Near 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.’
Then Sakka descended from the Palace of Victory, raised his cupped palms, and revered the Buddha.
So Mātali the chariot handler addressed Sakka in verse:
‘Gods and men worship you, Vāsava. So what’s the name of the spirit that you worship, Sakka?’
‘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.’
‘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 worshiped the Buddha, climbed into his chariot.”