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- Anguttara Nikaya V.41
- Adiya Sutta
- Benefits to be Obtained (from Wealth)
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
Then Anathapindika the householder went to the Blessed One and, on
arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there the Blessed
One said to him: "There are these five benefits that can be obtained from wealth.
Which five?
"There is the case where the noble disciple -- using the wealth earned through his
efforts & enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through
the sweat of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained -- provides himself with
pleasure & satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. He provides his mother
& father with pleasure & satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. He
provides his children, his wife, his slaves, servants, & assistants with pleasure
& satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. This is the first benefit that
can be obtained from wealth.
"Furthermore, the noble disciple -- using the wealth earned through his efforts
& enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat
of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained -- provides his friends & associates
with pleasure & satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. This is the second
benefit that can be obtained from wealth.
"Furthermore, the noble disciple -- using the wealth earned through his efforts
& enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat
of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained -- wards off from calamities coming from
fire, flood, kings, thieves, or hateful heirs, and keeps himself safe. This is the third
benefit that can be obtained from wealth.
"Furthermore, the noble disciple -- using the wealth earned through his efforts
& enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat
of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained -- performs the five oblations: to
relatives, guests, the dead, kings, & devas. This is the fourth benefit that can be
obtained from wealth.
"Furthermore, the noble disciple -- using the wealth earned through his efforts
& enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat
of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained -- institutes offerings of supreme aim,
heavenly, resulting in happiness, leading to heaven, given to priests & contemplatives
who abstain from intoxication & heedlessness, who endure all things with patience
& humility, each taming himself, each restraining himself, each taking himself to
Unbinding. This is the fifth benefit that can be obtained from wealth.
"If it so happens that, when a noble disciple obtains these five benefits from
wealth, his wealth goes to depletion, the thought occurs to him, 'Even though my wealth
has gone to depletion, I have obtained the five benefits that can be obtained from
wealth,' and he feels no remorse. If it so happens that, when a noble disciple obtains
these five benefits from wealth, his wealth increases, the thought occurs to him, 'I have
obtained the five benefits that can be obtained from wealth, and my wealth has increased,'
and he feels no remorse. So he feels no remorse in either case."
'My wealth has been enjoyed,
my dependents supported,
I am protected from calamities.
I have given supreme offerings
& performed the five oblations.
I have provided for the virtuous,
the restrained,
followers of the holy life.
For whatever aim a wise householder
would desire wealth,
that aim I have attained.
I have done what will not lead to future distress.'
When this is recollected by a mortal,
a person established in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones,
he is praised in this life
and, after death, rejoices in heaven.