7.1 Cittalata Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
The best park among all parks is Cittalata Park, found in the great Tavatimsa Heaven. Dear Deva, your mansion shines in the sky like that Cittalata Park.
Powerful Deva, you have become a leader among devas. The pure radiance of your body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions.
Tell me, 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 lived in the human world. I was a very poor, helpless servant. I supported my old mother and father. Virtuous monks were very dear to me and I had confidence in them. I respectfully offered them much almsfood.
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 is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
7.2 Nandana Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
The best parks among all parks are Nandana and Cittalata Parks, found in the great Tavatimsa Heaven. Dear Deva, your mansion shines in the sky like those two parks.
Powerful Deva, you have become a leader among devas. The pure radiance of your body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions.
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 lived in the human world. I was a very poor, helpless servant. I supported my old mother and father. Virtuous monks were very dear to me and I had confidence in them. I respectfully offered them much almsfood.
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, those were the meritorious actions I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
7.3 Mansion with Pillars of Gems
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, your mansion is very high in the sky and spreads over a hundred and twenty kilometers. There are pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings in your estate. It is extremely beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. The sweet music of guitars plays. You have many sensual pleasures. Goddesses are dancing and they are wearing golden jewelry.
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:
I was in the human world in my previous life. I made a walking path beside a road in a forest. I also planted trees and built a monastery for monks. Virtuous monks were very dear to me and I had confidence in them. I respectfully offered them much almsfood. That is why the pure radiance of my body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions.
Great Bhante, those were the meritorious actions I did to have such a beautiful body.
7.4 Golden Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, your mansion is on a golden mountain and shines brightly. It is covered with nets of gold and ringing bells. Eight-sided pillars made of beryl gemstones and seven other jewels support your mansion. The floor of the mansion is beautiful and made of beryl, gold, crystal, silver, cat’s-eyes, pearls, and ruby gems. There is no dust anywhere in the mansion. Golden beams support its pinnacle. There are four stairways facing the four directions. The mansion’s inner rooms are made of various jewels and radiate brilliantly like the sun. There are four main stages: one north, one south, one east, one west. They shine throughout the four directions.
You live in this excellent mansion, shining brilliantly like the rising sun. 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:
In my previous life, I lived in the human world in the city of Andhakavinda. With a happy mind I built a monastery with my own hands to offer to the Great Teacher, the Kinsman of the Sun, the Supreme Buddha.
I offered that monastery to the Great Teacher along with sweet fragrances, flower garlands, and ointments.
I have received the result of that meritorious deed. Now I am a leader among devas in this Nandana Park. I enjoy living in this park, surrounded by various birds and singing and dancing goddesses.
7.5 Mango Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, your mansion is very high in the sky and spreads over a hundred and twenty kilometers. Pillars of beryl and other gemstones, and seven hundred pinnacled buildings are in your estate. It is extremely beautiful. Inside the mansion, you drink and eat and enjoy the sweetness of heavenly food. The sweet music of guitars plays. You have many sensual pleasures. Devas are dancing and they are wearing golden jewelry.
What are the meritorious deeds that you have done to gain this happiness and your position as a leader?
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:
When I was in the human world, in the last month of the summer, the sun was very hot. There I was the guard of a mango grove and my duty was to watch over the mangoes and water them. One day, the famous Arahant Sariputta Bhante was passing by the mango grove. He appeared to be very tired, although his mind was never tired.
While I was watering the mango trees, I saw Sariputta Bhante approaching the grove. I said, “If I could bathe Bhante, it would lead to my happiness.”
Out of pity for me, Sariputta Bhante set aside his outer robes and bowl and sat down in the shade at the foot of a tree wearing his lower robe. I was so delighted. I bathed the Bhante with clean water while he sat there wearing his lower robe. I watered the mango tree and bathed the Bhante at the same time. The merit I collected was not small. My whole body was filled with joy.
That is the only meritorious action I did in the human world. When I passed away, I was reborn in this Nandana Park. I enjoy living in this park, surrounded by various birds and singing and dancing goddesses.
7.6 Cow Herder’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante upon seeing a deva, asked him a question.
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, you are living in a long-lasting mansion and your hands are decorated with various ornaments. You are mighty and shine like the moon in your mansion.
You are extremely beautiful. You are dressed beautifully in divine clothes. You are wearing divine flower-garlands and your hands are decorated with divine ornaments. Most importantly, beautiful ornaments decorate your hair and beard. You are famous and shine like the moon in your mansion.
The sweet music of divine guitars plays throughout the complex. Well-trained devatas delight in dancing and singing.
Powerful Deva, you have become a leader among devas. The pure radiance of your body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions.
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 lived in the human world. My job was to gather other people’s cows into one place and guard them. One day, a monk approached me on his almsround. At the same time, the cows ran towards a field of beans.
Bhante, suddenly I had to do two things and both had to be done at once. I was wise and realized what I had to do. I dropped my wrapped parcel of rice cake on the ground saying, “Bhante, I offer this to you.”
Then I chased after the cows before they damaged the bean field. While I was running, a deadly poisonous snake bit my foot. I was in great pain as I lay there on the ground.
Out of compassion for me, that monk unwrapped the parcel of rice cake and ate it. I died of the snake bite at that moment and was reborn as a deva.
That was the only meritorious action I did. Bhante, it was you who was very compassionate to me. That is why today I experience the happy results of my action. I know the importance of gratitude, and so, I worship you.
There is no other sage more compassionate than you in this world with its gods and Mara. You are extremely compassionate. I know the importance of gratitude, and so, I worship you.
There is no other sage more compassionate than you in this world or any other worlds. You are extremely compassionate. I know the importance of gratitude, and so, I worship you.
7.7 Kanthaka’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, the mansion in this heaven travels in all directions, shining brightly like the full moon – the leader of stars, surrounded by the constellations. It shines as brightly as the rising sun. Beryl, gold, crystal, silver, cat’s-eyes, pearls, and rubies decorate the floor of this mansion. The pillars are extremely beautiful. This mansion is beautifully made.
There is a beautiful lotus pond with many divine fish. It is filled with clear sparkling water, and its bottom is covered in golden sand. Various types of lotuses and white lilies bloom in the pond. When the breeze blows, a sweet fragrance spreads throughout the air. There are two beautiful forests on opposite banks of the pond. Their trees are full of flowers and fruits.
The comfortable chair you are sitting on is made of gold and decorated with divine cloth. You are surrounded by many goddesses, like the god Sakka. Those mighty goddesses, decorated with beautiful ornaments and flowers, entertain you. You are as happy in your mansion as a leader of gods. It is filled with the sweet sounds of drums, conchs, kettle-drums, guitars, and tam-tams. You enjoy the music, dances, and songs. You have received various divine sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. Dear Deva, you shine brighter and brighter in this mansion like the rising sun.
How did you gain all these wonderful things? Is this the result of giving or practicing virtue or paying homage to someone? Please tell me of what meritorious deed this is the result of.
That deva, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what he had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Deva:
I lived in the proud city of Kapilavatthu which was owned by the Sakyan people. My name was Kanthaka. I was the dearest horse of Prince Siddhartha, and I was born on the same day as this prince, the son of King Suddhodana.
One day at midnight Prince Siddhartha renounced the palace-life in order to seek enlightenment. He touched my thigh with his soft flexible hands and copper-colored nails. While touching my thigh he told me, “My friend, I am going to achieve enlightenment and after I have attained it, I will help others in the world to cross over this samsara. So carry me, my friend.”
I was overjoyed to hear those words. With great delight I let the prince get onto my back. The famous mighty prince sat on my back, and thrilled, I carried him joyfully.
As the sun was rising we approached another kingdom. Leaving me and the chariot-driver Channa, Prince Siddhartha departed silently as if he had no attachment to us.
I licked Prince Siddhartha’s sacred feet, with their copper-colored toenails, as he was about to depart. We watched the Great Hero entering the thick forest with tears in our eyes.
As soon as he was out of sight, I suddenly got very ill. Right there and then, I died.
Through the power of that meritorious deed, I have received this heavenly mansion. I enjoy this heaven immensely, surrounded by all the divine pleasures.
One day, other devas were rejoicing, having heard that Prince Siddhartha had attained Supreme Enlightenment. When I heard that, I was overjoyed. Based on that joy, I will attain Nibbana one day.
Bhante, when you approach the Greatest Teacher, the Supreme Buddha, please worship the Blessed One saying, “Deva Kanthaka worships you with his words and by bowing his head.”
Soon, I too will go to see the Matchless Teacher who won the battle. It is extremely rare to see such a Supreme Buddha, who is unshaken by the ups and downs of the world. He is the true protector of the world.
On a later day, recollecting the help of the Great Teacher, and feeling grateful and thankful for his teachings, Deva Kanthaka went to see the Supreme Buddha. Having listened to the Buddha’s teaching, he understood it and gained the Eye of Dhamma.
Deva Kanthaka removed self-centered view, doubt, and wrongful practices and became a Stream Entrant. After worshiping the Supreme Teacher’s sacred feet, he disappeared right there and then.
7.8 Mansion of Many Colors
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, your body is multicolored. You are in a colorful mansion without sadness, surrounded by goddesses. You experience delight, like the god Sunimmita. No one equals your fame, merit, strength, and psychic power. All the devas in Tavatimsa Heaven are gathered here worshiping you, just as people worship the moon. Goddesses are dancing, singing, and entertaining you.
Powerful Deva, you have become a leader among devas. You shine brilliantly in all directions. 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:
Bhante, at that time, there was a Supreme Buddha named Sumedha Buddha. I was a disciple of that great victor. Even though I was a monk for seven years near the Buddha, I did not attain any stage of enlightenment. I lived just as an ordinary monk.
Sumedha Supreme Buddha, the Great Teacher, the Great Victor, the one who is unshaken by ups and downs, attained final Nibbana at passing away. A stupa, of a golden net and decorated with gems, was built to hold the Buddha’s sacred relics. I worshiped that stupa with a happy mind.
Although I did not have anything with which to practice generosity, I encouraged others. I would tell people, “Pay homage to the sacred relics of the Buddhas, who are worthy of homage, and you will be able to go to heaven!”
That was the only meritorious action I did. From the result of that, I enjoy this divine happiness rejoicing in the midst of Tavatimsa devas. The result of that meritorious deed has not yet ended.
7.9 Mattakundali’s Mansion
A Brahmin was crying over his dead son’s grave when he saw a grieving deva who was disguised as a young man.
Brahmin:
My dear child, you are very handsome, wearing polished earrings, garlands, and sandalwood cream. You are weeping, holding your head in your hands in the middle of this forest. Why are you crying so sadly?
Deva:
I have received a bright golden chariot, but it does not have wheels. That is why I am so sad. I am about to commit suicide.
Brahmin:
Oh dear boy, tell me, what kind of wheels do you need? Should they be made of gold, jewels, rubies, or silver? I will give you a pair of wheels made from anything.
Deva:
We can see the sun and moon right here. It would be great if my chariot could have them as wheels.
Brahmin:
Oh, dear boy, you are indeed foolish. You seek something that cannot be obtained. I am sure that you will die from sadness because it is impossible to get the sun and moon as your wheels.
Deva:
But wait a minute. We can see the sun and moon moving in the sky. We can see their color and tracks. But when someone dies, one can never see him again. So, who is more foolish, you or me? You are crying over your dead son, who cannot even be seen, and I am crying over something that can at least be seen.
Brahmin:
Oh, dear boy, what you just said is very true. Of the two of us I am the greater fool. I am crying to get my dead son back, like a childish boy crying to obtain the moon.
My heart was burning with sadness over the death of my son, like when ghee is poured onto a fire. But now, all my sorrow has been extinguished as if I had been sprayed with water. I was struck with an arrow of grief, but you have removed it from me, my dear boy. Having heard your advice, I have become tranquil and cool, with the arrow of sorrow removed. I no longer grieve or weep.
Are you a god, a divine musician, the god Sakka, or someone’s son? Who are you?
Deva:
Your son has been cremated in this cemetery. You are weeping over his remains. I am that son of yours. Having done a meritorious deed, I was reborn in the Tavatimsa Heaven as a deva.
Brahmin:
We have never known you to give a small or large gift in charity. We have never known you to observe the Five or Eight Precepts. What kind of meritorious action did you do to go to heaven?
Deva:
Do you remember when I was very sick and lying sadly on a bed outside our house? One day, all of a sudden, I saw the Supreme Buddha who had great wisdom and a pure mind, and who had realized everything about this world.
I was very happy and had confidence when I saw him. I quickly worshiped him. That was the only meritorious action I did to have come to this heaven.
Brahmin:
It is wonderful! Just mere worshiping has resulted in a great happiness. Without delay, on this very day, I happily place confidence in the Buddha. I go for refuge to the Buddha.
Deva:
That is exactly what you should do. From this very day, go for refuge to the Supreme Buddha, the Supreme Dhamma, and the Supreme Sangha with a confident mind. Follow the Five Precepts honestly without breaking any of them.
Stop killing any beings, never steal, never drink alcohol, never lie, never commit sexual misconduct, and be content with your own wife.
Brahmin:
Oh Deva, you really wish for my well-being. You have been very helpful to me. From today onward, you are my teacher. I will do all the things you advised me to do. With a confident mind I go for refuge to the Supreme Buddha, the excellent Dhamma, and the disciples of the Great Teacher – the Noble Sangha. I will stop killing living beings, never steal anything, never drink alcohol, never lie, and never commit sexual misconduct. I will be content with my own wife.
7.10 Serissaka’s Mansion
A meeting took place between the deva Serissaka and some merchants. Please listen to this good story they told.
There was a king named Payasi in the city of Setavya. He was reborn as an earth deva. He lives happily in his mansion. That deva spoke to the merchants.
Deva:
Non-humans live in frightening forests and in deserts where there is little food, drink, and water. Your journey through this desert is very hard. You are about to die in the middle of this sandy place.
In this desert, there are no fruits, roots or any food or drink. There is no way to make a fire. There is only dust and scorching sand. This rough soil is like a scorched iron pot. It is like hell, without any happiness. This place has been haunted by ghosts for a long time. It seems that this land is under a curse of rishis. What are you seeking? Why have you come here? Is it because of greed, or fear, or have you gotten lost?
Merchants:
Dear Deva, we are merchants from the cities of Magadha and Anga. We travel with full carts to the cities of Sindhu and Sovira to earn money.
We could not stand the heat in the daytime. So, looking for a comfortable place for ourselves and out of compassion for our bulls, we rushed here to this place.
We took the wrong road in the night. We are lost and confused like blind men lost in a forest. We do not know where to go. We are stuck in the middle of this desert.
Deva, we have not seen anything like your mansion before. It is excellent. Because we have seen you, we are extremely happy. It is as if we have regained our lives.
Deva:
People travel to lands on the other side of the oceans. They travel through sandy deserts, over bridges made of canes and stakes, and to many more difficult places just to earn money. When you travel to different countries, what kind of things do you see and hear? I would like to learn about those strange things.
Merchants:
Deva, we have never seen or heard about any happiness greater than yours. Your happiness surpasses human happiness in every way. No matter how long we stare, we will never see enough of your mansion. There are pools in the sky with many white lotuses. The surrounding area is filled with trees that do not stop bearing fruit. Divine fragrance can be smelled everywhere. Your mansion is supported by hundreds of pillars made of beryl, crystals, corals, cat’s-eye, rubies, and brilliant jewels. There are golden stages decorated with golden railings. This mansion shines in gold and it is well designed with beautiful stairs. It is extremely beautiful.
There is lots of food and drink inside. Many goddesses play musical instruments and sing welcoming songs to entertain you. You enjoy being surrounded by these goddesses. The happiness you experience is beyond words. It is like the wonderful Nalini Palace of King Vessavana. Are you a god, a demon, the god Sakka, or a human? We merchants question you. Tell us who you are.
Deva:
Dear merchants, I am a deva. My name is Serissaka. I am the protector of this sandy desert. I was appointed by King Vessavana.
Merchants:
Deva, have you obtained these wonderful things by chance, have you created them yourself, or have other gods given them to you? How did you gain all these delightful things?
Deva:
Merchants, I did not obtain these wonderful things by chance, nor did I create them myself. Other devas did not give them to me. I have obtained these things as a result of my own meritorious deeds.
Merchants:
Dear Deva, what kind of religious activities did you perform and what kind of precepts did you follow? What kind of good deed did you do to gain these wonderful things.
Deva:
I was once a ruler in the country Kosala. My name was Payasi. I held the wrong view that there are no results of good and bad actions. I was very greedy and evil. I believed that nothing exists after death.
There was a great monk named Kumara Kassapa who knew the Supreme Buddha’s Dhamma well and could preach skillfully. One day, that monk taught me the Dhamma. That was the day he removed my terrible wrong views.
After hearing his sermon, I became a lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. I abstained from killing beings, stealing, drinking alcohol, lying, and was content with my own wife. That was my religious life and those were the precepts I followed. Due to those meritorious deeds, I obtained this wonderful mansion.
Whatever teaching has been preached by the wise is true. Those teachings are not false. Good doers enjoy the results of their actions wherever they go. Evil doers experience grief, lamentation, and misery wherever they go. They will never escape from falling into miserable worlds.
At that moment, the assembly of devas suddenly became very frightened and sad.
Merchants:
Dear Deva, what happened to you and your fellow devas? Why do you suddenly seem sad?
Deva:
Dear merchants, can you see these flowering Mahari trees in this forest spreading divine fragrance and dispelling darkness? After every hundred years, one petal of each flower falls off. That indicates that we devas have been here for one hundred years. I will stay in this mansion only for five hundred years. I know that very well. By then, my life span and merit will be spent. That is why I am very sad.
Merchants:
Dear Deva, having obtained a wonderful, long lasting mansion like yours, what is the point of being sad? If someone has a short lifespan and little merit it makes sense for them to be sad.
Deva:
Dear merchants, you advised me using pleasing words with good hearts. I will protect you. You will be able to go safely to your destination.
Merchants:
We wish to go to the cities of Sindhu and Sovira to earn money. We promise that we will organize a huge ceremony in the name of Serissaka with lots of gifts.
Deva:
Do not organize ceremonies for me. You will get everything you wish for without having to reward me. Stop doing evil deeds and lead a virtuous life.
There is a lay follower of the Buddha in your group. He is very faithful, virtuous, generous, wise, and well-behaved. He is learned in the Dhamma. He is a very happy lay follower with deep wisdom.
He does not tell lies intentionally. He does not even think to kill beings. He does not try to break others’ friendships, and he speaks beneficial things wisely. He is very disciplined, obedient, and established in higher virtue. He respects elders and looks after his parents. He has great noble qualities. I think he earns money just to take care of his parents, not to make himself rich. He intends to be a monk after his parents pass away.
He is straight, not crooked, and not deceitful. How could he experience suffering since he is well established in good qualities?
It is because he was in your group that I appeared before you. Therefore, merchants, following the Dhamma is the best protection. If you had come without that lay follower, you could have been destroyed by disasters in this desert like confused blind men. Association with good people is indeed a blessing.
Merchants:
Deva, please tell us, who is that person? What is his name? What is his role among us? We agree that if you appeared here out of compassion for someone, his company is truly a blessing.
Deva:
Yes, he is a servant of yours. He is your barber, Sambhava. He earns money shaving and cutting people’s hair. Recognize him as that lay follower. He is a very quiet person. Don’t look down upon him.
Merchants:
Dear Deva, we know who you are talking about. We never thought he was such a person. Having heard your praises, we are ready to worship him.
Deva:
Everybody traveling with you – elders, youth, children, and anyone who is greedy, come inside my mansion and see well the results of merits.
Placing the barber in the front, they all rushed behind him saying, “I am next! I am next!” They went inside the mansion as if entering the wonderful palace of the god Sakka.
When it was time to go for refuge, they all cried,“Let me go first!” wanting to become lay disciples of the Supreme Buddha. They abstained from killing, stealing, drinking alcohol, lying, and were content with their own wives.Everyone rejoiced in taking refuge in the Triple Gem. They rejoiced again and again enjoying divine wonders.
Afterwards, they went to Sindhu and Sovira safely and accomplished their goal of making lots of money. They eventually returned to their home city of Pataliputta safely. They went to their own houses, rejoined their wives and children, and organized a great festival called Serissaka. They delighted in this festival together with their families. They also built an assembly hall called Serissaka.
This is the result of association with noble friends, people who practice the Dhamma. Because of a single lay follower a large group of people benefited.
7.11 Sunikkhitta’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, this mansion is very high, spreading for a hundred and twenty kilometers. There are pillars of beryl and other gemstones. Seven hundred small houses with triangular-shaped roofs are within the complex. This mansion is extremely beautiful.
Inside the mansion, you are drinking and eating. The sweet music of divine guitars plays throughout the complex. Well-trained devatas delight in dancing and singing.
Powerful Deva, you have become a leader among devas. The pure radiance of your body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions.
Tell me, 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:
Some flowers that had been offered to the stupa of the Supreme Buddha had been scattered here and there. I arranged those flowers beautifully while recollecting the great qualities of the Supreme Buddha. Now I enjoy heavenly pleasures and have great power and might.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful deva and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart. The radiance of my body shines in all directions. Great Bhante, that was the meritorious action I did when I was in the human world.
