Gods Adore Arahats
The Story of Venerable Mahakaccayana
Chapter 7: The Arahats • Verse 5
The Story of Venerable Mahakaccayana
Chapter 7: The Arahats • Verse 5
Even the gods hold dear the wise one, whose senses are subdued like horses well trained by a charioteer, whose pride is destroyed and who is free from the cankers.
While residing at the Pubbarama Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Mahakaccayana.
On the festival marking the end of the rainy season, the Buddha sat on the ground floor of the mansion of Migara's Mother, surrounded by eminent lay disciples.
At that time Venerable Kaccayana lived in the country of Avanti, but although he had to come from a great distance, he regularly attended the teaching of the Dhamma. So whenever the elders sat down, they always left a seat for him.
Sakka, king of the gods, came with his celestial retinue and honoured the Buddha with heavenly perfumes and garlands. Not seeing Venerable Kaccayana, he wished that his noble elder would come.
At that very moment Kaccayana appeared, seated in his proper place. Sakka took him firmly by the ankles, told him how glad he was that he had come, since it was the very thing he had wished for, and rubbed his feet with both hands. He then honoured him with perfumes and garlands, paid homage, and stood respectfully to one side.
The monks were offended, saying that Sakka was showing favouritism, since he had not honoured the other chief disciples in this way.
Hearing their talk, the Buddha told them that monks who, like his son Kaccayana, keep the doors of their senses guarded are beloved by gods and men alike.
The Story of Venerable Mahakaccayana
Chapter 7: The Arahats • Verse 5
Even the gods hold dear the wise one, whose senses are subdued like horses well trained by a charioteer, whose pride is destroyed and who is free from the cankers.
While residing at the Pubbarama Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse with reference to Venerable Mahakaccayana.
On the festival marking the end of the rainy season, the Buddha sat on the ground floor of the mansion of Migara's Mother, surrounded by eminent lay disciples.
At that time Venerable Kaccayana lived in the country of Avanti, but although he had to come from a great distance, he regularly attended the teaching of the Dhamma. So whenever the elders sat down, they always left a seat for him.
Sakka, king of the gods, came with his celestial retinue and honoured the Buddha with heavenly perfumes and garlands. Not seeing Venerable Kaccayana, he wished that his noble elder would come.
At that very moment Kaccayana appeared, seated in his proper place. Sakka took him firmly by the ankles, told him how glad he was that he had come, since it was the very thing he had wished for, and rubbed his feet with both hands. He then honoured him with perfumes and garlands, paid homage, and stood respectfully to one side.
The monks were offended, saying that Sakka was showing favouritism, since he had not honoured the other chief disciples in this way.
Hearing their talk, the Buddha told them that monks who, like his son Kaccayana, keep the doors of their senses guarded are beloved by gods and men alike.