The sutta that Gad’s post refers to is: “Jāṇussoṇi Sutta (AN 10.177).”
- The English translation in the above link is a little better, but it will be helpful first to sort out some main features.
1. When someone in the family dies, it is customary in many Buddhist countries to “make an offering to bhikkhus” and “give merits” to the one who died (as well as those in the family who had died previously).
2. Janussoni asks the Buddha (@ marker 2.4): “Can they actually partake in such merits offered?” OR “Can they actually benefit from it?”
- The Buddha says, “Ṭhāne kho, brāhmaṇa, upakappati, no aṭṭhāne”ti.” OR “They can benefit if they are born in places where such merits can be received.” (“Ṭhāne” means “place.”)
3. @ 3.2 to @3.5, the Buddha first explains why some are born in the niraya (hell); then he says those born there CAN NOT benefit from such merits given.
- Similarly, @4.1 – @6.4: The Buddha says those reborn as animals, humans, and Devas also CAN NOT receive such merits.
- But @ 7.1 – @7.4: Those who are now in the hungry ghost (peta or pettivisayaṁ) CAN receive and benefit from such merits.
I think that may help in understanding the rest of the sutta in both translations.
- If anything else is not clear, please ask. Refer to the markers in the above link.
