Wealth

Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi.

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[53] [672]

[1][pts] "Bhikkhus, there are these five kinds of wealth.

What five?

The wealth of faith,
the wealth of virtuous behavior,
the wealth of learning,
the wealth of generosity,
and the wealth of wisdom.

(1) "And what, bhikkhus, is the wealth of faith?

Here, a noble disciple is endowed with faith.

He places faith in the enlightenment of the Tathāgata thus:

'The Blessed One is an arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.'

This is called the wealth of faith.

(2) "And what is the wealth of virtuous behavior?

Here, a noble disciple abstains from the destruction of life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech, abstains from liquor, wine, and intoxicants, the basis for heedlessness.

This is called the wealth of virtuous behavior.

(3) "And what is the wealth of learning?

Here, a noble disciple has learned much, remembers what he has learned, and accumulates what he has learned.

Those teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing, which proclaim the perfectly complete and pure spiritual life — such teachings as these he has learned much of, retained in mind, recited verbally, mentally investigated, and penetrated well by view.

(4) "And what is the wealth of generosity?

Here, a noble disciple dwells at home with a heart devoid of the stain of miserliness, freely generous, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, devoted to charity, delighting in giving and sharing.

This is called the wealth of generosity.

(5) "And what is the wealth of wisdom?

Here, a noble disciple is wise; he possesses the wisdom that discerns arising and passing away, which is noble and penetrative and leads to the complete destruction of suffering.

This is called the wealth of wisdom.

"These, bhikkhus, are the five kinds of wealth."

[54] When one has faith in the Tathāgata,
unshakable and well established,
and virtuous behavior that is good,
loved and praised by the noble ones;
when one has confidence in the Saṅgha
and one's view has been straightened out,
they say that one is not poor,
that one's life is not lived in vain.

Therefore an intelligent person,
remembering the Buddhas' teaching,
should be intent on faith and virtuous behavior,
confidence and vision of the Dhamma.

Aṅguttara Nikāya Pañcaka Nipāta V: Muṇḍa-Rāja Vagga

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha V. The Book of the Fives V. Muṇḍa the King

Sutta 47

Pañca Dhana Suttaɱ

Wealth

Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
V: Muṇḍa-Rāja Vagga

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha
V. The Book of the Fives
V. Muṇḍa the King