Answering Venerable Anuruddha, the Buddha teaches five qualities of ladies—wholesome qualities—that lead to rebirth in a heavenly realm after death.

SN 37.15 Loving

Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā anuruddho bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “idhāhaṁ, bhante, mātugāmaṁ passāmi dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjantaṁ. Katīhi nu kho, bhante, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatī”ti?

“Pañcahi kho, anuruddha, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati. Katamehi pañcahi? Saddho ca hoti, hirimā ca hoti, ottappī ca hoti, akkodhano ca hoti, paññavā ca hoti imehi kho, anuruddha, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatī”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Atha kho āyasmā anuruddho yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā anuruddho bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

Then Venerable Anuruddha went up to the Buddha … and asked him,

“idhāhaṁ, bhante, mātugāmaṁ passāmi dibbena cakkhunā visuddhena atikkantamānusakena kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjantaṁ.

“Sometimes, sir, with my clairvoyance that’s purified and superhuman, I see that a lady—when her body breaks up, after death—is reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

Katīhi nu kho, bhante, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatī”ti?

How many qualities do ladies have so that they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm?”

“Pañcahi kho, anuruddha, dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

“Anuruddha, when ladies have five qualities, when their body breaks up, after death, they are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Saddho ca hoti, hirimā ca hoti, ottappī ca hoti, akkodhano ca hoti, paññavā ca hoti

They’re faithful, conscientious, prudent, loving, and wise.

imehi kho, anuruddha, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato mātugāmo kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjatī”ti.

When ladies possess these five qualities, when their body breaks up, after death, they are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Fear of wrongdoing

Fear of wrongdoing

A wholesome dread of misconduct that considers consequences and the censure of the wise. It looks outward—aware of blame, loss of reputation, and the suffering that follows unskillful action—and holds the mind back from crossing ethical boundaries.

Also known as: conscientious, moral dread, respect for others, (comm) originating from outside
Pāli: ottappa
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026