Faith (SN1.36)

Linked Discourses 1.36

4. The Host of a Hundred Felicities

Faith

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Then, late at night, several glorious deities of the host of a hundred felicities, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and stood to one side.

Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:¹

“Faith is a person’s partner.²

If faithlessness doesn’t linger,

fame and renown are theirs,

and when they discard this corpse they go to heaven.”

Then another deity recited these verses in the Buddha’s presence:

“Give up anger, get rid of conceit,³

and get past all the fetters.

Chains don’t torment one who has nothing,

not clinging to name and form.”⁴

“Fools and simpletons⁵

devote themselves to negligence.

But the wise protect diligence

as their best treasure.

Don’t devote yourself to negligence,

or delight in erotic intimacy.

For if you’re diligent and practice absorption,

you’ll attain ultimate happiness.”