Vv 37Mansion of the Beautiful-Eyed Goddess

– STORIES OF HEAVENLY MANSIONS

– A. HEAVENLY MANSIONS OF WOMEN

– THE PĀRICCHATTAKA CHAPTER

3.9

BJT 667"O fair one with large eyes, who are you truly, that you lead the company of women wandering about in the delightful Cittalatā garden?

BJT 668When the gods of the Thirty-Three enter this garden, all of them together with their draft animals and their chariots become different in color upon arriving here.

BJT 669Yet as for you, upon arriving here, while you wander about in the flower garden, no change in color is seen in your body. By what means have you attained such an appearance? O goddess, having been asked, may you recount of what karma this result is."

BJT 670"O Lord of the Gods, by what karma I have obtained this form and obtained this realm of rebirth, together with spiritual power and might — O Purindada, please listen to that.

BJT 671I was a lay woman named Sunandā in the delightful city of Rājagaha, endowed with faith and virtue, always delighting in generosity.

BJT 672With a pure mind, I gave robes, food, lodging, and lamps to those who were upright.

BJT 673On the fourteenth day, the fifteenth day, the eighth day of each fortnight, and on the additional days of the fortnight, there was a good observance of the eight precepts.

BJT 674I observed the uposatha days, always restrained in the precepts. I dwelt in a mansion with self-restraint and generosity.

BJT 675I abstained from the taking of life, and restrained myself from lying, stealing, misconduct, and kept away from the drinking of intoxicants.

BJT 676I delighted in the five training rules, was one who understood the Noble Truths, a lay woman of the renowned Gotama of Clear Vision.

BJT 677Maidservants from the households of my relatives regularly brought garlands of flowers to me. I offered all of those entirely at the stupa of the Blessed One.

BJT 678And on the uposatha days, I went there with serene faith; with my own hands I offered garlands of flowers, incense, and ointments at the stupa.

BJT 679O Lord of the Gods, it is by the karma of having offered garlands of flowers that I have obtained this form and obtained this realm of rebirth, together with spiritual power and might.

BJT 680As for the fact that I had been one of virtuous conduct, that has not yet come to fruition. Nevertheless, O Lord of the Gods, I have the hope that I may become a Once-Returner."

The Mansion of Visālakkhī.