Vimanavatthu7.3

Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Khuddaka Nikaya >> Vimanavatthu >> Vimanavatthu7.3

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

7.3 JEWELLED SHAFT MANSION (77)

(Manithuna-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was staying at Savatthim Jeta Grove. At that time many Elders were leading the forest life. For these going for alms to the village, a lay-follower made the paths smooth, cleared away scrub, bridged water-courses, and drained and banked up water into deep  pools and so on, gave gifts and kept the (moral) precepts. Dying after a time he was reborn among the thirty-three(heaven) with a twelve-yojana golden Mansion. The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana questioned him also:

1 "Lofty is this Mansion with jeweled shafts, a dozen yojanas all round, there are seven hundred splendid pinnacled halls and lovely pillars of beryl spread over with the gleaming metal.

2 There do you dwell and drink and eat while deva(angel)-like lutes make melody. Here are deva(angel)-like flavours, the five kinds of sense-pleasures, and women decked in gold do dance.

3 Because of what is your beauty such. . . and your beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)?"

4 That deva(angel)-youth, delighted. . . of what deed this was the fruit(result).

5 "When I was born a human being among men I made a walk in a forest path and I planted trees in a monastery, and dear to me were those who were virtuous.

6 With a mind of faith, gladly I gave both food and drink respectfully, an abundant giving of donation. Because of this is my beauty such. . . and my beauty illumines all the quarters(directions)."