Aṇguttara-Nikāya
III. Tika Nipāta
III. Puggala Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
or
More-Numbered Suttas
III. The Book of the Threes
III. On Persons
Sutta 24
Bahukāra Suttaṃ
Most Helpful
Translated from the Pali by
F.L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved
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[1][bodh][upal][than] Thus have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthi at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, Lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said this:
"Monks, these three persons are very helpful to another person.
What three?
The one through whom a person goes for refuge to the Buddha,
to Dhamma
and the Order.
Such a person is very helpful to one.
Then there is the one through whom one understands,
as [106] it really is,
the meaning of:
This is Ill.
This is the arising of Ill.
This is the ceasing of Ill.
This is the practice that leads to the ending of Ill.
Also there is the one through whom a person,
by destroying the āsavas,
himself in this very life
comes to know thoroughly
the heart's release,
the release by insight
which is freed from the āsavas,
and having attained it
abides therein.
Such a person is very helpful to one.
These are the three persons that are very helpful to another person.
Than these three I declare there is no other more helpful to this person.
To these three persons
I declare one cannot make requital by salutations,
by rising up in his presence,
by saluting him with clasped hands,
by dutiful behaviour
or by offerings of the requisites of food,
clothing,
bed
and lodging,
medicines
and extra delicacies."
