Heaven and Hell (2nd)

AN 10.212 · Dutiyanirayasaggasutta

Moonlight reflected in a still pool beside a flowering forest grove.

“Someone with ten qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What ten? It’s when someone kills living creatures. They’re violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to all living beings.

They steal. … They commit sexual misconduct. … They lie. … They backbite. … They speak harshly. … They talk nonsense. … They’re covetous. … They have cruel intentions. … They have wrong view. … Someone with these ten qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

Someone with ten qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there. What ten? It’s when someone gives up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. They’re scrupulous and kind, living full of sympathy for all living beings.

They give up stealing. … They give up sexual misconduct. … They give up lying. … They give up backbiting. … They give up harsh speech. … They give up talking nonsense. … They’re content. … They’re kind hearted. … They have right view. … Someone with these ten qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.”

Connections

Collection & context

Aṅguttara NikāyaThe collection containing this text
The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting

Books

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Aṅguttara NikāyaBhikkhu Bodhi; Bhikkhu Bodhi (translator) · Complete collection edition

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.