Vimanavatthu5.11

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5.11 SECOND ELEPHANT MANSION (61)

(Dutiya-Naga-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was staying at Rajagaha, in Bamboo Grove. At that time a believing lay-follower who had lived according to the precepts(sheel, morality), kept the Observance days(Uposatha, fortnightly fasting & confession), given gifts to the Order(of monks), and attended with gifts at the monastery to hear Dhamma(path of eternal truth), deceasing from here arose among the Thirty-three(heaven). And a great white elephant being at his service, with much retinue(attendants group) he went at times from sport in a pleasaunce(garden). Now one day being impelled to show gratitude, he went on his elephant at midnight from the deva(angel)-world to Bamboo Grove and there stood in an attitude of devotion before the Bhagava(Lord Buddha). The venerable Elder Monk Vangisa who was standing near the Bhagava(Lord Buddha), being permitted by the Bhagava(Lord Buddha), questioned him:

1 "Mounted on a mighty all-white elephant, and elephant supreme, supreme, you go round from grove to grove attended by a throng of women, making all the quarters(directions) shining like the healing star.

2 Because of what is your beauty such? Because of what do you prosper here, and there arise whatever are those delights that are dear to your heart?

3 I ask you, deva(angel) 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 Vangisa, when asked the question explained of what deed this was the fruit(benefit).

5 "When I was born a human being among men I was a lay-follower of the One with Vision. I refrained from making onslaught on breathing things, I shunned what in the world was not given.

6 Not a drinker of strong liquor was I, and I did not utter lies, and was content with my own wife. With a mind of faith, gladly I gave both food and drink respectfully, an abundant giving of donation.

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