[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