Fruits of a moral and immoral life (sutra)

German Sister Vajira and Francis Story (trans.), portion of the Maha Parinibbana Sutra: "Last Days of the Buddha" (DN 16); Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The Buddha reclining into final nirvana, ancient stone statue Sri Lanka

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23. Thereupon the Blessed One addressed devotees in [the city of] Pataligama [the capital of Magadha, ancient Pataliputra, modern Patna, India]: "Householders, the immoral person by falling away from virtue encounters five perils:

1. great loss of wealth through heedlessness;
2. a bad reputation;
3. a timid and troubled demeanor in the company of others, be it nobles, Brahmins, householders, or wandering ascetics;
4. death in bewilderment; and
5. at the breaking up of the body after death, rebirth in a realm of misery, in an unhappy state, in a nether world, [even] in a hell.

24. "Householders, five benefits accrue to a virtuous person through the practice of morality:

• great increase of wealth through diligence;
• a good reputation;
• a confident deportment free of timidity in the company of others, be it nobles, Brahmins, householders, or wandering ascetics;
• a serene death; and
• at the breaking up of the body after death, rebirth in a happy state, [even] in a heavenly world."

This will be for your good for a long time.

25. And the Blessed One spent much of the night instructing devotees in Pataligama in the Dharma, rousing, edifying, and gladdening them, after which he said, "The night is far advanced, householders, and you may go at your convenience.

"So be it, venerable sir," said the devotees in Pataligama, who rose from their seats, respectfully saluted the Blessed One, and keeping their right sides towards him, departed.

And the Blessed One, soon after they departed, retired into privacy.

26. At that time the Chief Ministers Sunidha and Vassakara in [the kingdom of] Magadha were building a fortress in Pataligama to defend against the Vajjis. And [angelic] devas in large numbers, counted in the thousands, had taken possession of sites in Pataligama.

In the region where devas of great power prevailed, officials of great power were bent on constructing edifices. Where devas of medium power and lesser power prevailed, officials of medium and lesser power were bent on constructing edifices.

27. The Blessed One saw thousands of devas -- with his divine faculty, pure and transcending the capacity of humans -- where they had taken possession of sites in Pataligama. And rising before the night was spent, towards dawn, the Blessed One addressed Venerable Ananda: "Who is erecting a city at Pataligama?"

"Sunidha and Vassakara, venerable sir, the chief ministers of Magadha. They are building a fortress in Pataligama, in defense against the Vajjis."

28. "It is, Ananda, as if Sunidha and Vassakara had taken counsel with the devas of the Thirty-Three. For I beheld, Ananda, with the divine eye pure and transcending the capacity of humans, thousands of devas, that have taken possession of sites in Pataligama.

Be blessed by the fruits of a good long life. - Thank you.

"In the region where devas of great power prevail, officials of great power are bent on constructing edifices, and where devas of medium and lesser power prevail, officials of medium and lesser power are bent on constructing edifices. Truly, Ananda, as far as the Aryans extend and trade routes spread, this Pataliputta will be the foremost city, a trade-center [16].

"But Pataliputta, Ananda, will be assailed by three perils: fire, water, and dissent."

29. Then Sunidha and Vassakara came to the Blessed One, and after courteous greetings and the exchanging of many pleasant words, they stood respectfully to one side and addressed him:

"May Venerable Gautama please accept our invitation for tomorrow's alms meal, together with the community of monastics." The Blessed One consented by his silence.

30. Knowing the Blessed One's consent, Sunidha and Vassakara departed for their own abodes, where they had choice food, both hard and soft, prepared. And when it was time, they announced to the Blessed One: "It is time, Venerable Gautama; the meal is ready."

Thereupon the Blessed One got ready in the forenoon and, taking bowl and [outer] robe, he went together with the community of monastics to the abode of Sunidha and Vassakara, where he took the seat prepared for him.

Sunidha and Vassakara themselves attended on the community of monastics headed by the Buddha, serving them with choice food, hard and soft, [with their own hands]. When the Blessed One finished his meal and removed his hand from his bowl, taking low seats, they sat down to one side.

31. And the Blessed One thanked them with these stanzas:

Wherever one may dwell, the prudent person

Ministers to the virtuous and chaste;

And having to these worthy ones made gifts,

One shares the merits with local devas.

And so revered, in turn, they honor one and

Are gracious to that person even as a mother

Is towards her own child, her only son;

And one who thus enjoys the devas' good graces,

And is by them beloved, good fortune sees.

After this, the Blessed One rose
from his seat and departed. More