Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
VIII: Apaṇṇaka Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fours
Chapter VIII: The Sure
Sutta 79
Vaṇijjā Suttaṃ
Trade
Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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Now the venerable Sāriputta came to visit the Exalted One.
As he sat at one side
the venerable Sāriputta said this to the Exalted One:
"Pray, lord, what is the reason,
what is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised[1] by some person
turns out a failure?
Again, lord, what is the reason,
what is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised by some person
does not turn out as he intended?
Pray, lord, what is the reason
what is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised by some person
does turn out as he intended?
Again, lord, what is the reason
what is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised by some person
person prospers beyond[2] his intention?"
"In this matter, Sāriputta,
(suppose) someone comes to a recluse or brahmin
and makes him an offer,[3] saying:
"Sir, say what you want
by way of support."
But he does not give him what he offered.
If this man deceases from that life
and returns to this sort of life,
whatever trade he may practise,
it turns out a failure.
Again in this matter, Sāriputta,
suppose someone comes to a recluse or brahmin
and makes him an offer, saying:
"Sir, say what you want
by way of support."
But he does not give him
what he intended to give.
Then, if this man deceases [92] from that life
and returns to this sort of life,
whatever trade he may practise,
it does not turn out as he intended.
Then again, Sāriputta,
suppose someone comes to a recluse or brahmin
and makes him an offer, saying:
"Sir, say what you want
by way of support."
And gives him what he intended to give.
Then, if this man deceases from that life
and returns to this sort of life,
whatever trade he may practise,
turns out as he intended.
Once more, Sāriputta,
suppose someone comes to a recluse or brahmin
and makes him a similar offer, saying:
"Sir, say what you want
by way of support."
And gives him more than he intended to give.
Then if this man deceases from that life
and returns to this sort of life,
whatever trade he may practise,
it prospers beyond his intention.
This, Sāriputta, is the reason,
this is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised by some person
turns out a failure.
This, Sāriputta, is the reason,
this is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised by some person
does not turn out as he intended.
This, Sāriputta, is the reason,
this is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised by some person
does turn out as he intended.
This, Sāriputta, is the reason,
this is the cause
why such and such a trade
practised by some person
prospers beyond his intention."
[1] Payutta, not 'wasted,' as this passage is translated in P.Dict. Cf. Sn. v. 404, payojaye dhammikaṃ so vaṇijjaṃ (in order to prosper the householder should practise a lawful trade).
[2] Parādhippāya. (Comy. par'ajjhāsayā, ajjhāsayato adhikataraphalā hoti.)
[3] Quoted SnA. ii. 171 on Sn. v. 101, yo brāhmaṇaṃ vā samaṇaṃ vā aññaṃ vāpi vanibbakaṃ musāvādena vañceti ...
