2.
The Discourse on the Observance in Detail
42.
"Monks, the Observance endowed with eight factors, when observed, is rich in result, of great benefit, of great brightness, of great pervasion.
And how, monks, is the Observance endowed with eight factors, when observed, rich in result, of great benefit, of great brightness, of great pervasion?
Here, monks, a noble disciple considers thus -
'For as long as life lasts, the Worthy Ones, having abandoned the killing of living beings, abstain from killing living beings; with rod laid down, with knife laid down, having shame, compassionate, they dwell concerned for the welfare of all living beings.
I too today, for this night and this day, having abandoned the killing of living beings, abstain from killing living beings; with rod laid down, with knife laid down, having shame, compassionate, I dwell concerned for the welfare of all living beings.
By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.'
One is endowed with this first factor. Etc.
"For the length of one's life the Worthy Ones, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, abstain from high and luxurious beds; they use a low sleeping place - either a small bed or a grass mat. Today I too, for this night and this day, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, abstain from high and luxurious beds; I use a low sleeping place - either a small bed or a grass mat. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is possessed of this eighth factor. The Observance endowed with eight factors observed thus, monks, is rich in result, of great benefit, of great brightness, of great pervasion.
"How rich in result is it, how great in benefit, how great in brightness, how great in pervasion? Just as, monks, if one were to exercise sovereign lordship over these sixteen great countries abounding in the seven treasures, as follows - the Aṅgas, the Magadhans, the Kāsis, the Kosalans, the Vajjis, the Mallas, the Cetis, the Vaṅgas, the Kurus, the Pañcālas, the Macchas, the Sūrasenas, the Assakas, the Avantis, the Gandhāras, the Kambojas - this is not worth a sixteenth fraction of the Observance endowed with eight factors. What is the reason for this? Insignificant, monks, is human kingship compared with divine happiness.
"Fifty human years, monks, are one day and night for the gods ruled by the four great kings. By that night, thirty nights make a month. By that month, twelve months make a year. By that year, five hundred divine years is the life-span of the gods ruled by the four great kings. There is the possibility, monks, that here a certain woman or man, having observed the Observance endowed with eight factors, upon the body's collapse at death, may be reborn in the company of the gods ruled by the four great kings. It was with reference to this, monks, that it was said - 'Insignificant is human kingship compared with divine happiness.'"
"A hundred human years, monks, are one day and night for the Thirty-three gods. By that night, thirty nights make a month. By that month, twelve months make a year. By that year a divine thousand years is the life-span of the Thirty-three gods. There is the possibility, monks, that here a certain woman or man, having observed the Observance endowed with eight factors, upon the body's collapse at death, may be reborn in the company of the Thirty-three gods. It was with reference to this, monks, that it was said - 'Insignificant is human kingship compared with divine happiness.'"
"Monks, two hundred human years is one day and night for the Yāma gods. By that night, thirty nights make a month. By that month, twelve months make a year. By that year two divine thousand years is the life-span of the Yāma gods. There is the possibility, monks, that here a certain woman or man, having observed the Observance endowed with eight factors, upon the body's collapse at death, would be reborn in the company of the Yāma gods. It was with reference to this, monks, that it was said - 'Insignificant is human kingship compared with divine happiness.'"
"Monks, four hundred human years is one day and night for the Tusita gods. By that night, thirty nights make a month. By that month, twelve months make a year. By that year four divine thousand years is the life-span of the Tusita gods. There is the possibility, monks, that here a certain woman or man, having observed the Observance endowed with eight factors, upon the body's collapse at death, would be reborn in the company of the Tusita gods. It was with reference to this, monks, that it was said - 'Insignificant is human kingship compared with divine happiness.'"
"Monks, eight hundred human years is one day and night for the gods who delight in creation. By that night, thirty nights make a month. By that month, twelve months make a year. By that year eight divine thousand years is the life-span of the gods who delight in creation. There is the possibility, monks, that here a certain woman or man, having observed the Observance endowed with eight factors, upon the body's collapse at death, would be reborn in the company of the gods who delight in creation. It was with reference to this, monks, that it was said - 'Insignificant is human kingship compared with divine happiness.'"
"Monks, sixteen hundred human years is one day and night for the gods who control what is created by others. By that night, thirty nights make a month. By that month, twelve months make a year. By that year sixteen divine thousand years is the life-span of the gods who control what is created by others. There is the possibility, monks, that here a certain woman or man, having observed the Observance endowed with eight factors, upon the body's collapse at death, would be reborn in the company of the gods who control what is created by others. It was with reference to this, monks, that it was said - 'Human kingship is insignificant compared with divine happiness.'"
One should not speak falsehood, nor should one be a drinker of intoxicants;
One should abstain from not practising the holy life, from sexual intercourse,
One should not eat at night, eating at the improper time.
One should sleep on a bed or on the ground on a rug;
This indeed they call the Observance with eight factors,
Made known by the Buddha, who has reached the end of suffering.
Go around illuminating as far as they reach;
Those dispellers of darkness, moving through the sky,
Shine in the heavens, illuminating the directions.
Pearls, gems, and excellent lapis lazuli;
Horn-gold and also gold,
What is called native gold and refined gold.
They are not worth even a sixteenth fraction;
The radiance of the moon and all the hosts of stars.
Should observe the Observance endowed with eight factors;
Having made merits that yield happiness,
Blameless, they go to the heavenly state." The second.