法苑珠林 70.58

70.58

Question: According to the Abhidharma, that Brahmā king and the Brahmapurohita devas share the same place without distinct abodes, and the Asamjñisattva heaven in the fourth dhyāna is on the same level as the Bṛhatphala heaven without a distinct place either. If so, how can they be spoken of as two dwellings? Answer: There is a reason: for that Brahmā king in the first dhyāna, although there is no separate heaven, yet within the second Brahmapurohita heaven there is a separate tiered terrace, lofty, broad, and majestic, upon which the Great Brahmā King abides, not identical with the Brahmapurohita devas. This is because sovereign superior and minister inferior are distinct. As for the Asamjñisattva heaven, although it is on the same level as the Bṛhatphala heaven, their dwelling places have their own distinctions, just like prefectures and counties here. Because of such distinctions, they are spoken of as two dwellings.