Academic Sutta Name Notes PSA Plae Vagga Nikaya PTS Keywords
DhA.

I:11 Happiness here and happiness hereafter (Dhammika)

Once there lived in Savatthi, a lay disciple by the name of Dhammika, who was virtuous and very fond of doing charity. He generously offered food and other requisites to holy men regularly and also on special occasions. He was, in fact, the leader of many virtuous lay disciples of the Buddha who lived in Savatthi. Dhammika had many children and all of them, like their father, were also virtuous and devoted to charity. When Dhammika was very ill and was on his deathbed* he requested the Sangha to recite the sacred suttas by his bedside. While the bhikkhus were reciting the Maha-Satipatthana Sutta he saw a vision of six decorated chariots from six celestial worlds arriving to invite him to their respective worlds.** Dhammika told them to wait for a while for fear of interrupting the recitation of the Sutta. The bhikkhus, thinking that they were being asked to stop, discontinued their chanting and left the place.

A little while later, Dhammika told his children about the six decorated chariots waiting for him. Then and there he decided to choose the chariot from the Tusita world and he passed away with happiness and confidence in his mind.

Thus, the virtuous man rejoices in this world as well as in the next.

55/170 Dhammapada & Commentary Khuddhaka J.i.106ff. despair


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Last modified on: Sunday, 13 August 2000.