Vv 56Should-Be-Done Mansion

– STORIES OF HEAVENLY MANSIONS

– B. HEAVENLY MANSIONS OF MALE BEINGS

– THE GREAT VEHICLE CHAPTER

5.6

BJT 927"This heavenly mansion is lofty, with pillars of maṇi-jewels, extending twelve leagues in circumference, with seven hundred magnificent pinnacled dwellings with pillars made of beryl, spread with gold, beautiful.

BJT 928There you dwell, you drink, and you eat. There are divine vīṇās producing sweet sounds, there are divine flavors, here there are the five strands of sensual pleasure, and there are women adorned with gold who dance.

BJT 929On account of what do you have such a complexion? On account of what has this come to be accomplished for you here? And on account of what do pleasant enjoyments arise for you?

BJT 930O heavenly being of great power, I ask you: 'When you were a human being, what meritorious deed did you do? On account of what do you have power that shines so brilliantly, and your complexion illuminates all the directions?'"

BJT 931That divine youth, rejoicing when asked by the venerable Moggallāna, being asked the question, explained which kamma this fruit belonged to:

BJT 932"Meritorious deeds are those that ought to be done by the wise person, by one who has recognition with regard to the Buddhas as those who have practiced rightly, as the place where a gift given yields great fruit.

BJT 933Indeed, for my benefit, the Buddha came from the forest to the village. Having aroused faith in him, I went to the Heaven of the Thirty-Three.

BJT 934On account of that, I have such a complexion. On account of that, this has been accomplished for me here. And on account of that, pleasant enjoyments arise for me.

BJT 935Venerable bhikkhu of great power, I declare to you the meritorious deed I did when I was a human being. On account of that, I have power that shines so brilliantly, and my complexion illuminates all the directions."

The Mansion Arising from the Should-Be-Done Deed.