[886] **Come from Tusita as leader of a group (tusitā gaṇimāgato):** The Blessed One, having passed away from the Tusita host, mindful (sato) and clearly comprehending (sampajāno), descended into his mother's womb — thus too he is "come from Tusita as leader of a group." Or else, "Tusitas" is a term for the devas. Those devas, pleased, contented, delighted, gladdened, filled with rapture (pīti) and joy, [thought:] "He has come from the Tusita deva-world as leader of a group" — thus too he is "come from Tusita as leader of a group." Or else, "Tusitas" (the satisfied) is a term for the arahants. Those arahants, pleased, contented, delighted, their intentions fulfilled, [thought:] "He has come as leader of the group of arahants" — thus too he is "come from Tusita as leader of a group."
**Leader of a group (gaṇī):** one who has a group. The Blessed One is a leader of a group because he is the teacher of a group (gaṇācariya); he is a leader of a group because he is the Teacher of a group; he is a leader of a group because he manages a group; he is a leader of a group because he advises a group; he is a leader of a group because he instructs a group; he is a leader of a group because, confident, he approaches a group; he is a leader of a group because a group desires to listen to him, lends an ear, and sets up its mind (citta) for understanding; he is a leader of a group because he lifts a group out of the unwholesome and establishes it in the wholesome. He is leader of the group of bhikkhus; leader of the group of bhikkhunīs; leader of the group of laymen; leader of the group of laywomen; leader of the group of kings; leader of the group of khattiyas, of the group of brahmins, of the group of vessas, of the group of suddas, of the group of devas, of the group of brahmās. Having a Saṅgha, having a group, the teacher of a group, he came, approached, drew near, and arrived at the city of Saṅkassa — thus "come from Tusita as leader of a group." Therefore the Elder Sāriputta said:
"Never before have I seen (so said the venerable Sāriputta),
nor heard from anyone,
a Teacher of such lovely speech,
come from Tusita as leader of a group."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.