Vimāna Vatthu | 6.6 Bhikkhadāyaka Sutta
Almsfood Giver’s Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
This mansion is very high, spreading for one hundred and sixty kilometers, with pillars of beryl and other gemstones. Seven hundred small houses with triangular-shaped roofs are within the complex. This mansion is extremely beautiful. Inside the mansion, you are drinking and eating. The sweet music of divine guitars plays throughout the complex. Well-trained devatas delight in dancing and singing.
Powerful Deva, you have become a leader among devas. The pure radiance of your body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions. Tell me, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That deva, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what he had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Deva:
In my previous life I lived in the human world. One day, I saw a monk who was very weak and tired from thirst. I offered alms to him and helped him overcome his hunger and thirst.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful deva and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
A rare opportunity for you to venerate the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha by offering Gilanpasa, flowers, fragrance and light during the Evening Gilanpasa Puja. Gilanpasa puja is offered to the Buddha Mandira as well as the Dhatu mandira which contains the relics of Arahant Theri Maha prajapati. It’s an opportunity for the whole family to perform Buddha Vandana, chant parittas and seek blessings and protection for one’s life!
If you wish to do a Gilanpasa Offering or have any questions, kindly contact us: (+94) 74 256 5527 – Nuns of Mahamevnawa
How to prepare Gilanpasa
Gilanpasa is a drink that can also be considered as medicine that the Buddha and the Sangha are allowed to consume after mid-day.
What you need? • Fruits of your choice • water • sugar • salt • blender • strainer/cloth
****Gilanpasa should not be prepared using milk and ice cream as it is impermissible
Preparing Gilanpasa
- Wash fruit of your choice.
- Chop/ slice fruit on a clean chopping board.
- Place fruit bits inside blender and add a little water, sugar and salt.
- Blend fruits with water.
- Using a clean spoon, taste the juice by placing some of the juice on the palm of your hand.
- Add any salt or sugar if required.
Straining Juice:
Method 1
- Pour mixture onto a fine mesh strainer while placing a bowl or cup below. Note: slowly transfer the juice into the strainer, being careful so it doesn’t flow over the sides.
- Let the liquid completely drain through the strainer before pouring more through the strainer.
- If there is pulp, apply firm pressure and push the pulp down to squeeze out the juice.
Method 2
- Pour mixture onto a cloth at a steady pace so the pulp catches in the fibers. Allow the liquid to completely drain out from the cloth before adding more of the juice
- Gather the corners in the middle and twist the cloth to wring out any of the juice stuck in the pulp. Squeeze the middle section of the cloth tightly so the liquid drains out.
Tips:
- When slicing apples, place sliced apples in a bowl of water and some lime juice to avoid discolouration.
- Remove seeds of grapes when preparing grape juice.
Learn more about 'Benefits of Offering Refreshments to the Noble Sangha'
Vimāna Vatthu | 1.6 Paṭhama Nāvā Sutta
Ship Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your divine mansion is a ship with a roof made of gold. It floats on a pond filled with lotus flowers. You happily pick those lotus flowers with your own hands.
What kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
In my previous life I was a woman in the human world. One day, I saw several monks who were very thirsty and had fallen to the ground. I got up quickly and offered them water to drink.
Now I know if people offer water to a monk who is thirsty, cool ponds full of white lotuses will appear for them in the heavenly world. Further, their divine mansions will be surrounded with beautiful sandy beaches where streams of water flow smoothly. Mango trees, sala trees, tilakas, rose apples, cassias and trumpet flowers will be in full bloom everywhere. These beautiful mansions appear in such places. They shine brilliantly.
Bhante, that was my meritorious deed which gave me this wonderful result. Only those who do meritorious deeds deserve this happiness.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
Vimāna Vatthu | 1.6 Paṭhama Nāvā Sutta
Ship Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your divine mansion is a ship with a roof made of gold. It floats on a pond filled with lotus flowers. You happily pick those lotus flowers with your own hands.
What kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
In my previous life I was a woman in the human world. One day, I saw several monks who were very thirsty and had fallen to the ground. I got up quickly and offered them water to drink.
Now I know if people offer water to a monk who is thirsty, cool ponds full of white lotuses will appear for them in the heavenly world. Further, their divine mansions will be surrounded with beautiful sandy beaches where streams of water flow smoothly. Mango trees, sala trees, tilakas, rose apples, cassias and trumpet flowers will be in full bloom everywhere. These beautiful mansions appear in such places. They shine brilliantly.
Bhante, that was my meritorious deed which gave me this wonderful result. Only those who do meritorious deeds deserve this happiness.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
Vimāna Vatthu | 1.7 Dutiya Nāvā Sutta
Second Ship Mansion
Moggallana Bhante:
Devata, your divine mansion is a ship with a roof made of gold. It floats on a pond filled with lotus flowers. You happily pick those lotus flowers with your own hands.
What kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
In my previous life I was a woman in the human world. One day, I saw a monk who was very thirsty and had fallen to the ground. I got up quickly and offered him water to drink.
Now I know if people offer water to a monk who is thirsty, cool ponds full of white lotuses will appear for them in the heavenly world. Furthermore, their divine mansions will be surrounded with beautiful sandy beaches where streams of water flow smoothly. Mango trees, sala trees, tilakas, rose apples, cassias and trumpet flowers will be in full bloom everywhere. These beautiful mansions appear in such places. They shine brilliantly.
Bhante, that was my meritorious deed which gave me this wonderful result. Only those who do meritorious deeds deserve this happiness.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
Vimāna Vatthu | 1.8 Tatiya Nāvā Sutta
Third Ship Mansion
Supreme Buddha:
Devata, your divine mansion is a ship with a roof made of gold. It floats on a pond that is filled with lotus flowers. You happily pick those lotus flowers with your own hands.
Your divine mansion is huge and is separated into many different rooms. It shines in all directions.
What kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?
That devata, delighted at being questioned by the Supreme Buddha, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.
Devata:
In my previous life I was a woman in the human world. One day, I saw several monks who were very thirsty and had fallen to the ground. I got up quickly and offered them water to drink.
Now I know if people offer water to a monk who is thirsty, cool ponds full of white lotuses will appear for them in the heavenly world. Furthermore, their divine mansions will be surrounded with beautiful sandy beaches where streams of water flow smoothly. Mango trees, sala trees, tilakas, rose apples, cassias and trumpet flowers will be in full bloom everywhere. These beautiful mansions appear in such places. They shine brilliantly.
Bhante, that was my meritorious deed which gave me this wonderful result. Only those who do meritorious deeds deserve this happiness.
Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.
Great Bhante, that is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.
