an.8.38 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

The Good Person

“Bhikkhus, when a good person is born in a family, it is for the good, welfare, and happiness of many people. It is for the good, welfare, and happiness of (1) his mother and father, (2) his wife and children, (3) his slaves, workers, and servants, (4) his friends and companions, (5) his departed ancestors, (6) the king, (7) the deities, and (8) ascetics and brahmins. Just as a great rain cloud, nurturing all the crops, appears for the good, welfare, and happiness of many people, so too, when a good person is born in a family, it is for the good, welfare, and happiness of many people. It is for the good, welfare, and happiness of his mother and father … … ascetics and brahmins.”

The wise person, dwelling at home,
truly lives for the good of many.
Day and night diligent toward
his mother, father, and ancestors,
he venerates them in accordance with the Dhamma,
recollecting what they did for him in the past.

Firm in faith, the pious man,
having known their good qualities,
venerates the homeless renouncers,
the mendicants who lead the spiritual life.

Beneficial to the king and the devas,
beneficial to his relatives and friends,
indeed, beneficial to all,
well established in the good Dhamma,
he has removed the stain of miserliness
and fares on to an auspicious world.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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A Good Person

“Mendicants, a good person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.
For the benefit, welfare, and happiness of mother and father; children and partners; bondservants, workers, and staff; friends and colleagues; departed ancestors; the king; the deities; and ascetics and brahmins.
It’s like a great rain cloud, which nourishes all the crops for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people.
In the same way, a good person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. …

A wise person living at home
benefits many people.
Neither by day or at night do they neglect
their mother, father, and ancestors.
They venerate them in accord with the teaching,
remembering what they have done.
One of settled faith and good nature
venerates the homeless renunciates,
the mendicant spiritual practitioners,
knowing their good-hearted qualities.
Good for the king, good for the gods,
and good for relatives and friends.
In fact, they’re good for everyone,
well grounded in the true teaching.
Rid of the stain of stinginess,
they’ll enjoy a world of grace.”