Khettūpamapetavatthu

Petavatthu

Buddhist Ghost Stories

Uragavagga

The Snake Chapter

1. Khettūpamapetavatthu

1. The Simile of the Field

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa.

Homage to the Blessed, Noble, and Perfectly Enlightened One.

“Khettūpamā arahanto,

Arahants are like fields,

dāyakā kassakūpamā;

Donors are like farmers,

Bījūpamaṁ deyyadhammaṁ,

A gift is like a seed,

etto nibbattate phalaṁ.

And from this, the fruit grows.

Etaṁ bījaṁ kasi khettaṁ,

The seed is sown in the field,

petānaṁ dāyakassa ca;

For the benefit of the departed and the donor.

Taṁ petā paribhuñjanti,

The departed feed from it,

dātā puññena vaḍḍhati.

And the donor grows in merit.

Idheva kusalaṁ katvā,

Having done what's wholesome in this way,

Pete ca paṭipūjiya;

You honor the departed.

Saggañca kamatiṭṭhānaṁ,

Having made good karma,

Kammaṁ katvāna bhaddakan”ti.

One goes to the ground of heaven.

Khettūpamapetavatthu paṭhamaṁ.

This is the first (Discourse), The Simile of the Field.