Selected Sutras on the Venerated Maudgalyayana (vegan), Part 2 of 2

For the second part of this show, we are delighted to present selections from the Theravada’s Sakkasutta in the Saṁyutta Nikāya, where the Venerated Maudgalyayana went up to the Heavenly realms to encourage the Heavenly Beings to take refuge in Lord Buddha.

With Sakka

“And then Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, as easily as a strong person would extend or contract their arm, vanished from Jeta’s Grove and reappeared among the gods of the thirty-three. Then Sakka, lord of gods, with five hundred deities came up to Mahāmoggallāna, bowed, and stood to one side. Mahāmoggallāna said to him:

‘Lord of gods, it’s good to go for refuge to the Buddha. It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. It’s good to go for refuge to the teaching. It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. It’s good to go for refuge to the Saṅgha. It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’

‘My good Moggallāna, it’s good to go for refuge to the Buddha … the teaching … the Saṅgha. It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’

[…] Then Sakka, lord of gods, with five hundred deities came up to Mahāmoggallāna, bowed, and stood to one side. Mahāmoggallāna said to him:

‘Lord of gods, it’s good to have experiential confidence in the Buddha: “That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.” It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

It’s good to have experiential confidence in the teaching: “The teaching is well explained by the Buddha – apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.” It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

It’s good to have experiential confidence in the Saṅgha: “The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is practicing the way that’s good, direct, systematic, and proper. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individuals. This is the Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples that is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.” It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

It’s good to have the ethical conduct that’s loved by the noble ones, unbroken, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion. It’s the reason why some sentient beings, when their body breaks up, after death, are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.’ […]”