Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha traveled to the country of Śrāvastī and stayed at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove.

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “The Tathāgata himself has discovered the world and teaches it for others. The Tathāgata knows the world. The Tathāgata himself has discovered the formation of the world and teaches it for others. The Tathāgata has ended the formation of the world. The Tathāgata himself has discovered the cessation of the world and teaches it for others. The Tathāgata has realized the cessation of the world. The Tathāgata himself has discovered the way of the world and teaches it for others. The Tathāgata has cultivated the way of the world. Whatever there is that’s entirely correct, the Tathāgata has known, seen, realized, and obtained it all. Why is that?

“During the time between the night that he realized the unsurpassed, correct, and complete awakening until the day that he will choose to completely cease in the realm of remainderless nirvāṇa, the Tathāgata has spoken words and given responses that are all the truth. They aren’t false, don’t depart from what is, and aren’t mistaken. They’re true, they bear out, and they’re genuine. If anyone is described as a lion, they are being described like the Tathāgata. Why is that?

“The lectures that the Tathāgata gives to the assembly are called a lion’s roar. Of the whole world with its gods, Māra, and Brahmā, ascetics and priests from humans to the heavens, the Tathāgata is the one who is sacred. The Tathāgata is cooled. He has no affliction and no fever. He is genuine and not false.”

Thereupon, the Bhagavān spoke these verses:

“Knowing the whole world
And leaving the whole world,
The Buddha explains the whole world,
All the world as it really is.

He is the supreme hero sage
Who has been freed from all fetters.
He has brought all deeds to an end
And is freed from all birth and death.

The gods and also the human beings
Who have taken refuge in the Buddha
Bow their heads down to the Tathāgata,
Who is the deepest and greatest of seas.

Having known him and cultivated respect,
There are gods and gandharva spirits
Who also bowed their heads to the Buddha
And continue to follow him in death.

Bowing their heads down before that wise man,
They take refuge in the best of humans.
Without sorrow or dust and at peace,
Nothing obstructs their liberations.

Thus, they always enjoy meditation,
While living aloof and fully settled.
They themselves have realized insight.
Without me, they would’ve missed their chance.
Those who missed it are aggrieved,
When they fall down into Hell.”

This is what the Buddha said. Those monks who heard what the Buddha taught rejoiced and approved.