5.1 Frog-Deva’s Mansion
Supreme Buddha:
Dear Deva, you are very mighty with many psychic powers. Your beautiful body shines in all directions. Now you are honoring my feet. Who are you?
Devata:
In my previous life, I was a frog living in a lake. One day I was listening to you preach. At that time a boy who was looking after cows while listening to you preach, accidentally killed me.
For just a brief moment, my mind was very pleased in hearing your voice. But now look at my psychic powers, fame, and beautiful body that I have earned from that very small act of merit.
Oh Gautama Buddha, those people who have been listening to your Dhamma for a long time will attain the fruit of the path where they escape from sorrow.
5.2 Revati’s Mansion
In praise of the lay follower Nandiya’s generosity, the Supreme Buddha uttered the following verse.
Supreme Buddha:
When somebody safely returns home having lived in a far away country for a long time, his relatives, friends, and associates welcome him with joy. In the same way, when someone who does meritorious acts in this world goes to the next world, his own meritorious deeds will welcome him.
Nandiya asked Revati, his wife, to continue practicing generosity when he went away, but Revati stopped. When it was time for her to die, she was addressed by two messengers from hell.
Hell Wardens:
Evil, greedy Revati! Now you must get up. The doors of hell are opening for you. Evil doers have to suffer terribly in hell. We are here to bring you to that miserable world.
Both hell wardens with big red eyes grabbed Revati’s hands. They first took her to the Tavatimsa Heaven, where her husband had been reborn.
Revati:
What a wonderful mansion this is! It is made of golden nets, shining like the rays of the sun and filled with beautiful gods. Whose mansion is this? Goddesses with beautiful bodies adorned with sandalwood cream beautify the whole mansion. Who enjoys this heavenly mansion?
Hell Wardens:
In the human world, in the city of Baranasi there was a lay follower named Nandiya who was generous and helpful to others. He is the owner of this beautiful mansion. Goddesses with beautiful bodies adorned with sandalwood cream beautify the whole mansion. Nandiya enjoys this heavenly mansion.
Revati:
Ah! I was Nandiya’s wife. I had authority over the whole family. I want to stay and enjoy my husband’s mansion. I don’t even want to see hell, let alone live there.
Hell Wardens:
Evil woman, the hell for you is down there. You did not do anything to earn merit in the human world. Those who are greedy, make others angry, and lead evil lives can never live with gods.
Revati:
Oh, what is that terrible smell? What is that rotten excrement, urine, and filth?
Hell Wardens:
Evil Revati, this is Samsavaka hell. It is as deep as the height of more than one hundred humans. You are going to boil here for a thousand years.
Revati:
Why? What bad action did I do by body, speech, and mind to have to boil in this terrible hell?
Hell Wardens:
You deceived monks, beggars, and virtuous people with lies. Those were your evil deeds. That is why you have to suffer in this deep hell for a thousand years.
In this hell, beings’ hands are cut off, legs are cut off, ears are cut off, and noses are cut off. Then a flock of ravens chase the beings and eat their flesh with their sharp beaks.
Revati:
No, no! Please take me back to the human world. Surely I will do more meritorious deeds. I will practice generosity, behave well, keep the precepts, and restrain my senses. I will do many meritorious deeds which lead to happiness and freedom from remorse.
Hell Wardens:
You are too late. You were heedless in the human world. Now weep! You will experience the results of what you did.
Revati:
Now, when I go back to the human world, who will encourage me to collect merit? Who will ask me to offer robes, shelter, food and drinks to virtuous people? Who will teach me that greedy, angry, and evil people won’t go to heaven?
Surely when I go from this world to the human world I will practice generosity, behave well, keep the precepts, and restrain the senses. I will do many meritorious deeds.
I will enthusiastically make bridges in places where it is hard to cross, plant trees, set out pots of water for drinking, build parks and ponds. Furthermore, I will observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I will protect the precepts carefully and practice generosity eagerly. I have seen the results of merit with my own eyes.
Shaken with fear, Revati was deluded in thinking that she could return to the human world. The hell wardens grabbed her legs, turned her upside down and threw her into the terrible Samsavaka Hell.
Revati:
Previously I was very greedy and insulted monks and virtuous people. I cheated on my husband and lied to him. Now I am boiling in this frightful hell.
5.3 The Boy Chatta’s Mansion
These three verses contain the qualities of the Triple Gem and were taught to a boy named Chatta by the Supreme Buddha who asked him to go for refuge.
The Sage of the Sakyan clan, the Supreme Buddha, who completed the journey to Nibbana, is the best among humans. The Blessed One crossed over Samsara with his excellent wisdom and effort. Go for refuge to this Great Teacher, the Supreme Buddha.
The Dhamma, taught by the Supreme Buddha, helps beings remove desires, craving, and sorrows. This sweet, well explained, well analyzed Dhamma is never disagreeable. Go for refuge to this great teaching, the Supreme Dhamma.
The Blessed One’s noble disciples consist of the Four Pairs and the Eight Individuals. Those who offer gifts to these people gain fruitful results. Go for refuge to these excellent disciples, the Supreme Sangha.
After Chatta’s death he was reborn as a deva. One day he went to see the Supreme Buddha. In order for others to learn about merit, the Supreme Buddha then questioned him in the following way.
Supreme Buddha:
Neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the star Phusa is as bright as your mansion. Your large bright mansion shines in the sky brilliantly. What heavenly world did you come from today?
The radiance of your mansion can be seen for more than two thousand kilometers. This beautiful mansion shines both at night and day – pure, bright, and brilliant.
Around the palace there are beautiful flowers – red lotuses, white lotuses, and water lilies. Golden nets with fancy carvings are hanging there; they too shine like the sun. The mansion is decorated with divine red and yellow cloth and filled with the sweet fragrance of aloe, piyangu, and sandalwood. The mansion is surrounded by devatas with bright golden-colored bodies. It looks like the beautiful night sky covered by stars.
Devas and devatas are different colors here. Their bodies and hair are decorated with various flowers and ornaments. Golden flowers release a sweet smell when the breeze blows.
How did you receive these wonderful things? What meritorious action did you do to have gained this wonderful result? Is it because of your virtue or restrained life? Could you please explain it to me?
Devata:
One day a boy was walking on a road. You, the Great Teacher, met him and advised him by preaching the Dhamma. That boy, Chatta, promised to follow you, the Great Teacher, like a precious gem.
I was that boy, Bhante. When you asked me to go for refuge to the Buddha, the Great Victor, the Dhamma and the Noble Sangha, at first I told you that I did not know what they were. Once you had explained them to me, I went for refuge to the Triple Gem.
Wise people do not praise the actions of evil people who kill. You asked me if I knew about the precept of abstaining from killing living beings. At first I told you that I did not know about it. Once you had explained it to me, I observed that precept.
You asked me if I knew about the precept of not taking others’ belongings if they are not given to us. At first I told you that I did not know about it. Once you had explained it to me, I observed that precept.
You asked me if I knew about the precept of not going to others’ wives since it is a very low thing. At first I told you that I did not know about it. Once you had explained it to me, I observed that precept.
You asked me if I knew about the precept of not saying things as if they were true when I know they are not. Lying is not praised by the wise. At first I told you that I did not know about it. Once you had explained it to me, I observed that precept.
You asked me if I knew about the precept of not using intoxicants, by which one loses mindfulness. At first I told you that I did not know about it. Once you had explained it to me, I observed that precept.
On that day, I observed the Five Precepts and followed the Great Teacher’s Dhamma. Later, when I reached an intersection on the road, I was surrounded by a gang of robbers. They killed me just to take my money.
Going for refuge and observing the Five Precepts is the only merit I recollect doing. I did not obtain any other merit in my life. As a result of those meritorious deeds, I was reborn in this Tavatimsa Heaven and now experience all the happiness that I wish for.
I kept those precepts for just a moment. Look at the amazing result of practicing the Dhamma! When devas with lesser pleasures than I have seen me shining brilliantly with superior pleasures, they wish to be like me.
Think about the excellence of a very brief teaching. I went to heaven and received divine happiness. If that is the case, I think those who listen to this Dhamma frequently will surely attain the state of fearlessness, the supreme bliss of Nibbana.
Even if a very small meritorious deed is practiced in this Dhamma, very great results can be expected. Look at the god Chatta who collected merit, lighting up heaven like the sun illuminating the earth.
Some gods get together and talk about me saying, “What are the meritorious deeds that he did to have gained these results? What kind of good things should be practiced? When we gain a human birth again, we will observe the Precepts and practice the Dhamma.”
My great teacher helped me very much. He was compassionate towards me and came to meet me, under the hot sun. Today I have come to you again, Great Teacher. You are the truth in this world. Please be compassionate towards me. I would like to listen to the Dhamma.
When the disciples in this teaching abandon sensual desire, desire for existence, and delusion, they will never come back to sleep in the mother’s womb. They attain final Nibbana at passing away and become calm.
5.4 Crab-Soup Giver’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Devata, your mansion is way up in the sky and spreads over one hundred and twenty kilometers. Pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings are in your estate. It is very beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. Guitars play sweet music. You have the five kinds of sensual pleasures. Devatas dance for you, wearing gold jewelry.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
There is a golden crab hanging on my door reminding me about my meritorious deed. It has ten legs and shines brilliantly. That is why the pure radiance of my body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions. Great Bhante, that is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body.
5.5 Doorkeeper’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Devata, your mansion is way up in the sky and spreads over one hundred and twenty kilometers. Pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings are in your estate. It is very beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. Guitars play sweet music. You have the five kinds of sensual pleasures. Devatas dance for you, wearing gold jewelry.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
I have a lifespan of one thousand heavenly years. When I was in the human world, I spoke good words and lived with a clean and happy mind. Those were the only meritorious deeds I did. Because of that, I have gained this divine happiness.
That is why the pure radiance of my body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions. Great Bhante, those were the meritorious deeds I did to have such a beautiful body.
5.6 Should-Be-Done Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Devata, your mansion is way up in the sky and spreads over one hundred and twenty kilometers. Pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings are in your estate. It is very beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. Guitars play sweet music. You have the five kinds of sensual pleasures. Devatas dance for you, wearing gold jewelry.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
Wise people, understanding their own well-being, should do meritorious deeds. The Supreme Buddha has completed the journey of the right path. Offerings that are given to such Buddhas generate great fruit.
Fortunately for me, one day the Supreme Buddha visited my village after coming out of a forest. My mind gained confidence in the Buddha. That is how I came to this Tavatimsa Heaven.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that was the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body which shines in all directions.
5.7 Second Should-Be-Done Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Devata, your mansion is way up in the sky and spreads over one hundred and twenty kilometers. Pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings are in your estate. It is very beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. Guitars play sweet music. You have the five kinds of sensual pleasures. Devatas dance for you, wearing gold jewelry.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
Wise people, understanding their own well-being, should do meritorious deeds. The offering that is given to noble monks who have traveled on the correct path bears great fruit.
Fortunately for me, one day, those monks visited my village after coming out of a forest. My mind gained confidence in them. That is how I came to this Tavatimsa Heaven.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that was the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body which shines in all directions.
5.8 Needle Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Devata, your mansion is way up in the sky and spreads over one hundred and twenty kilometers. Pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings are in your estate. It is very beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. Guitars play sweet music. You have the five kinds of sensual pleasures. Devatas wearing gold jewelry dance for you.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
The size of the result is not equal to the size of the offering given. Giving is always great. I offered a needle to sew robes. That small offering of a needle became great.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that was the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body which shines in all directions.
5.9 Second Needle Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, your mansion is way up in the sky and spreads over one hundred and twenty kilometers. Pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings are in your estate. It is very beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. Guitars play sweet music. You have the five kinds of sensual pleasures. Devatas wearing gold jewelry dance for you.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Deva, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That deva, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what he had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Deva:
In my previous life, I was a man living in the human world. One day I saw a monk. He was very calm and peaceful. He was a noble monk, free from all defilements. My mind was so happy, and I offered a needle to that Bhante with my own hands.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful deva and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that was the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body which shines in all directions.
5.10 Elephant Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, you are sitting on the back of an elephant that travels in the sky using its psychic powers. This all-white elephant has two huge tusks. It is beautifully decorated and very powerful.
On the two tusks are beautiful ponds with crystal clear water and many lotus flowers. In the middle of each lotus, a devata is dancing to divine music.
Oh Deva, you are very powerful even amongst the gods, shining brightly in all directions. What kind of meritorious actions did you do when you were in the human world?
That deva, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what he had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Deva:
I offered eight fallen flowers to the stupa that held the relics of the great sage Kassapa Supreme Buddha. I did it with my own hands having a confident mind.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful deva and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that was the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body which shines in all directions.
5.11 Second Elephant Mansion
Vangisa Bhante:
Dear Deva, you are sitting on the back of an elephant that is huge and all white. You travel from park to park, surrounded by goddesses, shining brightly in all directions like the star Osadhi.
What kind of meritorious actions did you do when you were in the human world?
That deva, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Vangisa, gladly explained what he had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Deva:
In my previous life, I was a man in the human world. I was a lay disciple of the All-Seeing Supreme Buddha. I abstained from killing, stealing, taking intoxicants, and lying. I was content with my own wife, and did not even think of other women. I offered things with a very happy mind.
Because of these meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful deva and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, those were the meritorious deeds I did to have such a beautiful body which shines brightly in all directions.
5.12 Third Elephant Mansion
Man:
Dear Deva, your divine elephant is all white. You are entertained with sweet music. Who are you, traveling on that white elephant in the sky? Are you a god, or a heavenly musician, or the god Sakka? We do not know who you are. We ask you. Tell us the answer.
Deva:
I am not the kind of god that you think, or a heavenly musician, or the god Sakka. I am a god of the Sudhamma clan.
Man:
Worshiping you, Sudhamma, I ask, what meritorious deed did you do to have been born among the Sudhamma gods?
Deva:
Three kinds of houses can be offered: a house made of sugar canes, a house made of grass, or a house made of cloth. Having offered one of these three houses, I was reborn among the Sudhamma gods.
5.13 Small Chariot Mansion
Maha Kaccana Bhante was living in the forest. One day, he saw a prince and spoke to him in this way.
Maha Kaccana Bhante:
You are holding a bow that is made from hardwood, pushing on one end with your foot. Are you a king, a prince, or a hunter in the forest? Who are you?
Prince:
Bhante, I am the son of King Assaka traveling in this forest. I can tell you my name. Everyone knows me as Sujata. I came into this forest looking for deer, but I have not found any. I saw you and stopped here.
Maha Kaccana Bhante:
You have great merit. It is very good that you came here. Your arrival here is not in vain. Take this water and wash your feet. See this cool water I brought from a mountain cave. Drink it and sit on this mat.
Prince:
Great Sage, your words are pleasing, friendly, meaningful, and sweet. Great Ascetic, why do you like to live in this forest? I ask you so that having listened to you and understood, I can follow your Dhamma.
Maha Kaccana Bhante:
Dear Prince, we desire to spread thoughts of harmlessness and compassion towards all living beings. We do not steal, behave badly, or drink alcohol. We abstain from those bad things. Instead we practice the Dhamma, remember much Dhamma, and pay gratitude. These are the things praised in this very life. Truly, these are the things that should be praised.
Oh, dear Prince, listen to me carefully. Within five months, you will die. Before that happens, protect yourself from rebirth in hell.
Prince:
Oh, Bhante, to which country should I run away? What should I do? What kind of effort should I make? What kind of knowledge would help me to escape from this aging and death?
Maha Kaccana Bhante:
Prince, it is impossible to find the place, the effort, or the knowledge by which you can escape from aging and death.
Even kings, those with great wealth and many possessions, are not free from aging and death. Have you heard of soldiers like Andhaka and Venhuputta? Mighty like the sun and moon, they defeated enemies with great strength and bravery, . Eventually when they reached the end of their lifespan they too died.
Kings, brahmins, merchants, servants, and low-caste people – all of them are not free from old age and death. Even those great ascetics, coming from a famous lineage, who had learned spells and many things, are not freed from old age and death.
Other tranquil and virtuous ascetics with austere practices will leave their bodies too when death arrives. Even in the case of Arahants who have completed the path to Nibbana, who are freed from defilements and have overcome both merit and demerit – they too leave this body when the time comes.
Prince:
Great Sage, the Dhamma you preach is very meaningful and well taught. I understood your teaching. Please be my protection. I would go for refuge to you.
Maha Kaccana Bhante:
Dear Prince, do not go for refuge to me. I myself have gone for refuge to the Great Teacher, Gautama Supreme Buddha. You should also go for refuge to that great hero.
Prince:
Oh, Bhante, where is the Great Teacher staying now? I would like to go see the Great Victor, the Unmatchable Teacher.
Maha Kaccana Bhante:
Prince, that excellent teacher who was born in the Okkaka family, lived in the eastern province. Now that Great Teacher attained final Nibbana at passing away.
Prince:
Oh Bhante, if your great teacher was still alive, I would have traveled even for many miles to see him. Bhante, right here, I go for refuge to your great teacher, the Great Hero to whom you have gone for refuge.
I go for refuge to the Supreme Buddha, the excellent Supreme Dhamma, and the Great Teacher’s community of monks, the Supreme Sangha. From now on, I abstain from killing, stealing, drinking alcohol, and telling lies. I abstain from sexual misconduct and am content with my own wife.
One day a deva, having dismounted from his divine chariot appeared in front of Maha Kaccana Bhante and paid homage to him.
Maha Kaccana Bhante:
Your chariot travels in the sky shining in all ten directions like the sun that shines with a thousand rays. The chariot is over seventy kilometers long. It is decorated all around with golden plates. Its front is decorated with pearls and gems. Gold and silver carvings beautify your vehicle even further. The head of the chariot is made of beryl gemstones. The yoke is made of red gems. Horses are attached to the chariot with gold and silver ropes. These beautiful horses travel as fast as the mind thinks.
Famous God, you are sitting in this golden chariot pulled by a thousand horses like the god Sakka. I ask you, skilled Deva, how did you gain all these wonderful things?
Deva:
Bhante, in my previous life, I was a prince named Sujata. You were the one who was compassionate towards me and taught me the great Dhamma.
You understood that my life was about to end, gave me a bodily relic of the Supreme Buddha, and told me to worship it. I respected that sacred relic, offering fragrances and flowers respectfully. When I passed away, I was born in this Tavatimsa Heaven in the Nandana Park.
This delightful Nandana Park is filled with various types of birds. I enjoy living there, surrounded by dancing and singing goddesses.
5.14 Great Chariot Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, your chariot pulled by a thousand horses is very beautiful and colorful. You are heading to the park sitting on that chariot like the god Sakka, the first giver and the lord of beings. This chariot is made of gold. The bottom edges of the frame are very beautiful. The pillars inside the chariot are well crafted as if they were made by talented artists. The chariot shines like the full moon. This vehicle is covered with golden nets and decorated with various types of jewels. We hear sweet music and see goddesses holding beautiful fly-whisks.
The hub is beautiful as though magically created. Thousands of spokes on the wheel are decorated with gems. The vehicle shines as bright as lightning. This chariot is covered with countless ornaments and has rims with thousands of stripes. Golden nets release the sweet sound of beautiful music. The top is decorated with gems and is as beautiful as the moon. Gleaming, shining, and always pure, it is made even more beautiful with golden carvings. It shines like streaks of beryl gemstones.
These horses are also decorated with jewels like the beautiful moon. They are well built, strong, fast, powerful, and gigantic. They travel to wherever your mind wishes. These four-legged, soft, obedient, pleasing, and pure bred horses move in perfect harmony. As they travel in the sky shaking their ornaments, bells ring and the well-made decorations shine more brilliantly. The voices of these horses are as sweet as music. When the sound of the chariot, the sound of the decorations, the sound of the feet of the horses, the sound of the voices of the horses, and the music of divine musicians are mixed together, it is like an orchestra.
The goddesses in this chariot have extremely beautiful half-closed eyes, like the tender eyes of a deer. They have long eyelashes, smiling faces, and pleasant speech. Their bodies are covered with nets of gems. They are entertained by great heavenly musicians.
These goddesses are decorated with attractive red and gold clothes. They have large, shining, crimson colored eyes. They are worshiping you. These goddesses who have thin waists, thighs, breasts, round fingers, lovely faces, and are decorated with golden ornaments – they are extremely attractive. They are worshiping you.
These goddesses have beautiful braids which are distributed equally and decorated with golden threads. These goddesses are decorated with lotus flowers and are using divine sandalwood cream. They entertain you as you wish. They are worshiping you. Their neck, hands, and legs are decorated with beautiful ornaments. They shine as brilliantly as the sun that shines in all ten directions. The flowers in their hands and their jewelry shake along with the breeze playing sweet music.
Dear Deva, the sounds of chariots, elephants, and birds are heard in your park. Devas who are entertained by these, with lotus-like hands clap and produce the sound of guitars.
When pleasing music is played, very talented goddesses dance, twisting their bodies here and there, on large lotus flowers. When these songs, music, and dances are mixed together, the goddesses dance continuously, shining brightly.
You, fortunate deva, enjoy this sweet music of guitars. You are respected by others like the god Sakka.
What kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world? What kind of precepts did you follow? And what kind of restrained life did you lead? Surely this cannot be the result of a small merit, a small virtue. You are extremely powerful and surpass other gods with your radiance.
Is all this the fruit of your generosity, your virtuous behavior, or because you worshiped monks in the past? Please answer my questions, so that I may know.
That deva, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what he had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Deva:
One day, I saw the Great Being who had restrained his senses and freed himself from defilements. He is like the greatest god among all gods, with meritorious marks on his body as if made of gold. He is like a great elephant who crossed over samsara, who opened the doors of deathlessness: Kassapa Supreme Buddha. As soon as I saw the Great Buddha, I made my mind confident in him. Kassapa Supreme Buddha was a great person who bore the flag of Dhamma and was not attached to anything.
Spreading flowers around my house, I welcomed the Supreme Buddha and offered sweet food, drinks and robes. Yes, I treated the Great Buddha very well with food, drinks, sweets, and robes. Now I travel from heaven to heaven. My home, where my heart delights, is the Sudassana Heavenly Realm.
In that way, I made my mind confident before giving, while giving, and after giving. That is how I practiced meritorious deeds. When I departed from the human world, I was reborn in this heaven, and now I am very happy here like the god Sakka.
Great sage, if someone wishes to enjoy long life, great beauty, happiness and power, they should offer well-arranged food and drinks to the Supreme Buddha who is freed from desires.
Neither in this world nor another world, is there a being greater or equal to the Supreme Buddha. The Supreme Buddha is the worthiest recipient of offerings among all worthy beings. Those who want merit can receive great merit through such offerings.