Mendicants, there are these eight rebirths by giving.
“Aṭṭhimā, bhikkhave, dānūpapattiyo.
What eight?
Katamā aṭṭha?
First, someone gives to ascetics or brahmins such things as food, drink, clothing, vehicles; garlands, fragrance, and makeup; and bed, house, and lighting.
Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco dānaṁ deti samaṇassa vā brāhmaṇassa vā annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ.
Whatever they give they expect back.
So yaṁ deti taṁ paccāsīsati.
They see a well-to-do aristocrat or Brahmin or householder amusing themselves, supplied and provided with the five kinds of sensual stimulation.
So passati khattiyamahāsāle vā brāhmaṇamahāsāle vā gahapatimahāsāle vā pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappite samaṅgībhūte paricārayamāne.
It occurs to them:
Tassa evaṁ hoti:
‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of well-to-do aristocrats or brahmins or householders!’
‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti.
They settle on that idea, concentrate on it, and develop it.
So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti.
As they’ve settled for less and not developed further, their idea leads to rebirth there.
Tassa taṁ cittaṁ hīne vimuttaṁ, uttari abhāvitaṁ, tatrūpapattiyā saṁvattati.
When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of well-to-do aristocrats brahmins, or householders.
Kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ vā brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ vā gahapatimahāsālānaṁ vā sahabyataṁ upapajjati.
But I say that this is only for those of ethical conduct, not for the unethical.
Tañca kho sīlavato vadāmi, no dussīlassa.
The heart’s wish of an ethical person succeeds because of their purity.
Ijjhati, bhikkhave, sīlavato cetopaṇidhi visuddhattā.
- Lord Buddha explains that with very good moral conduct and a generous mind, one can see his wish fulfilled. This is the case for layman Dhammika.
