This is as I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s park, at Anathapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s park, went up to the Blessed One, bowed, stood to one side, and recited this verse:
“A fine horse works in a way to avoid being whipped.
In the same way, is there such a person in this world
who works in a way to avoid insults and blame,
with shame, who avoids doing evil deeds?
The Blessed One:
“There are a few who, with shame,
avoid doing evil deeds
and live mindfully at all times.
Those meritorious beings have reached
the end of suffering,
they live smoothly in this rough world.”
Sādhu! Sādhu!! Sādhu!!!
