sutta » an » an8 » Aṅguttara Nikāya 8.55

Ujjayasutta

With Ujjaya

Atha kho ujjayo brāhmaṇo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavatā saddhiṁ sammodi.
Then Ujjaya the brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho ujjayo brāhmaṇo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha:

“mayaṁ, bho gotama, pavāsaṁ gantukāmā.
“Mister Gotama, we wish to travel abroad.

Tesaṁ no bhavaṁ gotamo amhākaṁ tathā dhammaṁ desetu—ye amhākaṁ assu dhammā diṭṭhadhammahitāya, diṭṭhadhammasukhāya, samparāyahitāya, samparāyasukhāyā”ti.
May the Buddha please teach us the Dhamma in a way that leads to our welfare and happiness in this life and in future lives.”

“Cattārome, brāhmaṇa, dhammā kulaputtassa diṭṭhadhammahitāya saṁvattanti, diṭṭhadhammasukhāya.
“Brahmin, these four things lead to the welfare and happiness of a gentleman in this life.

Katame cattāro?
What four?

Uṭṭhānasampadā, ārakkhasampadā, kalyāṇamittatā, samajīvitā.
Accomplishment in initiative, protection, good friendship, and balanced finances.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, uṭṭhānasampadā?
And what is accomplishment in initiative?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto yena kammaṭṭhānena jīvikaṁ kappeti—
A gentleman may earn a living by means such as

yadi kasiyā, yadi vaṇijjāya, yadi gorakkhena, yadi issattena, yadi rājaporisena, yadi sippaññatarena—
farming, trade, raising cattle, archery, government service, or one of the professions.

tattha dakkho hoti analaso, tatrupāyāya vīmaṁsāya samannāgato, alaṁ kātuṁ alaṁ saṁvidhātuṁ.
He understands how to go about these things in order to complete and organize the work.

Ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, uṭṭhānasampadā.
This is called accomplishment in initiative.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, ārakkhasampadā?
And what is accomplishment in protection?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputtassa bhogā honti uṭṭhānavīriyādhigatā, bāhābalaparicitā, sedāvakkhittā, dhammikā dhammaladdhā.
It’s when a gentleman owns legitimate wealth that he has earned by his own efforts and initiative, built up with his own hands, gathered by the sweat of the brow.

Te ārakkhena guttiyā sampādeti:
He ensures it is guarded and protected, thinking:

‘kinti me ime bhoge neva rājāno hareyyuṁ, na corā hareyyuṁ, na aggi ḍaheyya, na udakaṁ vaheyya, na appiyā dāyādā hareyyun’ti.
‘How can I prevent my wealth from being taken by rulers or bandits, consumed by fire, swept away by flood, or taken by unloved heirs?’

Ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, ārakkhasampadā.
This is called accomplishment in protection.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, kalyāṇamittatā?
And what is accomplishment in good friendship?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto yasmiṁ gāme vā nigame vā paṭivasati tatra ye te honti—gahapatī vā gahapatiputtā vā daharā vā vuddhasīlino, vuddhā vā vuddhasīlino, saddhāsampannā, sīlasampannā, cāgasampannā, paññāsampannā—tehi saddhiṁ santiṭṭhati sallapati sākacchaṁ samāpajjati; yathārūpānaṁ saddhāsampannānaṁ saddhāsampadaṁ anusikkhati, yathārūpānaṁ sīlasampannānaṁ sīlasampadaṁ anusikkhati, yathārūpānaṁ cāgasampannānaṁ cāgasampadaṁ anusikkhati, yathārūpānaṁ paññāsampannānaṁ paññāsampadaṁ anusikkhati.
It’s when a gentleman resides in a town or village. And in that place there are householders or their children who may be young or old, but are mature in conduct, accomplished in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom. He associates with them, converses and engages in discussion. And he emulates the same kind of accomplishment in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom.

Ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, kalyāṇamittatā.
This is called accomplishment in good friendship.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, samajīvitā?
And what is accomplishment in balanced finances?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto āyañca bhogānaṁ viditvā vayañca bhogānaṁ viditvā samaṁ jīvikaṁ kappeti nāccogāḷhaṁ nātihīnaṁ: ‘evaṁ me āyo vayaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassati, na ca me vayo āyaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassatī’ti.
It’s when a gentleman, knowing his income and expenditure, balances his finances, being neither too extravagant nor too frugal. He thinks, ‘In this way my income will exceed my expenditure, not the reverse.’

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, tulādhāro vā tulādhārantevāsī vā tulaṁ paggahetvā jānāti: ‘ettakena vā onataṁ, ettakena vā unnatan’ti;
It’s like an appraiser or their apprentice who, holding up the scales, knows that it’s low by this much or high by this much.

evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto āyañca bhogānaṁ viditvā vayañca bhogānaṁ viditvā samaṁ jīvikaṁ kappeti nāccogāḷhaṁ nātihīnaṁ: ‘evaṁ me āyo vayaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassati, na ca me vayo āyaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassatī’ti.
In the same way, a gentleman, knowing his income and expenditure, balances his finances, being neither too extravagant nor too frugal. He thinks, ‘In this way my income will exceed my expenditure, not the reverse.’

Sacāyaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto appāyo samāno uḷāraṁ jīvikaṁ kappeti, tassa bhavanti vattāro: ‘udumbarakhādīvāyaṁ kulaputto bhoge khādatī’ti.
If a gentleman has little income but an opulent life, people will say: ‘This gentleman eats their wealth like a fig-eater!’

Sace panāyaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto mahāyo samāno kasiraṁ jīvikaṁ kappeti, tassa bhavanti vattāro: ‘ajeṭṭhamaraṇaṁvāyaṁ kulaputto marissatī’ti.
If a gentleman has a large income but a spartan life, people will say: ‘This gentleman is starving themselves to death!’

Yato ca khoyaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto āyañca bhogānaṁ viditvā vayañca bhogānaṁ viditvā samaṁ jīvikaṁ kappeti nāccogāḷhaṁ nātihīnaṁ: ‘evaṁ me āyo vayaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassati, na ca me vayo āyaṁ pariyādāya ṭhassatī’ti,
But a gentleman, knowing his income and expenditure, leads a balanced life, neither too extravagant nor too frugal, thinking, ‘In this way my income will exceed my expenditure, not the reverse.’

ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, samajīvitā.
This is called accomplishment in balanced finances.

Evaṁ samuppannānaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhogānaṁ cattāri apāyamukhāni honti—
There are four drains on wealth that has been gathered in this way.

itthidhutto, surādhutto, akkhadhutto, pāpamitto pāpasahāyo pāpasampavaṅko.
Womanizing, drinking, gambling, and having bad friends, companions, and associates.

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa cattāri ceva āyamukhāni, cattāri ca apāyamukhāni. Tassa puriso yāni ceva āyamukhāni tāni pidaheyya, yāni ca apāyamukhāni tāni vivareyya; devo ca na sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya. Evañhi tassa, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa parihāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā, no vuddhi;
Suppose there was a large reservoir with four inlets and four drains. And someone was to open up the drains and close off the inlets, and the heavens don’t provide enough rain. You’d expect that large reservoir to dwindle, not expand.

evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, evaṁ samuppannānaṁ bhogānaṁ cattāri apāyamukhāni honti—
In the same way, there are four drains on wealth that has been gathered in this way.

itthidhutto, surādhutto, akkhadhutto, pāpamitto pāpasahāyo pāpasampavaṅko.
Womanizing, drinking, gambling, and having bad friends, companions, and associates.

Evaṁ samuppannānaṁ, brāhmaṇa, bhogānaṁ cattāri āyamukhāni honti—
There are four inlets for wealth that has been gathered in this way.

na itthidhutto, na surādhutto, na akkhadhutto, kalyāṇamitto kalyāṇasahāyo kalyāṇasampavaṅko.
Not womanizing, drinking, or gambling, and having good friends, companions, and associates.

Seyyathāpi, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa cattāri ceva āyamukhāni cattāri ca apāyamukhāni. Tassa puriso yāni ceva āyamukhāni tāni vivareyya, yāni ca apāyamukhāni tāni pidaheyya; devo ca sammā dhāraṁ anuppaveccheyya. Evañhi tassa, brāhmaṇa, mahato taḷākassa vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni;
Suppose there was a large reservoir with four inlets and four drains. And someone was to open up the inlets and close off the drains, and the heavens provide plenty of rain. You’d expect that large reservoir to expand, not dwindle.

evamevaṁ kho, brāhmaṇa, evaṁ samuppannānaṁ bhogānaṁ cattāri āyamukhāni honti—
In the same way, there are four inlets for wealth that has been gathered in this way.

na itthidhutto …pe… kalyāṇasampavaṅko.
Not womanizing, drinking, or gambling, and having good friends, companions, and associates.

Ime kho, brāhmaṇa, cattāro dhammā kulaputtassa diṭṭhadhammahitāya saṁvattanti diṭṭhadhammasukhāya.
These are the four things that lead to the welfare and happiness of a gentleman in this life.

Cattārome, brāhmaṇa, kulaputtassa dhammā samparāyahitāya saṁvattanti samparāyasukhāya.
These four things lead to the welfare and happiness of a gentleman in future lives.

Katame cattāro?
What four?

Saddhāsampadā, sīlasampadā, cāgasampadā, paññāsampadā.
Accomplishment in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, saddhāsampadā?
And what is accomplishment in faith?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto saddho hoti, saddahati tathāgatassa bodhiṁ:
It’s when a gentleman has faith in the Realized One’s awakening:

‘itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.
‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’

Ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, saddhāsampadā.
This is called accomplishment in faith.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, sīlasampadā?
And what is accomplishment in ethics?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti.
It’s when a gentleman doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume alcoholic drinks that cause negligence.

Ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, sīlasampadā.
This is called accomplishment in ethics.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, cāgasampadā?
And what is accomplishment in generosity?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vosaggarato yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato.
It’s when a gentleman lives at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

Ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, cāgasampadā.
This is called accomplishment in generosity.

Katamā ca, brāhmaṇa, paññāsampadā?
And what is accomplishment in wisdom?

Idha, brāhmaṇa, kulaputto paññavā hoti …pe… sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā.
It’s when a gentleman is wise. He has the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering.

Ayaṁ vuccati, brāhmaṇa, paññāsampadā.
This is called accomplishment in wisdom.

“Ime kho, brāhmaṇa, cattāro dhammā kulaputtassa samparāyahitāya saṁvattanti samparāyasukhāyāti.
These are the four things that lead to the welfare and happiness of a gentleman in future lives.

Uṭṭhātā kammadheyyesu,
They’re enterprising in the workplace,

appamatto vidhānavā;
diligent in managing things,

Samaṁ kappeti jīvikaṁ,
they balance their finances,

sambhataṁ anurakkhati.
and preserve their wealth.

Saddho sīlena sampanno,
Faithful, accomplished in ethics,

vadaññū vītamaccharo;
bountiful, rid of stinginess,

Niccaṁ maggaṁ visodheti,
they always purify the path

sotthānaṁ samparāyikaṁ.
to well-being in lives to come.

Iccete aṭṭha dhammā ca,
And so these eight qualities

saddhassa gharamesino;
of a faithful householder

Akkhātā saccanāmena,
are declared by the one who is truly named

ubhayattha sukhāvahā.
to lead to happiness in both spheres,

Diṭṭhadhammahitatthāya,
welfare and benefit in this life,

samparāyasukhāya ca;
and happiness in the next.

Evametaṁ gahaṭṭhānaṁ,
This is how, for a householder,

cāgo puññaṁ pavaḍḍhatī”ti.
merit grows by generosity.”

Pañcamaṁ.