Connected Discourses 11.12

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1. Linked Discourses 11.12
2. Chapter Two
3. Sakka’s Names
4. Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove.
5. There the Buddha said to the mendicants:
6. “Mendicants, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he was a student named Magha. That’s why he’s called Maghavā.
7. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he was first to give gifts. That’s why he’s called Purindada the Firstgiver.
8. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave gifts ably. That’s why he’s called Sakka the Able.
9. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he gave the gift of a guest house. That’s why he’s called Vāsava the Houser.
10. Sakka thinks of a thousand things in an hour. That’s why he’s called Sahassakkha the Thousand-Eyed.
11. Sakka’s wife is the titan maiden named Sujā. That’s why he’s called Sujampati, Sujā’s Husband.
12. Sakka rules as sovereign lord over the gods of the thirty-three. That’s why he’s called lord of gods.
13. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka.
14. What seven?
15. As long as I live, may I support my parents.
16. As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family.
17. As long as I live, may I speak gently.
18. As long as I live, may I not speak divisively.
19. As long as I live, may I live at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.
20. As long as I live, may I speak the truth.
21. As long as I live, may I be free of anger, or should anger arise, may I quickly get rid of it.
22. In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka.
23. A person who respects their parents,
24. and honors the elders in the family,
25. whose speech is gentle and courteous,
26. and has given up divisiveness;
27. who’s committed to getting rid of stinginess,
28. is truthful, and has mastered anger:
29. the gods of the thirty-three
30. say they really are a true person.”