children – Daily Sutta Reading

SN 37.32 Ṭhānasutta: Things

“Mendicants, there are five things that are hard to get for females who have not made merit. What five?

‘May I be born into a suitable family!’ This is the first thing.

‘Having been born in a suitable family, may I marry into a suitable family!’ This is the second thing.

‘Having been born in a suitable family and married into a suitable family, may I live at home without a co-wife!’ This is the third thing.

‘Having been born in a suitable family, and married into a suitable family, and living at home without a co-wife, may I have children!’ This is the fourth thing.

‘Having been born in a suitable family, and married into a suitable family, and living at home without a co-wife, and having had children, may I master my husband!’ This is the fifth thing.

These are the five things that are hard to get for females who have not made merit.

There are five things that are easy to get for females who have made merit. What five?

‘May I be born into a suitable family!’ This is the first thing.

‘Having been born into a suitable family, may I marry into a suitable family!’ This is the second thing.

‘Having been born into a suitable family and married into a suitable family, may I live at home without a co-wife!’ This is the third thing.

‘Having been born into a suitable family, and married into a suitable family, and living at home without a co-wife, may I have children!’ This is the fourth thing.

‘Having been born into a suitable family, and married into a suitable family, and living at home without a co-wife, and having had children, may I master my husband!’ This is the fifth thing.

These are the five things that are easy to get for females who have made merit.”

Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 37.32 Ṭhānasutta: Things by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or listen on SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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SN 7.14 Mahāsāla Sutta: Father

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Ok, now on to today’s sutta:

At the city of Sāvatthī…

Then a certain father of the brahmin caste wearing a dirty shabby outfit, went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side. The Buddha asked him, “Dear father, why are you wearing a dirty shabby outfit?”

“Master Gotama, I have four sons. At their wives’ order my sons chased me out from my house.”

“Well then, father, memorize these verses that I am going to teach you now and recite them when your sons are all seated in the assembly hall with a large crowd.”

The Buddha:

“I was overjoyed when my sons were born,
and wished for them the very best.
But at their wives’ order they chased me out,
as dogs chase out a pig.

“These nasty sons are mean,
though they called me dear dad.
They’re cruel demons in the shape of sons,
throwing me out as I’ve grown old.

“Like an old, useless horse,
led away from its fodder,
the elderly father of those fools,
begs for food at others’ homes.

“Even my walking stick is better,
than those disobedient sons,
because this stick drives off a wild bull,
and even a wild dog.

“It goes before me in the dark,
on uneven grounds it supports me.
By the wonderful power of this stick,
when I stumble, I stand firm again.”

Having memorized those verses taught by the Buddha, the father recited them when his sons were all seated in the assembly hall with a large crowd.

“I was overjoyed when my sons were born,
and wished for them the very best.
But at their wives’ order they chased me out,
as dogs chase out a pig.

“Like an old, useless horse,
led away from its fodder,
the elderly father of those fools,
begs for food at others’ homes.

“Even my walking stick is better,
than those disobedient sons,
because this stick drives off a wild bull,
and even a wild dog.

“These ungrateful sons are mean,
though they called me dear dad.
They’re cruel demons in the shape of sons,
throwing me out as I’ve grown old.”

Then those sons brought him back home, bathed him, and gave him two new cloths.

Then the father, taking one of the cloths, went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha, “Master Gotama, as you know I am from the brahmin caste and according to our tradition we offer gifts to our teachers. Master Gotama is also one of my teachers now. May Master Gotama please accept my gift!”

So the Buddha accepted the cloth out of compassion. Then the father said to the Buddha, “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! Just as if someone turned upright, what was upside down, revealed what was hidden, pointed out the path to whoever was lost, or lit a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes could see what’s there, Master Gotama taught me the Dhamma, which is clear in many ways. I go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha. From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge to the Triple Gem for as long as I live.”

Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 7.14 Mahāsāla Sutta: Father by Ven.Kiribathgoda Gnananda Thero on SuttaFriends.org. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net, or DhammaTalks.org. Or listen on PaliAudio.com or SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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DN 31 From… Siṅgālasutta: Advice to Sigālaka—Covering the Six Directions: Parents

…A child should serve their parents as the eastern quarter in five ways, thinking: ‘I will support those who supported me. I’ll do my duty for them. I’ll maintain the family lineage. I’ll take care of the inheritance. When they have passed away, I’ll make an offering on their behalf.’ Parents served by the children in these five ways show sympathy to them in five ways. They keep them from doing bad. They support them in doing good. They train them in a profession. They connect them with a suitable partner. They transfer the inheritance in due time. Parents served by their children in these five ways show sympathy to them in these five ways. And that’s how the eastern quarter is covered, kept safe and free of peril.…

Read the entire translation of Dīgha Nikāya 31 Siṅgālasutta: Advice to Sigālaka by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net, SuttaFriends.org or AccessToInsight.org. Or listen on PaliAudio.com or SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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SN 1.54 Vatthusutta: Grounds

[Note: This is a discussion between a deva and the Buddha.]

“What is the ground of human beings?
What is the best companion here?
By what do the creatures who live off the earth
sustain their life?”

“Children are the ground of human beings.
A wife is the best companion.
The creatures who live off the earth
sustain their life by rain.”

Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.54 Vatthusutta: Grounds by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net. Or listen on PaliAudio.com or SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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Iti 74 Puttasutta: A Child

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“These three kinds of children are found in the world. What three? One who betters their birth, one who equals their birth, one who fails their birth.

And how does a child better their birth? It’s when a child’s parents have not gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and use alcoholic drinks that cause negligence. They’re immoral, of bad character. But their child has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or take alcoholic drinks that cause negligence. They’re ethical, of good character. That’s how a child betters their birth.

And how does a child equal their birth? It’s when a child’s parents have gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or take alcoholic drinks that cause negligence. They’re ethical, of good character. And their child has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or take alcoholic drinks that cause negligence. They’re ethical, of good character. That’s how a child equals their birth.

And how does a child fail their birth? It’s when a child’s parents have gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or take alcoholic drinks that cause negligence. They’re ethical, of good character. But their child has not gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and use alcoholic drinks that cause negligence. They’re immoral, of bad character. That’s how a child fails their birth. These are the three kinds of children found in the world.”

The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“The astute wish for a child
who betters or equals their birth;
not one who fails their birth,
disgracing their family.

These are the children in the world
who become lay devotees;
faithful, accomplished in ethics,
bountiful, rid of stinginess.
Like the moon freed from clouds,
they shine in the assemblies.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Read this translation of Itivuttaka 74 Puttasutta: A Child Puttasutta by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net, SuttaFriends.org or DhammaTalks.org. Or listen on SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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SN 7.15 Mānatthaddha Sutta: Big-headed One

At the city of Sāvatthī…

Now at that time, a person named Mānatthaddha of the brahmin caste was living in the city of Sāvatthī. He didn’t pay respect to his mother or father, his teacher, or his oldest brother. Now, at that time the Buddha was teaching the Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly.

Then Mānatthaddha thought, “The monk Gotama is teaching the Dhamma, surrounded by a large assembly. I shall go see him. However, only if he speaks to me, shall I speak to him. But if he doesn’t speak to me, neither will I.”

Then Mānatthaddha went up to the Buddha, and stood silently to one side. But the Buddha didn’t speak to him.

Then Mānatthaddha thought, “This monk Gotama knows nothing!” And he wanted to go back from there right away. Then the Buddha reading his mind and knowing what Mānatthaddha was thinking, told him in verse:

“Mānatthaddha, you came here with a goal in mind,
therefore it is not good for you to be arrogant.
You should achieve the goal which brought you here.”

Then Mānatthaddha was shocked and thought, “Surely the monk Gotama read my mind!” He bowed with his head to the Buddha’s feet, caressing them and covering them with kisses, and pronounced his name: “Master Gotama, I am Mānatthaddha! I am Mānatthaddha!”

Then the people of that assembly were stunned. “It’s incredible, it’s amazing! This Mānatthaddha doesn’t bow to his mother or father, his teacher, or his oldest brother. Yet he shows such utmost respect to the monk Gotama!”

Then the Buddha said to Mānatthaddha, “Enough, Mānatthaddha, get up and take your own seat. Your mind has confidence in me.”

Then Mānatthaddha took his seat and said to the Buddha:

“Towards whom should I not be arrogant?
Who should I respect?
Who should I treat well?
Who is it good to honour wholeheartedly?”

The Buddha:

“You should not be arrogant towards your mother, father,
your older brothers and sisters and your teacher.
You should especially respect these four people.
You should treat them well.
And you should honour them wholeheartedly.

“There are liberated monks in this world.
They have realized the truth of life.
They are cool hearted, unsurpassed and free of defilements.
Worship them without being arrogant and conceited.”

When the Buddha taught the Dhamma like this, Mānatthaddha said to the Buddha, “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! Just as if someone turned upright, what was upside down, revealed what was hidden, pointed out the path to whoever was lost, or lit a lamp in the dark so people with good eyes could see what’s there, Master Gotama taught me the Dhamma, which is clear in many ways. I go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha. From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge to the Triple Gem for as long as I live.”

Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 7.15 Mānatthaddha Sutta: Big-headed One by Ven.Kiribathgoda Gnananda Thero on SuttaFriends.org. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net. Or listen on PaliAudio.com or SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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SN 3.20 Aputtaka Sutta: Heirless (2)

Near Sāvatthī. Then King Pasenadi Kosala went to the Blessed One in the middle of the day and, on arrival, having bowed down to the Blessed One, sat to one side. As he was sitting there the Blessed One said to him, “Well now, great king, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?”

“Just now, lord, a money-lending householder died in Sāvatthī. I have come from conveying his heirless fortune to the royal palace: ten million in silver, to say nothing of the gold. But even though he was a money-lending householder, his enjoyment of food was like this: He ate broken rice & pickle brine. His enjoyment of clothing was like this: He wore three lengths of hempen cloth. His enjoyment of a vehicle was like this: He rode in a dilapidated little cart with an awning of leaves.”

“That’s the way it is, great king. That’s the way it is. Once in the past that money-lending householder provided alms for the Private Buddha named Tagarasikhi. Saying (to his servant), ‘Give alms to the contemplative,’ he got up from his seat and left. After giving, though, he felt regret: ‘It would have been better if my slaves or servants had eaten those alms.’ And he also murdered his brother’s only heir for the sake of his fortune. Now, the result of his action in having provided alms for the Private Buddha named Tagarasikhi was that he appeared seven times in a good destination, a heavenly world. And through the remaining result of that action he acted as moneylender seven times in this very same Sāvatthī. But the result of his action in feeling regret after giving (those) alms—‘It would have been better if my slaves or servants had eaten those alms’—was that his mind didn’t lend itself to the lavish enjoyment of food, didn’t lend itself to the lavish enjoyment of clothing, didn’t lend itself to the lavish enjoyment of a vehicle, didn’t lend itself to the lavish enjoyment of the five strings of sensuality. The result of his action in having murdered his brother’s only heir for the sake of his fortune was that he boiled in hell for many years, many hundreds of years, many thousands of years, many hundred-thousands of years. And through the remaining result of that action he has left this seventh heirless fortune to the royal treasury.

“Now, because of the wasting away of that money-lending householder’s old merit and his non-accumulation of new merit, he is today boiling in the Great Roruva hell.”

“So he has reappeared in the Great Roruva hell, lord?”

“Yes, great king. He has reappeared in the Great Roruva hell.”

That is what the Blessed One said. Having said that, the One Well-Gone, the Teacher, said further:

“Grain, wealth, silver, gold,
or whatever other belongings you have;
slaves, servants, errand-runners,
& any dependents:
   You must go without taking
      any of them;
   you must leave
      all of them
         behind.

   What you do
with body, speech, or mind:
   that   is yours;
         taking
   that   you go;
   that’s
   your follower,
      like a shadow
      that never leaves.

Thus you should do what is fine
as a stash for the next life.
   Acts of merit
are the support for beings
in their after-death world.”

Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 3.20 Aputtaka Sutta. Heirless (2)by Bhikkhu Ṭhanissaro on DhammaTalks.org. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net, or SuttaFriends.org. Or listen on PaliAudio.com or SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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AN 5.39 Puttasutta: A Child

“Mendicants, parents see five reasons to wish for the birth of a child in the family. What five? Since we looked after them, they’ll look after us. They’ll do their duty for us. The family traditions will last. They’ll take care of the inheritance. Or else when we have passed away they’ll give an offering on our behalf. Parents see these five reasons to wish for the birth of a child in the family.

Seeing five reasons,
astute people wish for a child.
Since we looked after them, they’ll look after us.
They’ll do their duty for us.

The family traditions will last.
They’ll take care of the inheritance.
Or else when we have passed away
they’ll give an offering on our behalf.

Seeing these five reasons
astute people wish for a child.
And so true persons,
grateful and thankful,

look after their parents,
remembering past deeds.
They do for their parents,
as their parents did for them in the past.

Following their advice,looking after those who raised them,
the family traditions are not lost.
Faithful, accomplished in ethics,
such a child is praiseworthy.”

Read this translation of Aṅguttara Nikāya 5.39 Puttasutta: A Child by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net. Or listen on SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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SN 1.12 Nandatisutta: Delight

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park. Then, when the night had advanced, a certain devatā of stunning beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta’s Grove, approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and stood to one side. Standing to one side, that devatā recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

“One who has sons delights in sons,
One with cattle delights in cattle.
Acquisitions truly are a man’s delight;
Without acquisitions one does not delight.”

The Blessed One:

“One who has sons sorrows over sons,
One with cattle sorrows over cattle.
Acquisitions truly are a man’s sorrows;
Without acquisitions one does not sorrow.”

For a longer sutta on this topic, read MN 87 Piyajātika Sutta.

Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.12 Nandatisutta: Delight by Bhikkhu Bodhi on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net or SuttaFriends.org. Or listen on PaliAudio.com or SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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