Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
16. Kassapa Saṃyutta
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
II. The Book Called the Nidāna-Vagga
Containing Kindred sayings on Cause
and Other Subjects
16. Kindred Sayings on Kassapa
Sutta 4
Kul'Ūpaga Suttaṃ
Visiting the Families
Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by F. L. Woodward
Originally Published by
The Pali Text Society
Public Domain
The Exalted One was once staying near Sāvatthī
at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
And there the Exalted One addressed the brethren, saying:
"Brethren!"
"Master!" responded those brethren.
The Exalted One said:
"What think ye as to this, brethren?
What manner of brother is worthy,
and what manner of brother is unworthy
to go among the families?"
"For us, lord, things have the Exalted One as their root,
their guide,
their resort.
Well indeed were it
if the meaning of this that he has spoken
were to manifest itself in the Exalted One.
Hearing it from him
the brethren will bear it in mind."
"Well then, brethren, listen,
give your mind thoroughly,
I will speak."
"Even so, lord,"
they responded.
The Exalted One said this:
"Verily, brethren, if a brother go among the families with such a mind:
'Let them only give!
Let them not refuse to give!
Let them only give to me abundantly,
not scantily!
Let them give me excellent things only,
not poor things!
Let them only give quickly,
not tardily!
Let them only give to me respectfully,
not disrespectfully!'
He, going among the families
with such thoughts,
if they give not,
is vexed,
and he feels pain and sorrow because of that.
He, going among the families
with such thoughts,
if they give scantily,
is vexed,
and he feels pain and sorrow because of that.
He, going among the families
with such thoughts,
if they give poor things,
is vexed,
and he feels pain and sorrow because of that.
He, going among the families
with such thoughts,
if they give tardily,
is vexed,
and he feels pain and sorrow because of that.
He, going among the families
with such thoughts,
if they give disrespectfully,
is vexed,
and he feels pain and sorrow because of that.
This manner of brother
is unworthy to go among the families.
■
But that brother who goes among the families
with such a mind:
'How could I possibly think
on this occasion
with regard to others,
"Let them only give!
Let them not refuse to give!
Let them only give to me abundantly,
not scantily.
Let them only give to me excellent things,
not poor things.
Let them only give to me quickly,
not tardily.
Let them only give to me respectfully,
not disrespectfully!"'
He, when they give not,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
So, too, if they give scantily,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
He, when they give poor things,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
He, when they give tardily,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
He, when they give disrespectfully,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
Such a manner of brother
is worthy to go among the families.
§
Kassapa, brethren, is of such a mind
as he goes among the families:
'How could I possibly think
on this occasion
with regard to others:
"Let them only give!
Let them not refuse to give!
Let them only give to me abundantly,
not scantily.
Let them only give to me excellent things,
not poor things.
Let them only give to me quickly,
not tardily.
Let them only give to me respectfully,
not disrespectfully!"'
He, when they give not,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
So, too, if they give scantily,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
He, when they give poor things,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
He, when they give tardily,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
He, when they give disrespectfully,
is not vexed,
nor does he feel pain and sorrow because of that.
Such a manner of brother
is worthy to go among the families.
Verily, brethren, by [136] Kassapa will I exhort you,
or by one like Kassapa.
By them exhorted
ye are to practise
that ye may so attain."
