May this be a gift of Dhamma. I want to share parts of a suttas and some Apadanas that I delight in. Please take the time to read this post.
“Bhikkhus, do not fear meritorious deeds. This is an expression denoting happiness, what is desirable, wished for, dear and agreeable, that is, ‘meritorious deeds.’ For I know full well, bhikkhus, that for a long time I experienced desirable, wished for, dear and agreeable results from often performing meritorious deeds.
“Having cultivated for seven years a mind of loving-kindness, for seven aeons of contraction and expansion I did not return to this world. Whenever the aeon contracted I reached the plane of Streaming Radiance, and when the aeon expanded I arose in an empty Brahma-mansion. And there I was a Brahmā, the Great Brahmā, the Unvanquished Victor, the All-seeing, the All-powerful. Thirty-six times I was Sakka, the ruler of the devas. And many hundreds of times I was a Wheel-turning Monarch, righteous, a king of righteousness, conqueror of the four quarters of the earth, maintaining stability in the land, in possession of the seven jewels. What need is there to speak of mere local kingship?
“It occurred to me, bhikkhus, to wonder: ‘Of what kind of deed of mine is this the fruit? Of what deed’s ripening is it that I am now of such great accomplishment and power?’ And then it occurred to me: ‘It is the fruit of three kinds of deeds of mine, the ripening of three kinds of deeds that I am now of such great accomplishment and power: deeds of giving, of self-mastery, and of refraining.’”
The theraapadanas are so inspiring. These Venerables have done good deeds in the past that were so strong they were reborn only in good realms for aeons. They were never reborn in any bad realms from the moment they did their good deed mentioned in the apadana.
The power of even a single good deed should not be underestimated. One can be reborn in good realms in exalted states (wheel turning monarch, king of the gods) for many times and then eventually attain Arahatship with the four analytical modes, eight deliverances, and the six special knowledges without falling into bad realms even once.
Subhūtittheraapadāna
Worshipping him I stood right there
for all those seven nights and days.
Rising up from meditation
the Teacher, Best One in the World,declaring my karmic result
then did speak these words to me there:
“Practice Buddha-recollection,
it’s the supreme meditation.
Cultivating this mindfulness
will be fulfilling mentally.
For thirty thousand aeons you
will delight in the world of gods.
Eighty times as the king of gods
you will exercise divine rule.
A thousand times you’re going to be
wheel-turning king of a country.
And you will have much local rule
innumerable by counting.
You’ll experience all of that:
fruit of Buddha-recollection.
Transmigrating from birth to birth
you will receive many riches.
In wealth never deficiency:
fruit of Buddha-recollection.
The results of practicing the Recollection of the Buddha is delighting in the world of gods for thirty thousand aeons, eighty times as the king of gods, a thousand times as a wheel turning monarch, and innumerable times as a king that have much local rule. You will never be reborn in bad realms. You will always be rich, never lacking in wealth. That is the fruit of the Recollection of the Buddha, the supreme meditation.
Pañcasīlasamādāniyattheraapadāna
In the city, Candavatī,
I was a servant-man back then.
Bound in the service of others
I could not renounce the world yet:“Being shrouded in great blindness
I’m being scorched by the three fires.
By what strategy might I then
be set free from this samsara?I lack the things to be given;
I am a miserable servant.
Why then don’t I guard and fulfill
the five basic moral precepts?Nisabha is a follower
of the Sage, Anomadassi.
Having approached him I’ll adopt
the five moral training precepts.”In those days the normal lifespan
was full one hundred thousand years.
For all that time I did protect
the five moral precepts fully.When the time for my death arrived
the gods all then consoled me thus:
“Happy one, you will be served by
this one-thousand-horse chariot.”In my heart, as I breathed my last,
I recalled those five moral rules.
Through that karma which was done well
I went on to Tāvatiṁsa.Thirty times as the king of gods
I exercised divine rule there.
Anointed by celestial nymphs
I enjoyed much divine pleasure.Fully five hundred times I ruled
as a monarch who turns the wheel,
and I did have much local rule
innumerable by counting.Falling down from the world of gods,
incited by my wholesome roots,
I was born in a rich family
with a big house in Vesāli.When the rainy season started,
the Victor’s dispensation shined.
My mother and my father too
took on the five moral precepts.And I, hearing that word “moral”
recalled my past morality.
I sat down on a single seat
and attained my arahantship.Though I was only five years old
I attained my arahantship.
Knowing virtue the Eyeful One,
the Buddha then ordained me there.Having perfectly protected
those five basic moral precepts,
for aeons beyond measure I
went to no place of suffering.That I experienced great fame
due to those five moral precepts.
Talking for ten million aeons
I still could tell but part of it.Guarding the five moral precepts
I received the three good results:
I had long life, abundant food
and developed piercing wisdom.My outstanding human action
is now proclaimed to everyone.
Transmigrating from birth to birth
I obtain those three good results.If a pupil of the Victor
should thus delight throughout his lives
in the limitless moral rules,
what might his result then be like?The five precepts were practiced well
by me, a wise servant-man then.
Due to that moral discipline
today I’m freed from every bond.I guarded the five moral rules
uncountable aeons ago.
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of the five precepts.The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!Thus indeed Venerable Pañcasīlasamādāniya Thera spoke these verses.
On Candabhāgā River’s bank,
I dwelt in a hermitage then.
I saw a golden-colored deer,
which was wandering through the woods.
Having pleased my heart in that deer,
I recalled the World’s Best Buddha.
With that same pleasure in my heart,
I recalled the other Buddhas:
“Those Buddhas who have passed away,
Thus-Gone-Ones, while they were living,
in this very same way shined forth,
like golden deer-kings for the heart.”
In the ninety-four aeons since
I obtained that perception then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
the fruit of perceiving Buddhas.
In the twenty-seventh aeon
hence there was one lord of the earth,
who was named Araññasatta,
a wheel-turning king with great strength.
The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!
Joyfully perceiving and recollecting the Buddha is very meritorious. If one can always recollect the radiant golden body of the Buddha whenever one wishes without losing that perception, one can be reborn in good realms for ninety-four aeons without falling into bad realms even once. In the final life, one can attain Arahatship with the four analytical modes and supernormal powers.
I saw the golden Sambuddha
as he traveled through the bazaar,
Vipassi, Top Caravan Leader,
Hero Among Men, the Great Guide,
Untamed-Tamer, the Neutral One,
Great Debater, the Sage So Great,
and pleased, with happiness of mind,
I pressed my hands together once.In the ninety-one aeons since
I pressed my hands together once,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth;
that is the fruit of saluting.The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!Thus indeed Venerable Ekañjalika Thera spoke these verses.
Even pressing your hands together to pay homage can keep you safe from bad rebirths. You can be reborn in only good realms for aeons.
In the city, Candavatī,
I was waiting on my parents.
I constantly provided for
my blind mother and father there.Gone off alone and sitting down
this thought occurred to me back then:
“while providing for my parents
I cannot yet renounce the world.Being shrouded in dark blindness
I’m being scorched by the three fires.
Though in such straits, and now afraid,
there is no one who can guide me.The Buddha’s been born in the world;
the Victor’s dispensation shines.
The Self can now be moved beyond
by people who do good karma.Taking up the Three Refuges
I’ll henceforth guard them completely.
Through that karma which is done well
I will be released from ill-states.”The Buddha’s foremost follower
was the monk known as Nisabha.
After going up to that monk
I took the three-fold refuge then.In those days the normal lifespan
numbered one hundred thousand years.
For all that time I did protect
my taking refuge totally.When my last breath was taking place,
I remembered that refuge then.
Through that karma which was done well
I went on to Tāvatiṁsa.Departed, in the world of gods
well-placed due to my good karma,
in every region I was born
I received the eight good things there.Worshipped in every direction,
I developed piercing wisdom.
All the gods submitted to me.
I received food beyond measure.Everywhere, the color of gold,
I was beloved by everyone.
Remaining steadfast for my friends,
my glory had achieved great heights.Eighty times as the king of gods
I exercised divine rule then.
Anointed by celestial nymphs
I enjoyed much divine pleasure.Full five hundred times I ruled then
as a monarch who turns the wheel,
and I did have much local rule
innumerable by counting.When my last rebirth was attained,
well-placed due to my good karma,
I was born in a rich family
with a big house in Śrāvasti.Setting out from that great city
placed in front by other children
I approached a monastery
hoping to find sports and laughter.There I did see a Buddhist monk,
set free, and having no desires.
He explained the Teaching to me
and gave me the three refuges.After I heard the word “refuge,”
recalling my former refuge,
I sat down on a single seat
and then attained arahantship.Being only seven years old
I attained my arahantship.
Knowing virtue, the Eyeful One,
the Sambuddha ordained me then.Immeasurable aeons hence
I went for the three-fold refuge.
The fruit of that karma well done
is afterward shown to me here.Well-protected was my refuge
firmly established in my mind.
After enjoying all of that
I realized the steadfast state.Let those of you with ears to hear,
all of you, listen to my words.
I’m declaring as fact to you
that I have seen this state myself.“The Buddha’s been born in the world;
the Victor’s dispensation shines.
The drum of deathlessness now sounds,
removing the arrows of grief.In the unsurpassed merit-field
if you all now take ownership
with all the strength that you possess,
then you all will see nirvana.Taking up the three-fold refuge,
guarding the five moral precepts,
pleasing your heart in the Buddha
you’ll make an end to suffering.Acting with me as your model
guarding all the moral precepts
in a short time, then all you too
will attain your arahantship.”Thrice-knowing, with superpowers,
I’m skilled at the reading of minds.
A follower of yours, Wise One
worships the Teacher’s refuges.I went to Buddha for refuge
uncountable aeons ago.
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of taking refuge.The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!Thus indeed Venerable Tīṇisaraṇāgamaniya Thera spoke these verses.
Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha is very meritorious. One should always recollect the fact that one has gone to refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
“Anyone who has gone to the Buddha for refuge
won’t go to a plane of loss.
After giving up this human body,
they swell the hosts of gods.”
“Once, householder, there was a brahman named Velāma. And this was the nature of the gift, the great gift, he gave: He gave 84,000 gold trays filled with silver, 84,000 silver trays filled with gold, 84,000 copper trays filled with gems. He gave 84,000 elephants with gold ornaments, gold banners, covered with nets of gold thread. He gave 84,000 chariots spread with lion skins, tiger skins, leopard skins, saffron-colored blankets, with gold ornaments, gold banners, covered with nets of gold thread. He gave 84,000 milk cows with tethers of fine jute and copper milk pails. He gave 84,000 maidens adorned with jeweled earrings. He gave 84,000 couches spread with long-fleeced coverlets, white wool coverlets, embroidered coverlets, rugs of kadali-deer hide, each with a canopy above & red cushions on either side. He gave 84,000 lengths of cloth—of finest linen, of finest cotton, of finest silk. To say nothing of the food & drink, staple & non-staple food, lotions & beddings: They flowed, as it were, like rivers.
“Now, householder, if the thought should occur to you, ‘Perhaps it was someone else who at that time was Velāma the brahman, who gave that gift, that great gift,’ that’s not how it should be seen. I was Velāma the brahman at that time. I gave that gift, that great gift. But in that gift there was no one worthy of offerings; no one purified that gift.
“If one were to feed one person consummate in view, that would be more fruitful than the gift, the great gift, that Velāma the brahman gave.
“If one were to feed one once-returner, that would be more fruitful than the gift, the great gift, that Velāma the brahman gave, and if [in addition to that] one were to feed one person consummate in view, and to feed 100 people consummate in view.
“If one were to feed one non-returner, that would be more fruitful than… if one were to feed 100 once-returners.
“If one were to feed one arahant, that would be more fruitful than… if one were to feed 100 non-returners.
“If one were to feed one Private Buddha, that would be more fruitful than… if one were to feed 100 arahants.
“If one were to feed one Tathagata—a worthy one, rightly self-awakened—that would be more fruitful than… if one were to feed 100 Private Buddhas.
“If one were to feed a community of monks headed by the Buddha, that would be more fruitful than… if one were to feed a Tathagata—a worthy one, rightly self-awakened.
“If one were to have a dwelling built and dedicated to the Community of the four directions, that would be more fruitful than… if one were to feed a community of monks headed by the Buddha.
“If one with a confident mind were to go to the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha for refuge, that would be more fruitful than… if one were to have a dwelling built and dedicated to the Community of the four directions.
“If one with a confident mind were to undertake the training rules—refraining from taking life, refraining from taking what is not given, refraining from illicit sex, refraining from lying, refraining from distilled & fermented drinks that cause heedlessness—that would be more fruitful than… if one with a confident mind were to go to the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha for refuge.
“If one were to develop even just one whiff of a heart of good will, that would be more fruitful than… if one with a confident mind were to undertake the training rules…
“If one were to develop even for just a finger-snap the perception of inconstancy, that would be more fruitful than the gift, the great gift, that Velāma the brahman gave, and [in addition to that] if one were to feed one person… 100 people consummate in view, and were to feed one once-returner… 100 once-returners, and were to feed one non-returner… 100 non-returners, and were to feed one arahant… 100 arahants, and were to feed one Private Buddha… 100 Private Buddhas, and were to feed a Tathagata—a worthy one, rightly self-awakened—and were to feed a community of monks headed by the Buddha, and were to have a dwelling built and dedicated to the Community of the four directions, and with a confident mind were to go to the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha for refuge, and with a confident mind were to undertake the training rules—refraining from taking life, refraining from taking what is not given, refraining from illicit sex, refraining from lying, refraining from distilled & fermented drinks that cause heedlessness—and were to develop even just one whiff of a heart of good will.”
Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha with a confident mind is more meritorious than the combination of good deeds mentioned before that but those good deeds are still highly meritorious and we should do them if we get a chance.
Thus the Buddhas can’t be fathomed;
unfathomable their Teaching.
Unfathomable’s the result
of pleasure in what can’t be fathomed.