Aṅguttara Nikāya
IX. Navaka Nipāta
II. Sīhanāda Vagga

The Book of Nines

Sutta 17

Opagamana Suttaṃ

Going Over^[1]

Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds

 

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[1][pts][upal] I hear tell:

Once upon a time
in Sāvātthi-town.

"Nine, beggars,
are the behaviors^[2]
that if posssed by a family
it is not enough^[3]
to go over there, or
if one has gone over,
it is not enough
to sit down among them.

What nine?

They are not pleased^[4]
to rise from their seats,
they are not pleased to greet you,
they are not pleased to offer you a seat,
fearful they hide everything,
from much they give just a little,
from the best they give
just the worst,
disrespectfully they give,
not respectfully,
they do not sit down to hear Dhamma,
they are not happy to be spoken to.

These, beggars,
are the behaviors
that if posssed by a family
it is not enough
to go over there, or
if one has gone over,
it is not enough
to sit down among them."

 

§

 

"Nine, beggars,
are the behaviors
that if posssed by a family
it is enough
to go over there or
if one has gone over,
it is enough
to sit down among them.

What nine?

They are pleased
to rise from their seats,
they are pleased to greet you,
they are pleased to offer you a seat,
trusting they hide nothing,
from much they give much,
from the best they give
the best,
respectfully they give,
not disrespectfully,
they sit down to hear Dhamma,
they are happy to be spoken to.

These, beggars,
are the behaviors
that if posssed by a family
it is enough
to go over there or
if one has gone over,
it is enough
to sit down among them."

 

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^[1] Opagamana usually spelled Upagamana We say "Come on over" or "I'm coming over" or "I'm going over to ..."

^[2] aṅgehi Angle, limb. It initially refered to the thumb or elbow when bent at an angle.

^[3] nālaṃ PED: "[= na alaṃ] not enough, insufficient." It is very difficult to see this, but give it a try: it means "there is not enugh of a good reason to visit this family". There is little hope that those whose behavior is as described will listen to Dhamma or act on its good advice.

^[4] manāpena They are not happy to see you. It is a chore for them to get up to greet you, show you respect.

 

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