Aṅguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
III: Gahapati-Vagga
The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
VIII. The Book of the Eights
III. Householders
Sutta 24
Hatthaka-Āḷavaka Sangaha-Vatthu Suttaɱ
Hatthaka (2)
Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
© 2012 Bhikkhu Bodhi
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[1][pts][than][olds] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Āḷavī at the AggĀḷava Shrine.
Then Hatthaka of Āḷavī, accompanied by five hundred lay followers, [219] approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side.
The Blessed One then said to him:
"Your retinue is large, Hatthaka.
How do you sustain this large retinue."
"I do so, bhante, by the four means of attracting and sustaining others taught by the Blessed One.
When I know:
'This one is to be attracted and sustained by a gift,'
I attract and sustain him by a gift.
When I know:
'This one is to be attracted and sustained by endearing speech,'
I attract and sustain him by endearing speech.
When I know:
'This one is to be attracted and sustained by beneficent conduct,'
I attract and sustain him by beneficent conduct.
When I know:
'This one is to be attracted and sustained by impartiality,'
I attract and sustain him by impartiality.
There is wealth in my family, bhante.
They don't think they should listen to me as if I were poor."
"Good, good, Hatthaka!
This is the method by which you can attract and sustain a large retinue.
For all those in the past who attracted and sustained a large retinue did so by these same four means of attracting and sustaining others.
All those in the future who will attract and sustain a large retinue will do so by these same four means of attracting and sustaining others.
And all those at present who attract and sustain a large retinue do so by these same four means of attracting and sustaining others."
Then, after the Blessed One had instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened Hatthaka of Āḷavī with a Dhamma talk, Hatthaka rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping the right side toward him, [220] and departed.
Then, not long after Hatthaka of Āḷavī had left, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, you should remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one who possesses eight astounding and amazing qualities.
What eight?
(1) He is endowed with faith.
(2) He is virtuous, and (3) has a sense of moral shame and (4) moral dread.
(5) He is learned, (6) generous, and (7) wise.
(8) He has few desires.
You should remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one who possesses these eight astounding and amazing qualities."
