Itivuttaka — Assim Foi Dito — 83 — Five Harbingers

1This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

2“Mendicants, when a god is due to pass away from the realm of the gods, five harbingers appear. Their flower-garlands wither; their clothes become soiled; they sweat from the armpits; their physical appearance deteriorates; and they no longer delight in their heavenly throne. When the other gods know that that godling is due to pass away, they wish them well in three ways: ‘Sir, may you go from here to a good place!

3When you have gone to a good place, may you be blessed with good fortune!

4When you have been blessed with good fortune, may you become well grounded!’”

5When he said this, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha, “Sir, what do the gods reckon to be going to a good place?

6What do they reckon to be blessed with good fortune?

7What do they reckon to become well grounded?”

8“It is human existence, mendicant, that the gods reckon to be going to a good place.

9When a human being gains faith in the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One, that is what the gods reckon to be blessed with good fortune.

10When that faith in the Realized One is settled, rooted, and planted deep; when it’s strong and can’t be shifted by any ascetic or brahmin or god or Māra or divinity or by anyone in the world, that is what the gods reckon to become well grounded.”

11The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

12“When, with the fading of life,
a god passes from the realm of the gods,
the gods utter three cries
of well-wishing:

13‘Go, worthy sir, from here to a good place,
in the company of humans.
As a human being, gain supreme faith
in the true teaching.

14May that faith of yours be settled,
with roots planted deep,
unfaltering all life long
in the true teaching so well proclaimed.

15Having given up bad conduct
by way of body,
speech, and mind,
and whatever else is corrupt;

16and having done much good,
by way of body,
speech, and mind,
limitless, free of attachments;

17then, having made much worldly merit
by giving gifts,
establish other colleagues
in the true teaching, the spiritual life.’

18It is due to such sympathy
that when the gods know a god
is due to pass away, they wish them well:
‘Come back, god, again and again!’”

19This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.