[200] 2. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant—so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, do not fear deeds of merit (puñña). This, bhikkhus, is a designation (adhivacana) for happiness—for what is wished for, desired, dear, and agreeable—namely, deeds of merit. Bhikkhus, I know by direct knowledge (abhijānāmi) that for a long time I experienced the wished-for, desired, dear, and agreeable result (vipāka) of deeds of merit done over a long time. Having developed a mind (citta) of loving-kindness (mettā-citta) for seven years, for seven eons (kappa) of world-dissolution and world-evolution I did not come back to this world. When the eon was dissolving, bhikkhus, I passed to the [realm of the] Ābhassara [devas]; when the eon was evolving, I was reborn in an empty mansion of Brahmā. There, bhikkhus, I was Brahmā, the Great Brahmā (Mahābrahmā), the vanquisher, unvanquished, the universal seer, the wielder of power. Thirty-six times, bhikkhus, I was Sakka, lord of the devas. Many hundreds of times I was a king—a wheel-turning monarch (cakkavatti), righteous, a king of Dhamma, ruler of the four quarters, victorious, one who had attained stability in his country, endowed with the seven treasures—what, then, to say of regional kingship?
"Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'Of what kamma (action) of mine is this the fruit? Of what kamma is it the result, that I am now of such great power (iddhi), of such great might?' Then, bhikkhus, it occurred to me: 'This is the fruit of three kammas of mine, the result of three kammas, by reason of which I am now of such great power, of such great might—namely, of giving (dāna), of self-taming (dama), and of self-restraint (saññama).'"
This matter the Blessed One spoke. In that connection, this is said:
"One should train in merit alone,
whose culmination extends far, whose yield is happiness:
one should develop giving, peaceful conduct (samacariyā),
and a mind of loving-kindness.
Having developed these three things,
which are origins of happiness,
the wise one is reborn
in a happy world free from affliction."
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One—so I have heard.
The second [sutta].
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.