[21] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus." "Venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"Bhikkhus, on one occasion I was dwelling at Uruvelā, on the bank of the river Nerañjarā, at the foot of the goatherds' banyan tree, just after my full awakening. Then, bhikkhus, as I was alone in seclusion, this reflection arose in my mind (citta): 'One dwells in suffering (dukkha) who is without reverence and without deference. What ascetic or brahmin, then, could I honor, respect, and dwell in dependence upon?'
"Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'For the fulfilment of the unfulfilled aggregate of virtue (sīlakkhandha), I might honor, respect, and dwell in dependence upon another ascetic or brahmin. But in this world with its devas, Māra, and Brahmā, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, I do not see another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in virtue than myself whom I could honor, respect, and dwell in dependence upon. For the fulfilment of the unfulfilled … aggregate of concentration (samādhikkhandha) … aggregate of wisdom (paññākkhandha) … aggregate of liberation (vimuttikkhandha), I might honor, respect, and dwell in dependence upon another ascetic or brahmin. But in this world with its devas, Māra, and Brahmā, in this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, I do not see another ascetic or brahmin more accomplished in liberation than myself whom I could honor, respect, and dwell in dependence upon.'
"Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'Let me then honor, respect, and dwell in dependence upon this very Dhamma to which I have fully awakened.'
"Then, bhikkhus, Brahmā Sahampati, having known with his own mind the reflection in my mind, just as a strong man might extend his bent arm or bend his extended arm, vanished from the Brahmā world and appeared before me. Then, bhikkhus, Brahmā Sahampati, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder and set his right knee upon the ground, raised his joined palms in reverence toward me and said this to me: 'So it is, Blessed One! So it is, Fortunate One! Venerable sir, those who were the Arahants, the Fully Enlightened Ones, in the past — those Blessed Ones too dwelt honoring, respecting, and depending upon the Dhamma itself. Venerable sir, those who will be the Arahants, the Fully Enlightened Ones, in the future — those Blessed Ones too will dwell honoring, respecting, and depending upon the Dhamma itself. Venerable sir, let the Blessed One, who is at present the Arahant, the Fully Enlightened One, also dwell honoring, respecting, and depending upon the Dhamma itself.' This is what Brahmā Sahampati said. Having said this, he further said this:
Those Fully Enlightened Ones of the past,
those Buddhas yet to come,
and he who is now the Fully Enlightened One,
destroyer of the sorrow of many —
all dwelt, and he dwells,
and they too will dwell,
revering the true Dhamma (saddhamma):
this is the nature of Buddhas.
Therefore one who desires his own good,
aspiring to greatness,
should revere the true Dhamma,
recollecting the teaching of the Buddhas.
"This, bhikkhus, is what Brahmā Sahampati said. Having said this, he paid homage to me, circumambulated me keeping his right side toward me, and vanished right there. Then, bhikkhus, having recognized the Brahmā's request and what was fitting for myself, I dwelt honoring, respecting, and depending upon that very Dhamma to which I had fully awakened. And since, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha too has become endowed with greatness, I have reverence for the Saṅgha as well."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.