Vimanavatthu6.4

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6.4 FIRST ASYLUM-GIVER'S MANSION (68)

(Pathama-Upassayadayaka-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was staying at Rajagaha, in Bamboo Grove. At that time certain monk, on his way after the rains to salute the Bhagava(Lord Buddha), entered a certain village and sought a suitable night's lodging. The lay follower whom he asked, after consulting with his wife, invited the monk to be his guest, and next morning as the visitor set out again, he gave him a lump of molasses. After he had died the layman was reborn with his wife in the realm of the Thirty-three(heaven) with a twelve-yojana golden mansion. The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggasllana asked him:

1 "As goes the moon in the zenith when clouds have cleared shedding effulgence in the sky, so stands this Mansion of yours shedding effulgence in the sky.

2 You, attained to the psychic poychic 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)?

3 That deva(angel)-youth delighted. . . of what deed this was the fruit(benefit).

4 "I and my wife in the world of men gave asylum to an arahant(enlightened equal to Buddha); with minds of faith, gladly we gave both food and drink respectfully, an abundant giving of donation.

5,6 Because of this is my beauty such. . and my beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)."