Vv 24Uposathā’s Mansion

– THE MANSION

– A. THE FEMALE DEVAS' REALM

– THE CITTALATĀ CHAPTER

2.7

BJT 228"O goddess, you stand with a radiant complexion, making all the directions blaze with light, like the star Osadhī.

BJT 229By reason of what have you obtained such a complexion? By reason of what has this been accomplished for you here? And by reason of what do delightful pleasures arise for you?

BJT 230O goddess of great might, I ask you: 'When you were a human being, what meritorious deed did you perform? By reason of what do you have the might to shine so brilliantly, and your complexion illuminates all directions?'"

BJT 231That goddess, delighted at being questioned by the venerable Moggallāna, when asked the question, explained of which kamma this was the fruit:

BJT 232"I was known among people as 'Uposathā,' a female lay disciple in the city of Sāketā, endowed with faith and virtue, always delighting in generosity.

BJT 233I gave robes, food, lodging, and lamps, with a pure mind, to people of upright character.

BJT 234On the fourteenth day, the fifteenth day, the eighth day of each fortnight, and on the additional days of the fortnight, there was the proper observance of the eight precepts.

BJT 235I practiced the Uposatha day, always restrained in the precepts. I dwelt in a mansion with self-restraint and generosity.

BJT 236I abstained from the taking of life, and was restrained regarding falsehood, theft, misconduct, and kept far from the drinking of intoxicants.

BJT 237I delighted in the five training rules, was one who understood the Noble Truths, a female lay disciple of the renowned Gotama of the clear vision.

BJT 238By reason of that, I have obtained such a complexion. By reason of that, this has been accomplished for me here. And by reason of that, delightful pleasures arise for me.

BJT 239Venerable bhikkhu of great might, I have explained to you the meritorious deed I performed when I was a human being. By reason of that, I have the might to shine so brilliantly, and my complexion illuminates all the directions."

BJT 240"Having continuously heard about the Nandana garden, a longing arose in me. Having made a resolution in my heart toward that place, I was reborn in Nandana.

BJT 241I did not practice the teaching of the Teacher, the Buddha, the kinsman of the sun. Having made a resolution in my heart toward something inferior, I shall hereafter be filled with regret."

BJT 242"Uposathā, for how long will you live here? O goddess, being asked, please tell if you know your lifespan."

BJT 243"O great sage, after remaining here for three koṭis and sixty thousand years, I will pass away from here and go to dwell together with human beings."

BJT 244"Uposathā, do not be afraid. You have also been declared by the Perfectly Enlightened One to be a Stream-Enterer; the plane of misery has been cut off for you."

The Mansion of Uposathā.