SN 3.17 Diligence – Appamādasutta

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SN 3.17 Diligence – Appamādasutta

Linked Discourses 3.17 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 3.17

2. Childless – 2. Dutiyavagga

SN 3.17 Diligence – Appamādasutta

 

At Sāvatthī.

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha,

Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, is there one thing that secures benefits for both

“atthi nu kho, bhante, eko dhammo yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati—

the present life and lives to come?”

diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti?

“There is, great king.”

“Atthi kho, mahārāja, eko dhammo yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati—

diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti.

“So what is that one thing?”

“Katamo pana, bhante, eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati—

diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti?

“Diligence, great king, is one thing that secures benefits for both

“Appamādo kho, mahārāja, eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati—

the present life and lives to come.

diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcāti.

The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint. So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.

Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, yāni kānici jaṅgalānaṁ pāṇānaṁ padajātāni, sabbāni tāni hatthipade samodhānaṁ gacchanti, hatthipadaṁ tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati—yadidaṁ mahantattena;

In the same way, diligence is one thing that secures benefits for both

evameva kho, mahārāja, appamādo eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati—

the present life and lives to come.”

diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. …

Idamavoca …pe…

“For one who desires a continuous flow

“Āyuṁ arogiyaṁ vaṇṇaṁ,

of exceptional delights—

saggaṁ uccākulīnataṁ;

long life, beauty, and health,

Ratiyo patthayantena,

heaven, and birth in an eminent family—

uḷārā aparāparā.

the astute praise diligence

Appamādaṁ pasaṁsanti,

in making merit.

puññakiriyāsu paṇḍitā;

Being diligent, an astute person

Appamatto ubho atthe,

secures both benefits:

adhiggaṇhāti paṇḍito.

the benefit in this life,

Diṭṭhe dhamme ca yo attho,

and in lives to come.

yo cattho samparāyiko;

A wise one, comprehending the meaning,

Atthābhisamayā dhīro,

is said to be astute.”

paṇḍitoti pavuccatī”ti.