---
title: "Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 6 of 32
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/6/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta, section 6. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/6/"
---

# Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

Teachings grouped in fours: four kinds of persons, four right efforts, four ways of practice.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 6. Overflowing Merit · AN 4.51–4.60

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/6/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/6/#p-N

[¶0] AN 4.51 · Overflowing Merit

> Pali: AN 4.51 · Paṭhamapuññābhisandasutta

[¶1] At Sāvatthī.

> Pali: Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

[¶2] “Mendicants, there are these four kinds of overflowing merit, overflowing goodness. They nurture happiness and are conducive to heaven, ripening in happiness and leading to heaven. They lead to what is likable, desirable, agreeable, to welfare and happiness. What four?

> Pali: “Cattārome, bhikkhave, puññābhisandā kusalābhisandā sukhassāhārā sovaggikā sukhavipākā saggasaṁvattanikā iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro?

[¶3] When a mendicant enters and remains in a limitless immersion of the heart while using a robe, the overflowing of merit for the donor is limitless …

> Pali: Yassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cīvaraṁ paribhuñjamāno appamāṇaṁ cetosamādhiṁ upasampajja viharati, appamāṇo tassa puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶4] When a mendicant enters and remains in a limitless immersion of the heart while eating almsfood, the overflowing of merit for the donor is limitless …

> Pali: Yassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhu piṇḍapātaṁ paribhuñjamāno appamāṇaṁ cetosamādhiṁ upasampajja viharati, appamāṇo tassa puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶5] When a mendicant enters and remains in a limitless immersion of the heart while using lodgings, the overflowing of merit for the donor is limitless …

> Pali: Yassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhu senāsanaṁ paribhuñjamāno appamāṇaṁ cetosamādhiṁ upasampajja viharati, appamāṇo tassa puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶6] When a mendicant enters and remains in a limitless immersion of the heart while using medicines and supplies for the sick, the overflowing of merit for the donor is limitless …

> Pali: Yassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ paribhuñjamāno appamāṇaṁ cetosamādhiṁ upasampajja viharati, appamāṇo tassa puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶7] These are the four kinds of overflowing merit, overflowing goodness. They nurture happiness and are conducive to heaven, ripening in happiness and leading to heaven. They lead to what is likable, desirable, agreeable, to welfare and happiness.

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro puññābhisandā kusalābhisandā sukhassāhārā sovaggikā sukhavipākā saggasaṁvattanikā iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattanti.

[¶8] When a noble disciple has these four kinds of overflowing merit and goodness, it’s not easy to grasp how much merit they have by saying that this is the extent of their overflowing merit … that leads to happiness. It’s simply reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit.

> Pali: Imehi ca pana, bhikkhave, catūhi puññābhisandehi kusalābhisandehi samannāgatassa ariyasāvakassa na sukaraṁ puññassa pamāṇaṁ gahetuṁ: ‘ettako puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattatī’ti. Atha kho asaṅkhyeyyo appameyyo mahāpuññakkhandhotveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati.

[¶9] It’s like trying to grasp how much water is in the ocean. It’s not easy to say how many gallons, how many hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands of gallons there are. It’s simply reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of water.

> Pali: Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, mahāsamudde na sukaraṁ udakassa pamāṇaṁ gahetuṁ: ‘ettakāni udakāḷhakānīti vā, ettakāni udakāḷhakasatānīti vā, ettakāni udakāḷhakasahassānīti vā, ettakāni udakāḷhakasatasahassānīti vā’, atha kho asaṅkhyeyyo appameyyo mahāudakakkhandhotveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchati;

[¶10] In the same way, when a noble disciple has these four kinds of overflowing merit it’s simply reckoned as an incalculable, immeasurable, great mass of merit.

> Pali: evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, imehi catūhi puññābhisandehi kusalābhisandehi samannāgatassa ariyasāvakassa na sukaraṁ puññassa pamāṇaṁ gahetuṁ: ‘ettako puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattatī’ti. Atha kho asaṅkhyeyyo appameyyo mahāpuññakkhandhotveva saṅkhyaṁ gacchatīti.

[¶11] Hosts of people use the rivers,
and though the rivers are many,
all reach the great deep, the boundless ocean,
the cruel sea that’s home to precious gems.

> Pali: Mahodadhiṁ aparimitaṁ mahāsaraṁ,
Bahubheravaṁ ratanavarānamālayaṁ;
Najjo yathā naragaṇasaṅghasevitā,
Puthū savantī upayanti sāgaraṁ.

[¶12] In the same way, when a person gives <j>food, drink, and clothes;
and they’re a giver of beds, seats, and mats—
the streams of merit reach that astute person,
as the rivers bring their waters to the sea.”

> Pali: Evaṁ naraṁ annadapānavatthadaṁ,
Seyyānisajjattharaṇassa dāyakaṁ;
Puññassa dhārā upayanti paṇḍitaṁ,
Najjo yathā vārivahāva sāgaran”ti.

[¶13] > Pali: Paṭhamaṁ.

[¶14] AN 4.52 · Overflowing Merit (2nd)

> Pali: AN 4.52 · Dutiyapuññābhisandasutta

[¶15] “Mendicants, there are these four kinds of overflowing merit, overflowing goodness. They nurture happiness and are conducive to heaven, ripening in happiness and leading to heaven. They lead to what is likable, desirable, agreeable, to welfare and happiness. What four?

> Pali: “Cattārome, bhikkhave, puññābhisandā kusalābhisandā sukhassāhārā sovaggikā sukhavipākā saggasaṁvattanikā iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro?

[¶16] It’s when a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha: ‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’ This is the first kind of overflowing merit …

> Pali: Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti: ‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶17] Furthermore, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the teaching: ‘The teaching is well explained by the Buddha—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.’ This is the second kind of overflowing merit …

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako dhamme aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti: ‘svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhī’ti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶18] Furthermore, a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Saṅgha: ‘The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is practicing the way that’s good, direct, systematic, and proper. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individual persons. This is the Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples that is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.’ This is the third kind of overflowing merit …

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako saṅghe aveccappasādena samannāgato hoti: ‘suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho, ujuppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho, ñāyappaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho, sāmīcippaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho, yadidaṁ cattāri purisayugāni aṭṭha purisapuggalā, esa bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā’ti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶19] Furthermore, a noble disciple’s ethical conduct is loved by the noble ones, unbroken, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion. This is the fourth kind of overflowing merit …

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato hoti akhaṇḍehi acchiddehi asabalehi akammāsehi bhujissehi viññuppasatthehi aparāmaṭṭhehi samādhisaṁvattanikehi. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho puññābhisando kusalābhisando sukhassāhāro sovaggiko sukhavipāko saggasaṁvattaniko iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattati.

[¶20] These are the four kinds of overflowing merit, overflowing goodness. They nurture happiness and are conducive to heaven, ripening in happiness and leading to heaven. They lead to what is likable, desirable, agreeable, to welfare and happiness.

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro puññābhisandā kusalābhisandā sukhassāhārā sovaggikā sukhavipākā saggasaṁvattanikā iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattantīti.

[¶21] Whoever has faith in the Realized One,
unwavering and well grounded;
whose ethical conduct is good,
praised and loved by the noble ones;

> Pali: Yassa saddhā tathāgate,
acalā suppatiṭṭhitā;
Sīlañca yassa kalyāṇaṁ,
ariyakantaṁ pasaṁsitaṁ.

[¶22] who has confidence in the Saṅgha,
and correct view:
they’re said to be prosperous,
their life is not in vain.

> Pali: Saṅghe pasādo yassatthi,
ujubhūtañca dassanaṁ;
Adaliddoti taṁ āhu,
amoghaṁ tassa jīvitaṁ.

[¶23] So let the wise devote themselves
to faith, ethical behavior,
confidence, and insight into the teaching,
remembering the instructions of the Buddhas.”

> Pali: Tasmā saddhañca sīlañca,
pasādaṁ dhammadassanaṁ;
Anuyuñjetha medhāvī,
saraṁ buddhāna sāsanan”ti.

[¶24] > Pali: Dutiyaṁ.

[¶25] AN 4.53 · Living Together (1st)

> Pali: AN 4.53 · Paṭhamasaṁvāsasutta

[¶26] At one time the Buddha was traveling along the road between Madhurā and Verañjā, as were several householders, both women and men. The Buddha left the road and sat at the root of a tree, where the householders saw him.

> Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā antarā ca madhuraṁ antarā ca verañjaṁ addhānamaggappaṭipanno hoti. Sambahulāpi kho gahapatī ca gahapatāniyo ca antarā ca madhuraṁ antarā ca verañjaṁ addhānamaggappaṭipannā honti. Atha kho bhagavā maggā okkamma aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle (…) nisīdi. Addasaṁsu kho gahapatī ca gahapatāniyo ca bhagavantaṁ aññatarasmiṁ rukkhamūle nisinnaṁ.

[¶27] They went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to them:

> Pali: Disvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinne kho te gahapatī ca gahapatāniyo ca bhagavā etadavoca:

[¶28] “Householders, there are four ways of living together. What four?

> Pali: “Cattārome, gahapatayo, saṁvāsā. Katame cattāro?

[¶29] A male zombie living with a female zombie;

> Pali: Chavo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati,

[¶30] a male zombie living with a goddess;

> Pali: chavo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati,

[¶31] a god living with a female zombie;

> Pali: devo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati,

[¶32] a god living with a goddess.

> Pali: devo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶33] And how does a male zombie live with a female zombie? It’s when the husband kills living creatures, steals, commits sexual misconduct, lies, and consumes intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. He’s unethical, of bad character, living at home with his heart full of the stain of stinginess, abusing and insulting ascetics and brahmins. And the wife is also … unethical, of bad character … That’s how a male zombie lives with a female zombie.

> Pali: Kathañca, gahapatayo, chavo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati? Idha, gahapatayo, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhāyī dussīlo pāpadhammo maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyāpissa hoti pāṇātipātinī adinnādāyinī kāmesumicchācārinī musāvādinī surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhāyinī dussīlā pāpadhammā maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, chavo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶34] And how does a male zombie live with a goddess? It’s when the husband … is unethical, of bad character … But the wife doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants. She’s ethical, of good character, living at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, not abusing and insulting ascetics and brahmins. That’s how a male zombie lives with a goddess.

> Pali: Kathañca, gahapatayo, chavo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati? Idha, gahapatayo, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhāyī dussīlo pāpadhammo maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyā khvassa hoti pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā adinnādānā paṭiviratā kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā musāvādā paṭiviratā surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, chavo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶35] And how does a god live with a female zombie? It’s when the husband … is ethical, of good character … But the wife … is unethical, of bad character … That’s how a god lives with a female zombie.

> Pali: Kathañca, gahapatayo, devo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati? Idha, gahapatayo, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātā paṭivirato adinnādānā paṭivirato kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato musāvādā paṭivirato surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyā khvassa hoti pāṇātipātinī …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhāyinī dussīlā pāpadhammā maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, devo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶36] And how does a god live with a goddess? It’s when the husband … is ethical, of good character … And the wife is also … ethical, of good character … That’s how a god lives with a goddess.

> Pali: Kathañca, gahapatayo, devo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati? Idha, gahapatayo, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātā paṭivirato …pe… sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyāpissa hoti pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, gahapatayo, devo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶37] These are the four ways of living together.

> Pali: Ime kho, gahapatayo, cattāro saṁvāsāti.

[¶38] When both are unethical,
miserly and abusive,
then wife and husband
live together as zombies.

> Pali: Ubho ca honti dussīlā,
kadariyā paribhāsakā;
Te honti jānipatayo,
chavā saṁvāsamāgatā.

[¶39] When the husband is unethical,
miserly and abusive,
but the wife is ethical,
bountiful, rid of stinginess,
she’s a goddess living
with a zombie for a husband.

> Pali: Sāmiko hoti dussīlo,
kadariyo paribhāsako;
Bhariyā sīlavatī hoti,
vadaññū vītamaccharā;
Sāpi devī saṁvasati,
chavena patinā saha.

[¶40] When the husband is ethical,
bountiful, rid of stinginess,
but the wife is unethical,
miserly and abusive,
she’s a zombie living
with a god for a husband.

> Pali: Sāmiko sīlavā hoti,
vadaññū vītamaccharo;
Bhariyā hoti dussīlā,
kadariyā paribhāsikā;
Sāpi chavā saṁvasati,
devena patinā saha.

[¶41] When both are faithful and bountiful,
disciplined, living righteously,
then wife and husband
say nice things to each other.

> Pali: Ubho saddhā vadaññū ca,
saññatā dhammajīvino;
Te honti jānipatayo,
aññamaññaṁ piyaṁvadā.

[¶42] Their needs are amply satisfied,
so they live at ease.
Their enemies are downhearted,
when both are equal in ethics.

> Pali: Atthāsaṁ pacurā honti,
phāsukaṁ upajāyati;
Amittā dummanā honti,
ubhinnaṁ samasīlinaṁ.

[¶43] Having practiced the teaching here,
both equal in precepts and observances,
they delight in the heavenly realm,
enjoying all the pleasures they desire.”

> Pali: Idha dhammaṁ caritvāna,
samasīlabbatā ubho;
Nandino devalokasmiṁ,
modanti kāmakāmino”ti.

[¶44] > Pali: Tatiyaṁ.

[¶45] AN 4.54 · Living Together (2nd)

> Pali: AN 4.54 · Dutiyasaṁvāsasutta

[¶46] “Mendicants, there are four ways of living together. What four?

> Pali: “Cattārome, bhikkhave, saṁvāsā. Katame cattāro?

[¶47] A male zombie living with a female zombie;

> Pali: Chavo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati,

[¶48] a male zombie living with a goddess;

> Pali: chavo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati,

[¶49] a god living with a female zombie;

> Pali: devo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati,

[¶50] a god living with a goddess.

> Pali: devo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶51] And how does a male zombie live with a female zombie? It’s when the husband kills living creatures, steals, commits sexual misconduct; he uses speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical; and he’s covetous, malicious, and has wrong view. He’s unethical, of bad character, living at home with his heart full of the stain of stinginess, abusing and insulting ascetics and brahmins. And the wife is also … unethical, of bad character … That’s how a male zombie lives with a female zombie.

> Pali: Kathañca, bhikkhave, chavo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati. Idha, bhikkhave, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātī adinnādāyī kāmesumicchācārī musāvādī pisuṇavāco pharusavāco samphappalāpī abhijjhālu byāpannacitto micchādiṭṭhiko dussīlo pāpadhammo maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyāpissa hoti pāṇātipātinī adinnādāyinī kāmesumicchācārinī musāvādinī pisuṇavācā pharusavācā samphappalāpinī abhijjhālunī byāpannacittā micchādiṭṭhikā dussīlā pāpadhammā maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, chavo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶52] And how does a male zombie live with a goddess? It’s when the husband … is unethical, of bad character … But the wife doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. She doesn’t use speech that’s false, divisive, harsh, or nonsensical. And she’s contented, kind-hearted, with right view. She’s ethical, of good character, living at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, not abusing and insulting ascetics and brahmins. That’s how a male zombie lives with a goddess.

> Pali: Kathañca, bhikkhave, chavo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati? Idha, bhikkhave, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātī …pe… micchādiṭṭhiko dussīlo pāpadhammo maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyā khvassa hoti pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā adinnādānā paṭiviratā kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā musāvādā paṭiviratā pisuṇāya vācāya paṭiviratā pharusāya vācāya paṭiviratā samphappalāpā paṭiviratā anabhijjhālunī abyāpannacittā sammādiṭṭhikā sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, chavo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶53] And how does a god live with a female zombie? It’s when the husband … is ethical, of good character … But the wife … is unethical, of bad character … That’s how a god lives with a female zombie.

> Pali: Kathañca, bhikkhave, devo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati? Idha, bhikkhave, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātā paṭivirato adinnādānā paṭivirato kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato musāvādā paṭivirato pisuṇāya vācāya paṭivirato pharusāya vācāya paṭivirato samphappalāpā paṭivirato anabhijjhālu abyāpannacitto sammādiṭṭhiko sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyā khvassa hoti pāṇātipātinī …pe… micchādiṭṭhikā dussīlā pāpadhammā maccheramalapariyuṭṭhitena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati akkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, devo chavāya saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶54] And how does a god live with a goddess? It’s when the husband … is ethical, of good character … And the wife is also … ethical, of good character … That’s how a god lives with a goddess.

> Pali: Kathañca, bhikkhave, devo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati? Idha, bhikkhave, sāmiko hoti pāṇātipātā paṭivirato …pe… sammādiṭṭhiko sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosakaparibhāsako samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ; bhariyāpissa hoti pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā …pe… sammādiṭṭhikā sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati anakkosikaparibhāsikā samaṇabrāhmaṇānaṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, devo deviyā saddhiṁ saṁvasati.

[¶55] These are the four ways of living together.” …

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro saṁvāsāti.

[¶56] > Pali: Ubho ca honti dussīlā,
kadariyā paribhāsakā;
Te honti jānipatayo,
chavā saṁvāsamāgatā.

[¶57] > Pali: Sāmiko hoti dussīlo,
kadariyo paribhāsako;
Bhariyā sīlavatī hoti,
vadaññū vītamaccharā;
Sāpi devī saṁvasati,
chavena patinā saha.

[¶58] > Pali: Sāmiko sīlavā hoti,
vadaññū vītamaccharo;
Bhariyā hoti dussīlā,
kadariyā paribhāsikā;
Sāpi chavā saṁvasati,
devena patinā saha.

[¶59] > Pali: Ubho saddhā vadaññū ca,
saññatā dhammajīvino;
Te honti jānipatayo,
aññamaññaṁ piyaṁvadā.

[¶60] > Pali: Atthāsaṁ pacurā honti,
phāsukaṁ upajāyati;
Amittā dummanā honti,
ubhinnaṁ samasīlinaṁ.

[¶61] > Pali: Idha dhammaṁ caritvāna,
samasīlabbatā ubho;
Nandino devalokasmiṁ,
modanti kāmakāmino”ti.

[¶62] > Pali: Catutthaṁ.

[¶63] AN 4.55 · Equality (1st)

> Pali: AN 4.55 · Paṭhamasamajīvīsutta

[¶64] So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Bhaggas at Crocodile’s Bellow, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood.

> Pali: Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye.

[¶65] Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of the householder Nakula’s father, where he sat down on the seat spread out.

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena nakulapituno gahapatissa nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

[¶66] Then the householder Nakula’s father and the housewife Nakula’s mother went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. Nakula’s father said to the Buddha, “Sir, ever since we were both young, and Nakula’s mother was given to me in marriage, I can’t recall betraying her even in thought, still less in deed. We want to see each other in both this life and the next.”

> Pali: Atha kho nakulapitā ca gahapati nakulamātā ca gahapatānī yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho nakulapitā gahapati bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “Yato me, bhante, nakulamātā gahapatānī daharasseva daharā ānītā, nābhijānāmi nakulamātaraṁ gahapatāniṁ manasāpi aticaritā, kuto pana kāyena. Iccheyyāma mayaṁ, bhante, diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passituṁ abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passitun”ti.

[¶67] Then Nakula’s mother said to the Buddha, “Sir, ever since we were both young, and I was given in marriage to Nakula’s father, I can’t recall betraying him even in thought, still less in deed. We want to see each other in both this life and the next.”

> Pali: Nakulamātāpi kho gahapatānī bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “yatohaṁ, bhante, nakulapituno gahapatissa daharasseva daharā ānītā, nābhijānāmi nakulapitaraṁ gahapatiṁ manasāpi aticaritā, kuto pana kāyena. Iccheyyāma mayaṁ, bhante, diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passituṁ abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passitun”ti.

[¶68] “Householders, if wife and husband want to see each other in both this life and the next, they should be equals in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom.

> Pali: “Ākaṅkheyyuñce, gahapatayo, ubho jānipatayo diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passituṁ abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passituṁ ubhova assu samasaddhā samasīlā samacāgā samapaññā, te diṭṭhe ceva dhamme aññamaññaṁ passanti abhisamparāyañca aññamaññaṁ passantīti.

[¶69] When both are faithful and bountiful,
disciplined, living righteously,
then wife and husband
say nice things to each other.

> Pali: Ubho saddhā vadaññū ca,
saññatā dhammajīvino;
Te honti jānipatayo,
aññamaññaṁ piyaṁvadā.

[¶70] Their needs are amply satisfied,
so they live at ease.
Their enemies are downhearted,
when both are equal in ethics.

> Pali: Atthāsaṁ pacurā honti,
phāsukaṁ upajāyati;
Amittā dummanā honti,
ubhinnaṁ samasīlinaṁ.

[¶71] Having practiced the teaching here,
both equal in precepts and observances,
they delight in the heavenly realm,
enjoying all the pleasures they desire.”

> Pali: Idha dhammaṁ caritvāna,
samasīlabbatā ubho;
Nandino devalokasmiṁ,
modanti kāmakāmino”ti.

[¶72] > Pali: Pañcamaṁ.

[¶73] AN 4.57 · Suppavāsā

> Pali: AN 4.57 · Suppavāsāsutta

[¶74] At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Koliyans, where they have a town named Pajjanika.

> Pali: Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā koliyesu viharati pajjanikaṁ nāma koliyānaṁ nigamo.

[¶75] Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of Suppavāsā the Koliyan, where he sat down on the seat spread out. Then Suppavāsā served and satisfied the Buddha with her own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods. When the Buddha had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, she sat down to one side. The Buddha said to her:

> Pali: Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena suppavāsāya koliyadhītuyā nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā bhagavantaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi. Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā bhagavantaṁ bhuttāviṁ onītapattapāṇiṁ ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho suppavāsaṁ koliyadhītaraṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

[¶76] “Suppavāsā, when a noble disciple gives food, she gives the recipients four things. What four? Long life, beauty, happiness, and strength. Giving long life, she has long life as a god or human. Giving beauty, she has beauty as a god or human. Giving happiness, she has happiness as a god or human. Giving strength, she has strength as a god or human. When a noble disciple gives food, she gives the recipients these four things.

> Pali: “Bhojanaṁ, suppavāse, dentī ariyasāvikā paṭiggāhakānaṁ cattāri ṭhānāni deti. Katamāni cattāri? Āyuṁ deti, vaṇṇaṁ deti, sukhaṁ deti, balaṁ deti. Āyuṁ kho pana datvā āyussa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā. Vaṇṇaṁ datvā vaṇṇassa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā. Sukhaṁ datvā sukhassa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā. Balaṁ datvā balassa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā. Bhojanaṁ, suppavāse, dentī ariyasāvikā paṭiggāhakānaṁ imāni cattāri ṭhānāni detīti.

[¶77] When she gives well-prepared food,
pure, fine, and full of flavor,
that offering—given to the sincere,
who have good conduct, and are big-hearted—
joins merit to merit. It’s very fruitful,
and is praised by those who know the world.

> Pali: Susaṅkhataṁ bhojanaṁ yā dadāti,
Suciṁ paṇītaṁ rasasā upetaṁ;
Sā dakkhiṇā ujjugatesu dinnā,
Caraṇūpapannesu mahaggatesu;
Puññena puññaṁ saṁsandamānā,
Mahapphalā lokavidūna vaṇṇitā.

[¶78] Those who recall such sacrifices,
live in the world full of inspiration.
They’ve driven out the stain of stinginess, <j>root and all,
blameless, they go to a heavenly place.”

> Pali: Etādisaṁ yaññamanussarantā,
Ye vedajātā vicaranti loke;
Vineyya maccheramalaṁ samūlaṁ,
Aninditā saggamupenti ṭhānan”ti.

[¶79] > Pali: Sattamaṁ.

[¶80] AN 4.58 · Sudatta

> Pali: AN 4.58 · Sudattasutta

[¶81] Then the householder Anāthapiṇḍika went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

> Pali: Atha kho anāthapiṇḍiko gahapati yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho anāthapiṇḍikaṁ gahapatiṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

[¶82] “Householder, when a noble disciple gives food, they give the recipients four things. What four? Long life, beauty, happiness, and strength. Giving long life, they have long life as a god or human. … Giving beauty … happiness … strength … When a noble disciple gives food, they give the recipients these four things.

> Pali: “Bhojanaṁ, gahapati, dadamāno ariyasāvako paṭiggāhakānaṁ cattāri ṭhānāni deti. Katamāni cattāri? Āyuṁ deti, vaṇṇaṁ deti, sukhaṁ deti, balaṁ deti. Āyuṁ kho pana datvā āyussa bhāgī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā. Vaṇṇaṁ datvā … sukhaṁ datvā … balaṁ datvā balassa bhāgī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā. Bhojanaṁ, gahapati, dadamāno ariyasāvako paṭiggāhakānaṁ imāni cattāri ṭhānāni detīti.

[¶83] Carefully giving food at the right time,
to those who are disciplined, <j>eating only what others give,
you provide them with four things:
long life, beauty, happiness, and strength.

> Pali: Yo saññatānaṁ paradattabhojinaṁ,
Kālena sakkacca dadāti bhojanaṁ;
Cattāri ṭhānāni anuppavecchati,
Āyuñca vaṇṇañca sukhaṁ balañca.

[¶84] A person who gives long life, beauty,
happiness, and strength,
has long life and fame
wherever they’re reborn.”

> Pali: So āyudāyī vaṇṇadāyī,
sukhaṁ balaṁ dado naro;
Dīghāyu yasavā hoti,
yattha yatthūpapajjatī”ti.

[¶85] > Pali: Aṭṭhamaṁ.

[¶86] AN 4.60 · Lay Practice

> Pali: AN 4.60 · Gihisāmīcisutta

[¶87] Then the householder Anāthapiṇḍika went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:

> Pali: Atha kho anāthapiṇḍiko gahapati yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho anāthapiṇḍikaṁ gahapatiṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

[¶88] “Householder, when a noble disciple does four things they are practicing appropriately for a layperson, which brings fame and leads to heaven. What four? It’s when a noble disciple serves the mendicant Saṅgha with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. When a noble disciple does these four things they are practicing appropriately for a layperson, which brings fame and leads to heaven.

> Pali: “Catūhi kho, gahapati, dhammehi samannāgato ariyasāvako gihisāmīcipaṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hoti yasopaṭilābhiniṁ saggasaṁvattanikaṁ. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, gahapati, ariyasāvako bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paccupaṭṭhito hoti cīvarena, bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paccupaṭṭhito hoti piṇḍapātena, bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paccupaṭṭhito hoti senāsanena, bhikkhusaṅghaṁ paccupaṭṭhito hoti gilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena. Imehi kho, gahapati, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato ariyasāvako gihisāmīcipaṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hoti yasopaṭilābhiniṁ saggasaṁvattanikanti.

[¶89] Those who are astute practice the way
that’s appropriate for laypeople.
They provide those who are ethical
and rightly comported with robes,

> Pali: Gihisāmīcipaṭipadaṁ,
paṭipajjanti paṇḍitā;
Sammaggate sīlavante,
cīvarena upaṭṭhitā.

[¶90] almsfood, lodgings,
and supplies for the sick.
Their merit always grows
by day and by night.
They pass on to a place in heaven,
having done excellent deeds.”

> Pali: Piṇḍapātasayanena,
Gilānappaccayena ca;
Tesaṁ divā ca ratto ca,
Sadā puññaṁ pavaḍḍhati;
Saggañca kamatiṭṭhānaṁ,
Kammaṁ katvāna bhaddakan”ti.

[¶91] > Pali: Dasamaṁ.

[¶92] > Pali: Puññābhisandavaggo paṭhamo.

[¶93] > Pali: Tassuddānaṁ

[¶94] > Pali: Dve puññābhisandā dve ca,
saṁvāsā samajīvino;
Suppavāsā sudatto ca,
bhojanaṁ gihisāmicīti.