Devatāsaṁyutta - Connected Discourses with Deities

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.

Excessive sleep, sluggishness, yawning, discontent, and post-meal drowsiness can obstruct the noble path from appearing.

Do you have a little hut, a nest, or ties that extend? Are you freed from bondage?

A radiant deity tempts young Samiddhi to enjoy sensual pleasures. The Buddha later reveals that true liberation transcends identity and craving, and is only found by those who let go of even the need to describe themselves.

The Buddha explains how the tangle of defilements can be disentangled through the practice of virtue, meditation, and wisdom.

Would an Arahant still say ‘I speak’ and ‘they speak to me’?

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.

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.

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?

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.