[262] Then a certain brahmin approached the Blessed One; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Blessed One, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, that brahmin said to the Blessed One: "Master Gotama, what is the cause, what is the condition, why some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a state of loss (apāya), a bad destination, the lower realm, hell?"
"It is by reason of unrighteous conduct, unbalanced conduct (adhammacariyā-visamacariyā), brahmin, that some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a state of loss, a bad destination, the lower realm, hell."
"But, Master Gotama, what is the cause, what is the condition, why some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world?"
"It is by reason of righteous conduct, balanced conduct (dhammacariyā-samacariyā), brahmin, that some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world."
"Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent, Master Gotama! Just as, Master Gotama, one might set upright what had been overturned, or reveal what was hidden, or point out the path to one who was lost, or hold up an oil lamp in the darkness so that those with eyes might see forms — in the same way the Dhamma has been made clear by Master Gotama in many ways. I go to Master Gotama for refuge, and to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Let Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth for as long as life lasts."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.