5: The Book of the Fives
V. With King Muṇḍa — AN 5.42: A Good Person
- © Translated from the Pali by Bhante Sujato. (More copyright information)
1“Mendicants, a good person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. For the benefit, welfare, and happiness of mother and father; children and partners; bondservants, workers, and staff; friends and colleagues; and ascetics and brahmins.
2It’s like a great rain cloud, which nourishes all the crops for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. In the same way, a good person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. …
3The gods protect one who is guarded by principle,
who uses their wealth for the welfare of the many.
One who is learned, with precepts and observances intact,
and steady in principle, doesn’t lose their reputation.
4Firm in principle, accomplished in ethical conduct,
truthful, conscientious,
like a coin of mountain gold:
who is worthy of criticizing them?
Even the gods praise them,
and by Brahmā, too, they’re praised.”
1"Sappuriso, bhikkhave, kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti.
2Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāmegho sabbasassāni sampādento bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, sappuriso kule jāyamāno bahuno janassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mātāpitūnaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; puttadārassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; dāsakammakaraporisassa atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; mittāmaccānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hoti; samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ atthāya hitāya sukhāya hotīti.
3Hito bahunnaṁ paṭipajja bhoge,
Taṁ devatā rakkhati dhammaguttaṁ;
Bahussutaṁ sīlavatūpapannaṁ,
Dhamme ṭhitaṁ na vijahati kitti.
4Dhammaṭṭhaṁ sīlasampannaṁ,
saccavādiṁ hirīmanaṁ;
Nekkhaṁ jambonadasseva,
ko taṁ ninditumarahati;
Devāpi naṁ pasaṁsanti,
brahmunāpi pasaṁsito"ti.
Dutiyaṁ.