On one occasion the Blessed One was living in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery in Jeta’s garden in the province of Sāvatthi. Now on that occasion, the following evil wrong view had arisen in a certain brahmā: “There is no ascetic or brahmin who can come to this brahmā world.” Then, having known with his own mind the thought in that brahmā’s mind, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm, or draw in his extended arm, the Blessed One disappeared from Jeta’s garden and reappeared in the brahmā world. The Blessed One sat cross-legged in the air above that brahmā, having entered in to meditation on the fire element.
Then it occurred to venerable Mahāmoggallāna: “Where is the Blessed One staying at present?” With the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human eye, the venerable Mahāmoggallāna saw the Blessed One sitting cross-legged in the air above the brahmā, having entered into meditation on the fire element. Having seen this, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm, or draw in his extended arm, venerable Mahāmoggallāna disappeared from Jeta’s garden and reappeared in the brahmā world. Then the venerable Mahāmoggallāna positioned himself in the eastern direction and sat cross legged in the air above that brahmā, lower than the Blessed One, having entered into meditation on the fire element.
Then it occurred to venerable Mahākassapa: “Where is the Blessed One staying at present?” With the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human eye, the venerable Mahākassapa saw the Blessed One sitting cross-legged in the air above the brahmā, having entered into meditation on the fire element. Having seen this, just as quickly as a strong man extends his drawn-in arm, or draws in his extended arm, venerable Mahākassapa disappeared from Jeta’s garden and reappeared in the brahmā world. Then the venerable Mahākassapa positioned himself in the southern direction and sat cross legged in the air above that brahmā, lower than the Blessed One, having entered into meditation on the fire element.
Then it occurred to venerable Mahākappina: “Where is the Blessed One staying at present?” With the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, the venerable Mahākappina saw the Blessed One sitting cross-legged in the air above the brahmā, having entered into meditation on the fire element. Having seen this, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm, or draw in his extended arm, venerable Mahākappina disappeared from Jeta’s garden and reappeared in the brahmā world. Then the venerable Mahākappina positioned himself in the western direction and sat cross legged in the air above that brahmā, lower than the Blessed One, having entered into meditation on the fire element
Then it occurred to venerable Anuruddha: “Where is the Blessed One staying at present?” With the divine eye, which is purified and surpasses the human, the venerable Anuruddha saw the Blessed One sitting cross-legged in the air above the brahmā, having entered into meditation on the fire element. Having seen this, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm, or draw in his extended arm, venerable Anuruddha disappeared from Jeta’s garden and reappeared in the brahmā world. Then the venerable Anuruddha positioned himself in the northern direction and sat cross legged in the air above that brahmā, lower than the Blessed One, having entered into meditation on the fire element.
Then the venerable Mahāmoggallāna asked that brahmā in verse:
“Brahmā, look at the radiance of the mighty Supreme Buddha, surpassing the whole brahmā world. So, do you still hold that view that you formerly held?”
Brahmā:
“Dear Sir, I no longer hold that view I formerly held. Indeed I see the radiance of the mighty Supreme Buddha surpassing the whole brahmā world. Today, how could I say I am permanent and I am eternal?”
Then, having convinced that brahmā of the fault of his view, just as quickly as a strong man might extend his drawn-in arm, or draw in his extended arm, the Blessed One disappeared from the brahmā world and reappeared in Jeta’s garden.
Then that brahmā called one of his attendant brahmās, “Come now, dear sir, go to the venerable Mahāmoggallāna and say to him: ‘Sir, Moggallāna, are there any other disciples of the Blessed One that are so powerful and mighty as Masters Moggallāna, Kassapa, Kappina, and Anuruddha?’”
“Yes, dear sir,” that attendant brahma replied to that brahmā. Then he went to the venerable Mahāmoggallāna and asked him: “Sir, Moggallāna, are there any other disciples of the Blessed One that are so powerful and mighty as Masters Moggallāna, Kassapa, Kappina, and Anuruddha?”
Then the venerable Mahāmoggallāna answered that attendant brahmā in verse:
“There are many great Arahant disciples of the Supreme Buddha who have destroyed all taints, achieved triple knowledge, developed miracles of supernormal powers, and are very skilled in reading others’ minds.”
Having accepted and delighted in the reply of venerable Mahāmoggallāna, that attendant brahmā went to his master and said to him, “Sir, venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this:
‘There are many ingenious Arahant disciples of the Supreme Buddha who have destroyed all taints, achieved triple knowledge, developed miracles of supernormal powers, and are very skilled in reading others’ minds.’
This is what the attendant brahmā said. The master brahmā was delighted, and rejoiced in what was said by the attendant brahmā.
