Aṇguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
III: Gahapati-Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Eights
III: On Householders
Sutta 23
Hatthaka Āḷavaka Suttaṃ
Hatthaka of Āḷavī[1] (a)
Translated from the Pali by E.M. Hare.
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[1][than][bodh] Thus have I heard:
Once the Exalted One was staying in Ālavī, at Aggāḷava
near the shrine there.
Then he addressed the monks, saying:
"Hold it true, monks,
that Hatthaka of Ālavi is endowed with seven marvellous and wonderful qualities!
With what seven?
Monks, Hatthaka of Āḷavī has faith,
is virtuous,
is conscientious,
fears blame,
is a great listener,
is charitable and wise.[2]
Hold it true, monks, that Hatthaka is so endowed."
Thus spake the Exalted One,
and arising from his seat
the Well-farer entered the dwelling.
■
Now a certain monk,
robing himself early in the morning,
taking bowl and cloak,
went to the house of Hatthaka of Āḷavī,
and there sat down on a seat made ready for him,
And Hatthaka of Āḷavī approached that monk,
saluted him and sat down at one side.
Then said that monk to Hatthaka:
"It has been declared by the Exalted One
that you, O householder,
are possessed of seven marvelous and wonderful qualities.
What seven?'
'Hatthaka of Āḷavī has faith,
is virtuous,
is conscientious,
fears blame,
is a great listener,
is charitable and wise.'
These, friend, are the seven marvelous and wonderful qualities declared by the Exalted One
that you are possessed."
"I trust, sir, there were no white-robed laymen present."
"No, indeed, friend,[3] there were none such there."
"It is well, sir that there were no white-robed laymen present."
§
Then that monk,
after taking alms at Hatthaka's house,
rose from his seat and departed.
And when he had eaten his meal,
after his alms-round,
he went to the Exalted One
and saluting him,
sat down at one side.
So seated, he said this to the Exalted One:
"Here then, sir,
robing myself early in the morning,
taking bowl and cloak,
I went to the house of Hatthaka of Āḷavī,
and there sat down on a seat made ready,
and Hatthaka of Āḷavī,
saluted and sat down at one side.
Then I said to Hatthaka:
'It has been declared by the Exalted One
that you, O householder,
are possessed of seven marvelous and wonderful qualities.
What seven?'
"Hatthaka of Āḷavī has faith,
is virtuous,
is conscientious,
fears blame,
is a great listener,
is charitable and wise."
These, friend, are the seven marvelous and wonderful qualities declared by the Exalted One
that you are possessed.'
And Hatthaka said:
'I trust, sir, there were no white-robed laymen present.'
'No, indeed, friend, there were none such there.'
'It is well, sir that there were no white-robed laymen present.'"
■
And the Exalted One said:
"Well done, well done, monk!
The clansman is modest.[4]
He does not wish his good qualities known to others.
Hold, monk, that Hatthaka of Āḷavī is endowed with this eighth marvellous and wonderful quality,
namely, modesty."
[1] At A. i, 26 he is described as 'the chief of those who enlist men by the four hases of popularity'; for his life see A.A. i, 388. Here the Comy. observes that he was the son of the rajah and obtained the name of Hatthaka on account of being received into the Exalted One's hands from the hands of the yakkha of Āḷavī. At K.S. ii, 159 he is mentioned as a 'standard.' Concerning the yakkha of Ālavī see Sn., p. 31, and Comy., ad loc., also K.S. i, 275. G.S. iii, 314.
[2] Above, p. 3, the seven treasures.
[3] Āvuso; this is generally only used between monks, therefore a term of honour by a monk to a layman; see Dial. ii, 171 (D. ii, 154).
[4] Appiccha, see below, p. 155, n. 2. Comy. Adhigamappicchatāya appiccho.
