Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Linked Discourses (Saṁyutta)

SN 10.2

Sakka In Name Only · Sakkanāmasutta

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At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. Then a spirit who was Sakka in name only went up to the Buddha, and addressed him in verse:

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate. Atha kho sakkanāmako yakkho yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

“You’ve given up all ties, and are fully freed. It’s not a good idea for you, ascetic, to be instructing others.”

“Sabbaganthappahīnassa, vippamuttassa te sato; Samaṇassa na taṁ sādhu, yadaññamanusāsasī”ti.

“No matter how you explain why people gather together, Sakka, it’s unworthy for a wise person not to think of the other with sympathy.

“Yena kenaci vaṇṇena, saṁvāso sakka jāyati; Na taṁ arahati sappañño, manasā anukampituṁ.

If you instruct others with a mind clear and confident, your compassion and empathy don’t create attachments.”

Manasā ce pasannena, yadaññamanusāsati; Na tena hoti saṁyutto, yānukampā anuddayā”ti.