TMCGSS-72 (Devata) Samiddhi Sutta S1.20 SD 21.4 | The Dharma is right here and now. Piya Tan 241129

(Devatā) Samiddhi Sutta
The (Devatā) Discourse on Samiddhi | S 1.20
Theme: The Dharma is right here and now
Translated by Piya Tan ©2007
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The (Devatā) Discourse on Samiddhi | S 1.20, SD 21.4
Theme: The Dharma is right here and now
1.0.1 The (Devatā) Samiddhi Sutta (S 1.20) is an account of a celestial nymph who tries to tempt the young elder Samiddhi. The story is similar to the introductory story of the Samiddhi Jātaka, but the dis-cussion between Samiddhi and the devatā is here given at greater length. When Samiddhi explains to her his true purpose in leading a renounced life, she wishes to know more of the Buddha’s teaching, and asks him to find an opportunity for her to meet the Buddha. Samiddhi brings her to the Buddha who teaches her Dharma.
1.1 THE LOVESICK DEITY
1.1.1 The (Devatā) Samiddhi Sutta (S 1.20) relates how a female deity (devatā), seeing the “well-endowed, very handsome and charming” (samiddho abhirūpo pāsādiko) young monk Samiddhi drying himself after a bath in the warm water of the Tapodā lake at dawn, falls in love with him, and tries to seduce him with clever wordplay (SA 1:40). Samiddhi not only successfully resists her temptation but invites her to meet the Buddha, who then admonishes her.
The Saṁyutta Commentary says that this is a young female deva (deva,dhītā), an earth-bound deity (bhumma,devatā), residing in the grove (SA 1:40,6). It is possible that, in such a situation, the deity could have been intimately connected to Samiddhi in past lives.
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