SN55:34 Divine Tracks (1)
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. (More copyright information)
1At Sāvatthī. "Bhikkhus, there are these four divine tracks of the devas for the purification of beings who have not been purified, for the cleansing of beings who have not been cleansed.[n.353] Spk: They are tracks of the devas (devapadāni) as tracks tread upon by the knowledge of the devas, or with the knowledge of a deva. In this sutta the four persons established in the fruits are called devas in the sense of purity.
2What four? "Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses confirmed confidence in the Buddha thus: ‘The Blessed One is an arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.’
This is the first divine track of the devas for the purification of beings who have not been purified, for the cleansing of beings who have not been cleansed. sn.v.393
3"Again, bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses confirmed confidence in the Dhamma thus: ‘The Dhamma is well expounded by the Blessed One, directly visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be personally experienced by the wise.’
This is the second divine track of the devas for the purification of beings who have not been purified, for the cleansing of beings who have not been cleansed.
"Again, bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses confirmed confidence in the Saṅgha thus: ‘The Saṅgha of the Blessed One's disciples is practising the good way, practising the straight way, practising the true way, practising the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals— this Saṅgha of the Blessed One's disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.’
This is the third divine track of the devas for the purification of beings who have not been purified, for the cleansing of beings who have not been cleansed.
4"Again, bhikkhus, a noble disciple possesses the virtues dear to the noble ones— unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled, freeing, praised by the wise, ungrasped, leading to concentration.[n.320] The terms describing the noble one's virtue are explicated at Vism 221–22 (Ppn 7:101–6). Spk says that noble ones do not violate (na kopenti) the Five Precepts even when they pass on to a new existence; hence these virtues are dear to them.
This is the fourth divine track of the devas for the purification of beings who have not been purified, for the cleansing of beings who have not been cleansed.en
"These are the four divine tracks of the devas, for the purification of beings who have not been purified, for the cleansing of beings who have not been cleansed."
1Sāvatthinidānaṁ. "Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.
2Katamāni cattāri? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti – itipi so bhagavā … pe … satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti. Idaṁ paṭhamaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.
3Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako dhamme … pe …
saṅghe … pe … .
4Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato hoti akhaṇḍehi … pe … samādhisaṁvattanikehi.
Idaṁ catutthaṁ devānaṁ devapadaṁ avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāya.
Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri devānaṁ devapadāni avisuddhānaṁ sattānaṁ visuddhiyā apariyodātānaṁ sattānaṁ pariyodapanāyā"ti.
Catutthaṁ.
