Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
V: Muṇḍa-Rāja Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
V. Rajah Muṇḍa
Sutta 41
Pañca Bhoga Ādiya Suttaɱ
On Getting Rich
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1][than][olds][bodh] Thus have I heard:
Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
in Jeta Grove, at Anāthapiṇdika's Park;
and there Anathapiṇḍika, the householder, came and visited him and,
after saluting,
sat down at one side.
So seated,
the Exalted One said to him:
'Householder, there are these five reasons for getting[1] rich.
What five?
Take[2] the case of an Ariyan disciple
with riches gotten by work and zeal,
gathered by the strength of the arm,
earned by the sweat of the brow,
justly obtained in a lawful way[3] —
he makes himself happy,
glad,
and keeps that great happiness,
he makes his parents happy,
glad,
and keeps them so;
he makes his wife and children,
glad,
and keeps them so;
he makes his slaves,
glad,
and keeps them so;
he makes work-folk and men,
glad,
and keeps them so.
This is the first reason for getting rich.
■
Again, with riches gotten by work and zeal,
gathered by the strength of the arm,
earned by the sweat of the brow,
justly obtained in a lawful way,
he makes his friends and companions happy,
glad,
and keeps them so.
This is the second reason for getting rich.
■
Again, with riches gotten by work and zeal,
gathered by the strength of the arm,
earned by the sweat of the brow,
justly obtained in a lawful way,
ill-luck from fire and water,
rajahs and robbers,
enemies and heirs[4] is warded off,
and he keeps his goods in safety.
This is the third reason for getting rich.
■
Then, with riches gotten by work and zeal,
gathered by the strength of the arm,
earned by the sweat of the brow,
justly obtained in a lawful way,
he makes the fiive oblations,[5]
that is to say:
oblations to kin,
guests,
petas,
rajahs
and devas.
This is the fourth reason for getting rich.
■
[38] Moreover, householder, with riches gotten by work and zeal,
gathered by the strength of the arm,
earned by the sweat of the brow,
justly obtained in a lawful way,
the Ariyan diseiple institutes offerings,[6]
of lofty aim,
celestial,
ripening to happiness,
leading heavenward,
for all those recluses and godly men
who abstain from pride and indolence,
who bear all things in patience and humility,
each mastering self,
each calming self,
eaeh perfecting self.
This is the fifth reason for getting rich.
Householder, there are these five reasons for getting rich.
§
Now, if the wealth of that Ariyan disciple,
heeding these five reasons,
come to destruction,
let him consider thus:
"At least, I've heeded
those reasons for getting rich,
but my wealth has gone!" —
thus he is not upset.
■
And if his wealth increase,
let him think:
"Truly, I've heeded
those reasons for getting rich,
and my wealth has grown! —
thus he is not upset in either case.
"Bred,[7] borne and battened is my household all
Upon my wealth; I've warded off ill-luck;
Made five oblations; furnished those good men.
Who lead the godly life composed, with gifts
And offerings of lofty aim; that meed,
The wealth wise householders should seek, by me
Is won — whate'er befall there's no regret!"
Whoso considers thus, that man firm set
In Ariyan Dhamma here on earth they praise.
And afterwards in heaven he finds delight.
[1] Ādiya. P.E.D. (Ādiya1), no doubt because of the confusion of bhojanāni with bhogānaɱ of the text, wrongly derives this word. It is presumably the gerundive of ādiyati (P.E.D. Ādiya4). Comy. ādātabbakāraṇāni.
[2] Cf. the whole sutta with A. ii, 67; S. i, 90; below V, § 227; the Comy. refers to his remarks on A. ii.
[3] This passage recurs also at A. iv, 282.
[4] This is a stock set: M. i, 86; A. iv, 7.
[5] Bali.
[6] Dakkhiṇā; Cf. D. iii, 61; A. iv, 45 for this passage.
[7] Bhuttā bhogā bhatā bhaccā ... This gāthā recurs at A. ii, 67.
