{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an3.20/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an3.20","id":"suttacentral_an3.20","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an3.20/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"\u201cMendicants, a shopkeeper who has three factors soon acquires great and abundant wealth. What three? It\u2019s when a shopkeeper sees clearly, is indefatigable, and has supporters. And how does a shopkeeper see clearly? It\u2019s when a shopkeeper knows of a product: \u2018This product is bought at this price and is selling at this price. With this much investment, it\u2019ll bring this much profit.\u2019 That\u2019s how a shopkeeper sees clearly. And how is a shopkeeper indefatigable? It\u2019s when a shopkeeper is skilled in buying and selling products. That\u2019s how a shopkeeper is indefatigable. And how does a shopkeeper have supporters? It\u2019s when rich, affluent, and wealthy householders or householders\u2019 children know of him: \u2018This good shopkeeper sees clearly and is indefatigable. They are capable of providing for their wives and children, and paying us back from time to time.\u2019 They deposit money with the shopkeeper, saying: \u2018With this, my good shopkeeper, earn money to provide for your wives and children, and pay us back from time to time.\u2019 That\u2019s how a shopkeeper has supporters. A shopkeeper who has these three factors soon acquires great and abundant wealth. In the same way, a mendicant with three qualities soon acquires great and abundant skillful qualities. What three? It\u2019s when a mendicant sees clearly, is indefatigable, and has supporters. And how does a mendicant see clearly? It\u2019s when a mendicant truly understands: \u2018This is suffering\u2019 \u2026 \u2018This is the origin of suffering\u2019 \u2026 \u2018This is the cessation of suffering\u2019 \u2026 \u2018This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering\u2019. That\u2019s how a mendicant sees clearly. And how is a mendicant indefatigable? It\u2019s when a mendicant lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They are strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. That\u2019s how a mendicant is indefatigable. And how does a mendicant have supporters? It\u2019s when from time to time a mendicant goes up to those mendicants who are very learned\u2014inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines\u2014and asks them questions: \u2018Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?\u2019 Those venerables reveal what is hidden, clarify what is unclear, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters. That\u2019s how a mendicant has supporters. A mendicant with these three qualities soon acquires great and abundant skillful qualities.\u201d","title":"A Shopkeeper (2nd)","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":396}