法苑珠林 5.10

5.10

問曰。何故彼趣名天。答曰。於諸趣中。彼最勝最樂最善妙最高。故名天趣。有說。先造作增上身語意妙行。往彼生彼令彼相續。故名天趣。有說。光明增故名天。以彼自然光常照晝夜故。聲論者說。能照故名天。以現勝果。照了先時所修因故。復次戲樂故名天。以常游戲受勝樂故。

Question: Why is that destiny called deva?
Answer: Among all destinies, it is the most supreme, most joyous, most wonderful, and highest; therefore it is called the destiny of devas. Some say: having previously performed superior, wonderful bodily, verbal, and mental actions, one goes there and is born there to continue them; thus it is called the destiny of devas. Some say: because light increases, it is called deva, for their spontaneous light constantly illuminates day and night. Grammarians say: because it can illuminate, it is called deva, for it manifests superior fruits, illuminating the causes cultivated in the past. Furthermore, because of playful pleasure it is called deva, for they constantly disport and experience superior joy.