an.5.39 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Son

“Bhikkhus, considering five prospects, mother and father wish for a son to be born in their family. What five? (1) ‘Having been supported by us, he will support us. (2) Or he will do work for us. (3) Our family lineage will be extended. (4) He will manage the inheritance, (5) or else, when we have passed on, he will give an offering on our behalf.’ Considering these five prospects, mother and father wish for a son to be born in their family.”

Considering the five prospects,
wise people wish for a son.
“Supported by us, he will support us,
or he will do work for us.
The family lineage will be extended,
he will manage the inheritance,
or else, when we have passed on,
he will make an offering on our behalf.”

Considering these prospects,
wise people wish for a son.
Therefore good persons,
grateful and appreciative,
support their mother and father,
recalling how they helped one in the past;
they do what is necessary for them
as they did for oneself in the past.

Following their advice,
nurturing those who brought him up,
continuing the family lineage,
endowed with faith, virtuous:
this son is worthy of praise.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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A Child

“Mendicants, parents see five reasons to wish for the birth of a child in the family.
What five?
Since we looked after them, they’ll look after us.
They’ll do their duty for us.
The family traditions will last.
They’ll take care of the inheritance.
Or else when we have passed away they’ll give an offering on our behalf.
Parents see these five reasons to wish for the birth of a child in the family.
Seeing five reasons,
astute people wish for a child.
Since we looked after them, they’ll look after us.
They’ll do their duty for us.
The family traditions will last.
They’ll take care of the inheritance.
Or else when we have passed away
they’ll give an offering on our behalf.
Seeing these five reasons
astute people wish for a child.
And so good people,
grateful and thankful,
look after their parents,
remembering past deeds.
They do for their parents,
as their parents did for them in the past.
Following their advice, looking after those who raised them,
the family traditions are not lost.
Faithful, accomplished in ethics,
such a child is praiseworthy.”