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The World Honored One ascends to Mount Sumeru. Lord Shakra sees the Buddha approaching and immediately adorns his palace. He welcomes the Buddha and entreats the World Honored One to stay.
The heavenly Lord expounds verses revealing the Thus Come Ones who had entered his palace.
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The Buddha is known as the Teacher of gods and humans. So, now the World Honored One goes to the Trayastrimsha Heaven to speak Dharma.
In Buddhism, there is a list of heavens which are found in the Formless Realm, Form Realm, and Desire Realm. The Trayastrimsha, also known as the Heaven of the Thirty-three is ruled by Lord Shakra. He is also known as Indra or the Heavenly Lord. One day in that heaven is one hundred years in the human realm.
Lord Shakra regards his palace as most auspicious because the Thus Come Ones had entered it before. Just like in this world, the places where the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, turned the Dharma Wheel, and entered Nirvana are regarded as Holy Sites.
© 2000 Soo Hoong Liung. All Rights Reserved.
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