Dhammapada verses 195 & 196
The Buddha
He who offers gifts to those worthy of offerings, the Buddha or his disciples who have transcended obsessive thinking, passed beyond
sorrow and lamentation. The merit of those who venerate such peaceful and fearless ones can never be calculated by any measure.
Vimāna Vatthu | 1.10 | Tiladakkhiṇā Sutta
Sesame-Gift Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi. What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Devata, the pure radiance of your body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions.
Tell me Devata, 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 devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
In my previous life, I was a woman in the human world. One day I saw the Supreme Buddha who was free from defilements and had a peaceful mind. I knew very well that the Buddha was worthy of gifts and therefore my mind had confidence in him. I was a little worried because I did not have valuable things to offer. But still, I offered some sesame seeds with my own hands.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata 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.
A rare opportunity for you to attend to the Supreme Buddha and the Sangha by offering Kiripindu (special Milk Rice), fruits, sweets, flowers, fragrance and light during the Morning Milk Rice Puja. Milk Rice is offered to the Supreme Buddha in the Buddha Mandira beholding the mesmerizing Buddha statue and for the Bhikkhuni Sangha in Dhatu mandira which contains the relics of Arahant Theri Maha prajapati. It’s a rare opportunity for one to collect great merit by performing āmisa puja to the Supreme Buddha & Sangha and seek blessings and protection for their lives!
If you wish to do a Milk Rice Offering or have any questions, kindly contact us: (+94) 74 256 5527 – Nuns of Mahamevnawa
Ksheera Payasa (Milk rice / kirpindu) is a special meal that is offered to the Supreme Buddha early in the morning usually at dawn as the first meal of the day for the Supreme Buddha. Milk rice is usually offered on poya days as many significant events of the Blessed One’s life occurred on full moon days.
Therefore, as a way of commemorating those important events, lay disciples make milk rice offerings with a pleasant mind to our great teacher, the Supreme Buddha, thus accumulating a lot of merit. Milk rice offerings however is not limited to poya days. It can be offered with a pleasant mind on any day you wish.
Before learning how to prepare Milk rice, it is worth knowing how Sujata, the noble lady of Senani, prepared the special Kiripindu meal (Milk rice) that the bodhisattva consumed before his enlightenment. It is mentioned in ‘Pujavaliya’ as follows;
……. At that time, there was one young lady called ‘Sujata’ who was the daughter of the chief merchant of Senani in Uruwela. When she was in her early youth, she went to one big banyan tree named ‘Ajapala’ near the Neranjara river and made so many offerings to the tree by assuming that there is a deva dwelling in the tree. Offering food and drinks with fragrant flowers in the name of the tree-god she made a wish like this:
‘May the God, who dwells in this tree, rejoice in all my offerings and grant me to have a suitable, loving husband in marriage and a son in my first Conception. If my wishes come true, I will continue making a milk rice offering each year that’s worth one hundred thousand golden coins’
As time passed, she got married to the chief merchant in Banaras and also gave birth to a son called ‘Yasa’. As her wishes came true, upon her vow that she made, she continued offering milk rice to the deva who dwelled in the Ajapala banyan tree every year.
After many years, there came the day where the greatest thing in the world was to take place. It was the Vesak full moon day- the day that our bodhisattva was to attain enlightenment under the Asatu Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, as his merit had already been ripened to attain the Buddhahood. It was also the day that our bodhisattva completed six years of severe austerity. Hence, it was, indeed, an auspicious day in every aspect.
On that very day, Sujata thought to offer her one hundred thousand worth milk rice offering to the deva who dwells in the banyan tree. She first selected a thousand thoroughbred cows and let them be fed in the forest with creepers called Valmi, whereby the milk would be much sweeter. Then she milked a thousand milk buckets from those thousand cows and fed that milk to five hundred chosen thoroughbred cows. Then again, she milked five hundred buckets of milk from those five hundred cows and fed that milk to two hundred and fifty chosen thoroughbred cows. Again, she milked two hundred and fifty pots of milk and fed them all to one hundred and twenty-five chosen thoroughbred cows. Then again, she milked one hundred and twenty-five buckets of milk from those one hundred and twenty-five cows and fed that milk to sixty-four chosen thoroughbred cows. She milked sixty-four buckets of milk from those sixty-four cows and fed that milk to thirty-two chosen thoroughbred cows. She milked thirty-two buckets of milk from those thirty-two cows and fed that milk to sixteen chosen thoroughbred cows. She milked sixteen buckets of milk from sixteen cows and fed that milk to eight chosen thoroughbred cows.
She did all of these in a great effort just to get the sweetest and most nourishing milk in order to prepare her one hundred thousand worth delicious milk rice. On the day she was about to prepare the milk rice, she fed that precious milk to those eight chosen thoroughbred cows and let them be free in the herd. From that moment, many amazing things started to happen. Even though the calves were totally free to go to their moms and drink milk, no calve drank milk nor did they touch or lick a single nipple. As soon as the servants kept golden pots under their nipples before milking, the nipples themselves started to give milk without human interference. By seeing all this amazement, Sujata was so happy. She took the golden pots of milk and poured them into one big golden pot and kept it on fire. The fire made for cooking the milk rice was also very special. It was not an ordinary fire made of common firewood, but rather, was a special fragrant fire made of many kinds of fragrant firewood, such as sandalwood, devadara, and camphorwood.
When the rice started to boil, there appeared bubbles on the surface, and they started circling right over the top of the pot. Not even a single drop fell out of the pot. No smoke could be seen there at all.
Then came the four divine kings named Dhatarāṣṭha, Virūḍha, Virūpākkha, and Vaiśravaṇa, who reigned in the four directions and took guard in the four directions around the boiling pot. God Sakka disguised himself as the chief cook and took care of fire and other conditions to make sure that the milk rice cooked well and everything is under good condition. The Great Brahma came and kept holding a white parasol over the pot. All devas from ten thousand heavenly worlds came with various divine nutrients and sweeteners and poured them into the boiling pot. They, by using their supernormal power, mixed them well with boiling rice, thereby giving the utmost greatness to the texture of the milk rice.
By witnessing all of these amazements with a joyful heart, Sujata asked one of her servant girls, Punna, to go to the Banyan tree and clear up around before she arrived. Once Punna rushed there, she saw the bodhisatta, who was sitting under the banyan tree, glowing like a golden statue. Soon as she saw the bodhisatta assuming that he was the tree-deva, she ran to her mistress and told her everything what she has seen.
By hearing this, overwhelmed by happiness, Sujata bestowed the girl Punna immediately with the position of her elder daughter and gifted her many precious jewelries and cloths. Then she took one beautifully engraved golden bowl that was worth one hundred thousand gold coins. She, with the help of Punna, poured divinely delicious and fragrant milk rice into that golden bowl and closed it with another precious golden lid worth one hundred thousand gold coins. Sujata bathed herself, adorned herself with beautiful jewelry, and dressed up like a goddess. She herself took the golden bowl filled with delicious milk rice onto her head, took a golden vessel filled with fragrant water on her other hand and with Punna, she went to the Nigrodha banyan tree. From a distance, she could notice that her deva has come down from the tree and is waiting for her arrival. By seeing this, she became thrilled and felt much love towards her deva (the Bodhisatta). With much love and respect, she slowly reached the Bodhisatta, who was sitting under the banyan tree, and got ready to offer her milk rice. She was still thinking that it was her deva who helped her to have a good marriage and a lovely son. So, she, with a heart full of gratitude, was ready to offer the golden pot of milk rice. She could not identify the bodhisatta or could think at least that this was not a deva but was a human. So, she paid all her respect towards the bodhisatta assuming it was a highly powerful deva. At that moment, expecting to have water, the bodhisatta stretched out his right hand. But instead of offering water, Sujata soon offered her precious milk rice to the bodhisatta. And soon after offering milk rice, overjoyed by happiness, she spoke aloud and wished like this:
“My Lord, just like my wishes came true, so too, may all your aspirations come true. Please accept this milk rice inside this golden bowl and please consume it all wherever you wish.”
After worshiping the feet of the bodhisatta, she again and again bowed her head in veneration, paid much respect. She walked backwards while gazing at the bodhisatta, and once she came to the distance where she no longer could see him, turned back and returned to her home.
It is not by an accident that she happened to offer this precious milk rice to the bodhisatta, who was just about to attain enlightenment and become the Supreme Buddha on that very day, but it was because of a great determination that she had made in the presence of Supreme Buddha Piyamathura many eons ago. From the day she made that determination, she kept practicing generosity in many Buddha’s dispensations and was not reborn in any bad destinations by the power of her merit. And finally, in this life, she was born into a very wealthy family, got married to the wealthy merchant of Benares, and had ‘Yasa’ as her son, who later became one of the first sixty arahants in Gautama Buddha’s dispensation. Not only that, she was also the first female lay disciple to take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha—the Triple Gem—in Gautama Buddha’s dispensation and attained the fruit of stream entry.
Here we show you two methods of preparing milk rice. The first one is the basic and the most simplest method while the second one is little bit more complex. The taste and smell of both also vary from one to another. You can choose either method or you can combining some steps chosen from the two methods suitably and prepare with a pleasent mind which will allow you to accumulate a lot of merit. To make this occasion much more meritorious, you can chant the qualities of the Buddha (Itipiso, Bhagava….) or Parittas during the entire process which will allow you to be more mindful and focused. Wearing a mask and a hair cover is also recommended to ensure cleanliness during the cooking process.
……..the Blessed One addressed the young deva Ugga with verses:
“The giver of the agreeable gains the agreeable;
the giver of the foremost again gains the foremost;
the giver of the excellent gains the excellent;
the giver of the best reaches the best state.”“The person who gives the best,
the giver of the foremost,
the giver of the excellent,
is long-lived and famous
wherever he is reborn.”
AN (Pañcakanipāta – Paṭhamapaṇṇāsaka – Muṇḍarājavagga – 5.44)
On some occasions, devotees prepare Milk rice without using water at all; instead of using water to wash rice, they use king coconut water. On some occasions, devotees use both coconut milk and fresh cow milk to cook rice, whereas other times they use fresh cow milk alone. Sometimes devotees add salt as per their taste, and sometimes not.
Method #1
Ingredients
(Here are the quantities per kilogram of milk rice)
- 1 kg suvandal rice (a kind of white rice)
- King Coconut water/ pure water
- 5 liters of fresh Milk
- Another 1 liter of Milk in case of need
- Salt (as per the taste)
- Dried cashews/ dates (for decoration)
- Pure honey (additional)
Lets prepare Milk rice
- Wash suvandal rice with king coconut water (or pure water).
- Then soak the rice in the king coconut water (or pure water) for about half an hour.
- Pour 5 L of milk in to a cooking pot and boil.
- Drain the soaked rice and add it into the boiling milk.
- Continue to stir slowly to prevent scorching on the bottom of the pot.
- If the texture becomes dry and thick Once the rice cooks, add some extra milk gradually, making sure it doesn’t become too watery.
- Add salt to taste if preferred.
- You should not overcook the rice expecting to get a thick texture as you have seen in the milk rice bowl offered at the monastery.
- When milk rice cools down the texture becomes automatically thick. Hence you should remove the cooking pot from fire before it becomes too thick.
- Once the rice is cooked well and texture has also come to its required level, you can now add & mix raisins and/or cashew nuts if you’d like. (make sure to add raisins only when the cooking is completed and pot is removed from stove.)
- Now pour the mixture into the bowl it is being offered.
- Level the surface using a spatula or a spoon and decorate the top by using raisins, dates, cashew nuts and honey.
Method #2
Ingredients
(Here are the quantities per kilogram of milk rice)
-
- 1 kg suvandal rice (a kind of white rice)
- King Coconut water/ pure water
- 5 liters of fresh Milk
- Another 1 liter of Milk in case of need
- Salt (as per the taste)
- 100 grams Butter
- 15 grams Cardamom
- 15 grams Cloves
- Dried cashews/ dates (for decoration)
- Pure honey (additional)
- A few strawberries and Apples (for decoration)
Lets prepare Milk rice
- Wash suvandal rice with king coconut water (or pure water).
- Then soak the suwandal rice in the king coconut water (or pure water) for about half an hour.
- Fry cardamom and cloves, grind it in to powder. Boil it in a little bit of milk to flavour it.
- Then drain the bits and keep aside.
- Take 5 litres of milk and boil. When it is boiling, add the previously flavoured milk and add some butter to it.
- Add the soaked rice into the boiling milk and continue stirring to prevent the rice in bottom of pot from being burnt. (cooking in a medium heat is better)
- If the texture becomes dry and thick while the rice is being cooked, gradually add some extra milk making sure it does not get too watery.
- Add salt to taste if you would like.
- In the meantime, check periodically to see if the rice is nearly cooked to prevent over cooking.
- Then, add cashew nuts to it. It is important to add raisins after the pot has been removed from stove to prevent raisins from being cooked.
- Now, pour the milk rice into the bowl of offering.
Decorate with sliced apples, strawberries, cashew nuts, raisings and honey.
If you wish to take up an Milk rice offering or have any questions, kindly contact us:
(+94) 74 256 5527 – Nuns of Mahamevnawa, Colombo
Learn More About 'Benefits of Making Offerings to the Supreme Buddha'
Vimāna Vatthu | 3.8 Mallikā Sutta
Mallika’s Mansion
Narada Bhante:
Devata, you are dressed in divine golden clothes and gold jewelry. Golden banners are waving in the sky. Even without this jewelry, your beauty shines brightly. You are wearing gold bangles, bracelets, and a necklace of gems. You wear a gold crown on your head and your body is covered with a golden net.
You are decorated with various types of garlands made from gold, rubies, pearls, beryl and cat’s-eye jewels. These garlands produce sweet music like the songs of peacocks, geese, and cuckoos. Your divine chariot is also decorated with beautiful gems and the color of each part on the chariot is well matched.
Your beauty shines in all directions when you travel in this chariot. Devata, what kind of meritorious actions did you do to receive this result?
Devata:
When I was in the human world, I learned about the death of Gautama Supreme Buddha who possessed immeasurable good qualities. With a very happy mind, I made a golden net and decorated it with jewels, gold, and pearls. Then I offered it to the Supreme Buddha.
In this way, I collected much merit as encouraged by the Buddha. That is how I was reborn in heaven and now enjoy happiness without any sorrow.
AN (Pañcakanipāta – Paṭhamapaṇṇāsaka – Muṇḍarājavagga – 5.44)
The Giver of the Agreeable
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood. Then, in the morning, the Blessed One dressed, took his bowl and robe, and went to the residence of the householder Ugga of Vesālī, where he sat down in the appointed seat. Then the householder Ugga of Vesālī approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said to the Blessed One:
“Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this: ‘The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.’ Bhante, my sal flower porridge is agreeable. Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion.” The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
“Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this: ‘The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.’ Bhante, my pork embellished with jujubes is agreeable. Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion.” The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
“Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this: ‘The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.’ Bhante, my fried vegetable stalks are agreeable. Let the Blessed One accept them from me, out of compassion.” The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
“Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this: ‘The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.’ Bhante, my boiled hill rice cleared of dark grains, accompanied by various sauces and condiments, is agreeable. Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion.” The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
“Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this: ‘The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.’ Bhante, my cloths from Kāsi are agreeable. Let the Blessed One accept them from me, out of compassion.” The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
“Bhante, in the presence of the Blessed One I heard and learned this: ‘The giver of what is agreeable gains what is agreeable.’ Bhante, my couch spread with rugs, blankets, and covers, with an excellent covering of antelope hide, with a canopy above and red bolsters at both ends, is agreeable. Although I know this is not allowable for the Blessed One, this sandalwood plank of mine is worth over a thousand. Let the Blessed One accept it from me, out of compassion.” The Blessed One accepted, out of compassion.
Then the Blessed One expressed his appreciation to the householder Ugga of Vesālī thus:
“The giver of the agreeable gains the agreeable,
when he gives willingly to the upright ones
clothing, bedding, food, and drink,
and various kinds of requisites.“Having known the arahants to be like a field
for what is relinquished and offered, not held back,
the good person gives what is hard to give:
the giver of agreeable things gains what is agreeable.”
Then, after expressing his appreciation to the householder Ugga of Vesālī, the Blessed One rose from his seat and left. Then, some time later, the householder Ugga of Vesālī passed away. After his death, the householder Ugga of Vesālī was reborn among a certain group of mind-made deities. On that occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Then, when the night had advanced, the young deva Ugga, of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and stood to one side. The Blessed One then said to him: “I hope, Ugga, that it is as you would have wished.”
“Surely, Bhante, it is as I had wished.”
Then the Blessed One addressed the young deva Ugga with verses:
“The giver of the agreeable gains the agreeable;
the giver of the foremost again gains the foremost;
the giver of the excellent gains the excellent;
the giver of the best reaches the best state.“The person who gives the best,
the giver of the foremost,
the giver of the excellent,
is long-lived and famous
wherever he is reborn.”
Aṅguttara Nikāya – The Book of the Fives – 5.34.
Sīha
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood. Then Sīha the general approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said:
“Is it possible, Bhante, to point out a directly visible fruit of giving?”
“It is, Sīha,” the Blessed One said.
(1) “A donor, Sīha, a munificent giver, is dear and agreeable to many people. This is a directly visible fruit of giving.
(2) “Again, good persons resort to a donor, a munificent giver. This, too, is a directly visible fruit of giving.
(3) “Again, a donor, a munificent giver, acquires a good reputation. This, too, is a directly visible fruit of giving.
(4) “Again, whatever assembly a donor, a munificent giver, approaches—whether of khattiyas, brahmins, householders, or ascetics—he approaches it confidently and composed. This too is a directly visible fruit of giving.
(5) “Again, with the breakup of the body, after death, a donor, a munificent giver, is reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world. This is a fruit of giving pertaining to future lives.”
When this was said, Sīha the general said to the Blessed One: “Bhante, I do not go by faith in the Blessed One concerning those four directly visible fruits of giving declared by him. I know them, too. For I am a donor, a munificent giver, and I am dear and agreeable to many people. I am a donor, a munificent giver, and many good persons resort to me. I am a donor, a munificent giver, and I have acquired a good reputation as a donor, sponsor, and supporter of the Saṅgha. I am a donor, a munificent giver, and whatever assembly I approach—whether of khattiyas, brahmins, householders, or ascetics—I approach it confidently and composed. I do not go by faith in the Blessed One concerning these four directly visible fruits of giving declared by him. I know them, too. But when the Blessed One tells me: ‘Sīha, with the breakup of the body, after death, a donor, a munificent giver, is reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world,’ I do not know this, and here I go by faith in the Blessed One.”
“So it is, Sīha, so it is! With the breakup of the body, after death, a donor, a munificent giver, is reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world.”
By giving, he becomes dear and many resort to him.
He attains a good reputation and his fame increases.
The generous man is composed
and confidently enters the assembly.
Therefore, seeking happiness,
wise persons give gifts,
having removed the stain of miserliness.
When they are settled in the triple heaven,
for a long time they delight
in companionship with the devas.
Having taken the opportunity to do wholesome deeds,
passing from here, self-luminous, they roam in Nandana,
where they delight, rejoice, and enjoy themselves,
furnished with the five objects of sensual pleasure.
Having fulfilled the word of the unattached Stable One,
the Fortunate One’s disciples rejoice in heaven.
Vimāna Vatthu | 3.10 Pāricchattaka Sutta
Coral Tree Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, this coral tree is beautiful and delightful. You are making garlands from the flowers of that tree while singing happily. When you dance, beautiful divine sounds and fragrance spread from your limbs. As you dance and as your hair waves, the bells on your hair play beautiful music. Also, as wind blows on the garland-crown on your head it plays beautiful music. Your garland-crown looks and smells very beautiful like a manjusaka tree full of fragrant flowers.
Do you smell these scents? Have you seen your beauty? We now ask you, what kind of meritorious actions did you do to have gained these results?
Devata:
When I was in the human world, one day I made a garland out of asoka flowers. It was so pretty and smelled delightful. I offered that flower garland to the Supreme Buddha.
In this way, I practiced lots of meritorious deeds as encouraged by the Buddha. This is why today I live very happily in this heaven without any sorrow or pain.
Vimāna Vatthu | 4.1 Mañjeṭṭhaka Sutta
Crimson Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Devata, your mansion is crimson colored. Golden sand spreads all over your compound. Delightful music is always playing. You enjoy listening to that music very much.
Now you leave your mansion made of gems and walk towards the park of sala trees, full of beautiful flowers. When you go under a sala tree, something wonderful happens: the branches of the tree bend towards you and shower you with flowers. There are many beautiful birds in the park. Sala trees are blown by the wind in a beautiful rhythm, spreading their fragrance in all directions.
Do you smell these scents? Have you seen your beauty? We now ask you, what kind of meritorious actions did you do to gain these results?
Devata:
In my previous life I lived in the human world. I was a servant girl in a good family. One day, the Supreme Buddha visited my master’s house. I was very happy to see the Buddha sitting inside the house. I offered sala flowers spreading them around the Blessed One. I also made a beautiful garland-crown out of sala flowers and with delight offered it to the Supreme Buddha.
In this way, I practiced lots of meritorious deeds as encouraged by the Buddha. This is why today I live very happily in this heaven without any sorrow or pain.
Vimāna Vatthu | 4.2 Pabhassara Sutta
Shining Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, you shine brilliantly and colorfully. You are dressed in divine red clothing. Your body is as beautiful as if you had applied sandalwood cream. You seem to be very mighty, possessing psychic powers. Now you are worshiping me. Who are you?
Your throne is also valuable and decorated with various types of gems. When you are sitting on it, you shine like Sakka, King of Gods, in the heavenly Nandana Park.
Beautiful Devata, what kind of virtuous life did you lead in the past? We now ask you, what kind of meritorious actions did you do to gain these results?
Devata:
Bhante, when I was in the human world, one day while you were going on your almsround, I offered a flower garland and a piece of golden sugar to you. As a result of that meritorious deed, I enjoy this happiness today.
But Bhante, I feel very regretful because of a mistake I made. I did not listen to the excellent teachings preached by the King of Dhamma, the Supreme Buddha.
Bhante, please listen to me. If anybody has compassion for me they should encourage me to practice that excellent teaching of the Supreme Buddha.
Those devas who possess strong confidence in the Supreme Buddha, the Supreme Dhamma, and the Supreme Sangha outshine me in heavenly life span, fame, and radiance. Those other devas are very beautiful, mighty, and powerful. They experience much more happiness than I do.
Vimāna Vatthu | 4.3 Nāga Sutta
Elephant Mansion
Vangisa Bhante:
Devata, you are traveling in the sky on the back of a very large divine elephant who has psychic powers. Your elephant is decorated with a beautiful golden net and golden flowers. On the elephant’s two tusks, there are beautiful ponds with crystal clear water and many lotus flowers. In the middle of each lotus, a devata is dancing to divine music.
Devata, you are very powerful even amongst the gods, shining brightly in all directions. what kind of meritorious actions did you do when you were in the human world?
Devata:
When I was in the human world, one day I went to Baranasi to see the Supreme Buddha. I offered a pair of robes to the Blessed One, worshiped his sacred feet, and sat down and paid homage to the Buddha by happily placing my hands together.
The Supreme Buddha’s body shines with the color of pure gold. The Great Teacher taught me the cause of suffering, the suffering of this impermanent life, the unconditioned sorrowless state, the supreme bliss of Nibbana, and the Noble Eightfold Path which leads to the destruction of defilements.
My lifespan was very short. After death I was reborn among the devas of the Tavatimsa Heaven where there is much entertainment. Now I am a wife of the god Sakka. My name is Yasuttara and everybody knows who I am.
Vimāna Vatthu | 4.4 Alomā Sutta
Aloma’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, 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 devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
In the human world I lived in the city of Baranasi. The Supreme Buddha was born in the Clan of the Sun. Therefore he is known as the Kinsman of the Sun. One day I happily offered a dry lump of rice cake to the Supreme Buddha.
The lump of rice cake I gave was very dry, unsalted and not tasty. But look at the result of that tiny offering! When others see how I enjoy life here, who would not want to collect merit?
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that was the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
Vimāna Vatthu | 4.5 Kañjikadāyikā Sutta
Rice-Gruel-Giver’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.
What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?
Tell me Devata, 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 devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
In the human world I lived in the city of Andhakavinda. One day I offered some gruel cooked with jujube and flavored with oil to the Supreme Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun. I tried to make it very delicious adding pepper, garlic, and other tasty ingredients. With a delighted heart I offered that medicinal gruel to the Supreme Buddha.
If one becomes the beautiful queen of a wheel-turning monarch, the happiness she experiences is not even worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-gruel gift.
A hundred gold coins, a hundred horses, a hundred chariots pulled by mules, a hundred thousand maidens decorated in beautiful ornaments—happiness gained from these items is not worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-gruel gift.
Even the happiness gained from a hundred Himalayan elephants with round tusks like wheels and necks decorated with golden ornaments is not worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-gruel gift.
Even if someone became the ruler of this whole earth, a wheel-turning monarch, even his happiness is not worth a sixteenth part of the result of this rice-gruel gift.
Vimāna Vatthu | 4.9 Pīta Sutta
Mansion of Yellow Flowers
God Sakka:
Dear Deva, you are wearing yellow clothes and jewelry. You have put on yellow sandalwood cream and you have decorated yourself with yellow lotuses and yellow scarves. Your mansion is yellow; even your furniture is yellow. Furthermore, your plates and bowls are yellow. There are also yellow umbrellas, vehicles, horses, and fans. Everything in this mansion is yellow.
Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world? We ask about the action that gave this result.
Devata:
God Sakka, Lord of Devas, in the human world there were vines with tiny yellow flowers. One day I plucked four flowers without thinking about gaining any special results. Then I went to the stupa containing the relics of the Supreme Buddha.
While I was thinking about the sacred body of the Supreme Buddha, my heart was delighted. I was always thinking about that stupa. I did not realize there was a cow chasing me.
Before I could offer the flowers to the stupa, I was killed by that cow. If I had collected the merit of offering the flowers, my happiness would have been much better than this. Great Sakka, because of that meritorious deed, I was reborn here after I left the human world.
The leader of the Tavatimsa Heaven, God Sakka, also called Maghava, told his chariot driver, Deva Matali, about that excellent meritorious deed. Other devas were also happily listening to him.
God Sakka:
Dear Matali, look at this excellent result. Isn’t this wonderful? Although the object which she was going to offer was very small, it generated a great result. If one gives even a very small thing with a confident heart to the Supreme Buddha or to a disciple of the Buddha, the result is not small.
Dear Matali, come, we too shall go worship the relics of the Supreme Buddha. Collecting merit always gives happiness. If people offer something to the Supreme Buddha when he is alive or after he has passed away, as long as they have the same confident mind on both occasions, the results will be the same. Beings are reborn in heaven because of their confident minds.
Those who respect the Supreme Buddha are reborn in heaven. Surely, Supreme Buddhas are born into this world for the benefit of all beings.
Vimāna Vatthu | 5.10 Nāga Sutta
Elephant Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, you are sitting on the back of an elephant that travels in the sky using its psychic powers. This all-white elephant has two huge tusks. It is beautifully decorated and very powerful.
On the two tusks are beautiful ponds with crystal clear water and many lotus flowers. In the middle of each lotus, a devata is dancing to divine music.
Oh Deva, you are very powerful even amongst the gods, shining brightly in all directions. What kind of meritorious actions did you do when you were in the human world?
That deva, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what he had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Deva:
I offered eight fallen flowers to the stupa that held the relics of the great sage Kassapa Supreme Buddha. I did it with my own hands having a confident mind.
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 was the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body which shines in all directions.
Vimāna Vatthu | 5.14 Mahāratha Sutta
Great Chariot Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Dear Deva, your chariot pulled by a thousand horses is very beautiful and colorful. You are heading to the park sitting on that chariot like the god Sakka, the first giver and the lord of beings. This chariot is made of gold. The bottom edges of the frame are very beautiful. The pillars inside the chariot are well crafted as if they were made by talented artists. The chariot shines like the full moon. This vehicle is covered with golden nets and decorated with various types of jewels. We hear sweet music and see goddesses holding beautiful fly-whisks.
The hub is beautiful as though magically created. Thousands of spokes on the wheel are decorated with gems. The vehicle shines as bright as lightning. This chariot is covered with countless ornaments and has rims with thousands of stripes. Golden nets release the sweet sound of beautiful music. The top is decorated with gems and is as beautiful as the moon. Gleaming, shining, and always pure, it is made even more beautiful with golden carvings. It shines like streaks of beryl gemstones.
These horses are also decorated with jewels like the beautiful moon. They are well built, strong, fast, powerful, and gigantic. They travel to wherever your mind wishes. These four-legged, soft, obedient, pleasing, and pure bred horses move in perfect harmony. As they travel in the sky shaking their ornaments, bells ring and the well-made decorations shine more brilliantly. The voices of these horses are as sweet as music. When the sound of the chariot, the sound of the decorations, the sound of the feet of the horses, the sound of the voices of the horses, and the music of divine musicians are mixed together, it is like an orchestra.
The goddesses in this chariot have extremely beautiful half-closed eyes, like the tender eyes of a deer. They have long eyelashes, smiling faces, and pleasant speech. Their bodies are covered with nets of gems. They are entertained by great heavenly musicians.
These goddesses are decorated with attractive red and gold clothes. They have large, shining, crimson colored eyes. They are worshiping you. These goddesses who have thin waists, thighs, breasts, round fingers, lovely faces, and are decorated with golden ornaments – they are extremely attractive. They are worshiping you.
These goddesses have beautiful braids which are distributed equally and decorated with golden threads. These goddesses are decorated with lotus flowers and are using divine sandalwood cream. They entertain you as you wish. They are worshiping you. Their neck, hands, and legs are decorated with beautiful ornaments. They shine as brilliantly as the sun that shines in all ten directions. The flowers in their hands and their jewelry shake along with the breeze playing sweet music.
Dear Deva, the sounds of chariots, elephants, and birds are heard in your park. Devas who are entertained by these, with lotus-like hands clap and produce the sound of guitars.
When pleasing music is played, very talented goddesses dance, twisting their bodies here and there, on large lotus flowers. When these songs, music, and dances are mixed together, the goddesses dance continuously, shining brightly.
You, fortunate deva, enjoy this sweet music of guitars. You are respected by others like the god Sakka.
What kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world? What kind of precepts did you follow? And what kind of restrained life did you lead? Surely this cannot be the result of a small merit, a small virtue. You are extremely powerful and surpass other gods with your radiance.
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:
One day, I saw the Great Being who had restrained his senses and freed himself from defilements. He is like the greatest god among all gods, with meritorious marks on his body as if made of gold. He is like a great elephant who crossed over samsara, who opened the doors of deathlessness: Kassapa Supreme Buddha. As soon as I saw the Great Buddha, I made my mind confident in him. Kassapa Supreme Buddha was a great person who bore the flag of Dhamma and was not attached to anything.
Spreading flowers around my house, I welcomed the Supreme Buddha and offered sweet food, drinks and robes. Yes, I treated the Great Buddha very well with food, drinks, sweets, and robes. Now I travel from heaven to heaven. My home, where my heart delights, is the Sudassana Heavenly Realm.
In that way, I made my mind confident before giving, while giving, and after giving. That is how I practiced meritorious deeds. When I departed from the human world, I was reborn in this heaven, and now I am very happy here like the god Sakka.
Great sage, if someone wishes to enjoy long life, great beauty, happiness and power, they should offer well-arranged food and drinks to the Supreme Buddha who is freed from desires.
Neither in this world nor another world, is there a being greater or equal to the Supreme Buddha. The Supreme Buddha is the worthiest recipient of offerings among all worthy beings. Those who want merit can receive great merit through such offerings.
Vimāna Vatthu | 7.8 Anekavaṇṇa Sutta
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.
Vimāna Vatthu | 7.11 Sunikkhitta Sutta
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.
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