Invocation /
Mangala Sutta

Ratana
Sutta

Metta
Sutta

Khandha
Sutta

Mora
Sutta

Vatta
Sutta

Dhajagga
Sutta

Atanatiya
Sutta

Angulimala
Sutta

Bojjhanga
Sutta

Pubbanha
Sutta

VATTA SUTTA

purentam bodhisambhare, nibbattam vattajatiyam;

yassa tejena davaggi, mahassattam vivajjayi.

therassa Sariputtassa, lokanathena bhasitam;

kappatthayim mahatejam, parittam tam bhanama he.

atthi loke silaguno, saccam soceyyanuddaya;

tena saccena kahami, saccakiriyam-uttamam.

avajjetva dhammabalam, saritva pubbake jine;

saccabalam-avassaya, saccakiriyam-akasaham.

santi pakkha apatana, santi pada avancana;

mata pita ca nikkhanta, jataveda patikkama.

saha sacce kate mayham, mahapajjalito sikhi;

vajjesi solasa karisani, udakam patva yatha sikhi;

saccena me samo natthi, esa me saccaparami.

Vatta Suttam Nitthitam.

cariyapitaka 415; jataka vol. 1. 9.

To Listen in Myanmar Pali

VATTA SUTTA

The Discourse on the Quail's Confession

        Once, Lord Buddha went on his morning round for alms through a certain hamlet in Magadha. On his return after his break fast, accompanied by his disciples came to a place where a great jungle-fire broke out; the disciples fled towards the Lord and saw him standing untouched by the raging flame. When they exclaimed and praised Him on His miraculous powers the Lord explained to them that it was the power of a previous "Act of Truth" which he had performed in his former life as a quail. Since then in this spot no fire will burn throughout the whole of this aeon. This miracle was one which would endure for an aeon.

         In his previous birth as a quail, there broke out a forest-fire. Fearing for their lives all creatures, including his own parents fled away leaving only the helpless baby-quail in the nest. The young bird was then too young to fly or to walk and he was forsaken all alone. Thereupon he meditated on the efficacy of the past Buddhas as well as the efficacy of Truth. He then performed an Oath of Truth and wished that the fire may recede. The angry flame calmed down and waived the spot of sixteen hectors (lengths) just like a burning torch had been clipped into the water. The fire was extinguished by the miracle of the Oath uttered by the babyrquail. As this spot will remain for the whole aeon untouched by any fire, this miracle is called an aeon-miracle.

         This paritta sutta of six stanzas in Pali, is therefore recited in Burma to protect and prevent from dangers of conflagation and forest fire.

6. VATTA SUTTA

The Discourse of the Quail's Asseveration

Introduction

    By the power of this discourse, the forest-fire passed over the Great Being (the Buddha-to-be) who was born as a quail, fulfilling the necessary requirements for obtaining the Enlightenment.

    Oh thou! Let us recite this discourse, which was expounded by the Saviour of the world (the Buddha) to the Elder Sariputta, and which will last for aeons, being endowed with mighty powers.

    There's saving merit in virtue in this world;

    Truth, purity of life, and conpassion too,

    Thereby, I'll work a matchless Act of Truth.

    Remembering the Law's might, and reflecting

    On those who triumphed in the days gone by,

    Depending on the might of truth,

    an Act of Truth I wrought.

    With wings I can't fly, with feet I can't walk,

    gone away my parents, here I am alone. Oh Forest-fire, please, recede!

    I wrought my Act of Truth, and therewith

    The sheet of blazing fire waived for sixteen hectors

    Unscathed, — like flames by water, met and quenched.

    There is no equal to my Truth asseveration.

    This is my perfection of Truth.

First posted on 31-10-02