To Be Reborn in the Company of the Heavenly Beings Who Reside in Fragrant Roots

Here, Monk, someone practices wholesome conduct of body, speech, and mind. He has heard: The heavenly beings who reside in fragrant roots are long‑lived, beautiful, and abound in happiness.

He thinks: Oh, with the breakup of the body, after death, may I be reborn in the company of the heavenly beings who reside in fragrant roots!

He gives food …. He gives drink …. He gives clothing …. He gives a vehicle …. He gives a garland …. He gives a fragrance…. He gives an ointment …. He gives a bed …. He gives a dwelling …. He gives a lamp. Then, with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the heavenly beings who reside in fragrant roots.

This, Monk, is the cause and reason why someone here, with the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in the company of the heavenly beings who reside in fragrant roots.

(The same Teaching was spoken for each of the other groups of gandhabbas — those who reside in fragrant heartwood, residing in fragrant softwood, residing in fragrant bark, residing in fragrant shoots, residing in fragrant leaves, residing in fragrant flowers, residing in fragrant fruits, residing in fragrant sap, and residing in fragrant scents, each the donor of the corresponding type of gift.)

(Reference: SN 31.3 and SN 31.4-SN 31.12)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how rebirth into the heavenly realm is not only determined by wholesome conduct by body, speech, and mind but also through practicing generosity.

Detailed explanation of practicing generosity is available in this same book series found in the book “Generosity” (Volume 13).