Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c21.858

v1.c21.858

**2. Tusita.**—The fourth of the six deva worlds.¹ Four hundred years of human life are equal to one day of the Tusita world and four thousand years, so reckoned, is the term of life of a deva born in Tusita.² Sometimes Sakadāgāmins (e.g., Purāṇa and Isidatta) are born there.³ It is the rule for all Bodhisattas to be born in Tusita in their last life but one; then, when the time comes for the appearance of a Buddha in the world, the devas of the ten thousand world systems assemble and request the Bodhisatta to be born among men. Great rejoicings attend the acceptance of this request.⁴ Gotama's name, while in Tusita, was Setaketu,⁵ and the Bodhisatta Metteyya (q.v.), the future Buddha, is now living in Tusita under the name of Natha-deva. The Tusita world is considered the most beautiful of the celestial worlds, and the pious love to be born there because of the presence of the Bodhisatta.⁶ Tusita is also the abode of each Bodhisatta's parents.⁷ The king of the Tusita world is Santusita; he excels his fellows in ten respects—beauty, span of life, etc.⁸ Among those reborn in Tusita are also mentioned Dhammika, Anāthapiṇḍika, Mallikā, the thera Tissa (Tissa 10), Mahādhana and Duṭṭhagāmaṇi.⁹ The Tusita devas are so-called because they are full of joy (tuṭṭha-haṭṭhāti Tusitā).¹⁰