AN 4 The Book of the Fours – Catukkanipāta > AN 4.55 Equality (1st)

Numbered Discourses 4.55 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.55

6. Overflowing Merit – 6. Puññābhisandavagga

AN 4.55 Equality (1st) – Paṭhamasamajīvīsutta

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Bhaggas on Crocodile Hill, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye.

1.3

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the householder Nakula’s father, where he sat on the seat spread out.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena nakulapituno gahapatissa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

1.4

Then the householder Nakula’s father and the housewife Nakula’s mother went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Nakula’s father said to the Buddha,

Atha kho nakulapitā ca gahapati nakulamātā ca gahapatānī yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho nakulapitā gahapati bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

2.1

“Sir, ever since we were both young, and Nakula’s mother was given to me in marriage, I can’t recall betraying her even in thought, still less in deed.

“Yato me, bhante, nakulamātā gahapatānī daharasseva daharā ānītā, nābhijānāmi nakulamātaraṁ gahapatāniṁ manasāpi aticaritā, kuto pana kāyena.

2.2

We want to see each other in both this life and the next.”

Iccheyyāma mayaṁ, bhante, diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passituṁ abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passitun”ti.

2.3

Then Nakula’s mother said to the Buddha,

Nakulamātāpi kho gahapatānī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

2.4

“Sir, ever since we were both young, and I was given in marriage to Nakula’s father, I can’t recall betraying him even in thought, still less in deed.

“yatohaṁ, bhante, nakulapituno gahapatissa daharasseva daharā ānītā, nābhijānāmi nakulapitaraṁ gahapatiṁ manasāpi aticaritā, kuto pana kāyena.

2.5

We want to see each other in both this life and the next.”

Iccheyyāma mayaṁ, bhante, diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passituṁ abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passitun”ti.

3.1

“Householders, if wife and husband want to see each other in both this life and the next, they should be equals in faith, ethical conduct, generosity, and wisdom.

“Ākaṅkheyyuñce, gahapatayo, ubho jānipatayo diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passituṁ abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passituṁ ubhova assu samasaddhā samasīlā samacāgā samapaññā, te diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passanti abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passantīti.

4.1

When both are faithful and bountiful,

Ubho saddhā vadaññū ca,

4.2

disciplined, living righteously,

saññatā dhammajīvino;

4.3

then wife and husband

Te honti jānipatayo,

4.4

say nice things to each other.

aññamaññaṁ piyaṁvadā.

5.1

They get all the things they need,

Atthāsaṁ pacurā honti,

5.2

so they live at ease.

phāsukaṁ upajāyati;

5.3

Their enemies are downhearted,

Amittā dummanā honti,

5.4

when both are equal in ethics.

ubhinnaṁ samasīlinaṁ.

6.1

Having practiced the teaching here,

Idha dhammaṁ caritvāna,

6.2

both equal in precepts and observances,

samasīlabbatā ubho;

6.3

they delight in the heavenly realm,

Nandino devalokasmiṁ,

6.4

enjoying all the pleasures they desire.”

modanti kāmakāmino”ti.

6.5

Pañcamaṁ.