{"collection":"Anguttara Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_an4.61/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_an4.61","id":"suttacentral_an4.61","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/an4.61/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Anguttara Nikaya","Early Buddhist Texts"],"text":"Then the householder An\u0101thapi\u1e47\u1e0dika went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him: \u201cHouseholder, these four things, which are likable, desirable, and agreeable are hard to get in the world. What four? The first thing is the wish: \u2018May wealth come to me by legitimate means!\u2019 The second thing, having got wealth by legitimate means, is the wish: \u2018May fame come to me, together with my family and mentors.\u2019 The third thing, having got wealth and fame, is the wish: \u2018May I live long, keeping alive for a long time!\u2019 The fourth thing, having got wealth, fame, and long life, is the wish: \u2018When my body breaks up, after death, may I be reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm!\u2019 These are the four things, which are likable, desirable, and agreeable, but hard to get in the world. These next four things lead to the getting of those four things. What four? Accomplishment in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom. And what is accomplishment in faith? It\u2019s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One\u2019s awakening: \u2018That 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.\u2019 This is called accomplishment in faith. And what is accomplishment in ethics? It\u2019s when a noble disciple doesn\u2019t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. This is called accomplishment in ethics. And what is accomplishment in generosity? It\u2019s when a noble disciple lives at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. This is called accomplishment in generosity. And what is accomplishment in wisdom? When your heart is mastered by covetousness and immoral greed, you do what you shouldn\u2019t, and fail to do what you should. Your fame and happiness fall to dust. When your heart is mastered by ill will \u2026 dullness and drowsiness \u2026 restlessness and remorse \u2026 doubt, you do what you shouldn\u2019t, and fail to do what you should. Your fame and happiness fall to dust. Knowing that \u2018covetousness and immoral greed are corruptions of the mind\u2019, that noble disciple gives them up. Knowing that \u2018ill will \u2026\u2019 \u2026 \u2018dullness and drowsiness \u2026\u2019 \u2026 \u2018restlessness and remorse \u2026\u2019 \u2026 \u2018doubt is a corruption of the mind\u2019, that noble disciple gives it up. When a noble disciple has given up these things, they\u2019re called \u2018a noble disciple of great wisdom, of widespread wisdom, who sees what matters, and is accomplished in wisdom\u2019. This is called accomplishment in wisdom. These are the four things that lead to the getting of the four things, which are likable, desirable, and agreeable, but hard to get in the world. There are four fitting deeds that a noble disciple does with the legitimate wealth he has earned by his efforts and initiative, built up with his own hands, gathered by the sweat of the brow. What four? To start with, with his legitimate wealth he makes himself happy and pleased, keeping himself properly happy. He makes his mother and father happy \u2026 He makes his children, partners, bondservants, workers, and staff happy \u2026 He makes his friends and colleagues happy \u2026 This is his first usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause. Furthermore, with his legitimate wealth he defends himself against threats from such things as fire, flood, rulers, bandits, or unloved heirs. He keeps himself safe. This is his second usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause. Furthermore, with his legitimate wealth he makes five spirit-offerings: to relatives, guests, ancestors, king, and deities. This is his third expenditure in an appropriate sphere on a deserved and fitting cause. Furthermore, with his legitimate wealth he establishes an uplifting religious donation for ascetics and brahmins\u2014those who refrain from intoxication and negligence, are settled in patience and gentleness, and who tame, calm, and extinguish themselves\u2014that\u2019s conducive to heaven, ripens in happiness, and leads to heaven. This is his fourth usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause. These are the four fitting deeds that a noble disciple does with the legitimate wealth he has earned by his efforts and initiative, built up with his own hands, gathered by the sweat of the brow. Whatever wealth is spent on something other than these four fitting deeds is said to not be usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause. But whatever wealth is spent on these four fitting deeds is said to be usage within means on a deserved and fitting cause. \u2018I\u2019ve enjoyed my wealth, <j>supporting those who depend on me; I\u2019ve overcome losses; I\u2019ve given uplifting religious donations; and made the five spirit-offerings. I have served the ethical and disciplined spiritual practitioners. I\u2019ve achieved the goal for which an astute layperson wishes to gain wealth. I don\u2019t regret what I\u2019ve done.\u2019 A mortal man who recollects this stands firm in the teaching of the noble ones. They\u2019re praised in this life, and they depart to rejoice in heaven.\u201d","title":"Fitting Deeds","tradition":"Anguttara Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":866}