三寶感應要略錄 1.95

1.95

The Elder Sudatta went with Śāriputra to measure the ground for the vihāra. Sudatta held one end of the measuring cord in his own hand and together they measured the ground for the vihāra. At that time, Śāriputra smiled joyfully. Sudatta asked: "Venerable one, why do you smile?" He replied: "You have only just begun to dwell on this ground, yet palaces in the six heavens of the desire realm have already been accomplished!" Thereupon, borrowing the eye of the Way, he clearly saw the adorned jewel palaces of the six heavens. He asked Śāriputra: "Among these six heavens, which place is the most superior? Please show me." Śāriputra said: "The lower three are defiled by sensual desire; the upper two are arrogant and indolent. In the fourth heaven, desires are few and they know contentment; there is always a bodhisattva bound to one last birth who comes to be born therein, and words of the Dharma never cease." Sudatta said: "I shall surely be born into the fourth heaven!" When he had finished speaking, all the other palaces vanished; only the palaces of the fourth heaven remained serene and clear.