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Itivuttaka 74

Puttasutta

A Child · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Tayome, bhikkhave, puttā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.
Katame tayo?
Atijāto, anujāto, avajātoti.

“These three kinds of children are found in the world. What three? One who betters their birth, one who equals their birth, one who fails their birth.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, putto atijāto hoti?
Idha, bhikkhave, puttassa mātāpitaro honti—
na buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, na dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, na saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā;
pāṇātipātā appaṭiviratā, adinnādānā appaṭiviratā, kāmesumicchācārā appaṭiviratā, musāvādā appaṭiviratā, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā appaṭiviratā, dussīlā pāpadhammā.
Putto ca nesaṁ hoti—
buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato;
pāṇātipātā paṭivirato, adinnādānā paṭivirato, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato, musāvādā paṭivirato, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, putto atijāto hoti.

And how does a child better their birth? It’s when a child’s parents have not gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re immoral, of bad character. But their child has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. That’s how a child betters their birth.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, putto anujāto hoti?
Idha, bhikkhave, puttassa mātāpitaro honti—
buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā;
pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā, adinnādānā paṭiviratā, kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā, musāvādā paṭiviratā, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā, sīlavanto kalyāṇadhammā.
Puttopi nesaṁ hoti—
buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato;
pāṇātipātā paṭivirato, adinnādānā paṭivirato, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato, musāvādā paṭivirato, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, putto anujāto hoti.

And how does a child equal their birth? It’s when a child’s parents have gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. And their child has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. That’s how a child equals their birth.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, putto avajāto hoti?
Idha, bhikkhave, puttassa mātāpitaro honti—
buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā;
pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā, adinnādānā paṭiviratā, kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā, musāvādā paṭiviratā, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā, sīlavanto kalyāṇadhammā.
Putto ca nesaṁ hoti—
na buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, na dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, na saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato;
pāṇātipātā appaṭivirato, adinnādānā appaṭivirato, kāmesumicchācārā appaṭivirato, musāvādā appaṭivirato, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā appaṭivirato, dussīlo pāpadhammo.
Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, putto avajāto hoti.
Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo puttā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmin”ti.
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.
Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

And how does a child fail their birth? It’s when a child’s parents have gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. But their child has not gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re immoral, of bad character. That’s how a child fails their birth. These are the three kinds of children found in the world.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“Atijātaṁ anujātaṁ,
puttamicchanti paṇḍitā;
Avajātaṁ na icchanti,
yo hoti kulagandhano.

“The astute wish for a child who betters or equals their birth; not one who fails their birth, disgracing their family.

Ete kho puttā lokasmiṁ,
ye bhavanti upāsakā;
Saddhā sīlena sampannā,
vadaññū vītamaccharā;
Cando abbhaghanā mutto,
parisāsu virocare”ti.

These are the children in the world who become lay devotees; faithful, accomplished in ethics, bountiful, rid of stinginess. Like the moon freed from clouds, they dazzle in the assemblies.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
Pañcamaṁ.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

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