Thirty-Three Heavens

**The story of Śakra and his thirty-two companions, who, through wholesome deeds and compassionate hearts, overcame calamity and were reborn in the heavens to become celestial rulers.**

In the midst of a festive village market, the ground was muddy and the crowd was tightly packed. A young man named Magha, of noble birth, stood among the people. He would bend down, using his feet to push aside stones and clear grass to level the ground. As soon as he cleared a spot, another person would come and occupy it. He did not grow angry, but simply smiled, moved to another place, and continued clearing. He did this spot after spot, each time happily yielding when someone claimed the space. Seeing this, people asked, "Why do you keep clearing places for others to stand?" He replied with a smile, "They need a place to stand. I clear it for them; they are happy, and I am happy too."

Magha came from a prosperous family and had maintained seven vows since childhood: to serve his parents with devotion, to respect his elders, to speak gently, to never speak ill of others behind their backs, to be generous in giving, to speak only the truth, and to never lose his temper. He lived a kind and helpful life, so when he saw the need to clear spaces for others, he felt joy and could do it endlessly without tiring.

One day, he thought, "The spaces I clear for people are only temporary; once the market disperses, it's over. Why don't I do something greater that can benefit many people for a long time?" So he invited thirty-two other young men from the village. Together, they opened pathways, cleared thorny bushes, leveled the earth, and connected distant villages. Travel became much easier, and everyone praised their work. Their good reputation spread far and wide, reaching the local governor. The governor grew jealous and thought, "What are these people doing that makes the people respect them more than me?" He reported to the king that these thirty-three individuals were gathering people and opening roads with the intention of rebellion. The king believed the report, had all thirty-three arrested without trial, and ordered them to be trampled to death by elephants.

In an open field, the thirty-three men were tied up, surrounded by soldiers. The enormous elephants approached slowly. Magha looked at his thirty-two friends and said, "There is no escape. Let us abide in the heart of compassion, with loving-kindness for all beings." All thirty-three closed their eyes and meditated, filling their minds with boundless love. As the elephants drew near, they suddenly stopped and refused to advance. The mahouts prodded them with goads, but the elephants stood still. Hearing the report, the king came to see and was astonished. He had the thirty-three men brought before him. After hearing their story, the king realized they were innocent, released them, and granted them the land. The evil governor was punished and made a slave.

From then on, the thirty-three men worked together to develop the region. They built rest houses for travelers, established markets, and constructed roads. They also arranged for moral teachings to be shared with guests. Magha had four wives. Three of them diligently joined their husband in doing good deeds. However, the fourth wife, Thiện Sanh, was only concerned with adornment and beautifying herself, and refused to engage in wholesome activities.

When Magha and his thirty-two friends passed away, thanks to their accumulated merit, they were reborn in the heavenly realm, becoming thirty-three celestial beings. Magha became their king, known as Śakra. As for Thiện Sanh, because she had been obsessed only with physical beauty, she was reborn as a heron. Moved by compassion, Śakra descended and advised her to observe the precepts and not to eat live fish. The heron listened and only ate dead fish, even though it led to malnourishment. Because she kept the precepts, she died young and was reborn as a daughter in a pottery-making family. Śakra descended again to teach and guide her, helping her create merit. Finally, she was reborn in the heavens and became Śakra's wife.

From then on, the heavenly realm had celestial rulers and was no longer dominated by the asuras. The Buddha told this story to teach that a person who is diligent, not heedless, who does good and keeps the precepts, will attain a high and noble position, just as Śakra attained the position of Lord of the Devas.

**The Meaning of the Story**

The greatest lesson is selflessness: when we face disadvantage, if we can stand in another's place and feel joy when they benefit, that is a wholesome deed. Conversely, if we are only concerned with ourselves, we easily become angry and create bad karma. A person who lives for others, keeps the precepts, and does meritorious deeds will receive great blessings, just as Śakra attained the position of the celestial ruler.

*Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang*