The Related Suttas Collection 32.13–52

1. Gods of the Clouds

How Giving Helps to Become a Warm Cloud God, Etc.

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Buddha:

“Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods of warm clouds … thunder clouds … windy clouds … rainy clouds?”

“Bhikkhu, it’s when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they’ve heard: ‘The gods of rainy clouds are long-lived, beautiful, and very happy.’ They think: ‘If only, when my body breaks up, after death, I would be reborn in the company of the gods of rainy clouds!’ They give food … a lamp. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in the company of the gods of rainy clouds. This is the cause, this is the reason why someone, when their body breaks up, after death, is reborn in the company of the gods of rainy clouds.”