Nikkhantasutta
Renounced
Enticed by the sight of beautiful women, the newly ordained monk Vaṅgīsa dispels desire and celebrates his commitment to the spiritual path in verse.
Translations
Aratīsutta
Dissatisfaction
Vaṅgīsa is troubled again by lust, but manages to dispel it through his own efforts. His verse speak of the way of the renunciate, letting go of desire and wrong views, and dedicated to ethical conduct and seclusion.
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Pesalasutta
Good-Hearted
As a renowned poet, Vaṅgīsa looked down on less skilled mendicants. Ashamed of his conceit, he exhorted himself in verse to be humble and at peace.
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Ānandasutta
With Ānanda
Troubled once more by lust, Vaṅgīsa turned to Ānanda for support. Ānanda tells him to shift his perception so that beautiful things no longer seem so.
Translations
Subhāsitasutta
Well-Spoken Words
The Buddha gives a simple teaching on four qualities of good speech. Vaṅgīsa is inspired to utter a more elaborate set of verses on the topic, praising especially the speech of the Buddha that leads to the Deathless.
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Sāriputtasutta
With Sāriputta
Seeing Sāriputta speak on the Dhamma, and the rapt attention of the Saṅgha, Vaṅgīsa comes out with verses in his praise.
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Pavāraṇāsutta
The Invitation to Admonish
On the Pavāraṇā day at the end of the rains retreat, the Buddha invites the Saṅgha to admonish him. But not only is the Buddha faultless, so are all the 500 monks present. Vaṅgīsa is inspired to utter a elaborate praise of the Buddha.
Translations
Parosahassasutta
Over a Thousand
Seeing the Buddha speak on the Dhamma, and the rapt attention of the Saṅgha, Vaṅgīsa comes out with verses in his praise. When asked if the verses were spontaneous, he replies that they were, and the Buddha invites him to speak further.
Translations
Koṇḍaññasutta
With Koṇḍañña
Aññā Koṇḍañña, the very first disciple to realize the Dhamma, comes to visit the Buddha after long in seclusion. Inspired, Vaṅgīsa speaks verses in his praise.
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Moggallānasutta
With Moggallāna
Vaṅgīsa speaks in praise of Moggallāna and the Saṅgha.
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Gaggarāsutta
At Gaggarā
Vaṅgīsa says the Buddha, like the moon or the sun, outshines the whole world.
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Vaṅgīsasutta
With Vaṅgīsa
Remembering his past as a wandering poet, Vaṅgīsa celebrates the freedom he has found in the Dhamma