Sabbhisutta — Reader

Virtuous

Sabbhisutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the host of a hundred felicities, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Atha kho sambahulā satullapakāyikā devatāyo abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.

Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good,

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: “Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,

things get better, not worse.” Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous!

seyyo hoti na pāpiyo”ti. Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: “Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;

Understanding the true teaching of the good, wisdom is gained—but not from anyone else.” Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, paññā labbhati nāññato”ti. Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: “Sabbhireva samāsetha,

Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you grieve not among the grieving.” Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sokamajjhe na socatī”ti. Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good, you shine among your relatives.”

“Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, ñātimajjhe virocatī”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good,

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: “Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,

sentient beings go to a good place.” Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence: “Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous!

sattā gacchanti suggatin”ti. Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi: “Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;

Understanding the true teaching of the good, sentient beings live happily.” Then another deity said to the Buddha, “Sir, who has spoken well?”

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sattā tiṭṭhanti sātatan”ti. Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “kassa nu kho, bhagavā, subhāsitan”ti?

“You’ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also: Associate only with the virtuous! Try to get close to the virtuous! Understanding the true teaching of the good,

“Sabbāsaṁ vo subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena, api ca mamapi suṇātha— Sabbhireva samāsetha, sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,

you’re released from all suffering.” That is what the Buddha said. Delighted, those deities bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before vanishing right there.

sabbadukkhā pamuccatī”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā tā devatāyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsūti.