Home | Dhamma | Teachings | Practice | Glossary | Tipiṭaka | Suttas

Anguttara Nikaya

# AN 8.23 Paṭhama & Dutiya Hatthaka (Hatthaka of Ālavi – Parts 1 & 2) AN 8.23-24

Download TXT Download PDF Browse this collection Home

Candana Bhikkhu audio

## Listen on YouTube

- The Numerical Discourses: Book VIII: 21-30: "The Section on the Householders." (Duration: 1:35:38)

## Text

    [page 1]
    Anguttara Nikāya
    The Numerical Discourses

    Atthakanipāta
    (Book of the Eights)

    AN 8.23-24

    Gahapati Vagga
    (The Section on Householders)

    Paṭhama & Dutiya Hatthaka Sutta
    “Hatthaka of Ālavi – Parts 1 & 2”

    Translated by Bhikkhu Candana

    Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2023, 2025

    Once, while The Blessed One was staying at the Aggālava shrine in Ālavi, He addressed
    the Bhikkhus thus:
    “Bhikkhus, you must remember and always bring to mind how the householder Hatthaka of
    Ālavi is endowed with seven wonderful and amazing qualities. And what are these seven?”
    “Remember, Bhikkhus, that Hatthaka of Ālavi possesses faith; he is of a virtuous character; he
    possesses wise moral shame; he possesses wise moral consideration; he understands and is
    learned in The Dhamma; he is generous; and he is wise. In this way, Bhikkhus, you must
    remember and always bring to mind how the householder Hatthaka of Ālavi is endowed with
    these seven wonderful and amazing qualities.”
    Having said this, The Tathagata arose from His seat and went back to His dwelling in the
    monastery.
    Then, having put on his robes while taking his bowl and outer robe, a certain Bhikkhu went and
    paid a visit to the householder Hatthaka of Ālavi and sat on the prepared seat. By approaching
    that Bhikkhu, the householder Hatthaka of Ālavi paid homage to him with clasped hands and sat
    to one side. Then, that Bhikkhu addressed Hatthaka of Ālavi thus:
    “Friend, The Blessed One has declared that you are endowed with seven wonderful and amazing
    qualities. What seven? Here, householder, The Blessed One stated:

    [page 2]
    “Remember, Bhikkhus, that Hatthaka of Ālavi possesses faith; he is of a virtuous character; he
    possesses wise moral shame; he possesses wise moral consideration; he understands and is
    learned in The Dhamma; he is generous; and he is wise. In this way, Bhikkhus, you must
    remember and always bring to mind how the householder Hatthaka of Ālavi is endowed with
    these seven wonderful and amazing qualities.”
    Then, Hatthaka of Ālavi said:
    “Bhante, were there any other white-robed lay disciples there, when The Blessed One spoke
    these words?”
    “No, friend, there were no other white-robed lay disciples there, when The Blessed One spoke
    these words.”
    “Ah, that is good to know, Bhante, that there were no other white-robed lay disciples there, when
    The Blessed One spoke these words!”
    Then, after accepting the food offered at the home of the householder Hatthaka of Ālavi, that
    Bhikkhu rose from his seat and went on his way. And once the mealtime was over, the Bhikkhu
    approached The Blessed One, and after paying homage to The Teacher, he sat to one side and
    related the entire conversation that took place between himself and the householder Hatthaka of
    Ālavi.
    In response, The Blessed One said this:
    “Good, good, Bhikkhu! That clansman is contented internally, and is of fewness of desires, as he
    does not wish others to know about his wholesome qualities. Therefore, Bhikkhu, you must
    remember and always bring to mind how the householder Hatthaka of Ālavi is, in fact, endowed
    with eight wonderful and amazing qualities, not seven, the last of these eight being the fewness
    of his desires.”

    Dutiya Hatthaka Sutta (Hatthaka of Ālavi – Part 2)

    At one time, The Blessed One was staying at the Aggālava shrine in Ālavi, when
    Hatthaka of Ālavi, together with five hundred lay disciples, approached The Blessed One and
    after paying homage to The Teacher, they all sat to one side. Then, The Blessed One said to
    Hatthaka of Ālavi:
    “Hatthaka, you have a great number of followers accompanying you. Hatthaka, how did you
    come to have a great number of followers to accompany you?”
    “Bhante, it is by practicing these four methods of relatedness that take into account the
    consideration and love for others, as taught by The Blessed One.

    [page 3]
    “Bhante, when I know the method to show consideration and love to a particular person through
    the offering of gifts, then I offer them gifts.
    “When I know the method to show consideration and love to a particular person through kind
    and sweet words, then I offer them kind and sweet words.
    “When I know the method to show consideration and love to a particular person through
    assisting and taking care of them, then I offer them my assistance as I take care of them.
    “When I know the method to show consideration and love to a particular person through
    impartiality that is wise and perceptive, then I offer them my impartiality that is wise and
    perceptive.
    “In addition, Bhante, there is also the fact that I am quite rich and come from a very wealthy
    family. Therefore, I think they would not be so eager to hear the words of someone who is
    destitute.”
    “Sadhu, Hatthaka! Excellent! You have wisely gathered this great number of followers that are
    accompanying you. For, in the past, if anyone had gathered a great number of followers to
    accompany them, they did so by practicing those very four methods of relatedness that take into
    account the consideration and love for others. So too in the future, if anyone would gather a great
    number of followers to accompany them, they would do so by practicing these four methods of
    relatedness that take into account the consideration and love for others. And in the present too, if
    anyone gathers a great number of followers to accompany them, they do so by practicing these
    four methods of relatedness that take into account the consideration and love for others.”
    Then, after The Blessed One had instructed, encouraged, uplifted, and gladdened the hearts of
    Hatthaka of Ālavi and his companions with a Talk on The Dhamma, Hatthaka of Ālavi along
    with his followers arose from their seats, worshipped and circumambulated The Blessed One
    three times, and then went away. Soon after Hatthaka of Ālavi had taken his leave, The Blessed
    One addressed the Bhikkhus thus:
    “Bhikkhus, you must remember and always bring to mind how the householder Hatthaka of
    Ālavi is endowed with eight wonderful and amazing qualities. And what are these eight?”
    “Remember, Bhikkhus, that Hatthaka of Ālavi possesses faith; he is of a virtuous character; he
    possesses wise moral shame; he possesses wise moral consideration; he understands and is
    learned in The Dhamma; he is generous; he is wise; and his heart is ruled by fewness of desires.
    In this way, Bhikkhus, you must remember and always bring to mind how the householder
    Hatthaka of Ālavi is endowed with these eight wonderful and amazing qualities.”

    Sādhu

    Sādhu

    Sādhu

Contact: admin@opensourceeverything.net