“This is an inherent necessity (dhammatā) with all Tathāgatā, that they teach Dhamma only on request of a Brahma. And what is the reason for this? It is because at those times, all mankind including all mendicants, all Sāmaṇas and Brāhmiṇs, worship Brahma, revere Brahma and adore Brahma. Then if therefore such a powerful, glorious, well known, wise, high and mighty being pays his respect then the whole world including devas will feel inclined, trusts and take courage to pay respect in the same way, that is why, oh great king, a Tathāgatā proclaims the Dhamma only when requested by a Brahma.”
“Api ca, mahārāja, sabbesaṃ tathāgatānaṃ dhammatā esā, yaṃ brahmunā āyācitā dhammaṃ desenti. Tattha pana kiṃ kāraṇaṃ? Ye tena samayena manussā tāpasaparibbājakā samaṇabrāhmaṇā, sabbete brahmadevatā honti brahmagarukā brahmaparāyaṇā, tasmā tassa balavato yasavato ñātassa paññātassa uttarassa accuggatassa onamanena sadevako loko onamissati okappessati adhimuccissatīti iminā ca, mahārāja, kāraṇena tathāgatā brahmunā āyācitā dhammaṃ desenti."
Please download the PDF below to read and listen to this Pāli text. In order to be able to play the embedded audio you will need to use
(version 7 or greater).
If you are not able to playback the embedded audio in the PDF, you may download the audio files
.