2.1 Servant Girl’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, just like the god Sakka, you walk around here in Cittalata Park surrounded by many goddesses. Your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious actions 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:
Bhante, in my previous life I was a girl in the human world. I was a servant working in other people’s houses. I was very fortunate to be a lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. Gautama Supreme Buddha knew everything about the world. Nothing could shake his peace of mind. Following my great teacher’s instructions, all I wished for was to escape from this cycle of birth and death.
I will try my best to practice the Dhamma. Even when my body breaks up, I will not give up my effort. This excellent path to Nibbana was discovered by the Supreme Buddhas. This is a straight, secure, and pure path. This Dhamma path leading to Nibbana includes the Five Precepts. Even though I am a woman, you will see how committed I am to achieve the result of the path.
Even the powerful god Sakka invites me to his entertaining events. Sixty thousand musical instruments are played to wake me from my sleep. Many gods such as Alamba, Gaggara, Bhima, Sadhuvadin, Samsaya, Pokkhara, and Suphassa and many goddesses such as Vinamokkha, Nanda, Sunanda, Sonadinna, Sucimhita, Alambusa, Missakesi, Pundarika, Eniphassa, Suphassa, Subhadda, and Muduvadini entertain me by playing music. They come into my presence whenever I wish and delight me by saying, “Let’s dance now! Let’s sing now!”
Only those who have done meritorious deeds can enjoy this heavenly Nandana Park in the sorrowless Tavatimsa Heaven, not those who did no meritorious deeds. Doers of good enjoy happiness in this life and the next, but doers of evil will receive unhappiness in this life and the next.
Anyone who would like to join us in the Tavatimsa Heaven must do lots of wholesome deeds. Only those who do good deeds are reborn in heaven and enjoy divine entertainment.
2.2 Lakhuma’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, you are in this Cittalata Park surrounded by many goddesses as if you were the god Sakka. Your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious actions 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:
Bhante, in the human world my house was located in a fishing village. Some of the Supreme Buddha’a monks visited that area for almsround. With a happy mind, I offered rice, honey-covered cake, vegetables, and rice-gruel to those virtuous monks who were dedicated to Dhamma practice.
I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.
I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was a lay follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha, the one who had the great wisdom to see the reality of the world. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths.
Because of my virtuous life and meritorious deeds, I live happily here. I have been born as a very beautiful devata 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 that shines in all directions.
Please Bhante, pay homage on my behalf by placing your head on the Blessed One’s feet and saying, “Bhante, the lay follower named Lakhuma pays homage by placing her head on the Blessed One’s feet.” The Blessed One stated that I have attained a certain fruit of enlightenment. I too know that.
Bhante, the Supreme Buddha declared that I have attained the fruit of once returner.
2.3 Rice-Crust Giver’s Mansion
God Sakka:
Kassapa Bhante, do you remember one day while you were on your almsround, you stood silently in front of a certain house? In that house there was a very poor lady of a low caste who used to go to other people’s houses to beg for food.
She was very pleased when she saw you and offered some rice-crust with her own hands. Now that she has died, which world was she reborn in?
Kassapa Bhante:
God Sakka, yes I do remember that day when I was on my almsround and I stood silently in front of a certain house. In that house there was a very poor lady of a low caste who used to go to other people’s houses to beg for food.
She was very pleased when she saw me and she offered some rice-crust with her own hands. Now she has died and escaped from that painful human life. She has been reborn in Nimmanarati Heaven where all the mighty devas possess psychic powers. That lady who offered some rice-crust now enjoys heavenly pleasures there.
God Sakka:
Amazing! It is wonderful! That poor lady offered rice-crust to Arahant Kassapa Bhante which she had begged from others, and that offering generated a wonderful result.
If one becomes the beautiful queen of a wheel-turning monarch, the happiness she experiences is not even worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-crust gift.
A hundred gold coins, a hundred horses, a hundred chariots pulled by mules, a hundred thousand maidens decorated in beautiful ornaments—happiness gained from these items is not worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-crust gift.
Even the happiness gained from a hundred Himalayan elephants with round tusks like wheels and necks decorated with golden ornaments is not worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-crust gift.
Even if someone became the ruler of this whole earth, a wheel-turning monarch, even his happiness is not worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-crust gift.
2.4 Low-Caste Woman’s Mansion
Supreme Buddha:
Lady, I am Gautama Supreme Buddha standing before you out of compassion. I am the seventh Buddha who has appeared in the last hundred eons. Worship the feet of the famous Buddha. I am an Arahant and I am not shaken by the ups and downs of life. Let your mind be confident in me. Worship me immediately because you have little time to live.
In this way, the Supreme Buddha, with a developed mind and in his final body, encouraged the low-caste woman to collect merit. Having understood the words of the famous Gautama Buddha, she worshiped his sacred feet.
This world is covered with the darkness of ignorance. It is illuminated only by the true sunlight called the Four Noble Truths. She worshipped that Supreme Buddha who gives true light to the world.
Worshiping by putting her hands together, the woman gazed at the Buddha as he walked away. Soon after that, a cow attacked her and she died instantly.
Devata:
Oh Pure One, Arahant, Great Hero, the Supreme Buddha who meditates alone in the forest. I was born in heaven. Now I have come here to worship you.
Supreme Buddha:
Devata, you shine like gold and are surrounded by many goddesses. Having climbed down from your mansion, you worship me. Who are you?
Devata:
Bhante, I was a low-caste woman in the human world. Great Hero, Gautama Buddha, you encouraged me to collect merit. I worshiped your sacred feet. After my death, I was born in a divine mansion in Nandana Park
This mansion is extremely beautiful. I have one hundred thousand goddesses as my attendants. I surpass all of them in beauty, fame, and long life. Bhante, I did lots of good deeds with mindfulness and full awareness. Now I have come here to worship you, the compassionate Supreme Buddha.
The devata was very grateful. She recalled the Supreme Buddha’s compassionate help. Having explained how she went to heaven, she worshiped the sacred feet of the Supreme Buddha and disappeared.
2.5 Lovely Lady’s Mansion
Supreme Buddha:
Devata, around your mansion there are very beautiful mandarava trees and they are covered with blue, yellow, black, crimson, and red flower filaments. You are wearing a garland of mandarava flowers on your head. This beautiful type of tree is not found in any other heaven.
Famous devata, what meritorious deed did you do to be reborn in the Tavatimsa Heaven?
Devata:
Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Kimbila. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Bhadditthi. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in noble monks who had pure minds. I offered robes, food, shelter, and lamps.
I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.
I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.
The compassionate sages, Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Moggallana, are the two chief disciples of the Supreme Buddha. One day I offered alms to them and collected lots of merit from that offering. I also observed the Eight Precepts four times a month frequently. As a result, when I left the human world, I was reborn in this heaven. Now I enjoy divine pleasures in the heavenly Nandana Park. My beauty radiates in all directions.
2.6 Sonadinna’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
What meritorious deeds have you have done to gain 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:
Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Nalanda. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Sonadinna. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in monks who had pure minds. I offered robes, food, shelter, and lamps to them.
I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.
I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.
Because of those meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful devata 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 that shines in all directions.
2.7 Uposatha’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
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:
Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Saketa. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Uposatha. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in noble monks who had pure minds. I offered them robes, food, shelter, and lamps.
I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.
I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.
Because of those meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful devata 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 that shines in all directions.
When I was in the human world, I often heard stories about the heavenly Nandana Park. I had a desire to be born there. As a result of directing my mind to that park, I have been born here in this Tavatimsa Heaven.
My great teacher, the Supreme Buddha, who was born in the Clan of the Sun, frequently advised his disciples to achieve the highest stage of enlightenment they can. But I did not follow my great teacher’s advice. Since I directed my mind to this inferior sensual realm, I was born in this heaven. I could have developed my mind further. Now I am sad and regret my decision.
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, how long will you live in this mansion? Can you tell me your lifespan?
Devata:
Bhante, My lifespan here is three hundred million and sixty thousand years. After I pass away from here I will be reborn in the human world.
Moggallana Bhante:
Why fear, Uposatha? The Supreme Buddha has already stated that you have attained the fruit of stream entry. You will never again be born in a bad world.
2.8 Saddha’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious actions 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:
Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Rajagaha. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Saddha. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in noble monks who had pure minds. I offered robes, food, shelter, and lamps to them.
I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.
I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.
Because of these meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful devata 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 that shines in all directions.
2.9 Sunanda’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
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:
Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Rajagaha. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Sunanda. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in noble monks who had pure minds. I offered robes, food, shelter, and lamps to them.
I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.
I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I delighted in keeping these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.
Because of these meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful devata 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 that shines in all directions.
2.10 Alms Giver’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi. 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:
Bhante, before I was born here, I lived in the human world. One day, I saw the Supreme Buddha who had a happy, pure, and calm mind. I happily offered alms to the Buddha with my own hands.
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 that shines in all directions.
2.11 Second Alms Giver’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
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:
Bhante, before I was born here, I lived in the human world. One day, I saw an Arahant monk who had a happy, pure, and calm mind. I happily offered alms to that Arahant monk with my own hands.
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 that shines in all directions.
May all of you, attain the greatest Nibbana in this lifetime….Namo Buddaya!