AN 4.61

Pattakammasutta

Atha kho anāthapiṇḍiko gahapati yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho anāthapiṇḍikaṁ gahapatiṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

Fitting Deeds

Then the householder Anāthapiṇḍika went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

“Cattārome, gahapati, dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā dullabhā lokasmiṁ. Katame cattāro? Bhogā me uppajjantu sahadhammenāti, ayaṁ paṭhamo dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ.

“Householder, these four things, which are likable, desirable, and agreeable are hard to get in the world. What four? The first thing is the wish: ‘May wealth come to me by legitimate means!’

Bhoge laddhā sahadhammena yaso me āgacchatu saha ñātīhi saha upajjhāyehīti, ayaṁ dutiyo dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ.

The second thing, having got wealth by legitimate means, is the wish: ‘May fame come to me, together with my family and mentors.’

Bhoge laddhā sahadhammena yasaṁ laddhā saha ñātīhi saha upajjhāyehi ciraṁ jīvāmi dīghamāyuṁ pālemīti, ayaṁ tatiyo dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ.

The third thing, having got wealth and fame, is the wish: ‘May I live long, keeping alive for a long time!’

Bhoge laddhā sahadhammena yasaṁ laddhā saha ñātīhi saha upajjhāyehi ciraṁ jīvitvā dīghamāyuṁ pāletvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjāmīti, ayaṁ catuttho dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ. Ime kho, gahapati, cattāro dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā dullabhā lokasmiṁ.

The fourth thing, having got wealth, fame, and long life, is the wish: ‘When my body breaks up, after death, may I be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm!’ These are the four things, which are likable, desirable, and agreeable, but hard to get in the world.

Imesaṁ kho, gahapati, catunnaṁ dhammānaṁ iṭṭhānaṁ kantānaṁ manāpānaṁ dullabhānaṁ lokasmiṁ cattāro dhammā paṭilābhāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro? Saddhāsampadā, sīlasampadā, cāgasampadā, paññāsampadā.

These next four things lead to the getting of those four things. What four? Accomplishment in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom.

Katamā ca, gahapati, saddhāsampadā? Idha, gahapati, ariyasāvako saddho hoti, saddahati tathāgatassa bodhiṁ: ‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi, satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, saddhāsampadā.

And what is accomplishment in faith? It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ This is called accomplishment in faith.

Katamā ca, gahapati, sīlasampadā? Idha, gahapati, ariyasāvako pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti. Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, sīlasampadā.

And what is accomplishment in ethics? It’s when a noble disciple doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. This is called accomplishment in ethics.

Katamā ca, gahapati, cāgasampadā? Idha, gahapati, ariyasāvako vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vosaggarato yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato. Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, cāgasampadā.

And what is accomplishment in generosity? It’s when a noble disciple lives at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. This is called accomplishment in generosity.

Katamā ca, gahapati, paññāsampadā? Abhijjhāvisamalobhābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti. Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati. Byāpādābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti. Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati. Thinamiddhābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto akiccaṁ karoti kiccaṁ aparādheti. Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati. Uddhaccakukkuccābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti. Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati. Vicikicchābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti. Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati.

And what is accomplishment in wisdom? When your heart is mastered by covetousness and immoral greed, you do what you shouldn’t, and fail to do what you should. Your fame and happiness fall to dust. When your heart is mastered by ill will … dullness and drowsiness … restlessness and remorse … doubt, you do what you shouldn’t, and fail to do what you should. Your fame and happiness fall to dust.

Sa kho so, gahapati, ariyasāvako abhijjhāvisamalobho cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā abhijjhāvisamalobhaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati. Byāpādo cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā byāpādaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati. Thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati. Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati. Vicikicchā cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā vicikicchaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati.

Knowing that ‘covetousness and immoral greed are corruptions of the mind’, that noble disciple gives them up. Knowing that ‘ill will …’ … ‘dullness and drowsiness …’ … ‘restlessness and remorse …’ … ‘doubt is a corruption of the mind’, that noble disciple gives it up.

Yato ca kho, gahapati, ariyasāvakassa abhijjhāvisamalobho cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā abhijjhāvisamalobho cittassa upakkileso pahīno hoti. Byāpādo cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā byāpādo cittassa upakkileso pahīno hoti. Thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno hoti. Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīno hoti. Vicikicchā cittassa upakkilesoti, iti viditvā vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso pahīno hoti. Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, ariyasāvako mahāpañño puthupañño āpātadaso paññāsampanno. Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, paññāsampadā. Imesaṁ kho, gahapati, catunnaṁ dhammānaṁ iṭṭhānaṁ kantānaṁ manāpānaṁ dullabhānaṁ lokasmiṁ ime cattāro dhammā paṭilābhāya saṁvattanti.

When a noble disciple has given up these things, they’re called ‘a noble disciple of great wisdom, of widespread wisdom, who sees what matters, and is accomplished in wisdom’. This is called accomplishment in wisdom. These are the four things that lead to the getting of the four things, which are likable, desirable, and agreeable, but hard to get in the world.

Sa kho so, gahapati, ariyasāvako uṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi bhogehi bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi dhammikehi dhammaladdhehi cattāri pattakammāni kattā hoti. Katamāni cattāri? Idha, gahapati, ariyasāvako uṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi bhogehi bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi dhammikehi dhammaladdhehi attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati. Mātāpitaro sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati. Puttadāradāsakammakaraporise sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati. Mittāmacce sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati. Idamassa paṭhamaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.

There are four fitting deeds that a noble disciple does with the legitimate wealth he has earned by his efforts and initiative, built up with his own hands, gathered by the sweat of the brow. What four? To start with, with his legitimate wealth he makes himself happy and pleased, keeping himself properly happy. He makes his mother and father happy … He makes his children, partners, bondservants, workers, and staff happy … He makes his friends and colleagues happy … This is his first usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause.

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, ariyasāvako uṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi bhogehi bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi dhammikehi dhammaladdhehi yā tā honti āpadā aggito vā udakato vā rājato vā corato vā appiyato vā dāyādato, tathārūpāsu āpadāsu pariyodhāya saṁvattati. Sotthiṁ attānaṁ karoti. Idamassa dutiyaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.

Furthermore, with his legitimate wealth he defends himself against threats from such things as fire, flood, rulers, bandits, or unloved heirs. He keeps himself safe. This is his second usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause.

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, ariyasāvako uṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi bhogehi bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi dhammikehi dhammaladdhehi pañcabaliṁ kattā hoti— ñātibaliṁ, atithibaliṁ, pubbapetabaliṁ, rājabaliṁ, devatābaliṁ. Idamassa tatiyaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.

Furthermore, with his legitimate wealth he makes five spirit-offerings: to relatives, guests, ancestors, king, and deities. This is his third expenditure in an appropriate sphere on a deserved and fitting cause.

Puna caparaṁ, gahapati, ariyasāvako uṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi bhogehi bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi dhammikehi dhammaladdhehi ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā madappamādā paṭiviratā khantisoracce niviṭṭhā ekamattānaṁ damenti, ekamattānaṁ samenti, ekamattānaṁ parinibbāpenti, tathārūpesu samaṇabrāhmaṇesu uddhaggikaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ patiṭṭhāpeti sovaggikaṁ sukhavipākaṁ saggasaṁvattanikaṁ. Idamassa catutthaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.

Furthermore, with his legitimate wealth he establishes an uplifting religious donation for ascetics and brahmins—those who refrain from intoxication and negligence, are settled in patience and gentleness, and who tame, calm, and extinguish themselves—that’s conducive to heaven, ripens in happiness, and leads to heaven. This is his fourth usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause.

Sa kho so, gahapati, ariyasāvako uṭṭhānavīriyādhigatehi bhogehi bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi dhammikehi dhammaladdhehi imāni cattāri pattakammāni kattā hoti. Yassa kassaci, gahapati, aññatra imehi catūhi pattakammehi bhogā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ime vuccanti, gahapati, bhogā aṭṭhānagatā apattagatā anāyatanaso paribhuttā. Yassa kassaci, gahapati, imehi catūhi pattakammehi bhogā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ime vuccanti, gahapati, bhogā ṭhānagatā pattagatā āyatanaso paribhuttāti.

These are the four fitting deeds that a noble disciple does with the legitimate wealth he has earned by his efforts and initiative, built up with his own hands, gathered by the sweat of the brow. Whatever wealth is spent on something other than these four fitting deeds is said to not be usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause. But whatever wealth is spent on these four fitting deeds is said to be usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause.

Bhuttā bhogā bhatā bhaccā, Vitiṇṇā āpadāsu me; Uddhaggā dakkhiṇā dinnā, Atho pañcabalī katā; Upaṭṭhitā sīlavanto, Saññatā brahmacārayo.

‘I’ve enjoyed my wealth, supporting those who depend on me; I’ve overcome losses; I’ve given uplifting religious donations; and made the five spirit-offerings. I have served the ethical and disciplined spiritual practitioners.

Yadatthaṁ bhogaṁ iccheyya, paṇḍito gharamāvasaṁ; So me attho anuppatto, kataṁ ananutāpiyaṁ.

I’ve achieved the goal for which an astute layperson wishes to gain wealth. I don’t regret what I’ve done.’

Etaṁ anussaraṁ macco, ariyadhamme ṭhito naro; Idheva naṁ pasaṁsanti, pecca sagge pamodatī”ti.

A mortal man who recollects this stands firm in the teaching of the noble ones. They’re praised in this life, and they depart to rejoice in heaven.”