Part 3 - The Buddha’s Discourse to Sakka (conclusion)

After receiving the Buddha’s discourse with much delight, Sakka, King of Devas said to Him:

“Venerable Sir, craving is a disease, an open sore, a dart (thorn). Craving attracts all beings to endless existences, thereby sending them now to high planes of existence and then to low planes of existence.

“Venerable Sir, whatever question I did not have even the opportunity to ask of the so-called samaṇas and Brāhmanas outside this Teaching, the Bhagavā has given me the answer. The Bhagava has by this answer cleared all darts of doubt that had long been troubling me.”

The Buddha then asked Sakka:

“Sakka, King of Devas, do you remember having put these questions to other samaṇas and brāhmanas?”

“Yes, I do, Venerable Sir.”

“What were their answers? If it is not too much trouble, may I know it?"

“When the Bhagavā or someone as great as the Bhagavā ask (lit. sits before me), there is no trouble for me to answer.”

“Very well, then Sakka, King of Devas, let us hear what you have to say.”

“Venerable Sir, I had put these questions to those samaṇas and brāhmanas whom I took for forest dwellers. They were not only unable to answer my question but even asked me who I was (that could ask such profound questions). I said I was Sakka, King of Devas and then they (were interested and) asked me what merit I had acquired to become Sakka. I told them the seven meritorious acts, as I had learnt, that lead to Sakkahood. Then they were greatly pleased, saying: ‘We have seen Sakka in person, and we have also got Sakka’s answer to our questions!’ Indeed, Venerable Sir, those samaṇas and brāhmanas were merely my pupils. I had never been their pupil.

“Venerable Sir, I am now, an ariya disciple of the Bhagavā, a Stream Enterer, who is forever safe against the four miserable existences of apāya and whose fortunate destiny is thus assured, and who is on the way to the three higher maggas.”