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The Teachings of the Buddha, (Translation by Myanmar Authors)

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Saddha Sutta
Nala Vagga, Devata Samyutta
Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka

SOURCE: "FIVE SAMYUTTAS FROM SAGATHAVAGGA SAMYUTTA"
Translated by U Tin U (Myaung), Yangon
Edited by the Editorial Committee, Burma (Myanmar) Tipitaka Association, 1998

6. Saddha Sutta
Discourse on Faith

        36. 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 devas by (practising and) imparting the doctrine of the virtuous, 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:

        "Faith is man's companion.1

        If one be not lacking in faith, followers and fame will be his.

        And when he leaves this mortal frame

        he is destined to be reborn in celestial abodes."

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

        "One who gives up anger, who gives up conceit, who overcomes all fetters, who is not attached to the complex of mental and physical phenomena and who is unperturbed, has no craving that cleaves."

        (The Bhagava said:)

        "Those who are foolish and have little wisdom indulge in unmindfulness, the wise one guards mindfulness just like the most valuable treasure.

        "Do not indulge in unmindfulness, do not associate closely with enjoyment of sensual pleasures. He who, being mindful, cultivates meditation2 attains the highest bliss (of arahatta phala)."

End of the Saddha Sutta,

the sixth in this vagga.

        1. Faith is man's companion:

        Faith in the Three Gems, in kamma, etc., is an indispensable factor for human beings and devas alike for attaining Nibbana, hence called 'man's companion' metaphorically.

        2. cultivates meditation: jayanto from jayati:

        This word has two meanings (i) to burn up (the defilements) (ii) to contemplate Contemplation means to meditate on something. Meditation may be either 1akkhanupanijjhana, meditation for insight into the three characteristics of mental and physical phenomena', or arammanupanijjhana, 'meditation to attain tranquillity leading to sustained concentration.'