Aṅguttara Nikāya
Chakka-Nipāta
IV: Devatā-Vagga

The Book of the Sixes

Chapter IV: The Devas

Sutta 32

Paṭhama Aparihāna Suttaṃ

They Fail Not (a)

[232]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

Now, when night was far spent,
a deva of exceeding loveliness,
lighting up the whole of Jeta Grove,
approached the Exalted One,
saluted
and stood at one side.

Thus standing,
the deva said:

"Lord, these six things
lead not to a monk's failure.

What six?

Reverence for the Master,
reverence for Dhamma,
reverence for the Order,
reverence for the training,
reverence for earnestness
reverence for good-will.¹

[233] Verily, lord, these six things lead not to a monk's failure."

Thus spoke the deva and the Master approved;
and seeing this,
he saluted the Exalted One and passed out on the right.

And when the night was over,
the Exalted One addressed the monks:

"To me, monks, when night was far spent,
a deva of exceeding loveliness,
lighting up the whole of Jeta Grove,
approached,
saluted
and stood at one side.

Thus standing,
the deva said:

'Lord, these six things
lead not to a monk's failure.

What six?

Reverence for the Master,
reverence for Dhamma,
reverence for the Oder,
reverence for the training,
reverence for earnestness
reverence for for good-will.

Verily, lord, these six things lead not to a monk's failure.'

Thus spoke the deva and I approved;
and seeing this,
he saluted
and passed out on the right."

Deep reverence for the Master, Dhamma, Order,
Reverence for earnestness and for good-will:
Not thuswise fails a monk; he's nigh Nibbāna.'