The Buddha teaches on the realm of the gods, presenting a threefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 3.18 The Realm of the Gods

“Sace vo, bhikkhave, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘devalokūpapattiyā, āvuso, samaṇe gotame brahmacariyaṁ vussathā’ti? Nanu tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ puṭṭhā aṭṭīyeyyātha harāyeyyātha jiguccheyyāthā”ti?

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Iti kira tumhe, bhikkhave, dibbena āyunā aṭṭīyatha harāyatha jigucchatha, dibbena vaṇṇena dibbena sukhena dibbena yasena dibbenādhipateyyena aṭṭīyatha harāyatha jigucchatha; pageva kho pana, bhikkhave, tumhehi kāyaduccaritena aṭṭīyitabbaṁ harāyitabbaṁ jigucchitabbaṁ, vacīduccaritenamanoduccaritena aṭṭīyitabbaṁ harāyitabbaṁ jigucchitabban”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Sace vo, bhikkhave, aññatitthiyā paribbājakā evaṁ puccheyyuṁ:

“Mendicants, if wanderers who follow another religion were to ask you:

‘devalokūpapattiyā, āvuso, samaṇe gotame brahmacariyaṁ vussathā’ti?

‘Reverend, do you lead the spiritual life with the ascetic Gotama so that you can be reborn in the realm of the gods?’

Nanu tumhe, bhikkhave, evaṁ puṭṭhā aṭṭīyeyyātha harāyeyyātha jiguccheyyāthā”ti?

Being questioned like this, wouldn’t you be horrified, repelled, and disgusted?”

“Evaṁ, bhante”.

“Yes, sir.”

“Iti kira tumhe, bhikkhave, dibbena āyunā aṭṭīyatha harāyatha jigucchatha, dibbena vaṇṇena dibbena sukhena dibbena yasena dibbenādhipateyyena aṭṭīyatha harāyatha jigucchatha;

“So it seems that you are horrified, repelled, and disgusted by heavenly lifespan, beauty, happiness, glory, and sovereignty.

pageva kho pana, bhikkhave, tumhehi kāyaduccaritena aṭṭīyitabbaṁ harāyitabbaṁ jigucchitabbaṁ, vacīduccaritenamanoduccaritena aṭṭīyitabbaṁ harāyitabbaṁ jigucchitabban”ti.

How much more then should you be horrified, embarrassed, and disgusted by bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind.”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Happiness

Happiness

Bodily ease and comfort; a pleasant feeling experienced with the body. In the third jhāna, one dwells experiencing this pleasure with the body. It is abandoned, along with bodily pain, for the fourth jhāna to arise.

Also known as: pleasant abiding, positive state of mind, sense of ease
Pāli: sukha
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Shyness

Shyness

A shrinking, exposed unease in the company of others—often tied to dishonor, misconduct, or a bad conscience. It is a fear of being seen as wrong or unworthy, and can lead to withdrawal or agitation.

Also known as: embarrassed, humiliated, sheepish, self-conscious, dumbstruck, despondent
Pāli: maṅku, maṅkubhūta
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Spiritual life

Spiritual life

A life of celibacy, contemplation, and ethical discipline lived for the sake of liberation; oriented toward inner development rather than sensual pleasures

Also known as: abstinence, celibacy, chastity, holy life, sexual restraint
Pāli: brahmacariya
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Last updated on July 27, 2026