The "Connected Discourses With Deities" features dialogues between the Buddha and various deities, beings who visit, often at night, to engage in dialogues about the Dhamma. These suttas, frequently featuring verses, explore a wide range of topics, from the nature of suffering to the path of liberation. The devas, depicted as luminous and reverent, approach the Awakened One with questions or reflections, revealing their eagerness to deepen their understanding. This collection highlights the universal reach of the Buddha’s teachings, extending even to beings of higher realms seeking wisdom.
Devatāsaṁyutta - Connected Discourses with Deities
Naḷa vagga - The Chapter on a Reed
The opening chapter of the Connected Discourses with Deities, containing discourses 1–10.
The Buddha crossed the flood of suffering without any support and without struggling.
The Buddha describes how he knows of the release, liberation and independence for living beings.
For one brought to old age, there are no shelters.
Time flies by, one should abandon world’s bait, looking for peace.
A deity asks the Buddha on how many things should one cut off, abandon, and develop to cross over the flood.
A deity asks the Buddha how many are asleep among those awake, how many are awake among those asleep, how many stir up the dust, and how many purify it.
Those who do not understand the teachings are led by others’ views and do not awaken from sleep.
Those who are totally confused about the teachings are led by others’ views and do not awaken from sleep.
One who is fond of conceit cannot be tamed, nor can one who is uncollected attain sagehood. Dwelling with negligence, such a one would not cross beyond the realm of death.
A deity asks the Buddha how the complexion of those dwelling in the wilderness and living the spiritual life becomes serene.
Satti vagga - The Chapter on the Sword
The third chapter of the Connected Discourses with Deities, containing discourses 21–30.
Would an Arahant still say ‘I speak’ and ‘they speak to me’?
Satullapakāyika vagga - The Chapter on the Host of a Hundred Devas
The fourth chapter of the Connected Discourses with Deities, containing discourses 31–40.
Radiant deities visit the Buddha to praise the virtues of associating with the wise and learning the good Dhamma of the sages. The Buddha then shares the ultimate benefit of this noble association.
The Buddha and deities discuss the true value of giving. Practicing the Dhamma and offering a peaceful gift, however small, generates far more merit than massive, grand sacrifices brought about by cruelty, tears, and violence.
Jarā vagga - The Chapter on Old Age
The sixth chapter of the Connected Discourses with Deities, containing discourses 51–60.
A deity asks the Buddha what is good until old age, what is good when established, what is the treasure of humans, and what cannot be stolen by thieves.
A deity asks the Blessed One what is good when it does not decay, what is good when established, what is the treasure of humans, and what cannot be stolen by thieves.
A deity asks the Buddha what is a friend to one who is traveling, within the home, in times of need, and in the next world.
A deity asks the Buddha what gives rise to a person, what does he have that wanders about, what experiences cyclic existence, and what is this person‘s great fear.
A deity asks the Buddha what gives rise to a person, what does he have that wanders about, what experiences cyclic existence, and from what is this person not yet freed.
A deity asks the Buddha what gives rise to a person, what does he have that wanders about, what experiences cyclic existence, and what determines this person‘s destiny.
A deity asks the Buddha what serves as a person‘s companion, what instructs him, and delighting in what is a mortal freed from all suffering.
Addha vagga - The Chapter on the Path
The seventh chapter of the Connected Discourses with Deities, containing discourses 61–70.
What has weighed down everything? Beyond what is there nothing further? What is the one thing that has everything under its sway?
By what is the world held bound? What is its means of locomotion? By the abandoning of what, is every bond cut?
Chetvā vagga - The Chapter on Cutting Off
The eighth chapter of the Connected Discourses with Deities, containing discourses 71–81.
A deity asks the Buddha what must be cut off to sleep at ease and slain to end sorrow.
A deity asks the Buddha what is a person‘s best treasure, what brings happiness when well practiced, what is sweeter than all tastes, and what kind of life is said to be the best.
A deity asks the Buddha what wears out and what does not get worn out, what is the wrong way, what is the stain on the spiritual life, and what are the six fissures in the world where one's wealth does not last.