On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Sakka the deva-king went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, stood to one side. As he was standing there, he said to the Blessed One, “What, lord, is a delightful place?”
The Buddha:
“Park shrines, forest shrines,
well-constructed lotus ponds
aren’t worth one-sixteenth
of a delightful human being.
The Buddha:
“Park shrines, forest shrines,
well-constructed lotus ponds
aren’t worth one-sixteenth
of a delightful human being.
In village or wilds,
valley, plateau:
that place is delightful
where arahants dwell.”1
Notes
1. This second verse = Dhp 98.
Origin URL: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN11_15.html