Itivuttaka 74

Tipitaka >> Sutta Pitaka >> Khuddaka Nikaya >> Itivuttaka >> '''74. Puttasuttam'''

Adapted From the Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu(Geoffrey DeGraff)

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

74. Puttasuttam (Sons & Daughters Types)

This was said by the Lord Buddha(Bhagavata), said by the Arahant, so I have heard:

“Monks, there are these three types of sons & daughters existing in the world. Which three? One of heightened birth, one of similar birth, one of lowered birth.

“And how is a son or daughter of high birth(caste/class)? There is the case where a son or daughter’s parents have not gone to the Buddha for refuge, have not gone to the Dhamma for refuge, have not gone to the Sangha(monks order) for refuge. They do not abstain from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, from fermented & distilled liquors that cause sloth/torpor(pamad). They are unprincipled & evil by nature. They are of those of lower birth(caste/class). However, their son or daughter has gone to the Buddha for refuge, has gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has gone to the Sangha for refuge. He/she abstains from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, from fermented & distilled liquors that cause sloth/torpor(pamad). He/she is principled & admirable by nature. This is called a son or daughter of high birth(caste/class).

“And how is a son or daughter of highest(best) birth(caste/class)? There is the case where a son or daughter’s parents have gone to the Buddha for refuge, have gone to the Dhamma for refuge, have gone to the Sangha for refuge. They abstain from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, from fermented & distilled liquors that cause sloth/torpor(pamad). They are principled & admirable by nature. Their son or daughter also has gone to the Buddha for refuge, has gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has gone to the Sangha for refuge. He/she abstain from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, from fermented & distilled liquors that cause sloth/torpor(pamad). He/she is principled & admirable by nature. This is called a son or daughter of highest birth(caste/class).

“And how is a son or daughter of lower birth? There is the case where a son or daughter’s parents have gone to the Buddha for refuge, have gone to the Dhamma for refuge, have gone to the Sangha for refuge. They abstain from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, from fermented & distilled liquors that cause sloth/torpor(pamad). They are principled & admirable by nature. However, their son or daughter has not gone to the Buddha for refuge, has not gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has not gone to the Sangha for refuge. He/she does not abstain from taking life, from stealing, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, from fermented & distilled liquors that cause sloth/torpor(pamad). He/she is unprincipled & evil by nature. This is called a son or daughter of lower birth(caste/class).”

The wise hope for a child of highest or high birth, not for one of lowered birth, a destroyer of the family. These children in the world, lay followers —full of virtue(sheel), faith; generous, free from stinginess— shine forth in any gathering like the moon when freed from a cloud.