Vimanavatthu7.4

Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Khuddaka Nikaya >> Vimanavatthu >> Vimanavatthu7.4

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

7.4 GOLDEN MANSION (78)

(Suvanna-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was staying at Andhakavinda. Then a certain believing and wealthy lay-follower built on a bare hillside a "fragrant hut" for him, made him stay there and ministered(served) to him and, having been self-controlled by well purified practice of morality(sheel), after dying he was reborn in the realm of the Thirty-three(heaven) with a mansion of jewelled beauty and golden roof. The venerable Elder Monk Maha Moggallana questioned him:

1 "Upon a golden mountain a Mansion lustrous all round, golden net draped, with tinkling bell-net fitted,

2 Eight-sided well-wrought pillars all made of beryl, their every side created of the seven (kinds of ) jewels.

3 of beryl, of gold, and of crystal and silver, with gems cat's-eyes, with pearls and with rubies,

4 Gaily coloured floor, delightful; no dust is stirred up there;  created are many yellow rafters that support the roof,

5 And crated are four stairways for the four direction. With rooms of many jewels it shines like the sun.

6 There the four railings partitioned, the proportions planned, dazzling, lighten all round the four directions.

7 In this glorious mansion, a deva(angel)-youth of great lustre, you shine forth with beauty like the rising sun.

8 Is this the fruit(result) of your giving donation or, again, of practice of morality(sheel), or of paying homage with clasped hands? When asked, make this known to me."

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

10 "When I was in Andhakavinda having faith,gladly with my own hands I made a vihara for the teacher, Buddha, kinsman of the sun.

11 There, with devout mind, I bestowed on the Teacher(Buddha) perfumes and garlands and requisites and ointments and the vihara.

12 Because of this is my gain : that I dwell as a master in Nandana(Eden) and in the delightful Nandana Grove the hunt of many a flock of birds I delight, attended by nymphs with dance and song."