經律異相 1.23

1.23

The palace of the Tuṣita (in Liang language: Contentment) heaven is supported by a wind wheel in empty space. The king is named Saṃtuṣita. Bodhisattvas in their final existence are mostly born into this heaven. Because the lower heavens are heedless and the higher heavens are dull, they are born into this heaven (the *Da zhidu lun* says: 'In the lower stages the fetters are thick and turbid; in the higher stages the fetters are sharp. Only in Tuṣita heaven are they neither thick nor sharp, and wisdom is secure and tranquil. Furthermore, in the lower stages lifespan is short, and upon dying a Buddha has not yet appeared; in the higher stages lifespan is long, and before their lifespan ends a Buddha has already passed away; in Tuṣita heaven, time and lifespan are balanced. In addition, the Buddha always abides in the Middle Way, and Tuṣita heaven is the middle among the six heavens'). Their bodies are four yojanas tall; their garments are eight yojanas long and four yojanas wide, weighing one and a half zhu. The lifespan of the gods is four thousand celestial years, with few exceeding and many falling short. Their food is the same as in the lower heavens; they also have marriage, and holding hands accomplishes sexual desire. When the gods are first born, they are like five-year-old humans; they spontaneously know the generosity, precept-keeping, and other deeds performed in their previous lives. They eat spontaneous food and drink, wear robes and caps, and sing and dance. Their bodies possess radiance superior to that of Yāma (from fascicle 20 of the *Dīrghāgama*, and also from the *Avataṃsaka*, the *Nirvāṇa*, the *Loutan jing*, and the *Da zhidu lun*).