English
And a third time, the light of Anāthapiṇḍika the householder disappeared, darkness appeared, fear, agitation, and goosebumps arose, and he wished to turn back from there. And a third time, the yakkha Sivaka, having disappeared, made his voice heard: A hundred elephants, a hundred horses, ... Are not worth a sixteenth part. Go forth, householder, go forth, householder; Going forth is better for you, not turning back. Then the darkness of Anāthapiṇḍika the householder disappeared, light appeared, and the fear, agitation, and goosebumps he had, subsided. Then Anāthapiṇḍika the householder approached the Sītavana, where the Blessed One was. Now at that time, the Blessed One, having risen in the last watch of the night, was walking up and down in the open air. The Blessed One saw Anāthapiṇḍika the householder coming from afar. Having seen him, he descended from the walking path and sat on the seat prepared. Having sat down, the Blessed One said to Anāthapiṇḍika the householder: "Come, Sudatta!" Then Anāthapiṇḍika the householder, thinking, "The Blessed One addresses me by my name!" joyful and elated, prostrated himself with his head at the feet of the Blessed One right there, and said to the Blessed One: "I hope, Venerable Sir, the Blessed One slept well?" Always indeed he sleeps well, the brahmin who is fully extinguished; who is not soiled by sensual pleasures, cooled, without defilements. Having cut off all attachments, v having drawn out the dart from the heart; Pacified, he rests happily, having attained peace with his mind. 9. The First Sukkā Sutta 243. At one time the Blessed One was staying at Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time the bhikkhunī Sukkā, surrounded by a large assembly, was teaching the Dhamma. Then a yakkha, delighted with the bhikkhunī Sukkā, going from street to street, from crossroads to crossroads in Rājagaha, at that time uttered these verses: What have the people of Rājagaha done to me, that they lie as if drunk with honey? Those who do not attend Sukkā, as she teaches the deathless state. And that which is irresistible, a pure, unmixed essence, the wise, I think, drink it, like travelers drinking from a cloud. 10. The Second Sukkā Sutta 244. At one time the Blessed One was staying at Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave food to the bhikkhunī Sukkā. Then a yakkha, delighted with the bhikkhunī Sukkā, going from street to street, from crossroads to crossroads in Rājagaha, at that time uttered this verse: Indeed, much merit has been produced, truly wise is this lay follower, who gave food to Sukkā, for liberation from all ties. 11. The Cīrā Sutta 245. Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was staying at Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground. Now at that time a certain lay follower gave a robe to the bhikkhunī Cīrā. Then a yakkha, delighted with the bhikkhunī Cīrā, going from street to street, from crossroads to crossroads in Rājagaha, at that time uttered this verse: Indeed, much merit has been produced, truly wise is this lay follower, who gave a robe to Cīrā, for liberation from all yokes. 12. The Discourse to Āḷavaka Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was staying in Āḷavī, in the dwelling of the yakkha Āḷavaka. Then the yakkha Āḷavaka approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he said to the Blessed One: "Go out, ascetic!" "Yes, friend," the Blessed One went out. "Come in, ascetic!" "Yes, friend," the Blessed One came in. A second time the yakkha Āḷavaka said to the Blessed One: "Go out, ascetic!" "Yes, friend," the Blessed One went out. "Come in, ascetic!" "Yes, friend," the Blessed One came in. A third time the yakkha Āḷavaka said to the Blessed One: "Go out, ascetic!" "Yes, friend," the Blessed One went out. "Come in, ascetic!" "Yes, friend," the Blessed One came in. A fourth time the yakkha Āḷavaka said to the Blessed One: "Go out, ascetic!" "I will not go out, friend. Do what you must do." "I will ask you a question, ascetic. If you do not answer me, I will either throw your mind into confusion, or burst your heart, or take you by the feet and throw you across the Ganges." "I do not see, friend, in the world with its devas, Māras, and Brahmās, among the generation of ascetics and brahmins, devas and humans, anyone who could throw my mind into confusion, or burst my heart, or take me by the feet and throw me across the Ganges. But you, friend, ask what you wish." "What here is the best wealth for a person? What well-practiced brings happiness? What indeed is the sweetest of tastes? How lived, is life said to be best?" "Faith here is the best wealth for a person. Dhamma well-practiced brings happiness. Truth indeed is the sweetest of tastes. Lived with wisdom, life is said to be best." "How does one cross the flood? How does one cross the ocean? How does one overcome suffering? How is one purified? By faith one crosses the flood, By diligence, the ocean; By energy one overcomes suffering, By wisdom one is purified. How does one obtain wisdom? How does one find wealth? How does one gain fame? How does one make friends? From this world to the next world, How does one grieve not after passing away? Believing in the Arahants, In the Dhamma for the attainment of Nibbāna; Listening attentively, one obtains wisdom, Being diligent and discerning. Doing suitable work, persevering, Energetic, one finds wealth; By truth one gains fame, By giving one makes friends; From this world to the next world, Thus one grieves not after passing away. For whom these four qualities, For a faithful householder; Truth, self-control, steadfastness, generosity, He indeed grieves not after passing away. Go ask others too, Many ascetics and brahmins; If anything more than truth, self-control, generosity, And patience is found here. How then shall I now ask, Many ascetics and brahmins; Since I today understand, What is beneficial for the future. Indeed for my benefit the Buddha, Came to reside in Āḷavī; Since I today understand, Where a gift yields great fruit. So I shall wander, From village to village, from town to town; Saluting the Perfectly Enlightened One, And the well-taught nature of the Dhamma. The Connected Discourses with Yakkhas are concluded. Its summary – Indaka, Sakka, Sūci, Maṇibhadda, Sānu, Piyaṅkara, Punabbasu, Sudatta, Two Sukkas, Cīra, Āḷavī – thus twelve.