At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then Princess Sumanā, escorted by five hundred chariots and five hundred royal maidens, went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

“Sir, suppose there were two disciples equal in faith, ethics, and wisdom. One is a giver, one is not. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. When they have become gods, would there be any distinction or difference between them?”

“There would be, Sumanā,” said the Buddha.

“As a god, the one who was a giver surpasses the other in five respects: heavenly lifespan, beauty, happiness, glory, and sovereignty. As a god, the one who was a giver surpasses the other in these five respects.”

“But sir, if they pass away from there and come back to this place as human beings, would there still be any distinction or difference between them?”

“There would be, Sumanā,” said the Buddha.

“As a human being, the one who was a giver surpasses the other in five respects: human lifespan, beauty, happiness, glory, and sovereignty. As a human being, the one who was a giver surpasses the other in these five respects.”