The Related Suttas Collection 11.11

Chapter Two

Vows

At Sāvatthī.

“Bhikkhus, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka. What seven?

As long as I live, may I support my parents. As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family. As long as I live, may I speak gently. As long as I live, may I not speak divisively. As long as I live, may I live at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. As long as I live, may I speak the truth. As long as I live, may I be free of anger, or should anger arise, may I quickly get rid of it.

In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka.

A person who respects their parents, and honors the elders in the family, whose speech is gentle and courteous, and has given up divisiveness;

who’s committed to getting rid of stinginess, is truthful, and has mastered anger: the gods of the Thirty-Three call them truly a good person.”