Vimanavatthu5.5

Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Khuddaka Nikaya >> Vimanavatthu >> Vimanavatthu5.5

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

5.5 DOOR-KEEPER'S MANSION (55)

(Dvarapala-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was staying at Rajagaha, in Bamboo Grove. At that time a lay-follower instituted four perpetual meals for the Order(of monks). But for fear of thieves he generally kept his house-door locked as his house was situated at the outermost limit of the city. Hence monks coming for those meals sometimes had to go away hungry. He, learning this from his wife, appointed a doorkeeper to welcome monks so coming and wait on them. When the donor died he was reborn among the Yamas, but when the doorkeeper died he was reborn among the Thirty-three(heaven) with a twelve-yojana golden Mansion, just as in the previous story. To the venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana's similar inquiry he replied:

1-5 (As 54. 1-5)

6 "My life-span is of a thousand deva(angel)-like years; (my act of merit) consisted of the declaimed word and homage paid by thought. For so long will one who has performed merit remain and be furnished with deva(angel)-like sense-pleasures.

7 Because of this is my beauty such. . . and my beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)." (As in I.6,7, etc.)