The sixth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya. It describes the splendour of various celestial abodes belonging to different devas, obtained by them as reward for some meritorious act performed in a previous life. The stories were learnt from the devas themselves, by Moggallāna, Vangīsa and others, during their sojourn in the deva-worlds, and reported by them to the Buddha.
A Commentary on the work exists by Dhammapāla, forming part of the Paramatthadīpanī, and sometimes called Vimalatthavilāsinī (q.v.).
Stories from the Vimāna Vatthu were related by Mahinda in Ceylon in his first sermon to Anulā and her five hundred companions. Mhv.xiv.58.