AN4.125 — The First Discourse on Goodwill
Disciples, there are these four types of individuals existing in the world.
What are the four?
Here a certain individual dwells pervading one direction with a mind imbued with goodwill, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth. Thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with goodwill, vast, exalted, measureless, free from enmity, and free from ill-will.
He delights in that, desires that, and finds satisfaction in that.
Established in that, committed to that, frequently dwelling in that, not falling away, when he dies, he is reborn in the company of the Brahma-world deities.
The lifespan of the Brahma-world deities is an aeon.
There, an ordinary person, having remained for the full lifespan of those deities, having exhausted that lifespan, can go to hell, the animal realm, or the realm of ghosts.
But a disciple of the Blessed One, having remained there for the full lifespan of those deities, having exhausted that lifespan, attains final Nibbana in that very existence.
This is the distinction, the specific difference, the distinguishing factor between a learned noble disciple and an unlearned ordinary person, namely, in terms of destination and rebirth.
Furthermore here a certain individual dwells pervading one direction with a mind imbued with compassion...
with a mind imbued with sympathetic joy...
with a mind imbued with equanimity, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth. Thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with equanimity, vast, exalted, measureless, free from enmity, and free from ill-will.
He delights in that, desires that, and finds satisfaction in that.
Established in that, committed to that, frequently dwelling in that, not falling away, when he dies, he is reborn in the company of the Radiant deities.
The lifespan of the Radiant deities is two aeons... he is reborn in the company of the Beautiful deities.
The lifespan of the Beautiful deities is four aeons... he is reborn in the company of the Fruitful deities.
The lifespan of the Fruitful deities is five hundred aeons.
There, an ordinary person, having remained for the full lifespan of those deities, having exhausted that lifespan, can go to hell, the animal realm, or the realm of ghosts.
The disciple of the Blessed One, having lived there for the full span of life, exhausts the entire lifespan of those deities and attains final Nibbana in that very existence.
This is the distinction, the special quality, the difference between a learned noble disciple and an unlearned ordinary person, namely, in terms of destination and rebirth.
These are the four types of individuals that exist in the world.