Vimanavatthu6.3

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6.3 FRUIT-GIVER'S MANSION (67)

(Phaladayaka-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was staying at Rajagaha, in Bamboo Grove. At that time King Bimbisara wanted to eat mangoes out of due season. The gardener, in spite of difficulties, promised to do his best and produced some by forced measures. When four had ripened he picked them for the king. But on seeing the venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana who was walking for alms, he thought, "I will give these mangoes to this worthy gentleman and willingly, let the king kill me or banish me, for insignificant is the merit here-now for giving to the king, but immeasurable will the merit here-now and in a future state for giving of donation to the worthy gentleman." So he gave these fruits to the Elder and then told the king. The king sent for his men and said, "Watch if he had told me rightly." The Elder gave the mangoes to the Bhagava(Lord Buddha). Who shared them with the elders Sariputta, Maha-Moggallana, and Maha-Kassapa. The king hearing this was pleased with the gardener's courage, gave him a village, dresses and ornaments, and asked him to impart his merit for the deed to him. The gardener replied: "I give, sire; choose the gain according to your pleasure." And when the gardener came to die, he was reborn among the Thrity-Three with a sixteen-yojana golden Mansion. The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Maggallana asked him:

1 "Lofty is this Mansion with jewelled shafts, sixteen yojanas all round, there are seven hundred splendid pinnacled halls and lovely pillars of beryl spread over with the gleaming metal.

2 There do you stay and drink and eat while deva(angel)-like lutes make melody, and eight times eight deva(angel)-maidens trained and fair, glorious denizens of the (Three-and-) Thirty(heaven), dance sing, enjoy themselves.

3 You, attained to the psychic potency(power) of devas(angels), are of great majesty. What merit did you perform when you were born a human being? because of what is your brilliant majesty thus and your beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)?

4 That deva(angel)-youth, delighted at being questioned by Elder Monk Moggallana, when asked the question, explained of what deed this was the fruit(benefit).

5 "Fruit-giver acquires abundant fruit(benefit). Giving of donation with a mind of faith, gladly to those who are faring upright(righteous) he rejoices among the Three (-and-Thirty)(heaven). On gaining heaven and experiences abundant fruit(benefit) of merit. So did I, great sage, give four fruits.

6 Therefore it makes one in quest of constant happiness and welfare to give a fruit(benefit) whether he be desiring deva(angel)-like happiness or wishing for delights among men.

7 Because of this is my beauty such. . . and my beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)."