Suppavāsāsutta

Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.57

Numbered Discourses 4.57

6. Puññābhisandavagga

6. Overflowing Merit

Suppavāsāsutta

Suppavāsā

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā koliyesu viharati pajjanikaṁ nāma koliyānaṁ nigamo.

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Koliyans, where they have a town named Pajjanika.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena suppavāsāya koliyadhītuyā nivesanaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi.

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, went to the home of Suppavāsā the Koliyan, where he sat down on the seat spread out.

Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā bhagavantaṁ paṇītena khādanīyena bhojanīyena sahatthā santappesi sampavāresi.

Then Suppavāsā served and satisfied the Buddha with her own hands with delicious fresh and cooked foods.

Atha kho suppavāsā koliyadhītā bhagavantaṁ bhuttāviṁ onītapattapāṇiṁ ekamantaṁ nisīdi.

When the Buddha had eaten and washed his hand and bowl, she sat down to one side.

Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho suppavāsaṁ koliyadhītaraṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

The Buddha said to her:

“Bhojanaṁ, suppavāse, dentī ariyasāvikā paṭiggāhakānaṁ cattāri ṭhānāni deti.

“Suppavāsā, when a noble disciple gives food, she gives the recipients four things.

Katamāni cattāri?

What four?

Āyuṁ deti, vaṇṇaṁ deti, sukhaṁ deti, balaṁ deti.

Long life, beauty, happiness, and strength.

Āyuṁ kho pana datvā āyussa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā.

Giving long life, she has long life as a god or human.

Vaṇṇaṁ datvā vaṇṇassa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā.

Giving beauty, she has beauty as a god or human.

Sukhaṁ datvā sukhassa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā.

Giving happiness, she has happiness as a god or human.

Balaṁ datvā balassa bhāginī hoti dibbassa vā mānusassa vā.

Giving strength, she has strength as a god or human.

Bhojanaṁ, suppavāse, dentī ariyasāvikā paṭiggāhakānaṁ imāni cattāri ṭhānāni detīti.

When a noble disciple gives food, she gives the recipients these four things.

Susaṅkhataṁ bhojanaṁ yā dadāti,

When she gives well-prepared food,

Suciṁ paṇītaṁ rasasā upetaṁ;

pure, fine, and full of flavor,

Sā dakkhiṇā ujjugatesu dinnā,

that offering—given to the sincere,

Caraṇūpapannesu mahaggatesu;

who have good conduct, and are big-hearted—

Puññena puññaṁ saṁsandamānā,

joins merit to merit. It’s very fruitful,

Mahapphalā lokavidūna vaṇṇitā.

and is praised by those who know the world.

Etādisaṁ yaññamanussarantā,

Those who recall such sacrifices,

Ye vedajātā vicaranti loke;

live in the world full of inspiration.

Vineyya maccheramalaṁ samūlaṁ,

They’ve driven out the stain of stinginess,
root and all,

Aninditā saggamupenti ṭhānan”ti.

blameless, they go to a heavenly place.”

Sattamaṁ.