Version 1:
Here they rejoice; having passed away they rejoice.
In both places they who have done wholesome deeds rejoice.
They rejoice, thinking, “I have done wholesome deeds.”
Gone to a state of weal, they rejoice all the more.
Version 2:
Here they delight
They delight hereafter.
In both worlds
the merit-makers delight.
They delight at the thought,
“I’ve made merit.”
Having gone to a good destination,
They delight
all the more.
Version 3:
The doers of good delight here and hereafter; they delight in both the worlds. The thought, “Good have I done,” delights them, and they delight even more when gone to realms of bliss.
(Note: Version 1 is from the John Ross Carter and Mahinda Palihawadana translation. Version 2 is from the Thanissaro Bhikkhu translation. Version 3 is from the Acharya Buddharakkhita translation. I have made significant changes throughout in both pronouns and verbs for a neutral gender reading.)
Of course, a Zen student might say that, with the thought of making merit, one plunges immediately into hell!
No thought, then neither heaven nor hell.
Yes…thank you for this. It is interesting that in one version they delight thinking the positive thought, whereas in another version they delight *at* the positive thought. There seems to be a big difference between these two ways of delighting at a thought arising!
May this find you well today!