Vimanavatthu2.6

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2.6 SONADINNA'S MANSION (23)

(Sonadinna-vimana)

The Bhagava(Lord Buddha) was dwelling in Savatthi, in Jetavana. At that time in Nalanda a laywoman follower named Sonadinna, with faith & bliss, hospitably and with constant practice of morality(sheel) and great purity waited on the monks with the four requisites and observed the Observance(Uposatha, fortnightly fasting & confession) consisting of the eightfold(precepts). She had the benefit of hearing Dhamma(path of eternal truth) and because she was possessed of the qualifications developing the four truth as her topic of meditation, she became a stream-entrant (sotapana, first stage of spiritual awakening). Then, afflicted by a certain disease, she died and arose among the Thirty-three(heaven). The venerable Elder Monk Maha-Moggallana questioned her with these verses:

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 so what do you prosper here, 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 Nalanda, they knew me as Sonadinna, a laywoman follower. I had faith, was possessed of practice of morality(sheel) always delighting liberality.

6 Clothing and food, lodgings and light I gave to the upright(righteous) with a devout mind.

7 On the fourteenth, fifteenth and eighth (days) of the bright fortnight and on a special day of the fortnight well connected with the eightfold (percepts)

8 I observed the Observance(Uposatha, fortnightly fasting & confession) always self-controlled by the practice of morality(sheel), refraining from killing of creatures, and restrained from lying speech,

9 From theft and unchastity(uncelibacy) and the drinking of liquor far removed, delighting in the five rules of training, proficient in the ariyan (noble) truths, I was a laywoman follower of Gotama(Buddha), One with Vision, widely famed.

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

11 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)."