an.8.24 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Hatthaka (2)

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Āḷavī at the Aggāḷava Shrine. Then Hatthaka of Āḷavī, accompanied by five hundred lay followers, approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and sat down to one side. The Blessed One then said to him:

“Your retinue is large, Hatthaka. How do you sustain this large retinue?”

“I do so, Bhante, by the four means of sustaining a favorable relationship taught by the Blessed One. When I know: ‘This one is to be sustained by a gift,’ I sustain him by a gift. When I know: ‘This one is to be sustained by endearing speech,’ I sustain him by endearing speech. When I know: ‘This one is to be sustained by beneficent conduct,’ I sustain him by beneficent conduct. When I know: ‘This one is to be sustained by impartiality,’ I sustain him by impartiality. There is wealth in my family, Bhante. They don’t think they should listen to me as if I were poor.”

“Good, good, Hatthaka! This is the method by which you can sustain a large retinue. For all those in the past who sustained a large retinue did so by these same four means of sustaining a favorable relationship. All those in the future who will sustain a large retinue will do so by these same four means of sustaining a favorable relationship. And all those at present who sustain a large retinue do so by these same four means of sustaining a favorable relationship.”

Then, after the Blessed One had instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened Hatthaka of Āḷavī with a Dhamma talk, Hatthaka rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping the right side toward him, and departed.

Then, not long after Hatthaka of Āḷavī had left, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus, you should remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one who possesses eight astounding and amazing qualities. What eight? (1) He is endowed with faith. (2) He is virtuous, and (3) has a sense of moral shame and (4) moral dread. (5) He is learned, (6) generous, and (7) wise. (8) He has few desires. You should remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one who possesses these eight astounding and amazing qualities.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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With Hatthaka (2nd)

At one time the Buddha was staying near Āḷavī, at the Aggāḷava Tree-shrine.
Then the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī, escorted by around five hundred lay followers, went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to Hatthaka:
“Hatthaka, you have a large congregation.
How do you bring together such a large congregation?”
“Sir, I bring together such a large congregation by using the four ways of being inclusive as taught by the Buddha.
When I know that a person
can be included by a gift, I include them by giving a gift.
When I know that a person
can be included by kindly words, I include them by kindly words.
When I know that a person
can be included by taking care of them, I include them by caring for them.
When I know that a person
can be included by equality, I include them by treating them equally.
But also, sir, my family is wealthy.
They wouldn’t think that a poor person was worth listening to in the same way.”
“Good, good, Hatthaka!
This is the right way to bring together a large congregation.
Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who have brought together a large congregation have done so by using these four ways of being inclusive.”


Then the Buddha educated, encouraged, fired up, and inspired Hatthaka of Āḷavī with a Dhamma talk, after which he got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha before leaving.
Then, not long after Hatthaka had left, the Buddha addressed the mendicants:
“Mendicants, you should remember the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī as someone who has eight amazing and incredible qualities.
What eight?
He’s faithful,
ethical,
conscientious,
prudent,
learned,
generous,
wise,
and has few wishes.
You should remember the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavī as someone who has these eight amazing and incredible qualities.”