Full moon Observances IV

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthi.

2. Then a certain monk approached the Blessed One, worshipped, and sat on a side.

3. Sitting, that monk said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, how is it that a certain serpent, born spontaneously, observing the full moon observances, would even give up his body?”

4. “Here, monk, to a certain serpent born spontaneously it occurs: `Earlier we acted in two ways by body, speech, and mind, and after death were born with the serpents born spontaneously.'

5. “`Today we develop the right conduct by body, speech, and mind. In this manner we go to a good state, go to heaven after death.'

6. “`Therefore at this time we develop the right conduct by body speech and mind.'

7. “Monk, this is the reason that a certain serpent born spontaneously, observing the full moon observances, would even give up his body.”