Vimanavatthu4.4

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4.4 ALOMA'S MANSION (42)

(Aloma-vimana)

While the Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was dwelling near Baranasi at Isipatana in the deer-sanctuary, he entered Baranasi for alms. There a poor woman named Aloma saw him and having a mind of faith & bliss and seeing nothing else that could be given, thought, "Such a thing even as this given to the Bhagava(Lord Buddha) will be of great fruit(benefit) for me", and she offered crumbled, unsalted, dry kummasa. The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) accepted it. Because of that almsgiving the woman experienced joy. Later she died and was reborn among the Thirty-three(heaven). The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana asked her:

1 "You who stand with surpassing beauty, devata(angel), are making all the quarters(directions) shining like the healing star..

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

3 I ask you, Devi(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 devata(angel), delighted at being questioned by Moggallana, when asked the question explained of what deed this was the fruit(benefit).

5 "In Baranasi, with faith & bliss, I gave to the Buddha, kinsman of the sun, dry kummasa with my own hands.

6 Look at the fruit(result) of a dry, unsalted morsel of alms of Kummasa. Who will not perform merit when he has seen that Aloma is happy?

7 Because of this is my beauty such, because of this do I prosper here, and there arise whatever are those delights that are dear to me heart.

8 I make known to you, monk of great majesty, what merit I performed when I was born a human being. Because of this is my brilliant majesty thus and my beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)."