Chapter 10 Yakkha- Samyutta (With Yakkhas)

SN 10.1 Indaka Sutta: Indaka

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha on Mount Inda's Peak, the haunt of the yakkha Indaka. Then the yakkha Indaka approached the Blessed One and addressed him in verse:

" As the Buddhas say that form is not the soul, How then does one obtain this body?
From where do one's bones and liver come? How is one begotten in the womb?"

The Blessed One:
"First there is the kalala; From the kalala comes the abbuda;
From the abbuda the pesi is produced; From the pesi the ghana arises;
From the ghana emerge the limbs, The head-hair, body-hair, and nails.
And whatever food the mother eats. The meals and drink that she consumes
By this the being there is maintained, The person inside the mother's womb."

(A local spirit asks the Buddha how a body is produced if there is no soul.)
SN 10.2 Sakkanāma Sutta : Sakkannmaka

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha on Mount Vulture Peak. Then the yakkha Sakkanamaka approached the Blessed One and addressed him in verse: 
"Having abandoned all the knots As one fully released,
It isn't good for you, an ascetic, To be instructing others."

The Blessed One:
"If, O Sakka, for some reason Intimacy with anyone should arise,
The wise man ought not to stir his mind With compassion towards such a person."

"But if with a mind clear and pure He gives instructions to others,
He does not become fettered By his compassion and sympathy."

(A spirit tells the Buddha that if he is truly free he should not be instructing others.)
SN 10.3 Suciloma Sutta: Suciloma

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Gaya at the Taitkita Bed, the haunt of the yakkha Suciloma. Now on that occasion the yakkha Khara and the yakkha Suciloma were passing by not far from the Blessed One. Then the yakkha Khara said to the yakkha Suciloma: "That is an ascetic."

"That is not an ascetic; that is a sham ascetic.I'll soon find out whether he is an ascetic or a sham ascetic." Then the yakkha Suciloma approached the Blessed One and bent over the Blessed One. The Blessed One drew back. Then the yakkha Suciloma said to the Blessed One: "Are you afraid of me, ascetic?"
"I'm not afraid of you, friend. It is just that your touch is evil. "

"I'll ask you a question, ascetic. If you won't answer me, I'll drive you insane or I'll split your heart or I'll grab you by the feet and hurl you across the Ganges."
"I do not see anyone in this world, friend, with its devas, Mara, and Brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, who could drive me insane or split my heart or grab me by the feet and hurl me across the Ganges. But ask whatever you want, friend." 

"What is the source of lust and hatred? Whence spring discontent, delight, and terror?
Having arisen from what do the mind's thoughts [Toss one around] as boys toss up a crow?"

The Blessed One:
"Lust and hatred have their source here; From this spring discontent, delight, and terror;
Having arisen from this, the mind's thoughts [Toss one around] as boys toss up a crow."

"Sprung from affection, arisen from oneself, Like the trunk-born shoots of the banyan tree;
Manifold, clinging to sensual pleasures, Like a maluva creeper stretched across the woods."

"Those who understand their source, They dispel it-listen, 0 yakkha!
They cross this flood so hard to cross, Uncrossed before, for no renewed existence."

(The spirits Khara and Sūciloma argue about whether the Buddha is a true ascetic or not. They approach him initially with threat and then asked Buddha what's the origin of greed and hate.)
SN 10.4 Maṇibhadda Sutta: Manibhadda

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Magadhans at the Manimalaka Shrine, the haunt of the yakkha Manibhadda. Then the yakkha Manibhadda approached the Blessed One and in the Blessed One's presence recited this verse:
"It is always good for the mindful one, The mindful one thrives in happiness.
It is better each day for the mindful one, And he is freed from enmity."

The Blessed One:
"It is always good for the mindful one, The mindful one thrives in happiness.
It is better each day for the mindful one, But he is.not freed from enmity. "

"One whose mind all day and night Takes delight in harmlessness,
Who has loving kindness for all beings,For him there is enmity with none."

(The spirit Maṇibhadda speaks in praise of mindfulness, opining that a mindful one is free of hate. The Buddha responds that yes, mindfulness is wonderful, but only through developing love is one free of hate.)
SN 10.5 Sānu Sutta: Sanu

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. Now on that occasion a certain female lay follower had a son named Sanu who had been possessed by a yakkha. Then that female lay follower, lamenting, on that occasion recited these verses:
"With those who lead the holy life, Who observe the Uposatha days
Complete in eight factors On the fourteenth or fifteenth,
And on the eighths of the fortnight, And during special periods,
The yakkhas do not sport around: So I have heard from the arahants.
But now today I see for myself The yakkhas sporting with Sanu."

The yakkha that has entered Sanu
"With those who lead the holy life, Who observe the Uposatha days
Complete in eight factors On the fourteenth or fifteenth,
And on the eighths of the fortnight, And during special periods,
The yakkhas do not sport around: What you heard from the arahants is good."

"When Sanu has awakened tell him This injunction of the yakkhas:
Do not do an evil deed Either openly or in secret.
If you should do an evil deed, Or if you are doing one now, 
You won't be free from suffering Though you fly up and flee."

Sanu:
"They weep, mother, for the dead Or for one living who isn't seen.
When you see, mother, that I'm alive, Why, a mother, do you weep for me?"

Sanu's mother:
"They weep, a son, for the dead Or for one living who isn't seen;
But when one returns to the home life After renouncing sensual pleasures,
They weep for this one too, my son, For though alive he's really dead."

"Drawn out, my dear, from hot embers,You wish to plunge into hot embers;
Drawn out, my dear, from an inferno, You wish to plunge into an inferno."

"Run forward, good luck be with you! To whom could we voice our grief?
Being an item rescued from the fire, You wish to be burnt again."

(It seems that the novice Sānu had returned to his home intending to disrobe. To prevent him, a spirit possessed him, encouraging him to pursue the path of good. Sānu’s mother, weeping for her son, also tries to make him stay in robes.)
SN 10.6 Piyaṅkara Sutta: Piyankara 

On one occasion the Venerable Anuruddha was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. Now on that occasion the Venerable Anuruddha, having risen at the first flush of dawn, was reciting stanzas of Dhamma. Then the female yakkha Piyaitkara's Mother hushed her little child thus:

"Do not make a sound, Piyaitkara, A bhikkhu recites Dhamma-stanzas.
Having understood a Dhamma-stanza, We might practise for our welfare. "

"Let us refrain from harming living beings, Let us not speak a deliberate lie,
We should train ourselves in virtue: Perhaps we'll be freed from the goblin realm." 

(A female spirit hushes her son Piyaṅkara so she can hear the teaching and pursue harmlessness.)
SN 10.7 Punabbasu Sutta: Punabbasu 

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. Now on that occasion the Blessed One was instructing, exhorting, inspiring, and gladdening the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk concerning Nibbana. And those bhikkhus were listening to the Dhamma with eager ears, attending to it as a matter of vital concern, applying their whole mind to it.

Then the female yakkha Punabbasu's Mother hushed her little children thus:
"Be quiet, Uttarika, Be quiet, Punabbasu!
I wish to listen to the Dhamma Of the Teacher, the Supreme Buddha."

"When the Blessed One speaks of Nibbana, Release from all the knots,
There has arisen within me Deep affection for this Dhamma."

"In the world one's own son is dear, In the world one's own husband is dear;
But for me the quest for this Dhamma Has become even dearer than them."

"For neither one's own son nor husband, Though dear, can release one from suffering
As listening to true Dhamma frees one From the suffering of living beings."

"In this world steeped in suffering, Fettered by aging and death,
I wish to listen to the Dhamma That he-the Buddha-fully awakened to,
For freedom from aging and death. So be quiet, Punabbasu!"

Punabbasu:
"Mother dear, I am not talking; This Uttara is silent, too.
Pay attention only to the Dhamma, For listening to true Dhamma is pleasant.
Because we have not known true Dhamma We've been living miserably, mother. "

"He is the maker of light For bewildered devas and humans;
Enlightened, bearing his final body, The One with Vision teaches the Dhamma."

Punabbasu's mother:
"It is good that my son has become so wise, He whom I bore and nursed at my breast.
My son loves the pure Dhamma Of the Supremely Enlightened One. "

"Punabbasu, be happy! Today I have emerged at last.
Hear me too, 0 Uttara: The noble truths are seen!"

(A female spirit hushes her children as she listens to the teaching. But her son Punabbasu says that he had not been talking, as he too wants to learn.)
SN 10.8 Sudatta Sutta: Sudatta

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Cool Grove. Now on that occasion the householder Anathapindika had arrived in Rajagaha on some business. He heard: "A Buddha, it is said, has arisen in the world!" He wanted to go and see the Blessed One immediately, but it occurred to him: "It is not the right time to go and see the Blessed One today. I will go and see the Blessed One early tomorrow morning."

He lay down with his mindfulness directed to the Buddha, and during the night he got up three times thinking it was morning. Then the householder Anathapindika approached the gate of the charnel ground. Nonhuman beings opened the gate. 

 Then, as the householder Anathapindika was leaving the city, the light disappeared and darkness appeared. Fear, trepidation, and terror arose in him and he wanted to tum back. But the yakkha Sivaka, invisible, made the proclamation:
"A hundred [thousand} elephants, A hundred [thousand] horses,
A hundred [thousand] mule-drawn chariots, A hundred thousand maidens
Adorned with jewelry and earrings, Are not worth a sixteenth part Of a single step forward."

"Go forward, householder! Go forward, householder!
Going forward is better for you, not turning back again."

Then the darkness disappeared and light appeared to the householder Anathapindika, and the fear, trepidation, and terror that had arisen in him subsided. A second time ... (verse 838 is included in this repetition)  .. . A third time the light disappeared and darkness appeared before the householder Anathapindika. Fear, trepidation, and terror arose in him and he wanted to tum back. But a third time the yakkha Sivaka, invisible, made the proclamation:
"A hundred [thousand] elephants ... Of a single step forward. "
"Go forward, householder! Go forward, householder!
Going forward is better for you, not turning back again."

Then the darkness disappeared and light appeared to the householder Anathapindika, and the fear, trepidation, and terror that had arisen in him subsided. Then the householder Anathapindika approached the Blessed One in the Cool Grove. Now on that occasion the Blessed One, having risen at the first flush of dawn, was walking back and forth in the open. The Blessed One saw the householder Anathapindiika coming in the distance. He descended from the walkway, sat down in the seat that was prepared, and said to the householder Anathapindika: "Come, Sudatta."
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Then the householder Anathapindika, thinking, "The Blessed One has addressed me by my name," [thrilled and elated],prostrated himself right on the spot with his head at the Blessed One's feet and said to him: "I hope, venerable sir, that the Blessed One slept well."

The Blessed One:
" Always indeed he sleeps well, The brahmin who is fully quenched,
Who does not cling to sensual pleasures, Cool at heart, without acquisitions. "

"Having cut off all attachments, Having removed care from the heart,
The peaceful one sleeps well, Having attained peace of mind."

​(When Anāthapiṇḍika heard that a Buddha had arisen in the world, he rose first thing in the morning to go and visit him. But a mysterious darkness caused him to hesitate, so a spirit repeatedly encouraged him to step forward. Finally he reached the Buddha, and asked if he had slept well.)
SN 10.9 Paṭhamasukkā Sutta: Sukka (1)

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. Now on that occasion the bhikkhuni Sukka, surrounded by a large assembly, was teaching the Dhamma. Then a yakkha who had full confidence in the bhikkhuni Sukka, going from street to street and from square to square in Rajagaha, on that occasion recited these verses:

"What has happened to these people in Rajagaha? They sleep as if they've been drinking mead.
Why don't they attend on Sukka As she teaches the deathless state?"

"But the wise, as it were, drink it up
That [Dhamma] irresistible, Ambrosial, nutritious
As travelers do a cloud."

(A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages encouraging people to listen to her teaching.)
SN 10.10 Dutiyasukkā Sutta : Sukka (2) 

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. Now on that occasion a certain lay follower gave food to the bhikkhuni Sukka. Then a yakkha who had full confidence in the bhikkhuni Sukka, going from street to street and from square to square in Rajagaha, on that occasion recited this verse:

"He has engendered much merit
Wise indeed is this lay follower,
Who just gave food to Sukka,
One released from all the knots."

(A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.)
SN 10.11 Cira Sutta: Cira

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. Now on that occasion a certain lay follower gave a robe to the bhikkhuni Ora. Then a yakkha who had full confidence in the bhikkhuni Cira, going from street to street and from square to square in Rajagaha, on that occasion recited this verse:.
"He has engendered much merit
Wise indeed is this lay follower,
Who just gave a robe to Cira, One released from all the bonds." 

(A spirit was full of faith in the nun Cirā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.)
SN 10.12 Āḷavaka Sutta : Alavaka

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Alavi, the haunt of the yakkha Alavaka. Then the yakkha A!avaka approached the Blessed One and said to him: "Get out, ascetic!"
"All right, friend," the Blessed One said, and he went out.
"Come in, ascetic."
" All right, friend," the Blessed One said, and he went in.

A second time . .. A third time the yakkha A!avaka said to the Blessed One: "Get out, ascetic!"
" All right, friend," the Blessed One said, and he went out.
"Come in, ascetic."
" All right, friend," the Blessed One said, and he went in.

A fourth time the yakkha Alavaka said to the Blessed One: "Get out, ascetic."
"I won't go out, friend. Do whatever you have to do." 

''I'll ask you a question, ascetic. If you won't answer me, I'll drive you insane or I'll split your heart or I'll grab you by the feet and hurl you across the Ganges."
"I do not see anyone in this world, friend, with its devas. Mara, and Brahma, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, who could drive me insane or split my heart or grab me by the feet and hurl me across the Ganges But ask whatever you want, friend."

Alavaka:
"What here is a man's best treasure? What practiced well brings happiness?
What is really the sweetest of tastes? How lives the one who they say lives best?"

The Blessed One:
"Faith is here a man's best treasure; Dhamma practiced well brings happiness;
Truth is really the sweetest of tastes; One living by wisdom they say lives best."

Alavaka:
"How does one cross over the flood? How does one cross the rugged sea?
How does one overcome suffering? How is one purified?"

The Blessed One:
"By faith one crosses over the flood, By diligence, the rugged sea.
By energy one overcomes suffering, By wisdom one is purified."

Alavaka:
"How does one gain wisdom? How does one find wealth?
How does one achieve acclaim? How bind friends to oneself?
When passing from this world to the next, How does one not sorrow?" 

The Blessed One:
"Placing faith in the Dhamma of the arahants For the attainment of Nibbana,
From desire to learn one gains wisdom If one is diligent and astute."

"Doing what is proper, dutiful, One with initiative finds wealth.
By truthfulness one wins acclaim; Giving, one binds friends.
That is how one does not sorrow When passing from this world to the next."

"The faithful seeker of the household life In whom dwell these four qualities
Truth, Dhamma, steadfastness, generosity Does not sorrow when he passes on."

"Come now, ask others as well, The many ascetics and brahmins,
Whether there is found here anything better Than truth,
self-control, generosity, and patience."

Alavaka:
"Why now should I ask this question Of the many ascetics and brahmins?
Today I have understood The good pertaining to the future life."

"Indeed, for my sake the Buddha came To reside at Alavi.
Today I have understood Where a gift bears great fruit. "

"I myself will travel about From village to village, town to town,
Paying homage to the Enlightened One And to the excellence of the Dhamma."

(The famous story of the spirit Āḷavaka, who tries to bully the Buddha, but is soon persuaded through a surprisingly insightful series of questions and answers.)
​​References 
1. www.accesstoinsight.org
2. https://suttacentral.net/
3. The connected discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Bodhi)