sutta » sn » sn1 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.31

Sabbhisutta

With the Good Virtuous

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
Thus have I heard.
So I have heard.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

Atha kho sambahulā satullapakāyikā devatāyo abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu.
Then, when the night had advanced, a number of devatās belonging to the Satullapa host, of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One. Having approached, they paid homage to the Blessed One and stood to one side.
Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the Satullapa Group, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then one devatā, standing to one side, recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:
Standing to one side, one deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha,
“One should associate only with the good;
“Associate only with the virtuous!

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
With the good one should foster intimacy.
Try to get close to the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
Having learnt the true Dhamma of the good,
Understanding the true teaching of the good,

seyyo hoti na pāpiyo”ti.
One becomes better, never worse. ”
things get better, not worse.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then five other devatās in turn recited their verses in the presence of the Blessed One:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha,
“One should associate only with the good;
“Associate only with the virtuous!

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
With the good one should foster intimacy.
Try to get close to the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
Having learnt the true Dhamma of the good,
Understanding the true teaching of the good,

paññā labbhati nāññato”ti.
Wisdom is gained, but not from another. ”
wisdom is gained—but not from anyone else.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha,
“One should associate only with the good;
“Associate only with the virtuous!

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
With the good one should foster intimacy.
Try to get close to the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
Having learnt the true Dhamma of the good,
Understanding the true teaching of the good,

sokamajjhe na socatī”ti.
One does not sorrow in the midst of sorrow. ”
you grieve not among the grieving.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha,
“One should associate only with the good;
“Associate only with the virtuous!

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
With the good one should foster intimacy.
Try to get close to the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
Having learnt the true Dhamma of the good,
Understanding the true teaching of the good,

ñātimajjhe virocatī”ti.
One shines amidst one’s relations. ”
you shine among your relatives.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha,
“One should associate only with the good;
“Associate only with the virtuous!

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
With the good one should foster intimacy.
Try to get close to the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
Having learnt the true Dhamma of the good,
Understanding the true teaching of the good,

sattā gacchanti suggatin”ti.
Beings fare on to a good destination. ”
sentient beings go to a good place.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:
Then another deity recited this verse in the Buddha’s presence:

“Sabbhireva samāsetha,
“One should associate only with the good;
“Associate only with the virtuous!

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
With the good one should foster intimacy.
Try to get close to the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
Having learnt the true Dhamma of the good,
Understanding the true teaching of the good,

sattā tiṭṭhanti sātatan”ti.
Beings abide comfortably. ”
sentient beings live happily.”

Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
Then another devatā said to the Blessed One:
Then another deity said to the Buddha,

“kassa nu kho, bhagavā, subhāsitan”ti?
“Which one, Blessed One, has spoken well?”
“Sir, who has spoken well?”

“Sabbāsaṁ vo subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena, api ca mamapi suṇātha—
“You have all spoken well in a way. But listen to me too:
“You’ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also:

Sabbhireva samāsetha,
“One should associate only with the good;
Associate only with the virtuous!

sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ;
With the good one should foster intimacy.
Try to get close to the virtuous!

Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya,
Having learnt the true Dhamma of the good,
Understanding the true teaching of the good,

sabbadukkhā pamuccatī”ti.
One is released from all suffering. ”
you’re released from all suffering.”

Idamavoca bhagavā.
This is what the Blessed One said.
That is what the Buddha said.

Attamanā tā devatāyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsūti.
Elated, those devatās paid homage to the Blessed One and, keeping him on the right, they disappeared right there.
Then those deities, knowing that the teacher approved, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before vanishing right there.