VirtuousSabbhisutta

So I have heard.Evaṁ me sutaṁ— At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

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.Atha kho sambahulā satullapakāyikā devatāyo abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Standing to one side, one deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho ekā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Associate only with the virtuous!“Sabbhireva samāsetha, Try to get close to the virtuous!sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Understanding the true teaching of the good,Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, things get better, not worse.”seyyo hoti na pāpiyo”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Associate only with the virtuous!“Sabbhireva samāsetha, Try to get close to the virtuous!sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Understanding the true teaching of the good,Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, wisdom is gained—but not from anyone else.”paññā labbhati nāññato”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Associate only with the virtuous!“Sabbhireva samāsetha, Try to get close to the virtuous!sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Understanding the true teaching of the good,Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, you grieve not among the grieving.”sokamajjhe na socatī”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Associate only with the virtuous!“Sabbhireva samāsetha, Try to get close to the virtuous!sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Understanding the true teaching of the good,Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, you shine among your relatives.”ñātimajjhe virocatī”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Associate only with the virtuous!“Sabbhireva samāsetha, Try to get close to the virtuous!sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Understanding the true teaching of the good,Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sentient beings go to a good place.”sattā gacchanti suggatin”ti.

Then another deity spoke this verse in the Buddha’s presence:Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

“Associate only with the virtuous!“Sabbhireva samāsetha, Try to get close to the virtuous!sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Understanding the true teaching of the good,Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, sentient beings live happily.”sattā tiṭṭhanti sātatan”ti.

Then another deity said to the Buddha,Atha kho aparā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “Sir, who has spoken well?”“kassa nu kho, bhagavā, subhāsitan”ti?

“You’ve all spoken well in your own way. However, listen to me also:“Sabbāsaṁ vo subhāsitaṁ pariyāyena, api ca mamapi suṇātha—

Associate only with the virtuous!Sabbhireva samāsetha, Try to get close to the virtuous!sabbhi kubbetha santhavaṁ; Understanding the true teaching of the good,Sataṁ saddhammamaññāya, you’re released from all suffering.”sabbadukkhā pamuccatī”ti.

That is what the Buddha said.Idamavoca bhagavā. Delighted, those deities bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on their right, before vanishing right there.Attamanā tā devatāyo bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyiṁsūti.