SN 11.11 Vows

Text

SN 11.11 - Vows
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato
Source: https://suttacentral.net/sn11.11/en/sujato
License: CC0-1.0

Linked Discourses 11.11
Chapter Two
Vows
At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, in a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka. What seven?
As long as I live, may I support my parents. As long as I live, may I honor the elders in the family. As long as I live, may I speak gently. As long as I live, may I not backbite. As long as I live, may I live at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. As long as I live, may I speak the truth. As long as I live, may I be free of anger, or should anger arise, may I quickly get rid of it.
In a former life, when Sakka was a human being, he undertook seven vows. And it was because of undertaking these that he achieved the status of Sakka.
A child who respects their parents,
and honors the elders in the family,
whose speech is gentle and courteous,
and has given up backbiting;
who’s committed to getting rid of stinginess,
is truthful, and has mastered anger:
the gods of the thirty-three declare
them to be a true person.”