Adiya Sutta

Benefits to be Obtained From Wealth

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
For free distribution only
Then Anathapindika the householder went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to
him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there the Blessed One said to him: "There are these five benefits
that can be obtained from wealth. Which five
"There is the case where the disciple of the noble ones !! using the wealth earned through his efforts
and enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteousl" gained !! provides himself with pleasure and satisfaction, and maintains
that pleasure rightl". #e provides his mother and father with pleasure and satisfaction, and maintains
that pleasure rightl". #e provides his children, his wife, his slaves, servants, and assistants with
pleasure and satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightl". This is the first benefit that can be
obtained from wealth.
"$urthermore, the disciple of the noble ones !! using the wealth earned through his efforts and
enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteousl" gained !! provides his friends and associates with pleasure and
satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightl". This is the second benefit that can be obtained from
wealth.
"$urthermore, the disciple of the noble ones !! using the wealth earned through his efforts and
enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteousl" gained !! wards off from calamities coming from fire, flood, kings,
thieves, or hateful heirs, and keeps himself safe. This is the third benefit that can be obtained from
wealth.
"$urthermore, the disciple of the noble ones !! using the wealth earned through his efforts and
enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteousl" gained !! performs the five oblations: to relatives, guests, the dead, kings,
and devas. This is the fourth benefit that can be obtained from wealth.
"$urthermore, the disciple of the noble ones !! using the wealth earned through his efforts and
enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow,
righteous wealth righteousl" gained !! institutes offerings of supreme aim, heavenl", resulting in
happiness, leading to heaven, given to priests and contemplatives who abstain from into%ication and
heedlessness, who endure all things with patience and humilit", each taming himself, each restraining
himself, each taking himself to &nbinding. This is the fifth benefit that can be obtained from wealth.
"'f it so happens that, when a disciple of the noble ones obtains these five benefits from wealth, his
wealth goes to depletion, the thought occurs to him, ()ven though m" wealth has gone to depletion, '
have obtained the five benefits that can be obtained from wealth,( and he feels no remorse. 'f it so
happens that, when a disciple of the noble ones obtains these five benefits from wealth, his wealth
increases, the thought occurs to him, (' have obtained the five benefits that can be obtained from
wealth, and m" wealth has increased,( and he feels no remorse. *o he feels no remorse in either case."
(+" wealth has been en,o"ed,
m" dependents supported,
protected from calamities b" me.
' have given supreme offerings
and performed the five oblations.
' have provided for the virtuous,
the restrained,
followers of the hol" life.
$or whatever aim a wise householder
would desire wealth,
that aim ' have attained.
' have done what will not lead to future distress.(
When this is recollected b" a mortal,
a person established in the -hamma of the .oble Ones,
he is praised in this life
and, after death, re,oices in heaven.