Connected Discourses 2.29

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1. Linked Discourses 2.29
2. 3. Various Sectarians
3. With Susīma
4. At Sāvatthī.
5. Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him,
6. “Ānanda, do you endorse Sāriputta?”
7. “Sir, who on earth would not endorse Venerable Sāriputta unless they’re a fool, a hater, delusional, or mentally deranged?
8. Venerable Sāriputta is astute,
9. he has great wisdom,
10. widespread wisdom,
11. laughing wisdom,
12. swift wisdom,
13. sharp wisdom,
14. and penetrating wisdom.
15. He has few wishes,
16. he’s content,
17. secluded,
18. aloof,
19. and energetic.
20. He gives advice
21. and accepts advice;
22. he accuses
23. and criticizes wickedness.
24. Who on earth would not endorse Venerable Sāriputta unless they’re a fool, a hater, delusional, or mentally deranged?”
25. “That’s so true, Ānanda! That’s so true!
26. Who on earth would not endorse Venerable Sāriputta unless they’re a fool, a hater, delusional, or mentally deranged?”
27. And the Buddha repeated all of Ānanda’s terms of praise.
28. While this praise of Sāriputta was being spoken, the godling Susīma approached the Buddha, escorted by a large assembly of godling. He bowed, stood to one side, and said to him:
29. “That’s so true, Blessed One! That’s so true, Holy One!
30. Who on earth would not endorse Venerable Sāriputta unless they’re a fool, a hater, delusional, or mentally deranged?”
31. And he too repeated all the terms of praise of Sāriputta, adding,
32. “For I too, sir, whenever I go to an assembly of godlings, frequently hear the same terms of praise.”
33. While this praise of Sāriputta was being spoken, the godlings of Susīma’s assembly—uplifted and overjoyed, full of rapture and happiness—generated a rainbow of bright colors.
34. Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally beautiful, eight-faceted, well-worked. When placed on a cream rug it would shine and glow and radiate.
35. In the same way, the godlings of Susīma’s assembly generated a rainbow of bright colors.
36. Suppose there was a pendant of Black Plum River gold, fashioned by a deft smith, well wrought in the forge. When placed on a cream rug it would shine and glow and radiate.
37. In the same way, the godlings of Susīma’s assembly generated a rainbow of bright colors.
38. Suppose that in the autumn the heavens were clear and cloudless. At the crack of dawn, the Morning Star shines and glows and radiates.
39. In the same way, the godlings of Susīma’s assembly generated a rainbow of bright colors.
40. Suppose that in the autumn the heavens were clear and cloudless. As the sun is rising to the firmament, having dispelled all the darkness of space, shines and glows and radiates.
41. In the same way, the godlings of Susīma’s assembly generated a rainbow of bright colors.
42. Then the godling Susīma recited this verse about Venerable Sāriputta in the Buddha’s presence:
43. “He’s considered astute,
44. Sāriputta, free of anger.
45. Few in wishes, sweet, tamed,
46. the seer shines in the Teacher’s praise!”
47. Then the Buddha replied to Susīma with this verse about Venerable Sāriputta:
48. “He’s considered astute,
49. Sāriputta, free of anger.
50. Few in wishes, sweet, tamed;
51. developed and well-tamed, he awaits his time.”