Vows (SN11.11)

Linked Discourses 11.11

Chapter Two

Vows

At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, 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.¹

What seven?²

As long as I live, may I support my parents.

As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family.

As long as I live, may I speak gently.

As long as I live, may I not backbite.

As long as I live, may I live at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

As long as I live, may I speak the truth.

As long as I live, may I be free of anger, or should anger arise, may I quickly get rid of it.

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.

A child who respects their parents,³

and honors the elders in the family,

whose speech is gentle and courteous,

and has given up backbiting;

who’s committed to getting rid of stinginess,

is truthful, and has mastered anger:

the gods of the thirty-three declare

them to be a true person.”