Linked Discourses on Centaurs

The Chapter on Centaurs

SN 31.1 Plain Version Suddhikasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. ... The Buddha said this:

"Mendicants, I will teach you about the gods of the centaur realm. Listen ...

And what are the gods of the centaur realm? There are gods who live in fragrant roots, fragrant heartwood, fragrant softwood, fragrant bark, fragrant shoots, fragrant leaves, fragrant flowers, fragrant fruit, fragrant sap, and fragrant scents. These are called the gods of the centaur realm."

SN 31.2 Good Conduct Sucaritasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods of the centaur realm?"

"Mendicant, it's when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they've heard: 'The gods of the centaur realm are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.' They think: 'If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods of the centaur realm!' When their body breaks up, after death, they're reborn in the company of the gods of the centaur realm. This is the cause, this is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods of the centaur realm."

SN 31.3 A Giver of Fragrant Roots Mūlagandhadātāsutta

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots?"

"Mendicant, it's when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they've heard: 'The gods who live in fragrant roots are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.' They think: 'If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots!' They give gifts of fragrant roots. When their body breaks up, after death, they're reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots. This is the cause, this is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots."

SN 31.4--12 Nine Discourses On Givers of Fragrant Heartwood, Etc. Sāragandhādidātāsuttanavaka

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant heartwood ... softwood ... bark ... sprouts ... leaves ... flowers ... fruit ... sap ... fragrant scents?"

"Mendicant, it's when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they've heard: 'The gods who live in fragrant heartwood ... fragrant scents are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.' They think: 'If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant heartwood ... fragrant scents!' They give gifts of fragrant heartwood ... fragrant scents. When their body breaks up, after death, they're reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant scents. This is the cause, this is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live on fragrant scents."

SN 31.13--22 Ten Discourses On How Giving Helps Rebirth in Fragrant Roots Mūlagandhadānūpakārasuttadasaka

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots?"

"Mendicant, it's when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they've heard: 'The gods who live in fragrant roots are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.' They think: 'If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots!' They give food ... drink ... clothing ... a vehicle ... a garland ... fragrance ... makeup ... a bed ... a house ... a lamp. When their body breaks up, after death, they're reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots. This is the cause, this is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant roots."

SN 31.23--112 Ninety Discourses On How Giving Helps Rebirth in Fragrant Heartwood, etc. Sāragandhādidānūpakārasuttanavutika

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant said to the Buddha:

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant heartwood ... softwood ... bark ... sprouts ... leaves ... flowers ... fruit ... sap ... fragrant scents?"

"Mendicant, it's when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they've heard: 'The gods who live in fragrant scents are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.' They think: 'If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant scents!' They give food ... drink ... clothing ... a vehicle ... a garland ... fragrance ... makeup ... a bed ... a house ... a lamp. When their body breaks up, after death, they're reborn in the company of the gods who live in fragrant scents. This is the cause, this is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods who live on fragrant scents."