• Numbered Discourses 3.48 Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.48
  • 5. The Lesser Chapter 5. Cūḷavagga

The King of Mountains Pabbatarājasutta

“Mendicants, great sal trees grow in three ways supported by the Himalayas, the king of mountains. “Himavantaṁ, bhikkhave, pabbatarājaṁ nissāya mahāsālā tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhanti. What three? Katamāhi tīhi? The branches, leaves, and foliage; the bark and shoots; and the softwood and heartwood. Sākhāpattapalāsena vaḍḍhanti, tacapapaṭikāya vaḍḍhanti, pheggusārena vaḍḍhanti. Great sal trees grow in these three ways supported by the Himalayas, the king of mountains. Himavantaṁ, bhikkhave, pabbatarājaṁ nissāya mahāsālā imāhi tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhanti.

In the same way, a family grows in three ways supported by a family head with faith. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, saddhaṁ kulapatiṁ nissāya anto jano tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhati. What three? Katamāhi tīhi? Faith, ethics, and wisdom. Saddhāya vaḍḍhati, sīlena vaḍḍhati, paññāya vaḍḍhati. A family grows in these three ways supported by a family head with faith. Saddhaṁ, bhikkhave, kulapatiṁ nissāya anto jano imāhi tīhi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhatīti.

Supported by the rocky mountain Yathāpi pabbato selo, in the wilds, the formidable forest, araññasmiṁ brahāvane; the tree grows Taṁ rukkhā upanissāya, to become lord of the forest. vaḍḍhante te vanappatī.

So too, when the family head Tatheva sīlasampannaṁ, is ethical and faithful, saddhaṁ kulapatiṁ idha; supported by them, they grow: Upanissāya vaḍḍhanti, children, partners, and kin, puttadārā ca bandhavā; colleagues, relatives, Amaccā ñātisaṅghā ca, and those dependent for their livelihood. ye cassa anujīvino.

Seeing the ethical conduct of the virtuous, Tyāssa sīlavato sīlaṁ, the generosity and good deeds, cāgaṁ sucaritāni ca; those who see clearly Passamānānukubbanti, do likewise. attamatthaṁ vicakkhaṇā.

Having practiced the teaching here, Idha dhammaṁ caritvāna, the path that goes to a good place, maggaṁ sugatigāminaṁ; they delight in the heavenly realm, Nandino devalokasmiṁ, enjoying all the pleasures they desire.” modanti kāmakāmino”ti.

Navamaṁ.