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Pattakammasuttaü (Aïg 4.61) ¹
The Discourse about Suitable Deeds

Translated by ânandajoti Bhikkhu

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Atha kho Anàthapiõóiko gahapati yena Bhagavà tenupasaïkami,
Then the householder Anàthapiõóika approached the Gracious One,

upasaïkamitvà Bhagavantaü abhivàdetvà ekam-antaü nisãdi.
and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, he sat down on one side.

Ekam-antaü nisinnaü kho Anàthapiõóikaü gahapatiü Bhagavà etad-avoca:
While sitting on one side the Gracious One said this to the householder Anàthapiõóika:

Four Rarities

ßCattàrome, gahapati, dhammà iññhà kantà manàpà dullabhà lokasmiü.
ß(There are) these four things, householder, which are wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.

Katame cattàro?
Which four?

`Bhogà me uppajjantu sahadhammenà,' ti
`May wealth arise to me in a righteous way,'

ayaü pañhamo dhammo iññho kanto manàpo dullabho lokasmiü.
this is the first thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.

`Bhoge laddhà sahadhammena yaso maü abbhugacchatu
`The wealth that has been gained in a righteous way, may it bring fame for me

saha ÿàtãhi saha upajjhàyehã,' ti,
and for my relatives and preceptors,'

ayaü dutiyo dhammo iññho kanto manàpo dullabho lokasmiü.
this is the second thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.

`Bhoge laddhà sahadhammena, yasaü laddhà saha ÿàtãhi saha upajjhàyehi,
`The wealth has been gained in a righteous way, and the fame has been gained for my relatives and preceptors,

ciraü jãvàmi dãgham-addhàyuü pàlemã,' ti
(now) may I live long, may I have a long lifespan,'

ayaü tatiyo dhammo iññho kanto manàpo dullabho lokasmiü.
this is the third thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.

`Bhoge laddhà sahadhammena yasaü laddhà saha ÿàtãhi saha upajjhàyehi
`The wealth has been gained in a righteous way, and the fame has been gained for my relatives and preceptors,

ciraü jãvitvà dãgham-addhàyuü pàletvà,
having lived long, and having had a long lifespan,

kàyassa bhedà param-maraõà sugatiü saggaü lokaü upapajjàmã,' ti
may I, at the break-up of the body, after death, re-arise in a fortunate destiny, in a heavenly world.'

ayaü catuttho dhammo iññho kanto manàpo dullabho lokasmiü.
this is the fourth thing wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.

Ime kho, gahapati, cattàro dhammà iññhà kantà manàpà dullabhà lokasmiü.
These are the four things wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world.

Four Proficiencies

Imesaü kho, gahapati, catunnaü dhammànaü,
^o To the attainment of these four things, householder,

iññhànaü kantànaü manàpànaü dullabhànaü lokasmiü,
(which are) wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world,

cattàro dhammà pañilàbhàya saüvattanti.
four (more) things lead.

Katame cattàro?
Which four?

Saddhàsampadà, sãlasampadà, càgasampadà, paÿÿàsampadà.
Proficiency in faith, proficiency in virtue, proficiency in generosity, proficiency in wisdom.

Katamà ca, gahapati, saddhàsampadà?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in faith?

Idha, gahapati, Ariyasàvako saddho hoti, saddahati Tathàgatassa bodhiü:
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple has faith, he believes in the Awakening of the Realised One (thus):

`Iti pi so Bhagavà Arahaü Sammàsambuddho,
`Such is he, the Gracious One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha,

vijjàcaraõasampanno Sugato lokavidå,
the one endowed with understanding and good conduct, the Fortunate One, the one who understands the worlds,

anuttaro purisadammasàrathã,
the unsurpassed guide for those people who need taming,

Satthà devamanussànaü Buddho Bhagavà' ti.
the Teacher of gods and men, the Buddha, the Gracious One.'

Ayaü vuccati, gahapati, saddhàsampadà.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in faith.

Katamà ca, gahapati, sãlasampadà?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in virtue?

Idha, gahapati, Ariyasàvako pàõàtipàtà pañivirato hoti,
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple refrains from killing living creatures,

adinnàdànà pañivirato hoti, ²
refrains from taking what has not been given,

kàmesu micchàcàrà pañivirato hoti,
refrains from sexual misconduct,

musàvàdà pañivirato hoti,
refrains from false speech,

suràmerayamajjapamàdaññhànà pañivirato hoti.
refrains from liquors, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness.

Ayaü vuccati, gahapati, sãlasampadà.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in virtue.

Katamà ca, gahapati, càgasampadà?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in generosity?

Idha, gahapati, Ariyasàvako vigatamalamaccherena cetasà,
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple, with a mind devoid of the stain of selfishness,

agàraü ajjhàvasati muttacàgo payatapàõã vosaggarato,
lives in the house, free and generous, with pure hands, ³ delighting in relinquishment,

yàcayogo dànasaüvibhàgarato.
bound to help those who ask, delighting in the distribution of gifts.

Ayaü vuccati, gahapati, càgasampadà.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in generosity.

Katamà ca, gahapati, paÿÿàsampadà?
Now what, householder, is proficiency in wisdom?

Abhijjhàvisamalobhàbhibhåtena, gahapati, cetasà viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by excessive greed and avarice ⁴

akiccaü karoti, kiccaü aparàdheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.

Akiccaü karonto kiccaü aparàdhento yasà ca sukhà ca dhaüsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.

Vyàpàdàbhibhåtena, gahapati, cetasà viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by ill-will

akiccaü karoti, kiccaü aparàdheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.

Akiccaü karonto kiccaü aparàdhento yasà ca sukhà ca dhaüsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.

Thinamiddhàbhibhåtena, gahapati, cetasà viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by sloth and torpor

akiccaü karoti, kiccaü aparàdheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.

Akiccaü karonto kiccaü aparàdhento yasà ca sukhà ca dhaüsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.

Uddhaccakukkuccàbhibhåtena, gahapati, cetasà viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by agitation and worry

akiccaü karoti, kiccaü aparàdheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.

Akiccaü karonto kiccaü aparàdhento yasà ca sukhà ca dhaüsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.

Vicikicchàbhibhåtena, gahapati, cetasà viharanto
He who dwells, householder, with a mind overcome by doubt

akiccaü karoti, kiccaü aparàdheti.
does what should not be done, and fails to do what should be done.

Akiccaü karonto kiccaü aparàdhento yasà ca sukhà ca dhaüsati.
Doing what should not be done and failing to do what should be done his fame and happiness perish.

Sa kho so, gahapati, Ariyasàvako,
The Noble Disciple, householder,

`abhijjhàvisamalobho cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
having understood that `excessive greed and avarice is a defilement of the mind'

abhijjhàvisamalobhaü cittassa upakkilesaü pajahati.
gives up that excessive greed and avarice which is a defilement of the mind.

`Vyàpàdo cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
Having understood that `ill-will is a defilement of the mind'

vyàpàdaü cittassa upakkilesaü pajahati.
gives up that ill-will which is a defilement of the mind.

`Thinamiddhaü cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
Having understood that `sloth and torpor is a defilement of the mind'

thinamiddhaü cittassa upakkilesaü pajahati.
gives up that sloth and torpor which is a defilement of the mind.

`Uddhaccakukkuccaü cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
Having understood that `agitation and worry is a defilement of the mind'

uddhaccakukkuccaü cittassa upakkilesaü pajahati.
gives up that agitation and worry which is a defilement of the mind.

`Vicikicchà cittassa upakkileso' ti,
having understood that `doubt is a defilement of the mind'

iti viditvà vicikicchaü cittassa upakkilesaü pajahati.
gives up that doubt which is a defilement of the mind.

Yato ca kho, gahapati, Ariyasàvakassa
Since, householder, the Noble Disciple

`abhijjhàvisamalobho cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
having understood that `excessive greed and avarice is a defilement of the mind'

abhijjhàvisamalobho cittassa upakkileso pahãõo hoti.
has given up that excessive greed and avarice which is a defilement of the mind.

`Vyàpàdo cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
Having understood that `ill-will is a defilement of the mind'

vyàpàdo cittassa upakkileso pahãõo hoti.
has given up that ill-will which is a defilement of the mind.

`Thinamiddhaü cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
Having understood that `sloth and torpor is a defilement of the mind'

thinamiddhaü cittassa upakkileso pahãõo hoti.
has given up that sloth and torpor which is a defilement of the mind.

`Uddhaccakukkuccaü cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
Having understood that `agitation and worry is a defilement of the mind'

uddhaccakukkuccaü cittassa upakkileso pahãõo hoti.
has given up that agitation and worry which is a defilement of the mind.

`Vicikicchà cittassa upakkileso' ti, iti viditvà
having understood that `doubt is a defilement of the mind'

vicikicchà cittassa upakkileso pahãõo hoti.
has given up that doubt which is a defilement of the mind.

Ayaü vuccati, gahapati, Ariyasàvako mahàpaÿÿo,
This Noble Disciple is said, householder, to be one of great wisdom,

puthupaÿÿo àpàtadaso paÿÿàsampanno.
of extensive wisdom, one who sees the (full) range, one endowed with wisdom.

Ayaü vuccati, gahapati, paÿÿàsampadà.
This, householder, is said to be proficiency in wisdom.

Imesaü kho, gahapati, catunnaü dhammànaü
^o To the attainment of these four things, householder,

iññhànaü kantànaü manàpànaü dullabhànaü lokasmiü
(which are) wished for, agreeable, pleasing, and rare in the world,

ime cattàro dhammà pañilàbhàya saüvattanti.
these four (more) things lead.

Four Suitable Deeds

Sa kho so, gahapati, Ariyasàvako,
The Noble Disciple, householder,

uññhànaviriyàdhigatehi bhogehi,
with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,

bàhàbalaparicitehi sedàvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,

cattàri pattakammàni kattà hoti.
performs four suitable deeds.

Katamàni cattàri?
Which four?

Idha, gahapati, ariyasàvako, uññhànaviriyàdhigatehi bhogehi,
Here, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,

bàhàbalaparicitehi sedàvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,

attànaü sukheti pãõeti sammà sukhaü pariharati,
makes himself happy and satisfied, and he looks after (himself) in a correct and pleasant way,

màtàpitaro sukheti pãõeti sammà sukhaü pariharati,
he makes his mother and father happy and satisfied, and he looks after (them) in a correct and pleasant way,

puttadàradàsakammakaraporise sukheti pãõeti sammà sukhaü pariharati,
he makes his children, wife, workers and servants happy and satisfied, and he looks after (them) in a correct and pleasant way,

mittàmacce sukheti pãõeti sammà sukhaü pariharati.
makes his friends and comrades happy and satisfied, and he looks after (them) in a correct and pleasant way.

Idam-assa pañhamaü ñhànagataü hoti pattagataü àyatanaso paribhuttaü.
This is the first suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion. ⁵

Puna ca paraü, gahapati, ariyasàvako, uññhànaviriyàdhigatehi bhogehi,
Moreover, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,

bàhàbalaparicitehi sedàvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,

yà tà honti àpadà:
from whatever dangers there are:

aggito và udakato và ràjato và corato và appiyato dàyàdato và,
from fire or from water or from kings or from thieves or from unloved heirs,

tathàråpàsu àpadàsu bhogehi pariyodhàya vattati, sotthiü attànaü karoti.
defends his wealth from such dangers, and he keeps himself safe.

Idamassa dutiyaü ñhànagataü hoti pattagataü àyatanaso paribhuttaü.
This is the second suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion.

Puna ca paraü, gahapati, ariyasàvako, uññhànaviriyàdhigatehi bhogehi,
Moreover, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,

bàhàbalaparicitehi sedàvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,

paÿcabalã kattà hoti:
makes five offerings:

ÿàtibaliü, atithibaliü, pubbapetabaliü, ràjabaliü, devatàbaliü.
offerings to relatives, offerings to guests, offerings to the departed, offerings to kings, and offerings to the gods.

Idamassa tatiyaü ñhànagataü hoti pattagataü àyatanaso paribhuttaü.
This is the third suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion.

Puna ca paraü, gahapati, ariyasàvako, uññhànaviriyàdhigatehi bhogehi,
Moreover, householder, a Noble Disciple, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,

bàhàbalaparicitehi sedàvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,

ye te samaõabràhmaõà madappamàdà pañiviratà, khantisoracce niviññhà,
(towards) whatever ascetics and bràhmaõas have put aside pride and heedlessness, who are established in patience and gentleness,

ekam-attànaü damenti, ekam-attànaü samenti, ekam-attànaü parinibbàpenti,
who tame themselves, calm themselves, and emancipate themselves,

tathàråpesu samaõabràhmaõesu uddhaggikaü dakkhiõaü patiññhàpeti,
he establishes a beneficial donation for those ascetics and bràhmaõas,

sovaggikaü sukhavipàkaü saggasaüvattanikaü.
which is heavenly (itself) and has a happy result leading to heaven.

Idamassa catutthaü ñhànagataü hoti pattagataü àyatanaso paribhuttaü.
This is the fourth suitable way of using what he has attained through his exertion.

Sa kho so, gahapati, Ariyasàvako,
The Noble Disciple, householder,

uññhànaviriyàdhigatehi bhogehi,
with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort,

bàhàbalaparicitehi sedàvakkhittehi Dhammikehi Dhammaladdhehi,
accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma,

imàni cattàri pattakammàni kattà hoti.
performs these four suitable deeds.

Yassa kassaci, gahapati,
For anyone, householder,

aÿÿatra imehi catåhi pattakammehi bhogà parikkhayaü gacchanti,
whose wealth goes to destruction, except through these four suitable deeds,

ime vuccanti, gahapati, bhogà aññhànagatà appattagatà àyatanaso ⁶ paribhuttà.
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 catåhi pattakammehi bhogà parikkhayaü gacchanti,
whose wealth goes to destruction on these four suitable deeds,

ime vuccanti, gahapati, bhogà ñhànagatà pattagatà àyatanaso paribhuttàû ti.
these are said, householder, to be suitable ways of using that wealth he has attained through his exertion. ⁷