Vv 57Second Should-Be-Done Mansion

– MANSION STORIES

– B. MANSIONS OF MALE BEINGS

– THE GREAT CHARIOT CHAPTER

5.7

BJT 936"This mansion is lofty, with pillars of maṇi-jewel, twelve yojanas in circumference, with seven hundred stately pinnacled towers whose columns are made of beryl, covered with gold, and beautiful.

BJT 937There you dwell, there you drink, and there you eat. Heavenly vīṇās produce sweet sounds, there are heavenly flavors, here there are the five kinds of sensual pleasures, and women adorned with gold dance.

BJT 938On 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 agreeable pleasures arise for you?

BJT 939O deity of great might, I ask you: 'When you were a human being, what meritorious deed did you do? On account of what do you have such might, blazing thus, and your complexion illumines all the directions?'"

BJT 940That deity was delighted when questioned by the Venerable Moggallāna. Being asked the question, he explained of which kamma this result was:

BJT 941"Meritorious deeds are things that should be done by a wise person, by one who is discerning, toward bhikkhus who have practiced rightly — a field in which what is given yields great fruit.

BJT 942Indeed, for my benefit, a bhikkhu had come from the forest to the village. Having aroused faith in him, I went to the Tāvatiṃsa heaven.

BJT 943On account of that, I have such a complexion. On account of that, this has been accomplished for me here. And on account of that, agreeable pleasures arise for me.

BJT 944Venerable bhikkhu of great might, I declare to you the meritorious deed I did when I was a human being. On account of that I have such might, blazing thus, and my complexion illumines all the directions."

The Second Should-Be-Done Mansion.