Pattakammasuttaṁ (Aṅg 4.61): The Discourse about Suitable Deeds
Pattakammasuttaṁ (Aṅg 4.61) [1]
The Discourse about Suitable Deeds
Edited & Translated by
Ānandajoti Bhikkhu
Atha kho Anāthapiṇḍiko gahapati yena Bhagavā tenupasaṅkami,
Then the householder Anāthapiṇḍika approached the Gracious One,
upasaṅkamitvā Bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekam-antaṁ nisīdi.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, he sat down on one side.
Ekam-antaṁ nisinnaṁ kho Anāthapiṇḍikaṁ gahapatiṁ Bhagavā etad-avoca:
While sitting on one side the Gracious One said this to the householder Anāthapiṇḍika:
Four Rarities
“Cattārome, gahapati, dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā dullabhā lokasmiṁ.
“(There are) these four things, householder, which are wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.
Katame cattāro?
Which four?
‘Bhogā me uppajjantu sahadhammenā,’ ti
‘May wealth arise to me in a righteous way,’
ayaṁ paṭhamo dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ.
this is the first thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.
‘Bhoge laddhā sahadhammena yaso maṁ abbhugacchatu
‘The wealth that has been gained in a righteous way, may it bring fame for me
saha ñātīhi saha upajjhāyehī,’ ti,
and for my relatives and preceptors,’
ayaṁ dutiyo dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ.
this is the second thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.
‘Bhoge laddhā sahadhammena, yasaṁ laddhā saha ñātīhi saha upajjhāyehi,
‘The wealth has been gained in a righteous way, and the fame has been gained for my relatives and preceptors,
ciraṁ jīvāmi dīgham-addhāyuṁ pālemī,’ ti
(now) may I live long, may I have a long lifespan,’
ayaṁ tatiyo dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ.
this is the third thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.
‘Bhoge laddhā sahadhammena yasaṁ laddhā saha ñātīhi saha upajjhāyehi
‘The wealth has been gained in a righteous way, and the fame has been gained for my relatives and preceptors,
ciraṁ jīvitvā dīgham-addhāyuṁ pāletvā,
having lived long, and having had a long lifespan,
kāyassa bhedā param-maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjāmī,’ ti
may I, at the break-up of the body, after death, re-arise in a fortunate destiny, in a heavenly world.’
ayaṁ catuttho dhammo iṭṭho kanto manāpo dullabho lokasmiṁ.
this is the fourth thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.
Ime kho, gahapati, cattāro dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā dullabhā lokasmiṁ.
These are the four things wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.
Four Proficiencies
Imesaṁ kho, gahapati, catunnaṁ dhammānaṁ,
To the attainment of these four things, householder,
iṭṭhānaṁ kantānaṁ manāpānaṁ dullabhānaṁ lokasmiṁ,
(which are) wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world,
cattāro dhammā paṭilābhāya saṁvattanti.
four (more) things lead.
Katame cattāro?
Which four?
Saddhāsampadā, sīlasampadā, cāgasampadā, paññāsampadā.
Proficiency in faith, proficiency in virtue, proficiency in generosity, proficiency in wisdom.
Katamā ca, gahapati, saddhāsampadā?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in faith?
Idha, gahapati, Ariyasāvako saddho hoti, saddahati Tathāgatassa bodhiṁ:
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple has faith, he believes in the Awakening of the Realised One (thus):
‘Iti pi so Bhagavā Arahaṁ Sammāsambuddho,
‘Such is he, the Gracious One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha,
vijjācaraṇasampanno Sugato lokavidū,
the one endowed with understanding and good conduct, the Fortunate One, the one who understands the worlds,
anuttaro purisadammasārathī,
the unsurpassed guide for those people who need taming,
Satthā devamanussānaṁ Buddho Bhagavā’ ti.
the Teacher of gods and men, the Buddha, the Gracious One.’
Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, saddhāsampadā.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in faith.
Katamā ca, gahapati, sīlasampadā?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in virtue?
Idha, gahapati, Ariyasāvako pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti,
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple refrains from killing living creatures,
adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, [2]
refrains from taking what has not been given,
kāmesu micchācārā paṭivirato hoti,
refrains from sexual misconduct,
musāvādā paṭivirato hoti,
refrains from false speech,
surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti.
refrains from liquors, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness.
Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, sīlasampadā.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in virtue.
Katamā ca, gahapati, cāgasampadā?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in generosity?
Idha, gahapati, Ariyasāvako vigatamalamaccherena cetasā,
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple, with a mind devoid of the stain of selfishness,
agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇī vosaggarato,
lives in the house, free and generous, with pure hands, [3] delighting in relinquishment,
yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato.
bound to help those who ask, delighting in the distribution of gifts.
Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, cāgasampadā.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in generosity.
Katamā ca, gahapati, paññāsampadā?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in wisdom?
Abhijjhāvisamalobhābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by excessive greed and avarice [4]
akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.
Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.
Vyāpādābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by ill-will
akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.
Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.
Thinamiddhābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by sloth and torpor
akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.
Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.
Uddhaccakukkuccābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by agitation and worry
akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.
Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.
Vicikicchābhibhūtena, gahapati, cetasā viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by doubt
akiccaṁ karoti, kiccaṁ aparādheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.
Akiccaṁ karonto kiccaṁ aparādhento yasā ca sukhā ca dhaṁsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.
Sa kho so, gahapati, Ariyasāvako,
The Noble Disciple, householder,
‘abhijjhāvisamalobho cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
having understood that ‘excessive greed and avarice is a defilement of the mind’
abhijjhāvisamalobhaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati.
gives up that excessive greed and avarice which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Vyāpādo cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
Having understood that ‘ill-will is a defilement of the mind’
vyāpādaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati.
gives up that ill-will which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
Having understood that ‘sloth and torpor is a defilement of the mind’
thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati.
gives up that sloth and torpor which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
Having understood that ‘agitation and worry is a defilement of the mind’
uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati.
gives up that agitation and worry which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso’ ti,
Having understood that ‘doubt is a defilement of the mind’
iti viditvā vicikicchaṁ cittassa upakkilesaṁ pajahati.
gives up that doubt which is a defilement of the mind.
Yato ca kho, gahapati, Ariyasāvakassa
Since, householder, the Noble Disciple
‘abhijjhāvisamalobho cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
having understood that ‘excessive greed and avarice is a defilement of the mind’
abhijjhāvisamalobho cittassa upakkileso pahīṇo hoti.
he has given up that excessive greed and avarice which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Vyāpādo cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
Having understood that ‘ill-will is a defilement of the mind’
vyāpādo cittassa upakkileso pahīṇo hoti.
he has given up that ill-will which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
Having understood that ‘sloth and torpor is a defilement of the mind’
thinamiddhaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīṇo hoti.
he has given up that sloth and torpor which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
Having understood that ‘agitation and worry is a defilement of the mind’
uddhaccakukkuccaṁ cittassa upakkileso pahīṇo hoti.
he has given up that agitation and worry which is a defilement of the mind.
‘Vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso’ ti, iti viditvā
Having understood that ‘doubt is a defilement of the mind’
vicikicchā cittassa upakkileso pahīṇo hoti.
he has given up that doubt which is a defilement of the mind.
Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, Ariyasāvako mahāpañño,
This Noble Disciple is said, householder, to be one of great wisdom,
puthupañño āpātadaso paññāsampanno.
of extensive wisdom, one who sees the (full) range, one endowed with wisdom.
Ayaṁ vuccati, gahapati, paññāsampadā.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in wisdom.
Imesaṁ kho, gahapati, catunnaṁ dhammānaṁ
To the attainment of these four things, householder,
iṭṭhānaṁ kantānaṁ manāpānaṁ dullabhānaṁ lokasmiṁ
(which are) wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world,
ime cattāro dhammā paṭilābhāya saṁvattanti.
these four (more) things lead.
Four Suitable Deeds
Sa kho so, gahapati, Ariyasāvako,
The Noble Disciple, householder,
uṭṭhānaviriyādhigatehi bhogehi,
with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,
bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,
cattāri pattakammāni kattā hoti.
performs four suitable deeds.
Katamāni cattāri?
Which four?
Idha, gahapati, ariyasāvako, uṭṭhānaviriyādhigatehi bhogehi,
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,
bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,
attānaṁ sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati,
makes himself happy and satisfied, and he looks after (himself) in a correct and pleasant way,
mātāpitaro sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati,
he makes his mother and father happy and satisfied, and he looks after (them) in a correct and pleasant way,
puttadāradāsakammakaraporise sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati,
he makes his children, wife, workers and servants happy and satisfied, and he looks after (them) in a correct and pleasant way,
mittāmacce sukheti pīṇeti sammā sukhaṁ pariharati.
makes his friends and comrades happy and satisfied, and he looks after (them) in a correct and pleasant way.
Idam-assa paṭhamaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.
This is the first suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion. [5]
Puna ca paraṁ, gahapati, ariyasāvako, uṭṭhānaviriyādhigatehi bhogehi,
Moreover, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,
bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,
yā tā honti āpadā:
from whatever dangers there are:
aggito vā udakato vā rājato vā corato vā appiyato dāyādato vā,
from fire or from water or from kings or from thieves or from unloved heirs,
tathārūpāsu āpadāsu bhogehi pariyodhāya vattati, sotthiṁ attānaṁ karoti.
defends his wealth from such dangers, and he keeps himself safe.
Idamassa dutiyaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.
This is the second suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion.
Puna ca paraṁ, gahapati, ariyasāvako, uṭṭhānaviriyādhigatehi bhogehi,
Moreover, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,
bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,
pañcabalī kattā hoti:
makes five offerings:
ñātibaliṁ, atithibaliṁ, pubbapetabaliṁ, rājabaliṁ, devatābaliṁ.
offerings to relatives, offerings to guests, offerings to the departed, offerings to kings, and offerings to the gods.
Idamassa tatiyaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.
This is the third suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion.
Puna ca paraṁ, gahapati, ariyasāvako, uṭṭhānaviriyādhigatehi bhogehi,
Moreover, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,
bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,
ye te samaṇabrāhmaṇā madappamādā paṭiviratā, khantisoracce niviṭṭhā,
(towards) whatever ascetics and brāhmaṇas have put aside pride and heedlessness, who are established in patience and gentleness,
ekam-attānaṁ damenti, ekam-attānaṁ samenti, ekam-attānaṁ parinibbāpenti,
who tame themselves, calm themselves, and emancipate themselves,
tathārūpesu samaṇabrāhmaṇesu uddhaggikaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ patiṭṭhāpeti,
he establishes a beneficial donation for those ascetics and brāhmaṇas,
sovaggikaṁ sukhavipākaṁ saggasaṁvattanikaṁ.
which is heavenly (itself) and has a happy result leading to heaven.
Idamassa catutthaṁ ṭhānagataṁ hoti pattagataṁ āyatanaso paribhuttaṁ.
This is the fourth suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion.
Sa kho so, gahapati, Ariyasāvako,
The Noble Disciple, householder,
uṭṭhānaviriyādhigatehi bhogehi,
with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,
bāhābalaparicitehi sedāvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,
imāni cattāri pattakammāni kattā hoti.
performs these four suitable deeds.
Yassa kassaci, gahapati,
For anyone, householder,
aññatra imehi catūhi pattakammehi bhogā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti,
whose wealth goes to destruction, except through these four suitable deeds,
ime vuccanti, gahapati, bhogā aṭṭhānagatā appattagatā āyatanaso [6] paribhuttā.
these are said, householder, to be riches that have disappeared in an unsuitable way through using what he has attained through his exertion.
Yassa kassaci, gahapati,
For anyone, householder,
imehi catūhi pattakammehi bhogā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti,
whose wealth goes to destruction on these four suitable deeds,
ime vuccanti, gahapati, bhogā ṭhānagatā pattagatā āyatanaso paribhuttā” ti.
these are said, householder, to be suitable ways of using that wealth he has attained through his exertion. [7]
- Bhuttā bhogā bhatā bhaccā, vitiṇṇā āpadāsu me,
- Wealth enjoyed by servants, brothers, for removing dangers, (or) by me,
- Uddhaggā dakkhiṇā dinnā, atho pañcabalī katā,
- Given in beneficial donations, also through making the five offerings,
- Upaṭṭhitā sīlavanto, saññatā brahmacārayo.
- Has been established by the virtuous, skilful one who lives spiritually.
- Yad-atthaṁ bhogaṁ iccheyya, paṇḍito gharam-āvasaṁ:
- The wise one who lives in a house will wish for wealth and welfare (thinking):
- ‘So me attho anuppatto kataṁ ananutāpiyaṁ.’
- ‘That prosperity attained by me causes lack of remorse.’
- Etaṁ anussaraṁ macco, Ariyadhamme ṭhito naro,
- A man remembering this, a person established in Nobility,
- Idha ceva naṁ pasaṁsanti, pecca sagge ca modatī.” ti
- They praise right now, and after dying he rejoices in heaven.”
Footnotes
- ↑ The text for this discourse is a transliteration of the Sinhalese Buddha Jayanti edition (1962, reprinted 2005).
- ↑ This and the next two lines are omitted in BJT.
- ↑ Sometimes translated open-handed, but payata is defined in PED thus: restrained, composed, purified, pure.
- ↑ The fours factors that follow below are the last four factors of the hinderances (nīvaraṇa), which makes it appear that excessive greed and avarice is being used as a synonym for kāmacchanda, sensual desire, here
- ↑ For āyatana with this meaning s.v. PED, second definition.
- ↑ BJT: anāyatanaso, which would mean: through his non-exertion.
- ↑ Ādiyasutta (Aṅg 5.41) throws light on this, there it says: If for a Noble Disciple, householder, from the usage of these five uses of wealth his wealth goes to destruction, this occurs to him: ‘Whatever (good) uses for wealth there are I have used them (in that way), let my wealth go to destruction!’ He is not remorseful.
