Aṇguttara Nikāya
4. Catukka Nipāta
VI. Puññābhisanda Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
VI: Flood of Merit
Sutta 58
Sudatta Anāthapiṇḍika Suttaṃ
Sudatta[1]
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Now the housefather Anāthapiṇḍika came to visit the Exalted One, and on coming to him saluted him and sat down at one side.
As he thus sat the Exalted One said this to the housefather Anāthapiṇḍika:
'Housefather, the Ariyan disciple who gives food gives four things to the receiver thereof.
What four?
He gives life, beauty, happiness and strength.
Moreover, giving life
he is a partaker of life,
be it as deva or human:
giving beauty
he is a partaker of beauty,
be it as deva or human:
giving happiness,
he is a partaker of happiness,
be it as deva or human:
giving strength
he is a partaker of strength,
be it as deva or human.
Yes, housefather,
the Ariyan disciple
who gives food
gives these four things
to the receiver thereof.
To those well trained, who live on others' alms,
Whoso gives zealously in season due
Their daily food, on them confers four things:
Long life and beauty, happiness and strength.
Who giveth life, strength, beauty, happiness,
Hath long and honoured life, wherever born.'
[1] The personal name of Anāthapiṇḍika (not in the text but acc. to the uddana), 'feeder of the helpless.' Cf. Vin. ii, 64; S. i, 211.
