Khuddaka Nikaya- Khuddakapatah Pali
Remember that this Suthra is the exhortation preached by the Budhha, pointing out the righteous acts that one should follow who wishes to achieve great status.
Thus, I have heard.
On a certain beautiful night, when the Buddha was living in Jathawanaramaya, which was offered by the merchant, Anathahpindika in the city of ‘Sawath’, a god shining with beautiful colours appeared in front of the Buddha, shining the entire Jethawanarama with gorgeous lights.
Having thus arrived, bowed down to the Buddha, stood aside, and spoke this to the Buddha in a stanza.
Most Gods and Humans have not been able to figure out what is the right thing for them to do in order to fulfil their good purpose.
“It would be good if the Blessed One could lay out the great paths we should follow and cultivate for our success”, and so on.
The Buddha
Avoiding the company of people whose mind, body, and words induce them to do things that are harmful, who direct or induce their thoughts in such a way that cause harm to themselves and others,
As well as maintaining relationships with people who guide one to be a good person by disciplining his mind-body-word for the sake of nobleness and helping to shape one’s life in a way that benefits oneself and others.
Furthermore, according to the correct understanding one gained through the association of Perfect friends, respecting those who should be respected and offering sacrifices to those who should be honoured
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Because of the merits also accumulated in previous lives,
being able to direct one’s life for a good purpose by living in a good environment (in a house with good neighbourhood surroundings-
a righteous family environment- in a country that upholds human ethics), too,
is an auspicious factor contributing to noble achievements.
Having the common sense of good and evil by having heard and seen many things and pondering over them wisely,
Disciplining the mind and body for the good of oneself and others,
Avoiding words of lies-gossip-brutal-hollow, too,
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Assisting and looking after the parents with spouse and children altogether,
Maintaining righteous and legal sources of income, too,
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Engaging in charitable works by joining together with relatives and friends
Acting in a way that is exemplary and beneficial to society, too,
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Abstaining from all sins,
Living consciously and wisely by disciplining senses to avoid addiction to alcohol, too,
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Respecting those who deserve to be respected,
Avoiding persecuting anyone,
Being content with what one receives,
Expressing gratitude,
Acting wisely and consciously at each moment by inquiring and understanding wisely, too,
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Meeting with Nobles at the appropriate time and discussing the correct and proper practices to be followed with patience and obedience, too,
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Practising in Celabicy by disciplining Word-Body-Mind,
Comprehending the Four Noble Truths,
accomplishing the ‘Nirwana’, too,
are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
Protecting oneself through liberating oneself from ‘Greed-Hatred-Delusion’ by Pacifying the mind so that it is no longer shaken or disturbed by the Eight Worldly Doctrines caused by ‘seeing-hearing-smelling-tasting-feeling-remembering’, also are the auspicious factor contributing to noble achievements.
All these, which are not defeated anywhere, bring all good, lead to pacification, and so on, are the auspicious factors contributing to noble achievements.
(Eight Worldly Doctrines – Mortification-Glory, Gain-Loss, Praise- Humiliate, Comfort-Misery)
Aaryasathya 