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Linked Discourses · SN 3.17

  • Linked Discourses 3.17Saṁyutta Nikāya 3.17
  • 2. Childless2. Dutiyavagga

DiligenceAppamādasutta

At Sāvatthī.Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Seated to one side, King Pasenadi said to the Buddha,Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “Sir, is there one thing that secures benefits for both“atthi nu kho, bhante, eko dhammo yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— this life and lives to come?”diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti?

“There is, Great King.”“Atthi kho, mahārāja, eko dhammo yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati—

“So what is that one thing?”“Katamo pana, bhante, eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati—

“Diligence, Great King, is one thing that secures benefits for both“Appamādo kho, mahārāja, eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— this life and lives to come.diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcāti. The footprints of all creatures that walk can fit inside an elephant’s footprint. So an elephant’s footprint is said to be the biggest of them all.Seyyathāpi, mahārāja, yāni kānici jaṅgalānaṁ pāṇānaṁ padajātāni, sabbāni tāni hatthipade samodhānaṁ gacchanti, hatthipadaṁ tesaṁ aggamakkhāyati—yadidaṁ mahantattena; In the same way, diligence is one thing that secures benefits for bothevameva kho, mahārāja, appamādo eko dhammo, yo ubho atthe samadhiggayha tiṭṭhati— this life and lives to come.”diṭṭhadhammikañceva atthaṁ samparāyikañcā”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. …Idamavoca …pe…

“For one who desires high delights“Āyuṁ arogiyaṁ vaṇṇaṁ, again and again—saggaṁ uccākulīnataṁ; long life, beauty, and health,Ratiyo patthayantena, heaven, and an eminent family—uḷārā aparāparā.

the astute praise diligenceAppamādaṁ pasaṁsanti, in making merit.puññakiriyāsu paṇḍitā; Being diligent, an astute personAppamatto ubho atthe, secures both benefits:adhiggaṇhāti paṇḍito.

the benefit in this life,Diṭṭhe dhamme ca yo attho, and in lives to come.yo cattho samparāyiko; An attentive one, comprehending the meaning,Atthābhisamayā dhīro, is said to be astute.”paṇḍitoti pavuccatī”ti.

Similar passages elsewhere

Found by meaning, not by citation: the passages in other texts whose wording sits closest to a passage here.

  1. AN 6.53 Diligence 0.66near 0.1Numbered Discourses 6.53 5. About Dhammika Diligence Then a certain brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said…
  2. Iti 23 Both Kinds of Benefit 0.65near 0.1So It Was Said 23 The Book of the Ones Chapter Three Both Kinds of Benefit This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. “This one thing, mendicants, when developed and cultivated, secures equal b…
  3. SN 3.18 Good Friends 0.50near 0.1in making merit. Being diligent, an astute person secures both benefits: the benefit in this life, and in lives to come. Attentive, comprehending the meaning, they are said to be astute.”…