SA 1306（一三〇六） 须深摩

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the god Suparīta, with his retinue of five hundred, of exceptional beauty, came to where the Buddha was in the latter part of the night. He bowed his head at the Buddha’s feet and sat to one side. The light from his body illuminated the Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park.

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Venerable Ānanda, "Ānanda, are you not delighted and joyful at Venerable Śāriputra's skillful teaching of the Dharma?" Ānanda said to the Buddha, "Yes, World-Honored One! Who would not be delighted and joyful at Venerable Śāriputra's skillful teaching of the Dharma? Why is that? Venerable Śāriputra upholds the precepts, has much learning, few desires, contentment, diligence, seclusion, right mindfulness, firm abiding, right concentration, swift wisdom, sharp wisdom, wisdom of liberation, decisive wisdom, great wisdom, vast wisdom, deep wisdom, incomparable wisdom, he has accomplished the treasure of wisdom, is skilled in teaching and transforming, and always praises teaching and transforming. He always teaches the Dharma to the four assemblies without weariness."

The Buddha told Ānanda, "It is so, it is so, as you have said. Ānanda, why would those who are not foolish, not deluded, and have wisdom not be delighted upon hearing Venerable Śāriputra's skillful teaching of the Dharma? Why is that? Venerable Śāriputra upholds the precepts, has much learning, few desires, contentment, diligence, right mindfulness, wisdom and concentration, superior wisdom, swift wisdom, sharp wisdom, wisdom of liberation, decisive wisdom, great wisdom, vast wisdom, deep wisdom, incomparable wisdom, he has accomplished the treasure of wisdom, is skilled in teaching and transforming, and always praises teaching and transforming. He always teaches the Dharma to the four assemblies without weariness."

The World-Honored One praised Venerable Śāriputra in this way to Venerable Ānanda, and the inner minds of the retinue of the god Sudeepta were delighted and their bodily radiance increased and illuminated clearly.

At that time, the god Sudeepta, with a joyful mind, emitted pure light from his body to illuminate, and spoke a verse:

Śāriputra is learned, wise, and has equal wisdom. He upholds
the precepts and is well-tamed, attaining the nirvāṇa without remainder
Holding this last body, he subdues the army of Māra.

At that time, the god Sudeepta and his five hundred attendants, having heard the Buddha's teaching, rejoiced and followed his joy. They bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet and then disappeared.