AN 5 The Book of the Fives – Pañcakanipāta > AN 5.38 Faith

Numbered Discourses 5.38 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.38

4. With Sumanā – 4. Sumanavagga

AN 5.38 Faith – Saddhasutta

1.1

“Bhikkhū, a faithful gentleman gets five benefits.

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, saddhe kulaputte ānisaṁsā.

1.2

What five?

Katame pañca?

1.3

The good persons in the world show compassion first to the faithful, not so much to the unfaithful.

Ye te, bhikkhave, loke santo sappurisā te saddhaññeva paṭhamaṁ anukampantā anukampanti, no tathā assaddhaṁ;

1.4

They first approach the faithful, not so much the unfaithful.

saddhaññeva paṭhamaṁ upasaṅkamantā upasaṅkamanti, no tathā assaddhaṁ;

1.5

They first receive alms from the faithful, not so much the unfaithful.

saddhaññeva paṭhamaṁ paṭiggaṇhantā paṭiggaṇhanti, no tathā assaddhaṁ;

1.6

They first teach Dhamma to the faithful, not so much the unfaithful.

saddhaññeva paṭhamaṁ dhammaṁ desentā desenti, no tathā assaddhaṁ;

1.7

When their body breaks up, after death, the faithful are reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm.

saddho kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati.

1.8

A faithful gentleman gets these five benefits.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca saddhe kulaputte ānisaṁsā.

2.1

Suppose there was a great banyan tree at a level crossroads. It would become a refuge for birds from all around.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, subhūmiyaṁ catumahāpathe mahānigrodho samantā pakkhīnaṁ paṭisaraṇaṁ hoti;

2.2

In the same way, a faithful gentleman becomes a refuge for many people—monks, nuns, laywomen, and laymen.

evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, saddho kulaputto bahuno janassa paṭisaraṇaṁ hoti bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ upāsakānaṁ upāsikānanti.

3.1

With its branches, leaves, and fruit,

Sākhāpattaphalūpeto,

3.2

a great tree with its strong trunk,

khandhimāva mahādumo;

3.3

firmly-rooted and fruit-bearing,

Mūlavā phalasampanno,

3.4

supports many birds.

patiṭṭhā hoti pakkhinaṁ.

4.1

It’s a lovely place,

Manorame āyatane,

4.2

frequented by the sky-soarers.

sevanti naṁ vihaṅgamā;

4.3

Those that need shade go in the shade,

Chāyaṁ chāyatthikā yanti,

4.4

those that need fruit enjoy the fruit.

phalatthā phalabhojino.

5.1

So too, a faithful individual

Tatheva sīlasampannaṁ,

5.2

is perfect in ethics,

saddhaṁ purisapuggalaṁ;

5.3

humble and amenable,

Nivātavuttiṁ atthaddhaṁ,

5.4

sweet, friendly, and tender.

sorataṁ sakhilaṁ muduṁ.

6.1

Those free of greed, freed of hate,

Vītarāgā vītadosā,

6.2

free of delusion, undefiled,

vītamohā anāsavā;

6.3

fields of merit for the world,

Puññakkhettāni lokasmiṁ,

6.4

associate with such a person.

sevanti tādisaṁ naraṁ.

7.1

They teach them the Dhamma,

Te tassa dhammaṁ desenti,

7.2

that dispels all suffering.

Sabbadukkhāpanūdanaṁ;

7.3

Having understood this teaching,

Yaṁ so dhammaṁ idhaññāya,

7.4

the undefiled become fully extinguished.”

Parinibbāti anāsavo”ti.

7.5

Aṭṭhamaṁ.