Reading guide
A shared English title, but not a shared Pali one
Sujato's translation gives this discourse the identical English title as SN 11.18, "Who Sakka Worships"; the underlying Pali titles differ — Satthāravandanāsutta here, "homage to the teacher," versus Gahaṭṭhavandanāsutta there — a naming coincidence worth flagging rather than treating the two as identical.
A specific object of reverence, not a general gesture
SN 11.18 has Sakka bow toward the four directions generally; here he bows specifically toward the Buddha — a small but meaningful narrowing of the scene's focus from the outset.
Three tiers named, not two broad groups
Rather than SN 11.18's two categories — the ordained and ethical householders — this discourse's answer specifies three distinct tiers: the Buddha himself, arahants whose defilements have fully ended, and trainees still pursuing the path.
The Buddha named first and separately
Where SN 11.18's answer began with monastics in general, here the Buddha is named as his own distinct, first category — placed above even the fully perfected arahants who follow in the second tier.
Precise technical language for those still training
The third tier uses the specific term sekkha, denoting someone still in training on the path rather than already perfected — a degree of technical precision absent from SN 11.18's more general phrasing.
Key terms
The text
§1Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. “Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, addressed his chariot handler Mātali, ‘My dear Mātali, harness the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds. We will go to a park and see the scenery.’ ‘Yes, lord,’ replied Mātali. He harnessed the chariot and informed Sakka, ‘Good fellow, the chariot with its team of a thousand thoroughbreds has been harnessed. Please go at your convenience.’
§2Then Sakka descended from the Palace of Victory, raised his cupped palms, and revered the Buddha. So Mātali the chariot handler addressed Sakka in verse:
§3‘Gods and men worship you, Vāsava. So what’s the name of the spirit that you worship, Sakka?’
§4‘It’s the fully awakened Buddha, the Teacher of peerless name in this world with its gods—that’s who I worship, Mātali. Those in whom greed, hate, and ignorance have faded away; the perfected ones with defilements ended—they’re who I worship, Mātali. The trainees who enjoy reducing suffering, diligently pursuing the training for getting rid of greed and hate, and going past ignorance—they’re who I worship, Mātali.’
§5‘Those who you worship seem to be the best in the world, Sakka. I too will worship those who you worship, Sakka.’ After saying this, Maghavā the chief, king of gods, Sujā’s husband, having worshipped the Buddha, climbed into his chariot.”
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