The Virtuous Devotee of Savatthi and His Return to the Heavenly Realm

In the twilight, the capital city of Savatthi glowed with the first oil lamps along the lane. Dust from the travelers' feet clung to the robes of the virtuous devotee, who stood before his porch, the scent of vegetarian rice drifting on the breeze. He stroked his silver beard, his kind eyes gazing upon the group of poor people who were staying temporarily after their unfinished trading journey.

"Do not worry, just stay here," he said, his deep and warm voice making their eyes brighten with hope. "I will provide food and a place to rest."

He was not as wealthy as the Elder Anathapindika, but he had enough to live peacefully and joyfully. Throughout his life, he cared for poor travelers, made offerings to the monks, and had fourteen children. He taught each one:

"Your parents give you wealth, but it is virtue that truly sustains it. You must take turns making offerings and helping those who suffer, just as I do."

Time passed, and old age arrived. He fell ill and knew three days in advance that he would pass away. That morning, he called his children to gather around his bed.

"I know the day I will leave. Before I go, I wish to hear the monks chant the Sutra of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness," he breathed softly, his thin hand gripping his eldest child's sleeve.

The eldest son was troubled:

"Father, I will go and inform the Buddha immediately. But are you certain? You are still breathing."

"I am certain. Go now," he smiled, his heartbeat slowing into peace.

When the monks arrived, he lay with palms joined, closing his eyes to settle his mind. The chanting of the Sutra of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness began to resonate:

"There is a sole path for the attainment of the noble liberation..."

At that moment, he saw the ceiling open wide, and a radiant sky appeared. Celestial carriages descended, hovering in mid-air. The devas called out in a clamor:

"We invite you to ride to the Yama Heaven!"

"We invite you to the realm of the Four Heavenly Kings!"

"We invite you to the Tavatimsa Heaven, to the Tusita Heaven!"

Overwhelmed as their voices drowned out the chanting, he exclaimed:

"Please, all of you, be silent!"

The monks outside heard this and stopped, mistakenly thinking he had not yet wished to die. His children asked sadly:

"Father, why did you tell the monks to stop? You said you needed the sutra."

"I did not call to the monks. I asked the devas to be silent so I could hear the sutra," he explained. Then he asked: "Among all these heavens, in which one does the Buddha expound the Dharma?"

His child replied:

"Honored Father, in the Tusita Heaven, Bodhisattva Maitreya expounds the Dharma."

"I choose the Tusita Heaven. Throw this flower garland into the sky and dedicate my merit to being reborn there," he instructed. His child took the garland and threw it onto the roof—it floated in mid-air, attaching itself to an invisible carriage. Everyone was astonished.

He smiled gently, a rich fragrance wafted out, and a bright light flared before gradually fading. His breath ceased, and he passed on to the heavenly realm. Later, when the monks returned to the monastery, the Buddha told them:

"He did not ask the monks to stop. He asked the devas to be silent. He has now gone to the Tusita Heaven."

From then on, his fourteen children upheld their father's virtuous way, and their family flourished even more. They understood that performing good deeds in this life brings far greater joy in lives to come.

**The Moral of the Story**

One who lives a virtuous life, helps others, makes offerings, and teaches their children righteous conduct, will find peace and happiness in the present life and enjoy boundless blessings from merit in the future. Good karma is a treasure that no one can ever take away.

Compiled from a Dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang.