The Buddha explains eight kinds of rebirth that arise from giving, determined by one’s aspiration and purity of virtue.

AN 8.35  Dānūpapatti sutta - Rebirth on Account of Giving

“Aṭṭhimā, bhikkhave, dānūpapattiyo. Katamā aṭṭha?

“Bhikkhus, there are eight kinds of rebirth on account of giving. What are the eight?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco dānaṁ deti samaṇassa brāhmaṇassa annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. So yaṁ deti taṁ paccāsīsati. So passati khattiyamahāsāle brāhmaṇamahāsāle gahapatimahāsāle pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappite samaṅgībhūte paricārayamāne. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ gahapatimahāsālānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti. So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti. Tassa taṁ cittaṁ hīne vimuttaṁ, uttari abhāvitaṁ, tatrūpapattiyā saṁvattati. Kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā khattiyamahāsālānaṁ brāhmaṇamahāsālānaṁ gahapatimahāsālānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. Tañca kho sīlavato vadāmi, no dussīlassa. Ijjhati, bhikkhave, sīlavato cetopaṇidhi visuddhattā.

Here, bhikkhus, a certain person gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food, drink, clothing, vehicle, garlands, fragrances, and ointments, bedding, lodging, and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He sees wealthy nobles, or wealthy brahmins, or wealthy householders enjoying themselves, provided with and possessing the five objects of sensual pleasure. It occurs to him: ‘May I, with the breakup of the body, after death, be reborn in the company of wealthy nobles, wealthy brahmins, or wealthy householders.’ He sets his mind on it, sets a determination on it, and cultivates this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not cultivated further, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of wealthy nobles, wealthy brahmins, or wealthy householders. But this, I say, is for one who is |virtuous::ethical, moral [sīlavant]|, not for one who is |unprincipled::without regard for ethical conduct [dussīla]|. The |mental aspiration::set intention [cetopaṇidhi]| of a virtuous person succeeds, bhikkhus, because of his purity.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco dānaṁ deti samaṇassa brāhmaṇassa annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. So yaṁ deti taṁ paccāsīsati. Tassa sutaṁ hoti: ‘cātumahārājikā devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulā’ti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti. So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti. Tassa taṁ cittaṁ hīne vimuttaṁ, uttari abhāvitaṁ, tatrūpapattiyā saṁvattati. Kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. Tañca kho sīlavato vadāmi, no dussīlassa. Ijjhati, bhikkhave, sīlavato cetopaṇidhi visuddhattā.

Here again, bhikkhus, a certain person gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food, drink, clothing, vehicle, garlands, fragrances, and ointments, bedding, lodging, and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: ‘The gods belonging to the realm of the Four Great Kings are long-lived, beautiful, and possess great happiness.’ It occurs to him: ‘May I, with the breakup of the body, after death, be reborn in the company of the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings.’ He sets his mind on it, sets a determination on it, and cultivates this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not cultivated further, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the gods of the realm of the Four Great Kings. But this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unprincipled. The mental aspiration of a virtuous person succeeds, bhikkhus, because of his purity.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco dānaṁ deti samaṇassa brāhmaṇassa annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. So yaṁ deti taṁ paccāsīsati. Tassa sutaṁ hotitāvatiṁsā devā …pe…

Here again, bhikkhus, a certain person gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food, drink, clothing, vehicle, garlands, fragrances, and ointments, bedding, lodging, and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: ‘The gods belonging to the heaven of the Thirty-Three are long-lived, beautiful, and possess great happiness.’ It occurs to him: ‘May I, with the breakup of the body, after death, be reborn in the company of the gods of the Thirty-Three.’ He sets his mind on it, sets a determination on it, and cultivates this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not cultivated further, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the gods of the Thirty-Three. But this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unprincipled. The mental aspiration of a virtuous person succeeds, bhikkhus, because of his purity.

yāmā devā

gods of |Yāmā::name of a group of deities [yāmā]|...

tusitā devā

gods of the |Tusita heaven::content, fulfilled, satisfied [tusita]|...

nimmānaratī devā

gods of the |Nimmānarati heaven::name of a group of deities who delight in creation [nimmānaratī]|...

paranimmitavasavattī devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulāti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti. So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti. Tassa taṁ cittaṁ hīne vimuttaṁ, uttari abhāvitaṁ, tatrūpapattiyā saṁvattati. Kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. Tañca kho sīlavato vadāmi, no dussīlassa. Ijjhati, bhikkhave, sīlavato cetopaṇidhi visuddhattā.

gods of the |Paranimmitavasavatti heaven::realm of the gods who wield power over the creations of others [paranimmitavasavattī]| are long-lived, beautiful, and possess great happiness. It occurs to him: ‘May I, with the breakup of the body, after death, be reborn in the company of the gods of the [Yāmā, Tusita, Nimmānarati], Paranimmitavasavatti heaven.’ He sets his mind on it, sets a determination on it, and cultivates this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not cultivated further, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the gods of the Paranimmitavasavatti heaven. But this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unprincipled. The mental aspiration of a virtuous person succeeds, bhikkhus, because of his purity.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, ekacco dānaṁ deti samaṇassa brāhmaṇassa annaṁ pānaṁ vatthaṁ yānaṁ mālāgandhavilepanaṁ seyyāvasathapadīpeyyaṁ. So yaṁ deti taṁ paccāsīsati. Tassa sutaṁ hoti: ‘brahmakāyikā devā dīghāyukā vaṇṇavanto sukhabahulā’ti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘aho vatāhaṁ kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyyan’ti. So taṁ cittaṁ dahati, taṁ cittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, taṁ cittaṁ bhāveti. Tassa taṁ cittaṁ hīne vimuttaṁ, uttari abhāvitaṁ, tatrūpapattiyā saṁvattati. Kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā brahmakāyikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjati. Tañca kho sīlavato vadāmi, no dussīlassa; vītarāgassa, no sarāgassa. Ijjhati, bhikkhave, sīlavato cetopaṇidhi vītarāgattā.

Here again, bhikkhus, a certain person gives a gift to an ascetic or a brahmin: food, drink, clothing, vehicle, garlands, fragrances, and ointments, bedding, lodging, and lighting. Whatever he gives, he expects something in return. He has heard: ‘The gods belonging to the |Brahmā::God, the first deity to be born at the beginning of a new cosmic cycle and whose lifespan lasts for the entire cycle [brahmā]|’s realm are long-lived, beautiful, and possess great happiness.’ It occurs to him: ‘May I, with the breakup of the body, after death, be reborn in the company of the gods of the Brahmā’s realm.’ He sets his mind on it, sets a determination on it, and cultivates this state of mind. That aspiration of his, resolved on what is inferior, not cultivated further, leads to rebirth there. With the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the gods of the Brahmā’s realm. But this, I say, is for one who is virtuous, not for one who is unprincipled. The mental aspiration of a virtuous person succeeds, bhikkhus, because of his purity.

Imā kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha dānūpapattiyo”ti.

These, bhikkhus, are the eight kinds of rebirth on account of giving.”

Topics & Qualities:

Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Cultivation

Cultivation

The term 'cultivation' implies that which causes to be, it is primarily described in the context of developing and nurturing a bright quality.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Merit

Merit

Also known as: good deeds, spiritual wealth
Pāli: puñña, kalyāṇa
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Last updated on November 24, 2025