Francis Story

Gods and the Universe in Buddhist Perspective

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One of the descriptive titles given to the Buddha is that of satthā-deva-manussānaṃ, the Teacher of Gods and Men. It is found in the earliest texts of the Tipiṭaka and was accepted by the Buddha Himself.

That the expression was no mere oriental hyperbole, but is to be taken in its literal sense, is borne out by the numerous incidents in which devas figure in the Buddhist canonical literature, where, like human beings, they come to the Master for religious instruction.

These beings, whose generic name of deva means Shining Ones, appear so often that there is every justification for an enquiry into their nature and the precise place they occupy in the doctrines of Buddhism.

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About Francis Story

Francis Story (also known ans Anagarika Sugatananda,1910-1972) was born in England in 1910 and became acquainted with Buddhist teachings early in life.

For 25 years he lived in Asian countries — India, Burma, and Sri Lanka — where he deeply studied the Buddhist philosophy of life. With that background and endowed with a keen analytical mind, he produced a considerable body of writings, collected and published in three volumes by the Buddhist Publication Society.

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You yourselves must strive, the Buddhas only point the way

Buddha, Dhp 276