The Related Suttas Collection 8.8

1. With Vaṅgīsa

Over a Thousand

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery, together with a large Saṅgha of 1,250 bhikkhus.

Now at that time the Buddha was educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk about Nibbana. And those bhikkhus were paying attention, applying the mind, concentrating wholeheartedly, and actively listening.

Then Venerable Vaṅgīsa thought, “The Buddha is educating, encouraging, firing up, and inspiring the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk about Nibbana. And those bhikkhus are paying attention, applying the mind, concentrating wholeheartedly, and actively listening. Why don’t I extoll him in his presence with fitting verses?”

Then Venerable Vaṅgīsa got up from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, raised his joined palms toward the Buddha, and said, “I feel inspired to speak, Blessed One! I feel inspired to speak, Holy One!”

“Then speak as you feel inspired,” said the Buddha.

Then Vaṅgīsa extolled the Buddha in his presence with fitting verses:

“Over a thousand bhikkhus revere the Holy One as he teaches the immaculate Dhamma, Nibbana, fearing nothing from any quarter.

They listen to the immaculate Dhamma taught by the fully awakened Buddha; the Buddha is so brilliant, at the fore of the bhikkhu Saṅgha,

Blessed One, your name is ‘Giant’, seventh of the sages. You are like a great cloud that rains on your disciples.

I’ve left my day’s meditation, out of desire to see the teacher. Great hero, your disciple Vaṅgīsa bows at your feet.”

“Vaṅgīsa, had you previously composed these verses, or did they spring to mind in the moment?”

“They sprang to mind in the moment, sir.”

“Well then, Vaṅgīsa, speak some more spontaneously inspired verses.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Vaṅgīsa. Then he extolled the Buddha with some more spontaneously inspired verses, not previously composed:

“Having overcome Māra’s devious path, you wander with hard-heartedness dissolved. See him, the liberator from bonds, unattached, analyzing the teaching.

You have explained in many ways the path to cross the flood. The Seers of Truth stand unfaltering in the deathless you’ve explained.

As the bringer of light who has pierced the truth, you’ve seen what lies beyond all realms. When you saw and realized this for yourself, you taught it first to the group of five.

When the Dhamma has been so well taught, how could those who know it be negligent? That’s why, being diligent, we should always train respectfully in the Buddha’s teaching.”