• Sāmagāma

Sāmagāma. A Sākiyan village where the Sāmagāma Sutta (below) was preached (M.ii.243). There was a lotus pond in the village (A.iii.309).

The Vedhaññā probably lived there, because, according to the Pāsādika Sutta (D.iii.117), the Buddha was in the mango grove of the Vedhañña Sākiyans when the news, as given in the Sāmagāma Sutta, of Nigantha Nātaputta’s death, was brought to him.

According to Buddhaghosa (MA.ii.829) the village was called Sāmagāma, Sāmakānam ussanattā.

1. Sāmagāma Sutta. While the Buddha is at Sāmagāma, news is brought to Ananda by Cunda Samanuddesa of the death of Nigantha Nātaputta at Pāvā, and of the division of his followers into two factions engaged in fighting each other. Amanda gives the news to the Buddha, who asks if there be any difference of opinion among monks regarding the Buddha's teaching. "No," answers Ananda, but adds that such differences may arise after the Buddha's death. The Buddha says that quarrels regarding rigours of regimen or of the Vinaya are of little concern. It is quarrels regarding the Path or the course of training that are really important. He then explains the six causes from which disputes grow, the four adjudications (adhikarana) regarding disputes, and the seven settlements of adjudication -  by giving a summary verdict in the presence of the parties, a verdict of innocence, of past insanity; confession may be admitted; a chapter's decision may be taken; there is also specific wickedness and there is covering up. Then there are six things which lead to conciliations: acts of love, words of love, sharing equally whatever gifts one receives, strict practice of virtue without flaw or blemish, and the holding of noble views which make for salvation (M.ii.243 51; cf. the Pāsadika Sutta).

Buddhaghosa adds (MA.ii.840) that, while in the Kosambiya Sutta the Sotāpattimagga is called sammāditthi, in this sutta, Sotāpattiphala itself is so called.

2  Sāmagāma Sutta. The Buddha was once staying near the lotus pond at Sāmagāma and late at night is visited by a deva. After saluting the Buddha, he states that there are three things which lead to a monk's failure:

• delight in worldly activity
• delight in talk
• delight in sleep

So saying, he departs. The next day the Buddha relates to the monks the Deva's statement and adds three other things which lead to failure:

• delight in company
• evil speaking
• friendship with bad men. A.iii.309f.