AN 3.48

Pabbatarājasutta

“Himavantaṁ, bhikkhave, pabbatarājaṁ nissāya mahāsālā tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhanti. Katamāhi tīhi? Sākhāpattapalāsena vaḍḍhanti, tacapapaṭikāya vaḍḍhanti, pheggusārena vaḍḍhanti. Himavantaṁ, bhikkhave, pabbatarājaṁ nissāya mahāsālā imāhi tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhanti.

The King of Mountains

“Mendicants, great sal trees grow in three ways supported by the Himalayas, the king of mountains. What three? The branches, leaves, and foliage; the bark and shoots; and the softwood and heartwood. Great sal trees grow in these three ways supported by the Himalayas, the king of mountains.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, saddhaṁ kulapatiṁ nissāya anto jano tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhati. Katamāhi tīhi? Saddhāya vaḍḍhati, sīlena vaḍḍhati, paññāya vaḍḍhati. Saddhaṁ, bhikkhave, kulapatiṁ nissāya anto jano imāhi tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhatīti.

In the same way, a family grows in three ways supported by a family head with faith. What three? Faith, ethics, and wisdom. A family grows in these three ways supported by a family head with faith.

Yathāpi pabbato selo, araññasmiṁ brahāvane; Taṁ rukkhā upanissāya, vaḍḍhante te vanappatī.

Supported by the rocky mountain in the wilds, the formidable forest, the tree grows to become lord of the forest.

Tatheva sīlasampannaṁ, saddhaṁ kulapatiṁ idha; Upanissāya vaḍḍhanti, puttadārā ca bandhavā; Amaccā ñātisaṅghā ca, ye cassa anujīvino.

So too, when the family head is ethical and faithful, supported by them, they grow: children, partners, and kin, colleagues, relatives, and those dependent for their livelihood.

Tyāssa sīlavato sīlaṁ, cāgaṁ sucaritāni ca; Passamānānukubbanti, attamatthaṁ vicakkhaṇā.

Seeing the ethical conduct of the virtuous, the generosity and good deeds, those who see clearly do likewise.

Idha dhammaṁ caritvāna, maggaṁ sugatigāminaṁ; Nandino devalokasmiṁ, modanti kāmakāmino”ti.

Having practiced the teaching here, the path that goes to a good place, they delight in the heavenly realm, enjoying all the pleasures they desire.”