Gāravasuttaṃ [SN 6.2, PTS 1.139–1.140]

2.

The Discourse on Respect

173. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā on the bank of the river Nerañjarā at the root of the goatherd's banyan tree, newly fully enlightened. Then, when the Blessed One had gone to a private place and was in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "It is painful indeed to dwell disrespectful, not deferential. What ascetic or brahmin might I, having honoured and respected, dwell in dependence on?"

Then this occurred to the Blessed One: "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, etc. 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, etc. 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, etc. another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in liberation than myself, whom I might dwell in dependence on, having honoured and respected.

"For the fulfilment of an unfulfilled aggregate of knowledge and vision 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 knowledge and vision of liberation than myself, whom I might dwell in dependence on, having honoured and respected. What if I were to dwell in dependence on this very Teaching to which I have fully awakened, having honoured and respected it?"

Then Brahmā Sahampati, having known with his mind the reflection in the mind of the Blessed One - 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 the Blessed One. Then Brahmā Sahampati, having arranged his upper robe on one shoulder, having extended joined palms in salutation towards the Blessed One, said this to the Blessed One - "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 is what Brahmā Sahampati said. Having said this, he said further: