…Now I shall tell you the householder’s duty,
doing which one becomes a good disciple.
For one burdened with possessions does not get to realize
the whole of the mendicant’s practice.
They’d not kill any creature, nor have them killed,
nor grant permission for others to kill.
They’ve laid aside violence towards all creatures
frail or firm that there are in the world.
Next, a disciple would avoid knowingly
taking anything not given at all,
they’d not get others to do it, nor grant them permission to steal;
they’d avoid all theft.
A sensible person would avoid the unchaste life,
like a burning pit of coals.
But if unable to remain chaste,
they’d not transgress with another’s partner.
In a council or assembly,
or one on one, they would not lie.
They’d not get others to lie, nor grant them permission to lie;
they’d avoid all untruths.
A householder espousing this teaching
would not consume liquor or drink.
They’d not get others to drink, nor grant them permission to drink;
knowing that ends in intoxication.
For drunken fools do bad things,
and encourage other heedless folk.
Reject this field of demerit,
the maddening, deluding frolic of fools.
You shouldn’t kill living creatures, or steal,
or lie, or drink alcohol.
Be celibate, refraining from sex,
and don’t eat at night, the wrong time.
Not wearing garlands or applying perfumes,
you should sleep on a low bed, or a mat on the ground.
This is the eight-factored sabbath, they say,
explained by the Buddha, who has gone to suffering’s end.
Then having rightly undertaken the sabbath
complete in all its eight factors
on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth of the fortnight,
as well as on the fortnightly special displays,
on the morning after the sabbath
a clever person, rejoicing with confident heart,
would distribute food and drink
to the mendicant Saṅgha as is fitting.
One should rightfully support one’s parents,
and undertake a legitimate business.
A diligent layperson observing these duties
ascends to the gods called Self-luminous.”
Read the entire translation of Snp 2.14 Dhammikasutta: With Dhammika by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net.
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