8 PureDhamma

The Chapter on Gods of the Clouds

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A headman known for his aggressive nature approaches the Buddha and asks how to give up irritability. The Buddha points out that such reactions are fueled by greed, hate, and delusion.

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Talapuṭa the head of a troupe of performers asks the Buddha whether the belief that performers have a good rebirth is correct. The Buddha tries to dissuade him, but ultimately reveals that by inciting lust they head to a bad rebirth. Talapuṭa is distressed and asks to ordain.

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Yodhājı̄va the professional warrior asks the Buddha whether the belief that warriors have a good rebirth is correct. The Buddha tries to dissuade him, but ultimately reveals that by following the way of violence they head to a bad rebirth. Yodhājı̄va is distressed and takes refuge.

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The chief Asibandhakaputta asks whether the rituals advocated by the western brahmins can bring a person to heaven. The Buddha asserts that only good deeds can take you to a good rebirth, and rituals have no effect.

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The chief Asibandhakaputta asks the Buddha why, if he has equal compassion for all, he teaches some more than others. The Buddha answers with a simile of a field: a farmer knows to put most of their effort into the fertile land.

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The Buddha asks the chief Asibandhakaputta, a Jain, how Mahāvīra the Jain leader teaches his followers. He replies that you go to a rebirth depending on what you usually do. But the Buddha points out that even a killer only spends a small amount of time actually killing. The Buddha’s approach is to point out that deeds have results, and to encourage the abandoing of bad deeds and the adoption of good deeds.

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Mahāvīra asks Asibandhakaputta to refute the Buddha on behalf of the Jains. He suggests to try to trap the Buddha with a dilemma: he claims to have compassion for householders, yet visits them with a large Saṅgha in a time of scarcity. But the Buddha says no family has been harmed from this.

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Several members of the king’s retinue criticize the Buddhist mendicants for accepting offerings of money. Chief Maṇicūḷaka is among them, and he visits the Buddha to find out the truth. The Buddha categorically denies the accusation.

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The chief Bhadraka asks the Buddha about the origin and ending of suffering, and the Buddha points out that a loss among Bhadraka’s own community would cause him suffering, due to his attachment.

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