Sakka’s Questions 1.12

‘“I was a laywoman disciple of the Clear-eyed One,

and my name was Gopikā.

I was devoted to the Buddha and the teaching,

and I faithfully served the Saṅgha.

Because of the clear rightness of the Buddha’s teaching,

I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,

reborn in the Third Heaven.

And here they know me as Gopaka.

Then I saw some mendicants who I’d seen before,

dwelling in the host of centaurs.

They were disciples of Gotama

when I used to be a human.

I served them with food and drink,

and clasped their feet in my own home.

Where on earth were these good fellows at

when they learned the Buddha’s teachings?

For each must know for themselves the teaching

so well-taught, realized by the Clear-eyed One.

I was one who followed you,

having heard the fine words of the noble ones.

I’m now a mighty, dazzling son of Sakka,

reborn in the Third Heaven.

But you followed the best of men,

and led the supreme spiritual life,

but still you’re born in this lesser realm,

a rebirth unbefitting.

It’s a sad sight I see, good fellows,

fellow practitioners in a lesser realm.

Reborn in the host of centaurs,

only to wait upon the gods.

Meanwhile, I dwelt in a house—

but see my distinction now!

Having been a woman now I’m a male god,

blessed with heavenly sensual pleasures.”

Scolded by that disciple of Gotama,

comprehending Gopaka,
they were struck with urgency.

“Let’s strive, let’s try hard—

we won’t serve others any more!”

Two of them roused up energy,

recalling the Buddha’s instructions.

Right away they became dispassionate,

seeing the drawbacks in sensual pleasures.

The fetters and bonds of sensual pleasures—

the ties of the Wicked One so hard to break—

they burst them like a bull elephant his ropes,

and passed right over the thirty-three.

The gods with Indra and the Progenitor

were all gathered in the Hall of Clear Right.

As they sat there, they passed over them,

the heroes desireless, practicing purity.

Seeing them, Vāsava was struck with urgency;

the master of gods in the midst of the group said,

“These were born in the lesser centaur realm,

but now they pass us by!”

Heeding the speech of one so moved,

Gopaka addressed Vāsava,

“There is a Buddha, a lord of men, in the world.

Known as the Sakyan Sage,
he’s mastered the senses.

Those sons of his lost their memory;

but when scolded by me they gained it back.

Of the three, there is one who remains

dwelling in the host of centaurs.

But two, recollecting the path to awakening,

serene, spurn even the gods.

Such is the explanation of the teaching here:

not a single disciple doubts that.

We venerate the Buddha, the victor, lord of men,

who has crossed the flood and cut off doubt.

They attained distinction to the extent

they understood the teaching here;

two of them distinguished

in the host of the priests of Divinity.”’

We have come here, dear sir,

to realize this same teaching.

If the Buddha would give me a chance,

I would ask a question, dear sir.”