In the Buddha's Words - Bhikkhu Bodhi [94]
“‘As long as they live the arahants eat only one meal a day and refrain from eating at night, outside the proper time.19 Today I too, for this day and night, will do likewise.…’ This is the sixth factor it possesses.
“‘As long as they live the arahants abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and unsuitable shows, and from adorning themselves by wearing garlands and applying scents and ointments. Today I too, for this day and night, will do likewise.…’ This is the seventh factor it possesses.
“‘As long as they live the arahants abandon the use of high and luxurious beds and seats and abstain from using them; they make use of low resting places, either small beds or straw mats. Today I too, for this day and night, will do likewise. I will imitate the arahants in this respect, and the uposatha observance will be fulfilled by me.’ This is the eighth factor it possesses.
“When, monks, the uposatha observance is complete in these eight factors, it is of great fruit and benefit, luminous and pervasive. And to what extent is it of great fruit and benefit, luminous and pervasive?
“Suppose, monks, someone were to exercise sovereignty and dominion over these sixteen great countries abounding in the seven precious treasures, that is, Aṅga, Magadha, Kāsi, Kosala, the Vajjis, the Mallas, the Cetis, Vaṃsa, the Kurus, the Pañcālas, Maccha, Sūrasena, Assaka,
Avantī, Gandhāra, and Kamboja:20 this would not be worth a sixteenth part of the uposatha observance complete in those eight factors. For what reason? Because human kingship is poor compared to divine happiness.
“For the devas in the realm of the Four Great Kings a single day and night is equivalent to fifty human years; thirty such days make up a month, and twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the devas in the realm of the Four Great Kings is five hundred such celestial years. It is possible, monks, that if some man or woman here observes the uposatha complete in these eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, they will be reborn in the company of the devas in the realm of the Four Great Kings. It was with reference to this that I said human kingship is poor compared to divine happiness.
“For the Tāvatiṃsa devas a single day and night is equivalent to a hundred human years.… The lifespan of the Tāvatiṃsa devas is a thousand such celestial years…. For the Yāma devas a single day and night is equivalent to two hundred human years.… The lifespan of the Yāma devas is two thousand such celestial years…. For the Tusita devas, a single day and night is equivalent to four hundred human years.… The lifespan of the Tusita devas is four thousand such celestial years…. For the devas who delight in creating, a single day and night is equivalent to eight hundred human years.… The lifespan of the devas who delight in creating is eight thousand such celestial years…. For the devas who wield power over others’ creations a single day and night is equivalent to sixteen hundred human years; thirty such days make up a month, and twelve such months make up a year. The lifespan of the devas who wield power over others’ creations is sixteen thousand celestial years. It is possible, monks, that if some man or woman here observes the uposatha complete in these eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, they will be reborn in the company of the devas who wield power over others’ creations. It was with reference to this that I said human kingship is poor compared to divine happiness.”
(AN 8:41; IV 248–51)
5. MEDITATION
(1) The Development of Loving-Kindness
“Monks, whatever grounds there are for making merit productive of a future birth, all these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness. The liberation of mind by loving-kindness surpasses them and shines forth, bright and brilliant.
“Just as the radiance of all