The Buddha teaches why some moisture-born dragons keep the sabbath after transforming their bodies, reflecting on past mixed deeds and resolving to practice good conduct for a better rebirth.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
“ko nu kho, bhante, hetu, ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce saṁsedajā nāgā uposathaṁ upavasanti vossaṭṭhakāyā ca bhavantī”ti?
(Sabbaṁ vitthāretabbaṁ.)
“Ayaṁ kho, bhikkhu, hetu, ayaṁ paccayo, yena m’idhekacce saṁsedajā nāgā uposathaṁ upavasanti vossaṭṭhakāyā ca bhavantī”ti.
Pañcamaṁ.
Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
At Sāvatthī.
Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:
“ko nu kho, bhante, hetu, ko paccayo, yena m’idhekacce saṁsedajā nāgā uposathaṁ upavasanti vossaṭṭhakāyā ca bhavantī”ti?
“Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why some moisture-born dragons keep the sabbath, having transformed their bodies?”
(Sabbaṁ vitthāretabbaṁ.)
(Tell all in full.)
“Ayaṁ kho, bhikkhu, hetu, ayaṁ paccayo, yena m’idhekacce saṁsedajā nāgā uposathaṁ upavasanti vossaṭṭhakāyā ca bhavantī”ti.
Pañcamaṁ.
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Last updated on July 27, 2026