5.
The Discourse on Rebirth through Giving
35.
"Monks, there are these eight rebirths through giving.
What are the eight?
Here, monks, a certain one gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin - food, drink, cloth, vehicle, garlands, scents, cosmetics, sleeping place, public rest-house, and material for lighting.
He expects a return for what he gives.
He sees wealthy warriors, or wealthy brahmins, or wealthy householders endowed and furnished with the five kinds of sensual pleasure, indulging themselves.
He thinks thus:
'Oh, may I, upon the body's collapse at death, be reborn in the company of wealthy warriors, or wealthy brahmins, or wealthy householders!'
He fixes that mind, determines that mind, develops that mind.
That mind of his, liberated in what is inferior, not developed further, leads to rebirth there.
Upon the body's collapse at death, he is reborn in the company of wealthy warriors, or wealthy brahmins, or wealthy householders.
And this I say for one who is moral, not for one who is immoral.
Monks, the mental aspiration of one who is moral succeeds because of its purity.
"Here again, monks, a certain one gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin - food, drink, cloth, vehicle, garlands, scents, cosmetics, sleeping place, public rest-house, and material for lighting. He expects a return for what he gives. He has heard: 'The gods ruled by the four great kings are long-lived, beautiful, and abounding in happiness.' He thinks thus: 'Oh, may I, upon the body's collapse at death, be reborn in the company of the gods ruled by the four great kings!' He fixes that mind, determines that mind, develops that mind. That mind of his, liberated in what is inferior, not developed further, leads to rebirth there. Upon the body's collapse at death, he is reborn in the company of the gods ruled by the four great kings. And this I say for one who is moral, not for one who is immoral. Monks, the mental aspiration of one who is moral succeeds because of its purity.
"Here again, monks, a certain one gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin - food, drink, cloth, vehicle, garlands, scents, cosmetics, sleeping place, public rest-house, and material for lighting. He expects a return for what he gives. He has heard: the Thirty-three gods... etc. the Yāma gods... the Tusita gods... the Nimmānaratī gods... the Paranimmitavasavattī gods are long-lived, beautiful, and abounding in happiness.' He thinks thus: 'Oh, may I, upon the body's collapse at death, be reborn in the company of the Paranimmitavasavattī gods!' He fixes that mind, determines that mind, develops that mind. That mind of his, liberated in what is inferior, not developed further, leads to rebirth there. Upon the body's collapse at death, he is reborn in the company of the Paranimmitavasavattī gods. And this I say for one who is moral, not for one who is immoral. Monks, the mental aspiration of one who is moral succeeds because of its purity.
"Here again, monks, a certain one gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin - food, drink, cloth, vehicle, garlands, scents, cosmetics, sleeping place, public rest-house, and material for lighting. He expects a return for what he gives. He has heard: 'The gods of Brahmā's company are long-lived, beautiful, and abounding in happiness.' He thinks thus: 'Oh, may I, upon the body's collapse at death, be reborn in the company of the gods of Brahmā's company!' He fixes that mind, determines that mind, develops that mind. That mind of his, liberated in what is inferior, not developed further, leads to rebirth there. Upon the body's collapse at death, he is reborn in the company of the gods of Brahmā's company. And this I say for one who is moral, not for one who is immoral; for one without lust, not for one with lust. The mental aspiration of one who is moral succeeds, monks, because of being without lust. These, monks, are the eight rebirths through giving." The fifth.