known and having realised, he taught the highest to the five.
What negligence is there for those who understand the Teaching?
Therefore, in that Blessed One's Dispensation,
One should always, diligent, pay homage and train."