Vyagghapajja Sutta (AN 8.54)

 Vyagghapajja Sutta

(AN 8.54)

This discourse is found in the Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numerical Discourses), the Book of Eights, the Householder Chapter, Discourse 54 (AN 8.54). It is an exceptionally practical teaching in which the Buddha directly instructs lay followers on how to attain happiness and well-being both in this present life and in future lives.

Thus have I heard.

On one occasion, the Blessed One was dwelling among the Koliyans, at a Koliyan town named Kakkarapatta.

Then Dīghajāṇu the Koliyan, also known as Vyagghapajja, approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Dīghajāṇu the Koliyan said to the Blessed One:

"Venerable Sir, we are householders who enjoy sensual pleasures. We live together with our wives and children, use perfumes, garlands, ointments, and cosmetics, and make use of gold and silver. May the Blessed One teach us the Dhamma that will lead to our happiness and well-being in this present life, and to our happiness and well-being in future lives."

The Blessed One said:

"Vyagghapajja, there are these four qualities that lead to the happiness and well-being of a householder in this present life. What four?

Accomplishment in diligence (Uṭṭhāna-sampadā)
Accomplishment in protection (Ārakkha-sampadā)
Good friendship (Kalyāṇamittatā)
Balanced livelihood (Samajīvikatā)

And what, Vyagghapajja, is accomplishment in diligence?

Here, Vyagghapajja, whatever occupation a good man earns his living by—whether farming, trading, cattle-raising, military service, ruling as a king, or any other profession—he becomes skilled in that work, is not lazy, understands the methods required for it through wise reflection, and is capable of carrying it out and managing it effectively. This, Vyagghapajja, is called accomplishment in diligence.

And what, Vyagghapajja, is accomplishment in protection?

Here, Vyagghapajja, a good man has wealth acquired through energetic effort, earned by the strength of his own hands, gained by the sweat of his brow, and obtained righteously and lawfully. He carefully protects and safeguards that wealth, thinking:

"How can I ensure that this wealth of mine is not seized by rulers, stolen by thieves, destroyed by fire, swept away by floodwaters, or taken away by heirs whom I do not wish to inherit it?"

This, Vyagghapajja, is called accomplishment in protection.

And what, Vyagghapajja, is good friendship?

Here, Vyagghapajja, a good man lives in a village or town where he associates, converses, and discusses with householders or their sons, whether younger or older than himself, who are accomplished in faith, accomplished in virtue, accomplished in generosity, and accomplished in wisdom. From those accomplished in faith, he learns to develop complete faith. From those accomplished in virtue, he learns to develop complete virtue. From those accomplished in generosity, he learns to develop complete generosity. From those accomplished in wisdom, he learns to develop complete wisdom. This, Vyagghapajja, is called good friendship.

And what, Vyagghapajja, is balanced livelihood?

Here, Vyagghapajja, a good man understands both the acquisition of wealth and the expenditure of wealth. He lives in balance, neither extravagant nor miserly, thinking:

"In this way, my income will exceed my expenses, and my expenses will not exceed my income."

Just as, Vyagghapajja, a skilled weigher or an apprentice weigher, when holding up a balance, knows:

"It tips down by this much," or, "It tips up by this much."

So too, Vyagghapajja, a good man understands both the acquisition of wealth and the expenditure of wealth, and lives in balance, neither extravagant nor miserly.

Vyagghapajja, there are four channels through which wealth is lost:

Addiction to intoxicants and sensual indulgence,
Addiction to gambling,
Associating with bad friends,
Laziness in one's work.

And there are four channels through which wealth is preserved and increased:

Not being addicted to intoxicants and sensual indulgence,
Not being addicted to gambling,
Associating with good friends,
Being diligent in one's work.

These, Vyagghapajja, are the four qualities that lead to the happiness and well-being of a householder in this present life.

Vyagghapajja, there are these four qualities that lead to the happiness and well-being of a householder in future lives. What four?

Accomplishment in faith (Saddhā-sampadā)
Accomplishment in virtue (Sīla-sampadā)
Accomplishment in generosity (Cāga-sampadā)
Accomplishment in wisdom (Paññā-sampadā)

And what, Vyagghapajja, is accomplishment in faith?

Here, Vyagghapajja, a good man possesses faith. He has confidence in the enlightenment of the Tathāgata:

"The Blessed One is an Arahant, Perfectly Enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, the Fortunate One, Knower of the Worlds, the Unsurpassed Trainer of Persons to be Tamed, Teacher of gods and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One."

This, Vyagghapajja, is called accomplishment in faith.

And what, Vyagghapajja, is accomplishment in virtue?

Here, Vyagghapajja, a good man abstains from taking life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech, and abstains from intoxicating drinks and fermented liquors that cause heedlessness.

This, Vyagghapajja, is called accomplishment in virtue.

And what, Vyagghapajja, is accomplishment in generosity?

Here, Vyagghapajja, a good man lives at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess. He gives generously, with an open hand, delights in letting go, is ready to respond when asked, and delights in sharing gifts with others. This, Vyagghapajja, is called accomplishment in generosity.

And what, Vyagghapajja, is accomplishment in wisdom?

Here, Vyagghapajja, a good man possesses wisdom. He has wisdom regarding arising and passing away, the noble penetrating insight that leads to the complete ending of suffering. This, Vyagghapajja, is called accomplishment in wisdom.

These, Vyagghapajja, are the four qualities that lead to the happiness and well-being of a householder in future lives.

Then the Blessed One recited these verses:

Diligent in every occupation,
Never lazy, skilled in managing one's work;
Living a balanced life,
Safeguarding the wealth one has earned.

Endowed with faith and virtue,
Generous, free from stinginess;
Ever purifying the path
That leads to happiness in future lives.

Whoever lives the household life
Accomplished in these qualities,
Free from anger and truthful in speech,
After death is reborn in the heavenly world.