A deity engages the Buddha in verse on jeta’s grove, exploring a teaching on suffering, liberation, and the law of kamma.

SN 1.48 Jeta’s Grove

“Idañhi taṁ jetavanaṁ,
isisaṅghanisevitaṁ;
Āvutthaṁ dhammarājena,
pītisañjananaṁ mama.

Kammaṁ vijjā ca dhammo ca,
sīlaṁ jīvitamuttamaṁ;
Etena maccā sujjhanti,
na gottena dhanena vā.

Tasmā hi paṇḍito poso,
sampassaṁ atthamattano;
Yoniso vicine dhammaṁ,
evaṁ tattha visujjhati.

Sāriputtova paññāya,
sīlena upasamena ca;
Yopi pāraṅgato bhikkhu,
etāvaparamo siyā”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Idañhi taṁ jetavanaṁ,

“This is indeed that Jeta’s Grove,

isisaṅghanisevitaṁ;

frequented by the Saṅgha of seers,

Āvutthaṁ dhammarājena,

where the King of Dhamma stayed:

pītisañjananaṁ mama.

it brings me joy!

Kammaṁ vijjā ca dhammo ca,

Deeds, knowledge, and principle;

sīlaṁ jīvitamuttamaṁ;

ethical conduct, an excellent livelihood;

Etena maccā sujjhanti,

by these are mortals purified,

na gottena dhanena vā.

not by clan or wealth.

Tasmā hi paṇḍito poso,

That’s why an astute person,

sampassaṁ atthamattano;

seeing what’s good for themselves,

Yoniso vicine dhammaṁ,

would examine the teaching rationally,

evaṁ tattha visujjhati.

that’s how they become purified in that.

Sāriputtova paññāya,

Sāriputta is full of wisdom,

sīlena upasamena ca;

ethics, and peace.

Yopi pāraṅgato bhikkhu,

Even a mendicant who has crossed over

etāvaparamo siyā”ti.

might at best equal him.”

Qualities:

Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Joy

Joy

A fresh and mild happiness arising from a sense of spiritual well-being and a clear conscience

Also known as: cheerfulness, gladness, wellbeing
Pāli: pāmojja, somanassa
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026