Aṅguttara Nikāya
Sattaka Nipāta
IV. Devatā Vagga

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter IV: Devas

Sutta 32

Paṭhama Sovacassatā Suttaṃ

Fair Speech

 

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[17]

THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

Monks, this night a deva,
whose surpassing loveliness
lit up almost the whole of Jeta Grove,
visited, saluted and stood at one side;
and so standing,
the deva spoke to me and said:

"Lord, these seven things lead not to a monk's decline.

What seven?

Reverence for the Master,
Dhamma,
Order,
the training,
concentration;
fair speech
and good friendship'.

Indeed, lord, these seven things lead not to a monk's decline.'

Thus spake that deva, Monks,
and I approved;
and seeing this,
the deva saluted
and passed out on the right.

 

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Deep reverence for the Master, Dhamma, Order;
The training, concentration keenly held
In high esteem; fair speech, good friendship, meekness:
Not thus can monk decline; he's nigh the cool.