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AN 3.18PTS AN 1.1151 min read

The Realm of the Gods

Devalokasutta

Spiritual practice isn’t for rebirth in heaven.

Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.18Numbered Discourses 3.18
  • 0.22. Rathakāravagga2. The Chariot-Maker

0.3DevalokasuttaThe Realm of the Gods

1.1PTS 1.115“Sace vo, bhikkhave, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ puccheyyuṁ:“Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you:1.2‘devalokūpapattiyā, āvuso, samaṇe gotame brahmacariyaṁ vussathā’ti?‘Reverend, do you lead the spiritual life with the ascetic Gotama so that you can be reborn in the realm of the gods?’1.3Nanu tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ puṭṭhā aṭṭīyeyyātha harāyeyyātha jiguccheyyāthā”ti?Being questioned like this, wouldn’t you be horrified, repelled, and disgusted?”

1.4“Evaṁ, bhante”.“Yes, sir.”

1.5“Iti kira tumhe, bhikkhave, dibbena āyunā aṭṭīyatha harāyatha jigucchatha, dibbena vaṇṇena dibbena sukhena dibbena yasena dibbenādhipateyyena aṭṭīyatha harāyatha jigucchatha;“So it seems that you are horrified, repelled, and disgusted by heavenly lifespan, beauty, happiness, glory, and sovereignty.1.6pageva kho pana, bhikkhave, tumhehi kāyaduccaritena aṭṭīyitabbaṁ harāyitabbaṁ jigucchitabbaṁ, vacīduccaritena … manoduccaritena aṭṭīyitabbaṁ harāyitabbaṁ jigucchitabban”ti.How much more then should you be horrified, embarrassed, and disgusted by bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.”

1.7Aṭṭhamaṁ.