1. Sabbhi Suttta
Discourse Concerning the Virtuous,
Satullaphkayika Vagga, Devata Samyutta
Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka

Discourse Concerning the Virtuous

          31. Thus have I heard:

          At one time the Bhagava was staying at the Jetavana monastery of Anathapindika in Savatthi. During that time soon after 'the middle watch of the night, many devas of exceeding beauty, who became devas¹ by (practising and) imparting the doctrine of the virtuous,² approached the Bhagava, illuminating the entire Jetavana monastery. They made their obeisance to the Bhagava and stood at a suitable place. Having stood thus, one of them spoke thus in verse in the presence of the Bhagava:

         "One should associate only with the virtuous; one should make friends with the virtuous, knowing the moral principles from the virtuous, one becomes nobler, and is not base."

          Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:

         "One should associate only with the virtuous; and should make friends with the virtuous; knowing the moral principles from the virtuous, one gains knowledge from them, and not from others (i.e. fools)."

          Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:

          "One should associate only with the virtuous; one should make friends with the virtuous; knowing the moral principles from the virtuous, one does not grieve amidst the grief-stricken people."

         Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava;.

         "One should associate only with the virtuous; one should make friends with the virtuous; knowing the moral principles from the virtuous, one shines forth among one's kinsmen."

          Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:

         "One should associate only with the virtuous: one should make friends with the virtuous; knowing the, moral principles from the virtuous, beings get reborn in the fortunate planes of existence."

         Then another deva spoke this verse in the presence of the Bhagava:

         "One should associate only with the virtuous; one should make friends with the virtuous; knowing the moral principles from the virtuous, beings remain in a happy state for long."

         Then another deva said to the Bhagava thus:

         "Bhagava, whose words are well-spoken?"

         (And the Bhagava said:)

          "Each of those statements well-spoken in its own way. However, listen to mine also: One should associate only with the virtuous; one should seek the guidance of the virtuous; knowing the moral principles from the virtuous, one gets free from all dukkha."

         So said the Bhagava. The devas were delighted. After paying obeisance and showing respect to the Bhagava, they vanished then and there.

End of the Sabbhi Sutta,

the first in this vagga.

FOOTNOTES

          1. This discourse derives from the following story:

          The devas recited verses in praise of their teacher who exhorted them to practise the doctrine of the virtuous just before their death. They had been seafaring traders, seven hundred of them all, in their previous existence. They met with violent storms at sea. Death by shipwreck was imminent. They wailed and prayed to the devas for their lives. But one of them remained calm; he sat squatting, reflecting on the purity of his faith in the Three Jewels and of the five moral precepts. His comrades asked him why he was so calm and composed. He told them about the doctrine of the virtuous in which he had taken refuge. They asked him to share the good doctrine with them. He was only too glad to do so. He divided them into seven groups of a hundred each and, administering the five precepts, exhorted them to reflect on their observance of the precepts, for that was the doctrine of the virtuous that would save them, and there was nothing else that they could lean on. The seven hundred sailor merchants met a watery grave but because of their observance of the doctrine of the virtuous just before their death they were reborn in the Realm of the Thirty three (Tavatimsa) devas.

          2. the doctrine of the virtuous: It is a generic term for a wide range of moral or virtuous practices including the five precepts, the ten precepts, the four bases of mindfulness, the four right endeavours etc., but here the five precepts are meant.