Taking Pity

Translated by E. M. Hare

[1] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, if a monk in residence
follow the course of five things,
he takes pity on householders.

What five?

He incites them to greater virtue;^[1]

■

he makes them live in the mirror of Dhamma;^[2]

■

when visiting the sick,
he stirs up mindfulness,
saying:

"Let the venerable ones set up mind- [194] fullness,
that thing most worth while!";^[3]

■

and when many monks of the Order have come,
monks from various parts of the country,
he speaks to the householders who approach,
saying:

"See, good sirs,
many monks from various parts of the country have arrived;
do good;
now's the time to make merit!"

■

and when they give him food,
whether mean or choice
he enjoys it by himself,
nor frustrates (the effect of that) gift of faith.^[4]

Verily, monks, if a monk in residence
follow the course of five things,
he takes pity on householders.

^[1] Adhisīla. Comy. pañca-sīla.

^[3] Araha-ggata. Comy. sabba-sakkārānaɱ arahe ratana-ttay'eva gataɱ.

^[4] Cf. above, § 116, also Vin. i, 298.