Linked Discourses on Cloud Gods

The Chapter on Gods of the Clouds

SN 32.1 Plain Version Suddhikasutta

At Sāvatthī.

"Mendicants, I will teach you about the gods of the clouds. Listen ...

And what are the gods of the clouds? There are gods of the cool clouds, warm clouds, thunder clouds, windy clouds, and rainy clouds. These are called the gods of the clouds."

SN 32.2 Good Conduct Sucaritasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant 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 the clouds?"

"Mendicant, it's when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they've heard: 'The gods of the 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 the clouds!' When their body breaks up, after death, they're reborn in the company of the gods of the 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 the clouds."

SN 32.3--12 Ten Discourses On How Giving Helps to Become a Cool Cloud God Sītavalāhakadānūpakārasuttadasaka

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant 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 cool clouds?"

"Mendicant, it's when someone does good things by way of body, speech, and mind. And they've heard: 'The gods of cool 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 the cool clouds!' They give food ... a lamp. When their body breaks up, after death, they're reborn in the company of the gods of cool 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 cool clouds."

SN 32.13--52 How Giving Helps to Become a Warm Cloud God, Etc. Uṇhavalāhakadānūpakārasutta

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that mendicant 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?"

"Mendicant, 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."

SN 32.53 Gods of the Cool Clouds Sītavalāhakasutta

At Sāvatthī.

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

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why sometimes it becomes cool?"

"Mendicant, there are what are called gods of the cool clouds. Sometimes they think: 'Why don't we revel in our own kind of enjoyment?' Then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes cool. This is the cause, this is the reason why sometimes it becomes cool."

SN 32.54 Gods of the Warm Clouds Uṇhavalāhakasutta

At Sāvatthī.

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

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why sometimes it becomes warm?"

"Mendicant, there are what are called gods of the warm clouds. Sometimes they think: 'Why don't we revel in our own kind of enjoyment?' Then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes warm. This is the cause, this is the reason why sometimes it becomes warm."

SN 32.55 Gods of the Storm Clouds Abbhavalāhakasutta

At Sāvatthī.

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

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why sometimes it becomes stormy?"

"Mendicant, there are what are called gods of the storm clouds. Sometimes they think: 'Why don't we revel in our own kind of enjoyment?' Then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes stormy. This is the cause, this is the reason why sometimes it becomes stormy."

SN 32.56 Gods of the Windy Clouds Vātavalāhakasutta

At Sāvatthī.

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

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why sometimes it becomes windy?"

"Mendicant, there are what are called gods of the windy clouds. Sometimes they think: 'Why don't we revel in our own kind of enjoyment?' Then, in accordance with their wish, it becomes windy. This is the cause, this is the reason why sometimes it becomes windy."

SN 32.57 Gods of the Rainy Clouds Vassavalāhakasutta

At Sāvatthī.

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

"Sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why sometimes the heavens rain?"

"Mendicant, there are what are called gods of the rainy clouds. Sometimes they think: 'Why don't we revel in our own kind of enjoyment?' Then, in accordance with their wish, the heavens rain down. This is the cause, this is the reason why sometimes the heavens rain."