Aṇguttara-Nikāya
II. Duka Nipāta
IV. Sama-Cittā Vagga
Suttas 31-32
Kataññu Suttas
Gratitude
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
Provenance, terms and conditons
Sutta 31
Gratitude
[31.1][pts] "Monks, I will teach you the level of a person of no integrity and the level of a person of integrity. Listen and pay close attention. I will speak."
"As you say, lord," the monks responded.
The Blessed One said:
"Now what is the level of a person of no integrity?
A person of no integrity is ungrateful and unthankful.
This ingratitude, this lack of thankfulness, is advocated by rude people.
It is entirely on the level of people of no integrity.
"A person of integrity is grateful and thankful.
This gratitude, this thankfulness is advocated by civil people.
It is entirely on the level of a person of integrity.
§
Sutta 32
Mother and Father[ed1]
[32.1][pts][olds] "I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay.
Which two?
Your mother and father.
Even if you were to carry your mother on one shoulder and your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, and were to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, and rubbing their limbs, and they were to defecate and urinate right there [on your shoulders], you would not in that way pay or repay your parents.
If you were to establish your mother and father in absolute sovereignty over this great earth, abounding in the seven treasures, you would not in that way pay or repay your parents.
Why is that?
Mother and father do much for their children.
They care for them, they nourish them, they introduce them to this world.
But anyone who rouses his unbelieving mother and father,
settles and establishes them in conviction;
rouses his unvirtuous mother and father,
settles and establishes them in virtue;
rouses his stingy mother and father,
settles and establishes them in generosity;
rouses his foolish mother and father,
settles and establishes them in discernment:
To this extent one pays and repays one's mother and father."
[ed1] This sutta is joined to the previous in the dhammatalks.org version.
Of Related Interest:
MN 110;
SN 7.14;
AN 2:118;
AN 4:32;
