SN 45-56 The Group of Connected Discourses on the Path – Mahāvaggasaṁyutta > SN 55 Linked Discourses on Stream-Entry – Sotāpattisaṁyutta > SN 55.37 With Mahānāma

Linked Discourses 55.37 – Saṁyutta Nikāya 55.37

4. Overflowing Merit – 4. Puññābhisandavagga

SN 55.37 With Mahānāma – Mahānāmasutta

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery.

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme.

Then Mahānāma the Sakyan went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

Atha kho mahānāmo sakko yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho mahānāmo sakko bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sir, how is a lay follower defined?”

“Kittāvatā nu kho, bhante, upāsako hotī”ti?

“Mahānāma, when you’ve gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha,

“Yato kho, mahānāma, buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato hoti—

you’re considered to be a lay follower.”

ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako hotī”ti.

“But how is an ethical lay follower defined?”

“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako sīlasampanno hotī”ti?

“When a lay follower doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume alcoholic drinks that cause negligence,

“Yato kho, mahānāma, upāsako pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti—

they’re considered to be an ethical lay follower.”

ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako sīlasampanno hotī”ti.

“But how is a faithful lay follower defined?”

“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako saddhāsampanno hotī”ti?

“It’s when a lay follower has faith in the Realized One’s awakening:

“Idha, mahānāma, upāsako saddho hoti, saddahati tathāgatassa bodhiṁ—

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those who wish to train, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

Then they’re considered to be a faithful lay follower.”

Ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako saddhāsampanno hotī”ti.

“But how is a generous lay follower defined?”

“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako cāgasampanno hotī”ti?

“It’s when a lay follower lives at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

“Idha, mahānāma, upāsako vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vossaggarato yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato—

Then they’re considered to be a generous lay follower.”

ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako cāgasampanno hotī”ti.

“But how is a wise lay follower defined?”

“Kittāvatā pana, bhante, upāsako paññāsampanno hotī”ti?

“It’s when a lay follower is wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering.

“Idha, mahānāma, upāsako paññavā hoti udayatthagāminiyā paññāya samannāgato ariyāya nibbedhikāya sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā—

Then they’re considered to be a wise lay follower.”

ettāvatā kho, mahānāma, upāsako paññāsampanno hotī”ti.