[346] **Eight kinds of rebirth by giving (dānūpapatti):**
Here, friends, someone gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin—food, drink, clothing, a vehicle, garlands, scents and unguents, bedding, lodging, and lamps. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He sees an affluent khattiya, an affluent brahmin, or an affluent householder furnished and endowed with the five cords of sensual pleasure, amusing himself with them. It occurs to him: 'Oh, that with the breaking up of the body, after death, I might be reborn in the company of affluent khattiyas, affluent brahmins, or affluent householders!' He fixes that mind (citta), resolves upon that mind, develops that mind. That mind of his, resolved upon the inferior, undeveloped toward anything higher, leads to rebirth there. And this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unvirtuous. Friends, the heart's aspiration of one who is virtuous succeeds because of its purity.
Furthermore, friends, someone here gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin—food, drink, clothing, a vehicle, garlands, scents and unguents, bedding, lodging, and lamps. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: 'The gods of the Four Great Kings (Cātummahārājikā) are long-lived, of fine complexion, abounding in happiness.' It occurs to him: 'Oh, that with the breaking up of the body, after death, I might be reborn in the company of the Cātummahārājikā gods!' He fixes that mind, resolves upon that mind, develops that mind. That mind of his, resolved upon the inferior, undeveloped toward anything higher, leads to rebirth there. And this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unvirtuous. Friends, the heart's aspiration of one who is virtuous succeeds because of its purity.
Furthermore, friends, someone here gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin—food, drink, clothing, a vehicle, garlands, scents and unguents, bedding, lodging, and lamps. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: 'The Tāvatiṃsa gods …' … 'the Yāma gods …' … 'the Tusita gods …' … 'the Nimmānaratī gods …' … 'the Paranimmitavasavattī gods are long-lived, of fine complexion, abounding in happiness.' It occurs to him: 'Oh, that with the breaking up of the body, after death, I might be reborn in the company of the Paranimmitavasavattī gods!' He fixes that mind, resolves upon that mind, develops that mind. That mind of his, resolved upon the inferior, undeveloped toward anything higher, leads to rebirth there. And this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unvirtuous. Friends, the heart's aspiration of one who is virtuous succeeds because of its purity.
Furthermore, friends, someone here gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin—food, drink, clothing, a vehicle, garlands, scents and unguents, bedding, lodging, and lamps. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: 'The gods of the Brahmā retinue (Brahmakāyikā) are long-lived, of fine complexion, abounding in happiness.' It occurs to him: 'Oh, that with the breaking up of the body, after death, I might be reborn in the company of the Brahmakāyikā gods!' He fixes that mind, resolves upon that mind, develops that mind. That mind of his, resolved upon the inferior, undeveloped toward anything higher, leads to rebirth there. And this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unvirtuous; for one free from lust, not for one still lustful. Friends, the heart's aspiration of one who is virtuous succeeds because of freedom from lust.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.