Chapter IX
30 Supaṇṇasaṃyutta Connected Discourses on Supaṇṇas
1 Simple Version
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, there are these four modes of generation of supaṇṇas. What four? Supaṇṇas born from eggs, supaṇṇas born from the womb, supaṇṇas born from moisture, supaṇṇas of spontaneous birth. These are the four modes of generation of supaṇṇas.” [247]
2 They Carry Off
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, there are these four modes of generation of supaṇṇas….
“Therein, bhikkhus, egg-born supaṇṇas carry off only nāgas that are egg-born, not those that are womb-born, moisture-born, or spontaneously born.288 Womb-born supaṇṇas carry off nāgas that are egg-born and womb-born, but not those that are moisture-born or spontaneously born. Moisture-born supaṇṇas carry off nāgas that are egg-born, womb-born, and moisture-born, but not those that are spontaneously born. Spontaneously born supaṇṇas carry off nāgas that are egg-born, womb-born, moisture-born, and spontaneously born.
“These, bhikkhus, are the four modes of generation of supaṇṇas.”
3 Ambivalent (1)
At Sāvatthī…. Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas?”
“Here, bhikkhu, someone acts ambivalently in body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘Egg-born supaṇṇas are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas!’ Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas.
“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas.”
4-6 Ambivalent (2-4)
(The same is repeated for the other three types of supaṇṇas.) [248]
7-16 With the Support of Giving (1)
Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas?”
“Here, bhikkhu, someone acts ambivalently in body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘Egg-born supaṇṇas are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas!’ He gives food…. He gives drink…. He gives clothing…. He gives a vehicle…. He gives a garland…. He gives a fragrance…. He gives an unguent…. He gives a bed…. He gives a dwelling…. He gives a lamp. Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas.
“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of egg-born supaṇṇas.”
17-46 With the Support of Giving (2-4)
(These three decads each repeat the preceding decad for the other three types of supaṇṇas.) [249]
Chapter X
31 Gandhabbasaṃyutta Connected Discourses on Gandhabbas
1 Simple Version
At Sāvatthī. [250] “Bhikkhus, I will teach you about the devas of the gandhabba order. Listen to that….
“And what, bhikkhus, are the devas of the gandhabba order? There are, bhikkhus, devas dwelling in fragrant roots,289 devas dwelling in fragrant heartwood, devas dwelling in fragrant softwood, devas dwelling in fragrant bark, devas dwelling in fragrant shoots, devas dwelling in fragrant leaves, devas dwelling in fragrant flowers, devas dwelling in fragrant fruits, devas dwelling in fragrant sap, and devas dwelling in fragrant scents.
“These, bhikkhus, are called the devas of the gandhabba order.”
2 Good Conduct
At Sāvatthī…. Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of the devas of the gandhabba order?”
“Here, bhikkhu, someone practises good conduct of body, speech, and mind.290 He has heard: ‘The devas of the gandhabba order are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of the devas of the gandhabba order!’ Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the devas of the gandhabba order.
“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of the devas of the gandhabba order.”
3 Giver (1)
At Sāvatthī…. Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu [251] said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots?”
“Here, bhikkhu, someone practises good conduct of body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘The devas who dwell in fragrant roots are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’ He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots!’ He becomes a giver of fragrant roots. Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots.
“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots.”
4-12 Giver (2-10)
(The same paradigm is repeated for each of the other groups of gandhabbas—those who dwell in fragrant heartwood, etc.—as enumerated in §1, each the giver of the corresponding type of gift.) [252]
13-22 With the Support of Giving (1)
At Sāvatthī…. Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots?”
“Here, bhikkhu, someone practises good conduct of body, speech, and mind. He has heard: ‘The devas who dwell in fragrant roots are long-lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.’
“He thinks: ‘Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots!’ He gives food…. He gives drink…. He gives clothing…. He gives a vehicle…. He gives a garland…. He gives a fragrance…. He gives an unguent…. He gives a bed…. He gives a dwelling…. He gives a lamp. Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots.
“This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of the devas who dwell in fragrant roots.” [253]
23-112 With the Support of Giving (2)
(Repeat the paradigm of §§13-22 for each of the other types of gandhabbas, those who dwell in fragrant heartwood, etc.)
[254]
Chapter XI
32 Valāhakasaṃyutta Connected Discourses on Cloud Devas
1 Simple Version
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, I will teach you about the devas of the cloud-dwelling order. Listen to that….
“And what, bhikkhus, are the devas of the cloud-dwelling order?291 There are, bhikkhus, cool-cloud devas, warm-cloud devas, storm-cloud devas, wind-cloud devas, and rain-cloud devas.
“These, bhikkhus, are called the devas of the cloud-dwelling order.”
2 Good Conduct
(Identical with 31:2, but concerning rebirth in the company of the devas of the cloud-dwelling order.)
3-12 With the Support of Giving (1)
(These suttas are modelled on 31:13-22, but concerning rebirth in the company of the cool-cloud devas.)292 [255]
13-52 With the Support of Giving (2)
(These suttas
repeat the paradigm in regard to rebirth among the other types of cloud-dwelling devas.) [256]
53 Cool-Cloud Devas
At Sāvatthī…. Sitting to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes cool?”
“There are, bhikkhu, what are called cool-cloud devas. When it occurs to them, ‘Let us revel in our own kind of delight,’293 then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes cool. This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes cool.”
54 Warm-Cloud Devas
… “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes warm?”
“There are, bhikkhu, what are called warm-cloud devas. When it occurs to them, ‘Let us revel in our own kind of delight,’ then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes warm. This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes warm.”
55 Storm-Cloud Devas
… “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes stormy?”
“There are, bhikkhu, what are called storm-cloud devas. When it occurs to them, ‘Let us revel in our own kind of delight,’ then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes stormy. This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes stormy.”
56 Wind-Cloud Devas
… “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes windy?”
“There are, bhikkhu, what are called wind-cloud devas. [257] When it occurs to them, ‘Let us revel in our own kind of delight,’ then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes windy. This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why it sometimes becomes windy.”
57 Rain-Cloud Devas
… “Venerable sir, what is the cause and reason why it sometimes rains?”
“There are, bhikkhu, what are called rain-cloud devas. When it occurs to them, ‘Let us revel in our own kind of delight,’ then, in accordance with their wish, it rains. This, bhikkhu, is the cause and reason why it sometimes rains.”
Chapter XII
33 Vacchagottasaṃyutta Connected Discourses with Vacchagotta
1 Because of Not Knowing (1)
At Sāvatthī. Then the wanderer Vacchagotta approached the Blessed One and exchanged greetings with him.294 When they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, he sat down to one side and said to him: [258]
“Master Gotama, what is the cause and reason why these various speculative views arise in the world: ‘The world is eternal’ or ‘The world is not eternal’; or ‘The world is finite’ or ‘The world is infinite’; or ‘The soul and the body are the same’ or ‘The soul is one thing, the body is another’; or ‘The Tathāgata exists after death,’ or ‘The Tathāgata does not exist after death,’ or ‘The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death,’ or ‘The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death’?”
“It is, Vaccha, because of not knowing form, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world: ‘The world is eternal’ … or ‘The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.’ This, Vaccha, is the cause and reason why those various speculative views arise in the world.”295
2 Because of Not Knowing (2)
At Sāvatthī….
“It is, Vaccha, because of not knowing feeling, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world: ‘The world is eternal’ … or ‘The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.’ This, Vaccha, is the cause and reason why those various speculative views arise in the world.”
3 Because of Not Knowing (3)
[259] … “It is, Vaccha, because of not knowing perception, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world….”
4 Because of Not Knowing (4)
… “It is, Vaccha, because of not knowing volitional formations, their origin, their cessation, and the way leading to their cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world….”
5 Because of Not Knowing (5)
[260] … “It is, Vaccha, because of not knowing consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world….”
6-10 Because of Not Seeing
… “It is, Vaccha, because of not seeing form … feeling … perception … volitional formations … consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world….”296
11-15 Because of Not Breaking Through
… “It is, Vaccha, because of not breaking through to form … feeling … perception … volitional formations … consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world….” [261]
16-20 Because of Not Comprehending
(The same, but read “not comprehending form,ʺ etc.)
21-25 Because of Not Penetrating
26-30 Because of Not Discerning
31-35 Because of Not Discriminating
36-40 Because of Not Differentiating
41-45 Because of Not Examining
[262]
46-50 Because of Not Closely Examining
51-55 Because of Not Directly Cognizing
… “It is, Vaccha, because of not directly cognizing form … feeling … perception … volitional formations … consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation that those various speculative views arise in the world: [263] ‘The world is eternal’ … or ‘The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.’ This, Vaccha, is the cause and reason why those various speculative views arise in the world: ‘The world is eternal’ or ‘The world is not eternal’; or ‘The world is finite’ or ‘The world is infinite’; or ‘The soul and the body are the same’ or ‘The soul is one thing, the body is another’; or ‘The Tathāgata exists after death,’ or ‘The Tathāgata does not exist after death,’ or ‘The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death,’ or ‘The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.’”
Chapter XIII
34 Jhānasaṃyutta297 Connected Discourses on Meditation
1 Attainment in relation to Concentration
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, there are these four kinds of meditators. What four? [264]
“Here, bhikkhus, a meditator is skilled in concentration regarding concentration but not skilled in attainment regarding concentration.298
“Here a meditator is skilled in attainment regarding concentration but not skilled in concentration regarding concentration.
“Here a meditator is skilled neither in concentration regarding concentration nor in attainment regarding concentration.
“Here a meditator is skilled both in concentration regarding concentration and in attainment regarding concentration.
“Therein, bhikkhus, the meditator who is skilled both in concentration regarding concentration and in attainment regarding concentration is the chief, the best, the foremost, the highest, the most excellent of these four kinds of meditators.
“Just as, bhikkhus, from a cow comes milk, from milk comes cream, from cream comes butter, from butter comes ghee, and from ghee comes cream-of-ghee,299 which is reckoned the best of all these, so too the meditator who is skilled both in concentration regarding concentration and in attainment regarding concentration is the chief, the best, the foremost, the highest, the most excellent of these four kinds of meditators.”
2 Maintenance in relation to Concentration
At Sāvatthī. “Bhikkhus, there are these four kinds of meditators. What four?
“Here, bhikkhus, a meditator is skilled in concentration regarding concentration but not skilled in maintenance regarding concentration.300
“Here a meditator is skilled in maintenance regarding concentration but not skilled
in concentration regarding concentration.
The Connected Discourses of the Buddha Page 112