[263] Then the brahmin Jānussoṇī 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. Sitting to one side, the brahmin Jānussoṇī said this 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 the plane of misery (apāya), a bad destination (duggati), the lower realm (vinipāta), hell (niraya)?"
"It is because of what has been done, brahmin, and because of what has been left undone, that some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in the plane of misery, 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 (sugati), a heavenly world (sagga loka)?"
"It is because of what has been done, brahmin, and because of what has been left undone, that some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world."
"I do not understand in detail the meaning of this statement spoken in brief by Master Gotama. It would be good if Master Gotama would teach me the Dhamma in such a way that I might understand in detail the meaning of this statement spoken in brief by Master Gotama."
"Then, brahmin, listen and attend carefully; I shall speak."
"Yes, sir," the brahmin Jānussoṇī replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: "Here, brahmin, someone has done bodily misconduct (kāyaduccarita) and has left undone good bodily conduct (kāyasucarita); he has done verbal misconduct (vacīduccarita) and has left undone good verbal conduct (vacīsucarita); he has done mental misconduct (manoduccarita) and has left undone good mental conduct (manosucarita). Thus, brahmin, it is because of what has been done and because of what has been left undone that some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in the plane of misery, a bad destination, the lower realm, hell. But here, brahmin, someone has done good bodily conduct and has left undone bodily misconduct; he has done good verbal conduct and has left undone verbal misconduct; he has done good mental conduct and has left undone mental misconduct. Thus, brahmin, it is because of what has been done and because of what has been left undone that some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world."
"Excellent, Master Gotama! … Let Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone to him for refuge for life, from this day forward."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.