法苑珠林 94.48

94.48

Furthermore, the Sūtra of the Miscellaneous Treasury of Jewels states: In South India, in an observant family, there was a maiden whose duty was to rise early and cleanly sweep the courtyard and the sides of the gate. The elder's daughter rose early to sweep the ground, and it happened that the Tathāgata was passing before the gate. Seeing him, she gave rise to joy and gazed attentively at the Buddha. Her life span soon came to an end, and she died and was reborn in heaven. Now, for one reborn in heaven, by rule there are three reflections. She reflected to herself: 'What body was I originally?' She knew herself to have had a human body. 'Where am I now born?' She knew with certainty it was heaven. 'What karma did I commit in the past that brought me to birth here?' She knew that it was through the wholesome karma of joy at seeing the Buddha that she obtained this retribution. Moved by deep gratitude to the Buddha, she came to make offerings to him. The Buddha expounded the Dharma for her, and she attained the fruit of a srotāpanna.